open and covert struggles

11. Open and Covert Struggles
Early the next morning, Huangfu Xuan took Chu Ran to the Qizhenlou restaurant to meet with Prince Yan.

Seeing these wealthy patrons, the manager immediately adopted a beaming, almost obsequious expression, welcoming the three into the shop and ordering tea and snacks.

Chu Ran, still posing as a rich young master, pulled the manager aside to examine the shop's newly arrived rare treasures, causing Prince Yan and Prince Rui's expressions to change drastically, as these treasures were all tributes from the palace.

"I'll take all of these! Take your things and go to my house to get the money!"

Chu Ran flicked his sleeve, following the pre-arranged script, intending to lure the Qizhenlou manager into Prince Yan's trap.

The manager, unsuspecting, simply grinned broadly, quickly instructing his staff to wrap up all the treasures, single-mindedly following the "young master" to get the money.

The group had just arrived at the entrance of a quiet house when the shopkeeper, still basking in the joy of making a fortune, was tackled to the ground by a group of fierce guards.

Chu Ran watched him thrash about on the ground like a dead fish for a while before kicking him twice. Turning to the Prince of Yan, she said earnestly, "For someone as greedy and reckless as this, Your Highness must shut down his shop, confiscate his property, and take away all the ill-gotten gains he's made!"

Her eyes darted around, and she added discreetly, "Your Highness, let me take full responsibility for this matter! I'm an expert on antiques and jade!"

The Prince of Yan agreed, nodding twice, when he noticed Huangfu Xuan's faint smile, seemingly with a hidden meaning.

Before he could react, Chu Ran turned to the guards and ordered, "Did you hear that! Prince Yan ordered that this guy's house be ransacked! I'll take full responsibility!"

He spoke cheerfully, a smug smile on his face, and led the guards away.

"Fourth brother, you've fallen for his trap..."

Huangfu Xuan suddenly interjected, and Prince Yan, bewildered, was stunned.

"The moment he sees money, valuable antiques, jade, jewelry, or anything like that, he immediately becomes a swindler, willing to do anything to get his hands on it,"

Huangfu Xuan said casually. Prince Yan then realized that the items from Qizhenlou had silently fallen into Chu Ran's pocket.

"Forget it! It's not a big deal, let him be!"

Prince Yan was focused on handling the case of the sale of tribute goods and had no time to pay attention to Chu Ran or the small Qizhenlou.

His spies had received word that the manager of Qizhenlou was secretly communicating with Liu Ying, the commander of the palace guards. This Liu Ying was none other than the younger brother of Prince Chen's favored concubine.

Wasn't this the perfect opportunity to bring down Prince Chen?

Prince Yan was almost laughing with smug satisfaction. Huangfu Xuan, seeing his ambiguous smile, glanced at him and said calmly, "Now that the man is captured, the rest is up to Fourth Brother. I'm going to check on Chu Ran, lest he go too far." He

then turned and quickly left.

Prince Yan watched Huangfu Xuan's figure disappear around the street corner, a contemptuous smile playing on his lips. *

I think even if your favored mother were still alive, she wouldn't have the ability to lift you up!*

He, like his mother, had always looked down on this Second Prince, Prince Rui.

His mother was the reigning Empress, but she was far less favored than Consort Xin. He was Emperor Tianjing's only legitimate son, yet he didn't enjoy the Emperor's favor as much as Huangfu Xuan.

As Huangfu Xuan walked, he vaguely sensed a voice cursing him from behind.

He had possessed exceptional spiritual power since childhood, coupled with diligence, so although young, his achievements were extraordinary.

Hearing the Prince of Yan's indignant voice, his eyebrows twitched slightly, his fists clenched, but he ultimately suppressed his anger.

A cold, murderous glint flashed in his eyes.

He continued walking forward, but a plan immediately formed in his mind, clear and bright.

Fourth brother, no matter how proud you are now, you are merely a pawn in my grand scheme.

After overthrowing Prince Chen, you will be next.

Thinking this, a chill suddenly ran down his ear. He turned his head, and with a flick of his sleeve, he grasped a wax pill in his palm.

He quickly scanned the surroundings, but saw no one.

Composing himself, Huangfu Xuan tucked the wax pill into his sleeve and continued walking slowly.

Back at the palace, Huangfu Xuan removed his cloak, changed into casual clothes, and then took the wax pill, crushing it slightly.

A thin piece of silk, with a vermilion circle embroidered in the upper right corner, bore only a few words in elegant, flowing handwriting: "

Yue Ran has made her move; be extremely careful.

" Huangfu Xuan's eyes darkened. He turned and lit a lamp, burning the silk in the flame.

After a moment of contemplation, he slowly walked to the window and moved a blue-and-white porcelain vase from the left to the right of the windowsill.

A moment later, someone knocked on the door according to the signal—two long knocks followed by one short one.

"Come in!"

Huangfu Xuan turned and sat down in a chair.

It was the Shadow of the Illusion Hall; the blue-and-white porcelain vase on the windowsill was the secret mark used to summon the Shadow.

"Order that a banquet be held at Tianxiang Garden tomorrow at noon. Also, investigate something for me..."

After giving a few simple instructions, Shadow took the order and left. Huangfu Xuan pondered for a moment. The matter of the Assassin King Yue Ran needed to be considered carefully.

After all, the legendary Assassin King was not only a master of martial arts but also an expert in poisons.

It seemed that the matter was indeed somewhat troublesome.

Huangfu Xuan suddenly thought of Chu Ran and couldn't help but worry. Then he thought again, the little fox was always shrewd and cunning. Over the years, most of those who wanted to make things difficult for him had fallen into his trap and suffered terribly.

So his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down.

Bao'er, be careful.

"Achoo!"

As soon as Huangfu Xuan finished speaking, Chu Ran, who was directing a group of guards to search Qizhen Tower, suddenly sneezed loudly.

"Who's talking about me behind my back?" Chu Ran raised his slender eyes, then, after a moment's thought, couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Huangfu Xuan, it must be you! Always gossiping about me behind my back!"

Thinking this, he didn't forget to loudly call out to the guards who were busy searching, "Hey, you guys better be careful! If the treasures are smashed, they're worthless! If I lose money, you'll have to pay for it!"

Although his face was handsome, his words carried an irresistible aura. The guards were startled by his words and immediately tensed up, carefully carrying the items downstairs, packing them into boxes, and loading them into the car in an orderly manner.

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