64: The imperial city family, the Cai family, and the Lu family!

Hearing these words, the Crown Prince’s previously enraged face slowly calmed down.

After pondering for a while, he immediately sternly rebuked, “Mei Li, I do not wish to hear such words that are detrimental to our unity again.”

“I will carefully consider this matter.”

“I am tired. The Prince of Guanshan and my third brother, stay. Everyone else, you may leave first.”

The Crown Prince waved his hand, and his retainers all responded, “Yes, Your Highness.”

As those people departed, only the three of them remained in the hall.

At this moment, he looked solemn.

Clearly, he must have also grown suspicious of his internal personnel.

However, on the surface, he still could not show it, as that would be detrimental to their unity.

As for his third brother and the Prince of Guanshan, he completely trusted them.

“Your Highness, it is indeed very likely that there are some problems within our ranks…”

“Should I report this matter to the National Preceptor and the Empress?” the Prince of Guanshan, Beisong, asked with a serious expression.

The Crown Prince solemnly said, “There is no need to make too much noise about this matter for now. I will inform Mother and the National Preceptor myself.”

“Since there’s a problem internally, that person will certainly not act rashly now, so it might not be that simple to catch them.”

Chu Yuan then interjected, “Big Brother, if that’s the case, then we can only rely on the local forces within the Imperial City.”

Hearing this, the Crown Prince thought seriously, “Third Brother, personally send messages to the patriarchs of the Cai Family and Lu Family, as well as the power holders of the Thousand Kill Mercenary Group and Cloud Mist Tower, and have them come to the Eastern Palace immediately. I have important matters to discuss with them!”

“Yes.”

After Chu Yuan responded, he immediately sent messages to these forces.

The Cai Family and the Lu Family, these two major local aristocratic families of the Imperial City, rank first and second in terms of foundational strength among all Imperial City families!

Both are above the Yan Family!

Especially the Cai Family, as the foremost family in the Imperial City, they even have an aged Venerable Realm Old Ancestor within their clan.

As for the Thousand Kill Mercenary Group and Cloud Mist Tower, they are also renowned forces within the Imperial City. Although they do not have as deep a Foundation as the Cai Family in the Imperial City, they also possess several Nirvana Realm powerhouses!

And they all share a common point!

They are all forces of the Empress Faction and belong to the Crown Prince’s side.

Half an hour later.

In the Eastern Palace hall, four figures entered the hall in succession.

The identities of the four were: Cai Yongming, the patriarch of the Cai Family.

Lu Sansi, the patriarch of the Lu Family.

Feng Bubai, the leader of the Thousand Kill Mercenary Group.

Cloud Nianniang, the master of the Cloud Mist Tower.

Three men and one woman, their auras growing stronger one after another, all of them powerhouses at the Nirvana Realm level.

After the four entered the hall and exchanged a few polite words with the Crown Prince, they all took their seats.

“Your Highness, may I ask why you have summoned us today? Do you have any instructions?” Cai Yongming, the patriarch of the Cai Family, was the first to ask.

“Everyone, Black Iron King and Elder Wang Han of the Divine Sect went missing a few days ago because of Xiao Yan.”

“However, not long ago, my three retainers also met with an accident when they went outside the city to deal with the steward of Chu Yun’s residence.”

“Now their whereabouts are unknown, and I suspect that the Eastern Palace’s interior might not be entirely clean.”

“Therefore, I can only ask you to come and assist me. Only you few are trustworthy,” Crown Prince Chu Rong said solemnly.

Hearing the Crown Prince’s words, the four people’s expressions changed in surprise.

“Black Iron King and Elder Wang have gone missing!!”

Cai Yongming’s brows immediately furrowed.

He had dealt with both of these individuals.

Especially Wang Hancuo, his cultivation was comparable to his own.

Even he went missing, the water behind this matter would likely not be shallow…

“Your Highness, could it be that the bounty on Xiao Yan was issued by Your Highness?” Cloud Nianniang had an elegant demeanor, and her face was well-preserved, making it difficult to discern the traces of time. Even her voice as she spoke now carried a hint of a numbing sensation.

“Precisely.”

“That was Mother’s intention; we must find out what is going on with that Xiao Yan!”

The Crown Prince’s face then showed some disappointment: “However, until now, there has been no news from Misty Rain Tower.”

“From my perspective, I’m afraid there isn’t much hope.”

Hearing this, the few people in the hall had various thoughts.

Lu Sansi, the patriarch of the Lu Family, was famously shrewd in the Imperial City. He pondered for a moment and immediately asked, “Your Highness, what does the Empress say about this? What do you need our families to do?”

Strictly speaking, the person who brought these four major forces under control was the Empress.

Although the Crown Prince also held a noble status and was a Dragon son.

But to them, he was still a bit too young.

“My intention is to temporarily put Xiao Yan’s matter aside.”

“First, focus on dealing with Chu Yun and those around him!”

“Now that Shura Venerable is gone, with just Luo Feng, I don’t believe he can hide in his residence all day and not come out!”

“As soon as he comes out, that will be our best opportunity to act against him!” The Crown Prince’s eyes flashed with a hint of eager killing intent.

His desire to kill Chu Yun was growing more urgent at this moment.

Especially after so many incidents, now that Shura Venerable has been transferred away, he absolutely cannot miss this opportunity!

As the few of them listened, with Shura Venerable no longer in the Imperial City, there was indeed great hope if they were to deal with Chu Yun.

However, the only thing that made them hesitant was still the current Emperor.

“Your Highness, if we kill Chu Yun within the city, won’t the consequences be too great?”

“He has just returned, and His Majesty values him so highly. If he were to die at this critical juncture, I’m afraid a storm would be unavoidable,” Lu Sansi continued.

“Your Highness, I think Brother Lu makes a good point.”

“Chu Yun can be killed, but if he dies at this critical juncture, His Majesty will certainly be furious, and then everything might go wrong,” Cai Yongming also said with some apprehension.

The Crown Prince’s expression gradually showed a hint of sullen anger: “I don’t care about any of that!”

“Chu Yun must die as soon as possible!”

“Even if Father holds you accountable afterwards, with me and Mother here, what do you have to worry about?”

Cai Yongming’s expression was composed, and he then responded, “Your Highness, I think this matter still needs to be discussed with the Empress for her opinion.”

“Didn’t I say so?!”

“I will speak to Mother!”

“You just need to find an opportunity to act against Chu Yun!”

“If you are truly worried about a contingency, then kill Luo Feng as well!”

“You are my people. When I inherit the throne, you will naturally all receive great rewards!!” The Crown Prince was anxious.

At this moment, he realized that these four people he had summoned did not truly obey his commands from the heart!

On the contrary, a large part of the reason was because of his Mother.

Cai Yongming and Lu Sansi’s expressions were troubled. Just then, a figure dressed in Phoenix robes slowly appeared outside the hall door, her dark eyes looking at him with a hint of disappointment.

The Crown Prince noticed her, looked over, and his expression immediately changed: “Mother… Mother!”