Chapter 197 - The Sudden Fire 2

Hours before the fire outbreak at the Crown Prince's mansion.

Zhongshan Ling moved back into his mansion a week earlier, following the sixth prince's failed attempt overthrowing the Emperor. He left the palace as soon as he was cleared to leave by the doctors before his father Emperor thought of a reason to keep him in the palace. No, that it mattered anymore since he was the last person in his father's mind.

Zhongshan Ling was used to being the second choice child of his father and mother. First, he was forced to always concede to the sixth prince because he was the emperor's favourite son. Now that the sixth Prince and the imperial consort are out of the question, he was once again kicked aside by the Emperor for someone else. 

Although he was aware of Lu Yaozhu's true identity Zhongshan Ling never said anything and just kept it to himself. Instead, he began to look into the Lu family influence. He did not count on the Emperor promoting Lu Yaozhu to a first-rank prince. He had been initially worried that the Emperor would try to reinstate Lu Yaozhu but let down his guard after the Emperor did make any move toward that however this new promotion just put him on edge.

The crown Prince was seated on his wooden wheeled seat going through a report when his new spymaster Fu Lang came in to give a report. He had been recommended by his new guard Fu Hong, the two men were both from the Fu clan that has served his mother's family the Tong family for generations. From his overall assessment, both men were efficient workers whose loyalty could not be doubted. 

Zhongshan Ling pushed the report aside as the younger man stopped a few steps away from him and bowed. "What is it," he said calmly.

"Your highness, our spy in the ministry of works reported that Prince Wu submitted an official letter of retirement to the minister of war earlier today".

"Huh? He submitted a letter,? Didn't he just get promoted to a first ranked Prince, how come he is already planning to abandon his position? It must be all a show, no one would leave this early in his career. How can he retire at the top of his career, it must be a game. How did father Emperor react to his request?"

"His Majesty was very angry, your highness because our spy at Xincheng palace reported that his majesty rejected his request and threw a fit. Prince Wu was called over to his majesty's study straight from morning court and scolded heavily. According to our spies, his majesty ordered for the Chief Eunuch to investigate the Lu family and find out what they are up to"

Zhongshan Ling felt a slight pain in his amputated Foot as soon as he heard that, it was like that which was removed was still there. He glanced down at his blanket-covered legs and frowned. "It seems that I underestimated Lu Yaozhu again. First, it was when I assumed that father Emperor wouldn't try to push him forward and then now when I thought he would be smart enough to not fall for the temptation of power. All this was his plan, he knew that denying such a position would-be suspicious. That was why he instead pretended to resign, I should have expected something like this".

Fu Yang felt relaxed as he saw the look of obvious displeasure on his master's face, he had expected a reaction like this. When he had been offered this position, Old Master Tong instructed him to create a rift between the crown prince and the Lu family. After the sixth prince's arrest, the Crown Prince's Position was stabilized. Out of all the other princes, the Crown Prince was the most qualified to inherit the throne.

It was in the Tong family's best interest to keep the Crown Prince closer and the best way to do that was to get rid of all other competitors like the Ku family. With that thought in mind, Fu Yang brought up an interesting bit of information he had discovered about the Lu family, specifically the young Duchess.

"Your Highness, I looked into the affairs of the Lu family and while I could find anything about the brothers. I was able to discover something odd about Eldest Madam Zhu".

"Oh, do tell", Zhongshan Ling said leaning forward and resting his hands on the table in front of him. He wasn't surprised that Fu Lang was unable to track Lu Yaozhu's movement. Lu Yaozhu was a very smart man who kept his cards close to his heart, finding anything on him would be difficult but Zhu Fengyin was a different case. She wasn't as skilled as her husband and brother-in-law in hiding secrets.

"I discovered that her grace frequents Yu'an temple of late, I bribed a servant at the temple and discovered that during her visits to the temple she always meets the Abbot privately at the meditation room".

The smile on Zhongshan Ling's face fell as he sighed and leaned back on the seat, he had gotten his hope up for nothing, "Most madams meet with the abbot privately, that doesn't prove anything other than the fact that she is a little religious or pretends to be. Since most madam like to pretend to be religious as a means of passing time. It is nothing unique. She could just be one of those, even the Imperial concubines all pretend to be religious as a means of uplifting themselves. Zhu Fengyin frequent visits to Yu'an temple is nothing special at all".

Zhu Fenfang was on her way in with a tray of nutritious soup, she was at the door when she overheard the Crown Prince's last sentence. The mention of Zhu Fengyin and Yu'an temple made her pause at the door. She didn't know why the Crown Prince was mentioning that sister of hers but based on his tone of voice.

It couldn't be for anything good, the Crown Prince's guards next words were all she needed to step forward and store the pot a little. She never forgot how Zhu Fengyin had put her down before her wedding and wanted to make her pay. She walked inside, smiling as Zhongshan Ling caught her gaze. 

"Sorry to interrupt, Your Highness. I made some nutritious soup and brought a bowl over for you. You have been busy since morning, you must be famished" she placed the tray on the table and placed the white bowl of soup and spoon on the table in front of him. 

Fu Lang bowed at her, "Madam Zhu".

Zhu Fenfang smiled and waved him off before he could make a full bow, "it alright, don't stand on ceremony." She placed at him before turning back to the Crown Prince. "Your highness forgive me for interrupting, I overheard you mention Yu'an temple"

Zhongshan Ling felt his lips twitch but maintained his neutral expression, "Yu'an temple is the closest temple to the capital apart from the Imperial temple. Since the Imperial temple isn't open to the public, you must be familiar with the temple".

"Your Highness is right, Yu'an temple is the most frequented temple. We always frequented that temple because of the last madam." She bit her lips gently, "I don't know if I should say this but Sister Fengyin like the main madam is the main patron of the temple. You see it was the late madam that funded the building of the temple, so Sister Fengyin has quite a personal relationship with the abbot".

Zhongshan Ling glanced at Fu Lang and back at Zhu Fenfang, "I didn't know that Princess Bai was behind the construction of the temple. It wasn't written in any of the official documents concerning the temple".

"Princess Bai was very low key, or was deliberately kept hidden to prevent any bad talk, your Highness. Only the immediate family members are aware of her relationship with the temple".

"And now I do? I guess I should count as a close family member".

"You are my husband and a son-in-law to the late madam, she won't mind you being told. You must be busy, I will leave you two to talk" after receiving a nod, she picked up the tray, turned around and left the room. Her lips tugged up as she walked out of the room, she did not know what the Crown Prince was up to but she hoped that it would put Zhu Fengyin in her place. 

Zhu Fengyin smiled as he watched the scheming woman leave, he glanced at Fu Lang and said, "looks like we will be paying that temple a visit".

Fu Lang frowned as he watched the madam leave, "your Highness, don't think keeping such a manipulative woman like that close is a good idea. She could become a problem for you down the line".

Zhongshan Ling laughed softly, "don't worry about her, I have her completely under control. She is still of use, why get rid of her, yet. As far as I keep an eye on her, she cannot cause any problems for me.. I will get rid of her before she becomes a problem for me."