The Double-Chapter 447 - 145 Hai Tang_2

Jih Heng’s words were tantamount to an acknowledgment of her thoughts.

This was somewhat beyond Jiang Li’s expectations; Emperor Hongxiao could endure the humiliation at hand for the sake of the future. It seemed that his past affection for Consort Li might have had an element of pretense. Such an emperor—was Prince Cheng truly his opponent? Or was Emperor Hongxiao the siskin lying in wait in the mantis-stalks-cicada scenario?

"Does His Majesty plan to make a move against Prince Cheng?" Jiang Li asked anxiously, "In that case, what position should the Jiang Family take?"

"It’s not about making a move against Prince Cheng, but waiting for Prince Cheng to make his," Jih Heng said.

Jiang Li, puzzled, asked, "Is Prince Cheng so impatient?"

"Impatient?" Jih Heng countered, "Why not consider it being well-prepared and acting after thoughtful planning?"

Jiang Li scoffed. This time, she didn’t hide her sarcasm and said without hesitation, "I think the one who is well-prepared is not Prince Cheng, but His Majesty."

The Emperor, seemingly weak and at any moment at risk of losing his throne to Prince Cheng’s machinations, did not truly appear weakened now. He was simply biding his time, waiting for an opportunity to bring down Prince Cheng in one fell swoop, to show everyone who truly ruled the Northern Yan.

"Prince Cheng has me at his back," Jih Heng reminded.

"His Majesty has you at his back as well," Jiang Li responded.

"Whose side do you think I’ll stand on then?" Jih Heng asked with interest.

Jiang Li was silent for a moment before shaking her head, "I don’t know. All I know is that I will stand by the Duke."

"You’re lying," the young man said calmly and composedly.

"I am not," Jiang Li’s gaze was resolute.

The girl’s tone was not forceful; it was even gentle. Yet, it was precisely this gentle persistence that evoked a sense of lonely bravery, making one’s heart soften inevitably.

Jih Heng’s eyes flickered, "What if I aspire to that position?"

"I will stand by the Duke," Jiang Li repeated.

Jih Heng fell silent, his smile fading, and his gaze growing sharp, almost intimidating. Jiang Li did not back down, stubbornly holding her ground.

After a while, Jih Heng looked away, swearing under his breath, "Flatterer!"

A sense of relief washed over Jiang Li.

Although Jih Heng sought a balanced imperial audience hall, she still didn’t know why. Jiang Li could vaguely feel that Jih Heng wasn’t genuinely interested in the Emperor’s position. He may appear to like ornate and complex things, but his actions were forthright, even blunt. If he wanted the Emperor’s throne, there were simpler ways than these convoluted schemes, leaving everyone guessing at his true intentions.

However, the exact reasons for his current actions remained a mystery. Jiang Li couldn’t help but think of his mother, Yu Hongye, and the Jinwu General, who were also enigmatic figures. Perhaps what he intended to do was related to his parents, but that was too personal for Jiang Li to probe.

Maybe it’s best not to delve too deep.

When Jih Heng spoke of Emperor Hongxiao dealing with Prince Cheng in the future, he showed little emotion. It was clear that he wouldn’t intervene in this matter, possibly expecting it as one of the scenarios. If Jih Heng’s intention before was to maintain a stable three-sided power balance, now it meant that he was prepared for the disruption of this balance in the court.

What could be the reason?

"Is the matter concerning Consort Li the issue you wanted to ask me about today?" Jih Heng’s words pulled Jiang Li’s thoughts back.

She hurriedly said, "There is another matter I truly don’t understand. The truth about Shuran’s death was strictly forbidden from being disclosed by the Jiang Family. Yet, the story got out, and everyone suspects me, though I had nothing to do with it. My father also sent people to investigate but found nothing. I wanted to ask the Duke if he could have Zhao Ke help look into how this information got leaked?"

"You seem quite adept at blowing the whistle," Jih Heng teased her, "If you want to instruct Zhao Ke to do something, just say it, why ask me?"

Jiang Li was somewhat embarrassed; she had indeed been using the whistle quite frequently lately and had become somewhat accustomed to utilizing Zhao Ke, saying, "Zhao Ke is, after all, a man of the Duke Residence, and the master is the Duke. To ask him to do something, naturally I need the Duke’s permission."

Jih Heng smiled faintly, "You may. After a pause, he added, "Isn’t that good?"

Jiang Li was taken aback, "What’s good?"

"Having Shuran’s past exposed is a good thing for you," Jih Heng leisurely said, "You no longer need to carry the stigma."