Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 580: Chapter 298 The Crown Prince and Prince Dai Were Beaten_5

Grandmaster Liu said without hesitation, "It’s nothing but raising troops, forging weapons, raising a suicide squad and the like."

"It seems that Duke Zhen intends to rebel."

Sun Kui, who had just brought the tea, was so startled that his hand trembled, almost spilling the teacups on the tray.

"Duke Zhen won’t rebel now; when he has no other choice, that’s when he’ll help the Crown Prince rebel." Grandmaster Liu said, "Everything Duke Zhen is doing now, in his view, is just preparing for a rainy day."

Prime Minister He continued from Grandmaster Liu’s point, "Didn’t Duke Zhen have Xie Shi spend a lot of money to buy off the soldiers?"

The Emperor chuckled meaningfully, "It seems Duke Zhen believes money can buy anything, including the soldiers in my Western Garrison."

At this, Grandmaster Liu rarely felt a twinge of sympathy for Duke Zhen in his heart.

Duke Zhen thought he was smarter than the Emperor, believing everything was under his control, unaware that everything, including himself, was within the Emperor’s scheming.

Seeing the Emperor in such an interested manner, Prime Minister He couldn’t help but twitch his mouth, reminded the Emperor, "Your Majesty, the ginseng report from Prince Dai, you should understand what it signifies?"

The Emperor waved his hand indifferently, saying, "Don’t worry, everything is under my control, nothing will happen."

Prime Minister He didn’t quite believe the Emperor, somewhat exasperatedly said, "It better be."

The Emperor pretended not to hear Prime Minister He’s words and continued to talk to Grandmaster Liu about Zhang Nan’s matters.

With the Emperor’s assurance, Grandmaster Liu knew how to investigate Zhang Nan’s embezzlement case.

With the Crown Prince beaten, Empress Xie, as the stepmother, naturally had to show concern. She sent a palace maid with some good herbal medicine to the Crown Prince and urged him to take good care of his injuries, advising him not to argue with Prince Dai in court. Such actions not only are undignified but would also anger the Emperor.

On the surface, the Crown Prince was very grateful for Empress Xie’s concern. As for whether Empress Xie was genuinely kind-hearted or not, he knew in his heart.

When Noble Princess Consort Rong learned that Prince Dai had been beaten, she hurriedly sent someone to deliver medicine to Prince Dai. In the past, Noble Princess Consort Rong would certainly have gone to the Imperial Study to "question" the Emperor why he beat their son. However, now it had been a long time since Noble Princess Consort Rong had gone to the Imperial Study.

In recent years, Noble Princess Consort Rong was far less favored than Noble Princess Consort Ying. Fortunately, Noble Princess Consort Ying had not yet conceived. If she bore a Prince, her son might be...

The concubines in the harem were jealous of Noble Princess Consort Ying being favored, but at the same time, they mocked her for being infertile. What’s the use of being favored if you can’t give birth to a Prince.

Noble Princess Consort Ying never paid attention to these malicious words. Because no matter what they said, she remained continuously favored.

Unlike the once arrogant and domineering Noble Princess Consort Rong when she was favored, Noble Princess Consort Ying was very kind, never proactively causing trouble for others, rarely punishing people, and never harming other concubines.

Although many concubines were envious of Noble Princess Consort Ying’s favor, quite a few still liked her.

Noble Princess Consort Ying, knowing that both the Crown Prince and Prince Dai had been beaten, said understandingly, "The Emperor must be angry; I will personally make him a bowl of fire-lowering soup."

At noon, Zhao Yao finished his studies, and from Tong Xi, he learned about the Crown Prince, Prince Dai, and many ministers being beaten.

Tong Xi, seeing Zhao Yao’s serious expression, worriedly asked, "Your Highness, what’s wrong?"

Zhao Yao replied in a somewhat solemn tone, "It has truly begun."

"Your Highness, what has begun..." Before Tong Xi could finish his words, he saw Noble Princess Consort Ying not far away and stopped talking.

Zhao Yao also saw Noble Princess Consort Ying and was preparing to greet her when she unexpectedly walked towards him.

"Greetings..." Zhao Yao was just about to salute but was stopped by Noble Princess Consort Ying.

"No need for formalities, Tenth Highness," Noble Princess Consort Ying said gently, "Tenth Highness, are you just out of studies?"

"Yes, just out of studies." Zhao Yao noticed the palace maid behind Noble Princess Consort Ying holding a food box and asked, "Are you going to see Father, Noble Princess Consort Ying?"

"Yes, I’ve made a bowl of fire-lowering soup for the Emperor." Noble Princess Consort Ying said with a bright smile, "By the way, I have some snacks made in my palace’s small kitchen; I’ll have someone bring them to you later."

Over the years, Noble Princess Consort Ying often sent some snacks for Zhao Yao to eat. Every year when pomegranates ripened, she would invite Zhao Yao to her palace to pick some.

Zhao Yao originally thought that after Noble Princess Consort Ying moved into Changle Palace, he wouldn’t be able to pick pomegranates there anymore, but he found that he could still pick them like in previous years and even enjoy various pomegranate-related treats made by the Changle Palace cook.

Noble Princess Consort Ying also occasionally sent clothes, handkerchiefs, sachets, and other items to Zhao Yao.

Initially, Zhao Yao was afraid to accept them, fearing Noble Princess Consort Ying might have some ulterior motive, but later Lady Liang told him that Noble Princess Consort Ying had no ill intent, and only then did he dare to accept.

Noble Princess Consort Ying would also occasionally invite some less favored concubines over to play cards, drink tea, appreciate flowers, and do embroidery. Of course, this included Lady Liang.

Since this wasn’t the first time eating snacks made by the small kitchen of Changle Palace, Zhao Yao had no hesitation, giving Noble Princess Consort Ying a sweet smile, "Thank you, Noble Princess Consort Ying."

"You’re probably hungry, wait for your lunch at Kunde Hall; I won’t delay you any longer, I’ll go first."

"Take care, Noble Princess Consort Ying."

After Noble Princess Consort Ying left, Tong Xi sighed, "Noble Princess Consort Ying is really meticulous, immediately bringing fire-lowering soup to the Emperor upon learning the Crown Prince and Prince Dai were beaten."

"Indeed, meticulous." He had always suspected that Noble Princess Consort Ying might be on Eight Brother’s side; otherwise, why would she be so nice to him?