Zhao Zhang Wei was surely left shocked when Xi Ying said his last words.
His phoenix eyes stared at Xi Ying's face closely as he tried to observe if Xi Ying really was trying to say what he thought or if it was just his illusion.
However, the meaningful look in Xi Ying's eyes told him that it was not the latter.
He really knew something.
"You investigated my mother?"
He asked in an emotionless voice.
Xi Ying however shook his head and said truthfully.
"Your Highness can say that it was just fate that led this Lord to find out the truth behind Noble Consort Shu's death."
Zhao Zhang Wei's eyes suddenly cooled down and the aura around him became so indifferent that Xi Ying couldn't help but raise his eyebrows in surprise.
"This Lord knows what things should be kept hidden, Your Highness."
To calm down the emotional prince, Xi Ying said suddenly. He was trying to understand Zhao Zhang Wei's mind at this moment. It was not that difficult for Xi Ying.
Although not the same, he had dealt with the same situation once in his life.
However, Zhao Zhang Wei didn't look as if Xi Ying's words have calmed him even a bit. Instead, he ignored what Xi Ying said and told him sharply.
"You don't have any right to investigate me or my mother, Prime Minister Xi."
Zhao Zhang Wei actually didn't know actually what he was angry at. He didn't even know just how much Xi Ying know yet.
Did he know what kind of life his mother lived in this Palace? Did he know what kind of life he lived after his mother's death?
That part of his life …Zhao Zhang Wei didn't want anyone to know.
He was very angry and it could be seen from the way he looked at Xi Ying.
"I can understand if you don't trust me, Prime Minister Xi but still you should not have tried to interfere in these matters. I, too, don't trust you but I have never done this kind of thing. I didn't even ask as to why a minister who had been so loyal to the Emperor is suddenly with me and fighting to dethrone that same Emperor. I have more reasons than you to doubt you but I still respected you and tried to trust you."
When Zhao Zhang Wei finished his words, he was actually panting because of the rage he was feeling inside his chest.
At this moment, it was Xi Ying who sat there in front of him with no emotions on his face. His eyes were at Zhao Zhang Wei but he was lost in his own thoughts.
He opened his mouth to say something when Zhao Zhang Wei looked a little calm.
"It was not that difficult, was it?"
Zhao Zhang Wei frowned when he saw a smile on Xi Ying's lips as he asked him this question. Xi Ying continued
"If Your Highness has so many reasons to doubt me then Your Highness should have told me all this on that day inside the restaurant. Just like how I found this new thing out and then confronted Your Highness. This Lord has never intended to investigate Your Highness. However, if Your Highness's emotions are making this battle weak then this Lord will have to interfere. If we are in this fight together then at least we need to trust each other…otherwise, no one needs to make us lose. We are already defeated if we don't trust each other completely."
Without waiting for Zhao Zhang Wei to say anything, Xi Ying answered Zhao Zhang Wei's doubts in a few words.
"Your Highness might not believe but this Lord hates Zhao Wang Lei as much as Your Highness hates him. This Lord has been loyal to him for so many years but the same man has poisoned my child in my own Manor and tried to kill the woman I now love so many times."
Zhao Zhang Wei's eyes flickered with surprise. He had not expected Xi Ying to really tell him why he was suddenly against Zhao Wang Lei.
However, after hearing his reason, he sneered coldly. This sneer was not for Xi Ying but for Zhao Wang Lei.
Why was he not surprised at all after hearing what Xi Ying has told him!
Zhao Wang Lei could really do such a thing in Zhao Zhang Wei's eyes. However, he would regret it for sure in the future, Zhao Zhang Wei was very sure of this.
Now such an intelligent man who was before on his side was going against him. It would surely cost him a lot.
By 'A Lot' he meant the 'Throne'.
When Zhao Zhang Wei came out of his thoughts, he saw that Xi Ying was now staring at him as if waiting for something. It took him a few moments to understand what actually he wanted.
However, he couldn't refuse as it was reasonable for him to demand an explanation from him as well.
"My mother didn't die naturally. She was killed."
Zhao Zhang Wei's eyes were blank when he said this. His fists were clenched inside his sleeves as he remembered that night that always had been a nightmare for him.
He forcefully stopped his mind from wandering in those horrible memories and continued
"I had wanted to kill Zhao Wang Lei for a very long time and I was preparing for this.
Xi Ying didn't need to be told now who killed Noble Consort Shu. He could see that this was a very sensitive topic for Zhao Zhang Wei so he didn't try to divulge into this anymore.
There was still one question inside his heart…a question that had been bothering him since he had come to know of all this.
"So Your Highness never really wanted the throne?"
Zhao Zhang Wei had not expected Xi Ying to ask this question. He paused for a moment before he nodded his head and said
"Prime Minister is right. Benwang never wanted the throne."
"Then what changed now?"
What changed now!
Zhao Zhang Wei pondered over Xi Ying's question. Now he loved Yi Huiqing. Before he didn't care if he killed Zhao Zhang Wei and Zhao Zhuang Chen took the throne. He had a full plan of leaving Xin and then living in the place from where his mother had come to this horrible place.
He remembered how his mother used to say that that place was a paradise for her.
He had really wanted to live there …somewhere his mother had spent her happy years of life.
However, during all this, he had not expected that he would suddenly realize that he has feelings for his four years of wangfei.
Zhao Zhang Wei also answered Xi Ying truthfully.
"It was Benwangfei who changed Benwang's plans."
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Benwangfei -> The prince's wife