Chapter 302 Drag them out

Jiang Yu had already gone to bed when she heard that Prince An had invited her to tea the next day. She gave a soft "hmm" and closed her eyes again. She had to get up early for the morning court session.

She got up at 3:45 AM the next day. The kitchen had already prepared the meal, and by the time she finished washing up, the food was ready. However, she really didn't have any appetite after getting up so early, but she still ate a few bites and then took a sedan chair to go to court.

Upon alighting from her sedan chair outside the palace gates, she found many officials already waiting. She stepped forward, and several officials greeted her, which Jiang Yu responded with smiles. Reaching the front, she saw the Prime Minister already there, speaking with several officials. Of course, it was the officials who had taken the initiative.

Jiang Yu walked over and stood at a distance from the Prime Minister. The Marquis of Jinyang then approached, and the two chatted about whether Li Zhengze had made any progress recently. As they spoke, Jiang Yu's eyes met the Prime Minister's from a distance.

Both men paused for a moment, then Jiang Yu smiled and cupped her hands in a proper bow to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister nodded in return, and the two looked away, no longer paying attention to each other.

The Prime Minister, however, frowned slightly. Jiang Yu had not been impolite at all, but he felt that Jiang Yu's attitude towards him today was different, and this difference was not a good sign.

A person who is calm and composed can remain calm and collected when faced with major events or enemies, and can make extraordinary moves. In the past, when she met Jiang Yu, she was always polite and courteous, but her smile just now seemed warmer than usual.

Yes, he did find Jiang Yu's smile just now endearing. While their relationship wasn't exactly hostile, it certainly wasn't friendly.

Why?

What did she discover?

Or was there a plan specifically targeting him?

In an instant, the Prime Minister's mind raced. He knew that it was a bit much to assume Jiang Yu was targeting him based solely on a smile. However, given his relationship with Jiang Yu, no amount of speculation about her could be wrong.

Jiang Yu had no idea that the Prime Minister had made so many guesses based on just a smile. If he had known, he would have definitely called him an old dog. It was because he had something to hide; he became suspicious just because someone smiled at him.

"The Duke of Chu"

A somewhat aged voice came from behind her. Jiang Yu stopped her conversation with the Marquis of Jinyang and turned to look. It was Grand Tutor Yan. She smiled and cupped her hands in greeting, "Grand Tutor Yan."

Grand Tutor Yan smiled and returned the greeting, "I had intended to visit your residence in the next few days, but I was afraid of disturbing you."

Jiang Yu quickly replied with a smile, "Grand Tutor, you can just call me if you need anything."

These words sounded very nice; she placed herself in a humble position, which was considered giving Grand Tutor Yan ample face. Of course, Grand Tutor Yan wouldn't really treat her as a junior. Although Jiang Yu was young enough to be about the same age as his grandchildren, she was a Duke of the highest rank; only a fool would truly treat her as a junior.

"I know you're busy, how could I trouble you?" Grand Tutor Yan said with a smile. "It's nothing else, it's just that my granddaughter Fengju has received your care, and I should come to express my gratitude."

Hearing this, Jiang Yu was happy for Yan Fengju. For Grand Tutor Yan to speak so publicly showed how much he cared for her. While personal ability is important, family background is equally crucial. With family support, Yan Fengju's future would be much brighter.

As a woman herself, Jiang Yu naturally wished Yan Fengju well. She smiled and responded to Grand Tutor Yan's words, "I have a special connection with Fengju, and I admire her resolute and indomitable character. This is also thanks to your excellent teaching, Grand Tutor."

The last sentence made Grand Tutor Yan feel somewhat ashamed. Not only had he, as the grandfather, not taught Yan Fengju, but neither had his son. Of course, he also knew that Jiang Yu was just being polite.

Regardless, Jiang Yu's attitude towards him and Yan Fengju satisfied him. His purpose in speaking to Jiang Yu was twofold: first, to let Jiang Yu and those around them know that he now valued Yan Fengju highly; and second, to cultivate a good relationship with Jiang Yu.

Anyone with eyes can see that Jiang Yu's current imperial favor is definitely not a fleeting moment.

Jiang Yu understood Grand Tutor Yan's purpose. In both her past and present lives, she had been involved in officialdom and knew that one had to do things in public even if one didn't like them; that was the way of the world.

After exchanging pleasantries with Grand Tutor Yan for a while, the palace gates opened. Officials proceeded to the Taiji Hall according to their rank. Once inside and standing still, Jiang Yu turned her head and met the Prime Minister's gaze again. This time, she smiled slightly and looked away.

Their eyes met twice, which could not have been unintentional. If the first time was unintentional, then Jiang Yu was certain that the second time was because the Prime Minister had been paying attention to her.

Why?

Aside from the reform of the money shops, nothing else major has happened recently. And since the reform is a done deal, if the Prime Minister wanted to intervene, he should have done so long ago. It's unlikely to be related to the money shop reform.

So, besides this, what else could it be?

After thinking for a while but unable to come up with a solution, Jiang Yu put the matter aside for the time being. However, she needed to be careful of the Prime Minister during this period.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

A shrill voice rang out, and the emperor entered. He sat on the dragon throne, looked at the civil and military officials below, and said, "Speak quickly if you have anything to say."

His tone was somewhat anxious, clearly indicating that he had things to arrange next. However, the two censors still submitted a few trivial matters, one of which concerned the imperial concubine selection.

The imperial concubine selection is about to begin, and the censor reported that the carriages carrying the young ladies from the surrounding counties have bamboo patterns embroidered with silver thread on their windows. Prince Rui loved bamboo, and when he was still living in the palace, the Empress Dowager had bamboo patterns embroidered with silver thread on the windows of his palace.

Somehow, word of this reached outside the palace, and the silver-thread bamboo pattern became almost a symbol of Prince Rui. The gauze windows of the carriages carrying the imperial concubines were also embroidered with silver-thread bamboo patterns, clearly all aimed at Prince Rui.

After the censor finished speaking, the Taiji Hall fell silent. Although the ministers had their heads down, they were all watching the emperor's emotions closely.

The primary purpose of the imperial concubine selection was to enrich the emperor's harem and ensure the continuation of his lineage. Selecting wives for princes, nobles, and members of the imperial clan was merely a secondary matter. However, what these young women were doing now seemed to be a slap in the emperor's face.

However, this was originally a trivial matter, and most people probably wouldn't have paid attention to it if this censor hadn't brought it up. So why did this censor discover it and bring it up at the morning court?

To sow discord between the Emperor and Prince Rui?

Trying to sow discord between Prince Rui and others?

Prince Rui did not participate in court affairs and had almost no contact with any families or clans, so it was impossible for him to have offended anyone. Why did this censor do this?

While the ministers were deep in thought, the emperor's voice rang out, "Drag him out."