Chapter 966: Conferring

"Huh, I knew it."

In Changqing City, in Prince Ning's mansion, in Zhu Xuan's study, he opened a secret report, read it through, and then said with a sneer, "How could the court not take action against this prince?"

At this time, Zhai Yun, who was sitting on the other side, said nervously, "Are they going to use troops against the prince?"

"No."

Zhu Xuan waved his hand and said, "However, the imperial court has successively sent several more provincial inspectors to Liaodong."

"Censor?"

Upon hearing this, Zhai Yun frowned.

That troublesome provincial governor had always been at odds with Prince Ning, and this time, he sent a few more people over—

"It's obvious that you want to suppress me."

"That's all?"

"That's not all." Zhu Xuan said, "This is a public move at the imperial court. This morning, I received news that He Yi issued an order through the Secretariat to begin controlling ironware in Liaodong."

Upon hearing this, Zhai Yun's face darkened.

However, he did not say anything immediately. Instead, he looked at Jian Ruocheng on the other side, who was pale, with his eyes lowered and silent.

Suddenly he said, "Second Master Jian."

"Um?"

Jian Ruocheng immediately raised his head and looked at him.

Zhai Yun said with a half-smile, "Your Highness is discussing something so important, but why do I see Master Jian's attention wandering? What are you thinking about?"

"nothing."

"Then, what do you think of these decrees from the imperial court?"

He originally wanted to embarrass Jian Ruocheng, but Jian Ruocheng said calmly, "It's obvious that the court wants to guard against the prince. However, the court doesn't have any evidence against the prince yet, so they don't dare to do anything."

“…”

"And, did you find out?"

"What?"

"All government orders are issued by the Shangshutai, not the emperor's handwritten instructions or imperial edicts."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xuan raised his eyebrows and immediately looked down.

Indeed, in the secret reports, including the news he received today, not a single word involved Zhu Feng. All the orders were related to He Yi, the Secretariat, and the Chancellery.

so--

Zhu Feng is keeping silent now, or is he still unable to handle government affairs?

If it is the former, then he should start preparing now. In fact, he has been preparing and has never slacked off, but he just doesn't want others to notice.

If it's the latter, that would be interesting.

Zhu Xuan glanced at Jian Ruocheng and said, "Then, Ruocheng, what do you think the emperor's attitude is now?"

"The Emperor's Heart is at its ninth level. Even I dare not speculate."

As he spoke, Jian Ruocheng glanced at him and said, "However, there is one thing I would like to remind Your Highness."

"you say."

"No matter what the emperor does, since the court has issued these decrees, it proves that they have begun to take action against the prince."

“…”

"Your Majesty, we must be on guard."

Zhai Yun glanced at him and sneered in his heart: Nonsense.

However, he had fought with Jian Ruocheng several times, both openly and secretly. Zhu Xuan never made his attitude clear, but just asked them not to fight among themselves. Therefore, he could not be too open about being an enemy of Jian Ruocheng now.

After hearing Jian Ruocheng's words, Zhu Xuan smiled and said, "Not bad."

“…”

"In fact, I already have a plan."

"What are you planning?"

Jian Ruocheng and Zhai Yun said in unison.

Zhu Xuan smiled and said, "Doesn't the imperial court regulate the circulation of ironware here? Before I returned, I had already written a letter to establish a business deal. Zhai Yun was the one your father helped to arrange."

"Oh?" Zhai Yun said, "I didn't know anything about this."

"Haha, if the deal didn't work out, I didn't want too many people to know, to avoid complications. But now that it's almost done, I'll tell you."

“I don’t know what the deal is.”

"Of course it is—the trade in ironware."

He was talking about "iron tools", but Jian Ruocheng and Zhai Yun both knew very well that the so-called iron tools were weapons.

His purchase of weapons meant preparing for large-scale warfare.

Zhu Xuan continued, "The seller will be here in three days. We only have a little left to close the deal. Ruo Cheng—"

As he spoke, he looked at Jian Ruocheng and said, "I intend to let you discuss this matter."

"I?"

Jian Ruocheng was stunned for a moment.

Upon hearing this, Zhai Yun, who was standing by, immediately said, "Your Majesty, why don't you let me go?"

Zhu Xuan smiled and said, "Because there are some matters at the palace, I need your assistance. This deal has reached the final stage, and the other party has put forward some conditions. I think Ruo Cheng once held a high position in the court and is very familiar with how to negotiate conditions. So, I will let Ruo Cheng go on this matter."

As he said that, he smiled and said, "How?"

“…”

Jian Ruocheng was silent for a moment, but then agreed readily: "Of course, no problem. I just don't know where to talk and who the other party will be."

"As for the other party, you'll find out when you get there. As for where to discuss it—"

Zhu Xuan smiled and said, "On the sea."

"maritime?"

Jian Ruocheng was surprised: "The seller came from the sea?"

"good."

“…”

"So, you have to prepare yourself in the next two days. After two days, you will be ready to go."

Jian Ruocheng thought for a moment and said, "Okay, but I have a request."

Zhu Xuan said, "No, you want to take that imperial concubine with you."

"Exactly."

"You two are so close that you can't even be apart for a moment," Zhu Xuan said with a half-smile, "But, I heard that you sleep on the floor every night, and you're locked outside."

Jian Ruocheng's face flushed slightly, but he immediately said, "Your Highness, please don't interfere in this matter."

Zhai Yun said, "You told the prince not to interfere, and now you want to take that woman away. Do you think you have taken all the good things for yourself?"

"Hey, Zhai Yun, don't be impulsive."

Zhu Xuan reached out to stop him, glanced at Jian Ruocheng again, and said with a smile, "It seems that Ruocheng is worried that after I leave, the imperial concubine will be left alone in Prince Ning's mansion. You are worried, right?"

“…”

"No problem, you can take her with you."

“…”

"But don't let her ruin my plans."

"Of course."

After they had made their decision, they chatted for a few more words and were about to leave when the steward Shi Yiru came in and reported, "Your Highness, the Governor has sent someone over to say that the court has another decree."

"oh?"

Zhu Xuan and Jian Ruocheng both opened their eyes wide and looked at each other.

I just said that Zhu Feng had never personally issued any decree. How come his decree came so soon?

What to do?

Zhu Xuan was about to go to the main hall to meet him, but when he was halfway there, he met Si Nanyan.

She is strolling around the house.

As soon as he saw her, Jian Ruocheng immediately stepped forward and asked, "Why did you come out?"

During the time she was in Prince Ning's Mansion, although Prince Ning did not explicitly order her to be detained, he even gave her some freedom, allowing her to move freely in certain places in Prince Ning's Mansion. This treatment was indeed much better than the "hostage" treatment she had imagined before.

However, Jian Ruocheng was still reluctant to let her out.

After all, this is Prince Ning's Mansion.

Because of her appearance at the altar, King Ning's plan failed. There were many people here who supported King Ning, and they hated her.

It is even possible that some people want to get rid of her.

Therefore, most of the time, Jian Ruocheng stayed in his room to take care of her.

As soon as he saw her appear, he immediately became a little nervous.

Nan Yan glanced at him calmly: "Can't I come out?"

Jian Ruocheng was stunned by her question.

At this time, Zhu Xuan behind him also said with a smile: "Yes, Ruo Cheng, I invited the imperial concubine back and did not restrict her freedom. How come you are the one who is so protective of her that you don't even let her leave the house?"

Such joking words naturally made Jian Ruocheng's ears red.

Nan Yan's face darkened slightly when she heard such inappropriate words.

However, she did not respond, but looked at Zhu Xuan: "Looking at Prince Ning's hurried look, I wonder if there is something urgent?"

Zhu Xuan glanced ahead, rolled his eyes, and then said, "Nothing much, I just heard that there was an imperial decree from the court."

"oh?"

When Nan Yan heard that it was an imperial decree, her heart skipped a beat.

Is it Zhu Feng?

What is his intention?

Could it be something related to myself?

Thinking of this, the expression on her face immediately changed from cold to somewhat urgent, and she stared at Zhu Xuan with burning eyes. Zhu Xuan thought for a moment and said with a smile: "If the Royal Concubine wants to know, you might as well follow me and listen."

"good."

After saying that, Nan Yan followed him over there.

Jian Ruocheng frowned.

For some reason, he subconsciously wanted to stop it, but at this moment, he really had no position to stop it.

I could only walk to the main hall with them.

As soon as he walked in, he saw a court official standing inside. He was not of high rank, only fifth rank. He bowed respectfully to Zhu Xuan and said, "Greetings to His Royal Highness Prince Ning."

"Well, get up."

Zhu Xuan walked over and waved his hand calmly, then sat down on a seat above the main hall and said, "I heard there's a new decree from the court?"

"Yes."

"I don't know, what kind of will is it?"

The man stood in front of the hall and said to Zhu Xuan with a forced smile, "This matter is not a big deal. It has just spread to the government offices at all levels, and everyone wants to go to the court to offer congratulations. So, the governor asked me to come here to inform His Majesty."

"Jin He?"

Everyone in the hall was a little surprised.

Is there any happy event in the court at this time?

Especially Nan Yan, when she heard the word Jin He, her brows furrowed. She could hardly hold back and wanted to ask a question, but at this moment, Jian Ruocheng calmly held her wrist.

Nan Yan's hand trembled.

But Jian Ruocheng did not withdraw his hand.

Zhu Xuan asked, "Tell me, what's the good news in the court?"

The man said, "In two days, the Emperor will re-enthrone Consort Ning."