The Eastern Palace, before the Lizheng Hall.
This is where the Crown Prince Li Mu regularly listens to ministerial discussions, often with the Crown Princess Consort present.
After the Crown Prince went on an expedition against the Turkic, only the Crown Prince Consort Tang is here to listen to the reports.
However, Tang Xiaobai knows her status is not enough, so she usually only listens to Yu Jun’s reports.
But today, halfway through listening, Tang Xiaobai sent for the Crown Prince’s Attendant Deng Liao and Vice Commander of the Crown Prince’s Right Guard Qin Xiao, Li Mu’s trusted aides.
"Soone wants to keep Lv Xia in the capital, possibly in the Ministry of War or Imperial College," said Tang Xiaobai.
The Eastern Palace does not intend to keep Lv Xia in the capital, but others do.
Deng Liao frowned: "Both the Ministry of War and Imperial College are places valued by His Royal Highness..."
"Yet they are not positions Lv Xia is suitable for," Qin Xiao pointed out directly, revealing Tang Xiaobai’s concern.
Deng Liao is not as familiar with Lv Xia as Qin Xiao and Tang Xiaobai are, but after recalling Lv Xia’s background, he nodded and said, "Lv Xia knows celestial phenona and agricultural affairs, the Ministry of War is indeed unsuitable, but Imperial College... after all, he is the direct descendant of the Qingzhou School!"
Regardless of Qingzhou School’s philosophy, in any school, classics are fundantal.
"Mr. Lv’s knowledge is undoubtedly excellent, and his character is without blemish. However, his disposition is sincere and honest, and entering Imperial College now, he may follow in Pei The Ninth Son’s footsteps, and besides—" Tang Xiaobai paused slightly, "If Mr. Lv stays in the capital, Fengzhou will have a vacancy."
Deng Liao’s expression imdiately beca solemn: "Fengzhou is a place His Royal Highness conquered personally, and Lv Xia is a governor personally appointed by His Royal Highness. Even if there’s a need to change, it must be done by His Royal Highness personally!"
Tang Xiaobai nodded with satisfaction.
As for how to prevent Lv Xia from staying in the capital, Deng Liao, having followed Wang Maozhao and gained Li Mu’s favor, is surely more adept than she, so Tang Xiaobai did not ask further and turned her face to Qin Xiao.
Without waiting for her to speak, Qin Xiao nodded in comprehension: "Crown Princess Consort, rest assured, we won’t let anyone make a sinister move against Mr. Lv."
Each person here is reassuring Tang Xiaobai heartily: "With you around, I am naturally at ease!"
...
Evidence soon showed she was at ease too early.
Lv Xia’s matter of staying in the capital hadn’t stirred yet, but an incident occurred first.
After arranging matters upon hearing the news, Tang Xiaobai went to the Liluo Palace the next day.
The gate of Liluo Palace had an added squad of Imperial Guards, and the familiar leader used to guard around the emperor.
"By the order of Your Majesty, Beauty Shu is unwell, and no one is to disturb her!" The Imperial Guard showed no courtesy to the Crown Princess Consort Tang.
Tang Xiaobai hadn’t said anything when Zhen Su appeared at the door of Liluo Palace.
"Am I under house arrest?" she said coldly.
The main character appeared, and the Imperial Guard still let Tang Xiaobai enter.
After everyone retreated, Tang Xiaobai looked at Zhen Su, asking, "Are you hurt?"
The additional Imperial Guards outside Liluo Palace were not there to imprison Zhen Su, but sent by the emperor to protect her.
The last ti the emperor encountered her eting Zhen Su, he said, "Henceforth if you wish to venture outside the Palace, I’ll accompany you," which wasn’t just said casually, but was soon fulfilled eagerly.
Yesterday, the emperor, accompanied by his favorite Beauty Shu, went incognito, unexpectedly encountering an incident outside.
Beauty Shu, three months pregnant, was inadvertently jostled, enraging the emperor, who imdiately detained and accused the perpetrator.
If it were just this, Tang Xiaobai wouldn’t have co to Liluo Palace, but the reckless person who collided with Beauty Shu was Lv Xia.
How could it be Lv Xia?
Lv Xia knows Zhen Su!
Thinking of this made Tang Xiaobai’s heart leap with anxiety.
After a painstaking wait until the next day, she ca under the guise of the Crown Princess Consort to see the "injured" "Beauty Shu."
Clearly, Beauty Shu showed no signs of being "jostled," only her frosty face betray slight flaw.
She shook her head, speaking urgently in a low voice, "Your Majesty knows about Lv Xia’s past residence in Jinchang Village!"
Tang Xiaobai:!!!
"How much does he know?" Tang Xiaobai hurriedly asked.
This was horrific!
"I don’t know, but he doesn’t know about . He said soone saw Mr. Lv hiding..." Zhen Su, flustered and chaotic, babbled incompletely.
"Don’t panic first!" Tang Xiaobai cald down to ask, "What exactly happened yesterday?"
Zhen Su steadied her emotions, saying, "eting Mr. Lv yesterday wasn’t accidental; I asked His Majesty to take out of the palace—"
"I knew soone wanted Mr. Lv to stay in the capital... I just wanted to find a reason to send him away, but I didn’t expect His Majesty’s fervent anger, nor did I expect Mr. Lv’s detention to coincide with his past recognition!"
"How did you know soone wanted Mr. Lv to stay in the capital?" Tang Xiaobai asked in suspicious surprise.
Logically, Zhen Su had no foundation in the palace, yet she knew more than anyone.
In the past, she anticipated Wang Zhaoji’s unfavorable actions against her, this ti she was even privy to palace external affairs.
Zhen Su didn’t answer.
She pursed her lips and said, "It was my recklessness that hard Mr. Lv, can you... save him?"
...
Mr. Lv must be saved, but how requires careful planning.
"The reason for Mr. Lv’s detention is not significant; colliding with a palace concubine on the street amounts to ignorance without fault. Besides, we must reveal Mr. Lv’s accomplishnts in Fengzhou, surely then His Majesty will calm down," Qin Xiao said casually with a smile, "As for his past in Jinchang Village, it’s better to find soone more fitting to take the bla."
"Who do you think is more suitable?" Tang Xiaobai asked.
Qin Xiao replied rrily, "Since His Majesty designated that Yue Girl to be Pingyang Princess, naturally Pingyang Princess is most suitable—"
"No!" Yu Jun objected.
The usual compliant youth suddenly showed a grim face, his watery eyes flashed with a bit of aggression.
Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but click her tongue internally, seeing it almost endearingly.
But her little ancestor has always been a bit distant, only pretending to be obedient in front of her, while Yu Jun does so before everyone.
"After all, Pingyang Princess remains outside the court and palace, she may not be under our control. It’s better to directly arrange soone compliant to take this bla." Yu Jun resud his obedient expression, softly offering a decidedly harsh suggestion.
The matter of hiding Zhen Su equated to deceiving the emperor.
Qin Xiao’s proposal for Pingyang Princess to take responsibility considered her unique status; she had a say in the previous event and was already a monk princess, taking no significant impact.
But Yu Jun’s suggestion was simply arranging soone for destruction.
Tang Xiaobai frowned slightly, then asked, "Regarding Mr. Lv, what’s your opinion?"
Yu Jun smiled faintly: "Mr. Lv is also a junior to Pri Minister Zheng."
"He’s also a governor selected directly by the Crown Prince!" Deng Liao expressed annoyance, "Mr. Lv is clean and diligent in his duties, how can he be reduced to a pawn in court struggles? Without appreciating talented and virtuous n, how can the Eastern Palace persuade the masses? Using Mr. Lv to strike at the Zheng Family, even if defeating enemies one thousand, would harm oneself eight hundred tis!"
Yu Jun imdiately stopped smiling, lowered his head, and showed a completely obedient façade, yet he said not a single approving word.
That was sufficient, Tang Xiaobai’s eyes faintly focused.
Everyone’s pattern of thinking reveals much.
For instance, Deng Liao mostly prioritized the Eastern Palace’s benefits, while Yu Jun notably had so ruthlessness, Qin Xiao lived up to his title of original protagonist, being sowhat more upright and ethical yet wouldn’t shy from utilizing tactics.
"Tang Cheng!" Tang Xiaobai suddenly turned her gaze to the female official standing beside her, "Your opinion as well!"
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