However... Quan Yu mentioned when he arrived at Luohong City that there was no news of the young imperial grandson from inside Dadu City, indicating that the Crown Princess Consort and the young imperial grandson are not in Bai Qingyan’s hands.
If the Crown Princess Consort and the young imperial grandson were in Bai Qingyan’s hands, they would have already used them to threaten and exchange for the Eldest Princess, so why surround the city... yet hesitate to attack because of concerns about the Eldest Princess.
The Crown Prince estimated... the Crown Princess Consort and the young imperial grandson might have fallen victim to King Liang’s poison. The thought made his eyes momentarily redden, his nostrils flared slightly, and tears nearly fell.
Quan Yu quietly stayed by the Crown Prince’s side, watching the Crown Prince hold back tears. He let out a long sigh and started to walk down the steps, only reminding the Crown Prince to be careful underfoot.
No sooner had they taken a few steps when a young eunuch chased down from the steps, "Crown Prince, please wait a moment. His Majesty has commanded... that this eunuch by your side be questioned."
Quan Yu was taken aback, looking at the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince frowned tightly: "Why does Father summon Quan Yu?"
The young eunuch bowed his head and responded respectfully: "Replying to His Highness, this servant does not know..."
The Crown Prince thought for a moment and told Quan Yu, "Go ahead. If Father asks about me, speak truthfully, and come back as soon as possible."
Quan Yu acknowledged the instruction, bowed to the Crown Prince, and then left with the young eunuch.
The Crown Prince watched Quan Yu for a moment, then turned and walked away...
When Quan Yu followed the young eunuch into the grand hall with small steps, he saw silk curtains draping down from sandalwood beams, faintly revealing the imposing Emperor reclining on a soft couch inside.
It wasn’t until hearing the sound of greetings from Quan Yu that the Emperor slowly spoke: "I heard Bai Qingyan sent you to Luohong City?"
Quan Yu’s heart skipped a beat; this Emperor has always been suspicious, probably suspecting him.
"Replying to His Majesty, the Princess of Zhen once wanted this servant to stay by her side, but since young, I have served the Crown Prince. At the time, there were many young eunuchs His Highness could choose, but he chose this servant who was often bullied. I couldn’t possibly ignore the Crown Prince now, so I begged the Princess of Zhen for a horse to come to Luohong City to serve the Crown Prince." Quan Yu said honestly and bowed before the Emperor.
"Or... you’re under Bai Qingyan’s orders, returning to spy on the Crown Prince and me." The Emperor’s voice turned harsh with these words.
Quan Yu immediately kowtowed: "Replying to His Majesty, His Highness’s kindness to this servant is like giving rebirth. Even in death, this servant would never betray the Crown Prince. Please, Your Majesty, see my sincerity!"
"Since that’s the case, I’ll give you a chance to show your loyalty." The Emperor rose lazily from the soft couch, hands clasped behind his back, moving towards Quan Yu, who was tense, not daring to raise his head, only barely seeing the shoes embroidered with clouds behind the curtain.
The Emperor’s somewhat withered hand pushed aside the curtain, looked down at Quan Yu, and spoke slowly: "Today Bai Qingyan entered the city... at Luohong Tower. If Bai Qingyan refuses to recruit a thousand boys and girls for me, I want you to personally deliver the poisoned wine to Bai Qingyan."
Quan Yu, terrified, raised his head, meeting the Emperor’s calm yet chilling gaze, a coldness crawled up his spine: "Your Majesty..."
"If tonight doesn’t go as planned, either you or Bai Qingyan will drink that poisoned wine!" The Emperor finished, then released the curtain, "You go ahead! No need to return to the Crown Prince, go directly to Luohong Tower and wait."
The Emperor simply didn’t believe Bai Qingyan would be so generous, sending an insignificant eunuch by the Crown Prince’s side.
This Quan Yu must either be sent by Bai Qingyan to spy on me and the Crown Prince, or perhaps seize an opportunity to assassinate.
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