The prince nodded and finally made a decision, "Well, tonight, I will go visit Minister Xiao!"

"Right, right, right. If we can win over someone in advance, we should strike first!"

The staff agreed, "Tomorrow morning at the court, our people can also help and strongly recommend Minister Xiao to take the position! In this way, we will be bound naturally!"

The prince packed up, left through the back door at night, and went straight to the Xiao family.

…

At this time, in the Xiao family study.

Both Minister Xiao and Xiao Pingxin were called up, packed up a little, and went to see Eunuch Qian.

"It's so late, why is Eunuch Qian here?"

Minister Xiao wondered in his heart: Is it related to Shen Cangyun's demotion?

In fact, the Shen family’s household affairs have been a mess lately, and everyone has heard about it.

However, no one expected that in such a short period of time, Shen Cangyun was demoted six levels and directly became a member of the Ministry of Rites, who was not qualified to attend the morning court and a handyman.

There was an earthquake in the imperial court, and Minister Xiao could only guess in his heart but did not dare to say it out loud.

Eunuch Qian glanced at Xiao Pingxin and said, "The Emperor summons Master Xiao to the palace."

Then, he looked at Minister Xiao and said, "There is something I can tell you. The emperor asked your son to come to the palace this time to handle official business, but also private matters."

Minister Xiao could understand the office affairs.

But what is private matter?

"What do you mean, sir?"

Minister Xiao asked.

Eunuch Qian said: "Ziwei Fuxing is about to leave the Shen family. She is only sixteen years old, and it is not good for her to be alone. Therefore, the emperor hopes that the minister will come forward and recognize Miss Shen. From now on, Miss Shen is the daughter of the minister's mansion."

"this--"

Minister Xiao was shocked, but soon understood, "That is to say, Miss Shen's status has not decreased but increased. The emperor wants to use her?"

Eunuch Qian nodded, "She is a lucky star, and she is blessed with good fortune. This is what everyone wants to see."

"That's right, that's right!"

Minister Xiao nodded, "Okay, I'll do it tomorrow!"

The blessing of Ziwei falls on the Xiao family, which means that the Xiao family's status will rise.

Minister Xiao vaguely realized that the emperor's move might be related to the future selection of the crown prince, and for a moment he felt heavy in his heart.

"Then I will take my leave first."

Eunuch Qian nodded.

Just as he was about to take Xiao Pingxin away, a man came in hurriedly and reported, "Master! His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is outside the door asking to see you!"

Under the eaves, Eunuch Qian's pupils suddenly shrank.

It came really quickly!

It's just too ironic!

Minister Xiao was nervous, "What is he doing here?"

But then he thought about it, and realized that the position was vacant, and the prince might be trying to unite with him...

However, the emperor's meaning seems unclear.

Finally, Minister Xiao had no choice but to look at Eunuch Qian and carefully test him, "Eunuch, what should we do now? What does His Royal Highness mean by this? Why can't I understand?"

Should I meet this person or not?

Previously, the emperor had arranged for Shen Ruyi to marry the prince. Now that the emperor had asked Shen Ruyi to come to the Xiao family, the Xiao family would definitely support the prince in the future. However...

The heart of an emperor cannot be guessed.

Even if Eunuch Qian didn't mention it to Minister Xiao, he still had to consider Shen Ruyi who was about to come in, so he said: "Mr. Minister, you should have heard recently that Ziwei Fuxing... was disfigured."

"……yes."

Upon hearing this, Minister Xiao's expression became even more complicated.

He had heard about it, and also heard that the three brothers of the Shen family went to beg Shen Ruyi to return home. Today, the events at Hantan had caused a lot of uproar.

However, although Shen Ruyi was disfigured, the emperor elevated her status.

These two things are inherently contradictory.

Therefore, he was unsure, "Please give me some advice, father-in-law."

Minister Xiao bowed.

Eunuch Qian nodded, "However, the prince has proposed to cancel the engagement. Although the imperial edict has not yet come down, the emperor has already agreed."

Minister Xiao was stunned, "That means I can't see him!"

He hurriedly said to the guard, "Go, tell His Royal Highness the Crown Prince that I had a sudden illness in the evening, and the doctor said that I can't rush and can't see anyone, so please ask him to go back!"

"……yes."

The guard didn't understand why, but he did as he was told.

Eunuch Qian smiled and glanced at Xiao Pingxin, "Go out with me later. Do you know what to say?"

"Don't worry, sir. Ping Xin knows what's going on."

Xiao Pingxin nodded.

Eunuch Qian hummed, "Young Master Xiao is a sensible man."

Then he looked at Minister Xiao and said, "Then I will not bother you any more. When the imperial decree for cancelling the engagement comes down tomorrow, Lord Xiao will quickly take the bride home and hold a family recognition banquet."

"Well, let's ask someone to prepare it tonight!"

Minister Xiao nodded and watched him leave.

Outside the door.

The guard said to the prince, "Your Highness, my master suddenly fell ill in the evening, and the doctor said he cannot see anyone, so... I cannot entertain you tonight, Your Highness, please go back first."

"how so?"

The prince was startled, and subconsciously glanced inside the gate, "What disease does Lord Xiao have?"

Isn’t it too coincidental that I contracted the disease at this time?

The guard was just wondering how to answer when Eunuch Qian and Xiao Pingxin came out.

Xiao Pingxin bowed and said, "Reporting to His Royal Highness, the Imperial Physician is taking the patient's pulse inside. He has not yet determined what the illness is, but the situation is critical and there is really no way to treat it."

"Please forgive me, Your Highness."

The prince did not expect to meet Eunuch Qian here. He felt guilty and asked, "Why is Eunuch here?"

He originally came here quietly to build up connections.

Being caught by people in the palace is not a good thing.

A bad premonition was brewing in his chest, and the prince frowned slightly.

Eunuch Qian looked at him, disappointment flashing in his eyes, and said, "I heard that Minister Xiao was seriously ill, and the emperor specially ordered me to visit him."

Then, he changed the subject and asked, "Why is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince here?"

Prince: “…”

He couldn't tell the truth, so he could only say, "I also heard that Minister Xiao was seriously ill, so I came to take a look."

"That's not necessary. I don't see anyone here. Let's ask Doctor Qi to take a look later."

Eunuch Qian stopped him and glanced at Xiao Pingxin, "Let's go."

Afterwards, the two of them got on the carriage and headed towards the palace.

The prince frowned, "Why did he suddenly fall ill? If it's a coincidence, it's unlikely. If not, he must have been harmed by someone!"

Having said that, I had no choice but to go home.

After tossing and turning for half the night, the next morning, the prince went to the palace again and waited outside the imperial study early in the morning, "Eunuch Qian, I have something to ask my father."

He figured it out.

It doesn't matter whether Shen Ruyi is Shen Cangyun's daughter or the midwife's daughter now.

Because the Shen family is finished!

The Shen family is unreliable, and Shen Ruyi herself was disfigured and became a mute.

She has completely lost her value in being won over.

It will also be disadvantageous for him to find someone to marry.

Especially, at this critical juncture when Shen Cangyun is stepping down and the new prime minister is about to take over, he must draw a clear line between himself and Shen Ruyi to allow the newcomer to come in!

No matter who is the prime minister, he will become his next target!

Only the daughter of the next prime minister is worthy of being his crown princess!

The prince was thinking about this and became a little impatient.

In the imperial study.

When the emperor heard his words, he felt a headache and a little angry.

After raising his hand and calling someone in, he asked, "I said that I would give you an imperial decree to cancel the engagement in three days. It's only the second day, and you can't wait?"