The next day, in a quiet private room of a teahouse in the capital.
Jing Ziyue and Zhang Zhuhe arrived outside the private room. A servant from the Second Prince's mansion said, "Minister Jing, General Zhang, please come in. His Highness the Second Prince is already waiting for you in the private room."
Jing Ziyue and Zhang Zhuhe exchanged a glance and stepped into the private room.
Inside, Lin Chenrui was already seated at the tea table. After they entered, they hurriedly clasped their hands and said, "We greet His Highness the Second Prince."
"No need for formalities, let's sit down and talk,"
After they were seated, Jing Ziyue hesitated for a moment and was the first to speak, asking, "Your Highness the Second Prince, you said that to avoid suspicion, we should use secret guards to communicate and avoid meeting. Why have you summoned us two to this teahouse today?"
Zhang Zhuhe also asked with confusion, "That's right! Has something happened to His Highness the Second Prince?"
Lin Chenrui took a shallow sip of the clear tea in his cup, put down the teacup, and looked at Jing Ziyue and Zhang Zhuhe with a scrutinizing gaze. He asked instead of answering, "I heard that You Rong asked you to meet at Zuichun Tower two days ago? What did he say to you?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Zhang Zhuhe and Jing Ziyue couldn't help but frown.
Jing Ziyue said, "You Rong is also strange. He asked this subordinate to meet at Zuichun Tower but didn't say anything important, just some insignificant words."
Zhang Zhuhe said with a slight surprise, "You Rong also spoke some unimportant words when he met this general. This... I thought he might have discovered something about that year, but he didn't mention anything related to it. It's really very strange."
As their words fell, Lin Chenrui curved his lips into a cold sneer, "I can still believe that You Rong spoke unimportant words to Minister Jing. However, General Zhang... you were the one who reported You Jiang for treason back then. To You Rong, you are like a father's killer. Would he truly be able to speak some unimportant words with you calmly when he met you at Zuichun Tower? And then sent you a heavy gift?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhuhe's face changed drastically, "Your Highness the Second Prince! What do you mean by that? Are you suspecting that there is something between this general and You Rong?"
"This Highness is not suspecting, just finding it strange. If I say a few more words, General Zhang becomes so nervous... could it be that my words have hit something?" Lin Chenrui narrowed his eyes, his gaze obscure and unreadable.
"Your Highness the Second Prince! This general has already chosen to assist Your Highness, so I will naturally not betray you! I implore Your Highness to believe this general!"
Lin Chenrui remained silent, and others could not fathom his thoughts.
The atmosphere in the teahouse private room became subtle.
Jing Ziyue pondered for a moment and said, "Your Highness the Second Prince, please do not fall into You Rong's trap. He deliberately invited this subordinate and General Zhang to meet, he must suspect something and want to sow discord between us!"
Hearing this, Zhang Zhuhe eagerly followed, "Exactly! It must be as Minister Jing said! You Rong has good methods! Whether it was inviting us to meet or sending gifts to our residences, it was all deliberate! Your Highness the Second Prince... you must not fall into his trap!"
Lin Chenrui lowered his eyes, and after considering it in his heart, he felt that Jing Ziyue's words were not without reason. Thus, he withdrew his coldness and said calmly, "This Highness naturally trusts the two of you. Otherwise, I would not be meeting you here today. I just wanted to remind you that You Rong... is not simple. You need to be cautious and respectful towards him in the future. After all, we are in the same boat. We rise and fall together, do you agree?"
Zhang Zhuhe and Jing Ziyue exchanged glances, and they both said in unison, "Yes, Your Highness the Second Prince, we will definitely pay attention!"
Both Zhang Zhuhe and Jing Ziyue were intelligent people. How could they not hear the warning in Lin Chenrui's last sentence?
He said he trusted them, but in the end, he had become suspicious.
Half an hour later, Zhang Zhuhe and Jing Ziyue left the teahouse private room one after another. After they left, a sinister glint flashed in Lin Chenrui's eyes. He called out, "Li San, come in."
A man dressed in tight-fitting clothes pushed the door open and entered, clasping his hands and saying, "Your Highness the Second Prince, what are your orders?"
Lin Chenrui said coldly, "Have someone keep a close watch on Jing Ziyue and Zhang Zhuhe. If they have any further contact with You Rong... have the secret guards eliminate them directly. I cannot have the dogs I raised bite me back."
The man replied, "Your subordinate understands. Your subordinate will go and handle it immediately!"
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That evening.
You Rong arrived at Nangong Gate and walked to a secluded spot. As expected, he saw Nangong Jie waiting for him there.
You Rong walked over quickly, "Uncle Nangong, you sent word that you wanted to see me. Has there been any progress in tracking Jing Ziyue and Zhang Zhuhe?"
Nangong Jie said, "Yes! Jing Ziyue and Zhang Zhuhe went to a teahouse at noon today, and Lin Chenrui was also there. However, due to strict security, we couldn't know what they said during their meeting."
Nangong Jie looked annoyed, "Such a good opportunity, and we missed it... We still came away with nothing!"
You Rong was completely the opposite and sneered, "Who says we came away with nothing? At least our direction is correct. We've made Lin Chenrui suspicious of them. With their mutual suspicion, we will surely find an opportunity!"
"You mean..." Nangong Jie asked with a slight lack of understanding.
You Rong's eyes sharpened, "Naturally, it's to deepen their suspicion of each other step by step!"
Nangong Jie still didn't understand and waited for You Rong to continue.
You Rong knew Nangong Jie's doubts and explained, "I will find another opportunity to visit the residences of Jing Ziyue and Zhang Zhuhe. Using the Emperor's name, I will say it's a verbal decree that they cannot speak of it outside. Lin Chenrui will surely become suspicious again. If he asks Zhang Zhuhe and Jing Ziyue, and they tell him the truth, Lin Chenrui will surely not believe them. That will be the time of their deepest misunderstanding!"
Nangong Jie said without hesitation, "No! If Lin Chenrui goes to the Emperor to confront you, you would be forging an imperial decree, which is a capital offense. This is too dangerous! I cannot let you do this!"
"It's alright. Lin Chenrui is guilty and fearful. He certainly won't dare to go to the Emperor to confront you!" You Rong said with firm conviction, "To clear my father's name, what does it matter if it's dangerous? I won't hesitate!"
"But..."
"No more 'buts'. Uncle Nangong, trust me, I will not let myself get into trouble!"
Nangong Jie had no choice but to agree, "Alright, let's proceed as you said."
"Yes, during this time, I will still need you to arrange for people to keep a close watch on Jing Ziyue and Zhang Zhuhe," You Rong said.
"Don't worry, I will."
After You Rong and Nangong Jie parted, You Rong walked towards Ganqing Palace. As soon as he reached the palace gate, he saw a familiar figure. The handsome face instantly softened.
You Rong walked over quickly, clasped his hands in salute, "Your Highness the Princess, why have you come to Ganqing Palace? Are you here to see the Emperor?"