Chapter 700 Will Zhao Zhang Wei Agree?
The next morning, after Xi Ying had attended the Imperial Assembly he went to the Xinhe Palace immediately.
Zhao Zhang Wei who had just come back from the Imperial Court was surprised when Eunuch Zhang informed him that Xi Ying wanted to see him.
After a moment of surprise, he nodded his head and asked Eunuch Zhang to let him inside the study room.
He was thinking of going to Lantai Courtyard in a few moments. Since the day he had shut Yi Huiqing up with his words that everything in Xinhe Palace belonged to him including Lanati Courtyard so she couldn't stop him from coming to see her, Yi Huiqing had not uttered a single word of refusal.
Surprisingly, Zhao Zhang Wei still didn't feel any satisfaction. Though he would see her every day and they would sit together, she will never say anything to him. Even if he tried to initiate a conversation, she would reply in a few words.
Slowly he understood that there was also a limit up to which he could force her to be with him. Though she was with him, she would not be like he wanted her to be if he used force.
She would not be happy.
This situation left him frustrated and helpless.
At the same time, he couldn't stop going to Lantai Courtyard to see her even after knowing that she didn't like to see him.
"Greeting, Your Highness"
Zhao Zhang Wei came out of his trance when he heard Xi Ying's voice.
He raised his head and said to Xi Ying politely.
"Prime Minister Xi, please have a seat."
Xi Ying nodded his head in the same politeness and sat down on the chair.
"Is everything alright, Prime Minister Xi?"
Xi Ying raised his eyebrows curiously when he sensed the hurry in Zhao Zhang Wei's voice. It seemed that the prince wanted to be somewhere else instead of here discussing with him.
"Does Your Highness have something else to do? If it is important then this Minister can come some other time."
This was perhaps the most polite attitude Xi Ying had shown to someone else. In the past, he had been polite to Zhao Wang Lei as well but it was solely because of the title he bore. The title demanded respect and he would never disrespect the man bearing that title until it was necessary when the people from the clan had chosen the same way.
However, his politeness toward Zhao Zhang Wei came from the respect he had inside his heart for the man. In Xi Ying's eyes, Zhao Zhang Wei was the only capable prince who could ascend the throne.
Even though he didn't have any backing, Xi Ying had seen his determination of carrying out his revenge for avenging his mother's death.
He didn't fear Zhao Wang Lei because of his status something that Zhao Zhuang Chen did.
"Benwang had been planning to visit Benwangfei."
Xi Ying nodded his head in understanding when Zhao Zhang Wei spoke the truth.
Another thing he liked about Zhao Zhang Wei was his directness and transparency because it showed his trust in him.
However, this was somewhat more directness and transparency than he had expected from him.
Xi Ying looked at Zhao Zhang Wei's emotionless face for a few moments until his eyes suddenly flashed with amusement.
He understood something that Zhao Zhang Wei was not able to speak to him. He also understood just why Zhao Zhang Wei told him about him visiting Yi Huiqing.
Xi Ying nodded his head calmly hiding his thoughts.
"This Lord's wife had been worried about Princess Consort. How is Princess Consort doing, Your Highness?"
Zhao Zhang Wei's face was still emotionless as he nodded his head and said
"Qingqing is doing well. Thanks for Lady Li's concern."
Xi Ying nodded his head.
He looked at Zhao Zhang Wei again. From his index finger tapping on the table continuously and the impatience flickering in his eyes, Xi Ying felt very amused.
To him, a part of Zhao Zhang Wei was still like a child.
His childish part was now conflicted …wondering whether he should really ask him what he wanted to ask or not.
Xi Ying also didn't talk about Yi Huiqing anymore and started to talk about what he had come for.
"Your Highness must be known that this Lord had revealed a few days ago that Second Madam Li had been poisoned by someone during the Imperial banquet."
Zhao Zhang Wei immediately paid attention to Xi Ying's words putting aside all the thoughts that were going on inside his mind.
"Benwang do remember, Prime Minister Xi."
Xi Ying nodded his head and continued.
"It was Qin Wenya who had poisoned Second Madam Li's food."
Zhao Zhang Wei's surprise could be seen on his face but he composed himself very soon. He also nodded his head as if absorbing everything and then he without any hesitation asked Xi Ying.
"What kind of help Benwang can do, Prime Minister Xi?"
Xi Ying was silent for a moment before he said
"For some reason, it can't be revealed to the people of the Empire that the Empress tried to kill Second Madam Li because, after that, there would be a need to explain the reason behind it as well…something that Zhao Wang Lei can not let the Empress reveal to anyone."
These were the same words Zhao Wang Lei had said to him that day in the study room.
However, the difference was that he thought that Xi Ying didn't know the reason which he knew.
'It is something that can affect both the Empire. Also even if we revealed that the Empress tried to kill a noble's wife, it won't be enough to destroy her completely…and Zhen wishes to destroy her completely now."
Xi Ying scoffed when he remembered Zhao Wang Lei's words.
He focused his attention on Zhao Zhang Wei again and continued
"This Lord wishes to put all the blame of Noble Consort Shu's death on Qin Wenya so that she will be dethroned and after that perhaps executed."