Chapter 113

After returning home and taking a bath, Jiashan told Zhan Yue in detail what had happened in Pei's mansion.

At this time, Zhan Yue had just finished telling Xuan Ge'er a bedtime story. When he heard Jia Shan's words, he put down the picture book and tucked in the quilt for Xuan Ge'er who was sleeping inside.

After seeing his actions, Jiashan couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips, thinking in his heart that he was indeed a good father.

After doing all this, Zhan Yuefang got off the bed quietly.

After listening to Jiashan's words, he was not too panicked. After thinking for a while, Zhan Yue leaned over and said to Jiashan: "I think this time, you are probably overthinking."

"Although there are only a few old people left from the previous emperor's reign, there are still many who have seen Prince Xiaohuai. If Yuan Kang really looks like Prince Xiaohuai, there will definitely be rumors inside and outside the palace."

"Now that everything is peaceful, it proves that they are not that similar."

Jiashan looked listless, as if he was thinking about something.

Zhan Yue continued, "You also know that Prince Xiaohuai was very fond of my grandfather. It may be that my grandfather just happened to hold Yuankang's hand when he missed the prince."

Jiashan still didn't quite believe it, and asked for confirmation: "Is it really like this?"

"Whether it is true or not," Zhan Yue smiled, his voice pure and deep, and said, "There is no way to verify it."

"Prince Xiaohuai is dead, his mother is dead, and even Madam Zheng who might know the inside story is no longer alive." Zhan Yue said, "We can't ask those palace maids who have seen Prince Xiaohuai, do you think the Fourth Prince looks like Prince Xiaohuai?"

Isn't this just asking for trouble and seeking death?

This sentence finally made Jiashan laugh. She thought for a moment and replied, "That's true."

Zhan Yue's mind raced like lightning, and he soon realized a more difficult problem. He asked Jia Shan, "You didn't reveal any clues in front of Yuan Kang today, did you?"

Jiashan affirmed: "Of course not."

She recalled the scene when she dealt with Yuan Kang in the carriage today, and added: "He is so smart. If he finds out, I don't know what to do. So, I am very careful."

Jiashan is a person who knows the importance of things, so Zhan Yue is not too worried about this. He is just a little afraid that Zhao Youze will be dissatisfied with Jiashan's answer and ask someone else.

That could cause a lot of trouble.

Jiashan had already thought of it. She said, "Given Yuankang's personality, he won't rashly ask others. Don't worry."

Jiashan and Zhao Youze are siblings, so they are naturally the ones who know him best. Zhan Yue understood and nodded, saying, "That's good."

After talking about Zhao Youze, Jiashan remembered what Pei Yuantang said, so he asked Zhan Yue about Zhan Shaoying.

But Zhan Yue didn't take it seriously at all. He laughed and said, "Does he still need my help?"

There was an outstanding arrogance in Zhan Yue's words. He smiled at Jiashan, turned his beautiful eyes, and said: "If virtue is not worthy of his place, someone will take care of him."

In fact, Zhan Yue's words only told Jiashan half of the truth.

Before, when Qi wanted to divorce Zhan Shaoying and came to Jiashan for help, Zhan Yue had the idea of ​​taking advantage of the situation to give Zhan Shaoying a beating.

Unfortunately, not long after Princess Lu became pregnant, news came that Lady Qi was also pregnant.

After receiving the news, Jiashan did not delve into how Qi gave birth to the child. She just went to the Anguo Mansion as soon as possible, under the pretext of visiting, to actually get the child.

Jiashan specially sent Jianlan to ask the maidservant around Qi whether she wanted to give in or still wanted to divorce.

Qi didn't reply until three days later. Her answer was: I want to keep the child.

This answer was not unexpected for Jiashan. After all, most women's attitudes and personalities change after they become mothers.

Regardless of the reason for the birth of this child, Qi was willing to take on the responsibility of being a mother. In this case, Jiashan was also willing to help her get the money from the mansion.

Qi was smart and capable, and her family, Qi Lehou, was also not to be underestimated. With Jiashan's secret assistance, she quickly gained half of the power from Zhang.

Qi was a very smart person. She knew that Zhan Shaoying would not stand on her side, so she quietly tried to please Duke Anguo and Zhan Tai.

Nowadays, Zhan Tai also prefers Qi to go out as the spokesperson of the Anguo Mansion rather than his own wife Zhang.

A smart woman always knows how to change with the changing environment, and Qi is no exception.

Zhan Yue and Jiashan owed Qi a favor. Since Qi had no intention of divorcing Zhan Shaoying, Zhan Yue would forgive his offense for Qi's sake.

However, Zhan Shaoying was still caught by someone.

In fact, he was able to work in the Ministry of Public Security at such a young age. If his family did not give him enough protection or if he himself was not capable enough, it would be normal for people to find fault with him.

But is this matter really that simple? I'm afraid the real purpose is not in the bar.

Jia Shan looked at Zhan Yue without blinking, and she said softly, "If it was just directed at him, it would be fine, but I feel like it's directed at you."

Otherwise, how did those malicious rumors about him come about?

Zhan Yue glanced at her nonchalantly, with a smile in his eyes and eyebrows. He said softly: "You have become smarter, my princess."

There was a hint of sarcasm in his words, as if Jiashan had been very stupid in the past.

Jiashan could not help but swing his fist and hit him lightly, snorting: "I was worried about you, but you laughed at me."

Zhan Yue had a hint of a smile on his face, and he didn't look flustered as if someone had caught him in a trap. He always seemed calm.

He grabbed Jiashan's fist and said gently, "Do you know who took the initiative to stand up and speak for Zhan Shaoying when he was caught doing something wrong?"

"Who?" Jiashan asked, looking up.

Zhan Yue said indifferently: "Your uncle, King Qin."

Jiashan said “Oh”, and this “Oh” was very meaningful.

No wonder!

This is a strategy that kills two birds with one stone.

Zhan Shaoying's incompetence was clearly his own fault, but the people behind the scenes were able to spread the word about it and tarnish Zhan Yue's reputation. This is a one-sided story.

As for the second bird, it's even simpler.

Zhan Shaoying has always been successful, but now that his career has been hit hard, he will subconsciously look for someone to back him up. The man behind the scenes was able to successfully win back Zhan Shaoying with this move.

I have to say that this plan is not only insidious, but also effective.

Jiashan snorted with a cold face.

In the past few years, she has deliberately distanced herself from the Princess of Qin, simply because she wants to force the King of Qin and his wife to join Zhao Youcheng's camp.

There is a saying that a centipede will die but its body remains stiff.

Rather than letting him hide in the winter night, it is better to force him out of the cave and eliminate him along with the poisonous snake, so as to avoid the trouble in the future.

It now appears that this method is beginning to show results.

Not only did the Princess of Qin never come to Jiashan to show her affection again, but even the King of Qin spared no effort to deal with them and even took Zhan Shaoying away with him.

Right now, they have more and more enemies.

Jiashan lowered his head and drank a sip of hot tea, not knowing whether he was happy or sad.

Zhan Yue, on the other hand, brushed his clothes slowly and said calmly, "There's nothing wrong with Zhan Shaoying going to join them."

"That broken boat is leaking everywhere and will capsize sooner or later. Let's see how they will end up one day." Zhan Yue said, "As for those slanderous words, don't pay any attention to them."

"I have come to this position today, and I have never acted according to the King of Qin's expression. The most important thing," Zhan Yue paused, and he chuckled and said, "is the king's heart."

Zhan Yue smiled at Jia Shan, the smile always lingering on the corner of his mouth. He glanced at Jia Shan and said, "I married the princess that His Majesty loves the most. How could His Majesty be willing to let me be a virgin?"

"Don't worry about me." Zhan Yue said in a low voice.

He deliberately emphasized the words "my most beloved princess", but although Jiashan felt that he was right, her face couldn't help but blush.

However, Zhan Yue has been with the emperor for many years and has a natural sensitivity to state affairs, otherwise he would not have been able to reach the position of commander-in-chief of the five armies in his previous life.

Now that he is speaking so clearly, it is clear that those rumors cannot hurt him at all.

Jiashan then glanced at him gently and asked, "I can ignore the slanderous words, but what about Shuxian?"

Zhan Yue's eyes flickered, and he pretended not to understand, and asked, "What's wrong with the Second Princess?"

When Jiashan saw his expression, he knew that he must know about Shuxian's affairs, but he just didn't tell her!

Jiashan also went to Pei's house today and heard Pei Yuantang mention that Shuxian had been confined to her house. The reason was that the princesses of the Han Dynasty kept concubines.

The matter of having a concubine can be a big deal or a small one, but Shuxian and Zhongyu have been married for two years and have yet to give birth to a son or daughter for the Marquis of Zhongyi's mansion, not to mention that Qinghe and Hui'an are already older.

Shuxian kept a lover in her mansion, which affected the reputation of all the royal princesses.

As for Qinghe, that was not the case. Qinghe was brought up by Concubine Jing and had little contact with Shuxian.

But Hui'an is Shuxian's biological sister and she is born of the same mother. Even if Hui'an has the title of princess, how could she find a good husband's family willing to accept her sincerely in the future?

When this matter got out, before Emperor Zhanghe could get furious, Concubine Zhuang took the lead and started to kill her own relatives for the sake of justice.

Concubine Zhuang took off her hairpins and went to the gate of the Qianqing Palace to apologize, saying that she had not disciplined her daughter strictly enough. She asked Emperor Zhanghe to depose her from the position of concubine and to confiscate 50% of Princess Shuxian's fiefdom.

This move can be regarded as a heroic act.

Before Emperor Zhanghe made the punishment, he first paved the way for him. Deposing the title of concubine and seizing their fiefdoms were both extremely severe punishments for Concubine Zhuang and Shuxian.

In fact, even if Shuxian was wrong, her mistakes were far from this serious.

Sure enough, when Emperor Zhanghe saw Concubine Zhuang coming to apologize first, although he was very angry, he picked it up heavily and put it down gently.

He imprisoned Shuxian in the princess's mansion and made her reflect on her mistakes. He did not deprive her of her title of Concubine Zhuang, nor even her right to assist in managing the six palaces. He only punished her to copy the Tao Te Ching together with Shuxian.

Concubine Zhuang's tactics this time were very clever. Jiashan had been fighting her for more than ten years and knew very well that this was not Concubine Zhuang's usual style.

Concubine Zhuang has always been swift and decisive in her work. This kind of compromise and flexible tactics are not what Concubine Zhuang would do. There must be someone behind this who is giving instructions.

As for the so-called expert, Jiashan could guess with just a little thought that it must be the Princess of Lu.

That woman doesn't look simple at first glance.

Zhao Youcheng has been married to her for such a long time, and now, let alone concubines, he has not even taken a concubine. This shows how harmonious the relationship between the couple is.

Since Zhao Youcheng treats her like this, Princess Lu will naturally be willing to devote her life to him.

It is not easy to win the favor of both Princess Zhuang and Zhao Youcheng at the same time. If Jiashan was not in a different position, he would have admired this previously inconspicuous Princess Lu.

Before Princess Lu gave birth to her daughter, even Shuxian, who had always been arrogant, quietly restrained herself. In the past year, Princess Lu was probably busy educating her daughter, so she allowed Shuxian to get into trouble again.

However, it is never too late to mend.

Although Shuxian got into trouble again this time, her butt was quickly wiped clean. Not only did Zhao Youcheng's group not get implicated, but even Shuxian herself did not receive any serious punishment.

It’s just that the rumors among the people are a bit unpleasant.

What's more, it's not just Shuxian's reputation that will be damaged. As a princess, Jiashan's reputation will also be damaged.

Zhan Yue is the son-in-law of Jiashan, and he may also have to bear the possibility of being ridiculed.

That’s why Jiashan asked this question just now.

Jiashan poked his waist and said, "Don't play dumb with me. Didn't you hear that Shuxian keeps a lover?"

"What does it have to do with you and me if she keeps a lover?" Zhan Yue said.

After hearing Zhan Yue's words, Jiashan seemed to suddenly become interested.

She turned her beautiful eyes slightly, a sly smile appeared on the corner of her mouth, and she blinked and said, "What if one day you find out that I have a lover?"

Jiashan looked at him leisurely: "What are you going to do?"

Zhan Yue glanced at her and asked hoarsely: "You want to know?"

"Yes." Jiashan nodded innocently, looking like a curious baby.

Zhan Yue then lifted Jiashan's chin, and his tall and majestic body pressed over Jiashan.

He leaned over, his breath brushed past Jiashan's ear, and he whispered, "I'll ask them in front of them."

"Is it possible that I alone can't feed the princess enough?" Zhan Yue slightly curved his lips and said meaningfully.