Chapter 176 Encounter
Li Wenyuan's eyes flickered when he heard this, as if Hua Ziye's words touched his heartstrings. He put down his wine glass and asked in a low voice.
"Brother Hua, what do you think?"
"Could it be possible that you could introduce me to His Royal Highness the Fifth Prince?"
Hua Ziye lowered his voice and spoke mysteriously.
"Brother Li, you and I have studied diligently for ten years, all for the purpose of one day becoming high-ranking officials and bringing honor to our family. Although I am currently following the Fifth Prince, the struggle for succession is far too complicated. If we are not careful, we could end up getting dragged into it ourselves. Under the current circumstances, I absolutely cannot introduce you to His Royal Highness the Fifth Prince."
"Looking at the court, although many ministers have already sided with Prince Rong, and many are against the Fifth Prince, but Brother Li, if you observe carefully, there is another faction in the court!"
Li Wenyuan spoke in confusion after hearing this.
"There's another faction?"
Hua Ziye nodded.
"Yes, I've found out everything about the neutral faction, the faction that's only loyal to the current emperor. The Censor has always been upright and honest, and the Censorate oversees all officials. If you find fault with that person and report it to the Censor, and he impeaches him, wouldn't the position above you be vacant again?"
In the palace.
When the Fifth Prince heard that the Queen wanted to see him, he went to the Queen's Fengyi Palace after the morning court today. Looking at the table full of food, a hint of surprise flashed in the Fifth Prince's eyes, and then he respectfully saluted the Queen.
"Your son greets your mother."
The queen looked at his loving face and waved.
"Su'er is here, come and sit down."
"I don't know what you like to eat, so I asked the kitchen to make some. Please try them first. If you like any of the dishes, please tell me. I will ask the kitchen to write them down."
Why did the Queen suddenly care about him so much? The Fifth Prince couldn't help but feel a little surprised.
"Thank you, mother."
Then he sat down as he was told. Although he had some doubts in his heart, he remained calm. He picked up the chopsticks, picked up a piece of the dish in front of him, put it into his mouth, and said after savoring it carefully.
"The dishes in your mother's palace are all delicious, and I like them all very much."
The queen smiled even more broadly upon hearing this.
"I heard that you are currently handling the salt tax issue and are helping your father in the court."
Upon hearing this, the Fifth Prince paused holding his chopsticks, smiled respectfully, and replied.
"I am only doing my best. Sharing your father's worries is my duty as a son."
The queen nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes, and continued.
"It is a blessing for Xuanyuan that you have such a heart. However, the situation in the court is very volatile. Have Prince Rong and his followers made things difficult for you?"
The fifth prince's heart was slightly moved. The queen's sudden mention of Prince Rong's party was obviously not groundless.
Xuanyuan Su still maintained a peaceful smile on his face and spoke softly.
"Brother Prince Rong is highly regarded by our father, and I, your son, will also respect him."
He is a cautious person in speaking, no wonder he can compete with Prince Rong. The queen has a loving face.
"My mother met your mother two days ago."
Upon hearing this, the Fifth Prince stopped picking up food with his chopsticks and remained silent for a moment with his head down. The word "mother" was very unfamiliar to him. He had been to his mother's palace before, but his mother had been indifferent to him since they met, and even told him not to see her in the future.
"My mother..."
It seemed like he wanted to ask something, but he felt like he couldn't ask anything.
The Queen spoke upon seeing this.
"Although your mother has been secluded for many years, I have long ago instructed the Imperial Household Department to ensure that not a single cent is deducted from her palace's food, clothing, and other expenses. Therefore, her life is merely a little more peaceful, not a life of hardship."
After hearing this, the fifth prince stood up and bowed.
"Thank you, mother."
The queen hurriedly motioned for him to sit down.
"Please sit down quickly. Your mother is the queen, and it is her responsibility to take care of the harem."
"You are a clever child, and I don't want to beat around the bush with you. Ever since your brother, the Crown Prince, passed away, I've felt like there's no hope for the future. After meeting your mother that day, I've been wanting to see you."
After hearing this, the fifth prince looked at the queen with sincerity in his eyes.
"Mother, you still have me. I was very sad when my brother, the Crown Prince, passed away. All these years, I was able to survive in the palace thanks to your many visits to the Buddha. I am not a world-shaking talent, nor do I receive your father's favor, but as long as I am here, you still have a son."
When the queen heard this, her eyes were filled with excitement and she even put down her chopsticks.
"Su'er, are you serious?"
The fifth prince Xuanyuan Su had a firm gaze and a sincere tone.
"Every word I say comes from the heart."
The Queen looked at him for a moment.
"Would Su'er be willing to occasionally come and dine with me?"
The fifth prince Xuanyuan Su smiled warmly and sincerely and replied.
"This son has been asking for so much. It is a blessing for this son to be able to have a meal with the Queen Mother."
The queen smiled and spoke after hearing this.
"You haven't been in the court as long as Prince Rong. Since you call me mother, the Chen family can be considered half of your maternal family. If you need anything, you can talk to my father."
Is the Queen trying to win her over or is she testing him? Xuanyuan Su continued to speak respectfully.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your advice. Lord Chen is an important official in the court. If there is anything I do not understand, I will humbly seek your advice."
The Queen nodded in satisfaction, a flicker of approval in her eyes. "Su'er, I'm very pleased that you're so sensible. I know the situation at court is turbulent, and you need to be cautious at every step. But remember, no matter what lies ahead, since you call me Mother, I will protect you as if you were my own child."
After hearing this, the fifth prince looked up at the queen.
"Your son will also protect your mother."
Until the end of the meal, the Fifth Prince chatted with the Queen for a while before getting up to say goodbye. After all, the matter of salt tax should be sorted out and reported to his father. However, the Queen's attitude today made it difficult for him to take action against the Chen family.
Watching the fifth prince leave, Nanny Fang spoke.
"Your Majesty, this Fifth Prince looks quite good."
The Queen spoke slowly.
"It does look good today, let's take a look."
On a street in the imperial city.
The carriage of Prince Rong's Mansion was moving.
The people on the street gave way one by one.
He Nanyou was holding a purse and talking to a vendor. She glanced at the slowly approaching carriage, then suddenly turned around and walked into the street.
The groom of Prince Rong's mansion hurriedly pulled the horse.
“Oh…”
He Nanyou let out a scream!
"ah…………"
Prince Rong flew out of the carriage, put his arm around her waist and stood aside.
"Is the girl okay?"
He Nanyou grabbed Prince Rong's arm tightly, trembling with fear.
"I...I...thank you very much, sir."
He hurriedly pushed Prince Rong's arm away, but his legs went weak with fear, and he happened to fall into Prince Rong's arms.
Prince Rong reached out and caught her.
"I'm sorry to have frightened you, young lady. I wonder which family you belong to. I will send you back."
He Nanyou speaks a little incoherently.
"My...my aunt is Consort Hui. I just recently accompanied her back to the Imperial City."
Concubine Hui, Princess An Ning's adoptive mother, the Concubine Hui who was close to Xuanyuan Jing, a gleam flashed in Prince Rong's eyes.
"So it's Miss He. It was my horse that frightened Miss He today. How about I treat Miss He to a meal as an apology?"
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