Chapter 241: Chapter 240 EstrangementBeiqi Capital City


    Suddenly, news broke out that Eldest Princess Qi Bingshuang had murdered her own husband and raised a "hidden head".


    "Exactly! No wonder the Eldest Princess frequently visited the Crown Prince, She was hiding someone in the Crown Prince Mansion!"


    "Yes! A brother of mine in the Crown Prince Mansion said that the Eldest Princess even secretly had an abortion!"


    "Not just an abortion! Poor Young Master Huo, he was ruined by that shameless woman!"


    "Speaking of Young Master Huo, although he was born weak, he didn’t look like one to live long. Yet, dying in the third year after the Princess married into their family is still strange!"


    "He was a frail man to begin with; a little tampering, and he wouldn’t stand a chance. Poor Young Master Huo, dead without knowing how he died!"


    ...


    Rumors quickly spread through every street and alley.


    It happened to be a time of national mourning, where all were to mourn in uniform, abstaining from luxury and entertainment.


    Deprived of amusement, people gathered together to chat.


    Within a day, the talk turned to the Crown Prince Mansion.


    Eldest Princess Qi Bingshuang was still in the Crown Prince Mansion taking care of the Crown Prince.


    Learning how the public was slandering her, she smashed a teacup in anger, "A bunch of ants! How dare they gossip about me! Someone come!"


    Immediately, two guards rushed in.


    They were brothers from the Lei Family, the elder named Lei Zhao and the younger, Lei Ze.


    Both brothers shared a similar handsome and lofty appearance.


    "Greetings, Princess—"


    The brothers stepped forward and bowed, inquiring in sync, "May we ask what orders the Princess has?"


    Qi Bingshuang beat her chest in fury, her features contorted, "Go investigate! Find out who is spreading these rumors! Arrest them! Arrest anyone who discusses it! I will have them killed!"


    "Princess, please reconsider—"


    Bi He thought the Eldest Princess was being too impulsive and quickly intervened, "It’s hard to blame the masses. Arresting so many would only create a bigger issue. Moreover, it gives others a chance to suggest that the Princess feels guilty. Please calm down, Princess, and consider tomorrow’s events. Those are what truly matter!"


    Reminded by Bi He, Qi Bingshuang then remembered that there was a plan to undermine the throne tomorrow.


    Compared to that, these rumors were trivial.


    "You are right. Tomorrow’s events are what matter most."


    She calmed down, sat back on the soft couch, and held her forehead, thinking for a while. Then, she grew agitated again, "I’ve lived so long and never suffered such humiliation! It must be Wuya’s doing! He wants to destroy my reputation! Detestable!"


    Hearing this, Bi He felt relieved that her intelligence had returned and she agreed, "Yes, Princess. Please don’t fall into his trap."


    Thinking of the Huo Family, she added, "I hope Mr. Huo does not fall for his trap either."


    Qi Bingshuang, recalling the Huo Family, realized the severity of the situation—tomorrow the three great families led by Huo Dingyuan were to undermine the throne. If such rumors had spread at this time, what if Huo Dingyuan believed them? Would he switch sides at the last moment?


    The more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.


    Wuya was sabotaging the alliance she had formed!


    She couldn’t just wait.


    Her expression changed as she turned to the Lei brothers: "Quick! Arrange the carriage! I need to go to the General Mansion!"


    General Mansion


    Study


    Listening to the news from his subordinate, Huo Dingyuan fell into a prolonged silence.


    The death of his youngest son, Huo Yu, was an eternal pain in his heart.


    Because he was on the battlefield at the time, he hadn’t been able to see him for the last time.


    Therefore—


    "My Ah Yue died so suddenly."


    He sat in his chair, cradling his head in his hands, full of self-reproach and pain: "He begged me not to leave then. Was he hinting at something? Ah Yue was not usually so clingy. He even wrote to me, asking me to come back early. Said he missed me."


    Now that he thought about it, Ah Yue’s behavior back then was indeed abnormal.


    Were his letters cries for help?


    A letter!


    Yes!


    A letter!


    Realizing this, he stood up and began searching.


    After a while, he finally found it in a military book on the bookshelf.


    He took out the letter, opened it, and read it word by word, seeking any slightest clue.


    The elderly butler, Li Zhongxiang, stood by his side in attendance, also feeling heartbroken, "Master, don’t be like this; the Young Master had a premonition that his time was nearing, and he didn’t want you to go to war. After you left, his health worsened, so he wrote you several more letters, urging you to come back to see him. The Eldest Princess—"


    How could the Eldest Princess lay a hand on her own husband?


    He thought about the rumors and became angry, "At this time, to spread such news, those who spread rumors clearly have malicious intentions."


    Huo Dingyuan also knew that the people behind this had malicious intentions.


    He should ignore them, or even capture those people and execute them all!


    But... could it be possible... Ah Yue’s death...


    Tears fell from his eyes.


    In this moment, he was simply a loving father grieving for his lost son.


    "Ah Yue has been gone for three years and never once appeared in my dreams. Ah Ran still dreams of him, saying he wants to drink the plum blossom wine from Yong State. That child shouldn’t be drinking."


    He was stuck on a single train of thought and couldn’t easily break free, "Qi Bingshuang even indulged him in drinking. How could she indulge him?"


    If she had let him drink less, would he have stayed alive a few more years?


    At least he, as a father, could have spent more time with him!


    Li Zhongxiang saw him continuously shifting the blame onto the Eldest Princess, so he knew he was delusional and hurriedly advised, "Master, the Young Master was especially cheerful during his last days. The Eldest Princess was with him every day, and his smile was even brighter than before. The Young Master passed away peacefully; I was right by his side. If you don’t trust the Eldest Princess, surely you still trust me?"


    Huo Dingyuan naturally trusted him.


    Li Zhongxiang was born into their household and had served by his side since childhood.


    Their affection over the decades was incomparable to ordinary people.


    He saw the affection he had for his youngest son.


    But he still couldn’t accept his son’s death.


    Even though he had been dead for three years.


    "Ah Yue liked girls."


    He knew Ah Yue liked the Eldest Princess and wanted to have a daughter with her.


    In his letters, he mentioned her many times and also asked him to protect her well.


    "Sigh."


    He closed the letter, sighing deeply.


    He had to fulfill his dying wish.


    "Master, the Eldest Princess is here."


    The voice of a servant came from outside.


    Huo Dingyuan heard this and hurriedly put away the letter and composed himself.


    He had just put away his military books when the Eldest Princess entered.


    "Father—"


    Qi Bingshuang walked into the study, bowed respectfully, and even nodded at the old butler, Li Zhongxiang.


    "I’ve seen the Princess."


    Li Zhongxiang smiled and greeted her, "May the Princess live a thousand years."


    Qi Bingshuang smiled slightly, then, looking directly at Huo Dingyuan, saw his expressionless face and took a deep breath, directly addressing the matter, "Father, have you heard some rumors?"


    Huo Dingyuan sat in his chair, hearing Qi Bingshuang’s words, unconsciously clenched his fists.


    "I’ve heard them."


    He suppressed the heart-wrenching pain, his face remaining calm as usual. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seeing his composed expression, Qi Bingshuang felt a bit anxious and her tone carried a hint of impulsiveness and agitation, "With your wisdom, you must know that this is Qi Wuya’s vile scheme. He sees our close interactions and plots to drive a wedge between us."


    Huo Dingyuan remained silent, just listening.


    He naturally knew it was Qi Wuya’s manipulation.


    It was no coincidence; it was clearly a response to their collaborative plans.


    But by using this matter for his divisive strategy, could there be some evidence?


    If he had evidence—


    He dared not think further.


    His Ah Yue, his most beloved child, he must avenge him!


    How could Huo Dingyuan know if Qi Wuya was fabricating it out of nothing?


    How could Qi Wuya know that out of nothing, there would actually be something?


    It seems even the heavens were aiding him!