Chapter 240 The Secret of the Zhao Family
Zhao Qinghui's expression was complicated. In the past, Yan Xing had a clear distinction between love and hate. If someone offended him, he would definitely retaliate. He was well prepared today, thinking that Yan Xing would humiliate him, but he didn't expect him to be so calm.
Zhao Qinghui was the first to raise his glass. He said solemnly, "My Lord, what happened before was all my fault. I have failed your friendship. I apologize to you here. If you want to beat me, scold me, kill me, or cut me up, I will do as you wish." After a pause, he continued, "But all this was done by my Zhao family. My Zhao family is short-sighted and too powerful, but it has nothing to do with Qingwan. She has been sincere to you since she was a child. Please don't misunderstand her, my Lord."
Yan Xing just stared at him for a long time without saying anything. His gaze made Zhao Qinghui feel uneasy.
Yan Xing said, "I grew up with you. You came to me today because you understand me. You know that if you sincerely apologize, I won't forgive you, but I won't embarrass you either. But at the same time, I understand you." He said in a calm voice, "You're right when you say Miss Zhao is sincere. She truly hopes to find a good home. That person could be me or the young master of the Liang family. As long as they can bring her glory and wealth, it doesn't matter who it is."
Zhao Qinghui's face suddenly changed: "Young Master! You grew up with Qingwan, how could you misunderstand him like this? She loves you deeply, how can you doubt her sincerity?!" His voice was full of anger, as if he were a victim.
Yan Xing remained calm. Looking at Zhao Qinghui's excited and angry expression, he was somewhat surprised that he was still calm at this moment.
Because Lu Chenyang is like this. He is calm in many things and can remain rational no matter what situation he faces.
He has seen a lot, so maybe he has grasped some of the essence of it.
He felt a little happy in his heart because he could be similar to him.
Yan Xing even curled the corners of his lips, which made Zhao Qinghui suspicious.
"Young Master..." Zhao Qinghui couldn't help but call out.
He used to know Yan Xing very well, but now Yan Xing seemed strange in every way, which made his confidence waver.
"Everyone says that the young master of the Zhao family is cynical and mischievous. He's been punished by Lord Zhao since he was a child, and kneeling in the ancestral hall is a common punishment. But outsiders don't know, don't I know? How many of the mistakes you've made were made by Zhao Qingwan?" Yan Xing laughed sarcastically. "Zhao Qinghui, I turned a blind eye to it before, and you really took me for a fool?"
Zhao Qinghui's expression suddenly changed.
Yan Xing suddenly felt a little bored. He couldn't help but wonder what Lu Chenyang would do at this moment?
Thinking of Lu Chenyang, even his brows softened.
He had been thinking about him more and more recently, ever since the Fifth Prince incident. He had been so good to him, so it was no wonder he was so deeply involved.
Yan Xing wanted to end the dinner as quickly as possible. He said nonchalantly, "Mr. Zhao, if you asked me to come here today just to talk nonsense, I won't accompany you."
Zhao Qinghui said subconsciously: "It is indeed to apologize to the prince..."
Yan Xing frowned, and in a hurry to get back, he interrupted him impatiently, "I'll give you one more chance." He said sarcastically, "You've given me ten thousand dan of grain just to apologize. I don't have the nerve to do that. You've gone to all this trouble, just for the sake of fame and fortune."
Zhao Qinghui's face flushed red again. He was wrong. Yan Xing had not changed. He was still the same high-spirited prince who could not tolerate anything and would turn against someone at any time.
When dealing with people he doesn't like, he never cares about his face and just directly fights back.
Yan Xing's words really hurt her heart.
Zhao Qinghui quickly calmed his heartbeat. He said solemnly, "My Lord, I'm here to surrender on behalf of the Zhao family."
Yan Xing's face finally showed a hint of surprise. He was curious: "Surrender? Is there anything I can use from your Zhao family now?"
The Zhao family was indeed a family of scholars, but they were nothing in the capital. The highest-ranking official in the Zhao family was Zhao Qinghui's father, a censor in the Imperial Censorate.
The Zhao family is not a prominent family at all. Looking through the Zhao family genealogy, the highest official was no higher than the fourth rank.
The Zhao family was able to get involved in the Duke's Mansion because of an accident.
This matter was related to the late empress. At that time, the late empress had just passed away, and before the seventh day had passed, Emperor Qianyuan wanted to make Concubine Lan the empress. At that time, Emperor Qianyuan had already taken control of the government and was most tolerant of opposition.
No one would anger the emperor who was at the peak of his power for the sake of a dead queen, so even though this was against etiquette, no one objected.
Only the head of the Zhao family wrote a letter of objection, saying that the late queen's body was still warm and it would be against etiquette to establish a new queen.
Because of this incident, the head of the Zhao family offended Emperor Qianyuan and was reprimanded. Later, his situation in the capital city plummeted.
The Duke of Zhenguo was grateful for the righteous words spoken by the head of the Zhao family, so both sides took the initiative.
At that time, Yan Xing was at the age when people hated him. The Duke of Zhenguo hoped that Yan Xing could learn the steadiness of Zhao Qinghui and Zhao Qingwan, so he let the children play together.
But the Zhao family did not have any outstanding children. Zhao Qinghui had not yet passed the imperial examination. Seeing his decline, his words of surrender seemed ridiculous to Yan Xing.
Zhao Qinghui saw his contempt but didn't take it seriously. He said sternly, "My Lord, have you ever wondered why the Emperor didn't touch the Zhao family even though my father spoke up for the late Empress?"
Emperor Qianyuan was a powerful and overbearing emperor, a result of his previous circumstances. After he came to power, the thing he could not tolerate most was rejection and disobedience from others.
He is a petty person. If someone disobeys him, even if he doesn't get angry at the time, he will find a reason to banish the person from the capital later, so that he won't be bothered by them.
Later, the court officials all discovered this fact of his, and gradually no one dared to give him direct criticism in person.
The head of the Zhao family was indeed quite disobedient, but he did not suffer any revenge from Emperor Qianyuan.
Yan Xing originally thought that this was because the Duke of Zhenguo was intervening and repeatedly showing goodwill to the Zhao family and making a protective gesture.
Zhao Qinghui said, "Your Highness must think it's because of the Duke's protection?" He laughed, "Actually, it's not. It's because the Zhao family originally belonged to His Majesty."
Yan Xing was startled, his eyes filled with disbelief: "What did you say?"
Even the Crown Prince didn't know about this! The Zhao family, who had always been low-key and inconspicuous, were actually the emperor's people?
Zhao Qinghui said, "In recent years, Your Majesty has been considered wise and powerful, and has worked hard to ensure peace and prosperity for the country. But why is the national treasury always empty? The Ministry of Revenue complains of poverty every day? Even now, there's not even money for disaster relief? Your Majesty did hold a birthday banquet, but can a birthday banquet empty the national treasury?" He looked sarcastic, but his tone was firm. "That's because the money from the national treasury has been diverted to Your Majesty's private treasury." He paused, looking at Yan Xing. "The Zhao family is the one who manages Your Majesty's private treasury."
Yan Xing's expression was unpredictable and his emotions were in turmoil.
So that's it! But why did Emperor Qianyuan do this?
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