Chapter 132 Brightly lit, yet fraught with unpredictable events.
Tonight, the Zhangzhou government office is brightly lit.
After relieving her fever, Prefect He paced anxiously in the courtyard. She, however, was used to such celebratory drinks and was unharmed.
Zhang Ting looked like a rigid and dignified little fellow; who knows, he might not even be good in bed? After drinking so much aphrodisiac wine, wouldn't he be burning with desire and unable to relieve it?
The thought had barely crossed her mind when Prefect He couldn't help but delve deeper. She thought to herself, "Oh no!" and clutched her head, groaning in pain. Wouldn't this 'strong medicine' completely destroy her? She'd heard that she was the only heir left in the Zhang family. Had she really caused the Zhang family line to end?
Prefect He wanted to send some men over to relieve her lust or to play with her, but he was afraid that Zhang Ting would be so aroused that she would call a doctor and happen to run into him. If that happened, how would he explain it?
She clasped her hands together and prayed devoutly to the heavens, "Namo Amitabha Buddha, Bodhisattva, Laozi, Yama, whoever it may be, please preserve my ability as a woman, and don't let the Zhang family line die out!"
Prefect He was on the verge of tears, but she couldn't. She only wanted to win over the Fifth Princess's faction, not to make a mortal enemy of them!
"Sigh, sigh, sigh!"
Since the despair has already happened, we must prepare for the worst.
Prefect He stroked his chin thoughtfully. If Zhang Ting really had no descendants, how could he compensate her to quell her anger?
Prefect He pondered for a long time, putting herself in others' shoes, and grew angrier the more she thought about it. If someone caused her to lose her offspring, what compensation would she ask for? She would definitely tear that person to pieces with her own hands!
The moment the thought crossed her mind, she immediately suppressed it, shaking her head violently. No, no, Zhang Ting is a court official with an impeccable reputation; how could he do such a cruel thing to her?
Prefect He was stuck in a dead end and couldn't get out no matter what she did. Finally, she had a flash of inspiration, clapped her hands, and exclaimed, "Wonderful! Wonderful! She really is a genius!"
Since Zhang Ting has no heir, while he himself has many children, why not just adopt one for her when the time comes? She can choose either an older or a younger one.
While Prefect He was pondering matters concerning his descendants, little did he know that far away in the capital, her name was being talked about.
Inside the dignified and elegant study, famous paintings by renowned artists hung high, and the aroma of sandalwood rose gently. In the bright hall, the flickering candlelight cast two shadowy figures.
“He Gouzhe is Xu Pin’s lapdog, always following Xu Pin’s lead. Now that Xu Pin has been exiled and his property confiscated, she met with Zhang Ting as the prefect of Zhangzhou. I wonder how he will make things difficult for her?” Vice Minister Liu said with a frown.
Ning Yuanzhi sighed deeply, helplessly, "I didn't expect to be transferred to Zhangzhou Prefecture. His Majesty is deliberately making things difficult for Zhang Ting." His Majesty is determined to get rid of someone, personally deciding on the location of his post, confiscating his property, and setting up numerous obstacles for him. He is paying close attention to him to the extreme. It's hard to say that he doesn't like him. Once His Majesty's anger subsides and he remembers his old friend, Zhang Ting's rise to prominence will be just a hair's breadth away.
Furthermore, even if a county magistrate can act with a clear conscience and do good for the people of his area, that would be quite remarkable.
Ning Yuanzhi was about to say the rest of her words when she saw a barely perceptible smirk appear on Liu Shilang's lips, causing her to swallow her words and pause slightly.
"Lord Liu, do you know why I'm helping Zhang Ting?"
Liu Shilang put away his mockery and said with a serious expression, "The Qingliu faction is declining, while Zhang Ting has an excellent reputation and is the most well-known among students. If we can win her over, the Qingliu faction's power will surely increase further."
Ning Yuanzhi nodded slightly, realizing that she was afraid Zhang Ting would threaten her position.
She stood up and stood with her hands behind her back, facing the flickering candlelight.
He said softly, "You're wrong."
Vice Minister Liu was surprised. No? So it was Minister Ning who was determined to pull her back, but so what? Could someone who had been demoted to a remote border county and was deeply disliked by the emperor return to the capital? What a pipe dream!
Ning Yuanzhi's words, however, had nothing to do with what she was thinking. He asked her, "Do you still remember the Prime Minister?"
Liu, the Vice Minister, was completely baffled. They had just been talking about Zhang Ting, so why were they suddenly talking about Zong Xiang?
"I will never forget the kindness and favor shown to me by the Prime Minister."
Ning Yuanzhi stared at the burning candle, which was getting shorter and shorter. She quoted the question Zhang Shu had asked her that day: "Don't you think Zhang Ting today is very similar to the former Prime Minister?"
Liu Shilang then realized, "It is very similar, but not quite the same." How could a mere common woman compare to the family background and connections of the Grand Chancellor?
Ning Yuanzhi murmured to herself, "Similar circumstances, similar character." She turned to look at the other person, "Back then, you stood by and did nothing for the Prime Minister. Now that you have the power to do so, do you still want to ignore him?"
The sharp gaze seemed to pierce through Liu Shilang's soul, as if it exposed all the darkness in his heart. He avoided her gaze and said, "Lord Ning, you are absolutely right."
Ning Yuanzhi shook his head silently; they were ultimately not on the same path.
"It's getting late, you should go back."
That night, the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Justice held a late-night discussion by candlelight.
Liu Xin handed a bowl of tea to Zhou Ming, saying, "I don't have anything good to offer you at my residence, so I'll have to make do with this old Chen tea."
Zhou Ming took it and carefully tasted it, "Extremely crude, truly unpalatable."
Liu Xin laughed twice, her eyes narrowed to slits as she glanced at the sky outside. It was pitch black, without a trace of light, and she was slightly taken aback.
"Zhou Ming, you said that our late-night meetings wouldn't arouse suspicion from others, why is that?"
Zhou Ming put down his teacup, frowned, and replied earnestly, "We are His Majesty's loyal subjects." We serve His Majesty wholeheartedly, without forming personal connections or factions.
Why did we abandon the upright officials and become loyal ministers in the first place?
Zhou Ming lowered her eyelids and sat quietly in place, remaining silent for a long time.
This topic is too heavy, far too heavy for her to bear, and she is ashamed to mention it.
The room seemed to freeze, time passing almost as if it had stopped.
Liu Xin turned around, her expression listless yet impartial and rigid, and said, "Because the Grand Chancellor is gone." He was the unyielding pillar in the eyes of all the upright officials in the court, strict and incorruptible, benevolent and loving towards the people. But one day, the towering pillar collapsed, and their worldview was crushed to ashes in an instant.
The execution platform was used for nine days and nine nights, with blood flowing all over the streets. The once arrogant and powerful families were sent up like pigs and dogs. With a swift stroke of the blade, heads fell to the ground. Some of the heads belonged to people who had been highly praised and held high positions in life, and were arrogant and domineering.
It's simple and clear, without any torment, yet it confronts death so directly.
They became afraid, terrified, and retreated.
Zhou Ming clenched her fists tightly. She had been promoted and carefully cultivated by Prime Minister Zong, which enabled her to reach her current position. She pursed her lips but remained silent.
Liu Xin suddenly said, "Zhang Ting and Zong Xiang are similar, not in appearance but in demeanor. They are confident, assertive, and commanding. When I first saw her," she chuckled and looked up at Zhou Ming, "I even thought I was seeing Zong Xiang again."
Zhou Ming was slightly surprised. "So that's your reason for wanting her so much?"
Liu Xin shook his head. "No." Then, as if remembering something, he smiled. "You're right, but she's very talented and handles things very appropriately, much like Zong Xiang."
"Zhang Ting is truly a rare talent, one in a hundred years. It's such a pity that he's been thrown into such a remote place." Her eyes showed regret, and she couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
Who knows when we will meet again, or when I will be able to stand in an important position and benefit the people?
Zhou Ming also felt it was difficult, "Whether it's thunder or rain, it's all the emperor's grace. What can we, as his subjects, do? It's just that Zhang Ting has bad luck."
These few scattered individuals were in a rather bleak state, while the Prime Minister's residence was bustling with activity.
Tonight, the situation is urgent, and even the Fifth Princess has arrived.
Chen Liu stood up the courtesan's invitation, yawned, and looked at the chaotic scene below, feeling quite annoyed.
Was her precious, enchanting night wasted on these incompetent officials? She shook her head blankly. If it weren't for these good-for-nothings, she would have already spent the night with the beauty!
She slammed her hand on the table, and the room fell silent instantly.
Chen Liu smiled and said, "Have you gentlemen finished your discussion? If you can't reach an agreement, we can discuss it again during the day. It's already quite late today."
The officials below roared with the air of someone remonstrating to the death, "Your Highness, do not underestimate us! If His Majesty truly intends to discuss Zhang Ting's policy essay at the Grand Court Assembly tomorrow," she looked around, "then all the wealth we have privately accumulated for you will face liquidation."
"Yes, yes, Your Highness, as the ancients said, a thousand-mile dike can be breached by an ant's bite, and also..."
"If we lose this fortune, who knows when we'll be able to find another opportunity to accumulate this much wealth again?"
Chen Liu gave a forced smile and asked casually, "So, have you gentlemen come to a conclusion?" All that bullshit! How much money did each of you embezzle, and how much did you give her? You flaunt her name every day, and you still dare to treat her like this?
If it weren't for the fact that she was still some distance from ascending to the throne, she would have already killed these bastards with a single blow.
The officials below looked at each other in bewilderment upon hearing Chen Liu's words, and fell silent instantly.
"this……"
Chen Liu jumped down from the head seat, twisting her head and tugging at her collar. It was too tight and uncomfortable. She slowly walked down the steps. She was exhausted every day and needed a beauty to help her loosen up.
"Since you gentlemen have not yet reached a conclusion, let's discuss this matter again later," Chen Liu said, tapping his fan at the old turtles in front of him.
"This...Your Highness, we..."
Chen Liu was too lazy to wait for these old fogies to keep babbling on, so he took his personal guards and walked straight out.
Gao Qiu, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them and suddenly asked, "Your Highness, how do you intend to deal with Zhang Ting, the 'culprit' behind this matter? I'd like to make arrangements as soon as possible."
"Who?" Chen Liu stopped and turned around, lightly tapping her palm with her folding fan. It took her a few moments to remember the person—the woman who refused to marry her brother.
However, "wasn't she demoted to Zhangzhou Prefecture by the Empress Dowager? Zhangzhou Prefecture was Xu Pin's former stronghold. Would her former lackey give Zhang Ting a good outcome?"
"Lord Gao, others will take care of things for us. Why should you dirty your hands and give others cause for gossip?"
Gao Qiu nodded slightly. "Your Highness, I have learned much. Please take care."
Chen Liu smiled, thinking that Gao Qiu was at least somewhat perceptive.
She slowly turned around, her eyes suddenly darkening.
It would be best if all the wealth these parasites have amassed over the years were confiscated, so that they would be completely devoted to her.
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