Catching Monsters

Chapter 600 Only You Are the Most Filial
"I'm not going!"

The next morning, Feng Yu went to the Crown Prince's residence and told him that His Majesty was going to send him to the southwestern front.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingqing shook his head without hesitation. He took a deep breath and looked at Feng Yu, saying, "Eunuch Feng, please help persuade my father. Putting aside the dangers of the southwestern front, wouldn't it be more troublesome for someone like me who knows nothing about military affairs to go there?"

At other times, Xiao Jingqing would have loved to go to the front lines, perhaps to earn some military merits.

But now is not the time. The situation in the capital is unclear. Who knows if these civil officials, including Jiang Yun, will try to bring Xiao Jingzhi back to the capital after I leave?

Seeing Xiao Jingqing's attitude, Feng Yu earnestly advised, "Your Highness, His Majesty has put in a lot of effort. Besides, now that things have escalated between you and Jiang Yun, His Majesty hopes you can go to the southwestern front to calm down."

"Moreover, the Crown Prince's personal presence at the front lines has a significant boost to morale."

Xiao Jingqing frowned: "Then why not send Jiang Yun to the front lines? Let Jiang Yun go and help out."

"This……"

Seeing that her persuasion was ineffective, Feng Yu shook her head helplessly. Her idea was indeed good for Xiao Jingqing, but unfortunately, Xiao Jingqing didn't appreciate it at all...

“In that case, I will report His Highness the Crown Prince’s thoughts to His Majesty.” After saying this, Feng Yu turned around and prepared to leave.

But Xiao Jingqing's eyes darted around, and he quickly stopped Feng Yu: "Eunuch Feng, please tell me the truth, if I ascend the throne in the future, I will definitely treat you well."

"Does my father really intend to summon my elder brother back to the capital?"

Hearing Xiao Jingqing's question, Feng Yu simply smiled and said, "Your Highness, although I have followed His Majesty for many years, I still cannot see through His Majesty's thoughts. I'm afraid you will have to ask His Majesty yourself about this matter."

……

"What? Minister Yan, is this really true?"

Inside the Jiang residence, Minister of Personnel Yan Hua was sitting with a cup of tea in his hand, speaking softly to Jiang Yun: "His Majesty prepared to dispatch a group of elite soldiers to protect His Highness the Crown Prince early this morning. I also received the news from the Ministry of War."

As he spoke, Yan Hua took a sip of tea and slowly said, "Do you think that if His Highness the Crown Prince leaves, we could find a way to get His Majesty to send His Highness the First Prince back to the capital?"

“That might be difficult.” Jiang Yun was silent for a moment. “His Highness the Crown Prince needs to plan carefully before returning to the capital.”

Yan Hua smiled faintly and then said, "Our ancestor said long ago that only the eldest son of the legitimate wife should succeed to the throne. Look at how many troubles His Highness the Crown Prince has caused since he ascended the throne. Not a single thing of substance has come of it."

"When he arrived at my Ministry of Personnel, he often failed to report for duty, and he was unable to handle the many trivial matters of the Ministry."

“Our Crown Prince is not able to calm his mind. Even if he ascends the throne in the future, I'm afraid he will not have the same energy to handle state affairs as our Emperor.”

At this point, Yan Hua's face showed worry, and Jiang Yun also narrowed his eyes slightly. If Xiao Jingqing really went to the front line, it would be much easier to kill him than in the capital.

But this matter must be handled flawlessly, otherwise, I will be the one who loses my head.

He sipped his tea, a thoughtful look in his eyes. Yan Hua, standing beside him, slowly rose and said, "Alright, I have to go back to the Ministry of Personnel too. I still have many things to deal with. If this news hadn't been urgent, I wouldn't have come to the Jiang residence. If we get too close, His Highness the Crown Prince will be on guard."

Jiang Yun quickly got up to see Yan Hua off, and said with a smile, "By the way, Minister Yan, how has Steward Qian been doing lately?"

"Money is no object?" Yan Hua glanced at Jiang Yun and said slowly, "I heard you two are from the same hometown?"

"Yes, Lord Qian is capable. If there is an opportunity, I hope Minister Yan will give him his guidance." Jiang Yun nodded with a smile. "I will also put in a lot of effort regarding the Crown Prince's return to the capital."

Upon hearing this last sentence, Yan Hua smiled broadly and said, "Don't worry, Lord Jiang."

After seeing Yan Hua off, Xu Suwen came from the backyard and asked, "It's quite rare for Minister Yan to visit our door." "This Minister Yan comes from a very orthodox academy and looks down on military officers like our family."

Jiang Yun nodded. After thinking for a moment, he said, "I'll write a letter to Xu Xiaogang and send it to him as fast as I can."

Soon, the official document was issued, stating that the war in the southwest had entered a critical stage, and that His Highness the Crown Prince had volunteered to go to the front line to boost the morale of the soldiers. His Majesty dispatched five hundred imperial guards to accompany him as His Highness the Crown Prince's personal guards.

As for Xiao Jingqing's opposition, it's not important.

Once Xiao Yuzheng has made a decision, how can Xiao Jingqing's opposition change it?
Xiao Jingqing knew that the matter was settled and there was no way to change it. He sat in the Crown Prince's residence, holding a wine cup in his hand, drinking strong liquor, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Once he leaves the capital, he doesn't know if anything will happen.

After much deliberation, he seemed to have made up his mind and quickly took two jars of strong liquor from the Crown Prince's residence.

And they quickly went to the palace.

Soon, he arrived outside the Imperial Study and said loudly, "Father, I know your intentions. After all, you are going to the front line. I have come here to have a drink with you."

The door to the Imperial Study opened, and Feng Yu, with a smile on his face, said, "It seems that Your Highness has come to a realization."

Xiao Jingqing entered the imperial study, where Xiao Yuzheng sat on the dragon throne and said with emotion, "It's good that my son has figured it out. Please sit down."

"Eunuch Feng, and two other senior figures in secret, I would like to have a heart-to-heart talk with my father. Please go outside," Xiao Jingqing said.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuzheng glanced at Feng Yu and said indifferently, "Feng Yu, Black Shadow and White Shadow, you two go out first. I'll have a chat with the Crown Prince and teach him the ways of being a ruler."

"Yes." Upon hearing this, Feng Yu bowed respectfully before leaving the imperial study.

Shadows of black and white, hidden in the shadows, also arrived outside the Imperial Study and waited.

“Father, I have thought it through. Going to the front lines to gain experience is a good thing. I have made many mistakes in the past, and I will definitely listen to your teachings in the future.”

"As for Jiang Yun, I am not fixated on dealing with him."

Xiao Yuzheng smiled faintly and said slowly, "It's best if you can figure it out. Go to the bar."

"Yes." Xiao Jingqing respectfully poured two bowls of wine and drank them first. Xiao Yuzheng then took a sip and slowly said, "Eighth Prince, you are the most filial, and I love you too, but there are many things you cannot do recklessly."

"Your elder brother is still in the north. If you are truly unable to assume the position of Crown Prince, I will summon him back to the capital at any time, understand?"

Hearing this, Xiao Jingqing's smile remained unchanged, but his heart was once again pierced. He took a deep breath and said, "The position of Crown Prince should naturally be held by someone with the ability, Father..."

He sat down next to Xiao Yuzheng and rested his head on Xiao Yuzheng's chest.

Xiao Yuzheng patted Xiao Jingqing's head with emotion and said, "You children have caused me a lot of trouble. You are the most filial. When I was about to die, you were by my side serving me..."

Before he could finish speaking, a sharp pain suddenly shot through his chest.

Xiao Jingqing, unaware of what had happened, pulled out a hidden dagger and instantly stabbed it into his heart.

"You!" Xiao Yuzheng's eyes widened, and he wanted to shout, but Xiao Jingqing covered his mouth tightly.

Xiao Jingqing's eyes gleamed with an eerie light as he lowered his voice and said, "As long as you die, I can ascend the throne and become emperor! I will no longer be the crown prince!"

(End of this chapter)