Dylan and Aurora's funerals were solemn and mournful, and most of the families sent important members to the funeral.

After the funeral, the emperor decreed that the fiefdom that the two men would nominally inherit when they reached adulthood was multiplied, and then passed on to their brother and sister, the Saxons, and Michelle, who had just been born less than ten days old, and who would inherit his fiefdom a year later, on his twentieth birthday.

The eldest princess, who had just given birth, went to the palace to visit Michelle the day after the funeral, and the day after returning to the house, the news spread in the eldest prince's mansion that Princess Ruthmarie was seriously ill.

Princess Ruthmary was of noble birth, low-key and gentle on weekdays, and her popularity in the imperial capital was not bad, and many people secretly pitied this unfortunate mother behind her back.

At the same time, as the emperor angrily reprimanded the "cunning fox" Pattisse and ordered the third prince Charles to reflect behind closed doors, there were more twists and turns on the book in front of him to impeach the officials and nobles of the three princes, but after those twists and turns entered the inner hall of the Champs, there was no news, making it difficult to figure out the emperor's intentions.

And the ministers and nobles who usually had close contacts with the three princes also fell silent, and they seemed extremely low-key compared to the past, as if they had their tails between them.

But the strange thing is that after their group fell silent, there was a calm and harmonious political situation, which made people who originally thought that there must be some people who would jump out to suppress the faction of the Three Princes and take the opportunity to seize one or two key positions were confused.

The Three Princes' Mansion.

Charles, who had been ordered to close his door to introspection, stood in front of the window, his figure more than a circle thin, and a thick fleece shirt draped over his shoulders.

On the desk behind him is an open black willow box, the wooden box is obviously antique, the flat box is neatly stacked with more than a dozen letterheads that have been opened, and there is a delicate silk silver incense burner on the side, and the curling aroma of agarwood is wafting out of it.

Charles held an unfolded piece of paper. The expression on his face that had always been smiling was faint, and he looked down at the letter in his hand.

Lao Wu was so calm that he couldn't wait to jump out. With his weak connections in this area, I am really impressed that I can resist and be cautious, and it seems that I am not the only one who is plotting - unfortunately, Yokjardan, you are not destined to be my real competitor, you are going in the wrong direction! ”

Charles muttered to himself, a slight mockery on his face, and then folded the letter. Put it back in the wooden box, and then place the lid of the wooden box into a hidden box at the head of the bed.

Locked up in the mansion, Princess Catherine has just finished her funeral. There was no one around to spend time with him.

Charles also followed the emperor's order, closed the door and did not see outsiders, turned everyone away, and usually did not even touch the maids except for running horses, practicing swords, cultivating fighting spirit, and reading books.

He sent for the main building where they had lived to be sealed. In particular, Catherine's room is not messy, and the furnishings are as if Catherine was alive.

After the room was cleaned up, for a while, he usually spent half an afternoon every day, going into the main building and locking himself in Catherine's bedroom without seeing anyone, and even his only son, Eli, who was less than ten years old and had just become sensible, was in the pain of losing his mother. and to comfort him, and beg him not to dwell on his pain.

On the day Eli was comforted, the father and son spent the night in the main building. From the next day, there were rumors outside that Charles had a deep affection for his deceased wife.

On this day, after having eaten early in the room, Charles went to the house's horse farm to run a few laps as usual.

When he got off the horse sweating profusely, a fat man in a cloth coat was waiting on the sidelines with a sweaty head.

If anyone has ever seen this fat man. You will find that this person is the owner of the largest private carriage and horse post in the imperial capital, and he is a real black and white character. is extremely wealthy, and he has a lot of thug eyeliner under him.

Charles dismounted, took the towel handed by the waiter and wiped his sweat, walked to the shade of the tree, glanced at the fat man who followed behind, and said with a faint smile:

"Why, you can't find it yet?"

"Master, our men found the slum all the way, but the day before there was a fire in that alley, which burned not only a house, but also many people died in it.

Our people estimated that they had already left at that time, and asked the people in the slums, the slums were mixed, and there were often unknown people coming in and out, and no one remembered what happened three days ago, and the local snakes who knew the movement of this alley happened to gamble in that alley the night before, and they were burned to death together. ”

The fat man wiped his sweat, and the flesh on his face squeezed out a lot of oil and sweat like a fatty ointment.

"It's gambling and not sleeping, how can you let yourself be burned to death by fire?"

Charles smiled lightly, "It seems that I guessed wrong before, I originally suspected that someone around me had leaked secrets, but this kind of arson and murder can only be done by my good brother or a few families, with their power, it is not difficult to find your people in advance and transfer Heidi." ”

"Now ......"

The fat man breathed a screen, he would never think that the smile of this highness meant tolerance, in fact, many times, the more Charles smiled, the more it meant that the anger in his heart was burning.

"Heidi didn't know anything, and I was just in case, even if they accused Heidi, what could they do, and what could they prove? That's probably why they haven't dared to do it so far! ”

Charles smiled faintly, his expression was calm, he took two steps in the shade of the tree, and the index finger and middle finger of his right hand behind his back inadvertently rubbed twice, and then hooked his lips and smiled:

"Stop searching people and take back all the people you sent out - you didn't let them know the identity of the people you're looking for!"

"No, the villain only described the appearance and characteristics of the young lady, and he would never dare to reveal the identity of the young lady, and it would ruin the big thing of His Royal Highness!" The fat man hurriedly promised.

"So from today onwards, spread some rumors about that night's assassination in places like the Inn, and say that the assassination was actually instigated by someone behind the scenes, and the truth is mixed, and we brothers, Prince Cyril and Phillips, Bencent, and the Blue Lion are all involved—don't leave me out, you know?"

"Huh?"

The fat man was dumbfounded, his eyes rolled, and when he contacted Charles's previous words, he immediately understood his intentions, and hurriedly greeted him, "Your Highness is wise." What a brilliant idea! ”

……

"Hmph, pretend!"

Yokjardan dropped the letterhead and said disdainfully, "An affectionate husband mourns his deceased wife? I'm tired of this vulgar routine, Charles will only use this way to attract people's hearts! Who is a clear-eyed person who doesn't know what is going on with Charles and his wife, and whether the child in Catherine's womb is his or not, it's hard to say! ”

"But it's better than if he can pretend than if you can't even pretend, and you're still not engaged, let alone offspring."

The henchman standing in front of Yokjadan thought. For a while, I was full of sorrow.

But the topic of marriage is a taboo in front of Yorkiadan, and henchmen dare not mention it. Just asked:

"His Royal Highness Charles is dormant, take advantage of this great opportunity, are we really not going to make a move? In this way, the benefits ceded by His Royal Highness Charles will be divided between the Prince and the other two Highnesses! ”

"The more times like this. I can't jump out," Jokjadan closed his eyes and said, "I used to be too anxious, and the matter of the ice field showed traces, which made my father suspicious of me. ”

Because of the different expectations of him, Yokjartan received little imperial education. When he became an adult, he began to get in touch with a little government affairs in the past year or two, and when it came to politics, he asked himself if he was indeed inferior to Odin and Charles. Along the way, even with Rice's secret support, he has stumbled and fallen a lot and learned a lot of lessons.

Therefore, Jokjartan developed a cautious habit, thought about it and asked: "The matter of moving the palace." Is there a rumor that my father is going to put someone responsible? ”

"Not yet," the henchman bowed his head. "But Prince Cyril and His Royal Highness Byron have been in and out of the Champs frequently lately, and the candidate is likely to be one of these two."

Hearing this, York's face softened slightly:

Byron has a congenital disadvantage among all his brothers because of the purity of his blood, and Yorkiadan positioned this second brother as the new emperor's Prince Cyrill, and from the recent closeness between Byron and Prince Cyril's palace, his father also thought so.

If these two people were in charge of moving the palace, Yorkiadan would certainly be happy to see it happen.

After all, with Douglas's character, he will be arrogant with a little power in his hands, and he likes to find trouble when he has nothing to do, although he can't do anything big with his talent and courage, but he can make trouble and make everyone disgusted, but he doesn't know it.

Douglas has a bad relationship among the five brothers, and Yorkiadan is the one who hates Douglas the most, as he happens to be the younger brother below Douglas.

Say what to say, as soon as Yokjaran thought of Douglas, Douglas came to the door.

"You're visiting the Purple Rose Lady's Mansion? The Lady's Palace has not yet been officially opened, and it has not been able to entertain guests except for close friends, don't you know? ”

Yorkiadan frowned, hiding disdain in his eyes:

Even Douglas deserves to covet Ann. Beautiful jade? It's overwhelming!

"Of course I know, so please come along, you can be regarded as close to her life-saving grace!"

Because the purpose was obvious, Douglas also spread it out.

Yokojadan was so disgusted by him that he couldn't speak, but he couldn't learn from Douglas so shamelessly, and he had been immersed in imperial studies recently, so he smirked:

"Recently, I have attended several funerals in a row, and I am feeling tired, and Elizabeth has spread the word that the queen mother is slightly ill, and I just wanted to visit, I am afraid that I will not be able to accompany you."

He knew that Douglas was not very popular with his parents, and he usually didn't like to go to the palace the most, and he didn't like to show his face in front of his parents, and even in the days when he was dying, he only came in once a day in the morning to visit, and left after a quarter of an hour.

This time, Douglas came to the Maple Palace to look for him, and I am afraid that he has not seen the queen mother, so Yokjaran is not afraid of him exposing it.

"The queen mother is slightly sick, then I will also visit her, and by the way, I will also go to see Xiao Mi Xue'er!"

Douglas was still a little dry in front, but naturally in the back, when he mentioned Michelle, he also looked at Yokjaran meaningfully, but Yokjaran didn't hear it, but when he was barking at the dog, Douglas changed the subject and said:

“…… Since you want to stay in the palace and be your good son, then I will go by myself, do I dare not see her if I come to the door in person? ”

Yokjaran sneered.

In fact, he knew in his heart that half of Douglas's unpleasant image was deliberately pretended by him:

Douglas, who is also the son of his father, is not completely unaware of that position, but he knows that he is not liked and has little hope, so he establishes such an image, while flirting between his brothers and parents, and at the same time has no power and talent on the surface. After the new emperor ascends the throne, he will not be in the way of being driven out, which can be called advance and retreat.

But in the eyes of Jokjardan, he only thinks that Douglas is a pure fool:

If you don't even have the courage to fight for the throne, how can you give people confidence? How can I be attached to betting? How could he be favored by his father? How can there be a silver lining?

Even the competition for the position subconsciously found a good way to be the grass on the wall, what else can he do?

Douglas thinks he has a plan, but everyone can see his little tricks. It's just a joke and doesn't break it - just by his vacillating behavior, the possibility of ascending to the throne has been eliminated!

Instead, he was his father. Even if he handed over the position to the down-to-earth and steady Byron, he would not consider Douglas and let Merlin's good inheritance fall into his hands.

Douglas couldn't see his brother's eyes, and said there:

"It's okay if you don't go, but it's okay to give me a reference? You are also a mage. Should know what Master Lynn likes. ”

Before Yokjardan could say anything, Douglas had already clapped his hands and asked the guards to bring the gifts he had prepared from the carriage.

Jokjardan picked up the teacup without hesitation, secretly surprised that Douglas was so dead in his face that he let his guards spread out the gifts he had prepared on the table and sipped the tea slowly.

Douglas prepared a total of eight gifts. It can be seen that he has put some effort into it, and what is on the table is either expensive or unusual, and Douglas may not be without the intention of showing off his wealth. It is too expensive to make a gift for the first visit, and I am afraid that it will be directly An. Lynn retreated.

Yokjadan looked at it quietly, and when his eyes touched the last item that the guard had just brought to the table, the pupils in the depths of his blue eyes shrank to the size of a pintip, and his heart felt cold.

Douglas has been keeping an eye on York's reaction. Seeing this, a slight joy flashed in his eyes, and he said with a smile:

"How? I'm not bad about these things, right? ”

Yokjardan put away a smirk. After staring at it for a moment, he moved his gaze to Douglas and asked expressionlessly:

"Where did this stone sculpture come from?"

Yes, the last gift Douglas gave was a serpentine stone sculpture the size of a man's fist.

The stone carving stone is ordinary, in addition to the simple lines but lifelike, so that the entrenched giant snake seems to be a living thing, the overall carving style is unique, and the popular in the world is very different, there is not much value, even the other seven kinds of rare treasures on the table can not be compared.

But it was also this giant serpent stone carving that made York's Ardans instantly change color.

York's magic cultivation is not low, and his eyes are under some pressure on Douglas, who has just reached the golden level, but Douglas is not afraid at all, but he is interested in surprise:

"You really reacted to it!"

"Sure enough?" Yokjardan said coldly.

Douglas, however, pretended to be mysterious, and refused to say more, but asked deliberately:

"What's so special about this python stone carving? I've been getting it for almost half a month, and I don't see anything special. ”

Half a month......

Yokjar chuckled in his heart and snorted coldly, "Hmph! There's really nothing special about it. ”

Douglas looked incredulous.

But Yokjardan is telling the truth.

He had almost deciphered the supreme authority of the ruins, and spent his days and nights with the stone carvings, familiar with their lines and styles as if they were his own palm prints.

At first glance, he was attracted by that similar style, but after a second look, he found that this giant python stone sculpture was only similar in shape, and someone deliberately imitated its style, but the shape was not similar, this stone sculpture was definitely not from that ruin, and it was impossible to have the strange power contained in those stone sculptures.

Douglas didn't say anything when he saw York's cold face, his eyes rolled, but he didn't brush his sleeves away, but answered York's previous question:

"Well, I'll tell you where it came from—this stone sculpture actually appeared in my carriage one day for no apparent reason, and along with it, there was a note."

Saying this, Douglas whetted his appetite again and paused deliberately.

"What did it say?" Yokyadan asked coldly.

"Hmm...... It says, let me bring this stone sculpture to you, and you will have a very interesting reaction. That's why Douglas just "sure did".

Yokjardan lowered his eyes.

He had just secretly activated a polygraph gem on his body, and what Douglas said was true, so after half a month in the world, the possibility of finding clues has become extremely slim.

Thinking of this, he didn't give any more spare light to Douglas and the stone carving, and said expressionlessly:

"So now you see it. It's OK to go. ”

"Don't you want this stone carving?" Douglas said unexpectedly.

"This thing is worthless, I can't even look down on it for building walls, what's the use of coming!"

Douglas had already made it clear that he had come with bad intentions, and Yorkiadan didn't need to give him any good looks.

Douglas's eyes purred twice, and then he really got up and said:

"Alright then, I'm leaving, I'll make this thing as a gift, Ann. When Earl Lynn sees it, he will surely come out to meet me. ”

"Wait!"

Yokjardan's heart moved, and he had a bad premonition. "Why did you give her this stone carving?"

He originally thought that the reason for the reference was just a reason for Douglas to put the stone sculpture in front of him.

"Because there's a second sentence on that note—if you don't need the statue. Just let me give it to Ann. Count Lynn, she'll be interested too. ”

Douglas grinned and gestured to leave.

The effects of polygraphy haven't gone away, and what Douglas says is true.

Yokjaran chuckled in his heart, and a dark fire rose in his heart. But the electric light flashed in his mind Lin An's journey in the ice field, and the time was the same as his time in the ice field, and he suddenly realized:

"No, although she was also in the ice field at that time, she was in the rear camp of the Western Front, and it was impossible for her to fight Chris. Sephiroth (the name of Saleen's incarnate auctioneer at the time) is related. And judging from Chris's later indications, he didn't have any foreign aid. ”

After this thought crossed his mind, Yokjartan calmed down. and quickly find out the suspicious points:

"Wait...... Later, Galileo also said that on their return journey, Chris chased after the team of the honorees, and it was likely that there was a helper in it......"

Yorkiadan's face was cloudy:

He suspected that the people behind the scenes just got these details from somewhere and deliberately fabricated a false image. Let him and Ann. After all, the polygraph only shows that Douglas is not lying. It doesn't mean that what the note says is true.

But if it was good that Douglas had been secretive and had admitted the origin of the stone carving so directly, the seeds of doubt could not help but be planted in York's heart:

With his arrogance, he couldn't bear that he had been kept in the dark and thought that he had formed an alliance with Lin An, but in fact it was just a joke in her eyes-

As long as he thought of this possibility, Jokjadan felt as if there was a slap in the face, making his face and heart hot!

Yokjadan's heart was filled with ice and fire, stirred up into a pot of porridge.

But he moved his eyes to the side, and when he saw Douglas smiling and watching a good show, Huo Ran calmed down, and a fake smile appeared on his thin lips.

"Take a closer look, in fact, this stone carving is not so useless, the sculpture technique is quite master-style, and suddenly I want to stay and figure it out, fourth brother, can you cut love?"

The content is an inquiry, but Yorkiadan's gaze is unquestionable.

"Yes, of course! It's rare that you call me brother, I can't refuse your little request! ”

The show is over, and it seems that he can't pry anything out of York's mouth, Douglas readily agreed, and didn't look at York's Yadan's black face, so he did it:

"However, I went to visit the Lady's Palace......"

"Of course, I should accompany me, and I should have come to the door in person to thank Lady Purple Rose!"

Yokjaran also didn't want Douglas to visit Lin An alone, although he knew it couldn't be prevented.

"Sure enough, it's still Yokjadan, you're refreshing!" Douglas said with a smile.

The two brothers changed the stiff atmosphere before, and the brothers and sisters had lunch in the Maple Palace, and then went to visit the queen together before parting outside the Elysee Palace.

Yokjardan went back to the Maple Palace alone, and looked at the statue in the study for a long time before calling someone in—

"Check! Find out if there are any special people in the ranks of the Honorees, especially those with Ann. Master Lynn has a relationship with someone! Also, send someone to watch Douglas's every move! ”

Douglas changed horses at the palace gate and galloped all the way back to the mansion.

As soon as he entered the door, he put away his relaxed face with a smile, and said to the captain of the guard behind him with a sinking face:

"In the last month, all those who have approached my carriage have been immediately identified! I want to see who knows me so well that he dares to blatantly take advantage of this prince! ”

After he finished speaking, his face turned cold-

The inexplicable joke-like stone carving really implicated Yorkyrdan and Ann. Beautiful jade!

What's even more terrifying is that the other party understands his temperament so well, and puts such an important thing in his hands, and after half a month, he doesn't see any more movement from the other party, as if he is sure that he will definitely make a move......

PS：

Thank you ChryT for the pink tickets! o(n_n)o~

Last month's pink ticket was really bad, and the subscription dropped very badly, and it's a new January, so please support you!

Character Cards:

Fat Man (Harry. Ford) - one of Merlin's largest private innkeepers, Charles's source of money and one of the sources of information.