Chapter 55 Scammed out of 500,000 taels by a fool
Wei Minzhao's understanding of why Prince Rui was causing trouble for Tang Xinuan was simply that Prince Rui had taken a liking to her.
The problem can be solved simply by getting Prince Rui to give up; it's not a difficult matter.
He glanced at Chao Li first, but Princess Chao Li's unfriendly gaze made him feel a little guilty before returning to Tang Xinuan.
"I will certainly complete the task assigned to me by the young lady."
Chao Li disliked being ordered around by others when she brought people with her.
Noticing her second brother's cold expression, and hearing about Prince Rui again, Tang Xinu swallowed back the words she was about to say.
Tang Xinuan reminded her, "Don't think it's anything simple. You need to think it through."
Wei Minzhao was scheming; one was unmarried and the other unmarried, what could be so complicated about them?
As long as it's a matter of feelings, he'll do anything to make Prince Rui change his mind.
Speak of the devil and he shall appear.
Eunuch Wei rushed over in a panic to report: "Your Highness, Prince Rui has arrived with several hundred men."
Tang Xinu crossed her arms, showing no sign of panic. A hint of smugness crept onto her pretty face. She snorted and said, "You're so slow. I thought we'd never see you again."
She then asked Wei Minzhao, "There are several hundred people. Can you drive them away?"
If Wei Minzhao is certain that both the Regent and Prince Rui like Tang Xinuan, then the two brothers are vying for the same woman.
Why would brothers fighting over a wife have to bring hundreds of people to their door in such a grand display?
This is the Regent's Palace.
Did he misunderstand, or did he miss something?
Despite being the emperor's only full-blooded younger sister and being greatly favored, Chao Li was not the only one he had ever loved.
But from a young age, at least until she was five, she lived a life worse than that of ordinary people.
Even as an infant, she and her two older brothers endured a life of hardship and displacement, and were nearly killed.
In those years, the most frequent experience in life was protecting myself and my third brother: guarding against hidden weapons, poisoning, and kidnapping...
Only after her elder brother secured his position as emperor, the rebellion near the capital was quelled, and all the rebels in the capital were executed, did her good days slowly begin to arrive.
Her frequent experiences of hiding and not daring to sleep in the same palace every night led to an extreme lack of security for her.
Hearing that her fourth brother had brought people to her door, she knew it was a sign of brothers turning against each other. The terrifying memories of her childhood resurfaced, and she quickly hid behind her second brother.
"Second Brother, what is Fourth Brother doing?"
Zhou Chuanxing squeezed her wrist. "It's just fooling around, don't be afraid."
Seeing his younger sister so frightened, he couldn't help but look at the culprit.
The little girl's eyes sparkled, like a little lion ready for battle. She was full of energy and not afraid at all when hundreds of people came to her door.
"Aren't you afraid?"
Tang Xinuan wasn't afraid at all. "Wei Minzhao is there to protect us. Let's see what he's capable of."
Suddenly remembering that she was dressed as a woman, and worried that Prince Rui would recognize her, she put the veil over her ears to cover her face.
Zhou Chuanxing smiled and tapped her forehead. "You're quite clever; you know which person to use in which situation."
At this moment, Prince Duan rushed in from outside, jumping off his horse as he cursed, "Fourth brother has gone mad! He said he'd fight you to the death if you handed over Hanxi."
Wei Minxian had never seen such a grand scene before.
Her father was a military general. When the emperor ascended the throne, she was young, and her father held great military power. The Wei family was a pillar of the capital, so she did not experience what Chao Li had experienced.
Hearing that Prince Rui had brought several hundred people to their door, and that Tang Xinuan needed her brother to intervene, she felt extremely flustered.
Unfortunately, Chu Yannuo wasn't around.
She could only go to Princess Chaoli and stand by her side.
In case her brother encounters any danger, she hopes Chao Li can step in to protect him.
"Princess……"
Chao Li was even more panicked than Wei Minxian. His second brother had been staying by Tang Xinuan's side the whole time and hadn't received any attention from her. When he saw Wei Minxian coming over, he held her hand tightly.
"If a fight breaks out, we'll run out the back door."
This was an experience she and her third brother had gained from relying on each other since childhood: no matter what, survival is the most important thing.
Wei Minxian calmly comforted her, "Don't be afraid, my fifth brother will think of a way."
Tang Xinuan was eager to try and go out to check the situation, but she was, after all, a weak little girl.
In critical moments, one must also consider their own safety.
So she hid behind Zhou Chuanxing and pushed him forward, saying, "The angle here isn't good, move forward a bit."
Zhou Chuanxing glanced at her helplessly, thinking that his daughter had become too cunning.
He then instructed Eunuch Wei: "Bring the fourth son in."
Prince Rui could not bring all his guards into the Regent's Palace; to openly storm the Regent's Palace would be tantamount to conspiracy.
He brought only two advisors into the courtyard, while the rest of the people stayed outside to bolster his presence.
"Second Brother, Han Xi cheated me out of 500,000 taels of silver. Now I want both the man and the silver back. I beg you, Second Brother, to uphold justice."
What, 500,000 taels of silver?
Wei Minzhao was startled.
Didn't Chu Yannuo say his cousin was an idiot? How could an idiot swindle Prince Rui out of 500,000 taels of silver?
Is Prince Rui some kind of mentally challenged person?
Zhou Chuanxing gave Wei Minzhao a look, and Wei Minzhao stepped forward with a stiff upper lip, "Your Highness Prince Rui."
Prince Rui glanced at Wei Minzhao. He had heard that his second brother had locked someone up in jail a few days ago, not giving them a glimmer of light.
They actually released them.
Both Chao Li and Wei Minxian were present, which clearly indicated that Wei Minxian had asked Chao Li for help.
But who is the woman in yellow behind the second brother?
My second brother is not young anymore, so it's not surprising that he has a woman.
This is not the time to worry about that; I only asked Wei Minzhao, "Are you out?"
He squinted at Wei Minzhao, his expression full of disdain.
But then the strategist reminded him, "Your Highness, he is the son of the Duke of Wei."
The Duke of Wei was originally a powerful general who held military power. Although he has not been given important responsibilities in recent years, he is still a fierce tiger.
Prince Rui's face changed in a flash, as if by magic, to a look of kinship, as if we were brothers closer than blood brothers. He congratulated Wei Minzhao: "Minzhao, you're out. How are you feeling? Is there anything wrong? Come to my place later, I'll get you two thousand-year-old ginseng roots."
Wei Minzhao was flattered and grateful, saying, "Minzhao thanks Prince Rui for his kindness."
He shifted a few steps, blocking Zhou Chuanxing's view. "I wonder why His Highness Prince Rui wants Han Xi, and what's the deal with the 500,000 taels of silver?"
Prince Rui glared at Zhou Chuanxing; his men had personally witnessed Han Xi entering the Regent's Palace.
There were still more than a dozen cartloads of silver.
"Second brother, please return Hanxi and the silver to me."
Zhou Chuanxing said calmly, "I don't know what Fourth Brother is talking about, and Han Xi is not in my residence."
Prince Rui: "Stop pretending, Second Brother. Do you think you can swallow so much silver? I'm your own brother."
Zhou Chuanxing insisted on denying it, and it was impossible for Prince Rui to search the Regent's Palace.
In the end, the only result could be that Prince Rui led a group to cause a scene, and then left unwillingly.
Prince Rui understood perfectly well.
He stared at Wei Minzhao, who had a grudge against his second brother and could be used.
"Today at Caiyue Tower, Hanxi agreed to act with me, but I didn't expect him to break his promise, swindling me out of 500,000 taels of silver, and then running away..."
He downplayed the important points and only said what sounded good.
Prince Duan would not let him get away with it so easily.
"Fourth brother, how dare you ask Hanxi to fix the match, wanting Hanxi to deliberately lose to your uncle Yao Yuehai, so that you can recommend Yao Yuehai to be the Minister of Personnel."
We thought we were all unaware of your scheme.
Who knew Hanxi would act unpredictably, take the money, and win the competition, leaving you furious.
But don't you think about how your uncle could possibly win? He can barely read or write; he couldn't even become a doorman in the Minister of Personnel's household, let alone become the Minister of Personnel."
"Third brother, you..." Prince Rui was furious, but his third brother was right. "He can't cheat me out of 500,000 taels of silver. Now I'll get the silver back, okay?"
It's an embarrassing thing, but we can only accept it.
Prince Duan chuckled and said, "You know where the 500,000 taels of silver is, so just take it back."
Of the 500,000 taels of silver, a portion went into two major money shops. Even if Prince Rui could get it back, it would be a lose-lose situation for both sides.
Now is the time to vie for the throne, and he certainly won't let a few hundred thousand taels of silver damage his fundamentals.
Some of them went into the Regent's Palace.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have brought people with him.
"Third Brother, are you deliberately going against me?"
Prince Duan did it on purpose.
But he wouldn't say it.
"Fourth brother, everyone has their share of losses and being taken advantage of. You have to accept that."
Prince Rui couldn't believe it, so he turned his gaze to Wei Minzhao and urged, "Why did your second brother lock you up? Minzhao is the Duke of Wei's most beloved youngest son, a pillar of our Great Zhou Dynasty."
Wei Minzhao hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Your Highness, I have a way to help you vent your anger."
Prince Rui frowned: "What method?"
Wei Minzhao: "It can also allow you to obtain Hanxi."
Prince Rui hesitated. Han Xi was recognized throughout the capital as the smartest person in the Great Zhou Dynasty. If he could get Han Xi, it would be much more worthwhile than pushing his useless uncle to the position of Minister.
But can Han Xi really be used by him?
Are you serious?
Wei Minzhao walked over and whispered a few words to the Prince Rui, who suddenly burst into laughter.
"Minzhao is indeed wise; I have taken your advice to heart."
Wei Minzhao continued, "You brought people here today, but you won't cause any trouble. Instead, you'll damage our brotherhood. If word gets out, people will think that Prince Rui is being unreasonable. It would be better if you took your men and left for now, and we can discuss this further."
Prince Rui was overjoyed, "Alright, I'll do as you say."
However, before leaving, he did not forget to threaten Zhou Chuanxing, "Second brother, I will not let Han Xi and the 500,000 taels of silver go so easily. We'll see."
After speaking, he led his men away from the Regent's Palace.
They came and went in a hurry.
Wei Minzhao walked up to Tang Xinuan and asked her for her promise, "You promised that I would send Prince Rui away and speak on my behalf to the prince."
Tang Xinuan couldn't help but look at Zhou Chuanxing.
Zhou Chuanxing naturally gave the young girl face, saying, "Go report to the Imperial Guard."
Wei Minzhao changed his mind. His gaze lingered on Chao Li's face for a moment before he said to Zhou Chuanxing, "Your Highness, I... am in love with Princess Chao Li. If I can resolve the trouble with Prince Rui, could I become Princess Chao Li's consort?"
Wei Minzhao's direct attack was so sudden that everyone on the scene was taken aback.
Princess Chaoli blushed and didn't know how to face Wei Minzhao.
Wei Minxian was afraid that this simpleton would anger the Regent.
He's just been released from prison, how can he not be more careful?
"Your Highness, my fifth brother is still not in his right mind. Please just take it as him talking nonsense."
Zhou Chuanxing didn't want to wrong his younger sister, but he also didn't want her to have any regrets.
He turned to look at Chao Li, "What are your thoughts?"
After a moment's hesitation, Chao Li said to Wei Minzhao, "Come with me, I have something to say."
Wei Minzhao obediently followed Chao Li to a secluded place.
Chao Li hesitated for a moment, then said, "I will not marry a good-for-nothing. I only have one condition for finding a consort: that is, someone who can help my second brother. You can do that first."
Wei Minzhao understood. "Thank you, Princess, for showing me the way. I will definitely work hard."
He looked at the Regent with extreme shame and anger, "What lousy Imperial Guard? I don't care about them. I can't even dream of visiting your grand mansion. Farewell."
After speaking, he strode away from the Regent's Palace.
Chao Li was left with a complete mess of confusion.
Prince Duan was also completely confused.
The others had no idea what had happened.
Wei Minxian was extremely worried and continued to apologize to the Regent, "My fifth brother has been spoiled since he was a child and doesn't understand anything. Please don't take it to heart."
Zhou Chuanxing was also somewhat displeased. "Alright, Madam Wei, you may leave."
Wei Minxian apologized to Chao Li again, and then left the Regent's Palace in fear and unease.
From this day forward, neither the Duke of Wei's mansion nor the Marquis's mansion is destined to be peaceful.
Tang Xinuan isn't good at reading people's expressions, but she can analyze the reasons behind a person's behavior and what consequences it might cause.
While everyone was still confused, she said to Zhou Chuanxing, "Wei Minzhao did this on purpose. He wants to marry Chao Li and also wants to advance his career, so he pretended to be on good terms with Prince Rui. But what method did he use?"
Soon, she thought of another possibility: "But he might also be pretending to be pursuing a better future and asking to marry Princess Chaoli in order to get revenge on Erlang. In that case, he might be genuinely in love with Prince Rui."
Erlang, of these two possibilities, which one is he?
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