Everyone has desires.
But for the things we covet, it's probably only in the innocence of childhood that we'd dare to voice them without fear.
As we grow up, we learn to hide our desires.
Was Prince Huai's answer just childish innocence?
But the emperor, who is no longer a child, could he dare speak his true answer without fear?
"Fooled!"
The emperor said through clenched teeth, his face ashen.
"This is her true purpose, to make the whole city talk about Prince Huai."
He stood up angrily and kicked over the stool in front of him.
"How could she achieve this!"
"Why could she achieve this!"
"Are all those court officials dead?"
"Why haven't they arrested her yet?"
Yuan Bao hurriedly knelt forward.
"Your Majesty, Lord Ning means that you should refute this matter at the Grand Court in the capital." He said.
Return to the capital.
Be forced back in such a disgraceful way by that woman?
And discuss the matter of establishing the prince in front of all the officials at the Grand Court!
Does such a thing even need discussion?
Does this mean that as far as the civil and military officials are concerned, they truly think Prince Huai can be established as the prince?
The emperor's face was ashen.
And that Ning Yan, truly liked for less than a quarter of an hour.
Pedantic!
At such a time, Lu Yunqi should just go ahead and kill her, just like when discussing his succession to the throne; let's see who still dares to speak!
"Lu Yunqi!" The emperor called.
Yuan Bao had already stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, Lord Ning said that the capital is still unstable now, with the Qingshan Army eyeing from outside." He hurriedly said, "We cannot kill that woman."
The emperor angrily flicked his sleeves.
"So we're to let her be so arrogant?" He said, "Do we really want to make that brat the prince?"
Of course, he doesn't have to establish him.
Yuan Bao blinked at the emperor.
Didn't Lord Ning say to refute it righteously at the Grand Court?
The emperor's complexion turned green then white.
Refute....
In his mind, he seemed to see the shadowy rows of standing officials.
Many of them looked down on him, thinking he was not fit to be this emperor, just picked up the role.
Now that brat has reappeared, they must be thinking of driving him off the throne.
When the time comes, they will rise up against him in the court...
No.
He will never give them this chance.
The emperor stood coldly in place.
He never gives others the opportunity to attack him.
There are many ways to resolve this matter.
Just like resolving the matter of his succession to the throne.
There's absolutely no need to argue with the world, as long as the root of the matter is handled.
The crucial point of that matter was the prince's existence.
So, by eliminating the prince, everything was easily resolved, and there was no need to worry further; everything fell into place.
Now, the key to this matter is Prince Huai.
As long as Prince Huai is dealt with, it will be resolved.
"But now, taking action against Prince Huai is a bit inconvenient; the capital is keeping a close watch on Prince Huai's mansion." Yuan Bao whispered, "If poison is used under the guise of illness, that Miss Jun is a divine doctor...."
"So, the crux of all this is still because of this Miss Jun." The emperor coldly said.
Yuan Bao nodded heavily.
"Exactly, it's all because of her." He said.
When she first entered Prince Huai's mansion to treat his illness, she should have been eliminated.
No wonder she felt so uncomfortable at the time.
Originally thought a little girl, a doctor, could not stir up much trouble, so there was a moment of carelessness.
Never thought she'd cause so much trouble again.
Thinking about it carefully, it's somewhat unclear how things got to this point today.
"Your Majesty, she could achieve this solely because she has money and power." Yuan Bao said, "Your Majesty need not worry, as long as her power is cut off, she can't stir up much trouble."
The emperor turned to look at him.
"Then what are you all waiting for?" He coldly said.
......
.......
The news that the Qingshan Army had arrived at the capital and the Jurchen people retreated had already reached Yangcheng.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but vigilance was even more rigorous.
Because tens of thousands of Jurchen soldiers were not wiped out by the Qingshan Army in one fell swoop, but scattered everywhere on Jingdong Road, no one dared to guarantee they wouldn't come to Shanxi.
The tightly closed gates of Yangcheng were opened, and the soldiers guarding them looked a bit nervous at the people and horses ahead.
Leading the group was a young man on a horse, dressed in plain clothes. Though the color was simple white, the outfit was not plain. It was embroidered with silver thread, adorned with pearls along the boots, and wore no jade binding in the hair but only a flower.
Seeing this youth, the soldiers felt the vibrant splendor of spring and only then realized it was indeed the time of blooming flowers and scenic beauty.
All caused by the uproar of the Jurchen soldiers.
Looking at the young man in front of them, the soldiers sighed even more.
"Young Master, are you leaving the city?" They asked with concern.
Fang Chengyu smiled faintly.
"Yes." He said, "I'm going for a visit to Ze Prefecture."
The soldiers were shocked.
"Ze Prefecture?" they said, looking at the guards crowded around Fang Chengyu.
These guards were all strong and robust, armed with clubs, swords, and spears. The soldiers' sharp eyes could even detect the bulges under their saddle covers, likely hiding bows.
However, setting out at this time and having to travel such a long distance was incredibly dangerous. If they encountered the Jurchen people along the way, these guards might not necessarily be capable of handling them.
"Thank you, but it's fine," Fang Chengyu thanked them for their concern and urged his horse forward.
The soldiers could only watch as he was ushered out of the city, surrounded by his guards.
"I heard there's trouble with the Fang Family's exchange firm," murmured one soldier, "a significant deficit."
In a place as large as Yangcheng, when the wind blows, everyone hears of it, so many had caught wind of the situation.
"Is it because of the family splitting assets?" one soldier asked, "So they say, 'a harmonious family prospers.' Once business is divided, it weakens the foundation."
The previous soldier nodded, then shook his head.
"It doesn't seem to be solely due to that," he said, "It seems to be related to business transactions, but I don't understand these things. In any case, the Young Master is short on funds now. If the money doesn't arrive in time, the entire exchange firm might go under."
That serious!
The other soldiers immediately widened their eyes.
"Looks like the Young Master is heading to the Prefecture to negotiate business," the earlier soldier said knowingly.
The others nodded, with a mix of sympathy and helplessness.
"It's dangerous to go out, but it's also dangerous to stay. There's no choice," they sighed.
......
........
"Grandmother, the things said during the family split were all just words said in anger, intended for outsiders to hear. If we're truly short on money, would we really not offer assistance?"
Fang Yunxiao anxiously exclaimed.
"It's so dangerous for little brother to go out at this moment."
Old Lady Fang sat expressionless in her chair.
"Is staying at home truly safe?" she said, "Going out doesn't necessarily mean it's not safe."
Her words seemed to say nothing at all.
Lady Fang sat next to her with closed eyes, rapidly turning the prayer beads in her hand.
Fang Yunxiao was even more anxious, while Fang Yuxiu shook her head at her.
"Since we know the world is unsafe everywhere, precautions must have already been taken," she said, "Let's quietly await little brother's safe return as hoped."
........
.........
Laughter echoed joyously from within the De Sheng Chang exchange firm in Ze Prefecture City.
Then a group of people emerged from the building.
"Has the Young Master finished settling everything?"
A man dressed as a wealthy merchant asked with a smile.
Fang Chengyu nodded with a smile.
"I trust Old Master Zhong's character," he said.
Manager Gao stood by, smiling and bowing.
"It's already been accounted for, and Old Master Zhong is plenty generous without any shortfall," he said respectfully and sincerely, "Thank you, Old Master Zhong, for trusting our De Sheng Chang."
Called Old Master Zhong, the man laughed heartily, looking indifferent.
"Money, no matter where it's kept, is the same. Even though they say De Sheng Chang has issues now, I still trust you. I'll put all my wealth with you," he said, "We'll all prosper together."
Fang Chengyu nodded with a smile.
"Prosper together," he said.
Old Master Zhong glanced at the sky.
"It's getting late, so I'll take my leave now," he said.
"I'll escort Old Master Zhong out of the city," Fang Chengyu replied.
As Fang Chengyu said this, Manager Gao looked somewhat anxious, signaling to the guards standing around.
But Old Master Zhong waved his hand to discourage it.
"No need, no need," he said, "I still have a relative to visit here today, I'm not leaving now. No need for the Young Master to see me off."
As he spoke, he laughed again.
"If the Young Master truly wishes to show courtesy, he can come see me off tomorrow instead."
Fang Chengyu nodded and agreed, and Manager Gao also breathed a sigh of relief. Together with Fang Chengyu, they escorted Old Master Zhong to the door, watching him leave in a carriage before turning back.
"It's been confirmed, Old Master Zhong indeed has relatives in the Prefecture," Manager Gao said in a low voice.
Fang Chengyu nodded.
"Then ask when he's leaving tomorrow," he said.
Manager Gao nodded in response.
"Tomorrow will be better for the Young Master to send him off," he said with some relief, "We'll be able to arrange and investigate in advance just to be safe."
Fang Chengyu smiled.
"Being cautious is always good," he said, "Fortunately, this time Old Master Zhong brought the money directly to our exchange firm. Otherwise, we would have had to rush around unfamiliar places."
Manager Gao nodded in agreement, relieved.
"That's right. With this money, our deficit can be covered," he said, "This trip, the Young Master's trouble has been worth it."
Fang Chengyu smiled.
"Indeed, if I didn't come, we wouldn't have gotten the money," he said.
The words seemed off somehow, yet made sense.
"Go, prepare for alert; even though we have the money now, we cannot relax our vigilance," Fang Chengyu said.
Manager Gao straightened his expression and nodded in acknowledgment.
"The Young Master has worked hard too; go rest quickly," he said, pointing ahead, "They've finished tidying up."
Fang Chengyu responded and strolled over.
Manager Gao watched as Fang Chengyu stood at the doorway, opened the door, and stepped inside before turning around.
"You, come with me..." he gestured to the guards, but before he could finish, a crashing sound came from behind him.
He turned around in shock, only to see thick smoke billowing from the room Fang Chengyu had entered, followed by a burst of flames.
Fire, fire...
Fire!
"Young Master!" Manager Gao's face twisted, his voice changing as he screamed, rushing toward the room quickly enveloped by flames.
The entire De Sheng Chang was in chaos.
The sudden rise of smoke and flames immediately caused chaos in the street as well.
In the carriage at the end of the street, Old Master Zhong lifted the curtain and looked back, allowing a mocking sneer to appear on his face.