Rescuing the Villainous Boss with a Little Dirty Master

In the Third Prince's residence, Dong Jingming stood in front of the mirror, stroking the thin cloth wrapped around his left eye, which was still bleeding. With a slight pressure from his fingers, the pain shot straight to his brain.

He wiped away the drops of blood with his finger, licked them clean, and his expression was chilling. The guards waiting nearby lowered their heads, unable to watch any longer.

"You mean, Dongling Yu asked Father to ask me for Lan Heng?" A low, deep laugh came out, gradually growing louder. "Very well, I'll take 'Lan Heng' to see my good younger brother in a couple of days."

The next morning, the court was silent; no one wanted to offend King Dongli. Seeing that no one had anything to report, King Dongli looked at Dong Tinglan below and said, "Tinglan, I'm entrusting you with all matters concerning the Liangchu and Qilan personnel for the next two days."

Dong Tinglan looked up at him, her eyes deep and thoughtful, and replied with a soft "okay".

Upon returning to the prince's residence, as soon as he alighted from the carriage, he saw a tall man in a black brocade robe standing with his back to him at the gate. Hearing the noise, the man turned around, his gaze lingering on Dong Tinglan's face without uttering a word, as if he were looking through him at someone else.

Dong Tinglan paused for a moment as he turned around. "The Regent is looking for me?"

"Your eyes are very similar to your mother's."

The hoarse voice carried a sense of suppression, and upon closer listening, there was a slight tremor, which vanished without a trace the moment Dong Tinglan caught it.

Dong Tinglan glanced at him and walked into the mansion, with Qingyan following behind.

886 had reminded Jiang Heng as soon as Dong Tinglan returned to the gate. He estimated the time and then jogged out.

Hearing familiar footsteps, Dong Tinglan looked up and saw Jiang Heng rushing towards him with bright eyes. When she noticed that there was someone following behind her, she stopped in time, but because it was too sudden, she stumbled forward.

Dong Tinglan strode forward, grabbed his shoulder, and steadied him. "Why are you running?"

Jiang Heng's voice was soft but firm, "I was afraid Your Highness missed me too much, so I came to wait for you."

Amused by his appearance, Dong Tinglan reached out and ruffled his hair until Jiang Heng grinned and pretended to be angry before letting him go.

Qing Yan, left standing to the side, scrutinized Jiang Heng with a look of scrutiny.

Dong Tinglan turned his head and gave him a warning look. Qing Yan shrugged and looked away.

Seeing that they had something to say, Jiang Heng didn't plan to stay and listen, since Dong Tinglan would tell him everything anyway.

"I'll have someone prepare some tea and snacks for you."

Without waiting for Dong Tinglan's response, he ran off in a flash.

"This is?"

Looking at Jiang Heng's retreating figure, Qing Yan asked a question, whether out of curiosity or concern.

Dong Tinglan didn't answer that question. Before he had fully consolidated his power, he wouldn't let people he didn't trust know about his relationship with Jiang Heng.

After leading the person into the study, Dong Tinglan went straight to the point, "How did you recognize me?"

Qingyan found his question truly laughable. "I'm afraid only that dim-witted Dongyun wouldn't recognize who Qingli's child is."

Four years ago, he also brought people from Liangchu to participate in the spring hunt. At that time, he heard that the King of Dongli doted on his fourth prince, and he thought that this man had finally done something decent. Until he saw the so-called child of Consort Li, he only felt absurdity.

How could such an ugly person, whose eyes are full of calculation and ambition, possibly be Qingli's child?

When he discovered that Dong Yun only had three sons, he was almost certain that the forgotten fifth prince was Qing Li's child and his true nephew. But he didn't intend to tell Dong Yun this; those who are blind to the truth will pay the price.

The fact that Dong Tinglan was sent to Qi Lan as a hostage was a deliberate scheme by him and that fox Qi Lan, with the aim of getting him to break away from Dong Li, giving him time to grow, and allowing him to take revenge.

If he still hasn't made any progress after four years, they won't tell him the truth; a useless person isn't worth their time.

But this spring hunt, it must be said, Dong Tinglan did a very good job. Even though such a big thing happened, no one cast a suspicious glance at him.

"The Regent has a brilliant strategy of using four years to plan a game of chess."

Dong Tinglan chuckled self-deprecatingly. He had thought he was the one playing the game, but it turned out he was just a pawn on the board. It turned out that his life had never been in his own hands.

Qingyan saw the emotion in his eyes and straightened her attitude, "Tinglan, four years ago, I was the one making the moves, but now, you are the one holding the pieces. No one can control your destiny except yourself."

Dong Tinglan was stunned when he heard this. He looked directly into Qingyan's eyes, and when he saw the love and encouragement in them, he looked away as if he had been burned.

As his thoughts cleared, he silently added to himself, "No, the one who can control my destiny is also Jiang Heng."

"The rest of the journey is up to you."

Before leaving the prince's residence, Qingyan patted him on the shoulder. This was probably the first time Dong Tinglan had been so close to an elder, and he felt rather uncomfortable. He subconsciously tried to avoid the other's touch, but in the end, he stopped in place.

Just as Qingyan was about to reach the door, he called out softly, "Uncle."

Qingyan paused slightly, then laughed with relief, waved to him with her back turned, and strode away.

After hearing Dong Tinglan's retelling, Jiang Heng's mouth gaped open in surprise, and 886 conveniently stepped in to speak for him, saying, "This hidden plot is so rich, it could be a book in itself."

Dong Tinglan chuckled, pinched his cheeks, leaned in and kissed his slightly parted lips, mimicking how Jiang Heng usually teased him, making a sound on purpose, her eyes bright.

At that moment, Jiang Heng seemed to see the boulder that had been weighing on him disappear.

At this time, the Fifth Prince's residence was peaceful and serene, while the palace was in complete chaos.

"Dongling Yu! Look at yourself now, where is the bearing of a prince of a nation!"

Lingyun Palace, the palace where Dongling Yu built his residence after leaving the palace, echoed with angry questions. The eunuchs waiting outside the gate shrugged in fright, yet couldn't help but strain their ears to listen.

"I'm already in this state, what do I need the dignity of a prince for!" Dongling Yu yanked off the blanket covering his calves, his voice hoarse, "Where's Lan Heng! Didn't you say you'd bring him today?! Where is he?!"

"Is this the way you talk to me?"

King Dongli's anger surged, and he breathed heavily as he looked at the increasingly absurd person before him. Lian An quickly reached out and patted his back to soothe him, "Your Majesty, His Highness is too heartbroken to behave so irrationally."

King Dongli sighed heavily, "We're still looking for him."

Dongling Yu turned over, turned his back to him, covered himself with the blanket and stopped talking. Dongli Wang sat for a while before leaving, his face full of impatience.

"Zhuo Yi".

After a long while, Dongling Yu sat up and shouted outside.

Zhuo Yi glanced at Li Lian beside him unintentionally. It seemed that since Li Lian was injured, His Highness had not ordered him around much.

"Your Highness, you wanted to see me."

Zhuo Yi stepped forward to help the person tidy up the quilt, then stepped back a few paces to wait for instructions.

"Can Dong Jingming enter the palace in the next few days?"

"No, he said he took leave to recuperate from his injury."

"I need to find a way to force him into the palace, no matter what means I have to use. I want to see him tonight."

Zhuo Yi frowned. This was a bit much to ask, but he could only agree.