"Brother-in-law, what exactly do you mean by saying that?"
The fourth prince refused to go to his death, and couldn't help but have some opinions about those who encouraged him to do so.
This time, he didn't even call him "brother" affectionately, but instead called him "elder brother-in-law" in a slightly "joking" way.
He had a smile on his face, but his eyes were cold.
He's not smart, but he's not stupid.
He wouldn't be presumptuous, nor would he want to be taken advantage of like a fool.
Why did Xu Tong say that?
Does he intend to take this opportunity to cause trouble?
Or has the Xu family developed ulterior motives?
If it was the latter, the fourth prince clenched his fist tightly.
The Great Zhou Dynasty belonged to the Helian clan. The fourth prince himself had no ambition, but he could not stand seeing outsiders trying to take over.
Even if she were a princess, well, okay, a princess isn't that kind of ambitious person.
Moreover, in the princess's heart, she must also value him and her son.
Furthermore, the princess had witnessed the "abnormality" of Helian Jue and his wife; this supreme couple was cunning and scheming.
They have a perfect plan, thinking three steps ahead for every one step they take. Do they want to seize the country from them?
Delusion!
"It must be the Xu family's doing! They probably didn't even tell the Princess!"
The fourth prince's mind raced, and he quickly came to a conclusion that pleased him: "If Xu Tong had asked the princess before coming to me, he wouldn't have said such provocative things!"
Are they plotting against Helian Jue and Xie Yuan?
ha!
Dreaming in broad daylight?
Xu Tong: ...This simple-minded prince, could it be a misunderstanding?
Rumors have been circulating in the capital recently, and the Xu family, who control the capital's imperial guards, will not blindly believe them.
However, they still managed to uncover some of the truth—the book-reading mess.
It is still uncertain whether the sage is seriously ill;
But the Empress has indeed left the capital.
The news released from the palace was that the Empress, out of filial piety and to pray for the disaster victims in the southwest, would fast and chant Buddhist scriptures for a month.
Anyone with a modicum of political acumen wouldn't believe such a statement.
Not to mention those cunning old foxes who mingled in the imperial court.
The ministers in the council hall were the first to disbelieve it.
But what can they do if they don't believe it?
The empress did not attend court, and it was against the rules for them to go to the inner palace.
The Empress's ladies-in-waiting, however, have consistently insisted on serving in the Jiaofang Palace.
They would also attend court during the morning assembly!
Everything seemed to be trying its best to remain normal.
However, beneath this surface calm lies a turbulent undercurrent.
The Xu family originated from the late emperor's stable boy background and were loyal only to the emperor.
Helian Jue was the successor chosen by the late emperor, so the Xu family regarded the current sage as their supreme ruler.
It was precisely because of General Xu Liang's attitude that Helian Jue did not take away the Xu family's military power after ascending the throne, but continued to let them control the Thousand Bull Guard and the Golden Guard!
It can be said that Helian Jue's move was quite risky.
A new emperor brings a new court!
Throughout history, those who commanded the imperial guards in the capital were invariably the people the emperor trusted most.
Xu Liang, a veteran minister of the previous generation, was still able to be highly valued by the new emperor.
This matter itself is unusual.
Xu Jia was cautious in his words and deeds, and dared not make the slightest mistake.
Family members can be restrained, but what about relatives by marriage?
For example, the biggest destabilizing factor in the Xu family is their son-in-law, Prince Yong!
The Empress's departure from the capital must mean something major has happened to the Emperor.
The reason there are so many rumors in the capital is that there are ambitious people secretly trying to cause trouble.
Yellow Sect!
Third Prince!
Even the Prince of Ruyang was involved.
This is just what's mentioned in the rumors; there are some even more secretive forces involved.
The capital is truly a place of unpredictable changes; if you're not careful, you could be swallowed up by a storm.
"Ah Yuan is still in the Prince of Yong's residence. The Prince of Yong must not get involved in this trouble!"
General Xu said this to his sons.
But that dragon throne was too tempting; which man of high position and power wouldn't be tempted by that vast empire?
The fourth prince was the late emperor's biological son, and his maternal family was of noble birth. He was also a strong contender for the throne.
Although in the past, the fourth prince always appeared to be unambitious.
But who can guarantee that the Fourth Prince isn't faking it?
Okay, even if the former fourth prince wasn't interested, what about now?
Has his opinion ever changed?
The entire Xu family is destined to be loyal only to the person on the dragon throne.
But his daughter married the Prince of Yong, who was his own flesh and blood.
Xu Liang could never abandon his own daughter.
"Let's test the waters first and hear what the prince himself thinks."
"If he had no ambition, that would be perfect!"
"if--"
Xu Liang didn't say anything more.
But his meaning was clear: the Xu family would not be sacrificed for the Prince of Yong's ambitions.
They probed the Fourth Prince's intentions, sought to atone for their crimes through meritorious service, and then tried to save the lives of Xu Yuan and her child.
As for the Fourth Prince, the Xu family really couldn't care less.
...And so, Xu Tong's visit came about today.
"Your Highness, the Empress's departure from the capital must mean His Majesty has encountered a grave problem!"
"Perhaps it was an assassination attempt, perhaps a serious illness, or perhaps—"
There have been too many unexpected events, but the situation is definitely not good.
Otherwise, given the Empress's composure, she would never have acted so recklessly.
When the emperor is in trouble and the prince is still young, it is the most taboo thing since ancient times to have a "young ruler ruling the court".
For the sake of the dynasty's stability, both the imperial harem and the imperial court would select an adult heir.
For example, the princes left behind by the late emperor.
If we consider the degree of blood relation, Helian Jue also has a younger brother who shares the same father and mother!
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