Impossible Not to Keep an Eye on Her

After Jia Songlin was dismissed from his post, he knew that the emperor had removed him from his official position. Even if he offered the most lavish gifts and pulled strings, he would not be able to get a new official post. He would have to wait at least half a year until the emperor's anger subsided and then ask the Third Prince's people to speak on his behalf before he could have any chance of regaining his official position.

Feeling bored at home, he took his servants hunting in the countryside. He returned to the mansion that evening and heard about Liu Zongyao's affair.

He immediately called his son over and launched into a tirade, "Are you a pig? How stupid! They've framed our family, and instead of catching them and finding the mastermind, you're treating them to nice tea and water. I think you're just plain stupid."

Although Jia Junze was injured and staying at home, he couldn't stand the loneliness, so he invited a group of like-minded friends over to his house. He drank and fooled around with a few male prostitutes and didn't think much about Liu Zongyao's matter.

But upon hearing his father's words, he realized something was wrong.

"You mean, this is aimed at us?" he asked, his eyes wide.

Seeing his son's reaction, Jia Songlin furious. "You only realize this now? Where were you all this time?"

After figuring out what had happened, Jia Junze's face turned ashen. He cursed and said, "I'll send men to chase after him. I'll bring that bastard back to vent my anger."

Jia Songlin wanted nothing more than to slap his son on the head. "You idiot! They came to learn painting, and now they're planning to go back. They came to visit because of a family connection. What's wrong with that? You're arresting them and taking the law into your own hands. Do you believe someone will immediately submit a memorial impeaching us?"

Jia Junze was spoiled rotten by his mother and was usually not afraid of his father. Jia Songlin him and called him an idiot, he would have jumped up and down by now.

But the lingering effect of his father's recent beating was still there, and he knew he had caused another major disaster for his family. He didn't dare glare at his father, and asked dejectedly, "What should we do?"

"What else can we do? We'll just have to swallow this bitter pill," Jia Songlin said.

In the past, if he had spoken to the Third Prince, the Third Prince might have investigated the truth for him, avenged him, and given him justice. But now, he didn't dare to approach the Third Prince at all. The more he did, the more mistakes he would make, so he could only keep his tail between his legs and stay quietly.

"Let's find an opportunity to find fault with the Liu Family," Jia Songlin gritted his teeth.

Not long after, the gray-clad man relayed the father and son's words to Xiao Lingyan.

It was already time for bed, so Xiao Lingyan didn't want to go looking for Xiao Lingpu. Since the matter wasn't urgent, he decided to leave it at that.

The next day, after court, he went to the Ministry of Works to handle some matters. During the lunch break, he finally found an opportunity to tell Xiao Lingpu about the matter.

Xiao Lingyan and Zhao Ruxi had absolutely no connection whatsoever, and Xiao Lingpu didn't connect the two, only assuming that Xiao Lingyan was well-informed.

He asked, "Who do you think did it?"

"Your Highness," Xiao Lingyan, "Because of the conflict between Fifth Miss Zhao and Jia Junze, he has lost a high-ranking official of the third rank for no reason. He certainly won't swallow this insult. Sending people to make things difficult for Fifth Miss Zhao and then framing the Jia Family would kill two birds with one stone, making both sides suffer. Only Your Highness has the standing to do this in the entire court."

He shook his head and sighed, "Isn't this Crown Prince far too vindictive and petty?"

Xiao Lingpu nodded, his gaze towards Xiao Lingyan filled with increasing admiration. "Fifth Brother, you're getting more and more impressive. People really do need experience to truly grow."

Xiao Lingyan his hand. "I plan to pass this news on to Jia Songlin. What do you think?"

Although he was not the original owner of this body, he possessed the original owner's memories. He highly regarded Xiao Lingpu's character and abilities.

He himself had no intention of becoming emperor, so it was inevitable that he would push Xiao Lingpu to the throne.

The struggle for the throne, especially the one depicted in the original novel, is a matter of life or death. These brothers must aim for the throne and eliminate everyone else. Otherwise, just like in the original story, they will ultimately become cannon fodder.

Passing the message to Jia Songlin and inciting Jia Songlin hatred for the Crown Prince was not difficult for him, and he believed that doing so would only benefit them. However, the long-standing relationship between the two brothers was dominated by Xiao Lingpu.

His sudden change of heart, his decision to act on his own without consulting Xiao Lingpu on such important matters involving the factions of the Crown Prince and the Third Prince, was bound to arouse Xiao Lingpu's suspicion and lead to a rift between the brothers.

So even for something as trivial as this, he had to ask Xiao Lingpu before taking any action.

"Very good." Xiao Lingpu nodded. "Although Jia Songlin has lost his official position and can't do anything now, inciting his hatred for the Crown Prince can only benefit us. Who knows, he might turn on the Crown Prince at any time. It's always good to make a move."

"But what about Fifth Miss Zhao..." He hesitated for a moment, then looked at Xiao Lingyan, "Do you think we should try to befriend them? Fifth Miss Zhao was only recently recognized and returned to the Earl of Suiping's Residence, but the group of people who studied painting under her are not to be underestimated, not to mention that officials from various provinces are now involved."

Although Xiao Lingyan wanted to have an open and aboveboard relationship with Zhao Ruxi, he did not want Zhao Ruxi to come into the public eye, attract the attention of various factions, and incur hatred and harm.

"Brother, there's a balance in the court right now. People like Zhang Changshen of the Court of Judicial Review, Wu Huaisi of the Ministry of Personnel, and Mister Kumu, these upright officials, don't take sides. If we show goodwill to Fifth Miss Zhao, it will inevitably attract others to compete for her. Since they don't want to participate, why should we bring them in early? Wouldn't it be better to try to win them over at the crucial moment?"

Xiao Lingpu nodded. "You're right."

He only considered extending an olive branch to Mister Kumu's faction because he saw Zhao Ruxi being targeted and thought that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Now that Xiao Lingyan dissuaded him, he has given up on the idea.

Back in his villa, Xiao Lingyan hesitated for a long time in front of the blank paper, but finally decided not to tell Zhao Ruxi the information he had found.

He felt that with Zhao Ruxi's intelligence, she would definitely be able to guess who was behind it all. Zhang Changshen and Wu Zong would not let this matter go unpunished, but would conduct a thorough investigation.

But even if they knew, it wouldn't make a difference. With his and Xiao Lingpu's power, they couldn't touch the Crown Prince, let alone Zhao Ruxi. Although Zhang Changshen and Kang Shilin could try to sow discord with the Emperor, they had no evidence, and the matter was also related to the struggle for the throne. They couldn't even mention it and could only suffer in silence.

However, once he told Zhao Ruxi the information he had found, it would expose the fact that he had sent people to monitor her.

Although his actions stemmed from concern for her and a worry that she might be bullied, Zhao Ruxi would certainly not like what he did. She might even stop talking to him because of this, making it even harder for him to send people to keep an eye on her.

It's impossible not to pay attention to her; it's impossible in this lifetime.