bestfiction Chapter 187 Small-minded
Chapter 187 Small-minded
When the Prince of Cheng's daughter died, someone naturally reported it to the court. As a benevolent ruler, the Emperor did not order the death of Xie Lingxian and her daughter. Who poisoned them? That needs to be investigated.
The matter was simple and easy to investigate, and eventually it led back to the Xie family.
However, Prince Chun advised against punishing the Xie family, saying, "The Xie family is only doing this to show their loyalty. Actually, it's for the best. Even if it's a daughter, she might become a troublesome person when she grows up. Right now, there's only Princess Cheng, a woman who can't amount to much. The Xie family is also a prestigious clan. If Father Emperor leaves the Xie family a way out, we might be able to gain the support of more aristocratic families."
"If I don't punish the Xie family, will others have objections?" the Emperor was still worried.
“Naturally, we need to find someone to take the place and give a plausible explanation,” said Prince Chun. “The court officials are all more or less connected to the imperial uncles, and they are all afraid that you will purge them in order to eliminate dissidents. But since we have even shown leniency to the Xie family, they can rest assured. Father, you have only recently ascended the throne, and stabilizing the court is the most important thing. If the noble families are in a state of panic, the world will not be at peace.”
After careful consideration, the Emperor agreed with Prince Chun's statement and held Prince Chun in higher regard, as he had not expected his son to have such abilities.
The palace used a cook from Prince Cheng's residence as a scapegoat, and the noble families breathed a sigh of relief when they saw the emperor do this.
As for Xie Boming, he won the gamble.
If taking a risky tactic results in a positive outcome, then there's nothing wrong with it.
It's a pity that Xie Lingxian didn't die, but it's enough; it's enough to let the Emperor know the Xie family's stance.
It just so happens that he needs to observe the mourning period for his father, so he will lie low for two years. When he re-enters officialdom, that will be the time for him to shine.
As for his father, Xie Bohuai died on the same day that Old Master Xie closed his eyes.
Xie Boming longed for Xie Bohuai to die.
Meanwhile, Xie Bohuai had already met Ye Mingyue. Xie Bohuai told Ye Mingyue to return to the capital first, "Just pretend you've never seen me, and you don't know that Minister Zhou is still alive. Don't say anything."
"You want to see who will take this opportunity to kick you while you're down?" Ye Mingyue quickly understood Xie Bohuai's meaning.
Xie Bohuai said yes.
"Have you spoken to Wan Ning?" Ye Mingyue asked anxiously when Xie Bohuai shook his head. "What if she does something rash in her haste if you don't tell Wan Ning?"
Xie Bohuai frowned slightly. "Wanning and I have been spending some time together, and I believe she can understand my arrangements."
Intuitively, Xie Bohuai chose to believe Ye Wanning.
Ye Mingyue didn't quite understand Xie Bohuai, but since Xie Bohuai had said so, he still agreed, "You will see the Crown Prince soon, and I will detour back to the capital. It's good that you're alright, otherwise I wouldn't know how to save Wan Ning. Xie Bohuai, can you please stop putting yourself in danger? You have a family now, and you're no longer someone who only needs to feed yourself!"
Qingshan, standing to the side, wanted to say that his master had already toned it down a lot. If it were before, his master would have let those people kill Minister Zhou, since Minister Zhou had disobeyed and secretly run away. In the past, his master wouldn't have cared about what he would face after returning to the capital, because with his master's power, no one would dare to do anything to him.
But Si Yan had anticipated that Qingshan might interrupt, so she deliberately tugged at Qingshan's hand and mouthed the words "Shut up."
Qingshan was unconvinced, but Si Yan told him to shut up, and there must be a reason why Si Yan told him to. He listened to Si Yan to avoid being punished by his master later.
“I know, Second Brother,” Xie Bohuai said.
The sudden address of "Second Brother" made Ye Mingyue feel very uncomfortable.
Does this mean you've given in to him?
Ye Mingyue was at a loss for words. "Alright, I'll go back first. Just keep that in mind."
Fearing further changes in the capital, Ye Mingyue hurried back on horseback.
When he returned to the capital, he didn't tell anyone, for fear of disrupting Xie Bohuai's plans.
Four days later, the Crown Prince and his entourage returned. Many people, upon learning that the Crown Prince had brought Xie Bohuai back, assumed that Xie Bohuai would be imprisoned in a prison cart. However, they saw Xie Bohuai riding into the city, and many wondered what was going on.
As they entered the palace, some ministers at the palace gate saw Xie Bohuai and all frowned.
Xie Bohuai dismounted and walked towards the crowd. "What's wrong, gentlemen? In broad daylight, do you think you've seen a ghost?"
"Xie Bohuai, you... how come you're alright?" one of the bolder ones asked.
"Of course I'm fine. I've worked so hard for the country and the people. Lord Cao, you're really hurting me by wishing me ill."
Cao Xiongliang, who was called upon, couldn't respond to Xie Bohuai's words for a moment, so he turned his head away and stopped the conversation.
At this moment, Minister Zhou was helped down from the carriage, and everyone was stunned.
Someone asked, "Minister Zhou, are you still alive?"
"Nonsense! If I weren't alive, would you even be able to see me now?" Ever since Xie Bohuai saved him, Minister Zhou had been subjected to Xie Bohuai's sarcastic remarks every day. However, he was in the wrong and couldn't argue with Xie Bohuai, so he was seething with anger and was about to curse. "What are you all looking at? I can live for at least another twenty years. I'm still alive. You've really disappointed me!"
Faced with Minister Zhou, no one dared to say another word.
The Crown Prince stepped in to smooth things over, saying, "It's all a misunderstanding. Old Master Zhou and the others went through too many hardships in Huaizhou, which caused unnecessary misunderstandings. Fortunately, they are all alright. Everyone, please go about your business. I still need to see my father."
Since the Crown Prince had spoken, everyone was still very respectful. However, everyone was curious about what had happened, since Minister Zhou's servant had said that Minister Zhou was dead, killed by Xie Bohuai, and that both Xie Bohuai and Minister Zhou were now perfectly fine, which made everyone very curious.
Xie Bohuai glanced at the crowd and followed the Crown Prince into the palace.
Minister Zhou had been traveling for a long time and was exhausted. The Crown Prince suggested that Minister Zhou ride in a sedan chair, but Minister Zhou disagreed, saying, "You are walking all the time, how dare this old minister ride in a sedan chair? It's just a short walk, this old minister can manage."
"Yes, Your Highness, Minister Zhou can climb mountains and run. From the palace gate to Renzheng Hall, there are only a few more steps, but it's much easier than a mountain road. You don't need to worry about him," Xie Bohuai suddenly mocked.
Minister Zhou was so angry that his face turned red. "Xie Bohuai, do you have to be so petty?"
"As for it, if you hadn't run away, would I have been wronged? Haven't you heard that the Emperor ordered the Xie residence to be surrounded? If my wife and children had been frightened to death, how could I have survived alone?" When Xie Bohuai said this, the Crown Prince in front of him suddenly paused before continuing to walk forward.
He didn't just say that to anger Minister Zhou.