novelraw Chapter 711 - 691 Innocence
Chapter 711 - 691 Innocence
On the sixth day, the Second Prince and Third Prince gathered at the manor. The Third Prince even brought his wife and children along, making the manor exceedingly lively. Xie Jue and Du Fang, along with other advisors, also sat at a separate table with the Third Prince’s staff. The table arrangement was identical to that of the host’s, demonstrating the Second Prince’s significant regard for them.
Midway through the banquet, shocking news arrived from the Imperial Court: the Great King and several princes had suffered injuries at the horse grounds, slipping and breaking their legs. The Second Prince and Third Prince left the banquet in haste for the Imperial Court. Due to Xiao Jinghong’s unexpected accident, none of the princes had brought their advisors into the court recently.
Following such an incident, the Third Prince’s family did not stay long. The Second Prince Consort personally led people to escort the Third Prince’s wife and children to the entrance. The advisors in the Second Prince Manor exchanged bewildered glances, perplexed as to why the Great King, who was skilled at riding and archery, would suffer such an accident. Xie Jue, however, knew exactly what had transpired: the Chanyu Family had finally been put to good use, Xiao Jingtian had played his role well and launched his attack. Utilizing assassination techniques taught by Xie Jue, the plot against the Great Prince had been meticulously designed. Xie Jue had trained a group of Hidden Guards who excelled in assassination and tracking, always keeping them by his side. Xie Jue himself had learned some assassination skills, and the trap tailored to the Great Prince’s preferences was one he couldn’t escape.
The job had been done covertly. To prevent any leaks, the Second Prince hadn’t even confided in the Third Prince or shared the plan with his advisors. Only he and Xie Jue were aware of it.
Ever since Xie Jue clarified the political landscape, the Second Prince had resolved to test Xie Jue’s true skills. He had decided to heed Xie Jue’s advice, and within just a few days, it had borne results—seeing the Great Prince suffer a broken leg brought the Second Prince a sense of vindication. Furthermore, with spring on the horizon, the Great Prince might not be able to go to the battlefield, whereas the Second Prince could seize the opportunity to replace him, joining the Beiman King on the battlefield to gain military accolades.
The Great King’s life... Xie Jue was in no rush.
In Beiman, military merit held more weight than political accomplishments in the Beiman King’s eyes. The Second Prince was indeed skilled in battle, but the Beiman Great Queen and her advisors had deliberately suppressed him over the past two years, fearing he might overshadow the Great Prince in both reputation and military achievements. They had stationed him in Fox City to handle administrative duties under the pretense of showcasing his intelligence and competency, claiming that managing battlefield logistics was more beneficial than personally going to war.
The Second Prince had indeed performed well in political achievements, supported by his advisors, but in terms of favor, he still fell short compared to the Great Prince, who had amassed considerable military honors. Moreover, since the Great Prince often accompanied the Beiman King, in terms of familial affection and trust, he was undoubtedly the top choice. Over time, it was no wonder the Beiman King’s focus seemed fixed solely on the Great Prince, leaving little room for the Second Prince.
Now, the situation was about to shift.
Xie Jue had originally planned to stay in Fox City for a year, hoping to achieve his goals by year-end if all went smoothly. However, due to Xiao Jinghong’s demise, he decided to extend the timeline and proceed cautiously. To go far, one must tread steadily.
Though unafraid of life and death, Xie Jue saw no reason to seek death unnecessarily. If he could live to return to Ningzhou and reunite with his family, that would be the ideal ending.
The Great Prince had broken his right leg, an injury that would take several months to heal.
The Beiman King was investigating the Great Prince’s fall, with the Second Prince assisting in the inquiry. For two days, the Second Prince hadn’t returned to the manor. The Great Queen, distressed, sent people to gather news. Lan Ningzhen specifically came to inform the Great Queen, urging her to stay calm. She explained that it was customary for the Second Prince to convene with his brothers at his manor but not appear in the Imperial Court—and conveyed that his men hadn’t left the manor either, ruling out any possibility of their involvement in the Great Prince’s injury. Currently, the Second Prince was tasked with investigating the Great King’s accident, which would likely keep him occupied for several days. Due to concerns of unease within the manor, word was relayed via General Lan.
Since returning to the city on New Year’s Eve, this was the first time Xie Jue had encountered Lan Ningzhen.
She was still wearing her bold makeup, her forehead adorned with a sapphire accessory that matched her sky-blue military attire today. She stood out like a striking dash of sky-blue amidst the snowy landscape—truly stunning. She had a fondness for vibrant and flashy colors. Each time Xie Jue saw her, she was always dressed extravagantly, accessorized with the largest and most dazzling jewels.
It inevitably reminded him of Xie Xun cursing a young woman for being vulgar: draped in gold and silver, with gemstones in her hair larger than eggs. Lan Ningzhen fit that description perfectly.
Had no one ever told her how excessive it looked to stack a headful of gemstones?
Beiman may have been abundant in gems, with countless varieties to choose from, but no one else piled them on quite like this!
"Mr. Helian, looking very idle!" Lan Ningzhen’s cheerful face appeared in the window, and as Xie Jue glanced over, he felt as if even the gloomy sky had brightened.
He was standing by the window of his study, reading the residence report from the manor. The room was heated with a floor dragon, making it stifling, so he had opened a window. Lan Ningzhen had shown up at the window without any warning.
"Why are you here?"
"My brother-in-law hasn’t returned for two days. My father sent me to reassure my sister. What are you up to, Mr. Helian?" Lan Ningzhen leaned against the window, craning her neck inside. The gem adorning her forehead tilted slightly downward, making her appear exceedingly glamorous.
Xie Jue replied, "Reading."
The residence report had been discreetly covered, leaving only a book on Beiman’s mineral resources in his hand visible. Lan Ningzhen raised an eyebrow, "You’re interested in red sand mines?"
"Why wouldn’t I be interested in red sand mines?"
"Red sand mines are best used for weapons and armor. You’re a scholarly man, not fond of wielding swords and spears. Why the fascination?"
"I’m the Second Prince’s advisor. Red sand mines are the lifeline of the Second Prince Manor. Knowing more about them can only help." Xie Jue’s patience with Lan Ningzhen was unusually high, a courtesy stemming from her act of saving his life. Given her rescue on New Year’s Eve, he felt obliged to show some tolerance.
"Been reading all day, bored yet? Let me take you out for a stroll."
"No!" Xie Jue politely declined.
"Why not?" Lan Ningzhen asked innocently. "Didn’t you enjoy hanging out with me before?"
"Was that hanging out? That was confinement."
"Then I’m here to make amends and take you out," Lan Ningzhen said enthusiastically. "My sister mentioned that you love staying indoors reading. Look at Brother Du—they went out drinking ages ago."
"I don’t enjoy drinking or shopping," Xie Jue rejected her again. "I enjoy reading."
"Fine then. What a pity—I’ll join you in reading!" Without waiting for permission, Lan Ningzhen stepped inside.
Xie Jue stared at her, stunned, as she boldly pushed the door open to enter the room. As the warmth indoors hit her, she started removing her cloak. Xie Jue exclaimed, "You just walk into my room like this?"
"We’ve shared a bed before. What’s there to be afraid of?" Lan Ningzhen hung her cloak off to the side. "You have to take responsibility for my reputation!"
"We were stranded in town with no other option, and no one knew. But this is the manor, with people coming and going. You’re a young woman; you should at least be mindful."
"Mr. Helian, who would’ve thought you had such a moral facade? Secretly sharing a bed with me when no one knows, but publicly flipping the script in the manor—how hypocritical!"
"That’s not what I mean."
"That’s exactly what you mean!"
"If you insist on thinking that way, I can’t stop you." Xie Jue decided not to argue further. If anyone’s reputation was tarnished, it would be hers, not his. He didn’t even realize how much more talkative he became around Lan Ningzhen.
Lan Ningzhen climbed onto the heated brick bed and stared at him with sparkling eyes. "Mr. Helian has such captivating features. I find myself moved just looking at you."
Xie Jue, "..."