Chapter 177 Princess
Tao Shangshu has recently been enjoying unparalleled popularity in the capital, with many minor officials starting to take sides and support him as the next prime minister.
The position of prime minister, second only to the emperor and above all others, requires not only talent and ability, outstanding prestige, but also the support of colleagues and subordinates.
Minister Tao was all smiles, but some people couldn't stand it and went to find Xiao Su.
"Lord Xiao, you know our intentions. Originally, with Prime Minister Zheng retiring, the position of Prime Minister was rightfully yours. Who would have thought that someone would suddenly appear out of nowhere!"
"Look at Tao Duo's smug look, he's utterly despicable!"
The speaker was Xiao Su's subordinate, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and the Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.
The two men had been loyal supporters of Xiao Su in the past, and now that they saw Xiao Su about to miss out on the position of prime minister, they were both more anxious than the other.
How could they not be anxious? If Minister Xiao can't get promoted, they can't get promoted either. And if their superiors are disappointed, they won't get any promotions either. These past few days, they've been so worried about this that their hair has turned quite a bit white.
Xiao Su, unlike his usual gentle and refined demeanor, appeared somewhat tired.
"Don't mention this matter again, or you'll regret it!"
"Lord Tao certainly has his merits. If he can gain the Emperor's favor and serve the country and the people, that would be a wonderful thing."
Both subordinates were somewhat astonished to hear Xiao Su's unambitious words.
"Lord Xiao, how can you be so complacent, handing over the prime minister's position that you've already secured to someone else?"
"Are you still holding a grudge about what happened with Princess Chang Le? I've already said that it was just a petty trick by the Princess, a sign of her womanly kindness. It couldn't possibly shake your position in court. You can't be complacent!"
After repeated persuasion from his two subordinates, Xiao Su finally let out a long sigh.
"Stop talking. I received a letter from home a few days ago. My mother is seriously ill and on the verge of death. Even if I were to die, I would have to return to Jiangnan for two years of mourning. There are many talented people in the court, and there are countless young talents like you. When I am reinstated, I don't know if I can keep my current position as Minister."
Hearing him say this, the two subordinates finally realized what he meant.
It turns out that it wasn't that he didn't want to compete, but rather that Old Madam Xiao's health was failing, and Xiao Su couldn't compete.
But thinking about it, it makes sense. If news of Princess Chang Le's affair were to reach Jiangnan, even the healthy Madam Xiao would probably fall ill from the stress!
What elderly lady could tolerate her descendants doing something like swapping her legitimate daughter for an illegitimate one?
Not to mention that the legitimate daughter has now broken away from the clan, changed her surname, recognized the eldest princess as her godmother, and become a royal princess.
This is not just a slap in the face to Xiao Su, it's a slap in the face to the entire Xiao family.
"Lord Xiao, please rest assured, your mother is blessed by Heaven and will surely be safe and healthy."
"Yes, yes, then we will not disturb your residence any longer. Farewell!"
The change in their attitudes was exactly what Xiao Su had expected. He maintained his tired and sorrowful expression as he saw off his two subordinates who had failed in their attempts to persuade him, and then his expression vanished in an instant.
At the same time he received a reply from Madam Xiao from Jiangnan, he also received another mysterious letter.
The terms offered by the other party were too tempting, so he had to think carefully, for his own sake and for Xiao Jiabo's future.
"Master, someone from the Lin family has arrived. They say... they say..."
At that moment, Butler Xiao walked in hesitantly.
"Speak your mind! What kind of manners are you behaving like this?"
Butler Xiao glanced at Xiao Su's face and knew that he had come at an inopportune time. However, no matter what Xiao Su was in a mood, what he was about to say would enrage him.
"Yes... The Lin family sent someone to say they want Madam to divorce you and then take her back!"
"What?!"
Xiao Su slammed his hand on the table, jumped up, and his eyes were bloodshot.
"There's never a day of peace! What did Lin Kuangzheng instigate to Lin Hui this time?"
"Why are they bringing up divorce again out of the blue? All their children are of marriageable age. Is the Lin family trying to completely break ties with the Xiao family?!"
He strode angrily to the reception hall, expecting to see Lin Kuangzheng himself, but instead found an old lady who was both familiar and unfamiliar sitting inside.
The old lady looked to be around sixty years old. Her hair, streaked with silver, was smooth and neatly combed. The headband she wore was embroidered with an exquisite and intricate design of pine trees and cranes symbolizing longevity, and was surrounded by a circle of round pearls.
Her cold gaze swept over Xiao Su, but she remained firmly seated in her original position.
Perhaps intimidated by the old lady's imposing manner, Xiao Su was momentarily apprehensive.
"And this is...?"
Just as the maidservant beside the old lady was about to speak, she saw the old lady raise her hand and coldly mock:
"It's been many years since I last saw you, Minister Xiao, you're still as dashing as ever! My old friend thought she had found a good husband, but little did she know she had married her daughter to an ungrateful wretch!"
Upon hearing the words "old sister" and "ideal son-in-law," Xiao Su's face immediately turned pale.
"This junior pays respects to the Princess Consort of Runing!"
He bowed deeply, and the anger simmering in his heart vanished in an instant.
The fact that the Lin family could actually get the Princess of Runing, who was once a close friend of the old lady Lin, to intervene means that the divorce is practically a done deal!
The Prince of Runing was the only prince of Qi who was not of the royal family. He had followed the late emperor in his campaigns in the south and north and made great contributions. Although he was old now, he was still strong and healthy and would often go to the barracks to instruct the soldiers on training.
If it weren't for His Majesty's fear of his overwhelming prestige in the army, making it unsuitable for him to lead troops into battle, he might still be fighting for the Qi kingdom right now.
The heir apparent of the Prince of Runing is also exceptionally talented. Although he currently holds a sinecure, he is the initiator of various literary poetry gatherings in the capital and has many supporters. His wife is the famous Lady Quanfu.
This family is not easy to deal with.
"I dare not accept your courtesy. Who knows if you are being respectful to my face but secretly cursing me to a terrible death!"
Xiao Su inwardly groaned, and when he raised his head again, his expression had changed to one of sorrow.
"The Princess Consort of Runing is right. I made a mistake back then, and everything I am experiencing now is what I deserve..."
Before he could finish his attempt to elicit sympathy, he was interrupted by Princess Runing with a cold laugh.
"Stop pretending. I've lived for over sixty years and eaten more salt than you've eaten rice. You think you can fool me?"
Princess Consort of Runing glanced at him from head to toe:
"If he had any conscience, he should have broken off his relationship with that mistress long ago and revealed the whole story sooner. Now that he has completely broken the princess's heart and things have gotten out of control, who is he trying to impress with this act?"
Xiao Su kept nodding and bowing, his posture extremely humble:
"It's all my fault. Princess Runing, you may scold me however you wish, but please consider that there are still several children of marriageable age in the household, and the mansion cannot be without a mistress to manage things. Please do not let Hui'er and me divorce..."
"I have realized my mistake and will definitely turn over a new leaf and serve Hui'er wholeheartedly from now on!"
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