Chapter 333. A Thorough Investigation

Translator: Storm in a Teacup

It looked like that the apparent overtures of the Crown Prince made Fang Shuoyang feel flattered or more scrupulous.

Both emotions could be seen from Fang Shuoyang’s face.

Such expression was normal response, wasn’t it?

“I’m afraid I can’t, Your Highness.”

“Shuoyang, you have a personality.” The Crown Prince laughed and said, “Forget it. Today is a big day for your second elder brother. Have a drink with me, Shuoyang.”

“Your word is my command, Your Highness. I’d like to propose a toast to you.”

The third prince saw them communicating, smiled and came over. “Brothers, what are you talking about, making you so glad?” He asked.

“Brother,” seeing him, Fang Shuoyang greeted him promptly. “I’m toasting to the Crown Prince. You’ve come just at the right moment. Since I’m new here, if I do something wrong, please remind me, my brothers,” he said.

“Ha, ha, don’t be so aloof.” The third prince also laughed and said, “I don’t prefer that.”

“Yeah,” the Crown Prince agreed with a smile, “I just said that, he was distant. Just call me brother.”

“Rites cannot be discarded.” Fang Shuoyang replied seriously.

“All right, no more talk about it. It’s rare for us to get together. Let’s drink!” The third prince shouted.

“Yes, everybody drink, just drink.” The Crown Prince followed.

All of a sudden, three of them started drinking. It seemed really lovely and cheerfully.

Seeing that scene, Zhou Suye and the second prince who came forward squinted.

Especially the second prince, his eyes looked indifferent for one moment.

He gathered people there so that they could notice how popular he was and those officials could give their regards, arousing his brother’s crisis awareness.

It would be better if some of his brother’s rivals came to woo him.

So he could wheedle the officials completely to his side.

But it seemed to be counter-productive.

The second prince’s face froze for a second and then brightened again. “Brothers, I was wondering if I was a bad host. You guys look happy and I’m kinda relieved.” He came over and said.

What he said made the Crown Prince and the third prince flicker their eyes.

But those two were good at charades. In the presence of many outsiders, they needed to show some brotherly affection since he came up.

However, they behaved in private, they acted to show brotherhood in front of other people.

“Ha ha, how could you tear yourself away from your beautiful wife and come to us?” The Crown Prince laughed out loud.

“What are you talking about? Of course you are more important.” The second prince said with a smile.

“Don’t say so. It will be my fault if sister-in-law is angry.”

It seemed that joy was overflowing there.

s.h.i.+ Qingzhou looked down slightly and moved his index finger faintly. A wisp of colorless powder was ejected, contaminating a little on the corner of the second prince’s clothing.

He acted secretly and it’s just the corner. Who would notice that?

Fang Shuoyang certainly toasted again since the second prince came.

The second prince showed his due respect. The brothers already started drinking before the banquet. How could he not drink?

Soon he drunk two cups with Fang Shuoyang toasting him.

He was going to leave after showing brotherhood with his brothers.

Then, suddenly, a.s.sa.s.sin jumped up on the fence, and boom, dropped something

With smoke swirling, it’s invisible instantly.

“a.s.sa.s.sin! Catch the a.s.sa.s.sin!” Someone yelled.

Then the mansion became chaotic.

But only the cowardly officials were flurried.

Guards of the prince mansion were well trained.

Though not clear, the second prince was able to give orders, “guards, catch the a.s.sa.s.sin!”

The guards went into action orderly just when the voice faded.

Some of the guards went to look for the a.s.sa.s.sin, and the others gathered around the second prince,

to protect him and other princes.

The most princely were there except for the Emperor.

If something ever happened to them, the guards would be buried with the dead.

The white smoke didn’t last long and was dissipated.

People saw clearly again.

But where was the a.s.sa.s.sin?

They had no idea who shouted there was an a.s.sa.s.sin. But they were sure there was one since the white smoke could not came nowhere.

How dared the a.s.sa.s.sin a.s.sa.s.sinate in the residence of the second prince?

The second prince’s face didn’t look well after the smoke dispersed.

He lost his face disgracefully because of that a.s.sa.s.sination.

“Find the a.s.sa.s.sin out for me!”

“Yes.” The guards responded and pursued the a.s.sa.s.sin.

But he was very crafty. He never showed up except when dropping the smoke sh.e.l.l.

They didn’t even know whether he was still in the mansion or not.

At this time, there was a noise outside.

“The a.s.sa.s.sin escaped, Highness.”

The second prince’s face suddenly clouded over. He chased out with his men. It was a mess outside for some men had already went out.

Other people followed out with the second prince.

The Crown Prince led them.

And of course the third prince and Fang Shuoyang followed him.

The rest officials also went out with the princes. A huge crowd of people went to the gate of the mansion.

At this time, the second prince stood outside the door, livid.

The a.s.sa.s.sin was so rampant that he wrote in ink on the stone lion in front of the gate:

The second prince is brutal and deserves to be killed.

The officials was speechless and breathless with fear.

The a.s.sa.s.sin was very arrogant.

“Catch him. Make sure the a.s.sa.s.sin was found!” The second Prince shouted crazily.

His guards followed his order and more people chased out all of a sudden.

Then, a cry of alarm came from the ministers in the crowd.

“Highness!”

The second prince fainted.

Maybe it was because of anger, or something else.

“Highness!” His wife also cried out and ran to him.

No one would stop her since they were a married couple very much in love.

She soon reached his side, cuddled him, and let him lean against her arms.

And she got freaked out.

There was blood from his mouth, and the whites of his eyes were rolling out.

“Ah!” She cried out in horror.

The crowd were really rattled. The second prince didn’t pa.s.s out, but got hurt!

The Crown Prince’s face changed, too.

“Brother!”

Instantly, the mansion was totally in a mess.

After less than an hour, Lord Zhou in the royal house of the Eastern Darkness heard the news.

“What?” He was also astonished, looking pale. “An a.s.sa.s.sin? Who were there?”

A long list was made quickly and put on his table.

Lord Zhou looked at the long list sullenly.

The Crown Prince, the third and the fourth prince were all in the list.

He thought of countless possibilities and his own plan, with his eyes flickering.

But then he saw a name.

Childe Suye.

Suddenly, he paused and then squinted.

Why was Zhou Suye there?

Seeing his sullen face, the servants was also perturbed.

Lord Zhou stood up behind the table, “investigate that thoroughly.” He said gently.

“Yes, my lord.”

The servants went out quickly. He rubbed his fingers, thinking of something.

At this time, the princes were still in the second prince’s mansion.

Many imperial physicians were there. But even an immortal could not save his life.

Because there was no sign of living!

His wife and concubines cried and were overwhelmed by grief.

The other princes looked pale. When and how the a.s.sa.s.sin hurt the second prince?