Chapter 181: Scouting the Path

Chapter 181: Scouting the Path

"Jianzhang Palace..." The Second Prince pondered for a moment and then ordered, "Have someone keep watch. No matter which Imperial Physician is summoned by my elder brother, inform me immediately."

"Yes, I understand," Fusheng agreed.

Although the Crown Prince's illness was common, the Second Prince always felt uneasy, as if he had overlooked something.

He knew that the messengers sent by the Emperor to find the Tianshan Snow Lotus had brought back news, and the Crown Prince might recover and be rid of his frailty. If so... with the Emperor frequently summoning the Crown Prince lately, could the position of the Crown Heir be intended for him?

He was aware that in terms of knowledge, in the eyes of their tutors, he and the Crown Prince were almost equal, but whenever the Emperor came to examine them, he always seemed more pleased with the Crown Prince's answers.

He had carefully pondered this and realized it was not that his knowledge was inferior to that of the Crown Prince, but rather their thoughts and ideas differed. Clearly, the Emperor favored the Crown Prince's views.

In terms of maternal family background, though she lost her birth mother and foster mother, and her maternal grandfather retired long ago, at least the Marquis of Changping’s family and their relatives were still influential. Her uncle, Zhao Quan, had risen from a minor county magistrate in Liangzhou to the current Governor of Liangzhou.

Regarding the influence within the imperial court, the second prince was aware that, under the circumstance of the legitimate eldest son's poor health, many senior officials, though not outwardly showing favoritism, were placing their bets on him.

Therefore, even if the Emperor preferred the Crown Prince, the second prince wasn’t without a chance to contend for the position of heir apparent. In fact, as long as the Crown Prince's health didn't improve, he wouldn't even qualify to compete with him for the succession.

However, all these premises hinged on the Crown Prince's continuing ill health.

Now, with the Emperor having found the Tianshan Snow Lotus, even if it might not cure the Crown Prince’s illness, the second prince dared not gamble on such a possibility.

The next day, as promised, the third prince arrived at Yanqing Palace with two waist tokens, smiling, "The Crown Prince just sent someone with the waist tokens. Second Brother, let's go."

Although it was meant to be a lunch outing, the eagerness of the third prince, arriving early in the morning, indicated his intent to enjoy the day to the fullest.

The two princes, dressed in ordinary clothes, accompanied by eunuchs and guards disguised as servants, left the palace. Since it was still early, they first visited Princess Huaiqing’s mansion.

In the capital, the west was esteemed while the east was less favored, the south was poor, and the north was affluent. Princess Huaiqing's mansion was situated on Zhongwu Street in the western city.

The consort, Cui Ji'an, greeted them at the entrance. Cui Ji'an, a direct descendant of the Cui family, had a brother named Cui Ji'ming who had nearly become Xiao Lang's study companion.

Cui Ji'an led the princes to the main hall and engaged in conversation with them. Knowing they had matters to discuss among siblings, he excused himself.

Although the third prince had a good relationship with Princess Huaiqing, he had nothing private to discuss. Seeing Cui leaving, he hurriedly said, "Wait for me, brother-in-law, I have something to ask you about the new place in the north city…" and followed him out.

Princess Huaiqing ordered the doors and windows to be opened wide and sent her maids, Xia Chan and Wu Tong, to guard the entrance. She then asked the second prince, "Xuan, what brings you here today?"

The second prince spoke in a low voice, "Sister, do you know about Father finding the Tianshan Snow Lotus?"

"I know," Princess Huaiqing nodded, gently patting her belly with her right hand, "It's said that in a few months the herbs will be harvested and sent back to the capital. I've already sent people to guard the Zhenbei Pass. Any herbs collected from Tianshan must pass through there."

"Sister," the Second Prince lowered his voice, "don't you think this information came too easily? As if it was deliberately leaked."

Surprised by his comment, Huaiqing looked at him and smiled, "I thought you wouldn't consider that. Since you have, I won't hide it. This is most likely a deliberate leak by Father Emperor. If he truly intended to keep it secret, we wouldn't have found out so easily."

"Then why did you still send people...?" the Second Prince asked, slightly puzzled.

"I sent them just to observe, not to snatch," Huaiqing replied with a faint smile on her beautiful face, "Bluff and double bluff, truth and deception - Father Emperor's intentions are inscrutable. It's always better to see for ourselves."

The Second Prince thought for a moment, then smiled, "So, sister means to send someone to scout ahead?"

Princess Huaiqing gave him an approving look, sipped some warm water, and replied softly, "Exactly."

"Do you mean Lady Gao Zhao?" continued the Second Prince.

"Although Gao Zhao gave birth to the Sixth Prince, she's a smart woman. There's no one from her family at Zhenbei Pass, so she won't take risks," Huaiqing replied, shaking her head.

"Then, who is the scout you're referring to?" the Second Prince inquired eagerly.

Princess Huaiqing glanced at the two senior maids standing by the door, turned back, and whispered, "The Yun family from Lianzhou, do you know them? They're renowned medicinal merchants in our dynasty, dealing north and south. Since our empire opened trade with the Huns, they've been venturing into the steppes, making contacts with Hunnic nobility."

"Are you saying... the Yun family is also interested in the snow lotus?" the Second Prince hesitated, "But... how could the Yun family dare to touch something that belongs to Father Emperor?"

"It's not that the Yun family wants the snow lotus," Huaiqing said with a slight smile. "In recent years, the situation at Zhenbei Pass has been unstable. Long-term trade can make people forget the initial bloody battles, and there are always large merchant groups conspiring with the guards and foreigners. Father Emperor's edict about the snow lotus didn't specify the reason. If the Huns learn about its importance, they might attempt to intercept it before Father Emperor's people return through Zhenbei Pass."

"I understand," said the Second Prince, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

After a pause, he voiced his suspicion, "Sister, I believe that the snow lotus being mentioned outside might be a decoy. The real one may have already been delivered to the palace, perhaps even to the Crown Prince's hands."

Princess Huaiqing's expression shifted slightly, and after a moment of thought, she said, "You're right, but if that's the case, there must be someone from Father Emperor watching over Lang. It's not easy for us to intervene."

"What if we let Lady Gao Zhao know?" the Second Prince suddenly suggested.

"Gao Zhao?" Princess Huaiqing pondered and murmured, "The Sixth Prince is still young; logically, she shouldn't be in a hurry. But if Lang's health improves, the Sixth Prince won't have a chance. If she learns of this, she'll surely guess you're behind it. But if she's still ambitious, she will act, and no matter what she does, it will at least reveal something."

"But what if she waits for us to make the first move? After all, she might think we are the most desperate," the Second Prince added.

"How could that be?" Princess Huaiqing laughed, "If Lang gets better, you still have a fighting chance for the heir position, but the Sixth Prince will have none! Unless... she plans to exert more effort later to overthrow the Crown Prince."