inspire-indiana Chapter 56 There's something I'd like to discuss with you.
Chapter 56 There's something I'd like to discuss with you.
A short while later, a middle-aged man entered the study accompanied by a guard. It was Chen An, an old friend of Gao Chen's from his youth. The two immediately exchanged a knowing glance.
"Brother Chen, it's been many years. How have you been?" Gao Chen forced a smile and stood up to welcome Chen An to a seat.
Chen An smiled slightly, sat down and said, "Thanks to Eunuch Gao, I am still wandering the world and living a carefree life."
Xiao Xizi obediently brewed tea for the two of them, not daring to make a sound to disturb them.
Chen An looked around and, seeing that no one was watching, lowered his voice and said, "Eunuch Gao, I have come here today to discuss something with you."
"Oh?" Gao Chen looked puzzled.
"I've heard you're plotting against Prince Shou. Is there anything I can do to help you?" Chen An asked cryptically, revealing the purpose of his visit.
Gao Chen's spirits lifted immediately, thinking: Although we haven't been in contact for a long time, his network of connections has never been broken, and he might be of great use at a critical moment.
“Brother Chen, you flatter me. Now that you’re here, there must be something I can do for you,” Gao Chen said without hesitation, a shrewd gleam on his face.
"I have long resided in Chang'an City and am at your disposal at any time, Eunuch Gao." With that, Chen An rose and left.
After Chen An took his leave, Gao Chen instructed Xiao Xizi: "Keep an eye on Chen An's every move. I don't want any third party to know about this."
Xiao Xizi nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, in the Prince's residence, Li Mao was lost in thought.
"Your Highness, do you wish to see me?" Afu entered the study, breaking the silence.
Li Mao looked up at the envelopes he was holding, and a slight ripple of emotion stirred within him.
"Is this the intelligence you've gathered?" Li Mao asked, taking the envelope and flipping through it.
“Exactly. These days, Gao Chen has been secretly contacting many high-ranking officials in the court, trying to find incriminating evidence against you through them,” Afu replied.
Li Mao snorted coldly and turned his gaze to a secret letter.
He narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "Gao Chen is desperate. Since he wants to fight, then we'll fight him to the end."
Afu nodded secretly.
"What does Your Highness mean?" Afu asked.
Li Mao pondered for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Spread the smoke and distract Gao Chen. As soon as he reveals a weakness, I will make sure he suffers eternal damnation."
After hearing this, Afu bowed and withdrew.
As night fell, the entire city of Chang'an quieted down in the cool autumn air.
Standing by the window, Li Mao silently gazed upon this bustling capital city.
A guard who had been secretly dispatched returned and hurriedly entered the study.
"Your Highness, after Chen An met with Gao Chen, he went to Zhenzhu Fang to have a private talk with a merchant."
Li Mao's mind raced, but his expression remained unchanged. He said, "Keep a close eye on these two and be wary of any unexpected events."
The guards took the order and left.
The following day, Li Mao received a request to see Chen An.
After much deliberation, Li Mao decided to meet with him, hoping to gain something from the meeting.
"Greetings, Mr. Chen." Li Mao met Chen An in the reception room of the mansion.
“Although Prince Shou is a member of the royal family, I am deeply honored that he would deign to meet me,” Chen An replied politely.
Li Mao smiled slightly and asked, "Mr. Chen, what brings you here?"
Chen An knew it was best not to say it, but he still decided to try: "I have heard that Your Highness has great ambitions. Perhaps I can lend Your Highness a helping hand."
Li Mao remained unmoved after hearing this and continued to probe: "Mr. Chen, why don't you speak frankly?"
Chen An pondered for a moment, then tentatively said, "Prepare an umbrella when the weather is clear; it's a precautionary measure."
Each of them was preoccupied with their own thoughts, and although they spoke calmly, they could not discern each other's true intentions.
Li Mao smiled faintly and said, "I do indeed lack reliable people around me. If Mr. Chen is willing to condescend, I can arrange a position for him."
Chen An immediately stood up, bowed, and said, "Thank you for your generosity, Your Highness."
"I will go back and pack my things, and come back tomorrow to register."
After saying that, Chen An turned and left.
"Could it be Gao Chen causing trouble again?" Li Mao thought to himself as he watched Chen An leave.
Meanwhile, in Gao Chen's residence, he did not stop, continuing to organize his subordinates' schemes and plots, attempting to dismantle Li Mao's secret plans.
On the morning of that day, Li Longji sat upright on the dragon throne, his gaze sweeping over the civil and military officials in the court with a scrutinizing look.
He harbored suspicions, believing that someone in the court was secretly colluding with Prince Shou, plotting something sinister.
"My esteemed ministers, is there anything you wish to report?" Li Longji asked authoritatively, his voice echoing in the hall.
The officials looked at each other, none daring to speak first.
A tense atmosphere filled the air.
Just then, Gao Chen stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said, "Your Majesty, rumors have been circulating in Chang'an recently, damaging the reputation of Prince Shou. I wonder if Your Majesty would like to thoroughly investigate this matter and clear Prince Shou's name."
Li Longji frowned slightly, about to speak, when Li Mao stepped forward and said frankly, "Father, there are indeed rumors circulating in Chang'an, but I have a clear conscience. I beg you to investigate thoroughly and set the record straight."
Gao Chen was startled, not expecting Li Mao to be so audacious as to speak so frankly to the Emperor. He quickly replied, "Your Majesty, His Highness Prince Shou is clear in his mind, which is why he dares to be so open. I believe that we should send the Censor to thoroughly investigate this matter and clear Prince Shou's name."
The officials in the hall remained silent, as if they were watching a show from the sidelines.
Li Longji pondered for a moment, then looked at Li Mao with a hint of suspicion and said, "Since Prince Shou is completely open about this matter, then let the Censorate investigate it thoroughly and make sure the truth comes out."
Li Mao bowed and expressed his gratitude: "Thank you, Father Emperor, for your keen insight."
Although Gao Chen appeared calm, his heart was in turmoil.
Li Mao's composure must have a deeper meaning behind it.
After the court session ended, Li Mao and Gao Chen silently walked out of the palace gate.
The two walked side by side, wary of each other, each seemingly having something to say but waiting for the other to speak first.
“Eunuch Gao, I have always been upright and honest, and naturally I am not afraid of any prying eyes,” Li Mao said softly, seemingly open and honest with Gao Chen.
Gao Chen gave a cold laugh and replied softly, "Your Highness Prince Shou is right. I naturally look forward to the day when the truth is revealed."
Both had their own plans, but in the end they simply clasped their hands in a respectful gesture to each other, maintaining a semblance of harmony, before heading off in opposite directions.
Li Mao returned to the palace and briefly recounted to his concubine, Lady Wang, what had happened in the court.
"Your Highness, your performance in the palace was truly thrilling," Madam Wang said with a smile, her eyes filled with admiration.
Li Mao smiled slightly and explained, "The struggles in the imperial court have always been a war without visible smoke. If one does not appear open and honest, one will inevitably make others feel guilty."
Wang nodded and asked in a deep voice, "So, what should we do next?"
After a moment of contemplation, Li Mao analyzed, "Since we have already agreed to investigate this matter, we should plan ahead and use this time to deploy subsequent plans."