NFBE Chapter 391 The King of Qi's Appointment
Chapter 391 The King of Qi's Appointment
Huizhou and Shengjing are thousands of miles apart, so the news could not reach the capital in a short time.
Previous reports indicated that Yun Shang had temporarily stabilized the situation in Huizhou and was preparing to dredge the waterways to address the flooding.
Emperor Wenjing was overjoyed and immediately decided to reward the women of the Yun family first.
He specially dispatched the chief eunuch to personally deliver the gifts to the Yun residence to demonstrate the importance he placed on Yun Shang.
When the people of King Qi's faction learned of this news, they were immediately filled with impatience.
They had previously speculated about Yun Shang's initiative to go to Huizhou for disaster relief, and after much thought, all their speculations ultimately pointed to the same conclusion:
Prince Chen wanted Yun Shang to be promoted quickly and enter the central government in the shortest possible time.
The Ministry of Rites, where Yun Shang currently works, is not a crucial department and does not wield much real power.
At first, they didn't take Yun Shang seriously at all.
Unbeknownst to them, Yun Shang's reputation in Shengjing grew louder and louder.
Only then did they truly begin to value Yun Shang.
The floods in Huizhou are undoubtedly a golden opportunity for Yunshang.
If he successfully resolves the flood and makes a great contribution, Emperor Wenjing will surely promote him.
However, there are currently no vacant positions in the court, especially in the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Personnel, which are firmly controlled by the Qi King's faction. If Yun Shang is to be promoted, he will inevitably have to replace one of them.
They must take precautions.
Therefore, the people sent by the King of Qi rushed to the King of Qi's residence overnight to discuss countermeasures.
"Your Highness, if Yun Shang truly makes a great contribution, we will have one more formidable enemy in the court."
“Prince Chen really went to great lengths. He initially placed this person in the insignificant Ministry of Rites. We didn’t take this young lad seriously at the time and let him grow up until now. Now we’re watching him dare to snatch food from our mouths.”
"Your Highness, I will immediately arrange for a few trustworthy men to go to Huizhou and tamper with his dredging of the waterways, so that he will fail at the last minute."
"That's not appropriate. Solving the flood problem concerns the lives and deaths of many people. We can't tamper with such a matter."
"In my humble opinion, it would be better to first spread rumors in the court that Yun Shang embezzled funds and squandered relief supplies during the disaster relief period. When he returns, he will surely have to explain to the Emperor, and then we can join forces with other officials to impeach him..."
"Your Highness, I also have a plan..."
Everyone chimed in with their own opinions, arguing endlessly.
King Qi sat in the main seat, listening quietly without interrupting.
His fingers tapped rhythmically on the armrest, his eyes deep and unfathomable, making it impossible to know what he was thinking.
After everyone had finished discussing, King Qi smiled gently and said slowly, "What you gentlemen have said makes a lot of sense, but I have a better idea."
The murmurs of the crowd abruptly ceased, and they all looked at King Qi with puzzlement.
……
Yun Mansion.
Yun Shang would write back every few days to let her know he was safe. On this day, Yu Wan showed the letter she received to Shen Shi and Yun Xi.
Shen took the letter from Yu Wan, her hands trembling slightly. Her eyes eagerly scanned each word, and after reading it, her eyes reddened slightly. She couldn't help but keep murmuring, "It's good that you're safe, it's good that you're safe..."
It has been a month since Yun Shang left the capital, and it would be a lie to say that Madam Shen is not worried.
Yu Wan and Yun Xi both understood that Shen Shi usually pretended to be calm only because she didn't want everyone to worry.
The two exchanged a glance, and Yunxi took Shen's arm and said with a smile, "Mother, my brother said everything is fine. There has been some progress in the flood control in Huizhou, and I believe my brother will be able to return to the capital soon."
Yu Wan also smiled and said, "His Highness Prince Chen has also sent someone to say that Yun Shang will be able to return to the capital soon."
Although she knew there was an element of comfort in those words, Shen's tense expression still eased somewhat.
Yu Wan chatted with Madam Shen for a while. At this moment, Xi Zhu suddenly came in, walked quickly to Yu Wan's side, bent down slightly, and whispered a few words in Yu Wan's ear.
Upon seeing this, Shen Shi and Yun Xi stopped talking and looked at Yu Wan with curiosity.
Yu Wan showed no sign of anything amiss, her expression calm, and she said in her usual tone, "Okay, I understand."
Xizhu withdrew first, and Madam Shen couldn't help but ask, "Yu Niang, what happened?"
She knew Xizhu's personality; she wouldn't act this way unless it was something important.
Yu Wan smiled and shook her head. "It's nothing, it's just that Miss Xiao Er wanted to meet me."
Upon hearing this, Madam Shen did not doubt it and nodded with a smile, saying, "So it is Miss Xiao the Second. She is a kind-hearted person."
Madam Shen knew that Xiao Huanyan had contributed a lot to the matter at the Prince Yong's residence.
“Mother-in-law, Miss Xiao has asked me to meet at noon. I’ll go downstairs to get ready first,” Yu Wan said, getting up.
Madam Shen said, "Alright, go ahead. Take two extra guards with you and be careful."
Yu Wan smiled and agreed.
She went back inside to change her clothes, but when she left the manor, she saw Yunxi standing outside the carriage, seemingly waiting for her.
Yu Wan looked at her, hesitated for a moment, and then walked over.
"Why is Sister Xi out here?"
Yunxi stared intently at Yu Wan, her expression somewhat grave. "Sister-in-law, the person who asked you to meet wasn't Miss Xiao the Second, was it?"
A hint of surprise flashed in Yu Wan's eyes.
She truly hadn't expected Yunxi to be so perceptive.
As expected of the male lead's sister.
Yu Wan didn't intend to tell her, so she pretended not to understand, "Why do you say that? Who else could it be but Miss Xiao Er?"
Yunxi gently bit her lower lip and hesitated before saying, "Xizhu is a maid that my sister-in-law brought from the Duke of Anguo's mansion. She is always very tactful and will not disturb us when we are talking unless it is something extremely important."
"Besides, Miss Xiao hasn't asked her sister-in-law to meet for a long time, so how could she suddenly ask her to meet again?"
Yunxi is too perceptive.
Such people are also prone to overthinking.
Yu Wan was worried that her overthinking would harm her health, so she could only sigh softly, "Xi-jie, I can tell you, but you can't tell anyone else."
Yunxi knew that the person Yu Wan was referring to was the Shen family, and nodded solemnly.
Yu Wan approached her and whispered a few words in her ear.
A look of shock slowly appeared in Yunxi's eyes.
She instinctively gripped Yu Wan's hand tightly and couldn't help but say, "No, sister-in-law, you can't go."
Yu Wan said in a low voice, "Yunxi, the Prince of Qi wants to see me, and I can't refuse."
The King of Qi still sent someone to invite her. If she refuses, who knows what tricks he might use.
Rather than being forced, it's better to take the initiative to meet them.
Yunxi clenched her fists tighter and tighter, her knuckles turning white from the force, her eyes filled with anxiety and worry: "Sister-in-law, Prince Qi and Prince Yong are in cahoots. Most of what Prince Yong has done may have been instigated by him. He definitely didn't have good intentions in meeting you!"
"King Yong is now scheming against your brother, who knows what King Qi will do to you?"
Yu Wan gently patted Yun Xi's hand, "It's alright, what could he do in public?"
Yunxi's eyes were full of worry: "But... I still feel this is not right. Should we tell His Highness Prince Chen and ask him to come up with a solution?"
Yu Wan shook her head: "I still don't know why Prince Qi asked me to meet. Asking Prince Chen for help now will be useless."
Yunxi wanted to persuade her again, but Yu Wan interrupted her: "Sister Xi, don't worry, I will be careful. Even if Prince Qi wants to do something, he will definitely do it in the dark, not in the open."
"If he dares to make a move openly, wouldn't that be turning against the Duke of Anguo's mansion?"
"King Qi is a cautious man and would never do such a thing."