Sun Qiying fell silent for a moment, then said slowly, "The path of sovereign and minister between Fifth Prince and me has come to an end. Rest assured, Imperial Son-in-Law."
Chu Zhiyuan smiled. "But Mr. Sun still thinks Fifth Prince is righteous, doesn't he?"
"..."
"Then watch and see." Chu Zhiyuan shook his head. "Let us see what Fifth Prince truly intends to do—whether he really means to sacrifice himself to save Yuanzhen."
Sun Qiying said, "Thank you, Imperial Son-in-Law."
He felt that Chu Zhiyuan was being far too tolerant, actually allowing him such latitude.
Was it because Chu Zhiyuan did not care whether he served him, or because he had sufficient confidence in his own judgment?
Chu Zhiyuan had only one purpose for Sun Qiying: to use him to judge Cheng Yunzheng.
Originally, he had merely wanted to uncover Cheng Yunzheng's true nature. Yet through speaking with Sun Qiying, he could glimpse the whole leopard from a single spot of its fur.
He had now achieved his purpose.
When they returned to the Phoenix Pavilion of Sifang Pavilion, First Prince Li Cunren saw Sun Qiying following behind him and looked puzzled.
After having someone settle Sun Qiying in, Li Cunren pulled him into the small pavilion in the courtyard and sat down.
Chu Zhiyuan smiled. "Big Brother, this is a capable right-hand man I found."
"A Yuanzhen man?"
"He was formerly Fifth Prince's Records Officer, a man of great talent."
"Cheng Yunzheng's Records Officer?"
"Precisely."
Li Cunren blinked, then chuckled. "Brother-in-law, you truly never cease to surprise people."
"He has been implicated by Cheng Yunzheng and is currently being hunted."
Chu Zhiyuan then explained Cheng Yunzheng's current circumstances in detail.
After hearing it, Li Cunren's eyes burned brightly as he sighed in admiration. "What a Cheng Yunzheng!"
Chu Zhiyuan