101. I asked for it myself.

Wei Xiuming stood up, walked to Xie Wenling, and personally helped him up: "Minister Xie is indeed resourceful. Tomorrow morning at court, I would like to ask you to make this suggestion so that I can announce the summoning of eligible members of the imperial family from all over the country to the capital to accompany them in their studies."

He patted Xie Wenling on the shoulder: "As for the selection... I will leave this matter to you. I will trouble you to take care of it."

Xie Wenling understood what he meant.

This was in accordance with his previous plan, giving him an opportunity, but he had to bear the vast majority of the risks.

After all, he was the one who proposed the plan, so he was naturally the main person in charge, a figure at the center of controversy, and also a prime target of hatred from others.

But he didn't care, and simply bowed respectfully: "Your humble servant obeys the decree."

-

The carriage of the Marquis of Beiding slowly came to a stop in front of the Xie residence, and Jin Lanyue couldn't wait to lift the curtain.

Outside the vermilion gate, carriages and horses thronged like dragons, and officials who came to visit formed a long queue, with several servants busy registering their names.

"Brother Xie's house is so lively!" The little dumpling's eyes widened.

Marquis Beiding gently stroked his daughter's hair: "Your brother Xie is now a favorite of His Majesty, in charge of the selection of imperial princes, so naturally his house is always bustling with visitors."

Since Xie Wenling proposed to the Emperor this morning to summon the Crown Prince to the capital, and His Majesty approved it and granted him full authority, the entire court and the country have been in an uproar.

Yesterday, Zhao was the center of attention, but today he's been sidelined.

Xie Wenling is currently the most popular person in the entire capital.

Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out inside the mansion gate.

A man in a bright red brocade robe strode out, a rare smile on his handsome face.

His eyebrows were like distant mountains shrouded in mist, and his eyes were like bright, cold stars. Now, riding high on success, he seemed to be radiating light.

The officials waiting in line all bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Excellency!"

Xie Wenling walked straight to the carriage of the Marquis of Beiding's residence: "Princess! Marquis... I've kept you waiting."

The little dumpling cheered and almost jumped off the carriage, but was stopped in time by the Marquis of Beiding: "Slow down."

Xie Wenling reached out and lifted the little dumpling out of the car. The little dumpling immediately grabbed his sleeve tightly: "Brother Xie! Yue'er missed you so much!"

“I’ve missed you too,” Xie Wenling rubbed her little head, then turned to the Marquis of Beiding and said, “My lord, please come with me. Tea and refreshments have been prepared.”

The officials who had been waiting for a long time looked at each other in bewilderment, while the quick-witted ones immediately stepped forward: "Lord Xie, your humble servant..."

"No guests today," Xie Wenling said without turning his head.

Marquis Beiding glanced at him in surprise.

On the one hand, they were surprised by how much he valued them—especially Jin Lanyue—that he would risk offending everyone to make time for them.

On the one hand, he's truly unafraid of offending people.

Of course, the main reason was that Marquis Beiding was unaware of the shocking things Xie Wenling had said in the Imperial Study.

So he didn't know that what he was thinking about now was completely irrelevant to Xie Wenling.

-

Passing through the courtyards, the little dumpling chattered away like a cheerful bird.

Xie Wenling listened with his eyes lowered, his gaze full of tenderness.

Upon entering the flower hall, the maids served exquisite pastries and fragrant tea.

Marquis Beiding looked around and exclaimed, "Wenling, His Majesty has given you an incredible opportunity this time. Being in charge of selecting members of the imperial family is a wonderful position that allows you to make connections with various powerful forces."

Xie Wenling picked up his teacup, the rising steam blurring his handsome features: "It's also a deadly job."

Marquis Beiding was taken aback: "What do you mean?"

“Not everyone is willing to take a gamble. Some people may see this not as an opportunity but as a threat. And those feudal lords, as well as officials whose interests have been harmed by me... probably wish they could take my life.”

The little dumpling in the arms didn't understand much, only that it was dangerous. She immediately put down the pastries in her hands: "Brother Xie, will you be in danger?"

Xie Wenling reached out and wiped the crumbs from the corner of her mouth: "Don't be afraid, I know what I'm doing."

"But..." The little dumpling was still worried.

“Don’t worry, Your Highness, I’ll be fine,” he winked. “Besides, this is quite interesting.”

Marquis Beiding frowned: "Wenling, this matter is of utmost importance..."

"Don't worry, Lord Marquis, I asked for this myself," Xie Wenling said.

This was indeed an opportunity he had painstakingly planned for.

After realizing that Qi Xunyuan was dead and that Consort Xian was now practically confined to the cold palace, he knew that the court was bound to stir up another storm over the positions of Empress and Consort.

He first devised a plan to force the emperor to "promise" him that he would be given an opportunity.

After the talent show controversy, he deliberately steered the emperor to ask questions.

Summoning the Crown Prince to the palace was a plan he had prepared long ago, but the emperor might not necessarily agree to it.

To ensure absolute success, he deliberately proposed a "sterilization" plan that would result in the loss of 800 enemies but also 1,000 of his own.

He then proposed a "mourning" plan that would inflict heavy losses on both sides, even at the cost of a thousand casualties on the enemy.

Add to that an exceptionally mediocre and ineffective "pure and simple" plan.

As the saying goes, if you want to open a window in the wall, you have to ask to tear down the roof first; if you want to borrow 800, you have to ask for 3,000.

Therefore, compared to other plans, this plan that he had prepared long ago seemed so excellent.

As expected, His Majesty approved of it.

"In any case, it's better to be careful," Marquis Beiding paused, then lowered his voice and said, "Although you are currently a very popular figure, you should know... serving a ruler is like serving a tiger."

Xie Wenling understood that he genuinely cared about her.

But he was genuinely unafraid: "Don't worry. This is exactly the effect His Majesty wants."

The little boy couldn't understand what the adults were saying, but he clung tightly to Xie Wenling's sleeve, saying, "Brother Xie, you must be careful!"

"Okay," Xie Wenling replied gently.

He had a slight smile on his face, and his whole demeanor was as elegant and otherworldly as a banished immortal.

The little dumpling looked up and thought that Brother Xie was even more handsome than the immortals in the painting.

Moreover, Brother Xie is smiling more and more, which shows that he really enjoys his current life.

Marquis Beiding and Little Dumpling stayed for a while longer. Little Dumpling looked at the mountain of documents beside Brother Xie and then at the endless stream of visitors outside the window. She said sensibly, "Brother Xie, Yue'er should go back now."

"No rush," Xie Wenling said nonchalantly, "Sit with me a little longer."

The little dumpling obediently walked to his side, but was drawn to a commotion coming from outside—

"Thank you, sir! I have important matters to discuss with you!"

"Thank you, sir. My father sent me with this invitation..."

"Thank you, Your Excellency..."

The steward came in sweating profusely and reported, "Sir, many officials are waiting outside."

Xie Wenling remained unmoved: "Then tell them not to wait anymore and to go back."

Seeing this, the little dumpling immediately said sensibly, "Thank you for your work, Brother Xie. Yue'er will come to play with the ducks with Brother Xie next time..."

"No rush," Xie Wenling said, holding her in his arms. He then turned to the steward and said, "Go and tell the gentlemen that we have distinguished guests today, and ask them to come again tomorrow."

The butler glanced at the little dumpling in surprise and hurriedly withdrew.

---

A note from the author:

Author's Note: There's still one character, Qu Zijin, missing from the mini-theater wish list. Please add any others here or in the book reviews on the homepage!

Author's note: Given how hard the author has worked, could you please give me a good review? Thank you for reading and your support!