Yan Huisheng left the Imperial Palace and returned to the Eastern Palace, where he called a meeting with his advisors overnight. šš»šš®ššššš¤š«š®š.š¬šš¢
Zhou Gu was studying the records of Nanchu when someone from the Eastern Palace came to inform him that the Crown Prince had requested his presence. Confused, Zhou put down the records and rode to the Eastern Palace.
He was the first one to arrive. Looking at Yan Huisheng, he asked, "Your Highness, has something happened?"
Before his arrival, he had heard that the Imperial Doctor was urgently called to the palace as the Emperorās condition had worsened.
Yan Huisheng did not hide anything from Zhou Gu, and showed him the letter of confession from Imperial Concubine Zhen. After a quick read, Zhou Gu said, "Just as expected."
He asked Yan Huisheng, "What is your plan, Your Highness?"
The residence of the Pingxi General in Jibei, as it appeared now, was a major threat to the internal affairs of Daliang.
Yan Huisheng shook his head, "I havenāt figured that out yet, thatās why Iāve called everyone for a discussion."
Zhou Gu folded the records and handed them back to Yan Huisheng. The confession letter involving the Emperorās deception was certainly not meant to be seen by everyone. He suggested, "We need to find a proper way to strip Zhang Ping of his military power as soon as possible."
Yan Huisheng nodded, "Iām afraid itās not that easy."
Zhou Gu knew it wouldnāt be easy. Because of this urgency, he proposed, "Originally, I was planning to go to Nanping first and then to Jibei. How about if I go to Jibei first to investigate how many troops Zhang Ping has raised privately?"
"Youāve just made the official list, and youāre too conspicuous, too dangerous." Yan Huisheng shook his head, "You just go to Nanping. Iāll send someone to Jibei. The Marquis of Nanping and the Eighteen Mountain Strongholds cannot be allowed to create chaos."
Zhou Gu thought it made sense, so he dropped the idea.
While the two were talking, his counselors rushed in one after another.
Yan Huisheng didnāt show the letter from Imperial Concubine Zhen again. He simply mentioned that Imperial Concubine Zhen had been working for the Pingxi General, Zhang Ping, who harbored treasonous ambitions. Now that everyone was gathered, it was time to brainstorm solutions on how to remove Zhang Pingās military power without shedding blood. The counselors were shocked and began to discuss amongst themselves.
When Su Rong returned to Dongsi Hutong, it was late. There were lights on in her yard. As she entered her house, she saw that Su Xingze was indeed waiting for her there.
She raised an eyebrow, "Big brother, are you worried about me again?"
Su Xingze shook his head, "Iām not worried anymore. Iāve gotten used to it. I should be worrying about myself."
Su Rong laughed at his joke.
Su Xingze asked her, "Did you go to the Duke Residence to see Zhou Gu? Were you able to dissuade him?"
Su Rong sat down and shook her head, "No."
Su Xingze knew it then, "So?"
Su Rong sighed helplessly, "Let him!
Su Xingze looked at her.
Not wanting to mention Zhou Gu, Su Rong said, "I also went to the Eastern Palace and accompanied the Crown Prince to the Ministry of Justice prison to visit Imperial Concubine Zhen."
Su Xingze frowned, "You ran to so many places? Tired?"
"I am a bit tired, so I didnāt accompany the Crown Prince to the Imperial Palace." Su Rong briefly described the process of interrogating Imperial Concubine Zhen and what she had confessed, then said, "Big brother, I may not be able to stay in the capital for long. I feel that Jibei needs me to make a visit."
Su Xingze disagreed, "Jibei is too dangerous. You cannot go."
"Where is it not dangerous? According to me, Nanchu is more dangerous than Jibei, but I still have to go there. Iām not worried about Jibei." said Su Rong thoughtfully, "But we are not in a hurry for this matter. The Crown Prince will surely send people to Jibei first to find out more. Then, military deployments will be planned to prevent Jibei from causing chaos. Though, dethroning Zhang Ping of his military power will not be easy. We need to seize the right opportunity or find his weakness."
Rapping her fingers on the table, she said, "I spent my childhood in Jibei, so Iām familiar with it. And, talking about detecting peopleās weaknesses, Iām quite skilled at it. I considered all these things on my way back, and now, none of the Crown Princeās men seem to be a better fit than me."
Yan Huisheng said, "Itās not a good idea to get involved in too many affairs of Daliang."
Su Rong smiled, "Iām not so sure about that. The Crown Prince has given me full access to all his records. He will not be alarmed by my understanding of the court developments of Daliang. Because, whether for official or personal reasons, I will never harm Daliang. Todayās Daliang is the kingdom that my mother sacrificed her life to protect. I will not let my motherās efforts go in vain, even if I become the Nanchu King in the future, I will not allow Nanchu to annex Daliang. The Crown Prince understands this very well."
Su Xingze sighed, "Youāre right."
After contemplating for a moment, he suddenly said, "If I join the court, I can go to Jibei. It doesnāt have to be you."
Su Rong raised an eyebrow, "Jibei is dangerous."
Su Xingze laughed, "As you said, where is it not dangerous? How can I rise through the ranks if I stay in the capital? Maybe Jibei is my chance."
He straightened up and asked, "What do you think?"
Surprisingly, Su Rong didnāt object, "Technically, you should be at the Hanlin Academy for two years first. This is the regular procedure. But if you decide to go outside of the regular rules, it wouldnāt be impossible to seize your position. As you said, if you aim to reach the sky, you must have the opportunity for a direct ascent."
She thought for a moment, "If you donāt want to join the Hanlin Academy and wish to use Jibei for your promotion, then youāll need the Crown Prince to help you. On second thought, it is feasible."
Su Xingze said, "Should I visit the Crown Prince tomorrow? Or should I wait until the Palace Examination and the Emperor grants the official position? Will it be too late then?"
After thinking, Su Rong said, "If you are serious, you should visit the Crown Prince tomorrow. See what his plans and programs for Jibei are currently. If the Crown Prince also agrees with your approach, he will assign you."
Su Xingze nodded, "Alright."
Looking at Su Xingze, Su Rong didnāt expect that because of Imperial Concubine Zhen and the Pingxi General Residence in Jibei, with just a few words, he would change his mind about first entering the court through the Hanlin Academy. It showed how many crossroads there were in life, and choosing a different path required nothing more than a single thought.
Having made up his mind, Su Xingze said, "Get some rest early. You have an excursion again tomorrow."
Su Rong nodded, and waved languidly, "Take care, big brother."
After Su Xingze left Su Rongās courtyard, Su Rong turned and went back to her room. She really was exhausted and soon fell asleep.
The next day was sunny. Ye Guixueās carriage arrived at the Dongsi Hutong at a moderate time.
Su Rong, dressed in simple yet elegant clothing and draped in a white fox fur cape, holding a hand furnace, stepped out of her residence and into Ye Guixueās carriage.
Only Ye Guixue was in the carriage.
Su Rong smiled and asked, "Where is Little Qiuying? Didnāt she come?"
Ye Guixue shook his head with a smile.
Su Rong sat in the carriage, and the curtain fell. She saw the chess set up on the table and asked with a smile, "Planning to play a game all the way?"
"Thatās the plan." Ye Guixue smiled, "Yesterday, I heard from my cousin that no one could match you. The chess game did not allow you to fully enjoy. Thatās why today, I want you to play to your heartās content."
Su Rong nodded, "Okay."
As if she remembered something, she laughed and poked her head out, instructing the coachman, "Go to Meishan Villa.". Then, picking up a chess piece, she told Ye Guixue, "Letās start."
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