Finding no one outside, they approached again. Minister Zheng continued, "Father has always been the Crown Prince's man." As he spoke, Minister Zheng slowly opened his sleeve and pointed to the totem on it for the two to see.
"The Crown Prince?" Zheng Yu was unable to calm down, and even more incredulous. He frowned as he looked at his father. "But Father, haven't you always remained neutral? How did you get involved with the Crown Prince?"
Minister Zheng smiled bitterly: "Silly child, in this court, where is there true neutrality? On the surface, I am impartial, but in reality, I have always been a royalist, and I have been supporting the Crown Prince in secret. It's just a pity..." A trace of regret flashed in Minister Zheng's eyes, "Although the Crown Prince is kind, he is too indecisive. He is the most easily swayed by others, which is why the other princes seized the opportunity."
He Yi was horrified; she never imagined her father would also...
She never imagined that her father, who usually seemed to be only good at burying himself in his books and even as honest and simple as a pedantic gentleman, would be involved in such a complicated war for the throne among the princes.
[It turns out that Minister Zheng is actually a royalist! And he even supports the Crown Prince?]
Isn't the Crown Prince incompetent? Why would Minister Zheng support him?
[Their move was ruthless; they used the impeachment of Minister Zheng to attack the Crown Prince.]
[Is Zheng Yu his stepson? But judging from their close relationship, it doesn't seem like it at all.]
Minister Zheng seemed to see their confusion: "I know what you want to ask. Yu'er, although you are not my biological son, from the day we met, you have been my son. Over the years, I have seen how much you have done for this family and for me."
Zheng Yu's eyes reddened, and he grabbed Minister Zheng's hand, choking back tears as he said, "Father..."
“Zheng Yu, don’t cry. This big family still needs you. Your father is no longer useful…”
"Father, please stop..." Minister Zheng waved his hand and looked at Zheng Yu, "No, you must listen to your father today. Although the Crown Prince has countless flaws, he is, after all, the rightful heir apparent, with the support of the entire pro-royalist faction. As long as he can remain stable and ascend the throne in the future, our Zheng family can be preserved. But now..."
Minister Zheng coughed several times in succession, his face even paler than before, and his appearance naturally made people tremble with fear.
“Now, the other princes are pressing closer and closer, probably wanting to completely overthrow the crown prince and take his place. The impeachment has not yet reached the emperor, so I am relatively safe for now, but we should also have a more advanced plan.”
He Yi became increasingly alarmed as she listened.
She suddenly remembered the dark figure from last night, and Lin's late-night outing. During this time, she had been busy outside and had hardly had any free time to come back. Now, looking at it this way, the situation had completely changed.
He Yi looked at her father and quickly asked, "Dad, have you thought about whether this incident might cause more trouble..." Zheng He Yi's words were interrupted by Zheng Yu before she could finish: "Yi'er, Dad just woke up, don't say these things and make him worry."
Minister Zheng waved his hand and looked at He Yi: "Yi'er, have you discovered something?" He Yi hesitated slightly, but still told him about Lin Shi going out in the middle of the night, having a secret meeting with Sanlang, and transferring valuables.
Upon hearing this, Minister Zheng's face darkened, and after a long while, he sighed, "I knew this woman was no pushover. I just didn't expect her to dare to cause trouble at this time."
"Father, don't worry, I've already sent people to investigate that Sanlang." Zheng Yu said quickly, "Once we find the evidence, I'll deal with her immediately and make sure she doesn't cause you any more trouble."
Minister Zheng nodded, then looked at He Yi: "Sui'er, you did very well. Now, this Minister's Mansion depends on you two siblings. I..." Minister Zheng's eyes were bloodshot, and he suddenly coughed violently, with bright red blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.
Upon seeing this, the brother and sister were terrified. "Dad!"
He Yi and Zheng Yu exclaimed in surprise and rushed forward to check on him. Minister Zheng waved his hand, his eyes somewhat unfocused, "I'm fine, Yu'er, you go out for a moment, I want to speak with your sister alone for a few minutes." Although reluctant, Zheng Yu nodded and turned to leave.
Only the father and daughter remained inside the house.
Minister Zheng reached out his hand, and He Yi, knowing what he meant, quickly offered her her hand. Minister Zheng grasped He Yi's hand firmly, looking at her tenderly, "Sui'er, Father knows that Father's time is running out. There are some things I must tell you now."
He Yi could no longer hold back her tears. "Dad, don't say that. Good fortune will come to you! Besides, Mr. Sun already said that you were just stressed out and that you'll be fine after a good rest."
"Silly child, I know my own body best." Minister Zheng forced a bitter smile—"In this life, I haven't accomplished anything great. My only regret is not being able to find you a good husband. That child, Gu Minghe…"
Although Zheng Heyi didn't want to listen to her father continue, and even resisted it, now that her father was in this state, how could she not listen?
Minister Zheng's voice trembled violently, "After Father's death! The Minister's Mansion will soon be in crisis. As the saying goes, 'If you don't cut the weeds at the root, they will grow back in the spring breeze.' How could those guys let you go? That woman, Lin, might also take the opportunity to cause trouble. Although your brother is intelligent and brave, he is ultimately alone and weak. You..." Father suddenly coughed violently and fainted before he could finish speaking.
He Yi was terrified and hurriedly reached out to check Zheng Shangshu's breathing. Fortunately, his breath was faint, which meant there was still hope.
"Father! Father!" He Yi shouted loudly, as if this could call back her father, who had one foot in the abyss of hell. Zheng Yu heard the noise from inside the house and immediately rushed in. Seeing her unconscious father, Zheng Yu's expression changed drastically, and she hurriedly sent someone to fetch Mr. Sun.
He Yi was suddenly overwhelmed by a sense of weakness. She looked at Minister Zheng's pale face with a bitter expression, and a sense of foreboding welled up in her heart.
[High-energy warning! Is Minister Zheng about to leave the game? No way!]
[That vicious woman, Lin, actually dared to cause trouble at this time!]
[Zheng Yu and He Yi, hold on! The Minister's Mansion cannot fall!]
Gu Minghe has been brought up again.
Just then, a maid rushed in, panting, "Young Master, Princess, Granny Feng has returned from the Princess's residence. She said... she said something happened at the Princess's residence!" The two exchanged a glance. Now that their father was unconscious, Lin Shi was making trouble, and the Princess's residence had to suffer at this critical juncture. This series of blows left He Yi almost breathless.
"Understood." Zheng Yu took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. "Go tell Granny Feng to wait in the side hall. We'll be there shortly."
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