Chapter 87: Prince Seeking Trouble

On the road, Song Yi also briefed Ye Liuyun on the situation.

The Ninth Prince now resides in a Side Courtyard of the Prince, which is normally the residence of the Prince's son Zhou Quan. Although the Prince lacks military authority, his influence in the dynasty is considerable, and he is a close confidant of the Ninth Prince.

The royal princes, vying for the throne, covertly court the nobles and ministers. The Prince, belonging to no faction yet holding military command, inevitably faces marginalization.

"I reckon these people appear publicly as imperial supervisors, but in fact they're here to trouble the Prince! The royal family has been eyeing the Prince's military authority, hoping he'll slip up," Song Yi concluded.

Ye Liuyun nodded, having a grasp of the matter. It was merely a Q&A about the situation, unlikely to cause any trouble for the Prince.

Upon arriving at the Side Courtyard, rows of Imperial Guard stood both inside and outside the mansion. After reporting, they were finally allowed to enter.

"The Ninth Prince really puts on a big front!" Ye Liuyun thought to himself.

In the Grand Hall, Ye Liuyun saw a middle‑aged man in splendid robes perched on the main seat. He looked decent, but his hawk‑like eyes marked him as someone not easy to deal with.

At his side sat an elderly man with the bearing of a minister, wearing a forced smile. A few youths stood behind the man.

It must be the Ninth Prince and the Prince.

Beside the Ninth Prince stood an elder and two Imperial Guard Leaders; on both sides of the Grand Hall, two rows of armored Imperial Guard accentuated the solemn, imposing atmosphere.

Within the Grand Hall, the highest cultivation level belonged to that elder, whose true level Ye Liuyun could not discern. The Ninth Prince and the two Imperial Guard Leaders were each at the True Essence Ninth Level.

Song Tao, Li Mengxi and others stood neatly in the hall, with Song Tao narrating the battle's course.

Ye Liuyun frowned at the scene. Why does it feel like a criminal interrogation? There's no need to summon a swarm of Imperial Guard here to intimidate anyone!

He said nothing and simply stood at the back.

At this point, Song Tao finished recounting the whole process and paused.

Song Tao's account was detailed; the Ninth Prince had no further questions and turned his gaze toward the Prince.

The Prince smiled warmly, "All of you are meritorious officials of Great Zhou, thank you for your efforts!"

He then asked, "The last to arrive, is it the great meritorious official Holy Son Ye Liuyun?"

When addressed, Ye Liuyun stepped forward and said, "Ye Liuyun, I have met the Ninth Prince and the Prince!"

The Ninth Prince remained silent. The Prince still smiled, "Why did you arrive so late? I originally wanted you to recount the battle's details."

His words sounded casual, yet carried a hint of complaint.

Ye Liuyun, of course, could not let him trap him, and replied, "After returning from the battlefield I was on leave. I just went out and was unaware that the Ninth Prince would summon us."

"Oh! That's understandable!" the Prince did not press the tardiness, since the summons were made on short notice, and it would be improper to use this as an excuse to trouble Holy Son Ye Liuyun.

"But I'm curious, how did you uncover the enemy's plot? As far as I know, the enemy camp was dozens of li away, right? Holy Son Ye truly has sharp eyes!" the Prince said as if praising him.

"I have cultivated an eye technique that can see far," Ye Liuyun replied.

Every sentence from the Prince was laced with hidden barbs, forcing him to tread carefully.

"I see!" the Prince nodded, as if acknowledging him.

He then continued, "I heard a black‑cloaked man appeared on the battlefield, seemingly the mastermind of this incident, and you know him?"

"Not exactly acquainted. We met him during a hunt for a ferocious beast and fought a battle; everyone can attest to that," Ye Liuyun replied.

The Prince set traps at every turn, clearly targeting him. The others could tell and clenched their fists for Ye Liuyun.

The Prince smiled warmly at Ye Liuyun, "What a coincidence, the same person was encountered by you twice, and escaped both times!"

"That man is at the Sea Transformation realm; we are no match for him. During the anti‑bandit operation, the Prince was in seclusion, and the dynasty sent people to handle it; I'm not clear on the details."

"This time, we all suffered injuries, and the city lost its fighting force, so the Prince did not pursue. For the specifics, the Prince can ask the Prince again," Ye Liuyun said.

Ye Liuyun's answer left them without any leverage; even the Prince gave him a solemn look.

However, lacking leverage doesn't mean they have no way.

The Ninth Prince spoke, "There are many doubts about this matter. You all return to the Royal Mansion for now, do not leave on your own, and await investigation at any time! Holy Son Ye Liuyun, stay; I will continue the interrogation."

His words made everyone's complexion change simultaneously. If they kept Holy Son Ye Liuyun, they could say whatever they wanted. Even if they forced a confession or killed him and claimed he confessed, they would have no recourse.

Ye Liuyun could no longer hold back; this was clearly targeting him!

He raised his voice, "Interrogation? Does the Ninth Prince have evidence to suspect me? What right does he have to interrogate me?"

The Prince then shed his friendly smile and shouted, "How daring! As a military supervisor, does the Ninth Prince not have the right to intervene in war affairs?"

Since the façade was torn, Ye Liuyun spoke without courtesy.

"If he is a military supervisor, his authority only extends on the battlefield. I am no longer in the army; I answer only to the Royal Mansion. The Ninth Prince has no right to interrogate me! If he wishes to, he must first ask the Prince!"

"Do you dare to defy orders?" the Ninth Prince said coldly. The Imperial Guard nearby whirred and surrounded Ye Liuyun and his party.

But that didn't frighten him. "I am of the Royal Mansion and obey only the Prince's orders! Even the Ninth Prince cannot disregard the law, can he?"

The Ninth Prince's face grew even more grim. Some matters can be done, but not openly. He understood that principle.

He truly was only a military supervisor, without authority to meddle in the Royal Mansion's affairs.

He hadn't anticipated Ye Liuyun's boldness; he couldn't subdue him. He had assumed these minor figures could be easily manipulated.

The Prince barked coldly, "Ye Liuyun, you have such audacity to slander the Ninth Prince!"

Ye Liuyun sneered, "I am merely stating facts! Even if you are the Prince, you cannot arbitrarily frame people of the Royal Mansion!"

Seeing that intimidation failed on Ye Liuyun and his group, the Prince said, "You must not misunderstand the Ninth Prince; he only wishes clarification. Keeping you here for a few days is no big deal!"

Ye Liuyun replied directly, "No need for formalities! We have said everything we know. If the Ninth Prince still wishes to ask, do so now in front of everyone, and we can bear witness. I'm not accustomed to staying at others' homes, so I won't remain here."

"You…" The Prince did not expect that, despite Ye Liuyun's young age, he would be unyielding and dare to confront them.

"Fine! Very well! Ye Liuyun, you all return first, and await my summons!"

"Apologies, Ninth Prince, we are usually very busy and cannot wait indefinitely. In the future, you may first consult the Prince! We take our leave!"

Having said that, Ye Liuyun led the group back to the Royal Mansion.

After saying that, Ye Liuyun led everyone back to the Royal Mansion.