Chapter 36 Undercurrents (First published on Jinjiang Literature City)
Upon hearing this order, Fu Mingzi couldn't help but frown: "Your Highness, is there something wrong with Consort Wu again?"
Consort Wu is the biological mother of the Fourth Prince. She was born into the palace and was not favored. Even her rank was only that of a Consort. She still does not have her own independent palace and lives in the side palace of Consort Wan.
Logically speaking, such a person should not have received Zhou Xiaoyan's attention.
However, Zhou Xiaoyan seemed to take it quite seriously, which made Fu Mingzi curious.
“Consort Wu is in my mother’s palace, and my mother is rather muddle-headed. I’m afraid she might do something wrong.” Zhou Xiaoyan said this with his head down, so his expression was not visible.
Fu Mingzi was taken aback at first, but then she understood what Zhou Xiaoyan meant.
It seems Zhou Xiaoyan is truly pitiful. Even his biological mother, Consort Wan, is unreliable. She might still bully Consort Wu in the past. Although Consort Wu is not favored, she is still the biological mother of a prince. And the Fourth Prince is cunning and shrewd. If Consort Wu really makes a mistake, Zhou Xiaoyan will probably be implicated as well.
"I see." Fu Mingzi nodded. "It seems that Your Highness should pay more attention to the inner palace in the future."
Zhou Xiaoyan glanced at Fu Mingzi and knew that he had always been a cautious person. In his previous life, Fu Mingzi had given him this advice, but by then it was too late.
“I’ve been keeping an eye on this for a while,” Zhou Xiaoyan replied. “The Empress Dowager’s birthday is in a month, and this year is also a year for selecting concubines. Before the new concubines enter the palace, there will probably be a grand selection process. Consort Wu might be blessed at that time.”
Fu Mingzi raised an eyebrow. Zhou Xiaoyan was frighteningly thoughtful; this seemed to have been arranged perfectly.
"Your Highness's considerations are thorough; this humble subject cannot match them," Fu Mingzi said with a smile, cupping his hands in greeting.
Zhou Xiaoyan pursed his lips and remained silent.
Fu Mingzi thought that he was saying this to elevate Wu Meiren, but he didn't know that Wu Meiren was actually very fortunate.
Zhou Xiaoyan suppressed his thoughts and said nothing more.
**
When they arrived at the Imperial Study, all the princes except Zhou Xiaoyan were already there. When the Ninth Prince saw Zhou Xiaoyan enter, he glared at him fiercely.
Zhou Xiaoyan remained calm, pretending not to see anything, while Fu Mingzi glanced at the Ninth Prince with a half-smile, her eyes filled with coldness.
The Ninth Prince's face stiffened, as if he was frightened by Fu Mingzi, but the next moment he was furious, glaring at Fu Mingzi with an angry expression.
Fu Mingzi chuckled and turned her eyes away from him.
The Ninth Prince was even more annoyed by Fu Mingzi's disrespectful attitude, but the coldness in Fu Mingzi's eyes made him more cautious. He didn't say anything and just sat down with some resentment.
Zhou Xiaoyan seemed completely unaware of Fu Mingzi's little action, and went straight to his seat and sat down. Although Fu Mingzi was a step slower, she also sat down steadily.
But at this moment, the Sixth Prince approached and said gently, "Fifth Brother, do you know why Fourth Brother didn't come today?"
Zhou Xiaoyan raised an eyebrow. Although he had a good relationship with the Fourth Prince before, he had been distancing himself from the Fourth Prince in recent days. He didn't believe that the Sixth Prince hadn't realized it, but since he had, it was quite interesting that he had come up to ask.
"Fourth Brother's mother is ill, so he has taken leave." Zhou Xiaoyan said calmly, "Sixth Brother, is there anything else?"
The Sixth Prince, being a scholar, valued his reputation. Hearing Zhou Xiaoyan's cold tone, he looked somewhat embarrassed. He glanced back at Xia Zezhen, who raised his chin slightly. Though bitter inside, he could only force himself to say, "Since that's how it is, Fourth Brother has always been quite good to us. Fifth Brother, let's go see Fourth Brother together after school." The Sixth Prince's words were dry and monotonous, as if he were reading from a prepared script.
Fu Mingzi, sitting to the side, couldn't help but want to laugh, but Zhou Xiaoyan remained composed: "No, I have things to do after school." He directly rejected the Sixth Prince's suggestion.
The sixth prince's face turned red, and he didn't know what to say for a moment. He glanced at Xia Zezhen and saw that his face was somber, which made him feel uneasy.
"Although Your Highness and the Fourth Prince have been somewhat distant these past few days, this is a good opportunity to mend their relationship. I've heard that His Majesty greatly favors brotherly affection among his princes. Your Highness has been praised by His Majesty, so you must be well-versed in the principles of filial piety and brotherly love." Xia Zezhen no longer relied on his cousin and took the initiative himself.
Zhou Xiaoyan sneered inwardly, finally unable to hold back any longer.
“Young Master Xia, please be careful with your words. My fifth brother and I are brothers. What are you talking about being estranged? Are you trying to sow discord among the imperial family’s blood relatives?” Facing Xia Zezhen, Zhou Xiaoyan lost his previous patience and his face turned completely cold.
Xia Zezhen was speechless, his face burning with embarrassment. However, he was still somewhat shrewd and did not dare to actually agree to the question. He hurriedly bowed and begged for forgiveness: "Your Highness, why do you say such a thing? This humble subject would never dare to do so. I was just thinking about the Fourth Prince's current situation, which is why I spoke without thinking. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Zhou Xiaoyan stared coldly at Xia Zezhen's head, feeling a chill run down his spine.
Just like in the previous life, the Xia family and the Ye family, the maternal family of the Seventh Prince, ultimately stood behind Zhou Xiaoheng. They had long known that in order to balance the court and the country, the Sixth Prince and the Seventh Prince, whose mothers were from noble families, had no chance of ascending the throne. Therefore, among all the princes, they chose Zhou Xiaoheng, who seemed very easy to get along with but had no background and was easy to control.
Unfortunately, their wishful thinking back then backfired.
Zhou Xiaoheng is not an easy puppet to control, but a truly ruthless wolf.
“Since Young Master Xia has admitted his mistake, I will not say much more. However, there is something I need to tell you. Although I am not very capable in this palace, I am still a prince. You should think carefully before you speak to me in the future.” Zhou Xiaoyan’s tone was cold and his words were full of sarcasm. Xia Ze dared to say such impolite words to him. Wasn’t it because he saw him as an unfavored prince?
He was so eager to win Zhou Xiaoheng over, yet he couldn't even show him basic respect. I'm afraid no one would want such an arrogant subject.
Just like in the Imperial Study now, apart from the Sixth Prince who looked embarrassed, everyone else looked like they were watching a good show. Even the Ye family members who were closely related to the Xia family sat firmly in their seats without even raising their eyes.
Xia Zezhen's face turned bright red, feeling as if he were sitting on a fire. He had never been so humiliated in his life, but in this situation, he could only grit his teeth and agree.
Zhou Xiaoyan sneered inwardly. If powerful and wealthy families continue to be so arrogant and disdainful, they are probably not far from their demise.
**
The atmosphere in the study eased a bit after Scholar Duan arrived. Today, Scholar Duan looked rather unpleasant, his face ashen. He didn't give a lecture as soon as he entered, but instead told them to read on their own.
Fu Mingzi was somewhat surprised. Ever since Scholar Duan was demoted by the emperor last time, although he was also in a bad mood, he dared not delay their studies. But today was strange; Scholar Duan didn't even give any lessons.
However, even if she had doubts, it was not appropriate to voice them at this time. Fu Mingzi could only hold back, but in her heart she was thinking about the real confrontation between Zhou Xiaoyan and Xia Ze.
He could somewhat understand why Xia Zezhen was stepping forward at this time, and he had a rough idea in his mind. The Xia family was really bold to get involved in this struggle for the throne, and they even sided with the inconspicuous fourth prince.
It's hard to say whether they're bold or foolish, but Zhou Xiaoyan's attitude is thought-provoking. According to the information gathered in the past few days, Zhou Xiaoyan and Zhou Xiaoheng used to have a good relationship. On the first day he met Zhou Xiaoyan, he was walking with Zhou Xiaoheng. But ever since he went to Zhou Xiaoyan's side, Zhou Xiaoyan has distanced himself from Zhou Xiaoheng.
Not only that, he also sided with the Crown Prince.
As the son of the Empress Dowager, it was only natural for the Crown Prince to pledge allegiance to him. However, this seemingly natural act caused Zhou Xiaoheng and the powerful families behind him to lose their composure and attempt to win over Zhou Xiaoyan.
To say that these people are all fools is certainly not true. Therefore, there is only one conclusion: Zhou Xiaoyan's existence is very important to these people.
However, Zhou Xiaoyan was just an unfavored prince with no power or background. What use was he to Zhou Xiaoheng?
Fu Mingzi couldn't understand it, but she became even more wary of Zhou Xiaoheng. This man would never do something meaningless; there must be another reason for this.
The entire morning's literature class was spent in self-study, but halfway through, Duan Xueshi suddenly broke the silence.
"Your Highnesses, this old minister has something to say," Scholar Duan suddenly spoke up.
Fu Mingzi put down her book, somewhat curious.
"Today is probably the last day this old minister will teach His Highnesses. After today, this old minister will ask His Majesty for permission to retire and return to his hometown." Duan Xueshi said this with great solemnity.
Fu Mingzi was stunned. Duan Xueshi was only in his forties or fifties this year, yet he was about to resign from his post. What kind of blow had he suffered?
"What is the reason for this, Scholar?" The Ninth Prince spoke first. He was a small man, but he was frowning and looked very dissatisfied. "Although you were reprimanded last time, you have regained your title a few days ago. Is there something we have done to displease you?"
Scholar Duan was a learned man, and naturally he taught the princes very well. Even the Ninth Prince, a proud man, had to admit this.
"Your Highness is too kind," Scholar Duan hurriedly waved his hand. "It is that this old minister's health is declining and he is no longer fit for such a great responsibility. I have already submitted the memorial, and a new teacher will arrive tomorrow. He will surely be a well-read scholar and will not delay the princes' studies."
Duan Xueshi's words silenced all the doubts of the others, and no one dared to say anything more. However, everyone could see the despondency on Duan Xueshi's face.
What exactly happened to make Scholar Duan act this way, even wanting to resign from his post?
Although Fu Mingzi had no evidence, he intuitively felt that it must be related to the incident involving the chief examiner of the imperial examination. He glanced at Zhou Xiaoyan, whose expression remained calm, as if he was unaware of anything. Fu Mingzi wanted to say something, but he knew that now was not the time to speak, so he could only hold back and wait until the literature class was over before speaking.
After that, because of this incident, everyone lost all interest in reading. Their eyes darted around the room, and everyone seemed lost in thought, wondering what had happened to Scholar Duan.
However, after saying these words, Scholar Duan did not say anything more. He sat silently on the podium, looking down at his book.
Even after the literature lesson ended, Scholar Duan didn't give them a chance. He hurriedly left the study, and they couldn't catch up with him. They could only watch him leave.
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