I became the God Brother of the Regent King after Transmigration!-Chapter 332 - 252: Bestowal of Kingship (Two - s Combined)

Chapter 332: Chapter 252: Bestowal of Kingship (Two Chapters Combined)

After speaking, Rong Miaoyan released her hand and tidied her wide official robe hem.

She elegantly bowed to Xie Yun, her red lips lifting in a gentle smile, "Brother Jingqi, Miaoyan takes her leave."

Xie Yun watched the figure in the dark blue official robe, adorned with gold and jade hairpins, swaying gracefully, a hint of surprise flashing in his gentle eyes.

He murmured softly:

"Crown Prince, you might not be the only heir apparent."

Zhang Fengcai approached and respectfully said, "Vice Minister Xie, His Majesty is waiting for you in Qianyuan Hall."

Xie Yun, led by Zhang Fengcai, entered the Qianyuan Hall filled with the rich scent of ambergris.

"Minister pays respect to Your Majesty."

"Rise."

Xie Yun slowly raised his head, looking at the Emperor on the dragon throne.

That man was still very young; at a quick glance, he didn’t seem much older than Xie Yun himself.

He wore a light golden informal robe, his features as handsome as a refined young noble from a wealthy family, with closed eyes resting, appearing particularly gentle, even giving Xie Yun a sense of scholarly endearment, the soft contours of his face revealing a hint of compassion.

Rong Jing abruptly opened his eyes, his long, narrow peach blossom eyes emitting a sinister depth, startling others suddenly.

"I want to ask you, did Prince Rui really die?"

Xie Yun suppressed the slight fear rising in his heart and calmly nodded, speaking the words he had prepared:

"Yes, after I arrived in Yinzhou, I immediately went to Prince Rui’s mourning hall. Gu Lan and Fifth Prince Rong opened the coffin for me to verify that Prince Rui was lifeless. Fearing any anomalies, I stayed overnight to guard the spirit and left one subordinate before returning to the capital, while my subordinate arrived two days later. He saw Prince Rui’s coffin personally—"

"Enough, no need to elaborate."

Rong Jing suddenly interrupted Xie Yun’s last words, taking a deep breath, his inky black peach blossom eyes tinged with a trace of blood color.

"He really did die."

His voice grew hoarser.

Xie Yun was quite puzzled; he had thought, given the Emperor’s suspicious nature, he would inquire into every detail and even dispatch someone for thorough investigation.

Unexpectedly, the Emperor believed him after hearing his account.

For a moment, Xie Yun found himself at a loss.

Rong Jing calmed himself and waved his hand, saying, "Jingqi, you can withdraw now."

Xie Yun’s gentle eyes, as warm as ink jade, sharpened slightly as he knelt again, presenting documents from his sleeve.

"I have another matter to report to Your Majesty! Before Prince Rui died, he told Gu Lan that he suspected the Su Family of being involved with Li Yuanju; all this is evidence he gathered and testimonies obtained by Gu Lan during Li Yuanju’s interrogation.

The Su Family is related to the Empress Dowager’s clan, involving her reputation; I urge Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly."

Rong Jing looked down at Xie Yun, his gaze dark and inscrutable.

"Xie Yun, the Prime Minister is your teacher."

Xie Yun raised his head and spoke softly:

"I am also a subject of Your Majesty, a citizen of Dayan, and I also believe Prince Rui’s death is related to the Su Family. Gu Lan had identified the assassins who attempted to kill Prince Rui and found they weren’t from Wei Country. Among them, three were distant relatives from the Su Family’s illegitimate branch; this matter also involves... the Crown Prince."

"The Crown Prince?"

Xie Yun unhesitatingly exposed the Crown Prince, "I dare not hide from Your Majesty, just now, His Highness the Crown Prince threatened me with his status as heir apparent, asking me not to impeach the Su Family."

Rong Jing’s cold and handsome face grew darker.

Zhang Fengcai suddenly knelt down beside him, kowtowing and saying:

"Your Majesty, earlier at the West Gate, it’s true that the Crown Prince discussed matters with Vice Minister Xie, but I really don’t know if it was to plead for the Su Family."

Rong Jing’s gaze was unusually cold, and he asked in a deep voice: "Do you think it was the Crown Prince and the Su Family who killed Prince Rui?"

"I’m not certain, but the Crown Prince did tell me that he and the Su Family are interconnected in glory and loss."

Xie Yun’s every word lacked personal emotion.

He was like a silent narrator seemingly devoid of any stance.

He was gambling,

betting that even an Emperor long abandoning human emotion would feel a twinge of sorrow, a bit of softness for his brother’s death.

Rong Jing’s gaze told him he had gambled correctly.

In an instant, a profound weariness appeared on Rong Jing’s face like never before.

He said:

"I will thoroughly investigate this matter; if it truly involves the Crown Prince..."

Xie Yun hurriedly knelt to dissuade, "The Crown Prince is the country’s heir apparent; Your Majesty must not disrupt the foundation of the state in a moment of anger, especially when this matter still requires investigation—"

Rong Jing’s voice was low: "Jingqi, if you have time, go to Rong Qijun and see for me if he is still as foolish as before. If he has become wiser, test his knowledge, see if there is any progress."

Xie Yun immediately said, "I will surely do my best to assist the Second Prince."

Rong Jing slowly closed his eyes, and at this moment, he seemed not like an emperor, but an ordinary brother, a father.

Xie Yun’s expression was also very complex; he had never seen the Emperor like this before.

"Did you know, Prince Rui asked me to make Rong Heng a prince... I, for the sake of the deceased, will fulfill his last wish," Rong Jing said deeply.

Xie Yun did not know, before he came, that Miaoyan had already persuaded the Emperor.

He only felt that everything today went very smoothly, as if the Emperor had convinced himself without needing him to speak.

"Then, Your Majesty, what title will you grant him?" Xie Yun asked.

Xie Yun recalled an old rumor.

It was said when Rong Heng was three or five years old, the former Emperor had wanted to make him King Yan.

This title, being the same as the country’s name, was considered too noble, facing opposition from all ministers, even the father of Princess Consort Xiao, the old Marquis of Pingnan, who knelt to advise against it, leading the former Emperor to desist.

In any case, the Emperor would not make Rong Heng King Yan.

At the same time, Xie Yun understood that even if the Emperor made Rong Heng a prince, it was only due to the current complex situation at the Southern Border. The Princely Heir of Prince Rui is young, and it is impossible to let Rong Yunhao oversee the major situation at the Southern Border, where Gu Lan had everyone’s fealty in the military.

Therefore, Rong Heng as a prince is intended to balance Gu Lan.

The Emperor might never know that these two have already teamed up!

After a long time, just when Xie Yun thought Rong Jing wouldn’t answer his question, Rong Jing spoke:

"Prince Xiang."

"Xiang? To assist Your Majesty in great undertakings—"

"Xiaoxiang’s Xiang."

He compromised, making Rong Heng a prince,

yet used this title to remind Rong Heng to never forget everything that happened at Xiaoxiang Palace.