Chapter 85: Unraveling the Threads (Part Two)

Yin Ruxin smiled and said, “The third point is that the Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture, Guo Huaide, is actually one of Prince Qin's men!”

Yang Yaozong and Qin Haizhou were both stunned by her words, exchanging a look of surprise.

Seeing their astonished faces, Yin Ruxin continued with a gentle smile, “Prince Qin only told me about Guo Huaide’s true allegiance a month ago, after I informed him of the plan to help the Eldest Prince escape from Tianjing. He must have wanted to ensure the plan’s safe execution, so he revealed Guo Huaide’s identity to me. When I told the Eldest Prince, Jing Min, that Guo Huaide was actually his father’s man, he was visibly excited, convinced the plan would be flawless. With a word from the prefect, the constables could be easily distracted, buying Jing Min precious time to escape Tianjing. There was no need to risk exposing secrets or Guo Huaide himself by staging a prison riot. Besides, no matter how well Guo Huaide handled the riot, he couldn’t escape blame and would likely face severe punishment—possibly even dismissal and exile. The position of Prefect may not be high, but it holds real power and is very important. Even if the Eldest Prince were as foolish as a pig, he’d never endanger someone as crucial as Guo Huaide, risking his position or even his life. And even if he dared, Prince Qin would never allow it.”

Yang Yaozong nodded and turned to Qin Haizhou. “According to Ruxin, the prison riot couldn’t have been orchestrated by the Eldest Prince.”

Qin Haizhou hadn’t hesitated to bring up the secret investigators when discussing the riot, assuming Yang Yaozong had already confided in Yin Ruxin about the Imperial Bureau of Investigation. He even watched Yang Yaozong’s face as he spoke, and seeing no sign of disapproval, continued to share the intelligence gathered by the secret investigators. However, he did not explain what the secret investigators were.

At first, Yin Ruxin was puzzled by the term, but as soon as Qin Haizhou mentioned tracking and investigating, she figured they must be clandestine agents working for the court. She hadn’t heard of such a title before, but she guessed Qin Haizhou was in charge of these agents, and Yang Yaozong seemed well aware of it. Since Qin Haizhou was present, she refrained from asking further, silently resolving to question Yang Yaozong about it later.

Qin Haizhou frowned, “If it wasn’t the Eldest Prince, then, judging by your analysis, the riot is likely related to his escape. According to the secret investigators, among the twenty-five instigators, two had previous connections with the Second Prince, Jing Yu, and with Prince Xian. Could they be involved?” As he thought of these two, one a wayward prince, the other an idle lord, he looked at Yang Yaozong and Yin Ruxin in confusion.

Yang Yaozong, recalling what he knew of the two, frowned. “Whether they’re involved or not, I can’t say. But if we assume they are, I’d like to know what purpose this would serve. What do they gain?”

Yin Ruxin shook her head thoughtfully. “The Second Prince has clearly been abandoned by Prince Qin. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have left him behind as a hostage, rescuing only the Eldest Prince. I can’t see why the Second Prince would help his brother escape. From what I know, their relationship is far from cordial. And if the Eldest Prince returns safely to Shangjing, Prince Qin is sure to rebel soon after. Wouldn’t the Emperor then kill the Second Prince out of spite, or at least use him to threaten Prince Qin?”

Since taking over her master’s affairs in Tianjing, Yin Ruxin had acquired a thorough understanding of the city’s prominent figures, her knowledge rivaling that of Qin Haizhou, whose family had lived there for generations. After a moment’s thought, she continued, “As for Prince Xian, he and the Emperor are brothers by birth, and he has always stayed out of politics. The Emperor has repeatedly asked him to help manage state affairs, but he has always refused. Everyone knows he is without ambition—he keeps no advisors, nor does he maintain a private guard. To orchestrate a prison riot would be tantamount to treason. If Prince Xian had harbored such intentions, why not act twenty years ago, when he held military power? If he had rebelled then, perhaps he would be Emperor today.” With only the three of them present, Yin Ruxin spoke freely, knowing Qin Haizhou’s character and trusting his admiration for Yang Yaozong, who in turn trusted him.

Qin Haizhou was a little startled by her bold words, but he appreciated her candor and nodded in agreement.

Yang Yaozong, sensing a thread of insight, looked at Qin Haizhou. “Prince Xian once held command of the military?”

Qin Haizhou nodded. “Yes, not only did he command the army, but he also fought alongside General Nangong against the Khitan. On the battlefield, Prince Xian was both courageous and shrewd. During those years, the Khitan would retreat at the mere mention of his name.”

Yang Yaozong pressed on. “So, why did he relinquish his command?”

Qin Haizhou shook his head, frowning. “It’s said he was gravely wounded twenty years ago fighting the Khitan. After returning to Tianjing, he requested to step down and live as an idle prince. The exact reason, no one knows.”

Yang Yaozong massaged his temples, recalling the vague connections uncovered between Prince Xian and the Second Prince, and the fact that both were implicated in the riot. He muttered, “Is it really just coincidence that Prince Xian and the Second Prince are linked to two of the twenty-five suicide fighters?” Unfamiliar as he was with the two men, they seemed deeply enigmatic. The thought that they were involved in the riot was impossible to ignore, yet their motives eluded him. Feeling a headache coming on, he turned to Qin Haizhou and asked, “How influential is Prince Xian in the military now?”

Qin Haizhou replied seriously, “Prince Xian is still deeply respected by the generals. I myself admire him greatly. Many of his former men have perished in battle, but those who remain are powerful commanders—like General Cui Jiye, who guards the north, or my own superior, General Xu Houyuan, commander of Tianjing’s city garrison. Both served under Prince Xian.”

Yang Yaozong narrowed his eyes, rolling the prayer beads between his fingers as he pondered. “Suppose—just suppose—that they helped the Eldest Prince escape to provoke Prince Qin’s rebellion and ensure his success. Then, the Second Prince could use Prince Xian’s influence and connections to eliminate both Prince Qin and the Eldest Prince, seizing the throne for himself. Is that possible?”

Yin Ruxin and Qin Haizhou frowned, lost in thought for a long while.

Yin Ruxin spoke slowly. “If that’s the case, why wouldn’t Prince Xian claim the throne himself, rather than help the Second Prince? And as I said, if he had no such ambition in his youth, why would he seek it now, in his fifties, when he should have grown indifferent to such matters? Your theory is a stretch, but not impossible.”

Qin Haizhou, however, said gravely, “Brother Yang, if what you suggest is true and Prince Xian is involved, this is not something we can speculate about lightly. He is a prince, and his reputation in the military is formidable. If we mean to investigate him, we must proceed with utmost caution and secrecy. Otherwise, before we find any answers, we may lose our heads, and not even the Emperor could save us.”

Yang Yaozong gave a soft “hmm,” his brow deeply furrowed. “I can’t shake the feeling that these two are far from simple. The Princess once told me that Prince Xian has always looked down on Prince Qin’s branch of the family. Even if uncle and nephew meet, it’s only in passing. If they are truly colluding, even if we dispatched agents to investigate, I doubt we’d find anything. I’ll have to find an opportunity to visit Prince Xian myself. If he has joined forces with the Second Prince, as Ruxin just suggested, perhaps the Second Prince holds some leverage over him or knows something deeply personal to Prince Xian—something that haunts him enough to make him change his mind and lend his support.”

The three had been discussing for quite some time. Yang Yaozong now looked weary, rubbing his temples and frowning in thought, which made Yin Ruxin and Qin Haizhou both worry for his health.

Qin Haizhou said, “In any case, based on our analysis, the only suspects in the prison riot are Prince Xian and the Second Prince. I will send people to investigate them both covertly. If they are plotting, sooner or later they will slip up.”

Yang Yaozong agreed, “Yes, but tell your men to be careful.” Then, as if remembering something, he added, “By the way, Brother Qin, release Meng Kuo and send him to Ruxin.”

Qin Haizhou now knew Meng Kuo was one of Yin Ruxin’s people. Yesterday’s interrogation had yielded nothing—Meng Kuo was as silent as a stone, refusing to say a word. He was badly wounded, and though Yang Yaozong had insisted on treating him, Meng Kuo was uncooperative, refusing food or water, clearly resolved to die. Qin Haizhou respected his resolve, though he found the situation troublesome. Now, hearing Yang Yaozong’s request, he felt relieved. “Meng Kuo is indeed a man of iron—nothing we tried got him to speak. He’s injured and won’t accept treatment, hasn’t taken a drop of water, and is determined to die. There’s nothing more I can do. Since he’s your subordinate, I’ll arrange for his release myself after I’ve dealt with some matters.”

Qin Haizhou stood and said, “Brother Yang, you should get some rest. I’ll take my leave.” Then, turning to Yin Ruxin, he bowed respectfully, “Thank you for looking after Brother Yang these days.”

Yin Ruxin quickly replied, “There’s no need to thank me, Brother Qin. I am Yang Lang’s woman now; it is only right that I care for him. I’m only sorry I couldn’t be a better hostess today. Once Yang Lang is better, we will certainly treat you to a proper feast.”

She went ahead to open the door for him. As Qin Haizhou passed, he lowered his voice and joked to Yang Yaozong, “You have two extraordinary women in your life, Brother Yang. It won’t be easy enjoying such good fortune!” With that, and seeing Yang Yaozong’s helpless and bemused expression, he turned and walked out.

Though his words were soft, Yin Ruxin heard them clearly. She took no offense; on the contrary, she was rather pleased to be compared to Nangong Qingyi.