"Your Highness, if you have something to say, why not just speak directly? Why beat around the bush?" Zhou Siheng was upright and had nothing to fear from his own shadow. He and Lin Wanru had always been affectionate and polite. Why should he be afraid of what an outsider might say?
Xu Jing put down his wine glass, a hint of mockery in his eyes. "Do you really want to know?"
"Your humble servant is all ears."
"My ninth brother told me that you and Miss Lin often frequented the streets and alleys, behaving in a very ambiguous manner. I didn't believe him and took his words as a joke. Until I saw this!" Xu Jing pulled out a plain handkerchief embroidered with red plum blossoms. It wouldn't have been surprising if it were just a handkerchief, but it was stained with blood.
The moment he took out the handkerchief, Zhou Siheng's expression changed. He stood up and tried to snatch it away, but Xu Jing quickly grabbed him. "The evidence is right before your eyes. What else do you have to say, Jingxuan?"
The plum blossom brocade handkerchief was originally a personal item of Lin Wanru. On that day, Lin Wanru and her maid went to the temple to pray for blessings. On the way, they encountered a storm and found a nearby dilapidated temple to take shelter from the rain.
Unexpectedly, they encountered the dying Zhou Siheng in a dilapidated temple. Lin Wanru, with a kind heart, saved Zhou Siheng and cleaned his wounds with a plum blossom brocade handkerchief. Afterwards, Zhou Siheng, grateful for Lin Wanru's lifesaving grace, decided to repay her kindness.
After returning home, Zhou Siheng made a point of investigating Lin Wanru's identity. He learned that she was the second daughter of the Lin family and was engaged to the King of Qin. Zhou Siheng had originally intended to marry her, but upon learning of the engagement, he changed his mind and remained at her side, content to play supporting role.
Zhou Siheng knew that Lin Wanru was in a difficult situation in the Lin family, so he tried to help her earn money so that she could protect herself. He thought he had done everything carefully enough, until he saw the blood-stained plum blossom brocade handkerchief, and Zhou Siheng knew that everything was exposed.
Instead of covering up for others, it is better to admit it outright.
Zhou Siheng knelt down and said, "Your Highness, this matter was done by me alone and has nothing to do with Miss Lin. If Your Highness wants to hold someone responsible, please hold me responsible alone and do not involve Miss Lin."
"You're kind-hearted, but unfortunately, they may not appreciate your kindness." Xu Jing reached out and helped him up, pressing him into his seat. "I have never blamed you, so why should Jingxuan apologize to me? Since Jingxuan has been honest with me, I will forgive you."
Is it really that simple?
Zhou Siheng pondered. If the King of Qin was truly a clueless fool, how could he have been so meticulous and meticulous in pulling together all these things without losing out? His words and actions didn't seem like those of a fool. Could it be that the King of Qin was the one behind all this?
If the King of Qin was the one hiding the most, why did he mention King Zhuang in every sentence? Could it be that King Zhuang taught the King of Qin?
It seems that he needs to go back and find out what happened during this period of time. Otherwise, he really has been kept in the dark.
While Zhou Siheng was lost in thought, Xu Jing filled his glass with wine. "Jingxuan, I have some government affairs I'd like to discuss with you. Could you please give me some advice?"
"I don't deserve it. I've just joined the Ministry of Rites and don't know much about its affairs. How can I help His Majesty with government affairs?"
"Oh?" Xu Jing raised an eyebrow and continued, "Then I will have no choice but to make the matter of the handkerchief public."
I knew he wouldn't let me go so easily. A person in a low position must know when to bow his head. Zhou Siheng said coldly, "What does the prince want to know?"
"This king wants to know your views on current affairs."
After ascending the throne, Emperor Zhaodi implemented numerous policies that benefited the nation and its people. While these policies won the hearts of the people, they also affected the fundamental interests of the aristocratic families. The nobles were deeply dissatisfied with Emperor Zhaodi's actions, and they repeatedly acted in a double-edged sword. It's not that Emperor Zhaodi hadn't caught some big fish, but the vines on a single tree were simply too numerous. Even if one was destroyed, new ones would always take its place. This constant cycle only accumulated a large number of termites.
But the current national politics emphasizes civil officials over military officials, and the influence of civil officials in the court is so great that it can affect the interests of many people. Often, the more officials there are, the fewer people there are to do things.
Zhou Siheng had originally hoped to take this opportunity to seek a position outside the court and change his current situation, but his father had already gotten ahead of him and secured him a position as an editor in the Hanlin Academy. He had to stay in the Hanlin Academy for at least three years before being transferred elsewhere. Zhou Siheng had initially thought his chances were over, but unexpectedly, he would be recognized by Prince Chen and transferred to the Ministry of Rites.
The Ministry of Rites oversaw diplomatic etiquette, the imperial examinations, and other matters. While busy at certain times, it was much quieter than the other five ministries. Staying in the Ministry for an extended period would be a waste of one's talents.
But why does the King of Qin want to know all this? Could it be that he wants to fight for the throne?
Impossible. If the King of Qin really wanted to fight for the throne, he wouldn't stay in the Ministry of Rites, nor would he hang out with his cronies all day. It seems he was overthinking it.
Zhou Siheng spoke vaguely about some irrelevant things. Xu Jing listened quietly and suddenly said, "It's a pity that Jingxuan's talent has nowhere to be displayed."
After hearing this, Zhou Siheng silently poured himself a glass of wine. After drinking it all, he actually felt a little tipsy. "What's the pity?"
"I have had the honor of reading Jingxuan's essay. It is truly a brilliant piece of writing. Unfortunately, it is too flashy and lacks substance to achieve anything. What a shame!"
"What exactly does the prince want to do?" Zhou Siheng asked.
"You stay in Beijing and recuperate, and leave everything else to me." Zhou Siheng didn't hear the rest of the words. He fell asleep as he got drunk.
After the man fell asleep, Xu Jing patted his face, and after making sure that he was really drunk and not pretending to be asleep, he took out a jade bottle from his arms.
021 said: "Stop. You want to poison him?"
"How could that be? I'm just trying to find a way to keep him alive."
To prevent Zhou Siheng from suddenly waking up, Xu Jing quickly and decisively struck him unconscious with a knife. He then took out a pill from the jade bottle and helped him take it.
021 said: "Even if you serve him so attentively, he won't appreciate your kindness."
"I never do business without capital, and he's not stupid. He'll understand my intentions sooner or later."
021 said: "Why didn't you just tell Zhou Siheng directly, instead of being so sneaky and secretive?"
"You don't understand him. Zhou Siheng is very suspicious. If you tell him directly that you want to help him, it will only disgust him. It's better to threaten him in the name of Lin Wanru. He will feel at ease and let you use him."
"Aren't you afraid that he will dislike you?"
Xu Jing smiled and said, "I'm not afraid. Rather than being disgusted, I'm more afraid that he won't remember me."
It's hard for a person to feel good about others, but it's hard to hold a grudge against someone who hurt you. Lin Wanru had already taken the initiative to rescue Zhou Siheng, so if he tried to save Zhou Siheng now, Zhou Siheng would think he had ulterior motives.
Rather than letting Zhou Siheng think about it, it would be better to let him hate himself. Malice accumulated to a certain extent can sometimes be more effective than love.
021 was speechless. "You humans have incredibly complex emotions. Accumulating hatred will backfire. Don't overdo it."
"Don't worry, I know my limits. I'll stop in time."
I hope so, and that this mission can be successfully completed. Otherwise, it will also have to eat the melon.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
