Prince Ji Shao Yang: "…"

While he was still trying to understand what was going on, Wei Liuying walked to their direction. She was still quite far when she heard the commotion, so she climbed wall on the side. It was then she realized what had happened and readied her bow and arrow for the right time.

Thankfully, Concubine Ling was not harmed in the end.

"Has everyone been eliminated?" Wei Liuying asked.

Yang Xian shook his head. "There are several officials who are being held in the main hall. We're going there after Prince Ji Sheng had finished his business."

"I see."

Wei Liuying took a glance to the mother and son inside the residence before turning her head away. She had no interest to listen to what they were talking about because it was a bit private.

Prince Ji Shao Yang looked at Wei Liuying's indifferent reaction. "You… don't think this is strange?"

"It's normal for mother and son to care for each other, right?" Wei Liuying asked back.

Prince Ji Shao Yang: "…" you too?

Yang Xian looked at Wei Liuying. Considering the household where Wei Liuying was raised, it was impossible for her to have that kind of view from the bottom of her heart. She must have a completely different thought since even her own mother didn't care for her and wished for Wei Liuying's death.

He pursed his lips. "When did you realize it?"

"From the moment you told me that Prince Ji Sheng is in the palace, visiting his mother."

Yang Xian: "…" that's during the time you first come to Prince Ji Sheng's Residence, right?

Wei Liuying saw Yang Xian's stunned expression and showed a sweet smile. She had guessed from the very first time that Prince Ji Sheng and his mother must have good relationship with each other. Even though the rumors were saying that they have thorny relationship, she didn't think it was that way when she saw Prince Ji Sheng's expression after he visited his mother.

He might be expressionless most of the time, but there was still the minor difference in his face.

"I presume you must have realized His Highness' real reason for not wanting the throne."

"Yes."

Prince Ji Sheng is not… the Emperor's son.

He was the child of Concubine Ling with her lover. The Emperor must have realized this point too, but he decided to play along in order to keep Prince Ji Sheng's life save. There were only a limited number of people who knew this and since Prince Ji Sheng's face was more similar to his mother, no one could guess that point.

The two mother and son were playing their roles very well. It must have all been for show when Concubine Ling acted as if she hated her own son while in truth, she was hoping for his wellbeing all day long.

Yang Xian nodded. "It's really hard to hide things from you. You're too smart."

"And you're the one who's giving me clues, Xian."

"I need to keep my guard up around you a bit more," Yang Xian said with an exasperated smile. He could guess that it would surely be hard for him since he had grown accustomed and comfortable around Wei Liuying.

Wei Liuying merely passed a smile as if challenging him to do that.

Prince Ji Shao Yang listened to their conversation and felt that his presence was unwanted here. He tried to focus on the front and noticed that Prince Ji Sheng had already walked out of the residence.

"We'll clean up the officials now," Prince Ji Sheng said. "I hope your men are ready to take over the position because there are several problems we need to handle."

"They're on their way here," Prince Ji Shao Yang responded. "Would these two come along?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure that the view won't be too much for a young girl?"

Wei Liuying arched her eyebrows. "Many thanks for your concern, Your Highness, but I believe that I'll be just fine."

Having killed so many people during the war, Wei Liuying would be a complete joke if she couldn't even handle this small view. She was already used with so many bloodbaths to the point that it was completely normal for her. Even though she didn't really like war, it was something that she had to deal with if she wished to survive.

"That's…"

"You should never underestimate other people, Imperial Second Brother," Prince Ji Sheng said unhurriedly. "How many officials are left?"

"I let the neutral side live. Also, I'm contemplating whether to use Prime Minister Wei or not?"

"Prime Minister Wei?" Yang Xian's eyes turned cold when he heard that name. "You can kill him directly for all I care."

Prince Ji Shao Yang: "…"

"Even if he's on Prince Ji Shu's side, he's also a very talented man and…"

"He's just a scum," Wei Liuying added from the back. "He can't do his work without asking for help from other officials, so you don't have to worry about his real capabilities. Even the servants in his house is smarter than him."

Prince Ji Shao Yang was completely speechless. He had the feeling that if he tried to defend Prime Minister Wei a bit more, the one who attacked him next would be Prince Ji Sheng. If he had to be honest, he didn't really like Prime Minister Wei too, but his influence was not to be underestimated.

Besides, there were many people who have connection with the so called prime minister in this kingdom.

"His connections…"

"They won't help him out when there's someone else who can replace him," Wei Liuying responded. If she was not wrong, based on her first brother's personality, he should have already started to use his father's connection to strengthen himself from the back. After all, they knew that they could not always rely on their father.

"You want to replace him?"

Wei Liuying nodded. "Wei Yijun is a much better person compared to him."

"He's not even an adult yet…"