Chapter 189: Killing with a Borrowed Knife

The Crown Prince watched Su Wan leave, helplessly staring at his immobile right hand, his eyes dark and brooding.

He recalled the sharp pain in his palm earlier—that needle was poisoned.

After calming his emotions, the Crown Prince made his way to the main courtyard and knocked on the door.

There was no response from inside.

The Crown Prince glanced at Luo Cheng, who stood nearby.

Luo Cheng kept his eyes focused downward, pretending not to see or hear anything.

The scene of the Crown Prince entangling with Su Wan earlier had already been witnessed by his master through the window.

“Uncle, I’ve come to discuss something important with you.” 

The Crown Prince said, his tone calm but laced with subtle respect.

Still, there was no response from within the room.

The Crown Prince’s expression gradually stiffened.

“Your Highness, I’ll go prepare tea for you,” Luo Cheng quickly made his exit.

A dark cloud seemed to pass over the Crown Prince’s face, but he dared not show anger in the Regent’s residence.

Leaving abruptly at this moment would be even more inappropriate.

As the sky grew completely dark, lights were lit inside the room.

Luo Cheng reappeared from somewhere, knocking on the door and calling, “Master, the Crown Prince is here.”

The deep, raspy voice of the Regent came from inside, “Enter.”

The Crown Prince, who had been standing for half an hour, pushed the door open and walked in.

The Regent was sitting on a soft couch, draped in an outer robe, as if he had just woken up, his expression heavy and brooding.

“Uncle, I’ve come regarding the mission to Xiliang. Since you’re unwell, how about I go in your place?” the Crown Prince cautiously suggested.

“No need.” The Regent waved his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I have something else planned for you.”

The Crown Prince’s eyes flickered with interest.

“The trip will take me about half a year before I return to Great Zhou. Your father is obsessed with the art of immortality and neglects court affairs, so someone needs to hold the situation together,” the Regent said calmly as he took a sip of tea, pausing for a moment. “You’ve never truly handled matters on your own all these years. Let me see what you’re capable of.”

“Please instruct me, Uncle,” the Crown Prince replied, knowing full well this was no simple task.

Sure enough, the Regent continued, “Aside from the Marquis of Dingyuan, I want evidence of his crimes on my desk within three days.”

The Crown Prince’s expression shifted drastically.

The Regent’s gaze sharpened. “Can’t do it?”

“Rest assured, Uncle, I will handle it properly.” The Crown Prince walked out of the room, the cold wind sharpening his thoughts.

As he pondered the Regent’s intentions, he suspected that the Regent knew of his secret dealings with Su Jihong. Was this a move to push him into taking action against Su Jihong, forcing Su into a desperate situation where he would expose the Crown Prince’s involvement?

If he failed to deal with Su Jihong, the Regent would undoubtedly find a way to suppress his role in participating in the administration of the court.

After straightening his sleeves, a cold glint appeared in the Crown Prince’s eyes as he stepped away from the Regent’s residence.

Luo Cheng watched the Crown Prince’s silhouette disappear into the night before he turned and went back inside.

The Regent’s voice was chilling as he spoke, “The day after tomorrow, leak the news to Su Jihong that the Crown Prince intends to betray him after using him.”

Luo Cheng’s brow twitched—was this truly going to be a dog-eat-dog show?

“And if the Crown Prince attempts to kill by borrowed hands?” he asked cautiously.

“The informants we have placed around the Crown Prince can be activated.”

Luo Cheng’s heart tightened. If the Crown Prince moved against Su Jihong, it wouldn’t matter whose hands he borrowed.

“I’ll make the arrangements immediately,” Luo Cheng responded before retreating.

—

When the Old Lady of the Su family heard that Su Wan was going to accompany the Regent on the mission to Xiliang, she immediately ordered the maidservant to send a message to Su Wan, asking her to come by the next day to escort her to the nunnery and to pass on some final instructions.

The maidservant left the estate with the Old Lady’s message.

Before long, someone informed Qinglan of this news.

Qinglan had discovered that the Old Lady had given all her valuable belongings to Su Wan, and had been fretting over not finding the right opportunity to get them back. Upon hearing this news, a vicious glint flashed in her eyes.

She went to the study to find Su Jihong. “My lord, I plan to go to Guo Temple tomorrow to offer incense. Could you assign a few skilled men to accompany me?”

Su Jihong held a letter sent by the Crown Prince, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.

“Alright, I’ll arrange for several men to go with you,” Su Jihong replied, placing the letter into the candle flame, watching it burn. “I will go with you.”