Getting back to the point, Liu Yunfei brought his father's handwritten letter, which was sealed so well that he didn't dare to open it.
After finishing his beef noodles, he presented the letter he had hidden in his bosom.
He kept glancing around with his eyes, his desire to peek was obvious.
He guessed that perhaps his father had suddenly become enlightened and was writing love poems to Aunt Jiang.
Jiang Yue chuckled and glared at the boy's actions. He's a father now, how come he's still so immature?
Perhaps it was because they were attracted to each other, or perhaps they had some mutual benefit.
Therefore, Jiang Yue has had some contact with Lord Liu over the years, but it is not in a romantic sense.
After opening the letter, she read it quickly.
After reading it, he set the letter on fire and burned it to ashes.
"Yunfei, your father wants you to serve as an official in Yunshui County, take good care of your wife and children, and listen to your aunt in everything, understand?"
Jiang Yue patted the boy on the shoulder with a smile, but what she said was different from the contents of the letter.
But it doesn't matter, only the two of them know what's in the letter.
"Understood, nephew will certainly follow your instructions."
Liu Yunfei's eyes flickered, and he readily agreed, but in his heart he was wondering if his father had said something bad about him in the letter.
All that hard work he put into hiding in the wooden barrel to deliver the message was for nothing. Is this how a father treats his own son?
Hmph~
"Alright, it's getting late. You'll have to bear with it for a while. For now, blend in with the officials in the county, go along with their corrupt practices, or rather, integrate yourself into their group, understand?"
"Okay, I got it. This is something I'm good at."
"Indeed, I feel more at ease leaving it in your hands."
Jiang Yue gave him some important instructions, teaching him how to contact his own people, how to ask for help, how to pass on messages, and how to protect himself.
To be honest, watching spy dramas is so easy, but actually doing it is really troublesome.
Liu Yunfei wrote everything down, determined to complete the task.
After seeing the boy off, Jiang Yue's face darkened.
In the letter, Liu Shisheng entrusted his son to her, while he himself took up his post in Nanjing as the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies.
Compared to the former Prefect of Anqing Prefecture, who held real power, this promotion to Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies was one without any real authority.
Before he took office, he received secret attempts to win over the Crown Prince and the King of Zhao.
After careful consideration, he joined the latter's camp.
Therefore, when the imperial court was selecting officials to be dispatched to Yunshui County, he used his connections to push his son to the position of county governor.
The purpose was to leave the Liu family a way out.
If the King of Zhao were to seize the throne in the future, regardless of his success or failure, it wouldn't affect his son...
Parents' love for their children is profound and far-reaching.
The two families were close friends, so she agreed to the request.
As for King Zhao, he was known as Baili Mingri.
Why did Liu Shisheng choose the King of Zhao?
......
Prince Zhao's Mansion
In the stillness of the night, in the height of summer, the chirping of insects and the calls of birds create a lively scene.
"Drink~"
"Second brother, when did you return to Jinling? Why did you only call your younger brother over for a drink now?"
"Third brother, please don't be offended. As soon as I got back, I invited you all to come here."
"Third Brother, weren't you investigating a case with the Crown Prince? What brings you to Second Brother's place?"
"Fourth brother, oh fourth brother, I'm not as bright as my eldest brother. My head's throbbing from investigating cases, so I sneaked away while my second brother was hosting a banquet~"
"Investigating a case? What case is it that has alarmed you, brother?"
Several noble princes and nobles gathered in the pavilion to enjoy the singing and dancing, chatting and laughing as they went.
Only they themselves know how much of it is truth and how much is pretense.
After a few rounds of drinks, the Prince's steward rushed over, panting, and said:
"Your Majesty, Your Highnesses, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."
"Oh? Eldest brother has arrived! My brothers, why don't you come with me to greet him?"
"Second brother is right, fourth brother, let's do it together!"
"Third Brother is here!"
......
Outside the Prince Zhao's Mansion—
The Crown Prince's carriage stood imposingly in the center, and the person inside wore a bright yellow robe and had extremely long, slender fingers adorned with jade thumb rings.
"Tap tap tap~"
The man gently tapped the jade pendant at his waist with his fingers, showing no impatience whatsoever.
"Your subject greets Your Highness the Crown Prince. Greetings, Your Highness!"
As King Zhao led the way in kneeling to pay his respects, multiple voices overlapped.
Baili Youqin frowned slightly, but only for a moment before regaining his gentle and refined demeanor, befitting an elder brother.
"Get up, everyone. Since we are brothers, there is no need for such a grand ceremony in the future."
"Ritual must not be abandoned."
King Zhao, with impeccable manners, bowed and rose, taking the lead in replying.
He sneered inwardly. If he were truly so kind, why would he have rushed over so quickly? Wasn't it because he was afraid the other two brothers would try to win him over...?
Baili Youqin, oh Baili Youqin, I'll let you be powerful for a while, but soon, Jinling will be in turmoil!
"It's getting late. My third and fourth brothers are still young. I'll escort them back to the Prince's Palace. Otherwise, if Father finds out, I'm afraid..."
Through the crack in the car window, he looked down at his seemingly harmless second brother, feeling a deep sense of dread.
Second brother, since he has already been granted a princely title, why did Father Emperor recall him?!
Unlike his third and fourth brothers, this one was his biggest worry!
"It is my fault. I haven't seen my two younger brothers for so long that I forgot the time. Please, Your Highness, escort them safely back to their palace."
King Zhao said in a panic, his expression showing both anxiety and shame.
"It's alright, third brother, fourth brother, aren't you getting in the car?"
Baili Youqin temporarily put aside his suspicions. What was he afraid of, acting so timidly and fearfully?
We'd better pick up our two silly younger brothers quickly, lest they fall into their trap!
As for the King of Zhao, whether he is truly cowardly or just pretending, he has no right to compete with him!
"Da da da~"
The carriage and guards slowly disappeared from sight. King Zhao, who had been bowing in farewell, slowly straightened his back, a mocking smile playing on his lips...
The two men, once inside the carriage, instantly sobered up and shrank back like quails, waiting for their elder brother, the Crown Prince, to reprimand them.
"You've gotten bolder, haven't you? You really want to drink with the second brother?"
"No, no, Crown Prince, we were just trying to find out why Second Brother suddenly returned to Jinling."
"Yes, yes, Crown Prince, we were almost able to get the answer, and then you arrived~"
Baili Youqin looked at her two younger brothers with a half-smile, then reached out and patted their small shoulders, saying:
"My second brother has always been cunning, and I'm worried that you two are too naive to be fooled by him, and might end up doing something that would betray me..."
The rest is self-evident.
Baili Qinglan and Baili Shiran both shook their heads, expressing their loyalty:
“Brother Crown Prince, how could we help others? We always listen to you.”
"Yes, yes, Crown Prince, we'll be relying on you in the future, how could we possibly help outsiders?"
"That's good~"
......
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