Two guards came forward with a stretcher and lifted the Fifth Prince's body.
As darkness fell and the matter came to an end, Dongfang Zhan turned around and slowly walked forward.
Shen Lixue glanced at him and said coldly, "Prince Zhan, good deeds will be rewarded and evil deeds will be punished. It's not that retribution won't come, it's just that the time hasn't come yet."
The death of the Fifth Prince has saddened the Empress and the Crown Prince, and there will definitely be turmoil in Qingyan Capital. Dongfang Zhan can take this opportunity to consolidate his power and strengthen himself. His death is very beneficial to Dongfang Zhan, and he must have orchestrated the whole thing.
Shen Lixue knew that Dongfang Zhan would definitely make a move, but she never expected that he would kill the Fifth Prince, who was far away in Xiangxi, in such a cruel way. He was already a commoner and posed no threat to her, but she still refused to let him go, using his remaining value to scheme against every one of his enemies. She was both clever and cruel, and she would stop at nothing to achieve her goals.
"Thank you for the reminder, Princess Consort. I understand." Dongfang Zhan paused for a moment, then strode forward, a cold smile playing on his lips. Good deeds are rewarded? Evil deeds are punished? He didn't believe in such things. Only strength could prove everything.
"Didn't you say the emperor was a wise ruler? How could he not see who the real culprit was in such a simple matter?" After dismissing the servants, only Dongfang Heng and Shen Lixue remained in Fengsong Courtyard. Shen Lixue couldn't help but feel angry.
Dongfang Hong is Dongfang Che's older brother. How could he kill his commoner brother who poses no threat to him? Dongfang Zhan is at a disadvantage. He can profit from any disturbance in the capital.
"The Emperor knows it in his heart, but he is unwilling to face it." Dongfang Heng's obsidian-like eyes narrowed slightly. Dongfang Zhan killed Dongfang Che. Anyone who knows about the power struggles in the royal family can understand the whole story if they think about it carefully. The Emperor must also know it. Without evidence, he did not show it.
Shen Lixue sighed softly: "Dongfang Zhan has gone mad. He will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. This time he killed the Fifth Prince, but who knows who he will harm next time? We are his enemies and must be careful."
Chapter 221 The incident happened suddenly
Dongfang Heng's obsidian-like eyes flashed with a cold, eerie light. He had always been on guard against Dongfang Zhan, and Dongfang Zhan was also on guard against him. However, the intrigues and schemes of the infighting were hard to guard against, so he had to take the initiative.
"Ouch!" Shen Lixue suddenly exclaimed softly, clutching her protruding belly.
"What's wrong?" Dongfang Heng quickly helped her up and anxiously examined her carefully: "Where do you feel unwell?"
Shen Lixue pointed resentfully to her lower abdomen: "He kicked me."
Dongfang Heng was taken aback, then breathed a sigh of relief, his gaze towards the fetus filled with doting affection: "So mischievous even before birth, looks like it's a boy."
He prefers a daughter, as clever, beautiful, and cunning as Li Xue. If it were a boy, he might be like him. With two scheming men in the family, things would definitely be chaotic and every day would be incredibly exciting.
"A boy would be wonderful. He could protect our country alongside his war god father." Shen Lixue gently stroked her lower abdomen, her eyes brimming with a happy smile. Whether it was a boy or a girl, she would love any child she had with Dongfang Heng.
Dongfang Heng stretched out his long arm and gently embraced Shen Lixue, resting his chin on her soft shoulder and exhaling softly: "If my son and I go to the battlefield, wouldn't you be very lonely staying at home alone?"
"Then let's have a daughter in a few years, so she can stay at home with me and I won't be lonely." People in ancient times loved having both a son and a daughter, and Shen Lixue also envied this blessing. A son could accompany his father, and a daughter could stay by his side.
That's a great idea; having both a son and a daughter would bring immense happiness.
Dongfang Heng gently stroked Chen Lixue's swollen belly with his jade-like fingers, a hint of helplessness flashing in his deep eyes. In two more months, the little rascal would be born, and the peaceful days of his and Lixue's world as a couple would be numbered.
Looking at the little life about to be born, Shen Lixue thought of the Fifth Prince who died tragically, and her expression darkened slightly: "Heng, are you really not interested in the position of War King?"
Shen Lixue had lived in the War King's Mansion for a period of time and had some understanding of the War King's forces. Although their numbers were not particularly large, their strength should not be underestimated. If Dongfang Heng gained control of these forces, it would be like adding wings to a tiger. No matter how many schemes and tricks Dongfang Zhan had, they would not be a threat.
"Once this little guy is born, we'll take him to Qingzhou to see the Sixth Imperial Uncle, and then he'll come back to succeed to the throne." The War King is exceptionally capable, and the loyal subordinates and ingenious mechanisms in the War King's mansion are truly astonishing.
As the Prince of An, Dongfang Heng had his own power and loyal subordinates, and had no desire for the position of War King. However, the War King felt sorry for Li Xue and wanted her son to succeed him. As the father, Dongfang Heng had to become the War King first.
“Father is all alone in Qingzhou with Mother, and he must be very lonely. Once we’ve finished our business in the capital, we can stay in Qingzhou for a while longer and keep him company.” Shen Lixue often heard people say that the older people get, the more they like children. In ancient times, some people of the War King’s age were already grandfathers. He must also like children very much. Bringing Little Baozi to visit him should bring him a lot of joy.
Speaking of the infatuated War King, Shen Lixue thought of the Holy King and Holy Queen, who were far away in Xiliang: "Heng, Father, when will Mother return?"
Several months ago, a message arrived from Xiliang via carrier pigeon, informing them that the Holy Princess had awakened and that most of the toxins in her body had been cleared. She was slowly recuperating, and the Holy King had long since recovered and was accompanying her on a tour of Xiliang's famous mountains and rivers.
"It might be a while longer." As a son, Dongfang Heng knew his parents very well. They had been separated for five years, and when they finally reunited, they were sure to be loving and affectionate, expressing their longing for each other. Their two sons were grown up and no longer needed their care. They would spend a few more months enjoying their time together in Xiliang and wouldn't be in a hurry to return to the capital.
“Father, Mother has been separated for so long, she really should spend more time together.” Although the situation in the capital is complicated, Shen Lixue believes that with Dongfang Heng’s abilities, he can handle it completely.
"Clang!" Dongfang Heng's obsidian-like eyes suddenly narrowed, and with a flick of his finger, a small stone flew straight towards the big tree by the wall.
The stone disappeared into the dense foliage, and a slender, light blue figure leaped down from the tree, gently landing in front of Dongfang Heng and Shen Lixue. His captivatingly handsome face was so striking that it was impossible to look away. He gently waved a folding fan in his hand, exuding a nonchalant air: "Prince An, Princess Consort, how have you been?"
Shen Lixue glanced at him: "Nangong Xiao, when did you learn to spy?" It was already late, and people with high martial arts skills could conceal their aura and hide in the trees without being easily discovered. He was quite clever.
"I had urgent business to attend to. I entered the Holy King's Mansion openly and honestly. How could I have been spying?" Nangong Xiao retorted confidently, as if he really had important business to attend to.
Shen Lixue pouted, not believing his words: "What urgent matter could have made you rush to the Holy King's Mansion in the dark? Couldn't you have waited until dawn tomorrow?"
"The Fifth Prince died so tragically that I was summoned to the palace before I could even have dinner. I was given the mission to investigate the Fifth Prince's murder, so how could I not be proactive? I heard that the first scene of the Fifth Prince's death was the Holy Prince's Mansion, so I came to see for myself." Nangong Xiao lightly waved his folding fan, a smug smile on his devilish face.
Shen Lixue's gaze sharpened: "Why would he send someone like you, a hostage held in the capital, to investigate the case when there are so many ministers in the court?"
It wasn't that she was being paranoid or looking down on Nangong Xiao, but rather that the emperor clearly didn't trust Nangong Xiao, yet he entrusted him with such an important matter, which obviously raised suspicions.
"Is that even a question? The Emperor wants to gloss over this case." Nangong Xiao lifted his robe and sat down opposite Shen Lixue without any hesitation.
"Everyone in the capital knows my character. I'm careless and sloppy. I report the results of my investigations as a mere formality, and I don't like to delve too deeply. If a case is handed to me, I'll investigate it, find the culprit, and that's it. I won't pursue the real killer..."
“The Emperor is truly biased towards Dongfang Zhan.” Shen Lixue frowned deeply. Until the case is fully investigated, Dongfang Zhan, the real culprit, cannot be found. The Emperor is protecting him in a roundabout way.
"He is the emperor's most outstanding son and the most suitable to be emperor. If Qingyan is handed over to him, it will surely become the world's strongest nation within ten years." Although the crown prince is excellent, he is still a step behind Dongfang Zhan. When he ascends the throne, Qingyan will also climb up step by step, but the speed will be much slower than when Dongfang Zhan becomes emperor.
The emperor felt sorry for the fifth prince and was more concerned about the people of Qingyan. He hoped that his country would be vast and powerful so that he could protect Dongfang Zhan.
Putting aside personal grudges, Dongfang Heng also felt that among all the princes, Dongfang Zhan was the most suitable to be emperor. However, he was plotting against Chen Lixue and even wanted to kill Dongfang Heng. If he really ascended the throne, the first one to suffer would be Dongfang Heng.
As the God of War of Azure Flame, he would not sit idly by and be slaughtered, nor would he stand by and watch Dongfang Zhan become emperor.
"What do you two think is the most appropriate course of action for me?" The Emperor deliberately protected Dongfang Zhan, which is why he sent Nangong Xiao to investigate this case. If he were to unravel the mystery and uncover the truth, and then punish Dongfang Zhan, it would go against the Emperor's original intention, and the Emperor would certainly not let him off easily.
If he were to find someone to take the blame and get away with it, it would be too easy on Dongfang Zhan. Dongfang Zhan is ruthless and cunning, and this is the perfect opportunity to bring him down.
"Let's stall for time and say there's not enough evidence and we can't find the real culprit yet." The death of the Fifth Prince is a good opportunity to deal with Dongfang Zhan, but the Emperor is protecting him. Even if Dongfang Heng presents strong evidence to the Emperor, the Emperor can find reasons to reject it all.
With the emperor as a powerful figure, dealing with Dongfang Zhan is as difficult as ascending to heaven. To punish him, the emperor must first lose his protection and trust in him. Over the past ten years, the emperor's appreciation for Dongfang Zhan has been deeply rooted, and it is not an easy task to shake it.