Chapter 637 Deciding on the king's grandfather
The trio had a hearty meal, with the two siblings being shocked at the level of skill of the chef. They had assumed Yang Qing to be bragging, but the level of skill shown by the chef had surpassed the ones shown by their chefs. It was to the point that it prompted the third prince to inquire if there was a way for him to rope in some chefs from the White Baobab Kingdom.
Yang Qing and the chef exchanged a smile before they said he could try. The third prince read enough to know it wouldn't be easy.
Yang Qing saw the third prince still held intentions of trying and he wasn't about to dissuade him from it by telling him how futile it would be because of the gluttonous king who would never take it lying down.
The rest of the conversation went as Yang Qing had expected which was platitudes here and there, with the third prince trying to cozy up to him so he could eventually be one of his 'connections' down the line.
Though Yang Qing had no intentions of doing so, he didn't outright reject him. One can never have too many friends, you may never know when you might need them.
The third prince easily read Yang Qing's olive branch which was more than he expected when he came here.
The connection attempt was more of him going through the motions. He had zero expectations that he would gain any form of assistance from Yang Qing in gaining the throne and was just making the visit and attempt so it could be seen he had tried it.
Perception mattered as it guided the narrative and he wasn't about to be the only prince who didn't attempt to form a connection with someone from the Order even though he had no expectations of it happening whatsoever.
Though he wasn't getting an endorsement through the olive branch and was just friendship, to the third prince it was just as valuable which was evident by how he left in high spirits when their meeting was done.
As if by design, after the third prince and his sister left, the other prince and princesses showed up later in the day at different times. Only the eldest prince and the Meng princess didn't make an appearance. The latter's absence could be understood as she was completely out of sorts during the meeting at the assembly hall due to the loss of her brothers.
As for the eldest prince not making an appearance, Yang Qing could more or less guess as to his absence and it was all tied to the king.
"He may not have the backing of an aristocratic family like the rest, but he has it where it matters, and if the king's grandfather gets well, then it's all but guaranteed for him.."
Yang Qing suddenly froze as he realized in all the running about he had forgotten about the promise he had made to the king and the Imperial Secretary about forwarding their case to the higher-ups.
After seeing off the last guest, Yang Qing went to the gazebo that was close by and made his call to the Judicial Review Committee.
The moment his communication talisman connected, an aged voice that had a sagely undertone to it, sounded.
"Yang Qing, I hear you've been quite busy in your role as the branch chief. From the reports we've received, we hear you have worn the shoes rather fittingly.. you're a man of many talents.."
"See...see...seeenioor Long Enlai, what do you mean?!"
Yang Qing almost stumbled into the river along with his communication talisman the moment he heard the words from Long Enlai.
A soft chuckle sounded from the other end, as Long Enlai said,
"Why did you call? If it's a follow-up on the case, the evolutionary reports are still being compiled. You will have to wait a bit.."
Yang Qing had also roped in the committee in his speculations. Considering their insights and experience he would be foolish not to.
"No, it's not that. It's about the king's grandfather.." said Yang Qing.
He went on to explain his injuries and the discovery Ye Xun made when she went to drop off the king and the Zhang family head and his suspicion that the Blue Soul Flame Crow Syndicate may have had a hand in the exacerbation of his injuries.
"Their involvement may be plausible...mmh.... this may be doable. There is someone from the valley familiar with curses and soul attacks that invade the mental sea of consciousness or trigger heart demons. I'll ask them to conduct the assessment.
Yang Qing, the king, what do you make of him?"
"He seems like someone willing to do anything to preserve the kingdom even things he may not agree with, but he also seems like someone who once decides on something, will stick to it to the bitter end, despite the consequences..." answered Yang Qing as he thought on his impression and interaction with the king.
"Good, then being bait shouldn't be something unbearable for him.."
Yang Qing paused for a second before he followed the train of thought of Long Enlai.
"You intend him to continue playing along even after his grandfather's injuries get healed?"
"Yes.."
"To what end?"
"For it to be convincing enough to force the rats to come out to play, it would test the limits of what he is willing to endure.
Of course, ultimately it's his choice whether he wants to or not. We will still heal the injuries if we find the Blue Soul Flame Crow Syndicate was involved in the affair.
As for him playing along, this is only predicated on the collaborator being shrewd enough to cover their tracks from us to the point we are forced to play it out but if they're not, then there would be no need for it. The thread that leads back to them would be found soon enough, either by us or the king himself after all a local cat knows where all the rats and snakes hide within his territory better than a roaming leopard.
Healing his grandfather may embolden him to act. The only question is, is he decisive enough to act? and what lengths is he willing to go to.."
Yang Qing had a pensive look on his face before he said,
"From what I could sense of him, sacrificing his children is something he would easily do.."
"I suspected as much. I will send the person over today..and oh, the obsidian couple should be reaching there shortly, from the report given, they should have some clarity now. Talking to them should be easier now. We will leave them in your care for now, find as much as you can before we transfer them to another branch.
Take care, Yang Qing.."
"Thank you, Senior Long Enlai.."
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