The Holy King's Mansion and the War King's Mansion are both royal mansions with immense power that should not be underestimated. However, the combined power of Prime Minister Li's Mansion and the Zhan King's Mansion is also considerable. If they were to truly clash, the outcome would be uncertain.
"I know." Dongfang Zhan nodded, his obsidian-like eyes unfathomable. As the God of War of Qingyan, Dongfang Heng was quick-witted and exceptionally capable. It was indeed not advisable for him to confront him directly. He should focus on vying for the throne first. Once he became emperor, the entire Qingyan would be his, and he could easily crush him with any excuse.
"You must also be strict with yourself and not do anything foolish again," Prime Minister Li said to Dongfang Zhan earnestly.
"I know." Dongfang Zhan replied casually, clearly not taking his words to heart.
This prompted Prime Minister Li to offer earnest advice: "Zhan'er, you've already taken a principal wife, a secondary wife, and the most beautiful woman in Qingyan as your concubine. What more could you want? Women in this world are all the same except for their appearance. Why are you so fixated on a flower you can never reach?"
Dongfang Zhan frowned impatiently and said dismissively, "I've given up on Shen Lixue."
"If you had truly given up, why would you have caused so much trouble on your wedding day?" Prime Minister Li glared at Dongfang Zhan with exasperation. "Others may not know, but I know very well that Youlan in the bridal chamber... was it you who instructed her to plot against Dongfang Heng?"
"It was Youlan's own choice." After Prime Minister Li exposed the truth, Dongfang Zhan no longer concealed it and spoke slowly and deliberately.
Prime Minister Li was furious: "She is your wife, how could you push her to another man?"
"She likes Dongfang Heng. As her cousin, what's wrong with me helping her achieve her goal?" Dongfang Zhan looked at Prime Minister Li indifferently, as if he were talking about something perfectly ordinary.
“Youlan is the future Empress of Qingyan. How can she have intimate contact with any man other than you? Even if you don’t care, the law does not allow it.” Prime Minister Li spoke righteously and forcefully, his eyes blazing with anger.
Dongfang Zhan picked up the teapot with his white jade fingers and slowly poured tea. The rising steam obscured the expression in his eyes: "Youlan doesn't care about the position of Empress. She only wants to stay with Dongfang Heng."
"And what about you? Are you planning to make Shen Lixue the Empress? Are you trying to swap wives with Dongfang Heng?" Prime Minister Li's chest was filled with anger: the principal wife has a noble status, not a concubine, how can a concubine be exchanged at will? These two ignorant and foolish youngsters are infuriating him, they really infuriate him!
Dongfang Zhan frowned: "Grandpa, Youlan and I are not children. We know what we want, so please don't worry about us anymore."
Prime Minister Li's gaze sharpened, and he probed, "You and Youlan have not yet consummated your marriage?"
Dongfang Zhan sipped his tea and said slowly, "I treat Youlan as my sister, and she treats me as her brother. If we're like brother and sister, acting like husband and wife, don't you feel awkward?"
"You, you all..." Prime Minister Li pointed at Dongfang Zhan, too angry to speak.
He married his granddaughter to his grandson, believing that the two of them would work together, support each other, and step by step ascend to the throne of the emperor, becoming the most honored people in Qingyan, so that his Li family could also bring glory to their family.
Who would have thought that their minds were still on romance and love, and they didn't think about the bigger picture. They had completely different ideas from him. They were young and ignorant, truly young and ignorant. All they thought about all day long was their romantic relationships.
"Your Highness, Your Highness..." A frantic call suddenly rang out from outside the study door.
Dongfang Zhan put down his teacup and said coldly, "What is it?"
The guard stood outside the door, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Highness, officials from Shuntian Prefecture have reported that the Princess Consort has killed someone and has been arrested on the spot. She is currently being interrogated in the street!"
"What?" Dongfang Zhan's gaze sharpened, a sharp glint flashing in his deep eyes: "Where is it? Take me there."
The golden sun slowly rose to its zenith, and it was lunchtime. The crowd of onlookers, three or four deep, showed no sign of leaving to eat. The case of Princess Zhan committing murder was a once-in-a-century event, and they couldn't afford to miss it.
"Clatter, clatter!" The rapid sound of hooves rang out, instantly lifting everyone's spirits. Looking up, they saw Dongfang Zhan galloping away on his horse, his azure cloak fluttering in the wind, looking dashing and elegant.
Li Youlan's eyes lit up. Her cousin had arrived! She was saved!
Then it darkened again. I had ruined the reputation of the Zhan Prince's Mansion again. My cousin would definitely hate me to death.
Frustrated, Dongfang Zhan had already arrived in front of her, dismounted with a swift and decisive movement, and his handsome face looked slightly haggard, his lips pale and bloodless, indicating that he had not yet fully recovered from his serious injuries.
After giving Li Youlan a cold glance, Dongfang Zhan's sharp gaze fell on Shen Yelei, who was covered in blood and lifeless: "Did Princess Zhan kill him?"
"Yes." They had arrived at Shuntian Prefecture, and the coroner had finished examining the injuries. They had been waiting for Dongfang Zhan to arrive: "He died from a head injury. In full view of everyone, Princess Zhan hit him against the wall."
Dongfang Zhan turned to look at Li Youlan. Li Youlan felt a chill envelop her, and the overwhelming pressure made it hard for her to breathe. Cold sweat broke out on her forehead. She had killed someone, and her notoriety was widespread. Cousin Zhan would definitely not let her off easily. What should she do? What should she do?
"Youlan, did Shen Yelei disobey you?" Instead of the expected storm, Dongfang Zhan's voice was gentle and carried a hint of comfort.
Li Youlan's fear vanished instantly, and tears of grievance streamed down her face: "Shen Yelei cursed at me, he said some really nasty things, I couldn't stand it, that's why I hit him..."
Dongfang Zhan looked at the crowd of onlookers: "Is this true?"
His gentle gaze and warm smile were very infectious, and several passersby immediately came forward to testify: "It really happened, that child swore horribly..."
"Like a shrew cursing in the street... she was cursing so happily at Princess Zhan's carriage..."
"Thank you all for your testimony." Dongfang Zhan smiled gently and turned to look at the Shuntian Prefecture: "Lord Yang, the truth of the case has been revealed, and there is no need for further investigation."
The Shuntian Prefecture official was taken aback: "What does Prince Zhan mean?"
"Lord Yang, you may not know this, but Shen Yelei was a servant boy bought by the Prince Zhan's mansion. He insulted the Princess Zhan, which is an act of insubordination. He should be beaten to death or executed by slow slicing. Even if Youlan accidentally killed him, it would not be considered a crime..." Dongfang Zhan smiled slightly, gentle and refined, and outstanding.
What? Shen Yelei is a servant in the Prince Zhan's mansion!
The onlookers were all shocked!
The Shuntian Prefecture official was also taken aback. He frowned and pondered for a moment before saying in a low voice, "Prince Zhan, it's not that I don't believe you, but everything requires evidence. Do you have any evidence to prove that Shen Yelei is a servant of Prince Zhan's mansion?"
In full view of everyone, Shen Yelei was beaten to death by Li Youlan. The incident caused a great uproar. If he were to release Shen Yelei based solely on Dongfang Zhan's words, people would have objections to him. If the incident was true, it would be fine, but if it was false, and Shen Yelei was not a servant of the Prince Zhan's mansion, then he would be the one to suffer.
"I wonder if this can serve as evidence?" Dongfang Zhan smiled and handed a piece of paper to Shuntian Prefecture.
The Shuntian Prefecture official opened the document and his gaze suddenly sharpened: "This is... Shen Yelei's indenture."
“That’s right!” Dongfang Zhan smiled politely. Shen Yelei was bought by Ye Qianmei. He had never paid attention to him or what Shen Yelei did in the mansion. When he heard that Shen Yelei had been beaten to death by Li Youlan, he went to Ye Qianmei’s room to look for him and actually found this life-saving indenture.
The Shuntian Prefecture officials carefully examined the contract and confirmed it was genuine. Their hearts, which had been pounding with anxiety, instantly eased. They smiled and returned the contract to Dongfang Zhan, saying, "It was all a misunderstanding. I apologize for my rudeness!"
When they rescued people together in the small village, he had some admiration for the brave Prince Zhan and did not want to be his enemy. He was just about to wait for Prince Zhan to arrive before interrogating Li Youlan, but he did not expect the matter to be resolved so easily.
"Ignorance is no excuse." Dongfang Zhan smiled and took back the contract of indenture, his smile as warm as spring.
Li Youlan stared blankly at the maid from the Zhan Prince's mansion who had helped her up, still somewhat dazed. Had things been resolved so quickly and perfectly? Did she not have to go to the Shuntian Prefecture prison? Was Shen Yelei a servant of the Zhan Prince's mansion? It all happened so suddenly, and the matter was resolved so smoothly that it felt unreal to her.