When news of Yuan Hui's arrest reached Consort Fan, she was busy serving medicine to the Crown Prince. Upon hearing the report, she widened her eyes in astonishment and gnced at the Crown Prince hesitantly. "Your Highness... didn’t you intend to preserve this monk for Qier’s use…?"

  The Crown Prince sat near the south-facing window, idly gazing at the ancient guqin before him. A faint smile curved his pale, weary face, though his eyes were dark and devoid of amusement. "Even if I valued him, it depends on whether he's capable of receiving that support. He barely escaped from Shuntian Prefecture, and now he's plunged straight into the Jinyiwei prison. Am I supposed to beg Father Emperor to bail him out?"

  Emperor Jianzhang must still be feeling repulsed by that infamous remark about ignoring mortal plight to consult ghosts and gods. Moreover, Yuan Hui's involvement with the Song family still deeply displeased him. He'd undoubtedly prefer to silence Yuan Hui quickly, calming public outrage. If he intervened now, wouldn’t that only confirm suspicions of him grasping for power?

  Consort Fan felt regretful. Yuan Hui commanded considerable forces once loyal to Prince Duan, making him a valuable resource. Precisely because of this complicated past, the Crown Prince couldn't openly accept him, intending instead to discreetly pass him to Zhou Weiqi as indirect support for the Eastern Pace. As, Yuan Hui proved too reckless. Consort Fan sighed softly. "It was also Yuan Hui’s own fault for saying the wrong thing. Of all people, he had to offend the Song family's young dy."

  That Sixth Miss Song was certainly uncanny. Earlier at the hunting grounds, Yuan Hui decred her a curse-bringer who would doom her kin, yet she remained perfectly safe, while Prince Duan lost his life. Recently, Yuan Hui made another ominous prediction about her, yet she remained unharmed while Yuan Hui himself was dragged down into ruin.

  The Crown Prince abruptly plucked a guqin string, producing a clear sound, then pressed a hand firmly onto the strings, stopping their vibration. His face bore an enigmatic smile, carefully concealing the darkness beneath.

  Indeed, Song Chuyi couldn't be bmed for this incident. Yuan Hui had been too rash. Even if he wanted to eliminate the Song and Cui families, couldn't he have waited longer—at least until the Eastern Pace had firmly established itself, when Zhou Weiqi was actively vying for succession against Zhou Weizhao?

  However, the Song family also proved unexpectedly ruthless. Usually quiet and restrained, they'd previously swallowed grievances silently when schemed against by the Empress Dowager Rongxian or Prince Duan, retaliating only subtly in secret. But this time, they'd created a tremendous stir.

  "You said Mother Empress intends to meet that girl?" The Crown Prince gnced indifferently at Consort Fan. "If you have nothing pressing, perhaps you should also go see."

  This time, both Noble Consort Xian and Yuan Hui had fallen at the hands of the Song family—how could the Empress not be intrigued? The Song family's methods were subtle yet fierce, accurately gauging Emperor Jianzhang's limits.

  With their keen judgment, power, and that clever young girl, Song Chuyi, the Empress certainly had her own intentions. Naturally, she’d use this opportunity wisely.

  Consort Fan hesitated, carefully observing the Crown Prince’s expressionless face. "I'm afraid Mother Empress wouldn’t be pleased to see me…"

  In recent days, the Empress deeply resented Consort Fan’s family, partly because Lady Fan openly expressed discontent over the Eastern Pace’s failure to intercede for Han Zhi, provoking anger in the Crown Prince and displeasure from the Empress.

  Moreover, if the Empress desired to meet Song Chuyi, it probably wasn’t for Zhou Weiqi’s benefit. In her heart, Zhou Weizhao, bearing the bloodline of the Lu family, naturally remained closer. Zhou Weiqi, though officially the legitimate grandson, cked that extra emotional pull.

  The Crown Prince vividly remembered Old Master Song’s determined prosecution of the Yangzhou corruption case, openly defying Prince Duan. It had clearly signaled his wish to distance the Song family from the Eastern Pace and become purely loyal subjects of Emperor Jianzhang.

  Song Chengru had deemed the Crown Prince’s interference in Prince Duan and Prince Gong’s domains too impatient and ruthlessly calcuting, thus prompting his cautious retreat.

  Such a shrewd and perceptive old fox was challenging to handle. If the Empress hoped to enlist the Song family as Zhou Weizhao’s supporters, then the Song family's influence would benefit only Zhou Weizhao, doing little good for the Eastern Pace—a waste indeed.

  But in the hands of Zhou Weiqi and Consort Fan, it would be entirely different—after all, Consort Fan’s resources were essentially the Crown Prince’s.

  The Crown Prince lifted his gaze toward Consort Fan. "If you're truly willing to let Song and Cui slip to the other side, suit yourself."

  Consort Fan slowly straightened, spine rigid. How could she willingly surrender the valuable Song and Cui families to Zhou Weizhao? She’d previously fretted over Princess Duanhui’s overly close ties to Zhou Weizhao and the Crown Princess…

  Soon afterward, news arrived: Yuan Hui had died within the Jinyiwei prison.

  This outcome had been anticipated. Even if Yuan Hui were made of iron, no one could leave the Jinyiwei prison unscathed, especially now under the ruthless supervision of Lai Chenglong, Emperor Jianzhang’s trusted subordinate. Lai Chenglong obeyed only Emperor Jianzhang; if Yuan Hui had died, it was clearly because the emperor wished it so.

  Zhou Weiqi waited anxiously until Consort Fan returned, immediately voicing his frustration. "Mother, I asked you to plead with Father. Why didn’t you?"

  Although Zhou Weiqi had known Yuan Hui only briefly, he'd quickly grasped the monk’s exceptional worth—not only was Yuan Hui genuinely talented in divination and martial arts, but his insights on politics and warfare were sharp and effective. Moreover, he controlled substantial networks once loyal to Prince Duan. With such assistance, wouldn’t Zhou Weiqi's ambitions easily be achieved?

  Consort Fan gently patted her son's hand, signaling patience. She sipped tea slowly, then calmly regarded her son. "You know how universally hated Yuan Hui became. Even your imperial grandfather would face days of criticism from the censors if he considered pardoning him—how could your father do it?"

  Disheartened, Zhou Weiqi lowered his head, sighing in regret. "It's truly a pity. He was such a formidable person."

  Consort Fan smiled reassuringly. "It's just Yuan Hui. Besides, isn't Huangjue Temple still standing strong? Instead of being discouraged, consider carefully who managed to defeat Yuan Hui. Rather than ment his loss, think about how you can firmly secure the Song family."

  Zhou Weiqi looked at his mother bnkly, finally frowning thoughtfully. "But Mother, didn’t you previously say a young dy from the Chen family or the Cui family’s eldest daughter would be more suitable?"

  He’d never prioritized romantic desires. Given his status, any peerless beauty was easily attainable. Moreover, influenced from youth by Consort Fan’s teachings, he saw marriage purely as a means of consolidating political alliances. If the Song family wasn’t suitable, swapping them for the Chen or Cui family was equally acceptable. To him, there was hardly any difference.