Chapter 520: 520 Mutual Calculation_1

Wei Jinyi did not turn his head to look at the person detained by Chu Lan’s men, his face bland and eyes void of any spirit.

Chu Lan continued, “If the ninth prince himself does not recognise, we can bring an old attendant from Marquis Xu’s residence to see.”

Only then did Wei Jinyi lift his eyes slowly to gaze at the newcomer, thereafter raising his right hand as a signal to his assistant.

he silent Xiaobei stepped forward, bowing to Chu Lan. “Your Highness, Prince Jing, my lord is unwell, and is easily fatigued. If you have anything to discuss with my lord, you may tell me first. I will remember it and tell my lord in detail when he is feeling better.”

Chu Lan then turned his gaze toward Wei Ruo. “Or perhaps your queen can discuss the matter with me in the prince’s stead.”

Wei Ruo, singled out by Chu Lan, didn’t even lift her head, pretending not to hear.

Xiaobei chuckled at Chu Lan’s proposal, “Your Highness Prince Jing, you must be kidding. Such a situation would not be proper; I believe you wouldn’t behave so inappropriately.”

Chu Lan slowly averted his gaze, explaining the newcomer’s identity.

“This man is Sheng Tong, an old subordinate of Marquis Xu. He should have died in battle, but has survived to this day. Does King Rui not want to know his reasons for surviving, changing his name and identity, and living such a carefree life?”

Hearing this, Wei Jinyi did not show any surprise, continuing to lie down listlessly.

This is the demeanor of a dying man.

WeI Ruo, who was busy roasting a chicken at the side, was also not surprised. She had known for a long time that Chu Lan would obtain evidence of the Qi family’s crime of grooming Marquis Xu. She just didn’t know what that evidence was.

It now appeared that this man named Sheng Tong was likely the pawn that Chu Lan bought to deal a critical blow to King Yu and the Qi family.

But this time, instead of bringing the man directly to the emperor, Chu Lan was trying to hand him over to Wei Jinyi, so that Wei Jinyi would do the work for him.

“Ah, is that so!” Xiaobei feigned surprise, then hastily said, “Your Highness Prince Jing, this is a serious matter! You should quickly take the man to the Inspection Institute and let the relevant authorities get to the bottom of the matter!”

“I think it would be more appropriate to leave this matter in the hands of the ninth brother, as he might have framed Marquis Xu,” Chu Lan said.

“Absolutely not! Your Highness Prince Jing, this action is absolutely not advisable! My lord is frail. His physician said he must avoid having anxiety. Furthermore, my lord is not proficient at investigation matters like this. We will have to find someone who specializes in it!” Xiaobei quickly refused.

As Xiaobei spoke, he looked back at Wei Jinyi on his chair worriedly.

Wei Jinyi obviously heard their conversation. He appeared weary, giving the impression that he truly needed rest.

Upon seeing Xiaobei’s frantic performance, Wei Ruo sighed quietly. Apparently, not only was her lord good at acting, but his subordinates were quite skilled as well.

As for this performance, Wei Ruo would have to give him ninety-nine out of a hundred. A point more would make him prideful.

Chu Lan along with Xiaobei looked towards Wei Jinyi, a faint frown on his forehead.

Xiaobei again said: “Your Highness, Prince Jing, it’s getting late. The weather cools rapidly as autumn draws in. My lord is vulnerable to the cold! I have to escort my lord back to the carriage soon. If there is a delay that affects my lord’s health, I can’t bear the responsibility!”

Chu Lan gave Wei Ruo another glance, a flicker of an unusual glint in his eye.

After a while, “All right,” Chu Lan agreed. He turned and smoothly mounted his horse, leading his people away.

After he left, Wei Ruo came over to Wei Jinyi’s side. She sat down and leaned in close.

“Does Chu Lan want to use you?” Wei Ruo asked Wei Jinyi.

“It seems so,” Wei Jinyi replied.

WeI Ruo looked at Wei Jinyi’s placid face and continued, “Second Brother, when you saw that man Chu Lan brought just now, aren’t you pissed off? He could be the person who caused the death of your maternal grandfather.”

“The person just now is not the real Sheng Tong,” Wei Jinyi answered.

“Second Brother’s meaning is that the person was an imposter?”

“If it was the real Sheng Tong, he would be an important eye-witness. Chu Lan would not carry him around. He would hide him and reveal him in public at the proper occasion, delivering a fatal blow to King Yu and the Qi family, rather than revealing his cards ahead of time. Even if he wanted to use me, he would choose a more secretive moment, unseen by King Yu and the Qi family. Therefore, since he chose to meet me in broad daylight while I was away from the city, this man is not the real Sheng Tong.”

Wei Jinyi analyzed the suspicious actions of Chu Lan today, which led him to infer that the man Chu Lan brought was an imposter.

“Second Brother’s analysis makes sense.” This truly was strange!

Wei Jinyi continued, “His visit to me today is not solely for the purpose of using me to deal with King Yu and the Qi family. He reveals himself publicly, taking this opportunity to run here and there. His intention will definitely be picked up by King Yu and the Qi family. If the Qi family starts to believe that Chu Lan has captured Sheng Tong, they will definitely make a move.”

“So Chu Lan’s plan is to trick King Yu and the Qi Family?” Wei Ruo asked.

“Very likely,” Wei Jinyi answered.

So today’s visit by Chu Lan could be said to be double-sided; if he could persuade Wei Jinyi to take action, that would be good. But even if not, he could still achieve his purpose.

As long as the news reached the ears of King Yu and Qi Yansong, they would certainly act hastily, to prevent Chu Lan from bringing Sheng Tong before the emperor.

Once King Yu and the Qi family made their move, it would provide opportunities for Chu Lan.

“Both of them are as cunning as foxes,” Wei Ruo sighed.

Chu Lan was, and her second brother was too!

Chu Lan’s actions against the Qi family had advanced earlier than in the original story. This was highly likely due to her second brother’s various provocations.

Pausing for a moment, Wei Ruo inquired, “So does Second Brother believe that this Sheng Tong truly was the one who betrayed Marquis Xu, leading to Marquis Xu’s unjust death? Was the Qi family indeed the mastermind behind this?”

“I had no prior knowledge of this Sheng Tong matter. After hearing what Chu Lan has said, concluded that he is highly likely the person who fabricated false evidence against my maternal grandfather. As for who was behind it, the person I suspect is indeed the Qi family, because the Qi family was the biggest beneficiary from the incident,” responded Wei Jinyi.

“Indeed,” Wei Ruo nodded.

She asked her second brother in hopes of reminding him that the mastermind at the bottom was indeed the Qi family. This was a point Chu Lan got right.

Now that she heard her second brother’s suspicion was also directed at the Qi family, then she would no longer intervene.

WeI Ruo’s mood for sightseeing disappeared due to Chu Lan’s arrival.

After finishing the roasted chicken and fish, Wei Ruo had everyone pack up and they headed back to King Rui Residence.

On the way back, they traveled slowly with Wei Ruo and Wei Jinyi in the carriage, enjoying the scenery and eating, they had arrived back at the King Rui Residence by dusk.

The moment she stepped off the carriage, an urgent matter suddenly came to Wei Ruo’s mind.

“Second Brother.”

WeI Ruo grabbed Wei Jinyi’s arm as he was walking towards the inner courtyard.