Chapter 285: Winning over the Camp
When Shen Qingtan heard this, he knew that Zhao Yi had an idea in mind.
She took out a handkerchief and was about to wipe her itchy neck, but realized that she had wiped Princess Guangning with water, so she put the handkerchief in a small bamboo basket beside her and talked about what happened at the banquet.
"The wife of the Minister of War is complaining that the Ministry of War has been very busy lately, and her master is away from home early and back late. The birthday party she was planning to hold for her master has been cancelled."
"Prince Rui has taken over the Ministry of War and is investigating old accounts. If this mess is left unresolved for a long time, and mistakes are made, the Emperor will hold Prince Rui accountable."
Zhao Yi held Shen Qingtan's hand, pinching her pink and white fingertips: "Prince Rui has been in charge of the Ministry of War for a while now. I'm afraid there are a lot of bad debts that have caused the Minister to be so anxious and worried."
"Prince Yu was involved in the disasters in Guanzhou and Qingzhou. The Ministry of War under his control is not clean at all."
Shen Qingtan said thoughtfully, "Prince Yu was immediately put under house arrest after his power was taken away. The most he could do was to inform his subordinates to clean up the evidence, but he couldn't make up for the mess. Prince Rui is determined to investigate, so he should be able to uncover something. It depends on whether he can follow the clues and find Prince Yu's private weapons workshop."
Zhao Yi whispered, "Maybe."
Since the fire was set on Prince Yu, he no longer had the energy to touch them.
-
The carriage stopped at the gate of the Duke's Mansion. Shen Qingtan and Zhao Yi got off the carriage and headed towards Lanxue Garden.
On the way, the servant beside the master asked Zhao Yi to go to Jingde Hall.
Zhao Yi turned his head to look at Shen Qingtan: "Would you like to go back to the yard first, or come with me?"
"Father-in-law wants to see you for something important, so I won't go." Shen Qingtan straightened his slightly wrinkled cuffs: "Go quickly, don't keep Father-in-law waiting anxiously."
"good."
Zhao Yi followed the servant to the study in Jingde Hall. Besides the eldest master, there was another young man in the study.
He recognized the man as King Rui.
When Prince Rui heard the noise, he turned to look at the door, saw that it was Zhao Yi coming, put down his teacup and stood up.
"Young Master Zhao." Prince Rui, without any airs of a prince in front of Zhao Yi, stated his purpose directly: "I have encountered a difficult matter in the Ministry of War and don't know how to handle it. I have come to ask for your advice."
Today, his mother sent him a message saying that Concubine Ling was targeting the Qi family in the palace, and asked him to seize this opportunity to win over the eldest wife of the Duke's Mansion.
He omitted all the politeness and probing, and stated his request directly, showing Zhao Yi that he came sincerely for help.
Zhao Yi had never dealt with King Rui or investigated King Rui's deeds. He lacked courage, was indecisive, and had few opinions of his own.
"Your Highness, please tell me what happened first." Zhao Yi closed the door and gestured for Prince Rui to take a seat. "My humble opinion may not be of any help to you."
"Master Xiao Zhao, only you can help me make a decision on this matter."
Prince Rui did not take a seat, but took out a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Zhao Yi.
"This is what I found out in the Ministry of War. The silver granted to the Ministry of Revenue in recent years has disappeared. The places where the silver is needed have even reached the point where the Ministry of Revenue officials have to raise the money themselves."
When this matter was mentioned, Prince Rui said with a look of sorrow, "Such a huge vacancy has not been filled by my royal brother, and I have not found any evidence. I don't know whether I should report it to my father."
"The affairs of the six ministries are of great importance, and the Emperor attaches great importance to them. Your Highness should report the problems found in the Ministry of War to the Emperor truthfully, and ask His Majesty to make the final decision."
Zhao Yi finished reading the letter and handed it back to Prince Rui: "If Your Highness conceals this and does not report it, and someone exposes it one day, all the blame will be borne by you."
Prince Rui wanted to report, but he couldn't figure out Emperor Jing'an's thoughts, so he came to ask Zhao Yi for advice.
Zhao Yi is a favorite of Emperor Jing'an and must be able to guess the emperor's intentions.
He also had another purpose, which was to use this incident to pull Zhao Yi into the same camp.
After all, Zhao Yi and Prince Yu were secretly at odds.
"You're right. I was overthinking it." Prince Rui looked relieved, as if a worry had been resolved. "It's my job to govern. I should handle this impartially."
Zhao Yi didn't say anything else and just picked up the teapot to pour tea.
Prince Rui guessed what Zhao Yi was thinking and thought that he might be willing to lend him a helping hand?
Otherwise, Zhao Yi would avoid suspicion, find an excuse to fool him, and would not make decisions for him.
But judging Zhao Yi based on this point is obviously not enough.
Prince Rui probed, "Master Xiao Zhao, my father has asked Princess Guangning to choose between me and my brother for a marriage. In your opinion, what should I do?"
"Your Highness, since ancient times, marriage has always been the decision of parents and the words of matchmakers." Zhao Yi said respectfully, "You are the son of the emperor, and your marriage is not something I can interfere in."
Prince Rui understood Zhao Yi's intention and would not interfere in the marriage.
He failed to test Zhao Yi's attitude, but he also knew that too much is as bad as too little, so he did not try to test it any further. He chatted with her casually for a few words and then said goodbye and left.
Only the father and son were left in the study.
The master sat quietly in the corner, listening to the conversation between Zhao Yi and Prince Rui with his ears perked up.
He was shocked that Zhao Yi actually interfered in Prince Rui's affairs.
Is this to participate in the fight for the throne?
"Son, our family is so rich, there's no need to take any more risks, right?" The eldest master watched Zhao Yi calmly drink his tea and snatched the cup from his hand. "Tell me, what are you thinking? Why do you want to interfere in the fight between two princes for the throne?"
Zhao Yi raised his eyebrows and said, "You invited Prince Rui to your residence as a guest, and specially invited me over. Aren't you here to help Prince Rui?"
"Prince Rui is a prince, I can't just turn him away." The eldest master advised earnestly: "Son, with your status and position, you can still be rich and prosperous for a hundred years. There is no need for us to get involved in this muddy water."
Zhao Yi said sternly, "Father, Manman and my cousin went to a palace banquet today, and the Imperial Concubine set up a trap for my cousin. My cousin grew up in the northern border and rarely comes to the capital. She has no grudges against the Imperial Concubine. The Imperial Concubine attacked my cousin, and I suspect they are planning to attack the Qi family."
After a pause, he added, "Noble Consort Ling's nephew served under my grandfather. He returned to claim his reward after performing meritorious service. The Emperor intended to transfer him, but he declined."
The eldest master was stunned, and it took him a while to react - Concubine Ling was eyeing the position of the Qi family.
His face suddenly darkened. Did Concubine Ling treat them as dough?
"For the sake of the throne, this mother and son disregarded the Qi family's generations of loyal ministers and generals, and eliminated them at will. When Prince Yu is made crown prince and ascends to the throne, anyone who poses a threat to him will be eliminated one by one."
The eldest master knew very well that the Duke's Mansion and the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion would also be on Prince Yu's list.
"Son, this matter is of no small importance. Father and I will go to the Qi family and discuss with your grandfather how to deal with Concubine Ling."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
