Chapter 931: Chapter 927: Gradual Progression (2)

To die on the battlefield wrapped in horsehide is an honor, but to fall in court not only means personal ruin and disgrace but could also implicate one’s family and mansion, and even colleagues and friends find it difficult to extricate themselves...

"Has the Imperial Supervision Office participated?" As the two walked slowly, Fourth Master Xiao replied in a low voice: "The resume of Lord Wang was mentioned by Lord Fan of the Imperial Supervision Office."

The Imperial Supervision Office was also involved, it seems this matter will not be resolved soon. Fourth Master Xiao’s target is Lord Zhang, and now the conflict has just extended to Jiang Shilin, it appears it will only continue to escalate...

Meanwhile, the Emperor remains the ultimate arbiter. Before this, he naturally stays on the sidelines. From a political standpoint, such strife has an unspoken benefit, which is to clearly reveal each official’s stance and position amid the chaos.

In the evening, before Min returned, Chief De came. Xiqiu and Fourth Master Xiao received him together, both puzzled by his sudden visit.

"Please have a seat, Chief De." Fourth Master Xiao gestured courteously, but Chief De looked grim and shook his head: "Great Governor and Lady, no need for formality. I’m only here to convey a message from the Imperial Concubine. After that, I’ll return to the palace to report."

Fourth Master Xiao and Xiqiu exchanged glances, nodded, and said, "Please speak, Chief."

Chief De looked around, stepped closer, and spoke in a low voice: "At noon, I delivered Hibiscus horseshoe cake to Wenhua Hall..." He paused: "Master Xiao said he wasn’t hungry, so I left it on the tea tray outside the hall. After exchanging a few words with Master Xiao, I turned my head and saw a little eunuch inside the hall secretly eating a piece. My face turned grim at that moment..."

Xiqiu furrowed her brows, listening intently to Chief De’s following words.

Chief De omitted his handling of the little eunuch situation and continued: "Just as we were about to cane him, he spat out a mouthful of foul blood..."

Xiqiu’s expression changed, she asked in shock: "Is there something wrong with the cake?" How could this happen!

Chief De nodded seriously with a heavy face: "The cake was brought directly from the Imperial Kitchen by me, with no one else touching it. Since Master Xiao entered the palace, I have fetched it every day after noon, and this has never happened before, absolutely unexpected today..." He paused and looked at Fourth Master Xiao: "After the Imperial Concubine found out, she was furious and ordered an investigation. His Majesty is also aware, and there will be results shortly. However, the Imperial Concubine asked me to inform the Great Governor and Lady. Although she doesn’t know whether the target was her or Master Xiao, today was extremely dangerous, so she wanted me to remind the Great Governor and Lady."

Fourth Master Xiao sat there coldly and silently, while Xiqiu, pale-faced, thanked: "Thank you, Chief, please convey our gratitude to Her Highness. We will be extremely cautious."

"In that case, I won’t say much more. I bid farewell." With that, he saluted Fourth Master Xiao and Xiqiu. Fourth Master Xiao instructed Tiancheng to escort Chief De out.

Xiqiu understood the purpose of Le Xiu sending Chief De to inform them. Regardless of whether the target was her or Min, this matter was inseparable from Le’an Palace. If the target was Min, she should more so clear herself of suspicion and have Chief De convey this, preventing the couple from blaming her.

However, Xiqiu felt that the target was indeed Min, intended to use Le Xiu to poison Min. If successful, it would disrupt the alliance between Marquis Zhongshan, Marquis Jinxiang, and Xuanning Marquis Mansion, ruin Le Xiu’s future, and solve the potential crisis stemming from Min’s identity.

What a cunning move.

"Fourth Master." Xiqiu sat beside Fourth Master Xiao: "Perhaps we shouldn’t let Min go to the palace anymore. Today they failed, but there will surely be another attempt. We can’t always guard against the unexpected..."

Fourth Master Xiao grasped her hand, speaking softly: "Don’t worry. I’ll go to the palace later; the Emperor’s attitude on this matter is crucial!" He continued: "As for Min going to Wenhua Hall, we’ll discuss it after I get the Emperor’s instructions."

Xiqiu nodded in agreement, and Fourth Master Xiao changed into court attire and went to the palace.

Xiqiu did not hold much hope for favor from the Emperor regarding this matter.

It was not until dusk that father and son returned from the palace. Xiqiu pulled Min close for a thorough inspection, finally breathing a sigh of relief. Min already knew what happened in the afternoon and comforted Xiqiu: "Mother, rest assured, I’ll be cautious with anything ingested."

Xiqiu nodded and looked toward Fourth Master Xiao, who, in front of Min, revealed: "The perpetrator has been found; it was Chief Cai from the Imperial Kitchen, who confessed entirely, saying it was out of jealousy towards Consort Le, not against Min."

"Targeting Consort Le?" Xiqiu was skeptical. There are many ways to target Le Xiu, whether successful or not, but poisoning in the cake is truly unwise. Moreover, Chief De mentioned he regularly collected the cakes from the Imperial Kitchen; how could Chief Cai not know whether they were for Wenhua Hall for Min or for Le’an Palace for Consort Le?

Clearly, they intended to downplay the incident!

"What did the Emperor say?" The manner of handling is crucial; if Chief Cai is merely executed, it indicates the Emperor does not intend a thorough investigation. If left alive, it demonstrates a clear stance.

Fourth Master Xiao paused, glanced at Min, and said calmly: "Executed!"

As expected!

Xiqiu tightly held Min’s hand, looked at him, and said: "We shouldn’t return, should we? Today was merely a warning; there’s no telling if such incidents will occur in the future. We can’t take that risk; if you wish to return to the palace, we’ll consider alternatives." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Min’s expression darkened slightly but did not seem surprised. Compared to him, a son raised away from court, the Eldest Prince in the palace would naturally hold more importance to that person. Min was unsurprised yet inevitably disheartened, shaking his head at Xiqiu: "Mother, Father said we should face challenges head-on. Since she has murderous intent, we must not retreat." He spoke with determination.

Xiqiu furrowed her brow, glancing at Fourth Master Xiao, who gave her a slight nod.

Xiqiu sighed, saying no more.

After Min left, she softly spoke to Fourth Master Xiao: "I feel this matter cannot end like this. With Min always at the palace, we need a long-term solution to ensure his safety for the coming years."

Fourth Master Xiao already had a plan but raised his brow at Xiqiu; a single glance between the couple sufficed to confirm their thoughts aligned.

"Thank you, Fourth Master." Xiqiu clasped Fourth Master Xiao’s hand: "Once Min grows older, we’ll have more time to prepare..."

Fourth Master Xiao nodded.

The next day, the brothers Shen An and Shen Ning of the Fujian Shen Family, who had been missing for several days, submitted a memorial, stirring great waves in the already tumultuous court.