Chapter 1607 - 1609: Turmoil Beneath the Silence
"Xiaxia probably can’t do it. Under a toppled nest, no egg remains intact. While his plight certainly incites sympathy and pain, dragging innocent people into his misfortune as collateral is too ruthless. If he truly throws Great Zhou into chaos, even we in Yangshu Village won’t find peace," Ye Zi’an patted her hand. "Let’s take it one step at a time."
"Moreover, now that I think about it, the poison in Dongyang was definitely his doing, and Lele was right. According to his goals, Dongyang’s death will surely stir Great Zhou and Tayun into chaos first. When Mu Shaoling loses his wife, he’ll have no heart to research medicine, causing more people to die in Shandong, and thus Shandong will be thrown into disorder too. We are all under Cousin’s influence. If I die, and he acts further, someone will strike at Cousin, causing the royal family to be thrown into turmoil internally. His plans are so precise, even years ago they were precise, and defying those years, they’ll only be more powerful now. If it weren’t for those pains, he’d be truly remarkable!!"
"But if we can’t avoid it, we must find a way to topple him, or else everyone will be finished."
"Indeed!"
"We must plan carefully. Otherwise, even if it’s reported, the court will still find him elusive, like the case with Fancy Red Pavilion back then." Yang Chuxia paused, then said, "Linhao has already investigated that shop. The materials only have a certain indicative nature, but very low evidential value. Since that’s the case, let’s forge evidence, make solid evidence, bind him to this poisoning incident at the Fancy Red Pavilion tightly, so he can’t extricate himself."
"Right, this matter must have Linhao discuss it with Uncle and Cousin first before making arrangements. I’ll have Linhao convey your idea to Cousin."
"Hmm," Yang Chuxia nodded, thinking to herself that she must do something, resolve this matter quickly, or else it’s just a ticking time bomb.
Yet what Yang Chuxia didn’t expect was that before they took action, the opposition had already taken preemptive measures, showing no mercy to any obstacle.
Capital City
The court was shrouded in silence, yet beneath this silence lurked surging turmoil.
"Emperor, I believe, Ye Zi’an, as a Prefect, yet behaving obsequiously just to survive, this truly dishonors the integrity of scholars and the high standards of Great Zhou officials. If not severely punished, who knows how many will emulate this in the future."
The news that Ye Zi’an was cured of the poison and his illness had recovered was once again circulating in the Capital City.
Regarding the strange illnesses in Shandong, whether caused by poison or truly a disease, the officials were indifferent, as it was not within their jurisdiction.
They were more concerned that Ye Zi’an actually kneeled openly, being the father of Prince An, yet openly begging for the antidote. This unabashed fear of death must be impeached, pull Ye Zi’an down, and thus weaken the power on the side of the Third Prince.
"Indeed, a coward fearing death, how could he qualify as an official of Great Zhou? To delve deeper, if all Great Zhou officials are like him, fearing death, to speak disrespectfully, should war erupt one day, how will Great Zhou defend the nation and city?"
"Isn’t it so, considering potential danger in times of peace? If one day war truly looms, won’t Ye Zi’an open the city gates, welcoming the enemy army inside?"
This was noted by Old Mu, seeing people aligned with the Eldest Imperial Prince, Prince Ning, and people with Prince Fu of the Fourth Prince.
All spoke self-righteously, yet deep down were even meaner than what they preached.