Emperor Zhou became suspicious of Fang Shuoyang.
There was some noise outside when he was going to order his men to check out Fang Shuoyang’s mansion and how he behaved.
The head of his men of sacrifice showed up.
“What’s the matter?”
“I caught a maid from the empress’s palace who tried to send messages out late at night.”
“What messages?” Lord Zhou asked immediately with a cold eye.
The man of sacrifice handed over the note from the maid.
It read: “done. The second plan can be executed.”
Lord Zhou was so angry that the note was almost shattered.
“Where is the maid?”
“She bit the tongue and killed herself when I caught her.”
“Good, good.” Lord Zhou said that twice in succession, looking quite gloomy.
The man of sacrifice stood stock-still waiting for orders.
“Go.” Lord Zhou gave a wave after a moment.
“Yes, your Majesty.”
“Wait.” Lord Zhou stopped him again.
He stopped immediately.
“Keep a close eye on the empress and the Crown Prince. Report at once if there is any sign of disturbance.”
“Yes, your Majesty.” The man of sacrifice was submissive and then left.
Lord Zhou stared in the direction of the gate, looking sullen.
After a while, a eunuch came and said that Zhou Suye asked to see him.
“Let him in.” Lord Zhou relaxed a bit.
“Yes, your Majesty.”
Zhou Suye followed the eunuch to the Imperial Study.
The eunuch closed the door considerately.
In the Imperial Study, Zhou Suye saluted reverently.
“Greetings, father.”
“Stand up.” Lord Zhou said calmly, even with some tenderness.
But Zhou Suye never thought that he was special. He barely knew Lord Zhou! So he felt no gentleness in him.
“Thanks, your Majesty.” He stood up and said, “I came for the matters about arresting assassins.”
Then he told the arrestment actions without concealment.
In the end, he said bitterly, “It’s hateful that the two assassins unexpectedly abandoned their fellows and used them to ward off the arrows. I’m ashamed that I did not catch them all. Please punish me, Your Majesty.”
He knelt down again while speaking.
Lord Zhou looked vexed again, of course not for his baby son Suye, but for the two real killers, the assassins!
Damn it! How could they use his men as shields!
Having a deep breath, he held Zhou Suye up in person.
“I’ve already known that. Since the villains are crafty and you are a novice, it’s understandable that you are not used to it.”
It’s just pitiful. Lord Zhou sighed inside.
Too bad for his arrangement.
Without such thing, his son’s reputation could have been …
“I am grateful for not being blamed and also ashamed. I will maker persistent efforts and never let the villains escape again.” Zhou Suye hastened to say.
“Well, it’s good that you are enterprising. It’s late. Go back and we’ll talk about it in the next Morning Court.” Emperor Zhou settled back into their conversation and nodded.
“Yes, I’m leaving, your Majesty.”
Zhou Suye acted seriously from beginning to end.
It made Emperor Zhou feel sad. But he knew that it was necessary.
Zhou Suye could not get development if he told Suye his thoughts.
Zhou Suye would be easily affected by the ministers and have trouble dealing with things even if he ascended the throne.
Being the king for decades, Lord Zhou knew clearly that it was quite difficult to be a supreme ruler.
Therefore, he must teach his son all the things he knew and help his son develop as soon as possible while he was in power. Two sons being attacked, Lord Zhou felt deeply that he was already in the disturbance.
No, he would never let anything happen to Zhou Suye, his dearest son, his successor.
He had arranged dozens of men of sacrifice to protect Zhou Suye since he let Zhou Suye stand in front.
And there was a female cook well-hidden beside Zhou Suye.
The cook, though a woman, was quite good at medical and poison skills. His son would not be hurt by food with her in his mansion.
Zhou Suye was his successor. His other sons could not compare.
Neither the Crown Prince nor Fang Shuoyang could. They would be nothing but a stepping stone for his son.
Long Xiaoyuan had already knew Lord Zhou’s thoughts. It’s no surprise that he would “see” what the king was thinking if Long was there.
At that time, Long and Shi were in the room.
They also heard the latest news half a quarter ago.
But Ying Feng didn’t come back. Actually, he was “escaping” with Tianxiang Zi.
He seemed to be fleeing with her, but the truth was that he was arranged to be around her.
Tianxiang Zi didn’t refuse that.
So anything happening to her could be reported by Ying Feng from time to time.
“Qingzhou, things went well. We can go to sleep,” Long said with a smile.
“Lord Zhou is probably suspicious now,” Shi looked at him and said.
“It’s okay.” Long said affirmatively.
“Well.” Shi squinted.
“Fine, no condition. I’m happy to tell you all if you want to know.” Long didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry.
“Don’t feel wronged, Your Majesty.” Shi said slightly and slowly, with a faint smile.
“No, I don’t feel wronged!” Long coughed and said at once.
“Then tell me, Your Majesty,” Shi said with a glimmer of smile.
“A maid beside the empress was squalid, having something to do with people outside the palace and she sent the empress’s messages out.”
“What people?” Shi asked in detail, leaving Long no vagueness.
“The third prince.” Long replied with a smile.
“He was already dead.” Shi paused, looking strange.
“Yeah, but the maid’s family are controlled.”
“By someone in the third prince’s mansion?”
“Yes, he was the third prince’s staff and turned to somebody else when the third prince died.”
“Did he turn to Fang Shuoyang?”