novelraw Chapter 593 - 524
Chapter 593 - 524
Kou Siyu gathered all the elders of the Kou Family, but after realizing they were of no help, he decisively sought assistance from Prince Cheng.
Unexpectedly, Prince Cheng, who had always maintained close ties with the Kou Family, pretended to be ill to avoid seeing him.
Kou Siyu was furious, his resentment towards Su Jingchen reaching an explosive level.
From the Emperor’s attitude towards the Kou Family, Prince Cheng discerned the Emperor’s disposition.
The Emperor’s move against the Kou Family was essentially a veiled jab at him as well!
Prince Cheng was startled into a cold sweat!
It seemed the Emperor was not ignorant of his involvement in the Lianghuai Salt Field, but had chosen to overlook it out of fraternal consideration!
Since realizing the Emperor’s intent, Prince Cheng had become increasingly restless.
When he claimed to Kou Siyu that he was ill, it wasn’t entirely false, as he did indeed feel somewhat unwell, though he couldn’t specify exactly where.
His heart was flustered, uneasy, he suffered from insomnia, and his entire being grew gradually haggard.
The Prince Mansion began to shut its doors to visitors, whether officials large or small from Huizhou or from the Lianghuai region, Prince Cheng refused them all.
Not only did he refuse visitors, but Prince Cheng also summoned the Princely Heir back from Yangzhou.
Prince Cheng had only this legitimate son, who had recently had an ’accidental’ fall from a horse, resulting in a broken leg.
A disabled Princely Heir was ill-suited for great responsibility, leading Prince Cheng to repeatedly consider replacing him with a son by a concubine, but he never had the heart to follow through.
Even though his son was lame, his intelligent mind was unmatched by any of his other sons born to concubines.
Of course, besides these concerns, Prince Cheng also worried about his legitimate wife’s family background.
"Now it seems, the matter of your accidental fall and broken leg, perhaps it was..." Prince Cheng furrowed his brow in worry, forming a tight knot.
The Princely Heir gave a cold laugh, "I’ve said before, the horse was startled strangely, but you were only interested in blaming me then, unwilling to listen to my analysis."
Since his leg was broken, the Princely Heir had wanted to live quietly, avoiding further clandestine maneuvers, but his father was unwilling to wake up, always coveting the fat meat of the Lianghuai Salt Field.
"Wen’er, based on your insight, what should we do next?" Prince Cheng still had great trust in his legitimate son’s intelligence.
Jun Xiwen sighed, "I’m afraid the Emperor already harbors fatal intentions against our Prince Mansion!"
Prince Cheng’s heart skipped a beat, his face turned a few shades paler, "It can’t be, among the many Princes, I have the best relationship with the Emperor, he wouldn’t harm our Prince Mansion."
His consort mother and the Empress Dowager were sisters by clan, during the time they served the former Emperor, their cooperation and bond were even closer than that of actual sisters, and in his youth, he was the Emperor’s follower, the older brother might discipline other younger brothers but would never lay a hand on him.
Besides, he never intended rebellion; he was simply seeking a share of the profits from the Lianghuai Salt Field, not a significant matter.
"Father, the Emperor has already given us a chance." Otherwise, the circumstance wouldn’t be just a broken leg.
"Fortunately, you’ve repeatedly tried to rope in that Master Su, yet he never truly aligned, the grave error hasn’t been committed, and it’s not too late!"
...
Jun Xiwen stayed in Huizhou for merely two days before dragging his injured leg back to Yangzhou.
The first thing he did upon returning to Yangzhou was to present a visiting card to Su Jingchen.
Typically, when a visiting card came from Prince Cheng’s side, Su Jingchen would find an excuse to decline, but this time, he didn’t refuse.
Given the issues with the Kou Family, unless Prince Cheng was a fool, they should have discerned some of the Emperor’s intentions.
Indeed, after a few pleasantries with Su Jingchen, Jun Xiwen began probing Su Jingchen about the Emperor’s intentions.
Certain things couldn’t be openly discussed, but could be communicated in a different manner.
"The Grand Longevity Festival is approaching, and I’m fretting over what gift to present to Uncle Emperor for his birthday, worried that the gift would not align with his preferences. I wonder if Master Su has any high suggestions?"
Su Jingchen placed the teacup on the small table, looking at Jun Xiwen, "Regarding the Emperor’s preferences, as a courtier, I likely know less than you do, Princely Heir.
However, I can share a story with you, Princely Heir..."
After leaving the Su Mansion, Jun Xiwen’s face bore an expression of going willingly to his fate.
The Capital.
Every move in Yangzhou could be said to be under the Emperor’s surveillance.
After the exposure of the utterly corrupt Lord Yin, the Emperor absolutely wouldn’t allow anyone else to meddle with the court’s treasury.
The previous Emperor had left a dilapidated mess to Jun Tingye, with officials colluding for personal gain, a treasury more barren than the wealth of a third-rank official Salt Transport Envoy, it was indeed exasperating.
Since becoming Emperor, Jun Tingye had dealt with continuous warfare and natural disasters, squandering the little savings he had painstakingly accumulated.
He was short of funds, desperately short!
Whoever coveted the profits from the Lianghuai Salt Transport was essentially reaching into his pocket for silver, an intolerable act.
Jun Tingye was desperately eager to replenish the state treasury, extremely eager.
Until a memorial from Yangzhou was placed on the imperial desk, and after reading it, Jun Tingye revealed a rare, gratifying smile.
Su Jingchen still had his ways, actually managing to make Prince Cheng cough up the silver he had devoured, instantly lifting Jun Tingye’s spirits.
If Prince Cheng henceforth behaved properly, he would not have to eliminate him completely.
"Someone, summon Fu Qionglin!" He must have Fu Qionglin bring the Imperial Physician to Yangzhou, be it for reassurance or for a statement, in any case, the Prince Cheng father and son duo must be made aware that both the Emperor’s fury and favor are the expressions of his benevolence.