Chapter 508 - 336: Ran Yunsheng Goes Missing_2
Xiao Song was himself a master of disguise, and ordinary actors could never fool him. Moreover, he was relatively familiar with Xiao Xuanzhi.
Xiao Xuanzhi’s aloof character was largely due to Lady Dongyang. With her indifferent nature, even towards her own son, she wasn’t affectionate. Xiao Xuanzhi had experienced years of chaos in his childhood and had no playmates. When he was first brought back to the main family, his relationship with his brothers was also not good, which led to his current coldness. He always protected himself with aloofness, unlike Xiao Song who excelled at pretending.
"So it seems Chun Lai’s meeting with Xiao Shiyi might indeed have been commanded by Lady Dongyang, but to avoid implicating Shilang, she refused to disclose the true reason for their meeting... I’m afraid this reason is not simple either," Ran Yan speculated.
Xiao Song moved his lips, but no sound came out. Ran Yan was certain she saw his mouth form the words: "plot for the Crown Prince."
If all this were to become known, not only Lady Dongyang but the entire Xiao Family would be implicated, and Xiao Xuanzhi, being Lady Dongyang’s son, would be the primary target.
With these three words, the mystery was already half-revealed. Lady Dongyang must be conspiring with a prince for some reason and was poisoned by a political rival of that prince. Of course, it was also possible that she couldn’t reach an agreement with the Dong Family, resulting in being silenced by them.
Ran Yan faintly felt that Ling Xiang’s death and Lady Dongyang’s poisoning were greatly connected. The closer she got to the truth, the more terrifying it became. Beneath politics lies many victims; a plot for change is no less significant than a war between two countries. Perhaps, Ling Xiang was just an unspectacular beginning.
Ran Yan felt a chill down her spine. Looking at Xiao Song, she deeply understood why he needed to be hypocritical, ruthless, and cunning—to avoid becoming a sacrificial pawn in politics. She also began to truly admire people like Duke Song and Wei Zheng for their courage to speak truthfully. Describing Wei Zheng as risking his life in his audience with the emperor was no exaggeration.