Chapter 125 The Crisis in the North
When he was a child, he hated it most when people talked about his background.
Hearing Xiao Ren's words, he trembled with anger.
In his view, his eldest brother, the heir apparent, was inferior to his second brother in literature, his fourth brother in wisdom, and his fifth brother in martial arts, except for being the eldest son of the legitimate wife.
Even his financial and business acumen is inferior to mine; why should he be the heir apparent?
Just because he was born into a good family?
Born in the princess's womb?
I've disliked him before, but I've been tolerant of him because he's the eldest brother.
But now that we have the opportunity to share this fiefdom with him, who would put up with his rudeness?
So, filled with anger, he went back to discuss the matter with his staff.
His advisors took this opportunity to suggest that he go to his fiefdom. The third son, Xiao Li, was good at business, and his fiefdom was located at the southernmost tip of the northern border, next to Youzhou.
The fiefdom is quite productive, with furs, ginseng, mushrooms, and medicinal herbs, all of which are very suitable for trade with other regions of Dayong.
"Sanlang can trade with Dayong in his fiefdom and accumulate a considerable fortune. When the time comes, whichever prince ascends the throne, you can provide them with financial assistance."
Given the current situation, we should evacuate as soon as possible to ensure our own safety.
Xiao Li was initially unconvinced and stubbornly shouted:
Why should I leave? What am I afraid of?
Are you afraid he'll kill me?
"Is Father still alive?"
Other advisors continued to persuade him: "Third Prince, even if the heir is removed, it will be the Second Prince who takes the throne, and it has nothing to do with you."
However, given the current situation, it would be best for us to leave.
That's true. When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman profits. Why don't we be that fisherman?
After much persuasion from his advisors, Xiao Li gradually began to think that there was some truth to it.
The next day, he told Prince Rui that he was going to his fiefdom.
Before leaving, he also kept a secret, solemnly expressing his feelings to Prince Rui that he had no intention of vying for the position of heir apparent.
I beg my elder brother to show mercy and spare my life.
After saying that, he left with his men.
After Xiao Li left, Prince Rui was furious and whipped his son, Xiao Ren.
Xiao Ren was so badly beaten that he couldn't get out of bed, and his resentment towards Xiao Li grew stronger every day.
So they secretly sent someone to assassinate Xiao Li in his fiefdom.
As a result of his poor handling of the situation, he was captured and brought before the fifth prince, Xiao Xin, because of his suspicious behavior when he left the palace.
Xiao Xin was in charge of the palace guards, so he arrived quickly.
After listening to the servant's report, he sighed and sent the person to Prince Rui.
Upon hearing the servant's report, Prince Rui couldn't catch his breath and fainted.
The fourth and second brothers rushed over, but after hearing what had happened, neither of them said anything.
After Prince Rui woke up, he had Xiao Ren beaten again.
Now, Prince Xiao is completely unable to get out of bed.
Three days later, the second son, Xiao Yi, and the fourth son, Xiao Zhi, both wrote to Prince Rui, requesting to go to their fiefdoms.
He also repeatedly assured that he would not covet the position of heir apparent.
Prince Rui suffered another heart attack from anger.
This time he did not agree, and the two had no choice but to remain in the Prince's residence.
More than a month later, Xiao Zhi was suddenly poisoned again.
Fortunately, it was discovered in time and there is no serious problem for now.
After a long silence, Xiao Zhi finally wrote to Prince Rui requesting to go to his fiefdom.
This time, Prince Rui did not stop him, allowing him to leave smoothly.
The second son also wanted to leave, but looking at his elderly father, whose temples were turning gray day by day, he felt quite reluctant to do so.
So they stayed.
The prince's injury has been recuperating for over a month and looks almost healed.
The second brother then went to see his elder brother, wanting to offer some kind words of advice.
However, after these events, Xiao Ren's words were filled with resentment towards Prince Rui and belittlement and curses towards his brothers.
In the end, Xiao Yi could only sigh and leave alone.
The Prince Rui's residence was in complete chaos.
Prince Rui sought advice from Zhang Herun.
Zhang Herun was also at a loss.
I have helped Prince Rui manage the country for so many years, and only then have the northern border been brought to its current peaceful and tranquil state.
But with just one trick, my senior brother was able to completely destroy all the hard work I've put in over the years.
Zhang Herun felt utterly disgusted.
I haven't been able to eat or sleep well for the past few months, and I've lost a lot of weight.
Hearing Prince Rui's question at this moment, he could only sigh and had nothing else to say.
Finally, Prince Rui inquired about the Crown Prince.
Zhang Herun replied, "The second son is more suitable than the eldest son."
Prince Rui listened without speaking, and after a long while asked again:
"How do the princes of the capital compare to my son?"
Zhang Herun thought for a moment and said, "If Fourth Prince's eyes are unaffected, he would be the best candidate."
The Second Prince and the Crown Prince were equally matched.
Upon hearing this, Prince Rui asked, "Where is the Third Prince?"
Zhang Herun replied, "It's unassuming and I don't know."
Prince Rui remained silent after hearing this.
Little did anyone know that this conversation reached Xiao Ren's ears, and a month later, Zhang Herun accidentally fell into the water while drunk and died.
**
The North was in chaos, but this was good news for the Emperor.
Ling'er is truly blessed to have married such a clever wife, so he has taken a liking to Xie Yunyu.
So an imperial decree was issued, adding a considerable amount to Xie Yunyu's dowry.
When the Empress heard about it, she also sent some over.
The Empress Dowager was worried about not having a suitable reason to add a dowry to Xie Yunyu's dress.
Upon hearing of the Emperor and Empress's actions, they immediately sent several large boxes of goods over.
The masters in the palace, seeing that the three leaders had all given gifts, felt it inappropriate not to give one themselves.
So they all followed suit and sent things to the Xie family.
The officials in the court naturally followed the palace's lead and sent the gifts to the Xie family.
For the past two weeks, the Xie family's doorway has been almost trampled to pieces.
The young women in the capital were even more jealous of Xie Yunyu.
But they dared not speak out against her anger; the royal family valued her so much that they couldn't really take action against her.
Furthermore, all the young ladies had been warned by their elders not to provoke the third daughter of the Xie family.
It would be bad if it angered the nobles in the palace.
Among those who came to join in the fun, Qin Yingying was the most numerous.
He insisted on coming to see Xie Yunyu no matter what.
Xue Weiyang and Wu Yumin couldn't stop them.
Finally, Qin Yingying successfully met Xie Yunyu. After circling around her once, she suddenly spoke:
"I knew it! Why do you never leave the house?"
So she was pregnant.
Wu Yumin and Xue Weiyang were startled, fearing that Qin Yingying might do something to Xie Yunyu.
Xue Weiyang quickly stepped in front of the two.
Qin Yingying then asked Xie Yunyu curiously, "Is the child the son of the Prince of Shou'an?"
Xie Yunyu nodded with a smile.
"No wonder...no wonder Aunt, the Empress Dowager and the others sent you so many things."
After saying that, he glanced at Xue Weiyang in front of him and asked with dissatisfaction:
Why are you blocking my way?
Xue Weiyang quickly replied, "Sigh~ I'm warning you, you are now the Second Prince's consort, you must remember your identity."
Don't do anything inappropriate out of jealousy.
Upon hearing this, Qin Yingying frowned and said, "Is that how you see me?"
As a result, he saw that Xue Weiyang and Wu Yumin were both staring blankly at him.
He waved his hand and said, "Oh dear, I don't like Prince Shou'an at all. I just want to compete with Wei Ningyan."
Don't worry, Third Sister Xie saved me last time and severely dampened Wei Ningyan's spirits.
I heard that she had a very difficult time after getting married.
Hahaha... I'm so happy.
He then pushed Xue Weiyang away and grabbed Xie Yunyu's hand, saying:
"I came here specifically to see you and thank you."
Xie Yunyu pulled her to sit down on a chair next to them.
"No need for thanks, just remember to keep it a secret."
Qin Yingying smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'll definitely keep it a secret for you."
Wu Yumin and Xue Weiyang breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this. The four of them sat together chatting and laughing, and even played mahjong for a while.
Qin Yingying was very addicted to mahjong. When she left, she made a detour to Xie Yunyu's shop and bought a jade mahjong set to take home.
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