Xiao Yan casually tucked the sachet into his sleeve. He’d have to get it to Feng Lai later, lest Emperor An’s headaches flare up and his loyal palace attendant suffer for it.
While Tang Ning and Xiao Yan spoke quietly outside, the door to the Imperial Dragon Hall swung open. The Crown Prince emerged, his face clouded with anger.
Behind him trailed two fully armored Forbidden Guards. As the Crown Prince stepped outside, the door slammed shut with a bang, and the guards stood at attention, swords drawn, vigilantly barring entry.
“You!” The Crown Prince’s face darkened with rage.
The two guards remained expressionless. “Your Highness, please.”
The Crown Prince flung his sleeve in frustration, letting out an angry huff. As he stormed off, he caught sight of Xiao Yan and Tang Ning standing side by side at the base of the steps.
He strode toward them, his face still flushed with anger. “Why haven’t Supervisor Xiao and Princess Xiangning left the palace yet?”
Xiao Yan replied, “We were concerned about His Majesty and came to check.”
He glanced at the tightly shut doors of the Imperial Dragon Hall. “How is His Majesty?”
The Crown Prince’s smile faltered. “Commander Liu is guarding inside, barring anyone from approaching. Even Eunuch Feng has been kept at a distance. I couldn’t get close either.”
His voice grew indignant as he continued, “That Liu Tong’en is utterly outrageous. He’s had the entire Imperial Dragon Terrace sealed off, forbidding anyone from entering or leaving. Even Physician Wang and the others treating Father are constantly watched, not allowed to step foot off the terrace.”
“I only wanted to check on Father’s condition, and he had the audacity to drive me out!”
Liu Tong’en had always been humble, courteous to princes and courtiers alike. But perhaps because of the confrontation in Zichen Hall earlier, his attitude toward the Crown Prince just now had been utterly deplorable, showing no regard for his status and laced with outright disrespect.
The Crown Prince fumed, “I used to think him honest and loyal. Despite holding the position of Forbidden Army Commander, he rarely meddled in palace affairs. Now I see he’s arrogant and insolent.”
“Cui Lin’s ability to bribe the Forbidden Army likely has much to do with Liu Tong’en. He’s far more favored by Father than Yu Yanfeng. And didn’t you say earlier that Liu Tong’en sent men to investigate Lady Zhao?”
“This man is a serious threat. Should we…” The Crown Prince’s eyes hardened, and he made a cutting gesture with his hand.
Xiao Yan frowned at him. “Your Highness wishes to kill Liu Tong’en?”
When the Crown Prince didn’t respond, Xiao Yan continued, “A Forbidden Army Commander who never seeks power yet managed to disrupt the four suburban camps at a critical moment, breaking the siege on the Forbidden Garden right under my nose, does Your Highness truly believe Father values him solely for his supposed merit in saving him years ago?”
The Crown Prince froze, stunned. “What does Supervisor Xiao mean?”
“When it comes to saving His Majesty, I’ve done so countless times. Yet has His Majesty ever shown me leniency?”
Xiao Yan said, “The moment anyone in court utters a few rumors, His Majesty grows suspicious. Earlier, when Cui Lin framed me with a scheme, His Majesty didn’t hesitate to demand my life. For such a cold and distrustful man, what makes you think Liu Tong’en is an exception, relying solely on some questionable claim of saving him?”
Seeing the Crown Prince’s expression shift, Xiao Yan added, “If Liu Tong’en could be touched, I would have dealt with him long ago. Why let him reach the Imperial Dragon Terrace? If Your Highness wishes to secure your position as heir, it’s best not to move against him.”
“But…” The Crown Prince hesitated. “What about the Imperial Dragon Terrace?”
Xiao Yan replied, “Since Commander Liu is so concerned for His Majesty’s health, let him guard it. With the physicians attending, nothing will go wrong. Leave the Forbidden Army to Commander Yu. However, Your Highness, though His Majesty issued a decree naming you heir, not everyone in court is convinced.”
“You know how that decree came about. Courtiers like Commander Liu, the other princes, and the imperial clan may not truly accept it. And the regional vassal kings, if His Majesty recovers and regrets his decision, your position as Crown Prince…”
Xiao Yan stopped short, but his words were enough to make the Crown Prince’s face darken considerably.
Emperor An had never favored him, and tonight, the Crown Prince had forced him into a humiliating position. If Emperor An regained power, he would never forgive him, death by a thousand cuts would be a light punishment.
The Crown Prince glanced back at the Imperial Dragon Hall, his fists slowly clenching.
Since he’d become Crown Prince, no one would pull him down.
Not Liu Tong’en. Not even his father!
When he looked at Xiao Yan again, his demeanor was noticeably warmer. Right now, he could only cling to Xiao Yan, only he could protect him and secure his future throne.
His gaze paused, noticing the bloodstains on Tang Ning’s hands and the bandaged wound on Xiao Yan’s arm, and a thought struck him.
“Speaking of which, I rarely saw Princess Xiangning before. It was only during the crisis in the hall that I realized how close you and Supervisor Xiao are.”
“You two…” The Crown Prince probed cautiously.
Tang Ning’s face flushed, and she lowered her eyes shyly, too embarrassed to speak.
Xiao Yan, however, took her hand directly.
The Crown Prince’s eyes lit up. “So, Supervisor Xiao is fond of Princess Xiangning?”
Xiao Yan nodded. “Yes.”
“And you two…” The Crown Prince glanced between them.
Xiao Yan said softly, “I’ve wronged Tang Ning.”
The Crown Prince nodded knowingly. “Supervisor Xiao, in pursuit of your grand plans, naturally had many considerations. Princess Xiangning is gentle and virtuous; she surely understands your constraints.”
“Now that the He family’s charges is on the verge of being cleared, you no longer need to disguise yourself as a palace eunuch. It’s a pity Father is unwell. Otherwise, once the He family’s case is resolved, you could inherit the title of Marquis of Xuanyi, and Father could grant a marriage decree for you two, a double joy.”
Xiao Yan’s voice deepened. “His Majesty is the sovereign, but Your Highness is also a lord. Why wait for His Majesty to grant a marriage? Would Your Highness be willing to decree a marriage for us?”
“Brother,” Tang Ning’s face burned, her lashes trembling with shy protest as she tugged his hand. “The capital is still in chaos. Our matter isn’t urgent…”
“You’re not urgent, but I am,” Xiao Yan said gently. “Before, my identity was unclear, and I didn’t want you to face gossip. Now that the He family is being vindicated, I want the world to know you’re my beloved.”
He turned to the Crown Prince. “The Three Judicial Offices will have results in a few days. I ask Your Highness to grant our marriage then.”
“Supervisor Xiao is truly impatient,” the Crown Prince said, laughing. It was the first time he’d seen Xiao Yan so openly emotional. He clapped Xiao Yan’s shoulder heartily. “Rest assured, I’ll gladly play matchmaker. You and Princess Xiangning are a perfect match, a heaven-made pair who’ve faced life and death together. Your union would be a joyous occasion. Once the Three Judicial Offices deliver their verdict, I’ll decree your marriage. I only hope you’ll live in harmony and grow old together.”
Xiao Yan bowed deeply. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Tang Ning, her face glowing with a blush, curtsied shyly. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
The Crown Prince gestured for them to rise, then said, “Supervisor Xiao, about the two deputy generals of the Dragon Court Guards…”
Xiao Yan replied, “They won’t stay in the capital for long.”
The Crown Prince was taken aback. “They’re returning to the northwest?”
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You can read ahead to chapterr 670 (100+ extra chapters) here
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