Chapter 107 King of Chu, you'd better stop talking nonsense.

"Why didn't you arrest and interrogate a few people to find out who was training them there?"

Emperor Wenjian asked angrily.

"Your Majesty, I am incompetent. The bandits who were captured committed suicide by poison on their way back to the city. However, I will continue to investigate in secret. I hope that Your Majesty will give me this opportunity."

Xiao Ye knelt obediently on the ground and reported the truth.

Emperor Wenjian narrowed his eyes and committed suicide by poison?

It's probably something someone did on purpose!

As someone in a high position, he naturally possessed a great deal of keen insight. From Xiao Ye's words, he understood that the person behind this matter was probably no ordinary individual.

The person who can raise a private army on Langya Mountain, escape unscathed, and kill prisoners in the capital must be quite powerful.

After reprimanding Xiao Ye a few times, Emperor Wenjian finally agreed to let Xiao Ye continue the investigation secretly.

As Xiao Ye walked out of the imperial study, a smile slowly appeared on his lips.

On the other side.

Xiao Churen went to Consort Liu's palace and told her about how Xiao Ye had robbed him of his silver and other valuables in Langya Mountain.

He hoped that Consort Liu could come up with a way to provide him with money to support his private soldiers outside.

After all, if someone were to find out that so much money had suddenly appeared in his account, it would easily expose him and attract attention.

"This crown prince, his abilities are truly becoming more and more formidable!"

After hearing Xiao Churen's words, Consort Liu sighed with resentment in her eyes.

She had thought that after the prince's leg was crippled, he would slowly die, but she never expected that he would recover.

Moreover, it has now affected the business that he and his son have been running for many years.

"You don't need to worry about the money; your mother will have someone else handle it. But you need to think about marrying a concubine!"

After calming down, Consort Liu glanced at Xiao Churen and gave him some instructions.

Now, he must use marriage alliances to win over some important officials in the court.

The Crown Princess cured Grand Tutor Song's son. Although he didn't openly take sides, everyone knew that he would definitely support the Crown Prince.

Therefore, they had to win over a few people who could be on par with Grand Tutor Song.

"To take a concubine?"

Xiao Churen's heart skipped a beat, and then he suddenly looked up at Consort Liu.

Consort Liu's face was serious. "You're unwilling? The Crown Prince is only half a year older than you, and he's been married for more than half a year. Although the Crown Princess's family background is not prominent, it's obvious that the Crown Prince has changed a lot since marrying her."

As the saying goes, a good woman brings prosperity to three generations. Your mother thinks you also need a Princess Consort of Chu who can help you. If that's not possible, you can always take a few more concubines.

"But, Mother... Your son does not yet wish to take a wife."

After some hesitation, Xiao Churen still refused.

He knew that if his mother proposed marriage at this time, she would most likely let him choose, and the one chosen would probably not be the one he liked.

Thinking of Su Wanshi's current plight, even when the Su family was still in decline, her mother, the concubine, had disagreed with her.

Now that the Su family is so poor, they would probably be even more opposed.

"You still don't want to? Why? Do you want to marry that disgraceful Miss Su? Let me tell you, that's absolutely impossible. Forget about it!"

Consort Liu shouted angrily.

Thinking of how her son was completely infatuated with Su Wanshi, and then thinking of that foolish Su Wanshi who always tried to steal a chicken but ended up losing the rice instead, she felt a pang of sadness.

She was immediately furious.

After scolding Xiao Churen, she kicked him out, saying that she would find several candidates for a princess and let him choose from them.

Xiao Churen left the palace feeling dejected.

Coincidentally, as he was leaving the palace, he encountered Su Liluo riding in a carriage, coming to pick up Xiao Ye after court.

Seeing how loving and respectful the couple was, he felt a pang of depression for some reason.

Why should Xiao Ye be allowed to marry the woman he loves?

Why should I obey my mother's wishes and marry someone I don't like?

If everything hadn't gone too smoothly for the Crown Prince during this period, making his mother feel threatened, she wouldn't have forced him.

It seems that all of this was caused by the Crown Prince!

Xiao Churen placed all the blame on Xiao Ye.

Suddenly, he remembered the message Qi Yinyin had sent him yesterday, saying that she had gone to the city with Xiao Ye and that he had arranged for her to stay in a small courtyard.

However, Xiao Ye never visited him again after returning, and he didn't dare to go to his door for fear of offending him.

"Since he's not going, then let her go."

A wicked smile crept across Xiao Churen's lips as he watched Su Liluo and the others' carriage depart, letting out a smug sigh.

*

The scenery was beautiful, and the streets were bustling with traffic.

That day, after Xiao Ye went to the army to attend to his business, Su Liluo, feeling bored, went out of the mansion with her maid to stroll around.

They saw a newly opened fabric shop and were about to go in to take a look, but they hadn't had a chance to buy anything yet.

Suddenly, a servant stood in front of her with a grin.

"Your Highness, my master would like to invite you to sit at the restaurant across the street."

Who is your master?

Ranmei stood protectively in front of Su Liluo and asked warily.

"Your Highness, my master is upstairs. Why don't you turn around and take a look?"

The servant answered calmly.

Su Liluo turned around and looked across at the other side.

Across the street was indeed a luxurious and grand restaurant, with the three large characters "Linjiang Pavilion" prominently displayed under the sunlight.

Above the signboard was an empty private room, where Xiao Churen sat elegantly, dressed in an indigo brocade robe embroidered with gold.

He held a fan in his hand and gave me a refined and gentle smile.

"Ah, so it's the King of Chu!"

Su Liluo sneered.

It's probably not a good thing that Xiao Churen is looking for me.

But since he's already on the other side, if I refuse, he'll probably have other ways to get me across.

Rather than being passive like this, we might as well go and see what tricks he's up to.

So she took Ranmei to the other side.

After going upstairs, Xiao Churen first treated her politely, and had some good wine and food served.

Then, we had a long talk like friends.

"Your Highness, just tell me directly, what brings you to me?"

Su Liluo was too lazy to beat around the bush, so she asked directly.

Xiao Churen's smile faltered. "The Crown Princess is indeed outspoken. Is she unwilling to even finish a meal with me properly?"

Sensing that Su Liluo didn't want to spend any more time with him and only wanted to get things over with quickly, Xiao Churen was displeased.

Is he really that annoying to her?

"Hehe, I'm going back to have dinner with my husband later, so I'm not hungry right now. Your Highness, please stop talking nonsense."

Su Liluo sneered.

Xiao Churen's face immediately darkened.

A hint of displeasure flashed across his eyes, then he sighed and said, "The Crown Princess's deep affection for my Crown Prince brother truly moves me!"

Unfortunately, the Crown Princess's deep affection was likely misplaced!