Chapter 870 - 769: Hidden Motives

Chapter 870: Chapter 769: Hidden Motives

Prince Xin and Prince Li quickly nodded, indicating that they agreed as well.

The Emperor could indeed directly command one of them to go, however, his original intention was not that no one would go to provide disaster relief, but rather to give this excellent opportunity to the Crown Prince he had in mind.

Yet, the evasive words of his three sons, the dodging glances from his two grandsons, made him realize that none of these children or grandchildren were willing to take charge of this disaster relief. He understood what his sons were thinking very well since he too came from being a Prince. He gave up his thoughts and waved his hand, saying: "I’ll think about your suggestions again. You may withdraw!"

The Emperor’s expression was neither pleased nor angry, but very calm. The three Princes exchanged a glance, feeling a bit uneasy inside. They felt that the Father Emperor might be somewhat disappointed, but who would be foolish?

At this time, leaving the capital and letting the best opportunity be given to others, who would do such a foolish thing if not forced!

They had to stay in the capital, stay by their Father’s side.

After leaving the main hall, they couldn’t help but glance at each other again. Each knew clearly what thoughts each of the three had just now. Although Prince Lu and Prince Xin wore smiles on their faces, their gazes towards Prince Li were cold and wary. They suspected, perhaps Father Emperor intended to appoint the Crown Prince as Old Nine, otherwise, why would he first ask them?

Prince Li, however, feared Prince Lu and Prince Xin even more deeply.

He had been very confident, thinking that after Prince Zhuang was deposed, Father Emperor would appoint him as the Crown Prince, after all, he heard those words Father had said to him when appointing Prince Zhuang as Crown Prince.

At the time, he didn’t fight for it, so Father Emperor thought he wasn’t interested. Now that he was contending, Father Emperor should know he is interested.

Yet, Father Emperor still remained undecided.

If Father Emperor intended to make him Crown Prince, he wouldn’t have summoned Fourth Elder Brother and Sixth Elder Brother back, so then, the Crown Prince Father wants to appoint is one of them?

The three brothers were suspicious of each other, yet they maintained an amicable facade.

Jinzhou Haotian Village.

Xia Wenjin initially had some worries about returning to the village and seeing a desolate scene, but she clearly overthought.

On the Martial Arts Square, the various uncles and disciples of the village were practicing martial arts fervently. There was nothing unusual in the village, just the absence of the Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin families. Additionally, after meeting Xia Wanqing, she inquired and learned that Hua and Gu had later persuaded those who usually stayed close to them to leave too.

Currently, the village had only three Village Chiefs, one protector, and two Hall Masters. Some disciples had followed them away, but not many, not even reaching a tenth.

Xia Wenjin estimated in her heart and couldn’t help but laugh.

Such a small force, for Huangfu Yuxuan’s ambitions, was too weak. In her past life, the power of the Jianghu included Haotian Village and Dayan Sect, and Huangfu Yuxuan had almost no obstacles for what he wanted to achieve. People who he wanted to eliminate rarely lived to see the next day.

This time, she wanted to see how Huangfu Yuxuan would ascend to that position without these supports.

Her daughter’s return made Xia Wanqing extremely happy.

Previously, in order to force his daughter to marry Huangfu Yuxuan, he almost lost this daughter. Now he understood, thus he could greet Huangfu Jingchen, whom he once neglected, with enthusiasm.

However, for the rascal who ran off with his daughter, the tests a father-in-law should give must still be done.

While Huangfu Jingchen was not as smooth and cunning as Huangfu Yuxuan, his thoughts were clear, his actions and words were different from Huangfu Yuxuan’s style.

Today, while he was again moving about with Huangfu Jingchen on the Martial Arts Square, someone from the village below came running in haste, speaking urgently: "Village Chief, something’s wrong, someone has broken into the village, the brothers can’t hold them back!"