Once Chuan Fu saw where he had been taken, his heart was filled with despair.
He knew the Crown Prince, not just knew him, but was very familiar.
In fact, in his heart he always felt that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince really had no complaints about his own master, and even when his master had chosen to cooperate with the Eighth Prince, he advised him against it.
Why reject a bright future as the Phoenix Monarch? What more could his master want?
Unfortunately, Shi Qingyi did not listen to him.
The things he had done following Shi Qingyi, he feared even dying ten times would not be enough to atone for.
Chuan Fu steeled his heart and was about to take his own life.
"Whatever you do, you had better think it through," said Gu Shengyin, speaking calmly as she looked at him.
"That carriage at the tea stand by the city gate, that holds your wife and your two-year-old son, doesn’t it?"
Chuan Fu suddenly looked up, shocked. He had been very secretive about this matter, how could she possibly know?
His gaze became suddenly bewildered, finding the voice of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince exceedingly pleasant and charming.
"Confess everything you have done, thoroughly and honestly. I guarantee, if your family did not partake in this matter, I will ensure they remain unharmed."
Chuan Fu unconsciously took this promise to heart. He was as good as dead anyway; if he did not speak, would his master not seek to silence him all the same? If he confessed honestly, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince might even ensure his family’s safety.
Gu Shengyin waited quietly for his reply, knowing that he would agree to her terms.
Indeed. Chuan Fu suddenly raised his head, looking at her: "Can His Royal Highness the Crown Prince keep his word, truly ensure the safety of my wife and son?"
Gu Shengyin did not speak, and Bi Xin, standing by her side, did instead: "What right do you have to question our Highness?"
Chuan Fu shuddered and finally began to speak.
One by one, every detail, starting from the staged "assassination and rescue" orchestrated by his own master to the gaining of Huang Changge’s trust and the unnoticed tampering in her palace, and the final "righteous" betrayal.
Shi Qingyi had never had any real affection for Huang Changge.
After finishing his account, Chuan Fu added one last piece: "I have only ever known that the master was conspiring with someone else, but that person’s identity was very mysterious, and I was never clear on who she was until a few days ago."
He cautiously raised his head, looking at Gu Shengyin: "The one conspiring with my master, is none other than your own sister, Her Highness the Eighth Princess."
There was no rage as he had imagined, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince hardly seemed affected by the news.
Wasn’t she the one with the best relationship with the Eighth Prince? Betrayal by someone so close would unsettle anyone, wouldn’t it?
Chuan Fu was puzzled but dared not inquire further.
"I will have someone verify your claims. If there is even half a lie..."
Chuan Fu quickly said, "If there’s even half a lie, may I die a horrid death!"
"Someone!" Gu Shengyin called out loudly.
"Take him away, guard him well, and ensure no harm comes to him."
Gu Shengyin rubbed her eyes wearily, and Bi Xin quickly came to give her a massage.
She also felt somewhat uneasy, today’s events were not the kind she should be privy to.
"Rest assured, I am not the sort to dispose of the grinder once the mule is done," Gu Shengyin said lightly, as if aware of her thoughts.