Just as Yide and Yang Qianshi finished their discussion, the news was sent out. Consort De also received the news, and she sneered and ordered, "Someone, send the message to the Yan family. I want to do the Yan family a favor."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Consort De picked up the jade ruyi from the tea table and fiddled with it, muttering to herself, "The Empress is so stupid. She knows she can't keep the Emperor, yet she still insists on doing it. Heh, she'll reap what she sows!" After saying that, she turned her eyes and ordered, "Make preparations. I'll go see the Empress tomorrow."
Now that Zhao Yi is no longer the crown prince, she is not afraid of the empress at all; on the contrary, it is a good time to cooperate.
Her trusted confidants were dispatched one after another. Just as Zhao Shu received the news and sent someone to inform Yan Shiren, her people arrived.
Yan Shiren held two intelligence reports in his hand, one from Zhao Shu and the other from Consort De. He frowned, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Serve me pen and ink."
Yan Ruyu stood beside him and, upon hearing this, personally prepared writing materials. "Father, that person from Weiyang Palace has gone too far. How dare they set their sights on us?"
"Hmph, what is she afraid of? You prepare yourself and leave the capital immediately to return to Jiangnan. I will write a letter to your mother and ask her to find you a marriage partner. Your cousins are quite good. If you really don't like them, there is also your brother Chen. He has always been very good to you."
Although Yan Ruyu was still unwilling, she did not object this time. She just looked listless, fiddling with her handkerchief, seemingly lost in thought.
Seeing her unwilling and aggrieved look, Yan Shiren snorted, "Stop thinking about those unrealistic things. Huo Baichuan is dead, so hurry up and make preparations!"
He somewhat regretted raising Yan Ruyu in a way that made her unlike other young ladies from prominent families; she was too opinionated, and he could hardly control her anymore.
Yan Ruyu said "Oh," and turned to leave the room.
"Sigh." Yan Shi sighed and muttered to himself, "How could you possibly handle Huo Baichuan? He wants a spiritual match, and you're still far from that level."
He knew that Huo Baichuan hadn't actually died; he had only faked it.
The next day, in the imperial court, Liang Yunsi had just said, "If you have something to report, speak quickly; otherwise, the court may adjourn." Yan Shiren then stepped forward, holding his jade tablet, and said, "Your subject has something to report."
Zhao Bi took a step back. He wanted to hear what Yan Shiren was planning to do. He had just learned about the matter of marrying Yan Ruyu, so he was particularly concerned about Yan Shiren's movements.
Emperor Mingde sat on the dragon throne, not in good spirits. He raised his hand slightly and said weakly, "Speak."
"Your Majesty," Yan Shiren knelt down, kowtowed three times, and then said, "I am old and frail, and many political affairs are beyond my capabilities. In addition, I have been away from home for many years and have never taken care of my wife or raised my children. As a husband and father, I have failed in my duties and feel ashamed. I cannot sleep day and night. Therefore, I have come today to bid farewell to Your Majesty. I wish Your Majesty a long life, and that the Great Yong will prosper and be peaceful for generations to come. I beg Your Majesty to grant me permission to retire to my hometown!"
His words were extremely sincere. Compared to Xie Yun, he was quite young, but he could lie and say that he was old and wanted to retire to his hometown. Emperor Mingde was furious, but he didn't have much strength and couldn't overturn the imperial case.
He pointed a trembling hand at Yan Shiren, "You too will leave me!"
"Your Majesty, I am your subject and will never leave you, but I am truly old and powerless to do anything more for the country. I voluntarily relinquish my position to a virtuous person. Please grant my request and give the younger generation a chance."
After he finished speaking, he kowtowed again, with extreme sincerity.
The entire court was dumbfounded. What was Yan Shiren up to? The leaders of the New Party were resigning one by one. Did they really intend to give up the country they had worked so hard to build over the past few years?
Even if you beat them to death, they still won't believe you.
But Yan Shiren doesn't seem to be faking it at all, making him completely unpredictable.
However, Zhao Bi and the others were quite happy. This way, they wouldn't have to put in the effort to deal with Yan Shiren. Guan Heng and Lin Chaoying were especially happy because with Yan Shiren gone, their power increased even more.
Emperor Mingde stared at Yan Shiren for a long time with his somewhat cloudy but insightful eyes, then suddenly chuckled, followed by loud laughter, "Hahahaha..." As he laughed, he reached out for Liang Yunsi to help him up.
Liang Yunsi helped him down the steps, and he came to Yan Shiren. He looked down at him and said in a low voice, "You want to see me make a fool of myself? I won't let you have your way."
After saying that, he walked past Yan Shiren toward the gate, and before leaving, he said in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, "Granted."
"Thank you for your boundless grace, Your Majesty." Yan Shiren kowtowed in gratitude.
From then on, there was no new party leader in the court. After Yan Shiren left, he was replaced by Zhao Bi's confidant in just a few days.
The New Party officials retreated like the tide, leaving people bewildered, yet much to the delight of Zhao Bi and others. However, some were worried, feeling that the victory had come too quickly and that they were dreaming.
However, regardless of whether it's a dream or not, and regardless of what other tricks the New Party might have up its sleeve, the most important thing is that the court is now in their hands.
With no political enemies to contend with, Zhao Bi was somewhat reluctant to let Yang Zhong enter the court. However, the ways of officialdom emphasize balance, and with other princes eyeing the court covetously, and none of Guan Heng and others possessing Yang Zhong's wisdom and resourcefulness, he decided, after much deliberation, to invite Yang Zhong to the court.
They went to the Yang family with gifts.
Yang Zhong gave Zhao Bi a perfunctory bow, and then asked indifferently, "I wonder what brings Your Highness to your residence?"
"Lord Yang, you really have a bad memory. My father sent me to invite you to be reinstated. Please don't forget, Lord Yang. I've come today to thank you for giving me this favor."
Yang Zhong snorted coldly, "Your Highness, I agree to return to court not because I'm giving you face, but because of my grandson. If you want this old minister to help you, you can, but I have a condition."
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