The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 535 Brothers
Prince Qin Chengqian was reading memorials in the study of the East Palace. There was light snow outside the window. The silver charcoal in the charcoal basin was burning vigorously, making a slight crackling sound. He was wearing apricot-yellow casual clothes, with a calm look between his eyebrows and his every move had the demeanor of a crown prince.

"Your Highness, it's time to rest." Zhong Yao's son Zhong Yu reminded softly and placed a cup of hot tea on the table.

Qin Chengqian rubbed his brows, took a sip of tea, and sighed, "The South has just been pacified recently, and there are more and more memorials from all over the country. My father ordered me to supervise the country. Even if I can't deal with it, I have to understand it and not slack off."

Zhong Yu hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice and said, "Your Highness, there is something I don't know whether I should say it or not."

"But it doesn't matter."

"Someone saw the Second Prince secretly go to the prison the other day and meet the prisoner named Zhuge Liang." A trace of worry flashed in Zhong Yu's eyes. "It is said that the two of them had a long secret conversation, and the Second Prince looked unusual when he came out."

Qin Chengqian paused for a moment, frowning slightly. "Zhuge Liang? Liu Bei's military advisor, the captured Zhuge Liang?"

"It is this person. He is proficient in strategy, and even His Majesty is afraid of him." Zhong Yu took a step closer, "What's even more strange is that the second prince just left the prison and went to the West Market to whip the third son of the Wang family of Langya in public, but then sent someone to send a generous gift."

Qin Chengqian put down the teacup, his eyes became deep, and he said quietly: "Second brother, what are you going to do?"

Deng Ai, who had been standing quietly by the side, suddenly said, "Your Highness, don't worry too much. The Second Prince is just trying to win people's hearts, but the position of the crown prince has long been secured. His Majesty trusts Your Highness, so why should you care about these petty tricks?"

Zhong Yu shook his head and said, "My dear brother, you are wrong. The Wang family of Langya is a noble family. If the second prince can really get their support, I am afraid things will not be so simple."

"Brother Zhong is worrying too much." Deng Ai interrupted and bowed to Qin Chengqian, "Your Highness only needs to continue to be diligent in supervising the country and follow the will of His Majesty, and he will be as stable as a rock. His Majesty hates forming cliques and pursuing personal interests the most. The Second Prince's actions may bring trouble to himself."

Qin Chengqian stood up, walked to the window and looked at the falling snow, and was silent for a long time. Suddenly he asked, "Zhong Yu, what did Zhuge Liang say?"

"This..." Zhong Yu was embarrassed and smiled bitterly: "The guards of the prison are strict, and the specific content of the conversation is unknown. But some people say that the second prince mentioned the word "virtuous"."

"Xian?" Qin Chengqian repeated softly, with a complicated look in his eyes.

Deng Ai saw this and said sternly, "Your Highness, please forgive me for speaking frankly. Even if the Second Prince wants to seize the throne, he can't cause any trouble. Your Majesty values ​​practical ability the most. Your Highness has made remarkable achievements since he became regent. This is the foundation."

Qin Chengqian turned around, his face calm again: "You all have a point. But after the morning court tomorrow, I want to go see this Zhuge Liang."

Zhong Yu was shocked: "Your Highness, this is probably not appropriate."

"No problem." Qin Chengqian waved his hand and said nonchalantly, "Since my second brother can see him, why can't I, the prince, see him? It's a good opportunity to see what this 'Mr. Wolong' has to say. Hehe, my father killed Liu Bei and imprisoned Zhuge Liang, but he can still give advice to my second brother. Don't you find it strange?"

You have to know that the grudge between Qin Shou and Zhuge Liang is not just this. The hatred for his wife being taken away is so deep that Qin Chengqian would not believe that such a person would be willing to give advice to Qin Chengji.

After hearing this, the two of them nodded.

Zhong Yu pondered for a moment and whispered, "Your Highness is right. Given the hatred between Zhuge Liang and the Tang Dynasty, it is impossible for him to sincerely assist the Second Prince. There must be something fishy going on."

Deng Ai's eyes flashed: "Could it be that he wants to disrupt our Tang Dynasty?"

Qin Chengqian walked to the charcoal brazier, stretched out his hand to warm the fire, and sneered: "Second brother has always been very smart, how could he not see this? Unless..." He suddenly stopped, frowning.

"Unless what?" Zhong Yu asked anxiously. "Unless they reached some kind of deal." Qin Chengqian said slowly, "Zhuge Liang wants revenge, and my second brother wants the throne, and they both get what they want."

The study was silent for a moment, with only the slight crackling of the charcoal fire. Outside the window, the snow was getting heavier, and the fluttering snowflakes hit the window frame, making a tiny sound.

Deng Ai suddenly knelt on one knee and said, "Your Highness, I ask for your permission to investigate this matter secretly. If the Second Prince really makes any unusual moves, I will report it immediately."

Qin Chengqian helped Deng Ai up and comforted him, "Shi Zai is thoughtful. But I have my own opinion on this matter. I will make a decision after meeting Zhuge Liang tomorrow."

Zhong Yu was worried: "Your Highness, what if Zhuge Liang is so eloquent?"

Qin Chengqian said disdainfully: "No matter how powerful he is, he can't change the hatred between him and my Tang Dynasty. How can I listen to the words of an enemy?"

Deng Ai hesitated to speak, and finally bowed deeply and advised: "Your Highness is wise. However, I suggest that you go incognito to avoid giving others a chance to criticize you."

Qin Chengqian nodded: "Just as you said."

That night, the East Palace was brightly lit with candles. Qin Chengqian stood alone in front of the window, looking at the bright moonlight shining on the snow, with a lot of thoughts in his mind. He recalled the scene when he was a child playing with his second brother in the Imperial Garden. At that time, Qin Chengji always followed behind him, calling him "brother" affectionately.

But now that the two have grown up, they are fighting with each other for the position of crown prince, which is really a pity.

Qin Chengji walked through the light snow and arrived outside the Zhaoyang Palace. In front of the palace, several red plum trees were in full bloom, and they were particularly eye-catching against the white snow. He straightened his clothes and said to the palace maid at the gate in a gentle voice, "Please inform my mother and tell her that Chengji wants to see you."

Soon, the palace maid led him in. The warm fragrance filled the air. Cai Zhaoji was sitting at the table playing the zither. When she saw him come in, she stopped playing and asked with a smile, "Second Prince, how come you have time to come to my place today?"

Qin Chengji bowed respectfully and said, "Your son greets you, mother. I haven't seen you for a long time. You look better now."

Cai Zhaoji motioned for him to sit down and ordered someone to serve tea. Her eyes were gentle but scrutinizing, and she asked with a smile: "Chengji, if you have anything to say, please feel free to speak up."

Qin Chengji took the teacup but was not in a hurry to drink it. He pondered for a moment and said, "I heard that the daughter of the Sima family is both talented and beautiful. I would like to ask my mother to say a few good words to my father and ask for this marriage for me."

Cai Zhaoji gently touched the edge of the cup with the lid in her hand, making a crisp sound. She looked up at Qin Chengji, with a sharp look in her eyes: "Sima family? Sima Lang's daughter?"

The only two people in the Sima family who could match Qin Chengji were Sima Lang and Sima Yi. Among the two, only Sima Lang had a daughter.

"That's right." Qin Chengji lowered his head to hide the gleam in his eyes and explained, "The Sima family is a noble family. If we can form an alliance..."

"Marriage?" Cai Zhaoji suddenly chuckled, interrupted him, and said with a little displeasure: "You are interested in the power of the Sima family, right?"

Qin Chengji's heart skipped a beat, but he didn't show it on his face: "Mother, you are joking. I am just..."

"Just what?" Cai Zhaoji put down the teacup, her voice suddenly turned cold, and she snorted, "Sima Yi holds great power and is deeply trusted by your father. What do you want to do by asking to marry your niece?"

(End of this chapter)