MLIAM Chapter 86

Chapter 86: Listening to Gossip – The Second Prince is Indeed Hard to Pursue.

Wei Yan, dressed in a black official uniform, saw Yu Shuli and curled his lips: “I was only gone for a moment, how many unequal treaties did the Duke of Zhen sign behind my back?”

Yu Shuli was pulled into his arms, and his panic finally subsided. He murmured softly, “You returned in time, it’s not that many…”

Wei Yan raised his eyes to look at Zhao Lan, greeting him with a smile: “Second Prince.”

Zhao Lan nodded: “Good to be back.”

Wei Yan said: “The situation in the Palace isn’t good. Although Wan Yan Jun hasn’t personally appeared, the Marquis of Xunyang’s men have already taken control of the Imperial Palace. When I saw His Majesty, after receiving the Imperial Decree of Abdication, the Marquis of Xunyang’s troops kidnapped my aunt, forcing me to hand over the Imperial Decree. Fortunately, Consort Xian covered for me, and with the help of Gonggong Li, I was sent out of the Palace through a secret passage. His Majesty still has the Imperial Guards as his last straw, plus they aren’t exactly legitimate, so they still need a puppet, hence he can temporarily save his life. But at this time, Wan Yan Jun is powerful, and the Marquis of Xunyang has no scruples, the two of them have probably already drafted another Imperial Decree. If there are no accidents, they will force the Emperor to abdicate.”

Zhao Lan sighed: “It still ended up like this.” He nodded: “Forget it, Zhao Xuan’s life isn’t as important as the country and its people. It’s too late to plan for the long term, we can only think about how to act to minimize the losses to Da Liang. It’s just… once Wan Yan Jun’s true identity is exposed, the Imperial Family will inevitably be disgraced, and Father Emperor’s reputation will be ruined.”

He paused, and suddenly looked at Wei Yan: “Consort Xian and Gonggong Li are both your people?”

Wei Yan nodded: “Yes, what’s wrong?”

Zhao Lan sighed: “Wan Yan Jun isn’t a fool, if I can see it, he probably has too. Those two, I’m afraid their fates are ominous.”

Wei Yan shook his head: “Not necessarily, Wan Yan Jun is very greedy, he should want to play a long game.”

Zhao Lan paused, giving him a complicated look. “You want to take the bait voluntarily…”

To use himself as bait again, the risk is too great. He is now a married man, how can he act like before? Zhao Lan glanced at the unaware Yu Shuli, wanting to say something: “Too radical…”

Before he could finish, Wei Yan interrupted: “Your Highness, don’t worry, I won’t act rashly again.”

“That’s good.”

Yu Shuli didn’t notice the subtle interaction between the two, his mind was still digesting the huge amount of information he’d just heard, and he was even angry enough to clench his fists: “No matter what, we have to save them! And Wei Yan’s aunt is still in the Palace! Why don’t we just fight our way in!”

“Of course we must save them, but…” Zhao Lan frowned, he looked at Dai Meng on the side: “What’s the situation with Imperial Brother?”

This Imperial Brother, refers to the Crown Prince who is actually related by blood.

Dai Meng said: “Doctor Yang went to the door, but was refused entry. I suspected something was wrong, so I climbed over the wall to investigate, and found that the Crown Prince, who was supposedly seriously injured and untreated, was no longer in the residence arranged by the two adults. Either he was secretly taken into the Palace by The Crown Prince Party, or…” He looked solemn: “He’s dead.”

Wei Yan frowned: “Impossible, he’s not dead.”

Zhao Lan chuckled, suddenly understanding: “Imperial Brother has gotten smart, he knows the trick of ‘borrowing a knife to kill’.” He was thoughtful: “But who knows, who is the knife?”

“It’s normal that Zhao Yong knows Wan Yan Jun’s identity, after all, Wan Yan Jun hasn’t been hiding his actions much lately.” Wei Yan didn’t find the Crown Prince’s escape surprising: “But… even something like Yu Miaomiao causing a marriage scandal he could come up with, he’s obviously desperate. After all, if the old case is overturned and he’s investigated, not only will his throne be in danger, but if it blows up, he’ll lose his head. In that case, since he doesn’t plan to ascend through legitimate means, then perhaps the Marquis of Xunyang’s coup this time is a great opportunity for him.”

Yu Shuli couldn’t understand their riddles, and hurriedly asked Wei Yan: “What do you mean?”

“Zhao Yong wants to take advantage of Wan Yan Jun’s coup to seize the throne, making his own ascension legitimate.”

After eliminating the rebels, he will be considered to have made a contribution, and from a traitor to a meritorious official is only one step away.

Wei Yan’s gaze was distant: “This Imperial Palace is going to be lively.”

“Wanting to use Wan Yan Jun, I don’t know if he’ll live to see that day.” Zhao Yong sneered: “Does he think Wan Yan Jun is as easy to manipulate as that Yu Miaomiao?”

Yu Shuli said sullenly: “I still don’t understand, why my second sister could get involved with him. If Zhao Yong was indeed the culprit behind her tragic past, shouldn’t she hate him? Why can she still…”

Wei Yan touched his head: “It’s all in the past.”

Yu Shuli glanced at Wei Yan, knowing that he was probably still hiding something he didn’t want to say, but now wasn’t the time to ask, and Wei Yan wouldn’t harm him anyway.

Zhao Lan asked Wei Yan: “Do you still have contact methods with the Palace? We need to know the current situation in the Palace.”

Wei Yan said: “Yes, I do.”

The group then hurriedly followed Wei Yan’s lead and headed to The General’s Residence.

Yu Shuli muttered as he walked: “Wei Yan, you’re really too bad, you placed the Palace’s internal contact in The General’s Residence, isn’t that trying to kill me?”

Wei Yan chuckled and took his hand: “How is that trying to kill you? This is called the most dangerous place is the safest place.”

“I don’t care, you didn’t even tell me.” Yu Shuli glared at him: “You don’t love me.”

Wei Yan was stunned, then curled his lips: “Okay, to express my love, I’ll definitely tell you next time.”

“There’s going to be a next time?!”

Zhao Lan looked over with a smile, explaining for Wei Yan: “Ji’an, don’t you think about those people in his family, are they trustworthy? The Prime Minister’s Residence is full of dangers, and it’s possible that someone is stealing from within, compared to that, The General’s Residence is indeed as safe as a fortress. Most importantly, your father is sitting there, the former Northwest God General, even if someone has a mind to investigate carefully, they would probably be intimidated by his remaining prestige and wouldn’t dare to act rashly.”

Yu Shuli thought that was true. He reluctantly nodded: “Alright, I’ll acquit you.”

“The Duke of Zhen is truly an old softie.” Wei Yan smiled, hooking his wrist, and whispered in his ear: “I’ll compensate you in other ways when we get back, okay?”

Yu Shuli pushed him away with a red face: “You pervert!”

Dai Meng, listening from behind, glanced at Zhao Lan with a deep look in his eyes.

Zhao Lan, sharp-eyed, instantly caught his gaze. “What are you looking at me for?”

“Nothing.”

Yu Shuli curiously examined the way the two interacted, and asked curiously: “Didn’t you say you made up? How are you still so distant?”

Zhao Lan smiled: “You think everyone is like you two? There’s only one Prime Minister Wei in the world who can indulge you and coax you without any limits. The rest… even if there’s a little dissatisfaction, they’ll break up with people.”

Dai Meng stopped, grabbed Zhao Lan’s hand, his face turning stiff: “Didn’t we say we wouldn’t dwell on it anymore?”

“What? I’m used to being sarcastic, I can’t change it. If you have a problem with it, go back to your hometown and farm.”

Seeing that the two were about to argue again, Yu Shuli took Wei Yan’s hand and tacitly fell behind.

“Wei Yan.” He called out softly.

“Hmm?”

“Do you think… the Second Prince and Dai Meng, do they seem like they’ve made up?” He smiled awkwardly: “I always thought the Second Prince would be very calm when it came to matters of the heart, I didn’t expect…”

“Didn’t expect what?”

“Didn’t expect the Second Prince is also an ordinary person, turns out he can also get angry.” He muttered softly: “I wonder how Dai Meng offended him back then.”

“How could he offend him?” Zhao Lan heard Yu Shuli’s voice and turned back to smile: “Isn’t it just that he had a childhood sweetheart at home, and the two were about to get married, but he still wanted to provoke me? I said, I don’t have the ability to have children.”

Dai Meng suddenly grabbed him, pulled him into his arms, almost gritting his teeth: “I told you, I didn’t want to marry her! It was a family engagement, I already refused it.”

Zhao Lan stared at him: “So, your mother accepted me?”

Dai Meng was stunned.

Zhao Lan pushed him away, smiling slightly: “So, there’s a reason why I don’t like you.”

Dai Meng lowered his eyes, not completely letting go, still holding onto his lower back with one hand, but took out a thin booklet from his chest with the other and handed it over.

“The family has already agreed to me separating from them. My mother has my younger brother to take care of, and I will send them money every year. Besides these, my whole person is yours.” His fingers trembled slightly as he opened the booklet, which only had his own household registration on it. “I am willing to serve you, to dedicate myself to you. Are you willing to give me a home?”

Yu Shuli “hissed” and nudged Wei Yan’s elbow, showing a gossipy expression.

Wei Yan took Yu Shuli’s hand, putting a finger on his lips, “Shh.” The two stopped approaching, leaving the short time to the two in front.

Zhao Lan’s gaze fell on the thin booklet, his voice trembling: “You said… what?”

“I said… it’s fine if I marry you, are you still willing to have me?”

Zhao Lan snatched the booklet away, turning his face away: “Who wants you? A country bumpkin.”

“Yes, I’m a country bumpkin, are you willing to give me a chance? I will use the rest of my life to perform well, and I will definitely not let you regret it.”

…

After a rustling sound that lasted for a long time, Zhao Lan cleared his throat and called out to the two behind him, and Wei Yan pulled Yu Shuli to follow.

Yu Shuli looked at the faces of the two in front, but couldn’t tell if they had succeeded or not.

He asked Dai Meng curiously: “Dai Meng, did your proposal succeed?”

Dai Meng only had a cold face, walking with his head down.

Yu Shuli sighed regretfully: “It seems the Second Prince is indeed hard to pursue.”

Zhao Lan turned his head to glare at him: “Not doing your job? You actually have time to gossip about me?”

“Hey, I’m doing it, I’m doing it.” Yu Shuli chased after him: “Don’t be angry, I’m definitely on your side. Dai Meng is nothing to me, if you’re annoyed by him, I’ll immediately send him to the kitchen, besides the stove, I guarantee he won’t see any other men or women.”

Zhao Lan chuckled, twisting his arm: “Only you can cause trouble!”

“If you don’t agree, I won’t leave.” Dai Meng followed and said: “If you don’t agree today, I’ll ask again tomorrow, if you don’t agree tomorrow, I’ll ask again the day after. I have plenty of time.”

“Stubborn.” Zhao Lan turned his head, suddenly adding: “As you wish.”

Dai Meng’s eyes suddenly lit up.

Just as he wanted to say something else, the group had already arrived at The General’s Residence.

Yu Shuli sighed: “It’s good that The Prime Minister’s Residence and The General’s Residence are so close… It feels like we arrived without walking much.”

“Isn’t it good to be close?” Wei Yan smiled: “Saves you from always making a fuss about going back to your mother’s house, closer so you can live anywhere.”

“What about you?” Yu Shuli raised his eyes and asked.

“I will naturally follow you.”

“I can’t stand it.” Zhao Lan’s eyes, which were originally smiling as he looked at the two, were now a little nauseated by being soaked in sugar: “Show less affection.”

Yu Shuli smiled embarrassedly and pushed Wei Yan: “Hurry up and lead the way, the clues from the Palace are important.”

The group came to the rockery.

Wei Yan reached into a crack in the rock and felt around, and sure enough, he found a note.

Yu Shuli hurriedly wanted to take it to read, but was blocked by Zhao Lan.

“Too many people watching, let’s talk in the study.”

Yu Shuli nodded and hurriedly pointed the way for everyone.

After entering the house, Yu Shuli invited everyone to sit down, and asked Wei Yan to help pour tea.

Dai Meng shook his head and didn’t sit down, but stood at the door as a lookout.

“Let him be.” Zhao Lan looked at Wei Yan: “Quick, take out the note.”

Wei Yan opened the note as he was told and handed it over.

The writer was Consort Xian.

She said that now the Emperor believed what the Third Prince said, The Censorate would be taken back, and Wei Yan would soon be ordered to be detained for trial.

Wei Yan’s expression didn’t change, but Zhao Lan’s face darkened.

“Didn’t Father Emperor stop using that ‘Longevity Pill’? How can he still be controlled by Wan Yan Jun?” He asked Wei Yan: “Could it be that the Imperial Decree you got was fake?”

Wei Yan shook his head: “When I entered the Palace, he was still awake, he knew clearly that he had no choice but to trust me. No matter how fatuous he is, Zhao Xuan is still his son, he wouldn’t be so blind as to not recognize his own son.”

“Are you saying, His Majesty also recognized that Wan Yan Jun was impersonating the Third Prince?” Yu Shuli scratched his head: “But why would he take back your Censorate?”

“Probably a plan to take advantage of the situation.” Wei Yan curled his lips: “Doesn’t he still have a son?”

Zhao Lan’s heart suddenly chilled: “You mean…”

Wei Yan knew he had guessed it, and nodded: “He probably hopes that we will fight each other, so that his good Crown Prince can reap the benefits.”

Zhao Lan’s face paled, then he suddenly smiled: “In the end, he still can’t let go of that woman’s son. How ridiculous, I am clearly also his son, but he has never looked at me properly. Even the so-called Imperial Decree of Abdication is to plot against me, to let me be the ladder for his good son to ascend.”

Yu Shuli cursed: “The old Emperor is really a piece of trash! Clearly a stallion, but he still pretends to love the former Empress so much. When the former Empress was assassinated back then, we didn’t see him seriously and painfully investigating.”

Wei Yan nodded: “The former Empress was assassinated, and it was even his doing. He didn’t truly love anyone, he just needed the most easily manipulated son to ascend, so that even if he became the Supreme Emperor, he could still be carefree.”

Dai Meng walked to Zhao Lan’s side: “Don’t be sad for him.”

Zhao Lan regained his composure and smiled: “What am I sad about? The more they are like this, the more it shows how afraid they are of me. Doesn’t that just set off how incredibly excellent I am?”

He threw the note back to Wei Yan: “This message is probably half true and half false. Your letter has probably been switched.”