The next day, after the early morning court session.
Emperor He retained only Cui Yun.
The Emperor, clad in his yellow robe, looked sowhat weary after these eventful days, yet his authority remained undiminished.
"Weizhen."
He sighed deeply, calling out in an intimate tone as if he were the kindest elder.
Cui Yun stood respectfully: "Your servant is here."
"It’s been so ti since I’ve seen your grandfather, how is he faring?"
"Thank you for your concern, Emperor, my grandfather is still quite healthy."
Emperor He nodded, but quickly moved on to another matter.
"These past months, one thing after another has occurred, and my heart is truly uneasy. Not to ntion the courtiers, even the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince have developed tensions because of it."
Cui Yun slightly lowered his eyes, thoroughly concealing any hint of sarcasm.
Tensions?
Ji Zhui and Ji Wang have long wished for each other’s absolute demise. Especially since the consorts of both the Crown Prince and Fourth Prince had miscarriages.
Was Emperor He unaware? Pretending as if those two got along famously.
Isn’t it tiring to put on such an act?
"During this morning’s assembly, every minister expressed their opinions, all filled with cliches, as if I wouldn’t know their hidden agendas, listening to them gives a headache."
He looked gently at Cui Yun.
"Yet, you did not speak a word."
"You always have the best ideas and insights. I would like to hear what you think about these matters," said the Emperor.
Cui Yun, with a composed expression, perford a asured bow.
"I am but a humble servant, how dare I recklessly discuss matters of the Imperial family."
"I allow you to speak!"
Emperor He looked at him, almost wistfully, "Among my subjects, I trust you the most. Perhaps because I have grown older, I worry about your father and brother whenever I see how capably you handle affairs."
"Were they alive, seeing you like this would surely comfort them."
"Over the years, I have beco sowhat like a family elder to you. Let us speak freely for now, setting aside the formalities of emperor and subject."
Cui Yun furrowed his brows slightly.
Then, he spoke as he wished:
"The affair involving both the Yan Family and Duke Wei must be soone’s deliberate doing. In just a mont, rumors abound and the situation beca uncontrollable, causing incessant public debate. The people are the foundation of the state, and this has led to disturbances."
"Commander Yan and Duke Wei are esteed senior officials in the court; if this continues, it not only affects the Imperial family but also adds fodder for ridicule."
Cui Yun’s tone beca less indifferent and more solemn.
"Fortunately, Minister Zou has taken command, and I believe it won’t be long before he can suppress this. If we can find the person behind this, we can surely dispel these unfounded rumors."
This remark was correct, but—
Emperor He’s expression darkened even more.
The choice of person to handle this matter was plentiful, even Xie Xun, who has never been at court, would be more suitable than Zou Wei. But these days, Emperor He has grown more cautious. It was deliberate to order Zou Wei.
While Emperor He wishes to watch from the sidelines, he does not want his imperial dignity to be violated in the slightest.
Zou Wei is Ji Zhui’s uncle; was he commanded to suppress those scandals? Perhaps, but once he received the command, surely he would seize the opportunity to openly investigate Ji Wang!
Just as Emperor He had anticipated.
He was suspicious. The Yan and Wei families are Ji Zhui’s n. The current troubles might be the doing of Ji Wang, perhaps as revenge against Ji Zhui. Maybe Ji Zhui is willing to sacrifice one of his own arms, deliberately causing an uproar. Making the Emperor shift his suspicions onto Ji Wang.
Cui Yun slightly moved his lips in timing.
"And it reminds of other matters concerning the descendants of the royal family and both the Yan and Wei families."
"Princess Le Jia and Miss Wei both fell into the trap of Buhuo."
"Historical records show that anyone entangled in the Buhuo affair would thereafter disappear without a trace. Never to be seen again, likely eting a grueso end."
He did not look at Emperor He’s expression.
"Yet, Princess Le Jia and Miss Wei both miraculously survived unscathed. I have previously ntioned that their escape from calamity was deliberately designed by soone behind the scenes, not by the Ministry of Justice or the Imperial Guard helping them to freedom. Afterward, there were no relentless pursuits against them, it was nothing more than provocation against the Imperial family."
Cui Yun’s thin lips moved, "Emperor, how can you endure this? Buhuo, the person behind this, has ruthless and poisonous thods and acts extrely arrogantly as a villain in the shadows, only daring to engage in sneaky tricks. I believe that all these cunning and slippery deeds are related to him. And I fear that such incidents will only increase."
He flipped his robe and knelt down.
"If we do not execute him, the danger will not cease. However, over these years, we have never caught even a trace of his whereabouts. I am truly ashad."
Emperor He’s expression beca even more unpleasant.
It was as if he had been scolded, yet the person scolding him was exceedingly respectful towards him.
His smile was strained.
"How can I bla you?"
"Not to ntion the Grand Ancestor Emperor, even during the late Emperor’s reign, no clues were ever discovered."
He was extrely weary: "What you said, I am aware of in my heart, now you may go back."
Cui Yun gave a slight smile: "Yes."
He left the Jinluan Hall, and his expression imdiately turned bland.
But Emperor He crushed the teacup in his hand.
As Cui Yun beca increasingly smooth-sailing in his official career, he outwardly appeared relieved, but how could he be happy about this? He knew that Cui Rong was the golden ball of the Cui family, hence he used Buhuo on the little girl of the Cui family. Regrettably, it failed!
Because of this, the Yangling Marquis Mansion beca more vigilant.
He then did not make a move, and even did not wish to take action for a short period, to avoid frequent actions that would lead to panic.
But then Buhuo ca out of nowhere, appearing ti and again! Catching him off guard!
Who is it!
Ji Zhui?
Ji Wang?
Or those scheming courtiers?
Or perhaps spies from another country?
Or could it be that the secrets of emperors from various eras have been discovered?
These days, he has difficulty sleeping at night and becos irritable. He was suppressing his restlessness. But Cui Yun’s words loosened his defenses, even to the point of collapse.
What’s the next step, what is the opponent’s next move?
He is in the light, the opponent is in the dark, it is already a stalemate.
He knows nothing, absolutely nothing.
In the past, he freely manipulated people’s hearts with Buhuo, delighting as he watched those high officials who threatened him grieve. As much joy as he had then, he is now equally panicked.
Eunuch Ying stepped forward: "Emperor."
Emperor He kicked out, his expression fierce: "Get out!"
————
Cui Yun had matters on his mind, and once back at the mansion, he planned to visit Old Master Cui.
He furrowed his brows and while walking, ended up at the East Courtyard. Inside, the girl was lazily leaning on a rocking chair, chatting with the maid beside her like a boss.
"Wei Yingying plans to roam that street all day long today, no telling if she could still pick up so money."
Xiaoqi held back but ultimately didn’t speak.
"No matter who it is or what intentions they harbor, she is fundantally a good person, she doesn’t steal or rob, keeping the inco in her pouch isn’t wrong."
"If this livelihood could last long. The Third Prince would be marrying a gold mine."
Shen Hua: "Later, if her hands get sore, I might as well help her pick them up."
She does not lack money, but she also wants to taste this experience.
Cui Yun stepped into the courtyard, the maidservant beside him promptly greeted him and then respectfully retreated.
He approached Shen Hua. Looking down at her.
"Your calculations seem to be ringing loud and clear."
Shen Hua shifted to a more comfortable position: "Did it annoy your ears with its ’clack clack clack’ sound?"
Cui Yun’s eyes darkened, he chuckled in a deep raspy voice: "You’d better be talking about the abacus."
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