Lu Wanning was terrified. She didn't dare to move and just leaned against the couch motionless, pretending to be asleep.
Sheng Songlin wore a smile on his lips. "The position is mine? He came to the capital as a hostage at the age of three. For all these years, he's been alone. Father has always kept him in mind and pities him far more than he does me. Not to mention anything else, just the fact that he's been a hostage for seventeen years is enough for Father to continue feeling sorry for him."
Lu Wanning vaguely remembered that after Sheng Songyan's biological mother died during childbirth, the King of Qishan remarried a primary wife. This Sheng Songlin was only one year younger than Sheng Songyan. So, was it this new princess of Qishan who sent Sheng Songyan to be a hostage?
However, if the King of Qishan had really given the order for Sheng Songyan to secretly escape from the capital, it meant that father and son hadn't fallen out. So, the King of Qishan shouldn't have sent his second son to take his place, right?
Sheng Songlin looked up and sneered coldly. "Things that haven't been obtained don't count."
The official quickly flattered him. "Second Young Master is truly far - sighted. It's our lack of vision."
Sheng Songlin personally poured tea for the two officials and then said indifferently, "I understand what you mean, but the power of our Qishan Prince's Mansion has declined greatly. There are many things that I'm afraid I'm willing but unable to do."
"You're wrong. The King of Qishan has regained the Emperor's trust. And Qishan is on the border of the Great Zhou. If there's no King of Qishan to guard it, the Great Zhou will surely be in turmoil. The military power will surely return to the King of Qishan's hands sooner or later."
Sheng Songlin looked up and raised his eyebrows. "Does His Highness the Crown Prince have so much confidence in me?"
The official laughed. "His Highness the Crown Prince has always had good judgment."
Sheng Songlin reached out and took the scroll of the memorandum. After thinking for a while, he said coldly, "My father is not to be feared. And Sheng Songyan only knows how to follow women around. However, I don't like flies blocking my way..."
The official felt relieved. If Sheng Songlin had agreed too quickly, he would have been worried. "Second Young Master, don't worry. We both know Sheng Songyan's capabilities. It's as easy as flipping a hand to kill him."
Lu Wanning was extremely shocked. Were they plotting to kill Sheng Songyan in secret?
Sheng Songlin shook his head. "If something happens to him at this time, won't I be the prime suspect? What I want is the position of the heir apparent. I want him to be disgraced and have no chance of getting the position of the heir apparent in his lifetime. It's not his life."
The two officials fell silent.
Sheng Songlin glanced at them indifferently. "I didn't expect that His Highness the Crown Prince doesn't even have such a little ability in the capital?"
The official immediately responded, "Please wait for good news, Young Master."
However, the two didn't leave immediately. They hesitated and looked towards the screen.
Sheng Songlin didn't care. He laughed softly. "I'm different from Sheng Songyan. He used to like being surrounded by beautiful women, and now he only likes one particular beauty. I've always thought that beautiful women are a distraction. After using them... they're useless. This beauty has very dexterous hands and a smooth tongue. I'm going to keep her as a souvenir."
Lu Wanning was stunned for a moment. If she were really the beauty in Sheng Songlin's words, she would probably be scared to death by now.
No, wasn't she a beauty now?
Lu Wanning suddenly fell off the couch and whimpered with a pinched throat.
Sheng Songlin snorted. "I hate it most when people cry."
Lu Wanning's sobs got stuck in her throat. Looking from behind the screen, one could only see the beauty trembling all over as if she had no bones.
Sheng Songlin turned around and looked at the two officials, frowning. "Do you still have something to say?"
One official frowned and wanted to get closer, but the other one pulled him back and shook his head. Then they both left.
Sheng Songlin took out a knife and threw it in the direction of the screen. Lu Wanning cooperated and let out a shrill scream.
Not long after, the guards came in and whispered something.
Sheng Songlin waved them away and said in a low voice, "Come out."
Lu Wanning tidied up her clothes and walked out. She sighed. "Alas, acting is not easy. I even had to act as a beauty scared to death by you."
Sheng Songlin laughed heartily and leaned back in his chair. "Princess, you're so interested. Why did you come to this brothel?"
Lu Wanning pursed her lips and didn't explain. She just asked, "Hey, are you really going to deal with your elder brother?"
Sheng Songlin glanced at her. "What, are you going to snitch?"
Lu Wanning was stunned. How was she supposed to answer this?
Sheng Songlin didn't care at all. "Even if you want to snitch, you won't be able to find him."
It was true. During the Mid - Autumn Palace Banquet some time ago, no one knew where Sheng Songyan had gone. People often said that Sheng Songyan had done some stupid things to coax Zhen Yan.
She hadn't seen Zhen Yan for a long time. Every time she made an appointment, Zhen Yan refused to come out and just stayed at home all day. It was really different from her before.
Sheng Songlin raised his eyebrows and asked, "You came here today because of your cousin, right?"
Lu Wanning was stunned. She didn't expect Sheng Songlin to know this. She quickly asked, "You know? I saw He Chan get on a carriage. The carriage stopped here. Is He Chan here?"
Sheng Songlin nodded. "However, it's not your business. This brothel belongs to Sheng Chenyi. If you keep barging in like this, it won't be good if someone catches you on a handle."
Lu Wanning quickly asked again, "Well... I'm not trying to interfere. I'm just curious. He Chan is a noble lady of extraordinary status. Why would she come here?"
Sheng Songlin looked at her. "If a princess can come, why can't she?"
Lu Wanning choked. "I'm different."
Sheng Songlin didn't say much. He pointed outside. "There are people outside now. Later, I'll have someone take you out secretly. Don't come again in the future."
Lu Wanning didn't agree. "No, you should tell me. I'm really curious why He Chan is here."
"She once harmed you. Why do you still care about her?"
Lu Wanning shook her head. "I'm not trying to care about her... It's just... I'm simply curious..."
Although she said so, she didn't even believe herself. How could it be just curiosity? She didn't even quite understand why she cared about He Chan's affairs.
Perhaps it was because He Chan had secretly come to her and given her a little information that day, even though that information wasn't of much use to her.
Sheng Songlin didn't ask more. "She brought it on herself and was also forced. Now she's a chess piece for Sheng Chenyi to win people over. Of course, in Sheng Chenyi's mind, everyone is his chess piece."
"I know, but He Chan is so stupid. What use can she be?"
Sheng Songlin glanced at her, frowned, covered his lips and coughed. "You're not much better."
Lu Wanning touched her nose, feeling very unhappy. After thinking for a while, she said, "By the way, are you going to defect to Sheng Chenyi?"
Sheng Songlin didn't confirm or deny it.
"I'm telling you, Sheng Chenyi is a very insidious and selfish person. Following him is like seeking the tiger's skin. I suggest you not take sides randomly."
Sheng Songlin laughed softly. "It's just a matter of each getting what they need."
Lu Wanning choked. Sheng Chenyi wanted the throne, and Sheng Songlin wanted the position of the heir apparent. It was really a case of each getting what they needed.