Chapter 1647: Chapter 1647: The Purpose
Zhulan arrived at the second wife’s courtyard, only to see Lady Zhao flipping through fabrics, discussing making autumn clothes. Zhulan asked, “Yu Die hasn’t returned?”
Lady Zhao was puzzled, “Mother, Yu Die went to the temple with Lady Gu, didn’t she?”
Zhulan looked at Qing Xue, who turned around and went outside, saying to Lady Zhao, “Yu Die has returned. I waited for her at the main courtyard and, when she didn’t show, I came to check.”
Lady Zhao became anxious, “How could she have returned?”
Qing Xue quickly returned, “The Third Miss is at the Fifth Miss’s courtyard.”
Zhulan and Lady Zhao went to Yu Wen’s courtyard, only to see Yu Die eating snacks and drinking fruit tea, smiling brightly. The two of them breathed a sigh of relief, she didn’t seem to be in distress.
Zhulan gestured for her two granddaughters to sit down and seated herself on the chair brought over by a servant. She looked at Yu Die, “Why did you suddenly come back, young lady?”
Yu Die understood the reason for her grandmother and mother coming over and felt guilty, “Granddaughter knows her mistake, I should have explained the reason for my return to you.”
Zhulan, “Now you can tell me why.”
Yu Die glanced at Yu Wen before speaking, “On the way out of the city, two carriages collided. Aunt felt it was an ill omen and decided today wasn’t a good day to go to the temple, so she changed it to three days later. Originally, she invited me to visit the Liu residence, and I was going to agree, but then I saw Mr. Gu getting off one of the collided carriages. I declined her invitation and returned.”
Lady Zhao breathed a sigh of relief, glad her daughter was fine.
Zhulan raised her eyebrows, “Carriage collision?”
Yu Die glanced again at Yu Wen, “I saw Gu Sheng, so I looked again and noticed a lady get off the other carriage, appearing anxious enough to evoke a man’s protective instincts.”
Lady Zhao also looked at her niece, who quietly listened without any extra reaction.
Zhulan too looked at Yu Wen, asking Yu Die, “Do you know which family’s lady it is?”
Yu Die retorted, “Grandmother, do you think it’s a coincidence?”
Lady Zhao, “Is it a coincidence? We can ask whose lady it is to find out.”
Yu Wen smiled, “I’ve already sent someone to investigate.”
Yu Die was dumbfounded, “I’ve been with you all along, how did you send someone out?”
Yu Wen was silent, “You’ve not noticed my other main servant wasn’t present?”
Yu Die searched around, and indeed, couldn’t find her, “!!”
The information was easy to gather—it was the illegitimate daughter of Scholar Zhang’s family who had been involved in the accident, reportedly going to the temple for incense.
Yu Wen sneered, “The Zhang family went to considerable lengths for this prospective son-in-law.”
Yu Die asked, “It should be Miss Zhang who planned it, right?”
An illegitimate daughter having a chance to marry a promising Third-rank Scholar is indeed a rare and advantageous match.
Yu Wen said faintly, “Miss Zhang’s planning is there, but also Zhang family’s planning; otherwise, how could an illegitimate daughter easily leave the residence.”
A legitimate daughter can easily leave the residence, but it’s hard for an illegitimate daughter to do so. An illegitimate son can plan for his future, like Sixth Young Master of the Wen family who became a model, whereas an illegitimate daughter’s future is only tied to marriage.
Yu Die, “Mr. Gu is quite upright, surely he won’t fall for such schemes.”
Yu Wen, “If he doesn’t marry soon, he will encounter various ‘coincidences.’ As for falling for such schemes, he won’t.”
Gu Sheng had suffered scheming in the capital before, learning from setbacks is pretty good.
The next day, at the Hanlin Academy, Gu Sheng clearly noticed Master Zhou glancing at him several times, leaving Gu Sheng puzzled, “Master, what are you looking at?”
Chang Zhi, “I heard you were involved with Miss Zhang’s carriage collision. Is this leading to good news?”
Gu Sheng pursed his lips; yesterday, Miss Zhang looked frightened, repeatedly approaching him, but he wasn’t foolish, “The one who was hit was me.”
Chang Zhi heard the accused tone, “…”
Gu Sheng bowed his head, “She even made me late.”
Chang Zhi, “!!”
Gu Sheng, “So there’s nothing leading to good news; yesterday I merely claimed the compensation of the silver coin for the carriage.”
Chang Zhi reached out and patted Gu Sheng’s shoulder, “Be careful when going out in the future.”
After Master Zhou left, Gu Sheng was dazed, he described the fact, but also with some small intentions, his heart pounded—could he indulge in a little fantasy?
Chang Zhi’s expression showed amusement, clucking in realization that something had been noticed.
Within the Palace, Zhou Shuren and several ministers waited in the government hall study. Outside the government hall knelt the Second Prince, and Zhou Shuren calculated the time—it had been close to two hours; he couldn’t even kneel for fifteen minutes!
All the ministers exchanged glances; whatever the Emperor wanted to investigate would inevitably come to light, with the Second Prince kneeling outside, their minds had the answer.
The Emperor, “Do you have any opinions, dear ministers?”
Everyone shook their heads—military camp reforms had been discussed for numerous days, now reaching the most refined version.
Zhou Shuren was the happiest; although he couldn’t meddle in the military matters, he knew the issues but was unable to voice them until the Navy matters pushed the Emperor toward reform. He seized the chance to suggest two opinions and remained silent thereafter.
The Emperor was in a good mood; ministers left one by one, exiting the door to see the Second Prince pale, his body trembled in his bowed kneeling form.
Zhou Shuren looked over several times; this wasn’t a ploy, but genuine fear.
The ministers bowed their heads and left; the Crown Prince didn’t follow Zhou Shuren to the Ministry of Revenue, as they left the Emperor to deal with the Second Prince.
The following day, the Emperor’s resolution was swift and harsh. The Emperor stripped Liu Elder’s son of his official position and dismissed several officials of the Liu family. Elder Liu also submitted his resignation, preserving last bits of dignity.
This hit on the Liu family was significant; without the Elder providing court support, even with the Second Prince present, their influence was greatly weakened—and it was just the start, as many in the capital won’t miss a chance to add insult to injury.
Soon followed the news of Elder Liu falling ill.
Zhou Shuren heard the news and asked the Crown Prince specifically, “Is Elder Liu truly ill?”
The Crown Prince was surprised by Marquis Zhou’s concern but confirmed, “He indeed fell ill.”
Zhou Shuren, “The elder dare not die.”
If the elder died, those with official positions in the Liu family would enter mourning, making a return difficult.
The Crown Prince coughed slightly, “Elder Liu isn’t in serious condition; the rumors outside are exaggerated.”
Zhou Shuren, “Oh.”
The Crown Prince pondered, “Second Brother’s recommended person at the Ministry of Rites went to the Ministry of Works.”
Zhou Shuren had already heard from Chang Yi. Chang Yi said the one dividing power was the Emperor’s man, leaving the Second Prince too battered, hence too hasty.
That day, the earlier arranged date for Yu Die and Lady Gu arrived, early on Liu family’s carriage arrived, this time with Second Young Master Liu.
Lady Zhao exchanged letters with Lady Gu, agreeing she’d also go along, bringing Yu Wen.
Lady Gu and Lady Zhao sat together in a carriage, chatting amiably about the capital’s gossip.
Yu Die and Yu Wen sat together, Yu Die skeptically asked, “It’s unusual for you, unexpectedly going out to the temple.”
Yu Wen, “I’m going to accompany you.”
Yu Die chuckled, “Now tell me your real reason.”
Yu Wen chuckled lightly, “Third Sister, you’re breaking my heart. I’m truly accompanying you.”
Yu Die didn’t believe it; after witnessing Yu Wen’s tactics recently, she didn’t trust a word, “Are you going to tell me or not?”
Yu Wen smiled, “Third Sister, you can try guessing!”