novelraw Chapter 741 - 730: Stand-In Younger Sister
Chapter 741 - 730: Stand-In Younger Sister
Just after Ye Qiu and Wang Yanran discussed matters of the Imperial Family, indeed, within a few days, two princes from the palace were gone, reportedly having contracted smallpox. As soon as the news broke, the entire court fell eerily silent.
Since the two princes were still infants and their deaths were quite undignified, they were hastily buried. Since then, the health of the Holy Emperor worsened considerably.
At this time, Ye Borong and Ye Wangshi had already considered withdrawing Ye Xia from entering the palace, but Ye Xia herself didn’t care at all. In her words, this was perfect as it would allow the Holy Emperor to hang on for a couple more years for her to bear a royal son, positioning her to be the unparalleled and supremely powerful Empress Dowager.
Ye Xia then described to them the scene of her becoming the Empress Dowager, and Ye Borong and Ye Wangshi no longer objected.
"What a fantastical daydream," Ye Qiu sneered coldly as he fed a Spirit Fruit to Little Golden Crow.
"Do you want me to keep an eye on her?" Little Golden Crow communicated telepathically to Ye Qiu.
"No need, although my predecessor was worn down to death by this family, if Ye Xia doesn’t enter the palace, how could she be given to Prince Li? And how would I take my revenge on Prince Li and this family? I’m curious to see just how much Prince Li truly loves Ye Xia in the end."
This year has been anything but smooth, with one incident after another of death in the palace, and even some ministers have had their properties confiscated.
Under this mysterious atmosphere, all the great Vassal Kings entered the capital.
Yin Country currently has four major Vassal Kings: Prince Zhao from Zhao, Prince An from Qin, Prince Liang from Liang, and Prince Li from the Northwest.
Among them, Prince Zhao and Prince Liang are named after the territories they govern. Prince An is the last one whom the Holy Emperor trusts deeply, with the richest and most prosperous territory. As for Prince Li, he was a son born late to the late Emperor and was deeply favored. It was rumored that the late Emperor had intended to pass the throne to this son, but it was never fulfilled for reasons unknown.
After the current Emperor ascended to the throne, he was very wary of Prince Li, but could not deal with him arbitrarily due to the deceased Emperor’s edict, so he assigned Prince Li to the harsh and cold Northwest.
It is said that the region is extremely barren; the current Holy Emperor even bestowed three Princess Consorts, all of whom died due to the harsh climate, earning Prince Li the reputation of a jinx on his wives.
Now, since the current Holy Emperor has no children, all ministers think that Prince Li’s return this time is merely a formality along with the other three princes, as he also has yet to bear an heir.
However, these people do not know that sometimes, the most overlooked person can end up benefiting the most in the end.
As the four major Vassal Kings entered the capital, Prince An was the most sought after, and according to Wang Yanran, the entrance to An Prince Mansion was as busy as a marketplace, with everyone going there to flatter and give gifts.
"Are they so sure that Prince An will be the ultimate winner? In such a rush that they lose all the dignity of scholars," she disdainfully said.
Ye Qiu smiled lightly: "It’s not their fault, who doesn’t want to make a contribution that catapults their family to prominence? Prince An’s territory is the richest and strongest, and being most trusted by the Holy Emperor, he indeed has a greater chance for his progeny."
"But didn’t you say a few days ago that it was the Vassal Kings who had a hand in the death of the Emperor’s princes? If Prince An has the greatest chance, doesn’t that mean there’s a high likelihood it was his doing? Wouldn’t the Holy Emperor consider this?"
"Maybe it was another Vassal King framing him? Just trying to make the Holy Emperor suspect Prince An? Maybe the Emperor would think the more likely, the less possible it is, considering no one still knows who the man behind the curtain is, right?" Ye Qiu countered.
Now Wang Yanran was thoroughly confused and disheartened: "I really don’t understand what’s so good about that position, why everyone is so desperate to scheme for it?"
"Of course, that position is desirable, to command the World from above, such a feeling must be enchanting."
"But isn’t the Holy Emperor also in a lofty position above others? Yet, isn’t he unable to even protect one of his Princes?"
"That’s because the Holy Emperor is incompetent, it might be different with someone else."
"You dare to say such things." Wang Yanran looked around in shock and sighed in relief when she saw no maids nearby, "Don’t talk about this kind of sensitive topic anymore."
"Cousin, do you think what we talked about before was okay to say?" Ye Qiu smiled lightly, "It’s fine, Luoxia Courtyard is full of my people, even if they hear, they won’t pass it on. But cousin, once you leave here, don’t discuss politics with others. Aren’t you getting married in just ten days? Stay at home peacefully to prepare for the wedding and don’t go out anymore."
"Of course, I understand the seriousness of these matters, rest assured, I haven’t even told these things to my parents."
"Hmm, just make sure to inform Uncle, not to ally with any power blocs."
"My dad understands this. Recently, unless necessary, he seldom goes to his duties, fearing that the vassal princes might try to woo him."
The sixth day of the year is Wang Yanran’s wedding day; her husband’s family is the Qin Family, whose grandfather is Uncle Wang’s immediate superior and it was because of his favor that Uncle Wang rose so quickly.
It is said that Minister Qin is paving the way for Uncle Wang, preparing to promote him when he retires back to his hometown.
The Chief of Staff position at the Ministry of Revenue is second-rank and controls the wealth of the entire nation, so it can’t be held by someone who is not a confidant of the Holy Emperor. Uncle Wang, having registered with the Holy Emperor early because of his simple family background and lacking other powers supporting him, is thus reasonably trusted by the Holy Emperor. However, he’s currently too young for the Chief of Staff role and lacks the required seniority, so Minister Qin plans to hold on for a few more years, only hoping that he doesn’t leave the position too soon.
Ye Qiu knew the outcome from the past life because her cousin Wang Chengyu insisted on marrying none but Ye Xia, earning the displeasure of the Regent King, Prince Li. Uncle Wang was then demoted to the position of County Magistrate in a poor county, and Minister Qin was also stripped of his position due to old age by Prince Li.
Additionally, Ye Xia disliked Wang Yanran, and although the Qin Family still had members in court, they lived as if on thin ice.
But this life is somewhat different; cousin Wang Chengyu was sent to Jiangnan just as his feelings for Ye Xia started to develop. Provided Uncle Wang and the Qin Family stay out of the succession conflict, they should not end up as miserable as in the past life.
Moreover, she is here this time! Could Prince Li truly love Ye Xia as deeply as in the previous lifetime? Even if so, she wouldn’t let things go their way.
Just a few days before cousin Wang Yanran’s wedding, when even the Lantern Festival was still two days away, the palace hastily began the selection of concubines, leading major aristocratic families to sense the unusual move and become as cautious as turtles retracting their heads, with not even collateral female relatives being sent.
Only families like the Ye Family, oblivious of court politics and desirous of seeking riches and honor, would send their girls into the palace.
"Xiaxia, here is ten thousand taels of Silver. If it’s not enough, your mother will send more," said Ye Wangshi with tears in her eyes, "Once you are in the palace, be very cautious, do not eat things of unknown origin, and trust no one."
Ye Xia was somewhat impatient: "Mother, I know. If I didn’t understand even this basic principle, how would I govern from behind the curtains in the future?"
Hearing this, Ye Qiu smirked sarcastically, governing from behind the curtains? What a fanciful thought!