Chapter 401 - 393: Fury
Li Min returned to his residence and immediately threw a tantrum.
No one nearby dared to make a sound until the Eldest Prince finished his outburst. Only then did Liu Xin step forward to advise, "Master, now that we know where the person is, it will be easy to deal with them. The Dingyuan Marquis can’t possibly stay by their side all the time. As soon as the Marquis attends court, we can send someone to snatch them away. Since the Dingyuan Marquis doesn’t give you face, there’s no need for you to worry about his."
"I’d like to do that, but I’m afraid the Dingyuan Marquis will report me to Father," Li Min’s face flashed with a fierce expression. "What a good Dingyuan Marquis. Who in the Capital doesn’t give me face, yet he dares to slap mine like this. He will regret it."
Liu Xin agreed, "What you said makes sense. Not to mention others, the daughter of the Dong Mansion, although given to you as a concubine, how much has she done for you? Even without an arranged marriage, isn’t the Dong Mansion wholeheartedly working for you? With the Holy Emperor favoring you so much, who can’t see it? Yet, the Dingyuan Marquis just ignores you. It’s truly infuriating. No wonder Mr. Gu and the Dingyuan Marquis have falling out as brothers. I heard yesterday the Dingyuan Marquis even wanted to send Mrs. Dong to a temple. They say it’s like having two wives, but one side is always lower. Yet, the Dingyuan Marquis pays no attention to this."
Seeing his master’s expression improve slightly, Liu Xin’s eyes flashed, "The Madam of the East Mansion is the granddaughter of the Prime Minister’s Mansion. If not, why not try from the Prime Minister’s Mansion? I don’t believe Chancellor Liu wouldn’t give you face."
"That old fox Chancellor Liu, he won’t speak openly. Have you ever seen him suffer any loss? He always pretends to be confused but understands more than anyone," Li Min said bitterly. "Have someone keep a close eye there. I don’t believe we can’t find Prince Shou."
"Master, those might just be rumors from the palace. Even if you find Prince Shou, how could a prince out of favor stand by you? He’d probably not support either side to save his own life. Moreover, people wouldn’t believe what he says, as it’s just palace rumors, and even the Emperor doesn’t seem to care," Liu Xin softly reminded.
Li Min sneered, "You don’t understand. Just find Prince Shou by that time; then we can probe the Empress. If she shows any concern, we’ll know if it’s just rumors. As long as there’s a chance, I won’t let it slip."
Liu Xin quickly said, "Master, you truly are wise. I am foolish to only realize it now."
"The Empress hasn’t borne children for years, only having the Crown Prince. You must believe that there’s no smoke without fire. Once the Empress loses her composure, I’ll have the power to topple the Crown Prince. So, what if the Emperor wants to protect him?" Li Min sneered.
Li Min was not acting rashly.
He knew that if all this was true, it was with Father’s tacit approval. Since he was not the legitimate son born to the Empress, why should that position go to the Crown Prince?
Liu Xin saw his master’s growing displeasure and said no more.
Regarding the Prime Minister Liu’s Mansion, after receiving the letter, Chancellor Liu simply dismissed everyone and called his son to the study, handing the letter to his son. After reading it, Liu Wen sighed, "It seems Father guessed right. What do you plan to report to the Holy Emperor?"
"Just tell it like it is. As for how the Holy Emperor will respond, that remains unknown," Chancellor Liu smiled faintly. "The emperor’s mind is hard to fathom. Over the years, he has become even more inscrutable as if knowing what the Eldest Prince intends yet never intervenes."
"Could it be that the Holy Emperor truly intends to depose the Crown Prince?" Liu Wen’s face changed.
Chancellor Liu remained silent, "That is a matter for the Royal Family and not something people like us can decide."
Liu Wen hesitated.
Previously, they didn’t know of Prince Shou’s identity, which was one thing.
Now, from the Marquis’s letter, it’s evident Father’s suspicions were correct. So why not help the Crown Prince?
Yet, seeing his father’s reluctance to help, even after knowing the truth.
If things turn out like this, when the Eldest Prince succeeds, wouldn’t they all become implicated? Even if they did nothing.
Chancellor Liu glanced at his son, "I always told you to remain calm, yet now you show impatience. Don’t panic just because you know something. We are loyal to the sovereign; whoever the sovereign is, we serve them."
Liu Wen’s eyes suddenly brightened with his father’s words. Smiling, he got up and bowed, "I’m foolish. Father is right."
Chancellor Liu stood up, "It’s late. Rest early. I still need to talk to your mother, who has been worried about this for half a year."
Liu Wen followed his father out, watching him return to the main courtyard before heading towards Aunt Yan’s courtyard, only to be stopped halfway by Madam Sun. Liu Wen frowned deeply, "Why aren’t you asleep in the middle of the night? What are you doing here?"
"Master, I need to discuss something with you, but it’s been hard to find you lately. Today I heard you were in Father-in-law’s study, so I waited here," Madam Sun warmly approached, smiling. "Master, Sister Hong is getting older, and I thought it might be time to arrange a marriage."
Liu Wen immediately interrupted her, "You don’t need to worry about this. I’ve already discussed it with Mother. Mother will handle the two daughters’ marriage arrangements."
Madam Sun was stunned, "But the Zhou Mansion came today to discuss marriage with me, and I’ve agreed to consult with you before replying to them."
Liu Wen was baffled.
Zhou Mansion?
Isn’t that the Eldest Prince’s family?
Now the Eldest Prince is targeting the Prime Minister’s Mansion?
Liu Wen’s eyes widened, "Nonsense, how can you make such decisions? Our mansion doesn’t associate with such families. How could you agree to such a thing? Who gave you the courage?"
Madam Sun bit her lip, "I am the mistress of this house. Why can’t I make decisions? Master’s words confuse me. Zhou Mansion is Consort Zhou’s maternal family, highly sought after by many noble families in the Capital. Isn’t it a good thing that they’re proposing voluntarily?"
Liu Wen snorted, "Foolish woman, what do you understand? Since you agreed, you handle canceling it."
With that, he shook his sleeve and left Madam Sun standing in the passageway.
Watching Master leave, Madam Sun stomped her foot in frustration, "For whom am I doing this? Now I’ve become the one blamed. He said I am the housekeeper, yet I can’t decide on anything?"