Chapter 52

Baimou spoke up, "Young Master Yun, how confident are you in treating Commander Xiao's injuries?"

Qin Yue's eyes also shot out a cold light, staring at Li Yunxiao. Xiao Qingwang's injuries were originally incurable, and everyone had taken this factor into account when planning the situation. Who knew that Li Yunxiao would suddenly appear, causing a significant change in the future. If Xiao Qingwang's injuries could be healed, all the plans would have to be redone!

Li Yunxiao glanced at Baimou, realizing that the Imperial Guards were not a monolithic group. He didn't know which faction Luoyun Shang belonged to, but he said calmly, "One hundred percent."

"What?!"

Both of them exclaimed in surprise, looking at each other with disbelief. Qin Yue said in a deep voice, "Young Master Yun, are you really one hundred percent sure?" He still seemed to find it hard to believe.

Li Yunxiao said lightly, "Absolutely certain. Prince Yue, do you mean to say that I shouldn't cure him?"

"No!" Qin Yue stood up abruptly, his eyes shooting out sharp glints, "He must be cured, he must be cured!" He exclaimed joyfully, "Truly, heaven is on my side! As long as Xiao Qingwang is here, my elder brother will not dare to act rashly. The longer we can drag this out, the more advantageous it will be for us!"

Li Yunxiao said, "Prince Yue is only sixteen years old, over thirty years younger than Prince Yang! I believe His Majesty also supports you, but His Majesty's health... from what I can see, his days are numbered."

Qin Yue's eyes widened in shock, "What do you mean, Young Master Yun? Have you discovered something?"

Baimou's eyes also flashed with sharp glints, "Young Master Yun, your medical skills are unparalleled. Could it be that His Majesty is ill?" Li Yunxiao had cured Qin Ruxue and Xiao Qingwang, and now both of them had complete trust in his medical skills.

Li Yunxiao nodded slightly, "His Majesty is already over seventy years old, and his body is weak from old age. But the most critical issue is that I noticed a slight silver hue in his eyes, which suggests he may have been poisoned with a slow-acting poison."

Baimou was shocked, "Someone dared to poison His Majesty?"

Qin Yue's eyes flashed with anger, "It must be my elder brother! He can't wait any longer!"

Li Yunxiao said, "If His Majesty were to suddenly pass away, it would not be a fortunate event for the Tian Shui Kingdom. I believe Your Highness should enter the palace as soon as possible, persuade His Majesty to issue an edict, and proclaim you as the prince!"

Qin Yue's face was filled with a bitter smile, "Young Master Yun, are you so certain that His Majesty wants to proclaim me?"

Li Yunxiao smiled faintly, "Who in the court doesn't know? Prince Yang has long followed His Majesty in battles, with great military achievements, and has been recognized as the heir to the throne. But in recent years, His Majesty has suddenly changed his attitude, deliberately distancing and isolating him, and gradually stripping him of his power, all of which has been transferred to you, Prince Yue. Even the three teams under Commander Baimou were sent by His Majesty to protect you. Otherwise, who in the Imperial Guards would dare to form their own factions!"

He snorted lightly, "With His Majesty's attitude, even a fool can see that he intends to proclaim you! However, Prince Yang's influence in the court and the military is too great, and His Majesty fears that you might not be able to control the situation, so he has delayed the announcement. Even our Li family was originally on Prince Yang's side, but after Old Eight came to the forefront, we began to lean towards you."

Qin Yue and Baimou exchanged glances, both shaking their heads with a bitter smile, their faces filled with dejection.

"What?" Li Yunxiao's eyelids twitched, "Is my analysis incorrect?"

Qin Yue sighed, "If even a person like Young Master Yun thinks this way, it's no wonder others do too. In fact, I am just a pawn that my father has pushed to the forefront to oppose Prince Yang!" His eyes flashed with anger, "Do you think I want to fight for the throne? I was pushed to this position by my father, and if I don't fight, I will only be dead!"

Li Yunxiao's pupils constricted, and he said in a deep voice, "Then who does His Majesty favor? Among all the princes, I can't think of anyone who would make His Majesty willing to sacrifice his other son to protect them."

Qin Yue smiled bitterly, "Does the one to be protected have to be a prince? He wants to protect himself!"

Li Yunxiao was stunned, his pupils slowly widening. He seemed to understand, and said thoughtfully, "You mean that Prince Yang is forcing His Majesty to abdicate, but His Majesty is reluctant to give up power. So to suppress Prince Yang, he pushed you to the forefront, making Prince Yang busy dealing with you and unable to focus on the throne?"

Qin Yue and Baimou's eyes were filled with shock. Qin Yue smiled bitterly, "Young Master Yun is truly a genius. With just a little hint from me, you have analyzed everything clearly! If you had helped me earlier, I might have already taken control!"

Baimou smiled, "It seems I was right. Young Master Yun is truly a great benefactor for the prince!"

Li Yunxiao thought for a moment, "If that's the case, it's troublesome. The king is poisoned and could pass away at any time. Without His Majesty's support, Prince Yue will find it difficult to contend with the elder prince."

Qin Yue's eyes flashed with determination, and he laughed loudly, "So I must find another major force to help me, and Young Master Yun's sudden appearance is truly heaven-sent!"

Li Yunxiao said, "I understand. The person you have in mind is Xiao Qingwang. But the Imperial Guards are directly under His Majesty's command. Even if Xiao Qingwang recovers, he will only support the future king, not any prince!"

Qin Yue said, "I know. But if Young Master Yun can completely cure Xiao Qingwang, he will owe you a great favor! If he slightly favors me, it will make things much easier for me. In fact, the struggle for the throne between me and my elder brother is entirely in the hands of six people. As long as four of them support me, I will have nothing to fear, even if the entire court opposes me!"

Baimou recited softly, "Prime Minister Lan Hong, that old fox has been watching from the sidelines and has not taken a side. Young Master Yun's grandfather, Duke Jingguo, was originally on the elder prince's side, but now his fate is uncertain, and the Li family's future is also unpredictable. Commander Xiao Qingwang is directly under His Majesty and does not belong to any faction. The chief alchemist of the palace, Zhang Qingfan, is inclined towards Prince Yang. The president of Jialan Academy, Zhongli Shan, is inclined towards Prince Yue because he is a student he personally taught. The last alchemist, President Xu Han, does not involve himself in state affairs and focuses solely on alchemy."

Qin Yue's eyes flickered, "I will do my best to help Young Master Yun regain control of the Li family. This way, I will have the support of the Li family and my teacher, plus the favor of Xiao Qingwang, which equals two and a half people! Even if Zhang Qingfan and Lan Hong fully support Prince Yang, I will still have a slight advantage, and the matter can be accomplished!"

Li Yunxiao said calmly, "Your Highness, don't forget that His Majesty is still alive. As long as His Majesty is alive, even if all six support you, it will be useless."

Qin Yue's eyes grew cold, "Are you saying that my father being alive is actually detrimental to me?"

Li Yunxiao said calmly, "The benefits and drawbacks depend on how you use them. If done well, it's a benefit; if done poorly, it's a drawback. But if His Majesty suddenly passes away, and everyone knows that Prince Yang poisoned him, then even if all six support Prince Yang, you will have nothing to fear!"

Qin Yue was overjoyed, quickly standing up and grabbing Li Yunxiao's hand, excitedly saying, "If Young Master Yun can help me achieve this, I will not only ensure the Li family's safety for generations, but my first act upon ascending the throne will be to order Ruxue to marry you!"

"Spit!"

Li Yunxiao spat out a mouthful of wine, splashing Qin Yue's face, "Cough, cough... Damn! Do you want to choke me to death?"

Qin Yue was stunned, and the two maids were frightened, quickly helping him wipe his face. Qin Yue pushed them away and said thoughtfully, "I understand. Young Master Yun is a man of refined talent, a flower among flowers. Ruxue is beautiful and lovely, but she is delicate and hard to care for. A short-term relationship would be enough. We are all men, I understand. If I can ascend the throne, I will certainly arrange this matter for you!"

Li Yunxiao was drenched in cold sweat. This man would even give his sister to anyone to help him ascend the throne, truly a match for his father! He hurriedly said, "Let's discuss this later. Let's talk about the main issue first, the main issue!"

Baimou also stared at Qin Yue, her eyes flashing with a hint of anger, clearly indicating that their relationship was not as simple as a lord and his subject.

Suddenly, a guard's shout came from outside, "Who is it? Be careful, there might be an assassin!"

"Whoosh, whoosh!"

Arrows rained down from the sky, shooting from all directions towards the dragon carriage. Outside, the sounds of guards' screams and fighting could be heard, "Everyone, gather together and protect the prince!"

Qin Yue's face changed slightly in the carriage but remained seated as usual. Baimou acted as if nothing had happened, pouring wine for the two of them.

Li Yunxiao's eyes flashed with surprise, and he smiled lightly, "In the face of a great enemy, Your Highness remains calm. Truly, you have a great demeanor."

Qin Yue was also surprised, "I have Commander Baimou to protect me, so I am not afraid of assassins. But Young Master Yun is alone and still so calm, which truly impresses me."

Li Yunxiao smiled, "Does Commander Baimou only protect Your Highness and not me? Then I will have to call for help."

"Ha ha," Qin Yue laughed loudly, "Young Master Yun, rest assured. I have experienced such assassinations at least nine times. As long as Commander Baimou is here, no one can harm me except the two Wuwang of the kingdom."

Li Yunxiao said calmly, "If that's the case, it's good. But this time, it might be troublesome."

"Hmm?" Both of them were stunned. Suddenly, Baimou's pupils constricted, and she looked up in shock, shouting, "Not good, the enemy has brought in an expert!"

The carriage was filled with the sounds of guards' screams, indicating that many had been killed instantly. Baimou's eyes shot out a cold, lethal gaze, and with a cold snort, she suddenly turned into a wisp of green smoke and disappeared from the carriage.

Qin Yue looked at Li Yunxiao in surprise, not understanding how he knew about the enemy's situation. Li Yunxiao's eyes narrowed slightly. Baimou's technique was indeed interesting, but to him, it was just a child's play. He smiled at Qin Yue, "Although the enemy is strong, with Commander Baimou here, Your Highness can rest assured."

Without Baimou by his side, Qin Yue seemed to lose his composure, and he said coldly, "I will not let any of the assassins tonight go unpunished!"

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