night.

Right Prime Minister's Residence.

Zhao Huan and Mu Zhaojun sat in the main seats, while the Zhao brothers, except for Zhao Yang who was absent, all looked worried. Zhao Zhan, in particular, looked somewhat angry.

"What Princess Qingling? I don't want to marry her, and I don't want to go to Changsui!"

Zhao Cheng said, "You've been rambling on and on. Try to stay calm when things happen."

"Brother, although I am young, I am not stupid!" Zhao Zhan said excitedly, "The Emperor's purpose in bestowing this marriage is to send me to Changsui City as a hostage!"

Zhao Cheng and Zhao Huan exchanged a glance, then Zhao Huan said, "You've really grown up to be able to understand this."

Zhao Zhan said, "Even if I weren't going to be a hostage, I still can't marry Princess Qingling. I've already made a vow with Yu Cen for three lifetimes, how can I betray her? My father and elder brother have taught me since I was a child that a man of the Zhao family must never break his word!"

Mu Zhaojun said, "Zhan'er, your elder brother wants you to calm down, not that he doesn't care about you. Your mother doesn't want you to go to Changsui either, but we have to think of a way."

Zhao Huan stroked his long hair, looked at Zhao Cheng, and asked, "Boss, what do you think about this?"

"My brother-in-law is short of money again!" Zhao Cheng sighed, "He's really getting bigger and bigger with all the feeding!"

Zhao Huan said, "You mean... this matter can be resolved with money?"

Zhao Cheng said, "What else can we do? If we don't send the fourth prince there, is the imperial court going to send troops to our Right Chancellor's residence?"

Lian Zhongyi stroked his beard and said, "At this critical juncture, the court will not take action against the Right Prime Minister's Office. The Left Party's military officers are still holding back their anger. If they anger the Right Prime Minister's Office again, the Right Prime Minister can raise his arms and call on those Left Party's military officers to start an uprising on the grounds that the Right Prime Minister is the Left Prime Minister's teacher and support the Right Prime Minister in rescuing his students. At that time, the Great Jing military will be in chaos."

Zhao Cheng nodded and said, "That's right. The reason why the Left Party's military generals are not moving is mainly because it was Wen Hu who brought down Wen Tai, and Wang Ren's side has not reacted. They have no one to take the lead. If Father were to step forward at this time, they would be more than happy to do so."

“Then what are we waiting for?” Zhao Zhan interjected. “The emperor not only wants me as a hostage, but also wants Yu Cen to go. In my opinion, we should join forces with General Wang and rebel…”

Zhao Yan immediately covered Zhao Zhan's mouth.

"Third brother, third...uh-uh!"

Zhao Huan glared at Zhao Zhan and shouted, "You scoundrel! Stop talking nonsense!"

Zhao Yan said, "Father, Fourth Brother was just being impulsive and speaking his mind. Please don't blame him."

"Fourth brother, listen to what Dad and the others are discussing, don't say anything." Zhao Yan said this to his younger brother in a low voice before letting go of his hand.

Zhao Cheng glared at Zhao Zhan before continuing, "The emperor is now indulging in pleasure and needs money, and this money is also a way for him to save face."

Zhao Huan asked, "How much are you planning to give?"

"This is also a problem that's giving me a headache," Zhao Cheng said, scratching his head. "If I give him too little, he'll feel uncomfortable and might keep looking for excuses to ask for more. If I give him too much, he'll ask for even more next time—it's a bottomless pit!"

Zhao Cheng looked at Lian Zhongyi and asked for help, "Sir, please think of a way."

Lian Zhongyi said, "When the emperor agreed to let you expand your business and even open trade with Southern Zhou, it was probably planned in this way from the beginning. He is not afraid that you will make more money. The more you make, the more he will want. It is as if you are making money for him."

Zhao Cheng said, "I am prepared for this. In terms of accounts, he can only get a small share, but as long as I keep the business going, the wealth I can accumulate is beyond his imagination."

"Then give less!" Lian Zhongyi suggested.

Zhao Cheng asked doubtfully, "Why?"

Lian Zhongyi said, "You just said that if we give him less, he might keep finding excuses to ask for more, but that back and forth takes time, right? Anyway, we're not afraid of dragging it out, as long as we don't send A-Zhan over there. The political situation is changing frequently these days, so we might just be able to get away with it by dragging it out."

Zhao Cheng snapped his fingers and laughed, "As you wish, sir!"

Zhao Huan got up and walked behind the door. After thinking for a while, he turned around and said, "I'll add another incentive for you. Maybe the emperor won't keep asking you for it this time."

Zhao Cheng asked, "Father, how do you want to increase the stakes?"

Zhao Huan said, "I will personally write a letter resigning from the position of Right Chancellor. You can send the letter and the silver together."

"Father!" Zhao Zhan exclaimed, "Isn't this price too high? I'll feel guilty if you trade your position for mine."

"Guilty my foot!" Zhao Huan laughed and cursed, "My position as prime minister is just for show, but by resigning now, I am making my stance clear to the emperor at this crucial moment."

“I agree.” Zhao Cheng also stood up and said, “The emperor has already dismissed the Left Chancellor and divided the power of the Chancellor among the central government. It is not appropriate to have a Right Chancellor outside the court. If Father does not bring this up, the court will also come up with a solution. Rather than giving them the opportunity to use underhanded tactics, it is better for us to bring it up ourselves.”

Lian Zhongyi nodded and said, "The title of Right Chancellor is useless to us, but it is a thorn in the eyes of the Emperor and those people in the Central Secretariat. If we take the initiative to remove it, they can breathe a sigh of relief and ease their relationship with us."

Zhao Huan looked at Mu Zhaojun and said, "Madam, what do you think?"

Mu Zhaojun said, "As long as Zhan'er can be saved, I have no objection to whatever you do. It's just that..."

Mu Zhaojun sighed and continued, "The marriage between Zhan'er and Yu Cen can not be mentioned again for the time being."

"Hmm." Zhao Huan nodded and said, "We can't talk about it. The Central Secretariat has brought down Wen Tai and is now targeting us. If we go to marry Wang Ren now, we'll just be giving them a pretext to deal with me."

Zhao Huan turned to look at Zhao Zhan and asked, "Fourth brother, can you hold back?"

Zhao Cheng interjected, "What can't he hold back? He's still a child!"

Zhao Zhan said, "I can wait!"

Zhao Huan walked towards the door and said, "Then it's settled. Boss, come with me for a walk."

A gentle night breeze was blowing.

Zhao Huan and his son Zhao Cheng strolled along the path in the courtyard, the full moon overhead illuminating the way.

"How's Yan Jiao doing lately?" Zhao Huan asked suddenly, his hands behind his back.

Zhao Cheng said, "The intervals between the onset of the poison are longer than before. He's been in a good mood most of the time, so there haven't been any problems."

Zhao Huan asked, "How often?"

Zhao Cheng said, "Old man, is it really necessary to ask such detailed questions about this?"

"What are you thinking about? I asked about the onset time of the poison."

Is there a difference?

Zhao Huan coughed and said, "During this period, I have corresponded with Deng Fugui several times. The couple's attitude is very clear: they are willing to entrust Yan Jiao to our family."

Zhao Cheng said, "Mr. Minghua is working hard to develop an antidote, so Yan Jiao may not stay like this forever."

Zhao Huan glanced at Zhao Cheng and asked, "Even if Yan Jiao's poison is cured, does that mean she's no longer your woman?"

"this……"

"Accept it."

Zhao Huan looked up at Yue'er and sighed, "Take advantage of the court's lowered guard after I resigned as prime minister and get this done. It's not just for her, but also for our Zhao family. Deng Fugui has no other choice. You have to put his mind at ease. He needs us now, and we will need him in the future."

Zhao Cheng frowned suddenly, realizing the deeper meaning in his father's words.