For Ye Qianning, stirring up trouble was a piece of cake.
"Don't worry, cousin, Qian Ning knows what to do."
All she had to do was convey to Nangong Jingyao the message that Nangong Qing was going to be valued and that he might even be vying for the throne with him.
Presumably, this second prince will use the same methods he used against the crown prince back then.
Furthermore, this third prince doesn't have much power yet, making him much easier to deal with than the crown prince.
Soon Shuang Shuo returned from outside. He first bowed to Ye Beihan, and then said...
"Master, I have learned that the Second Prince's Consort has gone back to her parents' home and said she will stay for two or three days before returning to the manor."
Ye Beihan gripped the armrests of the chair tightly with both hands, gritting his teeth in anger.
"She's lucky; she'll live a couple more days."
This poison is not easy to prepare, especially since they are currently in Nanning and must be extra careful.
"Cousin, the decision for the Second Prince's wife to go back to her parents' home must have been made on short notice, otherwise there would have been news of it."
However, this time the poison my cousin had personally concocted was wasted.
Ye Qianning's mission this time can be considered a failure.
"I will prepare another dose of medicine. When will Nangong Jingyao meet you again?"
Ye Qianning hesitated for a moment, then stood up and said.
"In half a month, the Second Prince will be planning to seize the position of supervisor of the reservoir. He probably won't have time to come out for a while."
"Hmph! We've waited all these years, what's another half month?"
...
After staying at Ji'an Hall for five days, Xing Sisi's lochia decreased day by day, and today it stopped completely.
She was incredibly impressed by the sanitary napkins Su Luo made; they were truly excellent.
It's even thinner and lighter than menstrual pads, making it less prone to leakage.
“Princess Yu, I really regret not coming to you for treatment sooner. It’s been two years, and my illness is finally cured.”
Xing Sisi's complexion has been getting better and better these past few days, and she's become more energetic.
"It's good that you've recovered. Are you planning to go back to your residence today?"
Su Luo saw that she and Madam Xing had already instructed their maids and servants to pack, as they were going back today.
"Yes, we've been bothering you for many days, and we appreciate your constant concern. Now it will be much more convenient for us to return to our residence."
"Okay! Remember to take your medicine when you get back. You're practically in postpartum confinement right now."
Remember, don't let anger get the better of you. Whatever you want to do, wait until you've fully recovered.
Su Luo was afraid that once she returned, she would compete with the concubines in the family for attention.
If one is not careful and gets angry, it could cause the wound to reopen.
"Princess Yu, rest assured, nothing is more important than my health. I've been sick for two years and have come to terms with many things."
"That's good!"
Su Luo wasn't a talkative person, so she didn't tell her about the Second Prince and Ye Qianning.
Over the course of a few days, His Majesty summoned Su Luo to the palace several times.
Most of the discussions revolved around the construction of reservoirs, with the Second Prince, Nangong Jingyao, seeking the authority to oversee the project.
His Majesty wanted to give this position to Nangong Qing, whose achievements were too meager. He could use the position of reservoir supervisor to accumulate merits.
“Father, my third brother has very little experience managing such a large project. I believe that I am more suitable for the position of supervisor.”
This is a reservoir that benefits the country and its people. If he does this well, he will be one step closer to becoming the crown prince.
In addition, the construction of the reservoir was a matter for the Ministry of Works, and he and his father-in-law were working together. The profits that would leak out from it were a huge piece of meat.
How could such a good thing be allowed to benefit Nangong Qing?
"Third brother, what's your opinion on this reservoir supervision?"
Nangong Qing stepped forward and bowed: "Your subject believes that any good deed that benefits the country and the people is acceptable, as long as it is done well, regardless of who does it."
The emperor didn't know what to say about his son. His mother was gone, and he himself was getting old. Why was he still so unambitious and uncompetitive?
If I'm gone in the future, who will protect him?
“Vice Minister of Agriculture, this matter of building a reservoir was proposed by you. The construction needs a prince to oversee it. Between the second and third princes, who do you think is more suitable?”
Su Luo: "Your Majesty, both princes are outstanding individuals. It is up to Your Majesty to decide who will take charge."
Su Luo then passed this potentially offensive question back to the emperor.
"Vice Minister of Agriculture...you..."
The emperor was in a dilemma, and the entire hall fell silent.
After pondering for a long time, Su Luo noticed that Nangong Qing had been deliberately avoiding her lately. She thought it best to let Nangong Qing do this good deed.
"Your Majesty, I believe that the Minister of Works and the Second Prince have an overly close relationship."
If something goes wrong during the construction of the reservoir, people will inevitably say that officials are protecting each other.
For the sake of the Second Prince's reputation, it would be more prudent to let the Third Prince handle this matter.
After Su Luo finished speaking, she turned to Nangong Jingyao and said, "Second Prince, I am doing this all for your sake."
Nangong Jingyao hesitated for a moment. Su Luo and Nangong Qing had always been close. Could it be that they had already joined forces to deal with him?
“Father, please investigate. Although Minister Xing and I are father-in-law and son-in-law, I am absolutely loyal to you and dare not be negligent in the slightest.”
As for building the reservoir, I only wanted to do my part. There are some things that Minister Xing is embarrassed to say to my third brother.
But Minister Xing is easier for me to talk to, which is why I believe I am more suitable to be the supervisor.
The emperor thought for a moment, and finally spoke.
"Second Prince, this reservoir was proposed by the Vice Minister of Agriculture, so of course I must listen to his opinion."
"While your words have merit, as a prince, I do not wish for anyone to criticize you. Therefore, this supervisory role will be given to the third prince."
Nangong Qing clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your subject will do his best and live up to your father's expectations."
Nangong Qing dared not look at Su Luo too much, and while he could still control himself, he tried to see her as little as possible.
He believed that time was the best healer, and he sincerely wished Su Luo and Prince Yu well.
However, Nangong Jingyao was unwilling to be the supervisor.
"Father, my third brother is really not suitable..."
"Alright, my mind is made up. There's no need to say any more."
At this moment, Nangong Jingyao deeply felt his father's favoritism towards Nangong Qing.
There have always been rumors in the palace that the Emperor and Nangong Qing's mother were childhood sweethearts.
If it weren't for the throne, he would never have married the current empress. After he became emperor, Nangong Qing's mother hadn't even given birth yet.
She was promoted to Imperial Concubine without being given the proper status, which was against all rules and regulations. Now that Imperial Concubine is dead.
Everyone assumed that the Emperor treated Nangong Qing the same way as the other princes, or even neglected him.
Sending him out to travel, in retrospect, was actually a way of protecting Nangong Qing.
He was kept away from the court intrigues, while he and the Crown Prince fought to the bitter end. When Nangong Qing returned, he could reap the benefits.
The more Nangong Jingyao thought about it, the more ridiculous it seemed. Now that he was with Ye Qianning, if he didn't tell her soon, his father would definitely bestow Qianning upon Nangong Qing, and then it would be too late for him to say anything.
“Father, the task of supervising the construction can be left to my third brother, but I have a request to make to you.”
The emperor's expression softened considerably when he saw that the emperor was no longer vying for the position of supervisor.
"explain……"
"Your subject wishes to marry Princess Qianning, and hopes that Your Majesty will grant your request."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com