After entering the book, the cold prince begs for favor

Chapter 442 Late-Night Conspiracy (1)

"came back?"

Wang Min's voice was as steady as ever.

"Yes, Mother," the two replied in unison.

Yuan Wanru stepped forward and nestled close to Wang Min, as affectionately as a daughter. She lowered her voice and said with sincere gratitude, "Thank you, Mother. You've gone to so much trouble these past few days."

She paused, her eyes shining, and whispered, "If there's a chance in the future, Mother, why don't you come out with us for a walk and relax?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Min revealed a genuine smile.

He raised his hand and gently patted the back of Yuan Wanru's hand, then stroked her temple, and said softly, "Okay."

But even in that single word "good," there is a hint of helplessness.

With such a large operation in the Marquis's mansion, how could she, as the mistress of the house, easily extricate herself from it?

Moreover, even after the dust settled in the capital, she still had Lu Wei, who was far away in Anzhou, on her mind.

No matter what, it was flesh of her flesh, and she could never let it go.

At dinner time, the whole family was able to gather together for a rare meal in the spacious flower room.

The atmosphere was much more harmonious than when the old lady was still alive.

There seemed to be less of a barrier between the first wife and the second wife.

Zhou Fang has become much more restrained now, and her words and actions reveal a kind of "cleverness." During the meal, she occasionally serves food to Wang Min or chats with Yuan Wanru about everyday matters. Although they are not very close, they are harmonious.

The children's laughter mingled with the meal, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere, as if it truly embodied the tranquility of life.

After the meal, everyone dispersed.

As night deepened, Lu Jiangnian's figure quickly and silently disappeared into the deep darkness of the Marquis's residence.

He was going to see the Crown Prince.

-

Deep within an extremely secluded mansion, in a hidden chamber, only a tiny oil lamp was lit.

The dim, yellowish light could barely illuminate the two faces sitting around the small wooden table.

Everyone's brows were furrowed tightly, and an oppressive atmosphere filled the room, making the air feel frozen and suffocating.

When Sun Huanzhi saw Lu Jiangnian push the door open and enter, his pent-up anger flared up instantly, and he retorted irritably.

"Oh! So Young Master Lu has finally decided to come back? You ran off so easily, just packed your bags and left! You've left this mess in the capital, and it looks like the world is about to turn upside down! How could you be so disloyal?"

Lu Jiangnian lifted his eyelids and glanced at him indifferently, his eyes calm and unwavering, as if Sun Huanzhi's anger was just a gentle breeze.

He found a seat and sat down, his voice not loud, but clear and distinct, with a hint of self-mockery.

"Young Master Sun is joking. What use would I, a commoner with no official position, be if I stayed here?"

He paused, then turned his gaze to the Crown Prince, his tone almost cold and indifferent, “Unless… Your Highness is determined to go all out and engage in that ‘coup’ scheme.”

“If that’s the case, I, Lu Jiangnian, am willing to risk my life to be your pawn and do my part.”

"Jiang Nian! Watch your words!"

The crown prince frowned sharply, whispered a rebuke, and a hint of fear flashed in his eyes.

The fact that Lu Jiangnian could speak such treasonous words so bluntly in front of him and Sun Huanzhi shows just how much resentment he had accumulated towards his father.

But then, a bitter feeling welled up in the prince's heart.

Can you blame him?

First, the emperor forced Liang Yuhua into a marriage with him, which annoyed him. Then, he was stripped of his official position on some pretext. Who wouldn't feel resentful in that situation?

This is a normal reaction that Lu Jiangnian should have.

Sun Huanzhi was so frightened by his casual remark about "forcing the emperor to abdicate" that he almost jumped up. His face changed, and he glared at him fiercely, cursing him in a low voice.

"I think you've been away from the capital for too long and gone wild! Your brain has gone mad, hasn't it? You dare to blurt out things that could cost you your head and your entire family! Are you out of your mind?!"

Lu Jiangnian shrugged indifferently, his tone remaining calm and even, as if he hadn't uttered that earth-shattering statement just now: "Then what does Prince Sun say we should do?"

His gaze swept over the anxious faces of the Crown Prince and Sun Huanzhi, and he continued, "Although I am not in the capital, I am aware of every little thing that is happening there."

"Your Highness's current situation is so dire that 'not good' would be an understatement. How should we resolve this predicament? I'm all ears."

The Crown Prince let out a long, weary sigh, the sound particularly heavy in the silent chamber: "Jiang Nian, I know you're worried for me, and you're angry, but a coup d'état..."

He shook his head, his tone resolute, "This is a path I cannot take, nor can it be taken!"

"Once we make a move, it will be an utter disaster, with absolutely no chance of victory!"

He lowered his voice, filled with resentment at being driven to the brink and a deep sense of powerlessness, "You have no idea how many opportunists there are in the court these days, watching the winds of change closely, just waiting to see me fall so they can climb to a higher branch!"

Sun Huanzhi frowned deeply and continued with great concern, "The current situation is truly dire! The Fifth Prince's residence is as bustling as a market, and the threshold is practically worn down by the crowds!"

"Those cunning people in the court are all scrambling to get close to him."

"What's worse, rumors are circulating inside and outside the palace that His Majesty... will probably issue an edict before the end of the year to depose and install the crown prince!"

"This situation is like sitting on a powder keg; it could explode at any moment!"

He became more and more anxious as he spoke, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

He turned sharply to Lu Jiangnian, his voice filled with urgent inquiry: "Jiangnian! You're quick-witted, tell me, how do we break this deadlock? What are your ideas?"

Sun Huanzhi knew very well that when it came to strategy and vision, he was far inferior to Lu Jiangnian.

Lu Jiangnian did not respond immediately.

He slowly picked up the cup of tea in front of him, which had long since gone cold, brought it to his lips, and took a sip. The icy liquid slid down his throat, bringing a refreshing chill.

He put down his cup and then looked up, his gaze sweeping steadily over the Crown Prince and Sun Huanzhi. His voice was not loud, but each word was clear, carrying a calm understanding of the situation: "The most urgent task can be summed up in eight words: tighten the fence and wait for the right time."

"To put it bluntly, it's about self-preservation while looking for opportunities to retaliate."

He paused, then said decisively, "As for forcing a resignation? That's the worst possible strategy, the stupidest path, and we absolutely cannot touch it!"

Not to mention that he knew perfectly well that the person on the dragon throne didn't have much time left, even if the emperor was in good health, there was absolutely no chance of him succeeding in forcing the emperor to abdicate.

Fortunately, the crown prince never even considered that dead end.

"What kind of quality is the Fifth Prince?"

A barely perceptible sneer curled at the corner of Lu Jiangnian's lips. "Anyone with eyes that aren't blind and a clear head can see it all clearly. With his meager abilities and temperament, he's utterly incapable of sitting securely on that dragon throne!"

"It's just because His Majesty is currently favoring them."