Chapter 282 A Voice Says It Doesn't Want to Choose Anyone
However, Xie Yun-yang's respect for his maternal grandmother does not mean that he would protect his maternal family members from colluding with other officials to embezzle and accept bribes.
Fortunately, Madam Zheng was a reasonable person.
That day, Xie Yunyang secretly went back to the Zheng family to see Old Madam Zheng. Old Madam Zheng held Xie Yunyang's hand, her eyes filled with tears, and told him: "Your maternal grandfather was an upright man all his life. Since your maternal grandfather passed away, your mother has changed, and your uncles are even more lawless. The glory of the Zheng family was earned by countless ancestors. I promised your maternal grandfather that I would protect the Zheng family and not let the family's reputation be ruined in their hands, but your maternal grandmother is old... Ah-Yang, your mother is confused. She is too obsessed. Ah-Yang, you can't do that. Do what you want to do."
The long-awaited "Ah-yang" brought tears to Xie Yun-yang's eyes.
The second branch of the Zheng family secretly colluded with people from Haijin without the knowledge of Old Madam Zheng. There may be many more people colluding with them, but without exception, these matters will not be told to Old Madam Zheng, much less to Xie Yun.
However, Empress Zheng must have known.
He didn't know whether Empress Zheng was the one who arranged it, but Empress Zheng must have known and tacitly approved of it.
If it weren't for Empress Zheng's tacit approval, how could those people from the second branch of the Zheng family have dared to commit such a serious crime as collusion between officials and merchants?
When Xie Yunyang learned about this, she felt both bitter and conflicted.
He knew that Empress Zheng always made things convenient for her maternal family, but he didn't know that the convenience she made for the Zheng family was this kind of insightful favor.
Empress Zheng always said that she would help him secure his position as crown prince without any obstacles, but he knew nothing about these things.
Perhaps, Empress Zheng did this to protect him?
None of that matters. What matters is that Xie Yun-yang never needed such means to gain support; all he ever wanted was for the people to live in peace and prosperity.
So, Xie Yunyang and Xie Yunchuan devised a plan: to have a big argument in the Wenhua Hall, which would surely spread the word.
Once the news of their discord spreads, those who have been secretly plotting will surely swarm out, whether to test the waters or to speak frankly. At that time, the Zheng family will definitely think that he has broken with Xie Yunchuan and is determined to fight for the throne.
Empress Zheng knew that he was determined to "do something important" and would definitely instruct the Zheng family to reveal to him everything they had been doing in secret.
Then, the evidence they want will come to them on its own.
Sheng Sheng suddenly realized, "So that's how it is. I didn't expect that this was all planned by my brother, the Crown Prince."
The design was indeed excellent, but the acting was so convincing that even she was fooled.
Especially Xie Yunchuan, whose perfectly timed silences and subtle remarks whenever Xie Yunyang were mentioned completely fooled Sheng Sheng and Xie Yunwen, preventing them from even considering that possibility.
Sheng Sheng shrugged helplessly and muttered, "My brother is really something. With such good acting skills, he should go perform at Xingchun Garden."
Xingchun Garden is a newly popular opera house in Beijing, and the opera troupes there perform absolutely wonderful shows.
My brother's acting skills are so good that no one could tell he was acting. Sheng Sheng thinks he should try to audition at Xingchun Garden.
Xie Yun chuckled softly and nodded repeatedly: "Hmm, so that's how you can curse someone. I'll tell Second Brother that later."
"Hey, I didn't swear at all." Sheng Sheng was a little scared when she heard that he was going to tell Xie Yunchuan. "Sheng Sheng was just a little surprised. When Sheng Sheng and Fourth Brother first heard that Brother and Crown Prince had a conflict, they were very worried. Sheng Sheng also persuaded herself for a long time before deciding to come and find Crown Prince."
They were already feeling like they had nothing to lose, but when they suddenly heard the truth, it was inevitable that Sheng Sheng would be a little angry.
"Hmm? What do you mean by having the courage to burn your bridges? From what you're saying, coming to me sounds like a terrifying thing."
"Of course!" Sheng Sheng said indignantly, stuffing a pastry into her mouth. "You have no idea how terrifying the rumors are outside, about the struggle for the throne, about them tearing each other apart..."
Sheng Sheng counted on her fingers for him, exaggerating, "When I came here, I had already imagined several scenarios: the Crown Prince would throw me out the door, or even disappear without a trace. In short, if those rumors are true, I really don't know how to face you, Crown Prince."
Even now, knowing that Xie Yunxiang and Xie Yunchuan had put on a show for others, this incident still served as a wake-up call for Sheng Sheng.
The future is ever-changing. What if next time it's not just acting, but a real irreconcilable conflict?
I sincerely don't want to see a loving family turn into a situation where they never speak to each other again.
Xie Yun-yang understood what Sheng Sheng meant. Seeing the little dumpling's face scrunched up, she suddenly teased her, "If one day my second brother and I really end up like the rumors say, whose side will you be on?"
Xie Yun-yang only wanted to tease her, just like many adults always ask children whether they like their father or mother more.
But to everyone's surprise, the little dumpling took it seriously. After hearing it, her eyes turned red at a visible speed, and she looked like she was about to cry.
Xie Yunyang immediately became flustered: "What's wrong? Don't cry, okay? Your brother was just joking."
The little dumpling sniffled, frowned, lowered her head and hugged him, her voice barely audible: "But Sheng Sheng doesn't want to choose, Sheng Sheng hopes everyone is doing well."
Not only should the person be well, but everyone's relationships should also be good.
The little dumpling's voice was soft, as if she were talking to Xie Yunyang, or perhaps just expressing her own wish.
Shi Tou and Yan Hu were both lying quietly to the side drinking water when they heard the low murmurs and both looked up.
Stone was still young and not as good at controlling his emotions as Yan Hu. Sensing Sheng Sheng's mood, he also became anxious and restless. He paced under Sheng Sheng's stool and even jumped up, trying to climb onto Sheng Sheng's lap to comfort her.
Yan Hu also came over and sat down next to Sheng Sheng, silently keeping her company.
Sheng Sheng hadn't actually asked Xie Yunchuan clearly what he thought about the position of Crown Prince.
To be honest, both Xie Yunyang and Xie Yunchuan are excellent in terms of ability and character, but in some aspects—such as combat skills—Xie Yunchuan is much stronger than Xie Yunyang.
Therefore, Sheng Sheng naturally did not think that Xie Yunchuan was unworthy of the position.
In Sheng Sheng's mind, Xie Yunchuan is a meticulous and versatile talent, while Xie Yunyang is more inclined to be gentle and kind.
Both of them are good people, and the scales in Sheng Sheng's heart have always been balanced.
However, Sheng Sheng also knew that there were many people in the imperial court who had no choice in their actions.
There's a saying in learning: "If you don't row against the current, you'll fall behind." The same applies to other areas. Sometimes, if you don't take the initiative, you'll find yourself in a passive position.
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