Chapter 275 He was determined to seize this opportunity.
Prince An's Mansion
Prince An sat behind his large desk, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the surface, his expression calm. But his subordinates outside held their breath, afraid to make the slightest movement. They knew their master was in a very bad mood.
Today, the Emperor first summoned the Crown Prince to the palace, followed by the Third Prince, Fourth Prince, Fifth Prince, and Seventh Prince in that order, but conspicuously absent was their master, the Sixth Prince. The Emperor's favoritism was once again blatantly displayed before everyone.
Just then, the steward trotted over, glanced at the Imperial Guards carefully guarding outside, and whispered as he walked to the study door, "Your Highness, someone from the palace has arrived."
Upon hearing this, Prince An inside stood up with a mocking expression, straightened his clothes slightly, and walked out. When he met the eunuch who had come to deliver the imperial decree in the hall, he calmly asked the eunuch what the matter was.
The eunuch delivering the imperial decree was intimidated by his imposing presence, thinking to himself that this prince's aura was the most powerful among all the princes, but it was a pity that he was not favored by the emperor.
"His Majesty commands the Prince to enter the palace immediately."
Prince An grunted in acknowledgment and got up to leave. He had naturally guessed that the Emperor was investigating the Crown Prince and his group, and the investigation was likely about the Duke of Chu's reform of the money exchange.
He didn't know how the Crown Prince and the others had answered, nor whether the Emperor was satisfied with their responses. What he was considering now was how to behave.
The emperor's decision to appoint him to lead the Embroidered Uniform Guard was a blatant indication that he had no chance of inheriting the throne. But on what grounds? Just because his mother was a palace maid, just because his birth implied that he, the ruler of the nation, couldn't control his lust?
But he is the one who can't control his lower body, and he should also bear the responsibility. Why should he shift his responsibility and anger onto himself?
He mounted his horse with agility, cracked his whip, and galloped towards the palace. Upon reaching the palace gates, he made his decision, no longer concealing his ambition to claim the throne.
His father was neither a fool nor a tyrant; he didn't believe he could hide his thoughts from the emperor. Kings are inherently suspicious, and rather than risk his beloved father's suspicions, he preferred to reveal his true intentions.
Anyway, he's already set up a target, and if he wants to use himself as a target, he'll have to wait until the current target is gone before he can do so.
He arrived at the imperial study shortly afterward, bowed respectfully to the emperor, and then sat down. The emperor then asked him, "Has there been any unusual activity in Lingnan recently?"
“No,” said Prince An. “However, I think he will take action on the matter of reforming the money shops.”
The emperor nodded in agreement. The Duke of Chu also wanted to use this change to influence Lingnan.
At this moment, Prince An's voice rang out again, "Perhaps the Prince of Lingnan will not make a move, but will let the people in the court make the move."
The emperor paused, then asked, "Who could it be?"
Prince An paused for a moment, then said, "I have some guesses, but I'm not sure."
The emperor leaned forward slightly. "Who?"
"Prime Minister."
The room was silent, the emperor's face grave. He truly hadn't expected that Prince An would suspect the prime minister of colluding with the Prince of Lingnan. Although the prime minister disagreed with him on the matter of choosing a crown prince, and he had grown displeased with the prime minister.
However, they had been ruler and subject for many years, and the prime minister had helped him a great deal when he was vying for the throne. This was also the reason why he appointed him as prime minister.
but.....
“Tell me your reasons,” the emperor said.
Prince An: "Xie Yun is colluding with the Prince of Lingnan. The Prime Minister is the son-in-law of the Xie family. The Prince of Lingnan has already colluded with the Xie family. Can we let the Prime Minister go?"
......
The room fell silent again. The emperor lowered his eyes to look at the dragon-headed inkstone on the table, his mind wandering to the things the prime minister had done over the years, but there was no sign of collusion with the Prince of Lingnan. What he couldn't understand was why the prime minister had taken a liking to his eighth prince, who was utterly devoid of wisdom.
Could it be that the emperor thought the Eighth Prince was foolish and easy to control, and would easily become a puppet after inheriting the throne? Thinking of this, a dangerous glint flashed in the emperor's eyes.
He raised his eyes and looked at Prince An, saying, "After the Duke of Chu reforms the money exchange system, the court will have more circulating silver. How do you think this silver should be used?"
Upon hearing this question, Prince An's hand clenched slightly. In the past, the Emperor wouldn't ask him about matters outside the purview of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and he wouldn't get involved in anything outside of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Now that the Emperor was asking him, did he also want to give him a chance? Or did he feel that he had examined all his sons, and leaving him out would be embarrassing?
But whatever the reason, he was determined to seize this opportunity.
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