Chapter 120: Learn to Leverage Resources
In Shangguan Jin's own courtyard, Dongmai sat there, stubbornly embroidering her little purse.
Inside the room, Shangguan Jin, along with Shen Qingyue and the Seventh Prince, continued to write and draw.
Yesterday, I went to Chunbuwan teahouse with my grandmother and heard something.
Today, I've called you two here so you can listen and see if you can come up with any ideas.
After she finished speaking, she began to recount what had happened at the Chunbuwan Teahouse the day before.
As he spoke, he circled the three characters "Ping An Bo" on the paper he had previously written for Shen Qingyue.
After she finished speaking, Shen Qingyue and the Seventh Prince both stared wide-eyed.
“Mother, the Marquis of Ping’an’s household is... utterly inhuman.” Shen Qingyue sighed.
"Aunt, they are harboring a criminal wanted by the imperial court!" The Seventh Prince was also filled with righteous indignation.
Shangguan Jin smiled faintly.
This is just the tip of the iceberg; who knows how much more has been revealed!
"It's no use saying all this, things are already like this."
What's the use of being righteously indignant?
The authorities came knocking on our door?
To put it bluntly, if they dare to do this, they must not be afraid of being investigated.
Instead of getting angry and jumping up and down here, let's think about what we can do about this.
Your Highness, aren't you always thinking about what to do?
Let's see what we can do in this matter.
As she spoke, Shangguan Jin handed the pen in her hand to the Seventh Prince.
The seventh prince was stunned for a moment. It seemed that apart from being angry, he couldn't think of anything else for the time being.
Shen Qingyue, on the other hand, was experienced.
Since Mother said so, there must be a reason for it.
Maybe there really is something we can do about this!
Shen Qingyue pursed her lips as she looked at the names on the paper.
"Although the title of the Marquis of Ping'an is not very high, there are at least two adult men in the family who serve in the imperial court."
One was a fifth-rank official, and the other a sixth-rank official, both from the powerful Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review.
Therefore, the Ping'an Earl's Mansion clung tightly to the Duke of Anguo's coattails, probably hoping to secure a place in these two departments in the future.
If the Marquis of Ping'an's mansion falls...
The more Shen Qingyue thought about it, the more likely it seemed.
When she saw the lists her mother had made for her, she felt that the Qin King's faction was an insurmountable mountain.
Now that I think about it, even the highest mountains are built up slowly.
All we have to do is move those stones one by one.
The Foolish Old Man Moves the Mountain...
No, that's not right. It should be called "taking things slowly..."
“Mother, actually, the matter that Uncle Ping An committed can be considered a big deal or a small deal.”
If he were convicted of harboring the daughter of a disgraced official, the harm would not be significant.
At worst, he could plead his innocence, saying things like he couldn't bear to see his former colleague's daughter end up in the brothel.
Most importantly, even if we search his residence now, we won't find him.
Even if they are caught red-handed, they will have room to cry foul.
In short, this matter can be considered a big deal or a small deal, and it's impossible to fundamentally determine his guilt," Shen Qingyue said slowly.
Shangguan Jin nodded.
That's right, that's exactly it. In the past, when some officials had their homes searched, relatives and friends would often bring out their own family members.
As for those responsible for confiscating the property...
As long as money is given, unless it's some big shot wanted by the lord or something, they'll basically turn a blind eye and let it go.
Therefore, even if the Ping'an Earl's Mansion is punished for this matter, the lightest punishment would be a reduction in their salary, while the most severe punishment would be demotion or dismissal.
But they shouldn't be afraid of anything.
As long as they remain alive, they can always rebuild their lives. If they cling to the Duke of Anguo's coattails, they will surely have a chance to rise again.
If we can't condemn it outright, then we might as well leave it alone.
The Seventh Prince understood Shangguan Jin's meaning.
Yes, the relationships among families with titles are all very complicated. To completely eradicate them, one would have to commit a serious crime.
Just like the case of Vice Minister Mei before.
At first, wasn't it just a three-year salary deduction? Later, it was Prime Minister Xu again...
Huh!
The seventh prince's eyes lit up.
"aunt!"
"You speak, we're all listening!" Shangguan Jin said with a smile to the Seventh Prince.
The seventh prince organized his thoughts, thought about it carefully, and then spoke his mind.
"Actually, there's very little we can do. Even if we knew what the Ping An Marquis's family had done wrong, we couldn't possibly get involved."
At most, they'll just verbally... hurl a few insults.
However, just because we can't do it doesn't mean others can't.
If the Crown Prince finds out about this, even if nothing happened, he'll still cause them trouble.
The Seventh Prince spoke while looking into Shangguan Jin's eyes.
"That's good, very well said. Keep going. You're definitely thinking about more than just this," Shangguan Jin encouraged.
The seventh prince's confidence soared after receiving the praise.
"The matter of sentencing can be left to my elder brother, the Crown Prince."
All we have to do is... fan the flames and light the fire.
For example, they could spread rumors among the common people, revealing all the things that happened to the Earl of Ping'an's family.
Instead of lending a helping hand to their former colleagues who had fallen on hard times, they kicked them while they were down, which is a major taboo.
Especially when it comes to those who form cliques, other people can't help but feel a sense of shared vulnerability.
Over time, even if they appear to be the same person on the surface, they will eventually become like strangers.
In truth, everyone secretly worries, "What if I fall on hard times myself in the future..."
The Seventh Prince did not continue speaking, but simply looked at Shangguan Jin.
Shangguan Jin and Shen Qingyue looked at each other.
Not bad, although he is only twelve years old, he already knows how to use others' strengths and psychological tactics.
"Aunt, do you think what I said is right?" The Seventh Prince looked up at Shangguan Jin.
"That's very true."
Shall we divide the work now?
I'll do the spreading of rumors among the common people.
Make sure the Crown Prince knows about this; it's your job.
"Do you know how to do this?" Shangguan Jin asked with a smile.
"I know! It was unintentional. Also, don't hide it from Father." The Seventh Prince said seriously.
Shangguan Jin patted the Seventh Prince's head.
"That's right, you are a prince, so you must be angry when you hear those rumors."
Regardless of whether it's true or false, let's verify it first.
As for other matters, leave them to others to worry about.
All you need to do now is cling to your father's coattails.
The Seventh Prince chuckled.
Yes, all he needs to do now is cling to his father's coattails.
"Aunt, I'll be returning to the palace this afternoon. Today is the fifteenth; I should go back and visit."
"Okay, Auntie has prepared some delicious snacks for you."
......
Shen Qingyue, who was standing to the side, could hardly believe that the Seventh Prince was acting cute with his mother.
Although both are twelve years old, this younger cousin sometimes acts like an adult.
Meanwhile, his own twelve-year-old younger brother only knew how to deal with the teacher's homework checks every day.
Indeed, there are differences between people.
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