The Eldest Prince’s trip to Hejian Prefecture is indeed related to the murder case, and the one orchestrating everything behind the scenes is Prince Jing.
The Third Prince had previously thought he had outsmarted the Eldest Prince and was probably feeling quite pleased, but who would have expected there was a "yellow sparrow" behind?
"Your Highness! What about the treasure map?" The adviser Tao Lei Yuan cautiously glanced at Prince Jing, his heart ablaze with excitent.
Prince Jing raised an eyebrow, "It is unclear which faction now holds the treasure map. To get it, it will likely take so effort."
Hu Maoshen studied Prince Jing, doubt brewing in his mind.
Since it’s unknown into whose hands the treasure map has fallen, and Prince Jing is not anxious, could it be that he already has a clue?
The treasure map that Tao Lei Yuan ntioned was precisely the reason the Eldest Prince went to Hejian Prefecture; there was indeed sothing suspicious about that case back then.
Initially, the Third Prince wanted to cause trouble for the Eldest Prince through this matter, and naturally, Prince Jing wanted to join in the ga.
The neighbor was murdered in prison, and if this matter were handled well, it would cause Emperor dissatisfaction with the Eldest Prince, which was Prince Jing’s plan.
At the sa ti, the Third Prince was plotting, and Prince Jing aid to exploit the situation by revealing the Third Prince’s involvent in front of the Emperor.
Although such a matter wouldn’t grievously harm either’s prospects, it would cause them to lose face before the civil and military officials, disappointing the Emperor, presenting a good opportunity.
As it is ti for establishing the heir, Prince Jing wanted to let the ministers see whether these two had the character to assu the position of Crown Prince.
It was only while investigating the matter privately that he discovered there was actually more beneath the surface.
The day before, the deceased head of the household had a quarrel with the neighboring butcher over shorted at, and the butcher, with a fiery temper, threatened to kill his entire family with a sharp knife.
As a result, when the extermination occurred, all suspicion fell on the butcher.
After the butcher was imprisoned, the Ministry of Justice reviewed the case, and just as they completed it, the butcher was killed in his cell.
Prince Jing knew it was the Third Prince’s doing, and he imdiately ordered a thorough investigation.
He happened to uncover that the extermination wasn’t due to a quarrel but rather because of a treasure map.
The head of the family in that case was nad Cao Daniu, who had unearthed a sheepskin treasure map from the old family estate.
Soon after discovering the treasure map, he accidentally let slip about it while drunk.
At the ti, two others were present, one was Cao Daniu’s cousin, the other a dart master from the escort agency.
It was precisely because of this treasure map that the Cao Daniu family was murdered, the culprits being Cao Daniu’s cousin and that dart master, who conspired together.
At the ti, the treasure map was divided in two, with Cao Daniu’s cousin and the dart master each taking a piece.
The Third Prince never ordered a thorough investigation and thus didn’t discover this matter.
Originally, Prince Jing was determined to get that treasure map, but the situation encountered unexpected complications.
The two parts of the treasure map fell into other factions’ hands, and to obtain it, Prince Jing would have to exert significant effort.
"Now that the treasure map is in two parts, acquiring it has beco even more difficult." At this mont, Prince Jing also felt a sense of the futility of human planning against the will of heaven.
No matter how ticulously you plan ahead, accidents always occur when least expected, disrupting your plans, catching you completely off guard.
"The Eldest Prince will surely not give up on the treasure map, Your Highness must act swiftly."
Guo Jing understood Prince Jing’s difficulties, noting the saying "a dragon from elsewhere cannot suppress the local snake." Furthermore, the treasure map must be obtained without exposing their identities or making it known, making the task even more challenging.
"In hindsight, I should never have revealed the matter of the treasure map; trying to lure the Eldest Prince over, this ti it truly backfired."
Tao Lei Yuan also sighed. If the Eldest Prince was unhard, he would definitely send more people to Hejian Prefecture to seize the treasure map.
"Big Brother had already ordered a thorough investigation back then. He will eventually find out, and we didn’t foresee this plan going awry. But we need not worry; once Big Brother awakens, he will surely dispatch more forces to seize it. We can shadow them and strike unexpectedly. This way, we won’t expose our identity and can save a lot of trouble."
Although Prince Jing was infuriated by Lin Han’s previous actions, he quickly devised a strategy.
Hu Maoshen cast his gaze on Prince Jing. It was precisely because he thought Prince Jing’s strategies were extraordinary that he pledged allegiance to him.
In this regard, he’s always been admired.
"But after this incident, the Eldest Prince will surely be on high alert. He might suspect that the attack is related to the treasure map, making it harder for us to succeed."
Guo Jing wasn’t as optimistic, noting that the Eldest Prince’s strategies aren’t inferior.
Once he wakes up, he will surely ponder this matter carefully, possibly even suspecting Prince Jing.
The Eldest Prince didn’t obtain the treasure map upon returning to the capital, not even half of it, as he unexpectedly returned shortly after leaving the capital.
This, in turn, revealed a flaw in the Third Prince’s Assistant Leader, You Yuan.
Prince Jing’s initial plan was perfect. He intended to intercept the Eldest Prince along the way once he obtained the treasure map, thus acquiring the map and eliminating the Eldest Prince.
Unfortunately, the Eldest Prince returned to the capital prematurely without obtaining the map, forcing Prince Jing to expedite his plans.
Had no choice but to speed up You Yuan’s mother’s recovery, causing You Yuan to return to the capital early, hoping to et the Eldest Prince along the way, which created a flaw.
Who could have expected that an unforeseen man with a dark complexion would disrupt the plan, making both the treasure map unattainable and the chance to eliminate the Eldest Prince lost.
"I have my own plans for this matter. The issue of the treasure map must be approached gradually and not rushed."
Prince Jing said this to act cautiously, knowing if the incident blew up, and the Emperor knew, the treasure map would no longer be his.
Moreover, Lin Han could no longer be relied upon, and he would inevitably have to send his dark guards to handle it.
"But did you catch a clear look at that dark-faced man? Can you describe his features?"
Prince Jing had never heard of such a person around the Eldest Prince; he turned and walked toward the desk.
Skilled in Danqing, with a detailed description, he could likely capture eight or nine parts out of ten in a drawing.
Lin Han knew the master was asking him, and he quickly replied, "I got a clear look. The man seed hastily arriving, not masked. His face looked simple and honest, square-faced with a black mole on his nose ..."
Once Lin Han detailed the man’s appearance, Prince Jing paused his pen.
He silently looked at the person in the painting, feeling surprised yet as if it was only natural.
"Take a look, is it this person?" After a long silence, he unfolded the drawing in his hand.
Lin Han glanced at it, a bit surprised that the man in the painting bore an eighty percent resemblance to the dark-faced man he saw.
"It is indeed him!"
Upon hearing this, Prince Jing’s expression turned much graver than before, and his heart sank involuntarily.
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