Chapter 20: Acting as an Inside Agent
After Ye Qingyuan and I entered the study alone, the atmosphere suddenly became somber.
Ye Qingyuan had his back to her and was doing something. Looking at Ye Qingyuan's back, Ye Wanning was a little puzzled. What was this person thinking? He didn't say anything when he called her in. Ye Wanning frowned. She couldn't figure out what this old monster was up to. Although she could guess his purpose, she was still very curious about how Ye Qingyuan would tell her about this.
After a long while, Ye Qingyuan turned around and looked at Ye Wanning, "Ning'er."
Ye Wanning looked at Ye Qingyuan suspiciously. What was this all about? She bowed slightly, "Father, is there something you want to tell Ning'er?"
Ye Qingyuan frowned, his tone suddenly becoming serious, "Do you know what your identity is?"
Ye Wanning was taken aback. What kind of question was this? She thought for a moment and replied, "Your daughter is... the Princess Consort of Jin..."
Ye Qingyuan sighed, looking somewhat disappointed. "I knew you would answer like that, but Ning'er, you seem to have forgotten the most important thing."
"ah?"
"You're still the third daughter of the Prime Minister's family!"
Ye Wanning's lips twitched, as if she had figured out Ye Qingyuan's intentions. She smiled and began to play dumb, "I know that, I just didn't expect Father to want this answer. Besides, how could Ning'er forget the people of our main family?"
"That's good." Ye Qingyuan smiled, then sighed deeply.
Ye Wanning looked at him in confusion, "What's wrong, Father?"
Ye Qingyuan gave Ye Wanning a meaningful look, "Ning'er, you don't know this! This Prime Minister's residence is probably... sigh... I'd better not say anything..."
Ye Wanning couldn't help but roll her eyes. You old monster, you really know how to act. Suddenly, she thought of something and smiled with amusement. "Since Father won't say, then Ning'er won't ask. If Father mentions the Prime Minister's residence, it must involve matters of the court. I am just a woman, and I don't understand or care about these things. Since I'm not at the Prime Minister's residence, Father should take good care of his health and not overwork himself over these matters."
Ye Qingyuan hadn't expected Ye Wanning's answer. He was speechless for a moment, unable to think of anything to say. After a pause, he looked at Ye Wanning with difficulty, "Ning'er, although I can't tell you much about court affairs, your father still needs your help..."
"Help? Help with what? Just tell me, Father."
"I'm afraid..." Ye Qingyuan sighed, "I'm afraid that Ning'er won't agree!"
"How could Ning'er not want to!" Ye Wanning pretended to be an innocent little rabbit. Humph! You can act, and so can I! She pouted, "Although I am now a princess, I still remember my father's kindness to me and the favors the royal family has done for me."
Hearing Ye Wanning's words, Ye Qingyuan was somewhat surprised. He looked at Ye Wanning suspiciously, but could not seem to see anything amiss. After a while, he said, "Is it true?"
"Of course!" Ye Wanning looked at Ye Qingyuan, her eyes full of sincerity. I always remember how good you are to me! And I will definitely repay the kindness you have shown me! "Father, just tell me, what is it? Ning'er will do her best to help you."
After what seemed like a long internal struggle, Ye Qingyuan finally spoke again, "Ning'er, you know the current situation in the court. The Emperor is dying, and the Crown Prince is about to ascend the throne..."
Is the Emperor dying? Ye Wanning was stunned. She suddenly recalled the first time she met the Emperor—such a kind person, so good to Wenzhen… He actually…
Ye Qingyuan sighed, "As you know, the Prime Minister's residence relies on the Crown Prince's power. If something happens to the Crown Prince, the Prime Minister's residence might cease to exist!"
Ye Wanning pretended to be clueless, "What are you saying, Father? The Crown Prince is about to ascend the throne, so how could something happen to him?"
Ye Qingyuan looked at Ye Wanning, somewhat puzzled. Ye Wanning usually seemed quite intelligent, so why was she acting like this today... He frowned and explained, "Ning'er, you don't know this. This is the most turbulent time for the court. Although the Crown Prince should rightfully ascend the throne, no one can predict what will happen in the future. Besides, the Emperor's best choice is not the Crown Prince at all!"
Ye Wanning smiled. Ever since she first heard the names of these four princes, she knew that the most suitable candidate in the Emperor's mind should be Wen Zhen, right? Who would have thought that he would become a fool!
Seeing that Ye Wanning still looked clueless, Ye Qingyuan had no choice but to explain again: "The Emperor's most favored concubine is Consort Liu, the birth mother of Prince Jin!"
"What does Father mean?" Ye Wanning frowned, then looked alarmed. "Father, please don't think such things. Our Prince Jin's Mansion has no such intentions. Besides, Wen Zhen is just a fool! Everyone in the world knows that!"
"Ning'er, don't worry," Ye Qingyuan comforted her. "I didn't mean the Prince Jin's Mansion. I meant to prevent others from using the Prince Jin's Mansion's name to do things in secret."
"Father, you mean..." Ye Wanning muttered softly, "Who would fly the flag of the Prince of Jin's residence? There haven't been many people coming and going from the Prince of Jin's residence lately..." As she spoke, she suddenly exclaimed, "Could it be that Father is talking about the Fourth Prince?"
"Ahem." Ye Qingyuan coughed lightly. "It's enough to say these things here. Don't spread them around outside."
"That's a quick change of pace!" Ye Wanning nodded. "Of course I know what I can and cannot say, but..." Ye Wanning looked at Ye Qingyuan with a puzzled expression, "I really still don't understand what Father wants me to do for you?"
"It's just..." Ye Qingyuan looked at Ye Wanning, his eyes full of calculation, "The Fourth Prince has always been close to Prince Jin. I just want you to help me keep an eye on whether the Fourth Prince is making any unusual moves!"
"no problem!"
Seeing Ye Wanning's confident expression, Ye Qingyuan was taken aback. If she had refused, it would have been fine, but her quick agreement suggested something was amiss...
Seeing Ye Qingyuan's doubtful look, Ye Wanning immediately said, "Father, do you not believe your daughter?" Her voice was slightly choked with emotion, "Then your daughter has truly been wronged..."
"This..." Ye Qingyuan looked at Ye Wanning, his face showing difficulty. "It's not that I don't trust you. I know that Ning'er has very deep feelings for the Prime Minister's Mansion. However, this Prince's Mansion is still your home, and you have already married Prince Jin... I'm just afraid that you will be in a difficult position..."
"Pah! You've already said it, and now you're pretending to be a good person? Are you trying to have your cake and eat it too?" Despite thinking this in her heart, Ye Wanning still said, "Father, you don't need to worry about these things!" She patted her chest, looking sincere. "Although I've married into the Prince's Mansion, the Prime Minister's Mansion is still my maternal family. Wenzhen is simple-minded, and it's hard to guarantee he won't be taken advantage of. If I help you today, Father, the Crown Prince will certainly not make things difficult for Wenzhen and me when he ascends the throne tomorrow. This is also a plan for Wenzhen and me's future!"
Ye Qingyuan nodded in satisfaction. "Alright, since you say so, I'm relieved. You also said that Prince Jin is simple-minded, so it's best not to let him find out. Otherwise, if someone with ulterior motives uses this to their advantage, Prince Jin will definitely hold a grudge against you. Even if Prince Jin is clinging to you now, who knows what will happen in the future."
“Father is right.” Ye Wanning bowed. “I will naturally be very careful.”
Ye Qingyuan nodded, his tone full of pity, "It's just... this always makes things difficult for you, Ning'er..."
Ye Wanning lowered her head, looking meek and submissive. "Father, what are you saying? Since it's for the sake of the Prime Minister's residence, then this is what I should do. If I didn't agree, I would feel guilty. I've married into the Prince of Jin's residence and have no power or influence, so there's nothing I can do for the Prime Minister's residence. By agreeing to your request today, I can repay the Prime Minister's residence for raising me over the years. With that, I can rest easy!"
Ye Qingyuan was taken aback. Seeing Ye Wanning's sensible demeanor, he suddenly felt a pang of melancholy. He used to think this daughter was a major failure in his life, but now she...
Ye Wanning bowed and said gently, "Since Father has said enough, I will take my leave now. Wenzhen must be worried because he can't see me."
"Go!" Ye Qingyuan waved his hand, indicating that he should treat this daughter well in the future.
Ye Wanning turned around and walked out of the house. She sneered, "Heh, of course I'll be a good spy for you!"
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