Chapter 384: Chapter 298 Scoundrel! _3
"It’s certainly not easy being a son-in-law of Prince Manor," the Crown Prince said slowly. "Did you find anything on Zhang Shicheng?"
"The clues from the Five Cities Military Office broke off, and we can’t confirm if Zhang Shicheng was involved that night."
"How did it break, and when?"
"The dossier regarding Zhang Shicheng’s employment at the Five Cities Military Office is missing. We asked many people there, but no one knows how it went missing."
"That’s just splendid!" The Crown Prince’s face turned cold. "It’s as if everyone has sealed their lips tighter than a stone, stubbornly refusing to give me any opportunity to learn even a bit, right?"
Jin Bao held his breath and lowered his head.
The Crown Prince stood up and said again, "Is Xu Yin heavily injured?"
"A flesh wound, it looks severe, but should not be a major issue."
"Invite him to the Eastern Palace. Tell him that there are urgent matters at the Ministry of the Imperial Clan, and since the Secretary is not available, Vice Minister Xu is requested to come into the palace to give his advice."
"Yes."
Jin Bao turned and left.
The Crown Prince stood silently for a moment, gazing at the slanting sun outside the window, then turned around and picked up his pen to resume writing.
When the message from the Eastern Palace reached the Xu family, Xu Yin happened to be bandaging his wound.
Upon hearing the order, his eyes suddenly brightened under the setting sun.
"It’s a success." Lian Rong looked at him intently. "Indeed, not a step deviated from the master’s plan."
Xu Yin urged the guard to quickly finish bandaging his wound, then got up and looked back, "You took the liberty again today. I didn’t instruct you to lead Pei Zhan’s men here."
Lian Rong replied, "I only did so to ensure the master’s plan could succeed even more. With Pei Zhan’s people watching, it made a bigger noise."
"All you need to do is obey!"
Xu Yin lowered his sleeve, his tense face indistinguishable between anger and coldness. "I find you’ve been making more of your own decisions lately. If I find out again, or if it disrupts my affairs, I will show no mercy!"
"Yes."
Lian Rong bowed his head.
It wasn’t until Xu Yin stepped out the door that he straightened his back, his previously plain face slowly revealing an inscrutable complexity.
When Xu Yin entered the hall, the Crown Prince had just finished writing the Diamond Sutra.
"Xu Yin greets Your Highness."
The Crown Prince’s eyes glanced at his bandaged left arm, "What happened to Vice Minister Xu?"
Xu Yin looked at the ground, "In response to Your Highness, I accidentally took a fall."
"People praise you as graceful and of rare noble demeanor, yet you took a fall?"
Xu Yin chuckled, "Your Highness makes me so ashamed, outsiders only tell exaggerated tales; please do not take them seriously. Since childhood, I’ve drifted from place to place and struggled for basic sustenance. Keeping my life was fortunate enough, where would I have the energy for elegance?"
The Crown Prince sat down and pointed to a stool below, "You are an able minister strictly cultivated by the Emperor, no need for false modesty, please sit."
Jin Bao personally brought tea and refreshments.
The Crown Prince took a sip of tea and said, "There have been repeated incidents at Prince Rong’s Mansion, how are you? And how is Yongping?"
"In response to Your Highness, I remain the same, spending most of the day at the government office. My wife made a mistake earlier and is serving the Emperor’s punishment, only recently allowed to go out by decree."
"Yongping was indulged since childhood, inevitably making his nature a bit tricky. Fortunately, you are a patient person and can tolerate him."
Xu Yin did not respond.
The Crown Prince’s lips curled slightly, then he continued, "But even the most patient person has limits to tolerance. Who could endure constant pointless troublemaking? Wouldn’t you agree?"
Xu Yin took a deep breath and then sighed long.
The Crown Prince continued, "Speaking of which, the Emperor intended for you to become Chancellor of the Chamberlain’s Office long ago, only to be delayed by accidents. If not for Yongping’s mischief, you would have been my right-hand man by now."
Xu Yin cupped his hands, "Ultimately, my fortune falls short."
"That might not necessarily be the case."
After saying this, the Crown Prince continued sipping his tea, his movements both slow and casual, as if his words had just been spoken in passing.
Xu Yin waited for him to finish the third sip of tea before saying, "With Your Highness’ far-sighted vision, you can surely see my future."
The Crown Prince lifted his tea cup, "Since you’ve mentioned the future, let’s not beat around the bush. My Uncle Wang appears not to be quite satisfied with you?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Yin’s eyes dimmed, "Perhaps because I, Xu Yin, come from humble beginnings and am ultimately unworthy of such noble lineage."
The Crown Prince’s eyes slid down to his injury, "This wound, was it caused by my Uncle Wang or by yourself?"