His Rui

Chapter 439 – Zhao Wang Lei’s Suspicions

Zhao Zhang Wei and Xi Ying had already expected Zhao Wang Lei to call anyone of them as soon as they would step out of Empress Dowager's chambers.

They could conclude it from the reaction of Zhao Wang Lei just from a small meeting of Xi Ying and Empress Dowager.

And as they had predicted, it really happened.

Zhao Zhang Wei who was walking ahead of Eunuch Wang had a mocking smirk on his lips, After knowing this new revelation, he felt a little funny and as well as the bitterness inside his heart.

He had been planning to dethrone Zhao Wang Lei and kill him for so many years and today he was doubting whether Zhao Wang Lei was truthfully the rightful heir of the throne after the previous Emperor's death.

Otherwise, why did he kill the previous Emperor?

He knew that Xi Ying was thinking the same otherwise why would he have asked him if there was any other candidate for the throne at Zhao Wang Lei's time.

"Your Highness."

Zhao Zhang Wei came out of his trance and he saw that Eunuch Wang was now standing in front of him opening the door of the Imperial Study room for him.

He didn't know how long has it been since he had been standing there like this but seeing Eunuch Wang's face that a confused expression, Zhang Wei was sure that it was more than a few seconds.

Zhao Zhang Wei nodded his head and stepped inside the study room finally.

The door closed behind him immediately.

Bam…

A cup came flying in Zhao Zhang Wei's direction as soon as he stepped inside and the doors closed. Zhao Zhang Wei's eyes sharpened. He could have easily avoided it. However, the last little bit of rationality kept him reminded that he could not do it. 

He could not show his capability in front of Zhao Wang Lei. Because in Zhao Wang Lei's eyes, he was nothing but a stupid prince whom he could use whenever he wanted just like he did with his mother.

So he stood there unmoving. As a result, the cup hit Zhao Zhang Wei's forehead and he closed his eye immediately. He felt the blood trickling down his forehead and then his eyes.

A moment later, he finally opened his phoenix eyes. The sharpness and coldness in them were completely gone now and he looked towards the chair Zhao Wang Lie was sitting on with completely a confused face.

"Your Majesty…"

Zhao Zhang Wei called out in a completely confused voice. However, Zhao Wang Lei raised his hand indicating him to not say anything. His eyes were sharp and cold as he said in the same kind of voice

"Zhang Wei, just answer my question honestly and don't say anything else."

Zhao Zhang Wei immediately nodded his head and then as if realizing that he was being disrespectful, he bowed his head and said

"Yes, Your Majesty. This one will never lie to Your Majesty."

Zhao Wang Lei's inside was burning with anger. However, he felt a little relaxed on seeing Zhao Zhang Wei's submissive behavior. He tried to assure himself that everything was fine and he was worrying in vain.

"Why did you go to the Empress Dowager's chambers with Prime Minister Xi?"

This time, Zhao Zhang Wei raised his head again and his eyes were filled with confusion as he said

"Is Your Majesty that this one went to see Empress Dowager with Prime Minister Xi? However, yesterday, when Your Majesty talked about Empress Dowager and Prime Minister Xi meeting for only a short period, this one thought that Your Majesty was disappointed."

"That was the only reason, this one asked Prime Minister Xin especially to visit Empress Dowager. This one thought that it will make Your Majesty happy. However, now…"

Zhao Zhang Wei didn't finish his words and went completely silent as if he was disappointed in himself. He saw Zhao Wang Lei looking at himself as if he was a fool.

Zhao Zhang Wei chuckled internally.

This was what he and Xi Ying had planned. It was a very simple plan.

Since Zhao Wang Lei thought that he was stupid then he would behave that way only. Since he was stupid, he could do anything stupid. 

Zhao Wang Lei's hands were trembling because of rage. He was very tempted to pick another cup from the table and then throw it towards Zhao Zhang Wei.

Before he used to pay no attention to him because he sued to think that he was too easygoing and not that intelligent. However, Zhao Wang Lie had never thought that Zhao Zhang Wei was this stupid.

Though he had not expressed his anger on Xi Ying and his mother's meeting clearly yesterday, he had warned him not to involve himself with Xi Ying too much.

Did he not understand anything by that? 

Zhao Wang Lei sighed heavily and pressed his temples. He suddenly thought that he needed to pay attention to Zhao Zhang Wei too since he was around Xi Ying now. He didn't want him to do anything stupid and then let Xi Ying know something that he should not know …at least not for now.

Gathering all his patience, Zhao Wang Lei asked Zhao Zhang Wei as gently as he could.

"Zhang Wei, tell Zhen…did Empress Mother say something to you or Prime Minister Xi?"

However, Zhao Zhang Wei seemed to be determined to see him losing all his patience as he asked in confusion.

"Say something…like what, Your Majesty?"

Zhao Wang Lie sighed heavily again. His fists were clenched as he wondered exactly how should he explain himself.

He could not really ask Zhao Zhang Wei what he wanted to ask. Otherwise, he didn't know if he went to Xi Ying and then tell him everything about this meeting as well.

"What did you and Empress Mother talk about?"

"Oh…"

Zhao Zhang Wei pretended to have a moment of realization and then continued         

"Nothing much, Your Majesty. This one just told Her Majesty that she should live in the Imperial Palace like this only. Your Majesty will be very happy with her stay in Empress Dowager's chambers."

"And Prime Minister Xi? Did Empress Mother say something to Prime Minister Xi as well?"

Zhao Zhang Wei smiled hesitantly and Zhao Wang Lei's heart sank. 

He was afraid that Zhao Zhang Wei would say again that he didn't know what they talked about. He was already scared to know that Xi Ying really went to meet Empress Dowager.

As much as he knew Xi Ying, Xi Ying would never go anywhere just because someone asked him to. He was that cold and indifferent.

Then why did he accept Zhao Zhang Wei's request today?

'Did Empress Mother really not say something suspicious yesterday to him?'