NOVEL WEB Chapter 516
Eunuch Huang entered the hall and, seeing the young emperor in such high spirits, couldn't help but voice his concern: "Your Majesty, regarding the Prince of Southern Pacification's request for additional territory, shouldn't you inform the Duke of State Protection?"
Chu Jincheng paused briefly before shaking his head.
"No need."
The rejection of the Prince of Southern Pacification's petition had just been dispatched. Even if the prince sought to enlist the Duke of State Protection's support for his reward, he would have to wait another month.
By then, his uncle would undoubtedly side with him.
The Prince of Southern Pacification's scheme to expand his lands would not succeed.
At the Duke of State Protection's residence...
Luo Jingfeng had no sooner returned to the capital than he set aside all conversation with his wives, concubines, and children, focusing solely on General Pang's detailed report of the past year's events.
After a lengthy account, General Pang added, "Oh, one more thing—the Prince of Southern Pacification once submitted a petition to cultivate mushrooms in several counties, but His Majesty rejected it."
"Mushrooms?" Luo Jingfeng was equally puzzled by the prince's request. "Why not grow them within Yunnan's borders?"
General Pang replied, "The Prince claims these mushrooms yield high quantities and could serve as supplementary food reserves. Yunnan's lands are already fully cultivated. However, the neighboring counties are impoverished yet highly suitable for mushroom farming. He proposed expanding production there, with the eventual goal of nationwide implementation if successful."
Luo Jingfeng narrowed his eyes, studying him skeptically. "That sounds reasonable. Why did His Majesty refuse?"
General Pang grimaced. "His Majesty, misled by someone's slander, became convinced the Prince was using mushroom cultivation as a pretext to seize more territory. He flatly denied the petition."
"Nonsense!" Luo Jingfeng slammed the table and stood, his voice icy. "Who fed him such lies? Shen Qixian or Zong Zhao?"
General Pang shook his head vigorously. "I don't know, my lord. But you must investigate thoroughly. Over the past year, His Majesty has been solely under the guidance of these two advisors. If they've been secretly poisoning his mind against the Luo family, it could spell trouble for us..."
Luo Jingfeng scoffed. "Do they truly believe they can drive a wedge between me and Cheng'er? Bring me the reports on those counties. Tomorrow, I'll question His Majesty in person. Let's see how these two have been manipulating him!"
"Yes, sir!" General Pang hurried out, visibly relieved.
The next day, after the morning court session...
Chu Jincheng was still buzzing with excitement, too restless to nap. Shedding his imperial robes for casual attire, he pondered where to venture next.
All he wanted was a chance to be alone with his uncle, to nurture their bond within this month.
But after waiting, Eunuch Huang arrived with unsettling news: "Your Majesty, the Duke of State Protection won't be coming. He's in the study reviewing memorials with Prime Minister Shen and General Zong, but... but..."
"But what?" The young emperor's heart sank at the eunuch's distressed expression.
Eunuch Huang stammered, "But they've begun arguing..."
"What?!"
The emperor sprinted out, rushing straight to the study.
Before he even reached the door, the heated exchange inside reached his ears.
Luo Jingfeng's reprimand thundered: "Zong Zhao! I left you in the capital to protect His Majesty, yet you conspired with Prime Minister Shen to turn him against me! What is your true agenda?"
Zong Zhao retorted coldly, "The Prince of Southern Pacification disguises his land grab as mushroom farming. Neither we nor His Majesty would ever approve it. Instead of interrogating us, Duke Luo, perhaps you should question the Prince's motives."
Luo Jingfeng said sharply, "He just wants to plant some mushrooms—what harm could he possibly do? If it weren't for your nonsense in front of His Majesty, how could the Emperor ever suspect his own uncle?"
Zong Zhao's expression darkened. "Whether the Prince of Southern Pacification has pure intentions or not, you know very well. Do you really think no one knows about the ruthless deeds you and your brother committed back then?"
The young emperor had just entered when he overheard this remark.
But the meaning behind it was unclear to him.
Prime Minister Shen, meanwhile, was so terrified he wanted to cover his ears, fearing he was about to hear an earth-shattering secret—and then face the consequences of being silenced.
Spotting the young emperor, he seized the opportunity like a lifeline, loudly announcing his greeting to alert the others: "Your Majesty!"
The two feuding generals also bowed in respect, though their expressions remained grim.
Chu Jincheng sensed the tension and said to Prime Minister Shen and Eunuch Huang, "Both of you may leave for now. I wish to speak with them privately."
"How did you find out?" Luo Jingfeng's face twisted with fury, his gaze at Zong Zhao so venomous it could kill.
The young emperor pressed, "General, what were you just saying? What ruthless deeds did the Prince of Southern Pacification and the Duke of State Protection commit in the past?"
When he first heard their argument, his heart had skipped a beat—he hadn't expected his uncle to confront the matter of the Prince of Southern Pacification so soon.
But now, he was far more curious about the "ruthless deeds" his father had mentioned.
Zong Zhao didn't reveal the truth outright. Instead, he gave Luo Jingfeng one last chance. "Duke of State Protection, the Prince of Southern Pacification's demand for additional fiefs is neither lawful nor reasonable. Do you still object to His Majesty's decision to deny it?"
Luo Jingfeng understood the threat in his words—if he insisted on granting those counties to the Prince of Southern Pacification, Zong Zhao would expose their secret.
Luo Jingfeng lifted his chin defiantly. "Do you think I, Luo Jingfeng, fear threats? It was merely patricide—a trivial matter compared to your crime of regicide!"
This was the ruthless deed the Luo brothers had committed: they had conspired to send the late Prince of Southern Pacification to his grave. By both moral and legal standards, it was an unforgivable sin.
But Zong Zhao's crime was no less grave.
The king he had slain was none other than Jincheng's father.
Luo Jingfeng intended to drag him down too, ensuring neither of them would walk away unscathed.
The young emperor froze, his eyes widening in shock. His usually sharp mind went blank.
Had he just heard his uncle admit… that both his uncles had conspired to kill his grandfather?
The late Prince of Southern Pacification hadn't died by accident!
A chill ran down Jincheng's spine. He, too, found his uncles utterly ruthless. Though he had never met the Prince of Southern Pacification, based on Luo Jingfeng's descriptions and now this act of patricide… the young emperor was certain:
The Prince of Southern Pacification's demand for land was never just about planting mushrooms. He had ulterior motives!
His dark, gleaming eyes darted thoughtfully, but he maintained a calm facade, stepping forward to mediate with feigned concern. "Enough, enough! Uncle, Father, stop arguing. Let's call it even, alright? I pardon both of you—no more accusations. It only hurts our bond."
"Hah!" Luo Jingfeng sneered at Zong Zhao. "Did you really think exposing my minor misdeed would give you leverage? Jincheng is my nephew by blood—not your true son!"
Zong Zhao replied coldly, "I only hope the Duke of State Protection remembers his place and stops creating difficulties for His Majesty."
Luo Jingfeng said arrogantly, "Mind your own business."
Seeing that they were about to argue again, the Little Demon King quickly grabbed her uncle's arm while winking at Zong Zhao. "Father, you should head back to the estate first. I'd like to speak with Uncle alone."
Zong Zhao gave Luo Jingfeng a wary glance before replying, "Very well. Call for me if you need anything."
"Mm-hmm!"