The Prince Can Do Divination

Chapter 376 - 238: Father-in-law’s Contingency, The Technique of Atoning with Merit, A Dragon Returns to the Sea, The Crown Prince Leads the Army to Battle

Having learned the truth, Lu Mingyuan’s expression was surprisingly calm.

’They struck a deal. If that’s the case, why would the Great Nether Empress still send troops to attack Great Yan?’

It was a peculiar question.

Lu Mingyuan could only think of one explanation.

One of them had broken the agreement, forcing the deal to be terminated and creating a rift between them.

’Judging from the current situation, it seems more likely that my Imperial Father was the one who broke the agreement, provoking retaliation from the Great Nether Empress.’

’If so, why is the Empress so insistent that I marry into the Demon Country?’

’Could it be that she knows how important I am to my Imperial Father, and that’s why she wants me firmly in her grasp?’

Regardless, a clash between Emperor Yong’an and the Great Nether Empress was inevitable.

’What I need to do is figure out how to survive while caught in the middle.’

Qi Xingyan’s illusory figure began to dim, his time clearly running out. "My death may not be a bad thing. From now on, the Holy Emperor will no longer be wary of you, Your Highness. All you need to do is find a way to reveal the truth to the world, and all the rumors will collapse on their own."

"The current Holy Emperor’s personal strength may be meager, but he is the ruler of a nation. Great Yan’s Fortune is as vast as the sea, and under the protection of the various forces of the Three Religions, he cannot be underestimated. A direct confrontation would be unwise. The only path forward is to strike at his heart."

"As one of the Saints and Sages, it is my duty to die for the people and the country. You need not grieve too much for me, Your Highness. The most urgent task now is to leave the Capital City. Here, the Holy Emperor has eyes and ears everywhere. Only with the arrangements made outside the city can you truly turn the tide in this game of chess."

"If you are ever uncertain, look to your own heart."

With those words, the reflection vanished.

"Mr. Qi, you won’t die."

Lu Mingyuan clutched the Jade Hairpin tightly and muttered to himself.

’As long as a wisp of his Divine Soul remains, he can be resurrected.’

Princess Consort Ning had nearly died from the Dragon Jade’s self-destruction. If the Military Saint hadn’t left behind a contingency plan, her Divine Soul would have likely been annihilated.

’Since my father-in-law left arrangements outside the Capital City, how can I get out of here?’

For the moment, Lu Mingyuan had no clue.

He let out a breath and decided to step outside the main hall.

Just as he stepped out, he ran into Su Youhuai approaching him. Su Youhuai had clearly finished giving his orders and wore a serious expression.

"Your Highness, everyone in the Capital City is discussing the Eighth Prince’s death. Some are even accusing you of his murder. A few of the Academies are already beginning to voice their suspicions."

Lu Mingyuan said dismissively, "The innocent have nothing to hide. What is there to fear?"

Su Youhuai cupped his hands. "The Bright Lamp Bureau is investigating the matter. Though these are slanderous lies, they’ve still had a significant impact by confusing the public. People don’t know the truth, which only deepens their suspicion of the Eastern Palace Mansion. I suspect..."

Su Youhuai trailed off, a hesitant look on his face.

"If you have something to say, speak freely," Lu Mingyuan said calmly.

"I suspect it was very likely the Holy Emperor’s doing."

"Oh?"

Lu Mingyuan was surprised that Su Youhuai had managed to see that far.

But he quickly understood. After all, the man was a scholar who had studied under Mr. Shuijing and once held an official post in the Confucian Temple.

Lu Mingyuan first feigned ignorance, questioning him, "Su Youhuai, do you know the penalty for baselessly speculating on the Holy Will?"

"It is a capital offense."

Su Youhuai lowered his head. "But I believe the current situation is disadvantageous for you, Your Highness. If no changes are made, control over the entire Court will return to the Holy Emperor’s hands."

Hearing what he wanted to hear, Lu Mingyuan smiled faintly. "Then in your opinion, how do we break this deadlock?"

Su Youhuai looked up in surprise and said cautiously, "The Holy Emperor’s power is too great. If we remain in the Capital City, our chances of victory are slim. The Three Academy Cultivators, the Imperial Guard, and the Inner Court all answer to the Court. Whether it’s the Tributors from the major Sects or the Three Religions Immortal Forces, they all will likely defer to an imperial edict."

"And if we leave the Capital City?" Lu Mingyuan asked.

"Leaving the Capital City... that might be a good plan." Even Su Youhuai hadn’t expected that the Crown Prince was already a step ahead of him in considering this path.

"If we are to leave the capital, do you have a plan?"

With a strategist right in front of him, Lu Mingyuan didn’t hesitate to ask directly.

Su Youhuai’s mind raced. After a moment’s thought, he indeed came up with an idea. "If you wish to leave the Capital City now, I’m afraid there’s only one viable pretext."

"And what is that?"

Su Youhuai explained patiently, "You would go on the grounds of paying respects, traveling to the Celestial Profound Continent to retrieve Elder Mr. Qi’s body. As far as I know, since Qi Xingyan’s death, the fighting has intensified, and his coffin has yet to be brought back to the Capital City. On top of that, the Court is without a great general, and the Holy Emperor is too frail to lead the campaign himself. The Court has been desperately searching for a commander."

"And in my humble opinion, the person most qualified to lead the army in all of Great Yan right now is, ironically, you, Your Highness."

Lu Mingyuan listened to his analysis and nodded slightly. ’He has a point.’

’As Qi Xingyan’s son-in-law, how could I just stand by while my father-in-law’s body is left unburied in a foreign land?’

’Emotionally and rationally, I must go to the Celestial Profound Continent to see Elder Mr. Qi to his final rest.’

Lu Mingyuan paused for a moment, a reminiscent look in his eyes, before saying with conviction, "I want to go. I have to go."

Su Youhuai nodded lightly, his expression affirming the decision.

"It is worth a try, Your Highness."

"Use the tactic of atoning for a crime with a meritorious deed to leave the Capital City. By ’atonement through merit,’ I mean Your Highness can use the public opinion in the Imperial Capital to your advantage. You can publicly accept responsibility for the controversy and volunteer to act as Governor in Celestial Profound on behalf of the Holy Emperor. On one hand, this would be an admission that you failed in your duty as an elder brother, allowing rumors of fratricide to damage the Royal Family’s prestige. On the other hand, you would be offering to lead the army and risk your life to atone for it. With so many justifications, the Holy Emperor would find it very difficult to refuse."