Chapter 962: Chapter 962 – Women and Villains_Part 1 Chapter 962: Chapter 962 – Women and Villains_Part 1 Jiang Ning pondered a bit: “So, you mean to tell me, she didn’t know about this when she married Cheng Renyu?”

“Someone informed her of it the day before her wedding.”

“By ‘someone,’ you mean you, don’t you?”

Li Hongyuan smiled: “I gave her a choice. You should know that many people in this world don’t have that luxury. She’s already pretty lucky.”

“She found out, but chose to marry him anyway.”

“So, do you think Cheng Renyu was murdered by that woman?” Li Hongyuan asked.

“Of course.”

“Not necessarily.” Li Hongyuan smiled mysteriously, “Perhaps Cheng Renyu just suddenly fell ill? Since time immemorial, the number of men who’ve died in the arms of women isn’t inconsiderable.”

Jiang Ning let out a snort.

Both Huang Ren and Cheng Renyu ended up dead one after another.

However, neither Jiang Yi nor Li Hongyuan admitted to being the killers.

“Dying like that was too good for him.” Jiang Ning lamented, “Cheng Renyu was the Governor of Chang’an for three years. The avenues from which he could take bribes were far more than Huang Ren. I believe, the ill-gotten gains he amassed must be much more than Huang Ren’s.”

Li Hongyuan raised an eyebrow slightly, remaining silent.

However, Jiang Ning seemed to understand something, and hurriedly asked, “Could it be… Is the Imperial Court planning on settling scores with him?”

“There are many who would be more than happy to take a swing at someone who’s down.”

“But Cheng Renyu is the Empress’s man…”

“So what? Are people associated with the Empress untouchable?” Li Hongyuan retorted, “You dare to even launch an attack against the Empress herself, and yet you fear this Cheng Renyu?”

Jiang Ning scratched her hair, sighed and said, “It’s not that I’m afraid of Cheng Renyu. I’m worried that the situation will become increasingly unfavorable for the East Palace. If you carry out the purge now, it’s bound to arouse dissatisfaction among officials and impact the Emperor’s view of you. Besides, the Prince of Zhao is due to return soon…”

“This war, it can’t end before the end of the year at the earliest.”

“By the latest, it should end by the start of spring.”

“The future is difficult to predict.”

“What do you mean?” Jiang Ning was confused by his words, “Your Highness, you can play your power games with the Prince of Zhao, but don’t play with the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers. It also concerns the safety of my Uncle.”

Li Hongyuan sat down and poured himself a cup of tea, remarked casually: “Look at you questioning me based on your petty thoughts.”

“You consider yourself a gentleman?”

“Then, in your opinion, what am I?” Li Hongyuan looked up.

“I’m a woman,” Jiang Ning pointed to herself, then at him, “You’re a villain, neither of us are easy to deal with.”

“You dare to call the Crown Prince a villain?”

“I’m complimenting you.”

“Complimenting me how?”

Li Hongyuan seemed particularly patient today.

Usually, he would have left in a huff by now.

Jiang Ning chuckled, “I’m complimenting Your Highness on being clever.”

“That doesn’t sound like a compliment at all.” Li Hongyuan seemed displeased, but in reality he didn’t mind, “On my way back from the Crystal Frost Hall, I heard about something else.”

“What is it?”

“Yesterday, the Princess Consort of Prince Wutong paid a visit to both the Earl An’s Mansion and the Prince of Zhao’s Mansion. She openly embraced your two sisters, acting as if they were her own daughters. She even publically disciplined a few misbehaving servants in the Prince of Zhao’s Mansion.” Li Hongyuan said slowly, “What deal have you struck with the Prince of Wutong?”

“Nothing much. His daughter is, after all, absolutely insistent on marrying you. I just promised to help sort out that matter.”

“What?”

“Don’t worry, Your Highness. I mean, I will help him marry off his daughter, definitely not to you.”

“I don’t mind you lending a hand, but,” Li Hongyuan paused, “Li Yuanyuan’s injuries from the beating by Ling’an are still yet to fully heal. Your actions are going to be distressing to her.”