Chapter 382: Probing (Fourth Update)

“Your Highness’s move was truly exquisite.”

Chu Liuyue stared at the chessboard before her, the black piece in her hand hesitating to land.

“My black pieces are almost entirely blocked off.”

Opposite her, Rong Xiu sat quietly. Hearing this, the corners of his thin, crimson lips curled into a slight arc.

“You clearly still have one path left to take, do you not?”

Of course, Chu Liuyue could see it.

But...

“Even if I take this step and barely escape my current predicament, hasn't Your Highness already prepared a vast net to catch me? Since it’s a loss either way, there is no point in taking this extra step.”

Chu Liuyue tossed the piece back into the stone jar and raised her hands.

“I concede.”

Looking at her obedient manner, Rong Xiu’s sword-like eyebrows twitched slightly.

“You weren't playing with focus. What were you thinking about?”

As he spoke, he began to gather the pieces.

Watching his slow, methodical movements, Chu Liuyue couldn't help but wrinkle her nose.

In truth, even if she were focused, playing against Rong Xiu would only allow her to struggle for a draw at best.

If one were to be honest, Rong Xiu was indeed a superior player.

Rong Xiu spoke slowly

“This step may seem meaningless, but there will still be someone who takes it.”

Chu Liuyue huffed softly, “It would be nothing more than a futile effort.”

“Situ Yan not only refused to cancel the engagement between Rong Jin and Situ Xingchen, but he even took the initiative to plead on their behalf. Even if His Majesty is incensed and wishes to deal with the Empress and the Crown Prince immediately, he is now forced to give Situ Yan some face.”

Chu Liuyue had long anticipated that Situ Yan would not easily cancel the engagement, but she hadn't expected him to step in and help so decisively.

From this, it was evident that Situ Yan valued Rong Jin quite highly.

Rong Xiu smiled faintly

“If the problem could be solved so simply, it wouldn't have been dragged on until today.”

Chu Liuyue suddenly leaned forward, bracing both hands on the chessboard, and stared at Rong Xiu as she asked

“Your Highness, did you know all along that Situ Yan would help?”

Rong Xiu lifted his eyelids slightly, his deep gaze sweeping over Chu Liuyue’s face with a half-smile.

“Did Yue'er not also know all along?”

An ambiguous current seemed to drift slowly between the two.

Chu Liuyue looked at Rong Xiu thoughtfully.

She did know, of course.

However, the reason she had made such a guess was purely because she knew of a certain matter.

But... what about Rong Xiu?

Did he know too?

Chu Liuyue paused before saying

“Because Situ Yan spoke up to help, His Majesty has not yet deposed the Crown Prince, and even the Empress has not yet received a formal decree of deposition. However, many people have already sensed something is wrong; various speculations are running rampant, and people's hearts are wavering. Meanwhile, His Majesty has ordered a thorough investigation into Seven-Corner Alley, yet there has been no progress... Your Highness, what exactly are your plans?”

Rong Xiu finished gathering the pieces. Seeing Chu Liuyue’s curious expression, he could not resist leaning down and pressing a gentle kiss upon her forehead.

“Taking an extra step may not lead to victory, but it can make things more spectacular. And only then can the victory be won more satisfyingly.”

***

The Crown Prince's Manor.

Because Rong Jin had once again been placed under house arrest, the atmosphere throughout the entire manor had become extremely heavy.

Everyone, from top to bottom, was filled with despondency. The place was deathly silent, showing none of the pride and splendor from when the Crown Prince was at his peak.

Who could have imagined that the once-envied Crown Prince would fall to such a state?

Although His Majesty had not yet issued a formal command, rumors were flying throughout the Imperial Capital, claiming that even the Empress had been placed under house arrest, and that the deposition of the Crown Prince was only a matter of time.

Chu Xianmin sat in her own room.

It was now late autumn, and the weather was gradually turning cold.

Her residence was desolate and lonely, feeling much like a cellar in the depths of winter.

Her hand slowly brushed against the veil on her face.

Even though she was alone, she did not dare to reveal her face.

Because even she was afraid to look upon that face.

Back then, had she ever imagined she would reach this point?

After a long period of contemplation, she finally stood up.

She had heard that Situ Xingchen was visiting the Crown Prince's Manor today; she had to go and pay her respects.

Walking outside, the path was terrifyingly quiet, not much better than her own quarters.

She walked toward the front hall.

After walking quite a distance, she finally began to see figures on the road.

Most were servants, but even when they saw her, they merely offered a perfunctory bow before hurrying away.

Chu Xianmin couldn't help but smile self-mockingly.

In the past, when these people encountered her, they would find every way possible to mock her; now, they were even too lazy to do that.

Faintly, she could hear the whispers of those people.

“I really don't know what that Grand Princess Situ is after! Now that the Crown Prince and the Empress have both been placed under house arrest, they'll be deposed sooner or later! Yet she still hasn't canceled the engagement with the Crown Prince! Isn't she just looking for trouble?”

“Who knows? Perhaps it's a devoted heart, willing to follow him through life and death?”

“I doubt it! You didn't see the way that Grand Princess treated the Crown Prince! I just went in to deliver tea, and I didn't see even a hint of a smile on her face! They say she came to visit the Crown Prince, but anyone watching would think she was being forced to come!”

“Who could force her? She is the pearl in the palm of Emperor Xiankang of the Xingluo Kingdom!”

“Anyway, as long as she is here, His Majesty likely won't do anything to the Crown Prince for a while. But if you ask me, we should look for other ways out! In this Crown Prince's Manor, there's no telling when the heavens will completely change!”

“I heard that His Majesty has been placing a lot of importance on the Third Prince lately, and seems to be planning to enfeoff him as a Prince...”

Chu Xianmin grit her teeth and walked forward.

In the front hall, Rong Jin and Situ Xingchen sat facing each other.

Having gone through the events of these past few days, Rong Jin had lost a significant amount of weight. He looked haggard, as if even his last bit of spirit had been exhausted.

He was both worried about the Empress and worried about himself, tossing and turning in anxiety for days and nights; naturally, he had become like this.

Fortunately, the position of Crown Prince had, in the end, been preserved!

“Xingchen, I truly don't know how to thank you...”

Rong Jin looked at Situ Xingchen before him, his face full of gratitude.

“I knew you wouldn't stand idly by!”

In Rong Jin's view, the only reason Situ Yan was willing to help was because Situ Xingchen had pleaded bitterly.

Thus, in his heart, he cherished Situ Xingchen even more.

However, Situ Xingchen did not think so.

Being stared at by Rong Jin with such eyes made her feel skin-crawlingly uncomfortable; she could hardly remain seated.

If Father the Emperor had not ordered it, she would never have come!

“Your Highness need not be so polite, this is merely what Xingchen should do...”

Situ Xingchen practically spat out these words through gritted teeth.

Rong Jin, however, was completely unaware of her thoughts, only feeling immense emotion as he let out a long sigh.

“It's a pity. Father the Emperor is convinced that Mother the Empress is guilty and refuses to let me see her. I don't even know what her current situation is...”

Situ Xingchen was impatient to hear this. Recalling her father's instructions, she asked in a seemingly casual, low voice

“Your Highness, the reason His Majesty is acting this way is because of that Seven-Corner Alley. Do you know what exactly happened in there?”

(End of Chapter)