"I see." Shen Lixue smiled slightly, looking helpless. The Fifth Prince hung up his jade pendant, picked up the food box, and hurried forward.
Dongfang Heng watched his receding figure, then stepped forward and gently put his arm around Shen Lixue's waist: "Why did you knock the Fifth Prince's jade pendant away?" The Fifth Prince hadn't noticed Shen Lixue's little action, but he had seen it all clearly.
"I want to verify whether the Fifth Prince is the one having an affair with Consort Li."
Shen Lixue's light words were like a thunderclap, startling Dongfang Heng: "The Fifth Prince and Consort Li are having an affair?" How could that be?
Shen Lixue held her fair hand up to Dongfang Heng's mouth and nose: "Smell this, what does it smell like?"
Dongfang Heng took a light sniff, and his dark eyes suddenly narrowed. The sweet smell was mixed with a slight fishy stench, which was the scent emanating from Consort Li.
"The medicine that Zimo put on Consort Li's bed was something I just randomly concocted based on the medical book of the Ghost Doctor of Southern Xinjiang. It was also the first time I used it. Anyone who has never been to Consort Li's bed will never have that smell on them."
Shen Lixue's gaze was solemn, and she spoke slowly and deliberately. She had long ago instructed Zimo that after Consort Li lay on that bed, all the poisonous items on the bed should be replaced to avoid giving anyone any leverage. Even if someone accidentally came into contact with that bed, it should have been a palace maid or eunuch from Yonghua Palace.
Although the Fifth Prince lived in the palace, it was far away from the concubines in the harem, and he had no contact with anything from Yonghua Palace. The fact that he smelled of Consort Li's bed was enough to prove that he was the one having an affair with Consort Li.
Dongfang Heng remained silent, the image of the Fifth Prince's innocent and clear eyes appearing before his eyes. A self-deprecating smile appeared on his lips. His wife had no grudge against the Fifth Prince and would not falsely accuse him. The possibility that the Fifth Prince was having an affair was extremely high.
Shen Lixue looked into Dongfang Heng's deep eyes and gave another example: "The man in Yonghua Palace, and Consort Li... at that time, he kept his head down, so I didn't see his face. But just now, I saw the Fifth Prince's neck, which seemed to be wrapped in cloth. If there are no surprises, he should have been poisoned, but the poisoning was mild and has been cleaned with medicine."
During their lovemaking, the man pressed himself tightly against Consort Li, but their bodies did not directly contact the bed, so he was not heavily poisoned.
"Li Xue, can you smell a fishy stench emanating from the Fifth Prince?" There was a breeze on the road, and the fishy smell on the Fifth Prince was very faint. Dongfang Heng didn't know if the smell was coming from him.
Shen Lixue paused for a moment, then shook her head: "No, he used medicine to clear away the poison, so there won't be any fishy smell on his body." The fishy smell that Shen Lixue smelled was coming from the jade pendant.
“The princes of Qingyan all have a jade pendant that symbolizes their identity, and the patterns are exactly the same. If there is a problem with only that jade pendant, then it may not be his even if it is on the fifth prince.” Dongfang Heng did not distrust Shen Lixue, but the matter was of great importance and had to be investigated carefully before acting rashly.
Shen Lixue frowned: "Then what about the wound on the Fifth Prince's neck?"
"The Fifth Prince likes to fight with his classmates and is often injured." Dongfang Heng passed by the Fifth Prince's courtyard two or three times and saw him fight with someone two or three times. They were basically evenly matched and each had injuries. The Fifth Prince is half suspected of having an affair, and the other half is that he was framed and pushed out as a scapegoat.
Shen Lixue frowned deeply: "Then is there any way to identify the real adulterer?" Consort Li and that prince hadn't discovered her identity, and she originally didn't want to bother with the adulterous prince, but she didn't expect to run into the Fifth Prince.
If the Fifth Prince is truly having an affair, then the personality he presents to everyone is a facade. He's been pretending for over a decade without being discovered, making him a formidable character. Who knows when he might turn around and stab you in the back?
If he was framed and made a scapegoat, and the real mastermind was watching from behind the scenes, that was also a potential danger, and Shen Lixue could no longer stand idly by.
“There is a great opportunity right in front of us.” Dongfang Heng looked at the holly bushes with a calm gaze.
Shen Lixue stared at him with wide eyes: "What opportunity?"
Dongfang Heng looked around to make sure no one was there, then leaned closer to Shen Lixue and lowered his voice, saying, "I just received news that there is a severe drought in Xiangxi, and the people are suffering. The Emperor will definitely send people to provide disaster relief. This is a great opportunity to make a profit and establish a reputation. The princes who want to ascend the throne will not let this opportunity slip by!"
As Dongfang Heng had predicted, the next morning at court, upon hearing the news of the severe drought in western Hunan, both the court officials and the princes reacted quite strongly.
Duke Ye took the lead and walked to the center of the Golden Palace. He said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, there is a severe drought in western Hunan, and the people are suffering. I suggest that the Crown Prince be sent to provide disaster relief on behalf of Your Majesty to help the people and show your concern for the people of western Hunan."
The Duke of Ye's recommendation garnered support from some ministers in the main hall. As the future Emperor of Qingyan, the Crown Prince was fully qualified to represent the Emperor in Xiangxi.
He is young and has little experience. He should indeed go out more, see more, interact more with the people, and experience their hardships. If he ascends the throne in the future, he can become a wise ruler and better manage Qingyan.
"Hong'er, go to Xiangxi?" The emperor's well-maintained, slender fingers lightly tapped the armrest of the dragon throne, as if considering the feasibility of the matter.
Dongfang Zhan subtly gave Prime Minister Li a wink. Prime Minister Li understood, stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Majesty, I believe it is not appropriate for the Crown Prince to go to Xiangxi."
Duke Ye frowned in displeasure. Was Prime Minister Li deliberately contradicting him?
The other ministers also whispered among themselves, wondering why Prime Minister Li said it was inappropriate for the Crown Prince to represent the Emperor.
"Is that so?" The emperor raised his eyelids and looked down at Prime Minister Li: "Minister Li, tell me, what's inappropriate about it?"
"Xiangxi is far from the capital, surrounded by mountains. It has been suffering from a severe drought for many days, and there will definitely be rebels and bandits. The Crown Prince is the heir apparent of Qingyan, and his status is noble. If something goes wrong in Xiangxi, we will regret it too late." Prime Minister Li sighed, his tone heavy, for the sake of the country and its people.
Some officials echoed his suggestion, saying that the terrain in western Hunan was treacherous, and that the hungry bandits and thieves might be fierce, so it was indeed not advisable for the prince to go.
The emperor raised an eyebrow at Prime Minister Li: "In your opinion, Minister Li, who would be the most suitable person for me to send to western Hunan?"
---Aside---
(*^__^*) Hehe... Thank you so much for the flowers, diamonds, and votes, everyone! Mwah!
Chapter 207: Open and Covert Struggles, the Scumbag Girl Brings Humiliation Upon Herself
Chapter Title: 27 Open and Covert Struggles, the Scumbag Sister Brings Humiliation Upon Herself
"Your Majesty, I believe that Prince Zhan is worth a try!" Under the watchful eyes of all the ministers, Prime Minister Li spoke slowly.
Duke Ye coldly stared at Prime Minister Li, who remained unmoved. He knew that Prime Minister Li was paving the way for his grandson. If the emperor agreed to Prime Minister Li's suggestion and sent Prince Zhan to Xiangxi, he would have made a great contribution, gained the emperor's appreciation, the support of all officials, and his prestige would be at its zenith. How could the crown prince possibly have a chance to sit on the throne?
The Ye family and the Li family have always been political enemies. If Dongfang Zhan ascends the throne, how can the Ye family possibly gain any advantage?
"It is probably inappropriate for Prime Minister Li to recommend Prince Zhan."
The court officials in the main hall were also full of surprise. Everyone knew that the Crown Prince and Prince Zhan had been secretly competing with each other. The Crown Prince was the future emperor of Qingyan. Duke Ye recommended that he hone his skills first. However, Prime Minister Li interfered and recommended his grandson to go to Xiangxi. This was clearly favoritism, wanting him to make merit. To show such obviousness in front of the emperor and civil and military officials was a bit too eager for quick success.
Even the Prince of Huai, who was not fond of state affairs, showed a hint of surprise when he heard Prime Minister Li's recommendation. He couldn't understand whether the usually calm Prime Minister Li had been blinded by ambition or made a decision after careful consideration!
After all, all the officials knew the importance of the trip to western Hunan. It was too conspicuous and too blatant for him to fight for the Crown Prince's merits in front of the Emperor.
As the Prince of Huai pondered, his gaze unconsciously shifted to Dongfang Heng. He found the other man's expression indifferent and his gaze calm as usual, unlike the others who were shocked. Such composure was truly rare in the world!
"It is common knowledge that one should not avoid relatives when recommending the worthy. Among the princes of Qingyan, Prince Zhan has the highest martial arts skills. He can go to Xiangxi to represent the emperor in pacifying the people and return safely. It is a win-win situation. Is it not feasible?" Facing the various gazes of the crowd, Prime Minister Li calmly and slowly explained.
The civil and military officials remained silent. They had all witnessed Dongfang Zhan's superior martial arts skills and extraordinary leadership abilities, which were indeed a cut above the Crown Prince. However, if the Emperor agreed to let Prince Zhan go to Xiangxi, wouldn't that be an indirect admission that the Crown Prince was not as good as Prince Zhan?
“Prime Minister Li, the Crown Prince will be protected by guards when he goes to Xiangxi. He will not be alone. His main task is to appease the people and repel the rebels and bandits. He only needs to give instructions from the side and let the guards do the work.”