With a fierce final sprint, the man’s body went limp, collapsing on the woman’s back.
After a brief pause, the man got up, grabbed the silk robe lying on the floor, casually draped it over himself, and walked quickly towards the outside.
At the door of the room, Zhao Huannong was the first to speak up and report, "After interrogating Yu Huoshui, Tang Fei and Yan Wenli went together to the Phoenix Palace to report to the King."
"What’s the situation? What did Yu Huoshui say?" Zhong Tianyi walked into the living room, picked up a cigar from the table, lit it, and took a fierce puff, "What matters so much that they had to report back to the palace? Is Yan Wenli unable to make a decision on his own?"
"Our spy in the palace said it was related to Lei Xiangyang’s case."
Zhong Tianyi’s face darkened as he scolded, "Are they like persistent ghosts that refuse to dissipate?"
"Your Highness, this is a move from the Eldest Prince’s side. After Tang Fei visited him at Light Pavilion, he began to relentlessly pursue Yu Huoshui."
"And now the incident has erupted... Tang Fei was not privy to that case; had it not been for the bewitchment and guidance from Light Pavilion’s side, the Monitoring Bureau wouldn’t have been able to dig up anything."
"What exactly are they trying to do? Dig up a buried corpse, for what? Just to disgust us?"
"Your Highness..." Zhao Huannong looked at Zhong Tianyi, and reminded him, "This time, it won’t be easy to get off lightly."
"Last time, we managed to get through because everything was under the Royal Family’s control. But this time is different, the Monitoring Bureau incidentally dug up Yu Huoshui and Dahe Commerce while investigating Yu Bainian’s case."
"Tang Fei also reported to Yan Wenli, and there are records and case files left inside the Monitoring Bureau... Yan Wenli, fearing the magnitude of the case and doubting his ability to bear the responsibility, brought Tang Fei to the palace to report to the King."
"The case was uncovered by the Monitoring Bureau, and many within the monitoring system are aware of it... hence, for the Royal Family to hide it again would be difficult and meaningless."
"Moreover, forcibly covering it up would only intensify the Eldest Prince’s wrath. After all, he is the man to take up the great position, and the King has to consider his feelings... Thus, the King will surely choose to let the Monitoring Bureau thoroughly investigate the case."
Zhong Tianyi’s handsome face was hidden in the swirling smoke as he looked at Zhao Huannong and asked, "What’s the worst-case scenario?"
"Your Highness might face some punishment."
"What about Yu Huoshui?"
"Yu Huoshui plotted to damage the relations between the Princes, harming the image of the Crown Prince and the Royal Family... It will be either death or injury."
Zhong Tianyi fell silent.
Yu Huoshui was his man; everyone in Phoenix City was well aware of their closeness.
Though he belonged to the Yu Family, he was closer to him and willing to travel and take risks for his cause.
But, to lose his life because of his involvement...?
"Either death or injury," Zhong Tianyi suddenly laughed out loud, bending over backward with laughter, tears almost spilling out, "What a phrase, ’either death or injury’... My dear elder brother is truly ruthless."
"He already has everything, that position is already his... Yet, he can’t rest content, still unwilling to spare us..."
"Good, that’s just great. Since he wants to root us out, we can’t just sit here waiting for death..."
"Your Highness, be careful with your words."
"What’s there to be careful about? He parades around all day with this loyal and imposing Crown Prince facade, yet his heart is smaller than a needle’s point."
"If he’s unkind, then don’t blame me for being unjust... I had already given up on competing with him, but even if I don’t fight, even knowing I can’t win... I won’t let him just easily take that position..."
Zhong Tianyi looked at Zhao Huannong and asked, "What do you think, with my dear brother’s vengeful nature, how will he treat me as his brother once he ascends to the great position?"
Zhao Huannong knew, but he dared not speak nor was he able to.
The many precedents told a clear answer.
But, it was far too cruel.
"Right? You know, I know," Zhong Tianyi said with a sinister smile, "Especially me, his brother who has competed with him for the great position... Even if he doesn’t find a way to end my life, he’ll find a place to lock me up."
"What meaning would life hold then? Enduring a living death, occasionally dragged out to be whipped... Is this our ultimate fate? I won’t accept it."
Zhao Huannong looked at the seemingly crazed Second Prince and asked with a deep gaze, "Your Highness, do you have any plans?"
In truth, he hoped the Second Prince would fight.
Fighting might give a glimmer of hope.
Without a fight, it was just a slow death.
Once Zhong Tianque secured his position, he would have the leisure to slowly deal with them.
And as a trusted lineage of Zhong Tianyi’s...
If the master couldn’t become a Dragon, how could they gain the merit of following a Dragon?
A cruel smile formed on Zhong Tianyi’s lips as he revealed the answer he had been brewing for a long time: "Help me contact the Lu Family."
"The Lu Family? Can they be trusted?"
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend," Zhong Tianyi said fiercely. "If they want the Lu Family dead, then we will ensure they live. The more violently they fight, the more the Lu Family will huddle with us for warmth."
Zhao Huannong nodded, "I understand, I’ll test the waters and see their attitude."