Rebirth and Reversal of Fortune

Chapter 412 Getting Caught in the Trap, Making a Difficult Choice

Despite the Marquis's desire to remain uninvolved, he was inevitably drawn into the conflict.

The tranquility of the Marquis's mansion was shattered by a sudden event. One day, Xiao Ling received a secret letter claiming that the Marquis's properties in another region had been inexplicably suppressed, resulting in heavy losses. An investigation revealed that the First Prince's forces were behind the scheme.

"Damn it, they are so despicable!" Xiao Ling was furious.

Su Jinxiu also received news that someone in the palace had falsely accused her of colluding with foreign officials in an attempt to interfere in the struggle for the throne.

"This is clearly a trumped-up charge!" Su Jinxiu was furious.

The Marquis's family is in an increasingly difficult situation, with various forces trying to force Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu to take sides.

The eldest prince sent someone again to threaten: "Xiao Ling, you have nowhere to retreat now. If you don't support me, the Marquis's mansion will never have peace."

Xiao Ling coldly replied, "Your Highness, such methods will only make me more disgusted."

The second prince then tried to entice him with benefits: "General Xiao, as long as you help me, the Marquis's predicament will be resolved, and you will enjoy endless wealth and honor."

Xiao Ling remained unmoved: "Second Prince, my loyalty cannot be bought."

The Third Prince resorted to underhanded tactics, sending people to spread rumors among the common people that the Marquis's Mansion was secretly supporting a certain prince, attempting to incite public discontent against the Marquis's Mansion.

"These people will stop at nothing," Su Jinxiu said worriedly.

At the same time, some ministers in the imperial court also began to take advantage of the Marquis's misfortune.

"Xiao Ling has maintained neutrality, which clearly indicates that he has ulterior motives."

With the emperor gravely ill and still unconscious, a power vacuum has emerged in the court, intensifying the struggles. The pressure on the Marquis's household grows daily.

Xiao Ling knew that if no action was taken, the Marquis's mansion would be doomed.

“Madam, we cannot sit idly by and wait for our doom,” Xiao Ling said.

Su Jinxiu nodded: "Husband, how should we break this deadlock?"

Xiao Ling decided to secretly investigate the mastermind behind the scenes and find evidence to prove the innocence of the Marquis's family.

They sent out trusted confidants to gather intelligence from all directions. After much effort, they finally discovered some crucial clues.

It turns out that behind all of this was a joint scheme by several princes, intending to first destroy the Marquis's mansion and then vie for the throne.

"What a vicious scheme!" Xiao Ling gritted his teeth.

Just as Xiao Ling was about to present the evidence to the Empress, he discovered that the Empress had been taken into custody by the First Prince.

"What should we do, my husband?" Su Jinxiu asked anxiously.

Xiao Ling pondered for a moment: "It seems we have no choice but to find another way."

At this time, news came from the palace that the emperor's condition had worsened and he was in critical condition.

Su Jinxiu and Xiao Ling face a difficult choice: how to protect the Marquis's mansion in this struggle.

Xiao Ling paced back and forth in the study, his brows furrowed, while Su Jinxiu sat to the side, looking worried.

"My lord, we are now besieged on all sides. If we are not careful, the Marquis's mansion will be doomed," Su Jinxiu said worriedly.

Xiao Ling stopped and said in a deep voice, "Indeed, we have to make a choice, but no matter which side we choose, we may fall into a deeper quagmire."

They considered compromising with the eldest prince in exchange for temporary peace for the Marquis's residence, but they also knew that the eldest prince was ruthless and might not let the Marquis's residence off in the future.

“The eldest prince is treacherous. If we help him, it would be like asking a tiger for its skin,” Xiao Ling said, shaking his head.

Switching to support the Second Prince is not a good strategy either. Although the Second Prince seems benevolent, his true nature remains unknown in this fierce struggle.

“The Second Prince is full of talk about benevolence and morality, but in this vortex of power, who can guarantee his sincerity?” Su Jinxiu said.

As for the Third Prince, his methods are even more insidious; cooperating with him would undoubtedly be suicide.

“The Third Prince is wicked; associating with him will surely bring disaster to the Marquis’s mansion.” Xiao Ling clenched his fist.

However, time was running out and pressure from all sides was increasing.

The eldest prince threatened again: "Xiao Ling, this is your last chance. If you don't submit, don't blame me for being ruthless."

The second prince also sent a message: "General Xiao, do not hesitate. Help me now, and you will be richly rewarded in the future."

The servants in the Marquis's mansion were also filled with anxiety, fearing for their own fate.

"Master, Madam, what should we do?"

Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu fell into deep thought.

Just then, Su Jinxiu suddenly thought of a solution.

“My lord, perhaps we can seek the support of other neutral ministers and unite to resist the princes’ coercion.”

Xiao Ling's eyes lit up, but then dimmed again.

“This move is extremely risky. Those ministers may not be willing to risk helping, and if the princes find out, the consequences will be unimaginable.”

Su Jinxiu bit her lip: "But this is our only hope right now."

After much deliberation, Xiao Ling finally made up his mind.

“Alright, Madam, let’s give it a try.”

They began to secretly contact neutral ministers, but the process was not smooth.

Some ministers, fearing repercussions, refused outright; others hesitated, unwilling to express their opinions easily.

"Is there really no way out?" Su Jinxiu felt desperate.

Xiao Ling refused to give up: "We will never admit defeat until the very last moment."

Just when they were almost in dire straits, a highly respected senior official offered to help.

"General Xiao, I am willing to join you in protecting the Marquis's mansion and upholding justice in the palace."

This gave Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu a glimmer of hope.

But they also know that this is just the beginning, and there are many more difficulties and challenges ahead.