Chapter 70: Truly a Hindrance

Li Ningzhi took advantage of Yan Ziqi’s outing with the Chijin Prince to sneak into the Honglu Guesthouse with her older cousin. She had hoped just to catch a glimpse or exchange a few words.

Unexpectedly, the Northern Yue guards stationed there were so bold as to start a confrontation with them. At that moment, Mu Zhan returned.

Li Ningzhi, showing more sense than Tong Lianian, tugged at her cousin, signaling him not to act rashly. They were merely there for a visit, so there was no need to demand anyone’s release. What if the Northern Yue people accused them of being two-faced?

“My cousin only spoke in haste out of concern for his father. I hope General Mu can be accommodating and allow us to see him.”

After a moment’s thought, Mu Zhan had his men step aside. “You may take a look through the window, but do not engage in conversation.”

Tong Lianian was about to say more, but Li Ningzhi pulled him along toward the courtyard, remembering to say, “Thank you.”

One of the guards muttered, “So the royal family is nothing remarkable after all.”

Mu Zhan shot him a glare, scolding, “Get moving and ensure they don’t try to speak with him. No conflicts either.” He then added, “When the prince returns, I’ll report your loyalty and obedience. A commendation may be in order.”

The guards responded in unison, “Yes, sir.”

Mu Zhan went to retrieve medicine from the main hall before heading to the Duke of Xiangguo’s residence.

In the courtyard, Li Ningzhi and Tong Lianian stood as the guard inside opened a window to let them look in. Tong Lianian, now realizing the gravity of the situation, calmed down, grateful for his cousin’s wisdom.

He saw his father sitting at a table, his back straight and his face hidden behind a mask. He didn’t even look their way or send any messages. Tong Lianian clenched his fist.

This was all Yan Ziqi’s fault—he had the capability to rescue Vice-General Ge but refused to extend any help to save his father.

“Father, I will rescue you,” Tong Lianian vowed before turning to leave, bowing to his uncle inside before departing. His uncle remained motionless, and the guard closed the window.

As the two exited, they saw a carriage waiting outside. But Tong Lianian noticed someone familiar standing at the corner. He squinted, trying to recall who it was, then motioned for his cousin to investigate.

Li Ningzhi recognized her right away—it was Lou Yun. He quietly informed his cousin of her identity.

Tong Lianian looked again, puzzled. Why would Ning Yi’s maid be out here?

Lou Yun, standing in the alley, waited for the Fourth Prince and the young General Tong to exit before revealing herself. Li Ningzhi guessed that his fourth sister had sent for them. He told the guards, “My cousin and I will take a walk through the streets; you may return ahead.”

As protocol dictated, the prince’s guards often accompanied him. One of the guards, seeing the Fourth Prince’s insistence, cautioned him, “Be mindful, Your Highness, and don’t be late returning to the palace.”

With the unrest caused by General Tong’s detainment, it seemed the Fourth Prince was struggling as well and likely wanted a brief reprieve.

Once the guards and carriage departed, Li Ningzhi and Tong Lianian followed Lou Yun through a series of alleys, eventually arriving at a teahouse where Ning Yi awaited them.

They entered through the back and climbed to a concealed private room on the second floor. This teahouse was part of Consort Tong’s dowry, and it was the same place where Ning Yi had previously met Fu Minglang.

Upon seeing her younger brother and cousin, Ning Yi motioned for them to sit, signaling Lou Yun to serve tea. She hadn’t originally planned to come out, but her mother had informed her of something serious: Prince Jing had died.

The Emperor had intended to wait until after the new year, once the Northern Yue delegation had left, before addressing the matter. Yet, something must have gone awry, prompting the Emperor to take action prematurely.

Ning Yi suspected it was related to her third sister, but she had no proof. She remembered meeting Prince Jing when she was younger; he was always kind to everyone.

Initially, Ning Yi had been baffled as to why Prince Jing would ever consider rebelling. But after witnessing everyone’s attention to her third sister, Ning Yi understood.

She and Prince Jing were similar.

Both were trapped under a shadow they couldn’t escape or compete against.

They felt unworthy.

And Ning Yi herself had, more than once, considered replacing her.

Yet she was simply born as Consort Tong’s daughter.

Li Ningyi used to have simple ambitions—enough to eat, enough to wear, and perhaps to live better than her third sister. Yet this last wish had proven hard to achieve.

Through the Northern Yue marriage alliance, she had come to understand the importance of connections and power. Although her mother could assist her in minor matters, when it came to inter-nation diplomacy, even her mother couldn’t intervene.

Especially now, with her uncle captured, the Tong family’s influence was severely diminished.

“Fourth Sister, did you call Cousin and me here for something specific?”

Li Ningzhi, though he studied at the Guozijian, wasn’t one to merely waste time. Previously, with two distinguished elder brothers ahead of him, any accomplishments he made still fell short in comparison. Now, with both his older brothers gone, he held a greater chance of being named Crown Prince. His nine-year-old younger brother, no matter how diligent, couldn’t overtake his decade-long head start.

With the potential to win, Li Ningzhi was more motivated to work hard.

Li Ningyi revealed to them that Prince Jing had been killed, though Li Ningzhi showed little reaction to this news. Prince Jing’s execution was expected; he had rebelled, and it was right to take his life. The Tong family hadn’t been involved, and neither his mother nor third sister were aware of the matter. In Li Ningzhi’s view, there was no benefit to be gained here. The top priority was persuading the Chijin Prince to release his uncle.

That’s what Li Ningzhi said.

Watching his cousins, Tong Lianian noticed that Ningyi seemed different. In previous years, she would have greeted him warmly, asking what he had brought her. Now she was concerned about Prince Jing’s affairs.

He believed that neither the Emperor nor the ministers would let this stand; the priority was to get rid of Yan Ziqi. With the Chijin Prince present, they could even pin it on the Northern Yue.

Standing up, Tong Lianian downed his tea in one gulp. “I’m not interested in playing with you kids. I’m heading back.”

As she failed to stop him, Li Ningzhi turned to ask, “Is there a reason you didn’t speak about this in the palace, Fourth Sister?”

As her brother, he knew her well enough to sense something amiss.

Li Ningyi replied, “I want to win over Minister Fu.”

“Fu Minglang? You mean the one Third Sister used to…uh, like?”

Li Ningzhi stood up immediately. What capabilities did this man have to attract the admiration of both his third and fourth sisters?

Li Ningyi urged her fifth brother to calm down and listen to her. Having studied at the Guozijian, she understood a great deal. Though Fu Minglang lacked a solid family background, he had managed to establish himself in the capital, partly due to her third sister’s influence. However, Li Ningyi had privately investigated and found that Fu Minglang had connected with Minister Wen through his own efforts.

Additionally, he had written insightful reports on flood control, which earned him promotion by the Minister of Revenue.

“He’s a man of real skill. If you want the crown, simply relying on academics isn’t enough.”

The Guozijian’s curriculum was too theoretical. The commotion stirred by his third sister had led the Revenue Ministry to investigate their accounts thoroughly. Though he had finally been assigned to welcome the Northern Yue delegation, his third sister’s presence had overshadowed his efforts.

“Fifth Brother, Third Sister’s reputation has become overwhelming.”

If she were a prince, Li Ningyi thought, her fifth brother would have no chance at the throne.

Li Ningzhi wasn’t foolish; he quickly grasped her meaning.

“Father…could it be…he’s already setting things up for Ninth Brother?”

The thought sent a chill through him.

Li Ningzhi recalled Minister Wen and Wen Di. Wen Di, who worked in the Ministry of Revenue, had challenged several official documents, some involving their faction. Many who worked for the Tong family, including an official from the Ministry of Rites, had sought benefits. Usually, after some delay, the Revenue Ministry would approve them, but on that particular day, Princess Ning’an had been present.

Li Ningzhi realized that his third sister was an obstacle to his becoming Crown Prince.

A glint of resolve flashed in his eyes. “What if…I do this?”

Li Ningzhi began to strategize with his fourth sister.