Chapter 31: Go and Kill Him

Han Shuo returned to his mansion with a smile on his face. This was a rich piece of land; once the mountain was reclaimed, he would be able to sit on a mountain of wealth!

At the thought of money, Han Shuo couldn't help but grin, his right hand unconsciously stroking a bronze Tianlu figurine, his eyes filled with greed.

"My Lord!"

"Steward Zhi has been killed." A servant reported the events that had just transpired to Han Shuo in detail.

Han Shuo froze, his expression instantly turning vicious, and he shouted, "Who did it?"

"He said he is the Emperor's eldest grandson."

The Crown Prince's palace? The Crown Prince's son?

Han Shuo waved his hand, dismissing the servant, and knelt on a meditation cushion, closing his eyes to ponder.

His Majesty had become increasingly dissatisfied with the Crown Prince's palace over the years, and the palace was also short on funds, so using coal to make money was reasonable.

Han Shuo was not clean himself; he had pocketed quite a bit over the years, but because he was still useful to Emperor Wu of Han, the Emperor had simply turned a blind eye. However, if the Crown Prince were to ascend the throne in the future, his fate would be different.

The Crown Prince and the Emperor had completely different styles. The Emperor was deeply calculating; as long as someone was useful, he would tolerate their mistakes. But the Crown Prince was different—regardless of whether a person was useful or not, they could not harm the interests of the imperial court.

Therefore, Han Shuo did not want the Crown Prince to ascend the throne smoothly under any circumstances.

In recent years, Emperor Wu had gradually distanced himself from the Crown Prince's palace, especially after the birth of Liu Fuling the year before last. Emperor Wu had personally bestowed the Yao Mother Palace upon him, which had excited Han Shuo immensely.

The political implication was clear: His Majesty was about to depose the Crown Prince!

Under such circumstances, not only did the Crown Prince's palace not keep a low profile, but they dared to kill his servant? Where did they get the audacity?!

His Majesty had been unable to find an excuse to punish the Crown Prince's palace, especially after the Crown Prince had pleaded for the people in front of so many officials last time. Han Shuo had read the threat in Emperor Wu's eyes—it was even greater disgust for the Crown Prince! He just couldn't find an opportunity to punish him.

In that case... I can just use this incident to provide His Majesty with the perfect opportunity. I believe His Majesty will certainly be pleased!

"Hmph, so what if he's a royal grandson?" Han Shuo looked disdainful. "He hasn't even grown his hair out yet, a pampered child raised in the deep palace—how could he understand the situation? Do you really think your Crown Prince's palace can do whatever it wants?"

Having figured everything out, the gloom on Han Shuo's face finally dissipated, and his smile returned.

Only when he thought of the lost gold mine of a coal mountain did he still feel a lingering sense of loss.

He could only find ways to get His Majesty to punish the Crown Prince's palace; he dared not lie or frame them in front of the Emperor. He knew that the old man hated being deceived more than anything—it was more serious than anything else. It was an act that challenged the old man's bottom line and authority, something no one dared to do!

...

Xuanshi Hall.

Bao Shengzhi bowed and relayed the details of Liu Jin killing a man at Coal Mountain to Emperor Wu of Han.

Emperor Wu paused his brush as he reviewed the memorials, a playful smile on his face. He muttered to himself, "I didn't see that coming! The boy actually dares to kill; he certainly has some guts!"

"A character who dares to act and take responsibility—I like it!"

The seasoned Emperor Wu knew full well that Liu Jin could have had his servants do the killing, but he hadn't. He couldn't help but feel a little disappointed; having a heart that was too soft was not a good thing.

"Your Majesty."

Su Wen walked in cautiously, interrupting Emperor Wu's thoughts, and said, "Marquis of Andao, Han Shuo, requests an audience."

Emperor Wu smiled slightly. "He came quite quickly."

"Go and summon him."

"Yes!"

Before long, Han Shuo entered the grand hall and bowed in obeisance.

"Your subject pays his respects to Your Majesty."

"Hmm."

Han Shuo gathered his thoughts before speaking: "I beg Your Majesty to grant me justice."

"I sent a servant to purchase a mountain, but the servant was personally beaten to death by the royal grandson."

Emperor Wu thought for a moment, stood up with his hands behind his back, walked to the screen, picked up the Emperor's Sword hanging there, and tossed it casually in front of Han Shuo. With an expressionless face, he said, "Go and kill the royal grandson."

Han Shuo was stunned. He never imagined His Majesty would handle it this way, and he hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, this... your subject dares not!"

Emperor Wu said coldly, "If you don't dare, then why did you come here?!"

"Does it mean that if my grandson kills a slave, he has to pay with his life for you?"

"Hmm?"

Emperor Wu's gaze was like a torch, staring fixedly at Han Shuo. His tone was indifferent, carrying a questioning edge, and the pressure was immense!

Han Shuo's heart began to race.

This was not what he had expected. Why... why wasn't the old man using this opportunity to punish the Crown Prince's palace?

Before coming, he was certain that Emperor Wu would stand on his side and grant him justice. After all, Emperor Wu's attitude toward the Crown Prince's palace was not good, and he had been unable to find an opportunity to punish them.

He was here to provide the opportunity! His Majesty should be on his side, standing up for him!

Why would it be like this?

Han Shuo hurried to say, "Your subject, your subject dares not."

Emperor Wu shouted sternly, "Then what did you come to Weiyang Palace for?"

Han Shuo wiped the sweat from his forehead and hurriedly said, "Your subject, your subject only wanted the Crown Prince's palace to make some form of restitution. After all, it was a life!"

Emperor Wu sneered, "If your son were dead, the Crown Prince's palace should pay compensation! A servant?"

"If you want the Crown Prince's palace to make a gesture, why don't I kill your son? Let you get a sum of money, how about that?"

Han Shuo was drenched in cold sweat, stuttering, "Your subject, your subject knows his mistake."

"Anything else?"

Han Shuo hurriedly bowed and withdrew. Only after leaving Xuanshi Hall did he dare to breathe deeply.

What did His Majesty mean by this? Why did he feel like he understood the Emperor less and less? Was he protecting the Crown Prince's palace? That couldn't be right—what on earth was going on!

...

Liu Jin returned to the Crown Prince's palace.

Liu Ju felt completely uneasy, his breathing somewhat constricted. He hurriedly said, "You, you, you, go wash up quickly, hurry, change your clothes, throw this piece away!"

His father's old habit had flared up, especially upon seeing the blood on the white silk.

After Liu Jin changed his clothes and came out, Liu Ju let out a long sigh of relief and hurriedly asked, "Jin'er, what happened? Did you slaughter a pig? Or kill a chicken?"

Liu Jin shook his head and said, "No, I killed a man."

Liu Ju shuddered all over. "You, what did you say?"

"I killed a man," Liu Jin repeated. "A steward from the Marquis of Andao's mansion."

"It's over!" Everything went black before Liu Ju's eyes, and he nearly lost his footing. He pulled up his robes and said, "You stay right here, don't go anywhere."

"To Weiyang Palace!" Liu Ju hurriedly took the palace attendants and rushed toward Weiyang Palace.

The lights were lit in Weiyang Palace. He stumbled outside Xuanshi Hall and bowed, saying, "Your son requests an audience with the Emperor."

After what felt like an eternity, the eunuch Su Wen came out and said to Liu Ju, "His Majesty tells you to go back and rest. He is aware of the royal grandson's affair."

Liu Ju was filled with apprehension. "I want to see the Emperor."

"Your Highness, please," Su Wen said, neither servile nor overbearing.

Liu Ju's heart beat faster and faster. He left Weiyang Palace feeling soul-less, his face appearing somewhat pale.

He did not know how his father would handle Liu Jin, nor did he know if his father would use this opportunity to purge the Crown Prince's palace.