Chapter 562 - 462: Mr. Lin, Could You Cut Mine Too? (Part 2)

With a majestic aura, clad in Bright Armor, feet in tiger-head boots, draped in a crimson cloak, riding the finest galloping steeds, a procession of thousands exuded a chilling atmosphere; it was a spectacle the citizens of Dongshan City had not witnessed in decades.

Pei Jian led the officials of Dongshan City to the east gate to welcome them, and naturally, Lin Miao was also required to attend.

Lin Miao naturally disliked such formalities, but since he was an involved official, he had to make an appearance.

As for whether the Imperial Envoy would meet him, he really had no thoughts; he hoped the Envoy would have no interest in him whatsoever.

Su Mobai, the Vice Minister of Personnel, was still a former Chief Minister’s student, and although not a minor official, this time he was also given a second-grade title.

But since the Chief Minister was instructed to step down by the emperor, voluntary resignation and imperial request are two different things. Although this Imperial Envoy might seem illustrious, he could very well be a scapegoat.

The Chief Minister had stepped down, leaving behind his political influence in the court, which certainly needed to be cleared; the emperor seemed to be paving the way for the next emperor.

No matter who becomes the emperor, a court cannot retain a powerful minister or faction.

Lin Miao, with a modest position and not a main role, stood among the crowd with his head slightly lowered, eyes observing his nose, nose observing his heart, going with the flow.

The Yulin Guard was stationed outside the city, not entering, but the Imperial Envoy and his escort had to enter the city, according to protocol.

Along with the Vice Minister of Personnel, Su Mobai, to Dongshan came Cui Xiang from the Ministry of Justice, and a deputy general, Tie Lin, of the Yulin Guard.

Su Mobai was the chief investigator, Cui Xiang assisted him in handling the case, while Tie Lin supervised and assisted the two, concurrently serving as a bodyguard.

This case involved Marquis Lingyang; not only was Dongshan Prefecture implicated, but even in the capital, the emperor ordered the house arrest of Xue Chunlai and his family.

If the case was proven to be related to Marquis Lingyang, imprisonment was inevitable.

Even King Qi and Consort Xue were implicated, with King Qi under house arrest, and Consort Xue not allowed to leave her Rouyi Palace casually.

King Qi, at the peak of his day, suddenly faced misfortune, while the Crown Prince remained wholly unharmed.

Recollections of the Crown Prince’s visit to Dongshan at the beginning of the year, coupled with an assassination attempt upon his return to the capital, shortly followed by the outbreak of Marquis Lingyang’s collusion with Beihu scandal in Dongshan Prefecture.

This inevitably set the court abuzz with speculation.

Even commoners couldn’t help but wonder if the Crown Prince was connected to this case.

After all, the Prefect of Dongshan Prefecture, Pei Jian, was from the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace, and his appointment as Prefect was recommended by the Crown Prince.

It was clear this was aimed directly at Marquis Lingyang.

King Qi, just of age and establishing his official residence, intentionally vying for power, was thus swiftly cut down by the Crown Prince with such decisive means.

The Crown Prince wasn’t as gentle as outsiders imagined; his decisive killing didn’t lose to the one currently on the dragon throne.

Moreover, the case erupted after the Crown Prince left Dongshan and was subjected to an assassination attempt.

If the Crown Prince were dead, who would benefit the most?

Only King Qi.

So should the Crown Prince retaliate? Of course, he should; who could endure being bullied like this?

Though there is no familial love in the royal family, outwardly, they still had to appear "fraternal and respectful" to set an example for the subjects.

King Qi’s use of assassination in the struggle for power truly lacked the vision of a monarch, leading to a downgrade in perception among the emperor and ministers.

On the contrary, the Crown Prince, after being assassinated, never spoke ill of King Qi.

Though it was due to lack of evidence, it at least proved that the Crown Prince could restrain himself and handle matters impartially.

For ministers, the greatest fear is a ruler who acts irrationally and according to personal whims; a self-restrained and deferential person like the Crown Prince is more fit to be a king.

This round, the Crown Prince had already won.

The case itself was not complex, but the political game behind it was, especially how the one on the throne viewed it, which no one knew.

Yet the astute could discern a bit.

The emperor hadn’t abandoned King Qi, else Marquis Lingyang would have been imprisoned long ago, rather than placed under house arrest, unable to go out.

Of course, such house arrest was akin to imprisonment, although the imperial prison could hardly compare to being confined at home.

At the Imperial Envoy’s welcome banquet, Lin Miao quickly drank a couple of cups and excused himself under the pretense of an "emergency," such bureaucratic formalities bored him; he disliked it greatly.

Having lived another life, he absolutely didn’t want an official position unless it was a sinecure, requiring no attendance yet still paid.

To actually work, that was not for him.

He truly had no interest.

Upon returning home, just as he sat down, Sun Youwei brought over a bowl of herbal soup: "Qixi made this sobering soup for you."

"Why didn’t she bring it over herself?"

"Shy, I suppose. Your relationship has changed, so naturally, she can’t behave as nonchalantly as before," Sun Youwei explained.

"No need for that, just tell her, it’s all the same; our family doesn’t have so many rules," Lin Miao chuckled, this girl might not yet be accustomed to their relationship.

After all, they hadn’t truly been romantically involved but skipped right to being engaged.

When it wasn’t confirmed, she thought about it day and night, but once confirmed, she didn’t quite know how to behave.

Having lived two lifetimes, Lin Miao could probably understand why Xu Qixi was like this; from initial attraction to some admiration, then liking, and secret affection, afraid to confess, apart from normal academic exchanges, they adhered to propriety in all other aspects.