SFS Chapter 123 Too Risky
Chapter 123 Too Risky
Lord Zhao used to be a counselor, but his words and deeds were hard to praise in my eyes, not to mention that Lord Zhao has now suffered a heavy blow of being demoted three levels and is only appointed as a minor official to fill a vacancy. The gap in status is really regrettable.
Su Xiuzhu's heart was in turmoil, and his teeth almost bit his lips to bleed. He suppressed his anger and whispered, "I was not thoughtful enough. I hope Your Highness will be magnanimous and forgive my gaffe. As long as it can calm Your Highness, I am willing to bear any request."
Song Yanyi was secretly delighted. He knew very well how fearful Su Xiuzhu was at the moment. She was afraid that he would report the matter to his father. Once his father got to know about it, he would definitely punish the Duke Jingguo's Mansion severely for their poor parenting.
However, Su Xiuzhu didn't know that he had no intention of reporting this to his father, because that would only make his father see the prince's incompetence and being manipulated by others, thus making the prince lose all his face.
Song Yanyi's eyes were sharp. "Since the prince has expressed his opinion, I will naturally not make things difficult for you. The situation in the court is changing now, and the prince should have heard about it. If a senior official like Duke Jingguo can stand on my side, it will undoubtedly be a huge help to me."
Su Xiuzhu suddenly raised her head and met Song Yanyi's smiling eyes, then she lowered her head in panic and said hesitantly: "This is not a trivial matter, I... I can't make a decision on my own and agree to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. I must go home and discuss this with my father. Only with my father's approval can I give His Royal Highness the Crown Prince a reply..."
Song Yanyi's mouth curled up into a meaningful smile: "Duke Jingguo will definitely agree. He dotes on the prince, not to mention that the prince is the only son in the family. How could he not agree to the prince's request? Whether the prince truly repents depends on your decision."
After hearing this, a trace of despair flashed in Su Xiuzhu's eyes.
Song Yanyi's words seemed to cut off all his escape routes. If he did not agree, the Jingguo Mansion would face the consequences of his father's wrath.
He bit his lower lip tightly, not daring to imagine his father's anger and disappointment after learning about this. That feeling gripped his heart tightly.
He hated his own incompetence. Because of his eagerness for quick success, he almost dragged the entire family into an abyss of no return...
"After returning home, I will do my best to convince my father..."
Song Yanyi took in Su Xiuzhu's subtle expression, and the smile on his face deepened: "With your words, I feel relieved. You don't have to worry too much. If I can be promoted smoothly in the future, I will do my best to meet your needs."
Su Xiuzhu's eyes gleamed with light, and he said firmly: "The Duke of Jingguo's Mansion will assist His Royal Highness the Crown Prince wholeheartedly."
……
At Cui's house, when Cui Rong learned the news that Su Xiuzhu had entered the palace, she immediately looked for Jiang Zhen, eager to know the details.
Jiang Zhen recounted the conversation between Song Yanyi and Su Xiuzhu to Cui Rong verbatim, and her face couldn't help but darken.
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Queen have been trying to win over Duke Jingguo. After all, he is a veteran of two dynasties and holds a pivotal position in the court. Once Duke Jingguo sides with the Crown Prince, the Sixth Prince's camp will inevitably be shaken." Jiang Zhen turned his gaze to Cui Rong, full of deep meaning.
Cui Rong remained silent. In her previous life, Duke Jingguo was Song Yanyi's right-hand man.
In order to help Song Yanyi get promoted, Duke Jingguo repeatedly spoke to the emperor, explicitly or implicitly stating that Song Yanyi was the only candidate to lead Bian Tang to prosperity, and at the same time set up many obstacles for Song Yanchen.
But now, she had never expected that she would push such a powerful ally to Song Yanyi ahead of time.
She pursed her lips and a cloud flashed across her eyes.
Seeing that she was silent, Jiang Zhen asked softly, "Miss Cui, what are your plans next?"
Cui Rongrong suppressed her inner turmoil and said calmly, "The situation is not yet hopeless. Don't we still hold the card of Miss Zhao? His Royal Highness used this to control the Crown Prince, and I can also use it to control him. I once said that I would not do useless work."
Jiang Zhen chuckled, his eyes full of trust: "I have never doubted this, and I am looking forward to Miss Cui's next move."
"No rush." Cui Rong smiled calmly, "Since it is a trump card, it should be saved for the most critical moment."
As the night deepened, Cui Rong called Feng Yang to inquire about Song Yanyi's latest movements.
Although Jiang Zhen also had spies in the palace, their understanding was far less in-depth than that of his personal bodyguards.
Feng Yang told the truth: "Last night, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince secretly went to the Duke of Jingguo's Mansion, but I am not His Royal Highness's confidant, so I can only wait outside and have no way of knowing the specific content of their conversation."
"However, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has been very active recently, and the Queen has also been more active in the court. The number of people supporting the Crown Prince is increasing day by day. Strangely, the Emperor's health seems to be worse than before."
Cui Rongrong raised her eyebrows, looking a little surprised, "Does the Queen often accompany the Emperor?"
Feng Yang nodded in confirmation, "The border wars are ongoing, and the emperor has no time to take care of the harem. The queen sympathizes with the emperor's hard work and often sends cakes and tea to show her concern."
"Although the emperor has asked the imperial physician to treat him, he has not been able to find out the specific cause of the disease. He only asked the emperor to rest more. Unfortunately, I can't get the cakes sent by the queen. If Miss Cui can check it with her own eyes, she may be able to find something from it."
Cui Rong had a plan in mind, but she did not show it.
In order to achieve his goal as soon as possible, Song Yanyi had already secretly put a chronic poison in the emperor's food. Until the last moment, the imperial physician would not be able to detect any abnormalities.
She had never expected that Song Yanyi and the Queen would be so swift and decisive, and their actions were beyond her imagination. She had obviously underestimated the ruthlessness and decisiveness in the hearts of this mother and son.
"Be cautious in all your actions and ensure your own safety first." Her voice was low and each word was powerful, revealing her determination.
"Miss Cui, please take care of yourself too."
Feng Yang looked deeply at you, and he said softly, "I heard that the Crown Prince recently mentioned your engagement to the Queen. If the war on the border hadn't distracted the Emperor, I'm afraid the Queen would have discussed the marriage arrangements with His Majesty."
Hearing this, Cui Rong frowned slightly and sighed in her heart, if Zhao Xianer's plan could succeed, the burden on her shoulders would undoubtedly be lightened a lot.
However, in a flash, a sly smile quietly climbed up the corners of her lips.
In the harem, the era when the queen had absolute power seemed to be on the verge of ending.
She raised her head, her eyes met Feng Yang's, her voice clear and firm: "I have a task that I need you to complete."
Feng Yang leaned forward and listened carefully. When she finished her instructions, a glimmer of surprise flashed in his eyes, "Ms. Cui, is this too risky?"
"As long as we act carefully and don't leave any clues, there will be no problem." Cui Rongrong smiled calmly and spoke with confidence.
Feng Yang pondered for a moment, and finally nodded.