Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 642: Predicament (2)

Observing these spirited soldiers standing on either side of the road, seemingly visible every few steps, Feng Xuxu offered a faint smile, "Crown Prince Lou, we simply wanted to take a look around, yet you’ve summoned them all. What is this for? Can it be that the Sunset Kingdom has bandits or some sort of villain emerging even during the day?"

Lou Qianyu listened to Feng Xuxu’s words, nodded, then shook his head, finally letting out a series of sighs, "Sister-in-law, what you don’t know is that being born into the royal family, especially as a prince, who wouldn’t dream of ascending to the throne? When my father, the Emperor, passed away, my so-called good brothers colluded with the ministers in the court, altering my father’s will, stripping me of my position as Crown Prince, and nearly had me killed. It was only thanks to the Prime Minister and Lai Ge’s efforts that we narrowly avoided a civil war. After that, those two princes disappeared without a trace. Qianyu fears their sudden attacks, which is why I have no choice but to take precautions."

"Lai Ge? Is he Consort Lai’s brother?"

"Exactly."

Feng Xuxu now understood the reason Consort Lai was alive, her gaze becoming soft yet resolute as she looked at the man beside her, "Given your regard for Consort Lai’s brother, maybe you would turn a blind eye and not kill her. However, I cannot. I hope when I make my move, you will not interfere."

"I won’t. Qianyu will absolutely not intervene. As for Consort Hua, Qianyu has already secretly executed her."

"Secretly? Crown Prince Lou, is it necessary to secretly execute a consort? Your reign as Emperor seems truly... dismal." Feng Xuxu didn’t really know what else to say to him.

Lou Qianyu let out a wry chuckle, "Heh heh heh, sister-in-law, isn’t Qianyu himself walking on the edge of a knife? Shortly after my ascension, the treasury was robbed. I couldn’t even muster the silver to aid the people. Consort Hua was ’Zi Weijiang’s’ sister. Surely, sister-in-law, you understand why I had to secretly have her killed."

Feng Xuxu certainly grasped the implications: with the treasury emptied by the two princes, the Emperor needed silver, and the wealthiest man ’Zi Weijiang’ desired to consolidate his position, hence he would offer silver to aid the Emperor. They made use of each other. If he solidified his position, he might be able to manipulate Lou Qianyu from behind. Who would allow others to sleep peacefully by their side? No wonder Lou Qianyu mentioned he harbored ulterior motives; it seemed Qianyu too was on guard against him. Despite not trusting him, she turned to look at him and saw a calm expression on his face, as if he were completely relieved after announcing Consort Hua’s death, yet it didn’t appear self-defeating. Her thoughts briefly turned, "Are you planning to take action against him?"

Lou Qianyu looked back at her, astonished, "How did sister-in-law come to know?"

Upon hearing his words, Feng Xuxu laughed, "I guessed."

"Sister-in-law is truly clever, indeed you are correct," he paused, then continued, "but I can assure you of your safety in my country. You can rest easy."

Feng Xuxu smiled, shaking her head, "I’m not afraid; the one who should be is you. If my guess is right, those two brothers of yours are probably with him right now."

Lou Qianyu didn’t know whether his expression was one of shock or surprise, but it was mostly filled with admiration, "You’re right. My people have indeed seen the two of them at his residence. How did sister-in-law find out?"

"How could an ambitious man put all his hopes in a single person? Given how arrogant Consort Hua was within the Imperial Palace, she must have known her brother’s secrets and used them to blackmail him. Even if you hadn’t killed her, her own brother wouldn’t have tolerated someone threatening him. Sisters can be plentiful, but he has only one life. Thinking of this, it all becomes clear," Feng Xuxu took the rare opportunity to share her views with him.