Xiao Tianye's question made Xiao Yixuan's heart skip a beat, and his fingers instinctively tightened.
This scheme against Xiao Jingcheng was never something he could have planned alone.
Whether it was the exposure of the private salt business in Ningzhou or those bandits, if it weren't for Xiao Tianye's tacit approval and hint, how would Xiao Yixuan have taken on this matter?
Of course, he himself also wanted Xiao Jingcheng dead. Only when Xiao Jingcheng was dead could the position of the crown prince become available and fall into his hands.
However, things didn't go as planned. Everything had been going according to plan, and he had clearly given the order to bury Xiao Jingcheng alive. Yet, he was dug out and managed to escape!
If Xiao Tianye knew that Xiao Jingcheng was still alive, that his body had been dug out after being buried, and moreover, that he had tried to leave Dongli Town, then he would surely be punished by his father, and his father would no longer entrust important matters to him.
His drooping eyelashes hid the uneasiness in his eyes. He said, "I've confirmed it. I saw him take his last breath with my own eyes, and the traitor Mu didn't suspect anything either."
Then he added, "Father, don't worry. It's been so long. His body must have rotted beyond recognition. He can no longer pose any threat to you."
After saying that, his fingers turned cold because of nervousness.
Fortunately, Xiao Tianye didn't suspect anything. He completely relaxed, reached out and patted Xiao Yixuan's shoulder, with a gentle look on his face.
"Alright, you haven't seen your mother for a long time. Go and have a heart - to - heart talk with her. I have other important matters to discuss with the immortal master."
Concubine Feng hadn't seen her son for a long time and missed him very much. After taking her leave from Xiao Tianye, she tightly grabbed Xiao Yixuan's hand and led him aside, constantly asking about his well - being along the way.
"Look at you. After being away from your mother for so long, you've really lost a lot of weight.
When I heard you were coming back, I quickly ordered the kitchen to prepare a table of your favorite dishes. You should take good care of yourself from now on so that you'll have the strength to help your father conquer the world."
Xiao Yixuan was a bit absent - minded. He smiled faintly and said, "Mother is right. Now that I'm back with you, I'll naturally follow all your arrangements."
Suddenly, he seemed to remember something and said, "By the way, the Ye siblings also came to Yunzhou with me. I just don't know where my uncle and aunt are staying for the time being, so I've arranged for them to stay in the posthouse first."
Concubine Feng said, "Your aunt and uncle naturally left the capital with us, but they walked more slowly. They should arrive in Yunzhou in two days. When they come, our family will be reunited."
Back in the side hall, the mother and son sat down at the table. Concubine Feng served a bowl of soup for Xiao Yixuan and said, "Come, drink some hot soup to warm yourself up."
Xiao Yixuan lowered his head to drink the soup, and Concubine Feng served him dishes. They looked like a loving mother and son.
Unexpectedly, Concubine Feng's words made Xiao Yixuan's hand tremble, and some soup spilled out of the bowl.
"You were hiding something from your father just now. You didn't tell him the truth, did you?"
He looked at Concubine Feng in shock. Concubine Feng smiled and said, "A mother knows her son best. I can tell what's on your mind at a glance."
Her expression turned cold. She said, "Xiao Jingcheng is still alive?"
Seeing that he couldn't hide it anymore, Xiao Yixuan sighed and told Concubine Feng about the tomb of the youngest son of the Chen员外 being dug up.
Concubine Feng thought for a while and said, "No wonder you stayed in Dongli Town for so long and didn't leave. It turns out this is the reason."
"Mother, don't worry. Even if he was fine at that time, he couldn't have escaped after the Jinning Canal was blown up!"
Xiao Yixuan showed a ruthless look on his face and didn't think there was anything wrong with what he had done.
"I hope so." Concubine Feng stroked his hair and said, "Only when he's dead will your father be able to see your excellence and entrust the world to you."
"By the way, mother, what exactly happened in the capital? Uncle... No, why did King Mu rebel? Wasn't he so weak that he couldn't even hold a sword?"
Back with the most familiar people, Xiao Yixuan completely relaxed.
These days, the sudden change in the capital had been weighing on his mind. He just couldn't figure out why it was Xiao Tianchi.
When it came to this matter, there was no longer the gentle and submissive look on Concubine Feng's face when she was facing Xiao Tianye. All that was left was coldness and viciousness.
She hated!
She never expected that just when the position of the queen and the crown prince seemed within their reach for her and her son, everything was ruined by Xiao Tianchi in the end.
Concubine Feng sneered, "When it comes to disguise, your uncle is really amazing. You and I have to admit defeat."
Not only Xiao Tianye but also she never thought that the once sickly King Mu had been hiding and biding his time for so many years, and even led the imperial guards in the palace to rebel!
If it weren't for the secret passage in the palace, they would have already become the souls under Xiao Tianchi's sword.
"However, it doesn't matter. Only in this way will your father know that apart from our mother and son, everyone else has ulterior motives and is a stumbling block to his great cause."
Concubine Feng said, "We have the immortal master on our side. We don't have to worry about not being able to take back the world in the future. This throne will still belong to you and your father."
Xiao Wuchen nodded and said, "Mother, don't worry. I will surely help father regain the world."
Concubine Feng asked, "By the way, why did you come back alone? Where's Xiao Wuchen?"
Xiao Yixuan said expressionlessly, "I noticed his disloyalty in Dongli Town. I didn't inform him when I left. I think he must have died in the flood by now."
Concubine Feng said indifferently, "Forget it. He was just a pawn. Since he had ulterior motives, it's okay to abandon him. There's nothing to be sorry about."
Xiao Yixuan hesitated for a moment and said to Concubine Feng, "Mother, I saw Ye Wanmian in Dongli Town."
"Hmm?" Concubine Feng thought for a while. "Ye Wanmian? Are you sure you didn't recognize the wrong person?"
"How could I recognize the wrong person?" Xiao Yixuan said. "I recognized her at a glance."
"Why did she go to Dongli Town?" Concubine Feng frowned. "What was she doing there?"
Xiao Yixuan said, "She's just an ordinary village woman. She made a living by gathering and selling herbs. Later, she took a master and started learning medicine. Her master is very skilled in medicine. In Dongli Town, her master treated the traitor Mu, and then was taken back to the capital by the traitor Mu. Maybe the traitor Mu was able to recover and lead the troops to rebel because of this person!"
Concubine Feng was greatly surprised. "There's such a capable person? It would be great if we could get him to serve your father."
Thinking of something, Concubine Feng said with a half - smile, "So you're really heartless. Ye Wanmian was also in Dongli Town. This flood must have taken her life. You're really willing to let that happen?"