TSWRLM -Chapter 306 Even When Given the Chance, You’re Useless

“Young Master Wei, you’d better have proof when you speak. I have no grudge against you, so why would I want to harm you?”

Prince Ying could not reveal that the real mastermind behind Wuyou Pavilion was the Crown Prince, so he had to first deny any involvement in harming Wei Lingze. No sooner had he finished speaking than Wei Lingze lunged forward, grabbing his collar:

“This Xiaohun Incense is addictive! When the craving hits, it feels like millions of ants crawling through your bones, making life unbearable. You deliberately let me use this incense, didn’t you, just to control me?”

Wei Lingze’s anger blazed like fire, and he showed no mercy to Prince Ying. The king’s neck was trapped, and the palace guards immediately surrounded Wei Lingze.

Seeing this, Wei Lingze became even more furious and slammed Prince Ying against the wall, holding him tightly with his arm.

Prince Ying, used to a life of comfort, was not like Lanshu with thick skin; under Wei Lingze’s strength, his eyes rolled back in pain.

“Your Highness…” one of the guards shouted, raising his sword to intervene. Lanshu quickly stopped him: “Don’t act rashly! It’s just a misunderstanding between Your Highness and Young Master Wei. If we clarify things calmly, there won’t be any problem. Otherwise, no one can bear the consequences if it escalates.”

Indeed, even though Wei Lingze had been suspended, he was still the eldest son of the Wei family. If anything happened, Prince Ying would have no reason to show mercy and would undoubtedly hand them over to the Wei family to apologize.

The guard at the front silently retreated.

Wei Lingze paid no attention and pressed on, demanding: “Where is the antidote? If Your Highness refuses to give me the antidote today, I don’t mind going down with you!”

Prince Ying’s neck was trapped so tightly that breathing was difficult, let alone speaking.

Lanshu, having calmed the guards, turned to Wei Lingze: “Young Master Wei, didn’t you used to like Xiaohun Incense? This incense isn’t poisonous. Where’s the antidote supposed to come from?”

His voice hoarse and ragged from the choke, Lanshu’s words sounded almost like a curse, declaring that Wei Lingze had stepped into a personal hell with no return.

Wei Lingze’s anger deepened, and he pressed harder: “So, will Your Highness give me the antidote or not?”

Prince Ying’s face turned from red to blue. Just as he was about to lose consciousness, the familiar itching sensation started spreading through Wei Lingze’s bones.

Since discovering the problem with Xiaohun Incense, Wei Lingze had tried to reduce the frequency and duration of use, attempting to quit, but it had no effect. The craving came faster and was increasingly unbearable.

Within moments, the itching consumed his body, cold sweat broke out, and his limbs grew weak and powerless.

Seeing Wei Lingze’s condition, Prince Ying suddenly pushed him away.

Wei Lingze staggered back and fell to the ground.

“Men! Quickly restrain him!”

Prince Ying issued the command swiftly, though his voice was barely audible from the pressure Wei Lingze had applied.

“Young Master Wei… this opportunity was handed to you, and yet… you’re useless…”

Lanshu privately lamented and quickly helped Prince Ying, adopting a worried expression: “Your Highness, are you alright? I was terribly worried just now.”

His voice hoarse, it sounded almost like crying.

Prince Ying, irritated, kicked him.

If it weren’t for this fool selling Xiaohun Incense to Wei Lingze and leading him to the palace, today’s chaos wouldn’t have happened. And just a moment ago, the guards had been about to intervene but were stopped by this fool.

Lanshu fell on the ground but, accustomed to such treatment, rolled nimbly and quickly got back up to Prince Ying’s side. He lowered his voice: “Your Highness, I brought Young Master Wei here today because I have a plan that can ensure your future profits and complete security.”

Prince Ying didn’t believe Lanshu had any clever scheme and grit his teeth: “Speak. If it’s not good, I’ll have your head!”

Lanshu was unfazed. He quickly took out the invigorating incense he had just bought at Ningxiang Pavilion and handed it to Prince Ying: “Your Highness, don’t be impatient. Smell this first.”

He opened the box and waved the scent toward Prince Ying, explaining: “This is the Invigorating Incense that’s recently very popular at Ningxiang Pavilion. Just ten taels of silver per box. The scent is almost identical to the Xiaohun Incense you had me sell, and the effect is nearly the same.”

Prince Ying had initially been indifferent but, hearing this, reached for the incense to examine it closely.

Xiaohun Incense had not even been produced by Prince Ying—it was given to him by Li Huaijing. Li Huaijing had said that one ingredient was extremely rare. It could make people euphoric but couldn’t be mass-produced and could only be sold at high prices to nobles in Hanjing. Over the years, Li Huaijing had privately given Prince Ying many items in trade, so the king trusted him.

Prince Ying had allowed Lanshu to sell Xiaohun Incense at Wuyou Pavilion, taking sixty percent of the profits for himself and leaving forty percent for Li Huaijing. The deal had been extremely lucrative.

But soon after the incense went on sale, Lady Baohua died, and Wei Lingze appeared at the pavilion. Now, the Invigorating Incense, identical in effect but only ten taels per box, appeared on the market. Something was clearly off.

Prince Ying’s face grew serious. Lanshu continued: “I’ve investigated. Ningxiang Pavilion belongs to the Dowager of the Grand Tutor’s residence, and this Invigorating Incense was put on sale by Li Jixian, the Fourth Young Master of the Grand Tutor’s residence. In just a few days, they’ve sold tens of jin. Your Highness, it seems that Minister Li has ulterior motives against you.”

Lanshu’s last sentence was deliberately pointed, but he said no more.

Prince Ying’s expression darkened. Li Huaijing had claimed that the rare ingredient in Xiaohun Incense was limited; Prince Ying had only received five jin, yet the Grand Tutor’s shop sold tens of jin at once. Clearly, Li Huaijing had deceived Prince Ying, hoarding the bulk for his own future gain.

Previously, Prince Ying had even considered helping Li Huaijing eliminate Shen Qingyuan. Now it seemed Li Huaijing was merely using him to make a quick profit.

Realizing the full picture, Prince Ying’s chest heaved in anger. At that moment, Lanshu whispered again: “Your Highness, Young Master Wei went to Wengzhou with Li Jixian but didn’t know anything. The Grand Tutor’s residence doesn’t consider him one of their own. Now that he’s come seeking you, why not win him over, monopolize this incense yourself, and have the Wei family protect you in the future? Then you can rest easy.”

Earlier, Prince Ying had thought Lanshu was as stupid as a pig; now he saw some use in him.

Prince Ying quickly calmed himself and looked at Wei Lingze crouched on the ground.

At the same time, Chun Xi received a report from A-Li, frowning: “You’re saying Wei Lingze went to Prince Ying’s residence with Lanshu?”