Chapter 4: The Conspiracy Begins

  Huangwang Mansion Study Room

  The Emperor sat at his desk, dressed in a purple robe, staring at the memorial in his hand for over an hour. Recently, a flood had occurred in Huai River, affecting five counties in Che Prefecture. Although the imperial court had allocated a large amount of disaster relief funds, the number of refugees was increasing. The prefect of Che Prefecture had urgently requested additional relief funds, but the national treasury was already depleted. Moreover, after going through layers of bureaucratic red tape, how much would actually reach the hands of the refugees? The Emperor had been furious about this matter in the grand hall and finally ordered Prince Huan to handle it personally, requiring him to come up with a plan within ten days, otherwise, he would be handed over to the Ministry of Punishment.

  A gentle breeze blew, the window sash moved slightly, and a white-clad figure appeared in the study. Tall and slender, with a face as pale as the moon, eyes like stars, nose like a hanging gallbladder, and lips that curved into a sly smile, exuding an inexplicable air of elegance. Comparable to Jun Yuehao, yet different. For Jun Yuehao was a ruthless, cold-blooded killer god, while this person embodied elegant, wanton charm; two distinct forms of beauty, both perfectly suited to their owners.

  Jun Ye Chen lazily leaned against the chair, took out the wine jug he brought with him, knocked off the seal mud, and the fragrance of wine filled the air. He tilted his head and drank a big mouthful. Then, he tossed it to Jun Ye Huan. Jun Ye Huan caught the wine jug that Jun Ye Chen had thrown over, also without saying a word, took a sip, and then threw it back to Jun Ye Chen. "The wine is not bad, twenty-year-old Zhuquan, Fourth Brother has good luck." Zhuquan was brewed by the eldest grandson of the Bamboo Leaf Mountain Villa owner, with only ten tanks produced each year. The palace would offer no more than five tanks as tribute every year. Twenty-year-old Zhuquan was indeed a rare fine wine. Jun Ye Huan's eyes dimmed for a moment. Was this carefree and non-political prince really just a carefree prince?

  Jun Ye Huan saw Jun Ye Chen's absent-minded expression and couldn't help but be curious, what made this free-spirited king who disliked being tied down and pursued freedom with all his heart become so distracted. He didn't speak, but instead looked at the memorial in his hand again.

  "Third brother, are you worried about the disaster in Huai River? You and I both know that relief efforts can't solve the problem, so why bother to fatten those corrupt officials." Jun Yexuan said disdainfully, flicking her lips. The emperor had handed this hot potato over to Third Brother, which was an unwise move, and it's likely that the emperor has already begun to suspect Third Brother. Since ancient times, royal families have no affection, and the imperial family is the most ruthless of all. That's why he didn't want to stay here, preferring to roam freely in the jianghu, hand in hand with someone, laughing at the clouds rolling by. But such a woman is rare in this world. Thinking of this, the image of Yun Qing's elegant and refined appearance flashed before his eyes again, and thinking of that "fragrant" scene, his face turned red once more, and he quickly pulled back his thoughts.

  Jun Yuehao didn't raise his head, he knew the relationship between them. "Fourth brother, do you have a good plan?" Jun Yuehao knew that he usually didn't like these officialdom things, but since he could see the danger in this situation, and had traveled to various countries, he might have some good suggestions. If there really was one, it would be a blessing for the common people, and he couldn't help but ask with some hope.

  It has to be said that Jun Yuehao is a good king who works for the country and its people.

  "What good strategy can I have, Third Brother? You're not unaware that I only love being carefree. Who understands so much?" Jun Yechen blinked his slightly evil eyes and changed to a more comfortable posture, leaning sideways. Although he didn't like the imperial court, when it came to the common people, he would still exert all his strength.

  Upon hearing this, Jun Yuehao also stopped continuing the topic and lowered his head to continue reading the memorial in his hand. The study room was silent for a moment.

  "Third brother, I discovered something interesting this time I came back." His words said it was interesting, but his expression wasn't. "I saw your queen, my third sister-in-law." Jun Yechen stared into Jun Yehuan's eyes, wanting to see a hint from his third brother's gaze, but those deep and profound eyes were as calm as the sea without any ripples. He knew that marrying Murong Yunqing wasn't his third brother's intention in the first place, it was just an expedient measure. After returning to the capital, he also heard about what happened to Murong Yunqing, but how could he think that a woman who even in dishevelment couldn't hide her elegant and refined demeanor, would do something as adulterous? "Do you know where I saw her?" Jun Yechen's heart couldn't help but feel a little sympathetic towards Yunqing. Seeing Jun Yehuan not being affected at all, without even raising an eyebrow, he suddenly didn't want to tell him about Yunqing's situation. If Jun Yehuan really didn't cherish her, then could he just not suppress the strange emotions in his heart towards Yunqing? Could he...

  "I've already sent her back to General Mu's residence." Jun Yuehao waved his hand, indicating that Jun Yuedust didn't need to say anything more. Although he was a bit surprised that Jun Yuedust had seen Yun Qing, since he had already sent her back to the general's residence, "Everything about her has nothing to do with me." With General Mu's affection for her, she should have a place to stay in the general's residence. What Jun Yuehao didn't know was that this time's ignorance would be a lifelong regret, so much so that later he regretted it until his intestines turned green, wondering why he hadn't listened to Jun Yuedust's words back then.

  "She's not in the general's mansion, but are you certain she's a timid and indecisive person?" Feeling the presence outside the door, Jun Yuxuan dropped this sentence and disappeared into the study.

  Jun Ye Huan looked in the direction where Jun Ye Chen had left, wasn't he a coward? A faint dark light flashed across his eyes and then disappeared.

  "See the princess." The voice of a guard came from outside the door.

  "The king has been busy with official duties lately, so I've brought a bowl of steamed bird's nest for him." The woman's voice was as melodious as the song of an oriole. As soon as her words fell, the door opened and she entered, wearing a light purple cloud-patterned robe and skirt, with a pale blue silk ribbon tied around her waist that wasn't quite one grasp wide. Her hands were like soft jade, her skin was like congealed fat, her eyebrows were like the antennae of a butterfly, and her smile was gentle and charming. She swayed gently as she walked, and came to stand in front of Jun Yuexuan, curtsying low. "Your concubine greets Your Majesty."

  "Xī ér hurry up and get up, from now on let others handle such matters."

  Jun Yuehao helped Shen Yunxi up and walked her to a side room to sit down.

  Shen Yunxi shook her head, took the bird's nest from Yuanyu's hand, and placed it on a side table. She scooped out a bowl and handed it to Jun Yehui, "Your Highness, have some bird's nest, I personally cooked it." She picked up a spoon, blew on it lightly, and fed it to Jun Yehui. After he swallowed, she scooped up another spoonful: "Just now, the King of Xianyao came by, and I think I heard you discussing my sister." Glancing at Jun Yehui, she continued: "The King of Xianyao saw my sister; is she doing well? Although she did something wrong, she's carrying a child. Your Highness has no children, so I beg of you to let her return to the manor and give birth to the young master. I'll raise the child as if it were my own." Shen Yunxi spoke softly, with sincerity in her eyes. She knew that the king had never acknowledged the child, and she couldn't give her any chance to return to the palace.

  Jun Yuehao looked at Shen Yunxi and said nothing, his eyes were ambiguous. "You don't need to worry about this."

  Shen Yunxi lowered her head and stopped speaking, a glimmer of light flashing in her eyes. She hadn't died yet. Lifting her head again, she still wore a faint smile.

  "Prince Wang will be resting at the Bamboo Pavilion tonight." Shen Yunxi smiled with a gentle face, as if with a hint of shyness, tender and delicate.

  "Xi'er, you go back first. I still have some things to deal with tonight." Jun Yuehao said and walked back to the desk to sit down.

  "Yes, I'll go back first." Yingying bowed and left the study. "Go tell Second Madam that the plum blossoms need pruning." "Yes." Yuanyi turned around and headed towards Lan Garden.

  This time, she was determined to be flawless. The air was filled with a hint of conspiracy.

  ……

  The twilight is deep, the mountains are overlapping, the mountain color is thick and heavy, the tired birds return to their nests, and all sounds are quiet. A few human shadows quickly flashed through the forest, startling the birds returning to their nests. After just a few ups and downs, they arrived at the place where the coffin was buried in the daytime. After checking, several people immediately rushed into the mountains, and after a few ups and downs, their figures disappeared.

  ……

  Yun Qing gently patted the little guy's back, and the curtain had already fallen asleep beside him. Yun Qing combed through the memories left in her mind by her previous life: the Huai River flood disaster, General Father's failure to return after providing disaster relief, she was framed and expelled from the Wang Mansion, Second Madam ruthlessly dealt her a poisonous hand, all these events happened one after another, as if an invisible thread had tied them together.

  What is it?