Chapter 688: Chapter 654: The Seventh Princess Enters the Residence
Lin Xiaosu smiled: "This matter has an interesting beginning..."
He laid bare the details of Qingqiu’s marriage proposal on that day.
Most of what he said was true.
Both he and Li Chengnian were genuinely proposing marriage; this fact was undeniable and could be verified easily.
At that time, he was himself, and Li Chengnian was Li Chengnian.
Although the Qingqiu Elder Council prioritized the "greater good," ignoring the conduct during the marriage proposal, they forcefully pushed forward the marriage alliance between Qingqiu and Li Chengnian. In essence, Li Chengnian won the marriage alliance.
But this young fellow had a petty heart and still harbored hatred for Su Lin, causing him to lose face, planning to kill Su Lin once he reached Qingqiu.
And indeed, he attempted to do so.
However, Su Lin’s strength was beyond his imagination; effortlessly, he executed the entire team of five.
Su Lin and his senior sister disguised themselves as Li Chengnian and the attendant Yan, returned to the Heart Pavilion, and initiated the grand plan long deployed by Your Majesty...
Therefore, Su Lin’s disguise as Li Chengnian had a definitive starting point, which was on the road when Li Chengnian returned to Beijing after proposing.
The timing was very clear.
Everything was intertwined seamlessly.
The Seventh Prince exhaled deeply: "So, it was you, not Li Chengnian, who stopped me in the Heart Pavilion that day and warned me about the ’Heavenly Prison Prisoner Exchange’!"
"Naturally, if it had been Li Chengnian sitting in the Heart Pavilion at that time, he certainly wouldn’t have warned Your Highness."
The Seventh Prince sighed deeply: "I actually had suspicions, really, I did have suspicions. I wondered why the Xihe Li Family, which had always flattered my Third Prince brother, would suddenly turn. Li Chengnian was known for his poetic wisdom, but he was definitely not at the level of ’raising clouds with one hand and bringing rain with another.’ Why did he suddenly become so miraculous? As it turns out, the answer to all mysteries lies here—you were never him!"
Lin Xiaosu smiled slightly: "Your Highness is mistaken; it’s not me who is strong, but Your Majesty!"
It’s Your Majesty who’s strong!
The Seventh Prince felt clarity like snow in his heart...
For ten years, the Emperor had remained dormant. Though none dared to say it, everyone had concluded inwardly that the Emperor had become muddled; however, how could a ruler be so simple?
For ten years, he remained dormant, giving the illusion of "not handling affairs," but secretly observing behind the scenes.
The Third Prince thought he had control of the situation, but little did he know, his every move was under the Emperor’s scrutiny. The Emperor merely watched him perform quietly, and when the time was ripe, he deposed him directly.
This was indeed the Emperor!
This was the ruler like the elusive Divine Dragon.
In that moment, the Seventh Prince felt like laughing, felt like crying, and felt a bit of fear...
Laughing at worldly matters, crying at the Emperor’s scheming against his own son, and fearing for himself...
"Mr. Su, I shall return to the mansion first!" The voice fell, and using the King Seal as proof, the Seventh Prince returned to the Prince Mansion.
Lin Xiaosu raised his gaze, watching his silhouette disappear, clearly sensing that the silhouette carried a trace of solitude.
His gaze returned, resting upon Qing Ying.
"Qing Ying, now it should be your turn!" Lin Xiaosu said: "Back then, without knowing that I wasn’t Li Chengnian, you pledged allegiance to me. Now you can choose again."
Qing Ying said: "Sir, I pledged allegiance to you for one reason only, and that is to destroy the Heart Pavilion and avenge my father. Whoever accomplishes this task will earn my allegiance."
"And it has nothing to do with your two years of rapport with him?"
Qing Ying gave a faint smile: "Two years of superior-subordinate relations; all he made me do were conscience-violating tasks. I never considered it a rapport. Not to hide from you, sir, I have always been trying to convince myself with the phrase: ’Those who achieve great things do not bother with trifles.’ But today, with you revealing your true identity, not being that man of sin, there is no need for excuses; it feels like the heavens have eyes and have treated Qing Ying kindly."
Lin Xiaosu laughed: "It seems that my earth-shattering revelation did not cause much of a stir?"
"Indeed! When Princess Shansheng unveiled your true identity earlier, I felt as if the Heavenly Capital had collapsed; thankfully, you had Your Majesty standing behind you, and he already knew everything." Qing Ying exhaled deeply, recalling the earlier events with some lingering fear.
Lin Xiaosu calmly watched her, a whisper sneaking into her ears: "Do you really think this was arranged by Your Majesty?"
Qing Ying inhaled halfway, suddenly stopping, and looked at him with an incredulous gaze.
"What if I told you, Your Majesty was more surprised than you were earlier; would you feel as if the Heavenly Capital had collapsed again?" Lin Xiaosu’s voice stealthily entered her ears once more.
Qing Ying’s entire body stiffened, a whisper returning: "This matter... Wasn’t arranged by Your Majesty after all?"
"Before this, I have never met with Your Majesty, and he knew nothing about this whole affair."
"But... He admitted it just now!"
"He admitted it because acknowledging it is the only step I offered him!"
"Step?"
"Yes, a step, the only step!" Lin Xiaosu smiled faintly: "If he didn’t admit, he would become the laughingstock of an emperor; his prestige, the court’s face would all vanish, and most importantly, if he didn’t admit, he would have to kill me. At this point, he absolutely loathes to kill me, because I bear the massive responsibility of reorganizing the sect, and killing me would make what he desires to achieve an unreachable illusion."
Qing Ying’s mind swirled into a tenth-level tornado...
"And admitting this matter on a verbal concession benefits him greatly." Lin Xiaosu said: "There would be no scandal in the court, only boundless praise; ministers extolling His Majesty, citizens lauding His Majesty’s vision and foresight. The bad impression formed over his ten years of dormancy would be instantly erased. In addition, he gains a capable lieutenant who can accomplish tasks for him."
