After I disguised myself as a man, I became everyone's white moonlight

Chapter 162 This road is destined to be not peaceful

After the court meeting, Zhou Yichen waited for Rong Qingzhu for a while. Until Rong Qingzhu came out, he did not find a place to hide to conceal his intention of waiting for Rong Qingzhu.

Rong Qingzhu was startled when he saw Zhou Yichen standing beside the carriage at the palace gate with his hands behind his back facing the palace gate. Then he stepped forward and saluted, saying, "Your Highness has met the Third Prince."

Zhou Yichen nodded slightly. With a cold personality, he was not used to pretending to be nice.

He turned around and said indifferently to Rong Qingzhu, who was dressed in an official robe and full of vigor, "Thank you for coming to the palace today."

Even though Zhou Yichen only said six words, Rong Qingzhu quickly understood what Zhou Yichen meant.

He smiled faintly, his indifferent temperament seemed as if any vanity and worldly interests in this world could not shake him in the slightest, "Your Highness, there is no need to be polite. What I said today is from the bottom of my heart, not for Your Highness."

If it were someone else, they would at least take Rong Qingzhu's words to heart.

However, Zhou Yichen had long been accustomed to the fickleness of human nature over the years. Compared to Rong Qingzhu's lukewarm attitude, he disliked those who deliberately tried to please him in order to gain greater benefits from him.

For this reason, he nodded gently to Rong Qingzhu, "No matter who it is for, I will remember what happened today."

After saying this, he had no intention of talking to Rong Qingzhu anymore, so he got on a carriage with the Yan Palace logo and left.

As for Rong Qingzhu, he really didn't care about Zhou Yichen's attitude, and it was not because of what Zhou Yichen said, but... he vaguely felt that Qi Bai must have his considerations for going to Xi'an.

Therefore, he inevitably paid more attention to the city of Xi'an. If he hadn't paid any attention to it, it wouldn't have made much of a difference. But after paying so much attention, he was really shocked by the number of people killed and injured in floods in previous years.

He... still cannot fully trust Zhou Yichen, who is vying for the throne, but he believes in Qi Bai. Qi Bai's going to Xi'an would never be just to gain military power and climb up.

*

Emperor Tianwu was forced to agree to this matter, so he was naturally not in a good mood. At first, he just named Rong Qingzhu to go at the court meeting.

When he issued the imperial edict later, he suddenly remembered Zhou Yichen, who had mentioned the matter at the beginning, and both of them were severely punished by him.

Rong Qingzhu was "exiled to the frontier", and Zhou Yichen was naturally not spared!

In the eyes of Emperor Tianwu, Xi'an was a place where no grass grew and no birds roamed. How could it compare to the prosperous and flourishing capital city? So he sent both of them into exile in a fit of rage!

Now, only the Seventh Prince was angry and had a green face. After hearing the news, the Eighth Prince couldn't help but call him an idiot.

As for whether this idiot was scolding Rong Qingzhu, Zhou Yichen, or...Emperor Tianwu, that depends on one's own opinion!

No matter how angry he was, the Eighth Prince was helpless because the imperial decree had already been issued, even though he didn't want Zhou Yichen to get involved in Xi'an City.

The situation has been decided and there is no room for maneuver.

The Eighth Prince immediately summoned all the advisors in the palace to his study to discuss whether Zhou Yichen’s intention of going to Xi’an City was just to reinforce the river dam as he said?

As for the Rong family...

After the court session, Prime Minister Rong had been waiting for Rong Qingzhu to come back. After the court session, Rong Qingzhu had to go on duty. He was only a fifth-rank official now, so he naturally could not be as casual as Prime Minister Rong.

By the time he got off duty and returned home, it was almost evening.

Prime Minister Rong was sitting in the lobby with his eyes closed, a cup of cold tea at hand. As soon as Rong Qingzhu entered the mansion, he was informed by the servants that his father was waiting for him.

He had expected this, so he didn't look surprised at all, and walked towards the lobby calmly.

After crossing the threshold, Prime Minister Rong, who had his eyes closed, slowly opened them. It was hard to tell from his calm expression whether he was angry or not...

Rong Qingzhu stood calmly in front of Prime Minister Rong. He did not sit down, but waited for his father's reprimand!

"Qingzhu, you have never been a person who would act impulsively. Regarding today's matter, I only want to ask you one question: is this your own idea, or...someone else's request?"

Prime Minister Rong's sharp and calm eyes fell on Rong Qingzhu. Rong Qingzhu was wearing a red official robe, which not only did not make him look more ostentatious, but instead made him look calm and indifferent from the bottom of his heart.

Rong Qingzhu shook his head, "Father, this is all my idea."

Prime Minister Rong didn't understand why Qingzhu, who had always stayed away from party disputes under his teachings, would now openly speak for the Third Prince in the court.

He tapped his fingers lightly, and the maid beside him understood what he meant. She hurriedly took the cold teacup away and replaced it with new hot tea.

Prime Minister Rong said calmly, "Since you came back from Yunzhou, your temperament has changed. Your father knows that you have grown up and have your own ideas. You are not like before, you will discuss everything with me. But you spoke for the Third Prince today. Have you ever thought about the consequences?"

Facing Prime Minister Rong's pressure-filled gaze, Rong Qingzhu showed no intention of retreating.

He just pursed his lips and remained silent for a moment, then said slowly, "Father, I understand what you said, but if the officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty are in danger and only care about protecting themselves, then what hope do the people have?"

"Since I'm wearing the official robes, I should think from the perspective of the people. If I want to protect myself in everything, why would I serve as an official in the court?"

Prime Minister Rong waved his hand. He had no intention of continuing to argue with Rong Qingzhu. Father and son had always disagreed with each other. In his opinion, Qingzhu was just a young man with a lot of youthful aspirations. When he experienced some things in the future, he would understand...

Isn't it possible for him to do whatever he wants in this world?

When Prime Minister Rong was young, he also made a vow, hoping for peace and prosperity in the country, but the actual reality was - the exact opposite.

Emperor Tianwu would not tolerate officials who were too outgoing. They would either be exiled or become disillusioned and resign to return home.

The old ministers who have managed to stay until now are either very smart and cannot let Emperor Tianwu find any handle on them, or they are keeping a low profile. Even if they understand everything, they keep it to themselves.

Youthful spirit...

What use is it?

"You go back and pack your things. I believe that His Majesty will issue an edict soon and you will set off in a few days." After all, Prime Minister Rong has been an official in the court for many years and understands the temperament of His Majesty now. He... has already held a grudge against the Rong family.

There is no point in saying more. Even if you say more, His Majesty, who is suspicious, will no longer believe that the Rong family has no intention of participating in the fight for the throne.

Rong Qingzhu frowned slightly. He knew that today's incident would displease the emperor, but a gentleman has things he should and should not do. Keeping his head down was not what he wanted to do.

"On the way... you should take a few skilled guards with you. This journey is bound to be a bumpy one." Prime Minister Rong pointed out the names of several of the best guards in the mansion to the old steward next to him with complicated eyes.

Just as Prime Minister Rong expected, the journey ahead was indeed not peaceful.

Rong Qingzhu and Zhou Yichen set out on the journey together. There were too many people who wanted to attack Zhou Yichen on the way, and Rong Qingzhu also encountered two groups of assassins.

There are many people who want Zhou Yichen to die!

There were also people who didn't want Rong Qingzhu to arrive in Xi'an safely.