"Father, rest assured, I will take good care of her."
"Then I give my permission."
"Do you have any other requests?" Xiao Zhanping asked.
"Then you may leave; go back early to prepare."
"Yes." Xiao Jinxing expressed with utmost respect, "Son shall take his leave now."
Xiao Jinxing pushed the wheelchair and left.
Xiao Zhanping also sent Xiao Jinyan away, leaving Xiao Jinsen alone.
"Father, this time you’re sending third brother to the distant journey of Yuzhou. I’m worried about third brother’s health. Moreover, if the Military Governor of Yuzhou really has ulterior motives, it would be very unfavorable for him. I fear..." Xiao Jinsen persuaded, still hoping to go himself.
"I have the same concerns as you do. But I am even more worried about you going to Yuzhou." Xiao Zhanping finally revealed the truth.
Xiao Jinsen was slightly startled.
"With the plague being highly contagious and easily infecting, of course, I wouldn’t want you to go to such a hazardous place. Especially with this recent assassination incident, I am still left in panic, fearing that something might happen to you," Xiao Zhanping said, "I have high hopes for you, you should be very clear about that."
"Son understands, I just don’t want third brother to have to sacrifice for me."
"It’s not about sacrificing for you. Xiao Jinxing is a Prince, he must also bear the responsibility of protecting and defending the country; one can’t simply clear all duties because of health reasons." Xiao Zhanping seemed very firm.
Xiao Jinsen, perceptive of the situation, knew that speaking more at this moment would definitely infuriate his father, so he closed his mouth, "Yes, son obeys."
"Once the plague settles down a bit, I will naturally send you there, and some merits should be bestowed upon you." Which means, by then, if the plague is successfully controlled, no matter whether Xiao Jinxing is related or not, the merit will ultimately be Xiao Jinsen’s.
"Yes." Xiao Jinsen made no excuse.
He wisely knew that many things must be compliant with Xiao Zhanping’s arrangements immediately.
"By the way," Xiao Zhanping suddenly remembered something, "Has there been any clue about who got the assassin in this time?"
"No." Xiao Jinsen shook his head, "The identity of the assassin is too clean, utterly untraceable, it basically ends with the assassin himself."
"Who on earth wants to harm me!" Xiao Zhanping’s face darkened, his fury sky-high.
Xiao Jinsen dared not respond.
"What do you think?" Xiao Zhanping asked.
Clearly, at this moment, Xiao Jinsen did not dare to speak.
"Before me, there is nothing you cannot say!" Xiao Zhanping’s voice deepened.
Though somewhat angry, it also showed the significance of Xiao Jinsen’s position!
"Yes." Xiao Jinsen respectfully said, "Son believes that given the current situation, the only one who harbors malice towards Father, daring and capable of such an act, is only Empress."
Xiao Zhanping’s face darkened.
"To consolidate her family’s influence, Empress must secure the Crown Prince’s position. However, Empress is well aware of Father’s dissatisfaction with the Crown Prince and also worries whether Father might truly depose him. To be precautious, Empress might very likely take the risk, which is..."
"To assassinate me!" Xiao Zhanping said coldly, his face filled with murderous intent.
"It is only son’s speculation, not yet confirmed."
"However, on that day, Empress was held hostage!" Xiao Zhanping, in a moment, found himself puzzled again.
"This is precisely the cleverness of Empress," Xiao Jinsen declared, convinced it was the work of the Empress.
After the assassination incident, he had deeply discussed it with his mother.
After much deliberation, only Empress could, or dared to do this.
Xiao Jinsen explained, "Seeing the assassination attempt failed, Empress immediately had the assassin hold her hostage, allowing her to help the assassin escape, while also clearing any suspicions about herself, especially since the Empress herself was a victim in this assassination. Father, did you consider that if it were not for Ye Qichi mistakenly believing the assassin would really kill Empress, the assassin might have escaped entirely?!"
Xiao Zhanping nodded.
His face turned extremely grim.
He was almost deceived by Yu Qingyuan!
"Son indeed has no breakthrough to investigate the truth now, son only hopes Father will be extremely cautious," Xiao Jinsen solemnly said.
"Rest assured, having failed this time, Empress would not dare to attempt a second time!" Xiao Zhanping was certain.
"Yes. But son thinks, we still cannot be careless."
Indeed, more personnel had been deployed to patrol and guard.
"Father," Xiao Jinsen spoke again, "Since Father is only concerned about son’s safety, and thus doesn’t allow son to go to Yuzhou, does son still need to go to the border?"