The Imperial Palace of Great Ning!
Imperial Garden!
Today in the Imperial Garden, Li Anlan received his former prime minister, Lu Yafu, accompanied by the Crown Prince and the Empress, showing Lu Yafu the utmost courtesy.
"Your Highness, Minister Lu is a literary giant. You should take the time to learn from him the principles of governing the country and ensuring its stability," Li Anlan said to the Crown Prince after personally pouring Lu Yafu a cup of tea.
The Empress was secretly delighted. Although Lu Yafu had already retired, his influence was not to be underestimated.
Not to mention being a veteran of two reigns, his disciples are spread throughout the court. If one can get his support, the position of Crown Prince can be much more secure. Recently, the Third Prince, Li Yunmiao, relying on the Emperor's favor to support his mother, Consort Hui, has begun to reach out for the position of Crown Prince.
With Lu Yafu's support, the Third Prince is not a threat.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but smile and said excitedly, "Lord Lu is the greatest literary figure in our Great Ning. With Lord Lu's guidance, the Crown Prince will surely benefit greatly! In my opinion, why not appoint Lord Lu as the Crown Prince's tutor?"
Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince!
Li Anlan glanced meaningfully at his empress. As his woman, he naturally knew what she was thinking: she wanted to win over Lu Yafu.
He glanced at his crown prince and smiled, "Qian'er, what do you think?"
Grunt!
That scrutinizing gaze made Crown Prince Li Qiankun's heart skip a beat. What did his father mean? Was it consent or opposition?
Or is there some other deeper meaning?
Li Qiankun was filled with fear of his father, the emperor, because he knew that his father was not a kind father. If he angered him or violated his taboos, the consequences would be unimaginable.
After carefully observing his father, he tentatively said, "Father, Lord Lu is a pillar of our Great Ning. I believe I can learn a great deal from him, and I am willing to become his disciple!"
Forehead!
Lu Yafu, standing to the side, couldn't help but twitch his lips. He wished he could stay far away from matters in the palace. The relationship between the emperor and the crown prince was full of tests, which was simply a tragedy.
He knew perfectly well that the palace was a murky place, easy to get in but hard to get out.
The emperor is a master of political maneuvering, and even he, a veteran of two reigns, cannot tolerate it. If the crown prince makes even the slightest mistake, he will likely face a crisis. Being the crown prince's tutor is no easy task.
He smiled and shook his head, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is exceptionally intelligent and has been instructed by several great Confucian scholars. His future is undoubtedly limitless. My health is now failing, and I fear I can no longer teach the Crown Prince."
The Empress's face stiffened, and the Crown Prince was dumbfounded. Lu Yafu had actually refused outright. This was the Crown Prince's tutor, Subordinate First Rank official, Lu Yafu didn't even want him?
The emperor, however, smiled and looked at Lu Yafu with interest, concluding that he was a clever man.
He was about to speak when he saw a guard rushing over. He frowned; unless something extremely important happened, this man would never dare to act like this.
"Your Majesty, something has happened in Xiliang!"
" Xiliang?"
Everyone's expression changed. Xiliang was a sensitive place; the Emperor had just sent an imperial envoy there, how could something have suddenly happened?
Li Anlan's face also darkened, and he said grimly, "What happened? The Tan Cheng and it's all over, so how could something else go wrong?"
"Your Majesty, Lord Tan is waiting outside. He says that Ran Zijin was killed at the inn on the very day he entered Xiliang!" The guard swallowed hard and whispered.
"What? Ran Zijin was killed that very day?"
Upon hearing this, Li Anlan flew into a rage, stood up abruptly, and roared, "What a Lin Yi! I gave him the position of Prime Minister, and he was killed on the Tiandu! Was he planning a rebellion?"
This guy is showing me no respect at all; he's practically asking for death. Does he really think he can sit back and stay in Ningchuan Commandery?
The Empress looked on in astonishment. Are young people these days really this terrifying?
The Crown Prince felt a chill run down his spine. This Lin Yi was truly audacious, daring to be so arrogant. Could he really be planning a rebellion?
"Good lad, is Lin Rusong's son this brave?"
Lu Yafu was somewhat bewildered. He had just heard that Lin Yi had defeated Tuoba Yu, and now he was preparing to rebel?
Li Anlan angrily said, "Bring Tan Cheng over here! I want to see what Lin Yi is up to. Does he think he's more powerful than his father and can overthrow my Great Ning?"
He quickly came in Tan Cheng, his face contorted in a grimace; he had truly lost this time.
He traveled non-stop to report to the Emperor as soon as possible, because this matter was extremely serious. If Lin Yi were to rebel, then Great Ning would have to be prepared.
"Your subject, Tan Cheng, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"
With a nervous heart, I walked towards Li Anlan Tan Cheng. Anyway, it wasn't my fault, so I wasn't at fault.
Li Anlan's gaze swept over him, instantly plunging his heart into despair. He said in a deep voice, " Tan Cheng, what exactly happened in Xiliang? Could it be that Lin Yi attacked you?"
What about Wei Tong? He was killed too?
Logically, Wei Tong Wei Tong should have returned by now, but he's not here, which is problematic.
"Your Majesty, Ran Zijin assassinated at an inn, along with his guards. Commander Wei noticed something was wrong, sent his men out of Xiliang, and then sneaked back to investigate alone. I believe we'll have news soon," Tan Cheng said, forcing himself to speak.
He couldn't very well say that he was so frightened that he fled in the middle of the night; if he did, the emperor would probably have him beheaded.
Li Anlan's gaze fell on his face, and he said in a deep voice, "Was Lin Yi the one who assassinated Ran Zijin?"
"This assassin left no clues, and we can't be sure if it was Lin Yi's people who did it. However, in Xiliang today, the only person with the ability to kill someone without being noticed is probably Lin Yi!" Tan Cheng said in a low voice after glancing at Li Anlan.
Lu Yafu's lips twitched. This guy was blatantly hypocritical. Did he mean that even without evidence, it would be Lin Yi's turn to be accused?
However, this is not entirely unreasonable. Although the situation in Ningchuan Commandery is chaotic, it also means that Lin Yi will definitely tighten his control over Ningchuan Commandery. How could such an unknown assassination attempt possibly occur?
This is somewhat related to Lin Yi.
Li Anlan sneered, "As expected of the Prince of Xiliang, he killed the prime minister I appointed for him that very day. Is this an expression of his dissatisfaction?"
"Father, did Lin Yi really do this? Is he planning a rebellion?" the Crown Prince asked, his face filled with shock.
He was terrified of his father, the Emperor, but he never expected Lin Yi to be so bold as to dare to provoke him. This was simply outrageous!
Li Anlan ignored him and continued to ask, "So, what is Lin Yi's strength? Does he really have an army of 150,000?"