Underneath The Moonlit Night

Chapter 30 - Lies In Silk: A Tale of Love and Thrones

Wen Ning promptly followed the prince in pursuit, while Lan Xichen, still concerned for Qing Yi, gently turned him to face him. His fingers gently traced the areas around Qing Yi's mouth where Prince Kai Ze had exerted such force, leaving behind a few red imprint lines. An expression of deep concern graced Lan Xichen's features as he caressed Qing Yi's face.

Taken aback by Lan Xichen's tenderness, Qing Yi blushed faintly, his heart racing. He delicately removed Lan Xichen's hand from his face and offered a reassuring smile. "I'm okay. Don't worry."

A heavy silence settled in the room as everyone absorbed the depth of Qing Yi's ambition and determination. The tension grew palpable. Qing Yi released a long, weary sigh, his fingers massaging the bridge of his nose, and he spoke with frustration in his voice.

"This boy... Does he not comprehend the dire circumstances he's in? If he doesn't take action now, there's little hope of ensuring his and his sister's survival," Qing Yi lamented.

Lan Xichen placed a reassuring hand on Qing Yi's shoulder, gently squeezing it. "He will come to terms with it. The weight of these responsibilities has suddenly fallen upon him. It's only natural for him to feel overwhelmed."

Wei Wuxian let out a long sigh as he shared his thoughts, "Hmm... I understand. Prince Ming Zhe cannot be orchestrating this, because if the Duke successfully overthrows his brother, the current king, then Crown Prince Ming Zhe would become the Duke's next target."

Qing Yi chuckled softly and turned towards Lan Wangji, commenting, "That's highly unlikely. There's no way the Duke would harm Prince Ming Zhe." However, his amusement quickly faded as a sudden realization interrupted his train of thought. Memories of a rumor he had heard from the palace midwives and an investigation he had conducted with Dr. Zhao came rushing back to him.

Qing Yi's statement left Wei Wuxian perplexed, prompting him to furrowed his brows and inquire, "Why? What leads you to that conclusion?" With a swift analytical turn, Wei Wuxian considered another possibility and pressed on, "Are you suggesting that the Duke and the Crown Prince might be collaborating?"

Qing Yi, still wearing an expression of someone who had stumbled upon a significant revelation, responded, "It's a possibility..."

Wei Wuxian began to pace slowly, his crimson dress flowing gracefully around him as if it were tailored specifically for his movements. "It appears our Crown Prince may not be as innocent in all of this as it initially seemed."

Wei Wuxian's mischievous smile persisted as he continued, I believe that Prince Ming Zhe, while he may not have the full authority to deploy the shadow assassins, it's possible that his uncle, the Duke, promised him the throne as a reward for assisting with this illicit operation. Consequently, our Crown Prince decided to take a calculated risk by clandestinely deploying these assassins without the King's knowledge," Wei Wuxian deduced.

As Wei Wuxian laid out his theory, Qing Yi started to piece together the dots in his mind. He replied, "Ah, thank you, Wei Gongzi. Your deduction not only makes sense but also triggers a recollection of a crucial detail about the Duke and the Crown Prince," Qing Yi observed.

This newfound insight harmonized with his earlier discoveries, hinting that the Duke's maneuvers might be geared towards expediting the Crown Prince's path to the throne. Engrossed in his contemplation, he failed to notice the anticipation that had gripped the others, all eagerly awaiting his further elucidation.

"Well? Are you going to share what you know with us?" Wei Wuxian's impatience was palpable, his eyebrows raised in expectation.

Qing Yi felt a tinge of embarrassment wash over him as he addressed the group, "Ah, my apologies, everyone. I was in the process of organizing my thoughts." He cleared his throat and began to divulge the intriguing rumor he had stumbled upon.