Chapter 652 - Qiao Zheng, the Opportunis
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The next day.
Ji Yunshu and the others were all ready to depart to the capital. Wen Panshi was there to bid them farewell. He bowed at Ji Yunshu. “Little Heir, we will be waiting for your news.”
Once you find out that the emperor is behind the ‘Lin Capital Case’, with one word from you, we will bring our great army to blitz the Capital. We will do anything to achieve our goal, even if it will turn into a bloodbath.
Of course, he did not say his thoughts out loud.
Ji Yunshu responded with just a silent bow.
Madame Wen had also come to send them off. She placed a box of freshly-made pastries in Ji Yunshu's hands as she stared at Ji Yunshu with teary eyes. “Little Heir, these are your favourite pastries. Please enjoy them on your journey.”
“Thanks.”
“I hope that you will not hold a grudge for what happened the last time. I only had good intentions for putting drugs inside the pastries.” Guilt was written all over Madame Wen's face.
Ji Yunshu had never been bothered by that incident. She shook her head, “I can understand why Madame Wen had to do that.”
“Little Heir, you must take care of yourself on this trip to the capital. Wen Xian and Zhao Huai will follow and protect you on your journey. If anything happens or you require assistance, let them know. They will send the message back to Yufu.”
“Alright.” They exchanged pleasantries for a while more.
At that moment, Qiao Zheng arrived. He pulled Jing Rong to one side before he greeted the prince with his cupped hands.
Jing Rong was puzzled. “Is Lord Qiao here to send this prince off too?”
“Yes, and no.” Qiao Zheng cut to the chase and asked, “Your Highness, are you going back to the capital now under the Emperor's order?”
“Yes.”
“A secret decree?”
This old man was rather quick-witted and guessed rightly on the first try. Jing Rong had no intention of lying to him either. “Since Lord Qiao has already found out about it, why are you asking this prince?”
“Actually, this humble official is here to deliver a friendly reminder to Your Highness.”
“A reminder?” Jing Rong stared at him, thinking how ridiculous Qiao Zheng sounded, “Please enlighten me.”
Wearing a serious expression, Qiao Zheng explained, “When Your Highness arrives at the capital, you'll definitely be caught in the struggle between factions. But since Prince Yi has all the officials on his side, Your Highness’ return to the capital is as dangerous as entering a tiger's den. This humble official is here to remind Your Highness to make preparations in advance.”
“Please continue.”
“Since Your Highness has decided to return to the capital, you have naturally decided to fight against Prince Yi. However, Prince Yi has the Ji brothers’ support and their military power while Your Highness has nothing but your own guards,” Qiao Zheng expressed his concern.
That advice should not have come from a retired official like Qiao Zheng, but he no longer held any scruples about what should or should not be said.
Jing Rong did not appear surprised. He shot Qiao Zheng a cold-eyed stare, and replied in a chilling tone, “Based on Lord Qiao's words, I reckon you want to join my faction?”
Qiao Zheng bowed again. “If Your Highness is willing to work with me, this humble official will swear fealty and spare no effort for Your Highness till the day I die.”
Well, this opportunist works pretty fast! Jing Rong didn’t care for it. He turned his eyes away from Qiao Zheng and lifted his chin in challenge, “Right now, Prince Yi has more power than this prince. Isn't it a bit too early for Lord Qiao to pick a side? Do you not want to think this through?”
Qiao Zheng replied, “Just as this humble official had previously said, after many years at the royal court, this humble one understands how to read the current political situation and how formidable these politics can be. Prince Yi was simply too impulsive and the situation will turn on him sooner or later. This humble one resigned from my position in an attempt to avoid being caught up in the dispute. Judging from the current situation, it proves that this humble official's worry was not groundless.
“Although the ministers seem to be supporting Prince Yi as the crown prince, they really are forcing the Emperor to act. Prince Rong should also understand the Emperor’s character well. The Emperor hates it the most when one acts beyond their authority or on unfounded power. So what if Prince Yi was practically a shoe-in for the position of the crown prince? Once he had crossed those two boundaries, the Emperor would surely punish him in some way or another. Otherwise, the Emperor wouldn't have sent a secret decree to urgently summon Your Highness back to the capital.”
A wily old fox indeed! Teacher Luo Chongyang’s students were certainly extraordinary! Jing Rong's facial expression froze before he heaved a sigh. “Lord Qiao’s resignation is the imperial court's loss.”
“If Your Highness has decided to fight with Prince Yi, then… you'll have to plan quickly.”
“Why do you think that this prince is going to fight Prince Yi?”
“Otherwise, Your Highness will not return to the capital.”
Jing Rong was taken aback by his statement.
Qiao Zheng was truly a sly old man. He had clearly understood the political situation in court inside and out. Thus, he retired from his position and got himself a perfect excuse to stay out of the political drama. How masterful! But someone like this was not to be trifled with.
Since he had offered his services and joined Jing Rong’s faction voluntarily, Jing Rong flashed a smile, and said, “Alright. This prince will accept this cup of wine.” I'll let you stand here, since you are asking for it.
Qiao Zheng was put at ease by Jing Rong's words. He quickly asked, “Then, what's Your Highness’ plan?”
“Lord Qiao doesn't have to worry about it.” Jing Rong still did not trust Qiao Zheng completely. “This prince will let Lord Qiao know when I need you.”
“Of course. Then, this humble official will do my best to complete my task.”
He was the picture of a loyal servant. Or rather…a treacherous servant!
Lang Po approached Jing Rong and reminded him, “Your Highness, it's about time for us to leave.”
Jing Rong nodded in acknowledgement.
Qiao Zheng bowed. “Have a safe journey, Your Highness.”
The group then hopped in the carriage.
As the carriages slowly moved forward, Wen Xian and Zhao Huai followed closely behind, maintaining a certain distance from the others. When the carriages sped up, they accelerated; when the carriages slowed down, they slowed as well.
Before long, they left Yufu County.
Since the moment they got into the carriage, she had noticed how tense and preoccupied Jing Rong was. Although she was not a nosy person, she could not help but ask, “What did Lord Qiao say to you?”
Jing Rong answered, “He gave me some words of advice.”
“Advice?” Ji Yunshu was confused, and decided to press on, “But I think that's not what's bothering you. You must have some other concerns, right?”
Wow! Jing Rong was shocked by Ji Yunshu's statement, and he unconsciously raised the corner of his lips. “I really can't hide anything from you.”
“What happened?”
He paused momentarily before he replied, “I'm thinking about the nomination of Prince Yi as the crown prince.”
“This is what bothers you?”
He knitted his brows together. “Jing Yi is not a fool. He has just married the daughter of the Ji Family, and gained the protection of the Ji brothers. There is no way he would persuade the ministers to nominate him in such a hurry. Moreover, the Ministry of Personnel censured this prince at the same time as the assassins were sent to the Supreme Court. All the evidence pointed at Jing Yi. He is a smart man, and will definitely not make a silly mistake like this.
“According to Lord Qiao, Peng Yuanhai, the Minister of Personnel, only submitted the censure to exert revenge for First Imperial Brother and entrap Jing Yi. But on further thought, he's only a newly-appointed minister. Where would he get the guts to censure a prince or entrap a prince? This incident further confirms my suspicions. I'm certain that there's a mastermind behind this, and the man is powerful enough to influence the decisions of both the Ministry of Personnel and the imperial court.”
Jing Rong’s doubt snowballed as he spoke. He could not work out who was the mastermind behind this. Aside from the Emperor and Jing Yi, who else had the ability to create such large waves in court now?