Chapter 398 The people in the palace will strike first.
After finishing her shift, Jiang Yu didn't return home but went directly to the Duke of Wei's residence. She analyzed the current situation with the Duke of Wei and then said, "Let's announce now that my cousin and Fengju intend to get married, so that the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister know that Grand Tutor Yan is already on our side. Let's see what they do next."
“Alright.” Duke Wei immediately agreed, then said, “There are just too many files in the archives, piled up like a small mountain. It’s too exhausting for you to investigate them all by yourself, and you’re bound to miss something. It would be safer to find a few people you trust to lend a hand. Your cousin Yunyi is free right now and can help you.”
Ning Yunyi is also a grandson of the Duke of Wei, but from the branch of the second wife's family. The second wife's branch had always plotted to seize the title, so Jiang Yu naturally wouldn't use Ning Yunyi.
Her expression became more serious than before, and she said, "No need, Cousin Yunyi won't be on my side."
These words were too blunt, making the Duke of Wei lose face. He said with a stern face, "Those old squabbles in the manor should have been put aside long ago! The situation outside is turbulent and unpredictable right now, how can we have time to dwell on such trivial matters in the inner quarters? My descendants are not so ignorant of the big picture, they should at least have this much sense of propriety!"
Jiang Yu smiled, her tone gentle yet firm: "Grandpa Ning, I was a bit too direct just now. But if you were in my position, would you feel comfortable agreeing?"
Duke Wei frowned, and then heard Jiang Yu say again, "Grandpa Ning, our families have been friends for generations. I treat you as a close relative, which is why I speak so directly. I hope you will understand."
Duke Wei relaxed his furrowed brows and laughed twice, saying, "It was my oversight, Yu'er, don't take it to heart."
Jiang Yu smiled and changed the subject. The two chatted about what had happened before for a while, then Jiang Yu got up to take her leave. Duke Wei watched her figure disappear through the door, remained silent for a long time, and then let out a long sigh.
Jiang Yu surprised him once again. He had always thought that, given her young age and experience in officialdom, she must be tactful and considerate, always showing some consideration for others. Although he knew there was some ulterior motive behind her asking Yun Yi for help, he figured that out of consideration for their family's long-standing friendship and his own reputation, she would probably agree reluctantly.
After all, this was a trivial matter, not worth offending him. But Jiang Yu wouldn't have it. Her words were straightforward and frank, without any beating around the bush, yet every sentence was reasonable, leaving him with no grounds for rebuttal.
This isn't being slick; it's clearly being outwardly gentle but inwardly firm, having a clear sense of right and wrong, never yielding an inch on the bottom line, and never holding back what needs to be said. This kind of behavior may seem less "thorough," but it shows more integrity and clarity, making it far more reliable than those who pretend to be ignorant when they know the truth.
well!
Duke Wei sighed, and thinking that his eldest grandson Yun Chuan was also quite capable and had a very close relationship with Jiang Yu, he felt much more at ease.
"From now on, it's the young people's world. Never mind," the Duke of Wei muttered to himself.
Jiang Yu was unaware of the Duke of Wei's thoughts. Her straightforward refusal stemmed from three reasons: first, she didn't want to jeopardize her cousin's interests for the sake of saving face; second, given the relationship between their two households, there was no need for them to mince words; and third, she knew that the Duke of Wei, by his very nature, wouldn't damage their relationship over such a trivial matter.
In short, when circumstances force her to compromise herself and her loved ones, she is not incapable of doing so. But under normal circumstances, she would not allow herself or those around her to suffer any injustice for no reason.
Upon returning to the manor, the steward handed her a letter, the handwriting on the envelope revealing it to be from Prince Rui. She took the letter to the study, unfolded it, read it, thought for a moment, and then wrote back, explaining her next steps.
The next day was her day off, but she took her memorial to the palace and met with the emperor. In the imperial study, the emperor read her memorial and asked, "My dear minister, do you suspect Pu Tonghe?"
Jiang Yu did not answer directly, "I heard about what happened at the Princess's banquet. I suddenly remembered that when I was looking through the files in the archives, I found some inconsistencies in the information about the Ministry of Personnel."
The emperor, with drooping eyelids, remained silent for a while before saying, "Continue the investigation and produce results as soon as possible."
Jiang Yu immediately agreed, and then asked, "If it is found that Lord Pu is not acting in accordance with the law, how should we deal with it? Lord Pu is the Minister of Personnel."
The emperor fell silent again, then looked at Jiang Yu with his somewhat aged eyes and asked, "What suggestions do you have, my dear minister?"
Jiang Yu then presented another memorial, which Zhao Fuquan took and handed to the emperor. After reading it, the emperor's gaze was deep and intense. "I will carefully consider your suggestion, my dear minister. It seems the matter in Lingnan will have to be postponed for now."
“If Lord Pu truly harbors ulterior motives, then after he is overthrown, Lingnan will surely take significant action,” Jiang Yu said.
The emperor nodded in approval, "We must make thorough preparations."
After saying that, he turned to Zhao Fuquan and said, "Your Excellency is the Marquis of Cheng'en and Prince Rui."
"yes."
Zhao Fuquan immediately hurried out and instructed a young eunuch to deliver the imperial decree. Not long after, the Marquis of Chengen and Prince Rui arrived. Seeing Jiang Yu also in the imperial study, they guessed that something serious had happened.
The two men bowed and sat down. The emperor briefly explained the situation, and then they began to discuss how to deploy the troops in the capital and various regions should the Prince of Lingnan make any moves. The most crucial point, in fact, was the widespread adoption of firearms by the local armies.
It took the emperor and his ministers an entire morning to finalize the detailed plan. The emperor bestowed a royal meal upon Jiang Yu and the other two, allowing them to dine in the imperial study as a sign of favor. After lunch, Jiang Yu, Prince Rui, and Marquis Cheng'en left the palace together.
Marquis Chengen glanced at Jiang Yu and Prince Rui, who were walking side by side, and bowed to take his leave, but was stopped by Jiang Yu. Jiang Yu approached him and whispered, "If Pu Tonghe falls, I'm afraid the people in the palace will make their move before the Prince of Lingnan does."
Marquis Chengen nodded knowingly, understanding that Jiang Yu was reminding him to have the Empress keep an eye on Consort Su. He said, "I know what to do."
After speaking, he bowed again in farewell, mounted his horse, and rode away. Jiang Yu turned around and saw Prince Rui looking at her, his gaze somewhat intense. Her face flushed slightly as Prince Rui walked up to her and asked, "Shall we go straight back to the manor?"
Jiang Yu shook her head, "Go to the cabinet storeroom."
“I will go with you,” Prince Rui said in a low voice.
Jiang Yu chuckled. This could be considered a disguised date.
She said, "Okay."
Prince Rui smiled happily, and after watching Jiang Yu get into the sedan chair, he also got into his own sedan chair.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com