Chapter 440: He Who Knows Me (First Update)

A single stone stirs a thousand waves!

Rong Jiu was originally the most suitable candidate among the princes to become the Crown Prince, and many people had already begun to secretly contemplate how to build connections with him.

Who could have expected that overnight, he would be thrown into prison under such a treasonous charge!

In an instant, the entire Imperial Capital was thrown into turmoil!

"I heard that the Third Prince's biological mother, Noble Lady Ying, was murdered by the Empress years ago. He has harbored a grudge for many years, which is why he acted against her!"

"Who can truly know the affairs of the inner palace? But even if it's true, this Third Prince is far too impulsive. As long as he secures the position of Crown Prince, wouldn't he be able to do whatever he wants? Yet he chose to act at this very moment..."

"Ever since he returned from the Northwest Army, His Majesty has delayed his return. Naturally, he must be anxious. Besides, the Empress's funeral rites were so meager—can you all not see the problem?"

"Even if His Majesty loathes the Empress, it's impossible that he would allow the Third Prince to kill her. One can only say he brought this upon himself!"

"As for these princes, some are being deposed, some are imprisoned, and some are falling ill. If this continues, there will be no one left to choose from..."

As Chu Liuyue walked through the streets, she could faintly hear the whispers of the crowd.

Although discussing such matters was officially forbidden, with so many things happening in the palace, it was difficult for people not to care.

When she arrived at the Prince Li Mansion, she found that the security here had clearly been significantly strengthened.

Chu Liuyue raised an eyebrow slightly.

The entire Imperial Capital had fallen into chaos; it seemed it wouldn't be so easy for the Prince Li Mansion to remain uninvolved.

Seeing Chu Liuyue, the guards at the entrance hurriedly and eagerly came forward to greet her.

"Miss Liuyue, you have finally arrived! His Highness has been waiting for you for quite some time!"

The corners of Chu Liuyue's lips curled slightly as she walked inside.

When she saw Rong Xiu, he was taking a nap in the bamboo grove of the backyard.

On the stone table sat two freshly brewed cups of tea and a chess game that was halfway through.

As a gentle breeze blew, a few emerald bamboo leaves fell upon Rong Xiu's snow-white brocade robes, making him appear even more cold and noble.

"Your Highness knew I was coming?"

Chu Liuyue brushed away the leaves in front of her and walked over.

Rong Xiu picked up the jade-like porcelain cup; a wisp of white mist curled upward, making it almost impossible to see the expression in his deep eyes.

His crimson lips curled slightly, and his smile was as gentle and composed as ever.

"This is tea brewed by this Prince personally. Tell me, how does it compare to yours?"

Chu Liuyue sat down and picked up the other cup.

A rich, fresh fragrance wafted toward her, lingering at the tip of her nose and refreshing her spirit.

Chu Liuyue took a light sip.

After a faint bitterness came an endless, sweet aftertaste.

She nodded honestly.

"Your Highness's skill is much better than mine."

Compared to him, the tea she brewed was truly nothing to boast about.

Rong Xiu, however, shook his head with a smile.

"But this Prince only likes the ginger tea brewed by Yue'er. These teas are good, but this Prince does not like them."

Chu Liuyue gave him a playful, reproachful glance.

"Your Highness still has the mood to joke at a time like this?"

"This Prince truly does think so."

Rong Xiu's sword-like eyebrows rose slightly.

"Furthermore... what do you mean by 'at a time like this'?"

Chu Liuyue narrowed her eyes.

The entire Imperial Capital was in a complete mess, yet this man alone could still be so leisurely, brewing tea and playing chess in his own backyard.

He was truly incredibly calm.

She shook her head and asked directly

"Did you know all along that His Majesty was going to move against the Third Prince?"

Previously, Rong Xiu had mentioned that someone wanted to frame Rong Jiu by blaming the Empress's death on him.

But Chu Liuyue never imagined that the person was actually Emperor Jiawen!

No matter how one looked at it, Rong Jiu was his biological son; by doing this, he was no different from sending Rong Jiu to his death!

Rong Xiu's expression remained unchanged, a casual smile playing on his lips.

"Since Yue'er already has an idea, why bother asking this Prince?"

That was an admission.

Chu Liuyue frowned, her heart still full of doubt.

"But why would His Majesty do such a thing?"

If he didn't want Rong Jiu to inherit the throne, there were plenty of ways.

At the very least, Rong Jiu was currently trapped in the capital, having almost all his military power confiscated; he could hardly stir up any trouble.

Moreover, Rong Jiu had fought on the battlefield for many years and achieved great military merits; even setting aside his status as a prince, his contributions were certainly significant.

Why did Emperor Jiawen insist on driving him to the brink of destruction?

"His Majesty knows full well that the one who killed the Empress was—"

Situ Xingchen!

Until now, this news had been strictly suppressed.

"Does Yue'er suspect that Imperial Father is favoring Situ Xingchen?" Rong Xiu asked with interest.

Chu Liuyue shook her head.

Judging from the situation that night, Emperor Jiawen definitely did not intend to let Situ Xingchen go.

He simply wanted to obtain something from her.

But... there was truly no need to pin the Empress's death on Rong Jiu.

She knew very well that the Imperial Family was heartless; she even possessed bone-deep, painful memories of it.

However, Emperor Jiawen's actions clearly had another purpose.

Rong Xiu smiled faintly.

"If he had behaved himself and remained a leisurely prince in the capital, Imperial Father naturally wouldn't have done anything to him. To make Imperial Father determined to act this way..."

Looking at the meaningful expression on his face, Chu Liuyue suddenly understood something.

"Does Your Highness mean the Third Prince is—"

Rong Xiu placed down a chess piece.

*Clack.*

Chu Liuyue looked down, and her heart jolted!

As soon as that piece landed, the black and white pieces on the board, which had been in a stalemate, instantly broke the deadlock! They began a frantic slaughter!

Rong Jiu was actually planning a rebellion!?

Otherwise, she truly could not think of any other reason that would cause Emperor Jiawen to act this way!

"How did Your Highness know?"

As soon as Chu Liuyue asked this, she couldn't help but regret it.

As long as he wanted to, this man could know anything!

However, Rong Xiu's expression became somewhat subtle.

Looking into his eyes, Chu Liuyue suddenly had a moment of sudden realization, her eyes widening in shock

"Could it be—"

Rong Xiu looked at her deeply, his lips suddenly curling into a slight smile as he beckoned her.

"Yue'er, come here."

Unsure of what was happening, Chu Liuyue stood up and walked over.

Rong Xiu took her hand and looked at her intently; in his deep, clear eyes, there seemed to be a vortex that made one sink in involuntarily.

"...Your Highness?"

Chu Liuyue called him softly.

"There is no one who knows this Prince better than Yue'er."

Rong Xiu closed his eyes and tightened his grip on her hand, as if he wanted to keep her by his side forever, never letting go.

She could always know what he was thinking.

From the past, until now.