Chapter 160 Be Careful of Bringing Fire upon Yourself
When the virtuous king heard Ruan Peining's words, he remained silent, picked up Ruan Weizhi's earnest letter on the table again, and frowned.
Ruan Peining had a bad feeling in his heart.
"It is not a good idea for me to return to the capital." After a long while, the wise king said in a deep voice.
Ruan Peining felt a chill in his heart.
His Highness the Ninth Uncle, the Wise Prince, added, "But Wang Yu is a good minister. It would be a shame to just leave him alone."
Ruan Peining looked up, his eyes expectant.
The virtuous prince looked at Ruan Peining with a penetrating gaze. "Your Ruan family is related to the Xie family by marriage. Your father shouldn't have intervened in Wang Yu's matter. The emperor is now past the age of knowing his fate, and his mind is unpredictable. Minister Ruan should be prudent and protect himself."
When Ruan Peining heard the words of the wise king, he couldn't help but admire his father Ruan Yanzhi's foresight.
Before he left, when the father and son were discussing in the study whether it was feasible at this time, Ruan Weizhi had reminded him that if the old prince did not like their Ruan family being involved in the affairs of the Imperial Observatory, they could use the long-standing friendship between the Ruan and Wang families as an opportunity to impress the wise king.
"In reply to Your Highness, my father said that the Wang family's ancestors had shown great kindness to our Ruan family. Our two families have been friends for many years, and now they both serve in the same court. Lord Wang is an upright official. My father wanted to repay the Wang family's kindness, and also wanted to do more for Daliang. He only wanted to have a clear conscience. As for other things, my father was anxious at the moment and did not worry too much."
Ruan Peining's words were sincere and heartfelt.
Every word he said was either for the purpose of repaying a favor or for Daliang. He also expressed to the virtuous king that his father Ruan Yanzhi was so eager to save people that he had no extra thoughts. Every word touched the heart of the old virtuous king, who nodded repeatedly after hearing it.
"It's not easy for Minister Ruan to be clear-minded."
"Your Majesty, please understand."
His Royal Highness the Virtuous Prince put down Ruan Yuanzhi's letter, thought seriously for a while, and told the butler next to him to prepare paper and pen.
The housekeeper went to the compartment and arranged the study.
Ruan Peining saw the virtuous king stand up and wave at him, and immediately followed behind him.
The scent of ink was faint. As the virtuous prince wrote, he said to him, "The confiscation of the Xie family's property has already been decided in the emperor's mind. I have tried to persuade him before, but to no avail. Out of sight, out of mind. Come out and find some peace and quiet, but it's not easy to find peace and quiet."
Ruan Peining stood respectfully aside, just listening with his ears pricked up.
The virtuous prince glanced up at him, then lowered his head and continued writing, "It's been over a hundred years since Taizu founded the country. Throughout history, ministers whose achievements surpassed their masters have rarely had a good ending. Your father is a sensible man. He didn't bother me with the Xie family's affairs because he meant it. He has made great progress as an official over the years. Wang Yu's matter is neither big nor small. Since he has come to me for help, I will naturally not stand idly by."
When the page was full, the housekeeper next to it took it to the side and let it dry gently with both hands.
The wise king continued to write the next one.
"The Emperor's decision to imprison Wang Yu must have his own reasons. We cannot say that Wang Yu is completely blameless. Being a minister beside the Emperor is a duty to be vigilant and attentive. The Imperial Astronomical Observatory is responsible for diviners and divination for the court. He was negligent for a moment, so there is room for improvement. But if he is stubborn and doesn't say what he should say and says what he shouldn't say, then he deserves the Emperor's wrath."
The last word just ends the stroke.
His Royal Highness the Wise Prince held a brush in his hand, staring at Ruan Peining with a deep, cold gaze. He asked, "Take back every word of this prince's words to your father. Tell him to think it over carefully, and when he understands, give a message to Wang Yu."
Ruan Peining bowed his head and said, "Yes! Your Majesty!"
"Yes." The virtuous king looked satisfied. "This is my seal."
The palace steward beside him had already prepared the royal seal and the seal of the virtuous king to seal the letter. He left the rest of the work to the steward. After the steward sealed the letter paper, he handed the letter to Ruan Peining.
Ruan Peining stepped forward, took the letter and returned it.
The old virtuous king shook his wide sleeves, clasped his hands in front of him, and walked leisurely forward from the inside. Ruan Peining put away the virtuous king's handwritten letter, and followed behind him two steps behind.
The king and his ministers walked out of the house into the courtyard one after another.
The virtuous king stopped, half-sideways glanced at him, pondered for a moment, and said, "Pei Ning, the court is facing a difficult time right now. There are powerful enemies outside and disasters within. All officials are in turmoil. Your father holds an important position in the Ministry of Personnel. He should think more about the court and the people of Daliang. Don't be lazy when overcoming difficulties."
"Your Majesty, Pei Ning will definitely report your teachings back to my father."
Ruan Peining knew that when His Royal Highness the King called him by his name, he was saying something private under the table.
His Royal Highness the Wise Prince nodded slightly. "Give this letter to your father. He will know who to send to the Imperial Study. This is only the one time that Wang Yu's matter happened. Your father should not interfere in the affairs of the Imperial Observatory again. Be careful not to bring disaster upon himself."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Go ahead. Saving people from danger is urgent. I won't keep you here."
"I'll take my leave."
That night, Ruan Peining brought his men back to Beijing.
He had only completed half of the task entrusted to him by his father, Ruan Yan, and rode back in the dark, hoping to be back home when the city gates opened in the morning.
After Ruan Peining left, His Royal Highness the Ninth Uncle, the Wise Prince, stood in the courtyard for a while longer.
"My Lord, it's late, go back to your room and get some sleep."
The old virtuous king looked up at the sky, his voice heavy. If one listened carefully, one could hear a hint of helplessness in his slightly aged voice. "The emperor is acting more and more recklessly these days. If this continues, the court will be in chaos. If the court is in chaos, how can there be peace under heaven?"
The housekeeper thought for a moment and then, in line with his master's wishes, said, "The emperor has been diligently handling government affairs for many years. He is tired and will be fine after a break. Besides, with the prince assisting him in governing the country, there will be no chaos in the world."
"Have the people who went to the northwest returned?" the wise king suddenly asked.
Upon hearing this, the housekeeper straightened his face and said, "They're back. The people from the north are back too."
"Let them come to the mansion tomorrow."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The old wise king flicked his long sleeves and went back to his room to sleep.
On the other side, Ruan Peining and his men traveled all night and finally returned to the capital before dawn.
Minister's Mansion.
Ruan Weizhi, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and Li Shaoqing, the official of the Imperial Observatory, waited for one day and two nights.
After Ruan Peining returned home, Ruan Weizhi asked his servants to invite Li Shaoqing, who hurried over after hearing the news.
"Your humble servant greets His Excellency, the Minister."
"No need to be so polite, Mr. Li. Please take a seat."
Ruan Peining lit the candle, and the three of them were in Ruan Weizhi's study, discussing how to rescue the Supervisor Wang Yu without fail.
Ruan Peining conveyed the old prince's words.
After listening to this, Ruan Weizhi was silent for a long time.
Ruan Peining and Li Shaoqing looked at each other, not daring to disturb them.
After a long while, Li Shaoqing sighed and said, "Master Ruan, you are in a situation where you cannot control others' will. Going with the flow is the best way to save your life."
Ruan Peining asked, "If the prince doesn't show up in this matter, is there any chance of success?"
Ruan Weizhi nodded, holding the letter from the virtuous prince and said, "This is considered as the prince coming forward to protect Wang Yu, but..."
"Just what?" Ruan Peining asked.
Ruan Weizhi looked at Li Shaoqing and said, "Lord Wang, I'm afraid your position as Supervisor will be in jeopardy for the time being. What are your plans, Li Langguan?"
Li Shaoqing seemed to have already made up his mind, "This humble official will advance and retreat with Lord Wang."
Ruan Weizhi nodded and said, "I'll go and give it a try."
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