novelhk Chapter 152 Speculation
Chapter 152 Speculation
Chapter 152 Speculation
"I am not in a hurry to become an official."
Wang You smiled and said, "My elder brother is working in another city, and my younger brother is still young. There must be someone to take care of our parents."
"Too."
Upon hearing this, Feng Ping sighed and said, "After this trip home, I'm afraid I won't see my parents for the next few years."
Returning home in wealth and honor is like wearing brocade at night.
The imperial court was well aware of this, and newly appointed scholars were given several months of leave after being granted official positions.
Let them go home to reunite with their families and arrange household matters.
Therefore, Feng Ping will first return to his hometown before heading to Zhongmu County to take up his post before leaving Beijing.
"You've achieved top honors in the exams, bringing glory to your family. Your parents will be so proud of you."
Wang You comforted him, saying, "You can also bring your family with you when you take up your post. With your salary, supporting your family shouldn't be a problem."
"My parents probably can't bear to leave their hometown, and my younger siblings are still very young."
Feng Ping shook his head and said, "Let's not talk about that. Now that I've finally become an official, I can realize my ambitions."
Before, I was just an ordinary citizen. When I saw injustices, all I could do was complain a bit with my classmates; there was nothing I could actually do.
.
"I offer you a cup of tea instead of wine, hoping to meet you again; I have not forgotten my original intentions," Wang You said, raising his teacup.
He was willing to believe that most people entered officialdom with sincere hearts, hoping to become good officials.
However, very few of them are able to maintain their original aspirations and truly become good officials.
People in the arena involuntarily.
But Feng Ping was full of enthusiasm, and Wang You didn't want to discourage him.
"must!"
Feng Ping smiled, his eyes firm.
The two chatted for a while, and then the waiter brought out wine and dishes.
Just as the two were eating and talking, several middle-aged men entered the restaurant together and sat down at the table next to them.
One of them called over a waiter to order wine and dishes, then leaned forward with his arm draped over his shoulder and whispered, "Have you heard? Princess Jiacheng, daughter of the Prince of Yong, has taken a fancy to the young master of the Duke of Qi's mansion."
"The Duke of Qi's family is one of the few powerful and influential families in Bianjing. I heard that Princess Pingning is the adopted daughter of an official and grew up in the palace. Young Master Qi is humble, completely different from those other noble young masters. Isn't it normal for the county princess to take a liking to him?"
"That's right. Among the powerful and wealthy families in Bianjing, there aren't many who can match Princess Jiacheng."
The companions chimed in with their own opinions.
"If that's the case, then there's nothing to say. But I've also heard that the third daughter of the Rong family has taken a liking to Young Master Qi."
Rumors are circulating that the official family actually favored Prince Chong, and didn't want Prince Yong to marry into the Qi family, which is why the Rong family got involved.
"No way?"
Some people asked doubtfully, "Even if the Emperor doesn't make the Prince of Yong his heir, it won't have much of an impact if Princess Jiacheng marries into the Qi family, right?"
"How could you be so stupid? Princess Pingning is the Emperor's adopted daughter. If the Emperor really wants to establish the Prince of Yan as heir, how will the Prince of Yong fare in the future? Perhaps this matter will even implicate the Qi family. Naturally, the Emperor does not want to see this happen."
"That's impossible. The Prince of Yan only has one son, and he has no heirs to this day. There's no way the Emperor would choose him."
"What do you know? I've heard that Prince Chong's wives and concubines are several of them pregnant. Who knows if any of them will be sons?"
"That makes sense. The Emperor is delaying the appointment of an heir; perhaps he's waiting for the Prince of Yan's wives and concubines to give birth."
Although the group tried to keep their voices down, they inevitably raised them a little when they started arguing.
Wang You, who was standing nearby, heard everything clearly.
Upon hearing this news, his expression changed slightly. He was certain that Qi Heng hadn't gone to the polo club that day.
Unexpectedly, Princess Jiacheng still took a liking to Qi Heng, and the Rong family still got involved.
Is this just a coincidence, or is someone manipulating things?
Recalling Mo Lan and Liang Han's encounter at the polo match, he found it difficult to make a judgment for a moment.
"Ziqian, what's wrong?" Feng Ping asked.
"No—it's nothing."
Wang You snapped out of his reverie, shook his head, and said, "I was thinking about something else."
He became somewhat distracted after that, constantly paying attention to the conversation at the next table.
However, all I heard were people's guesses; there was no useful information at all.
After finishing their meal, Wang You and Feng Ping parted ways outside the restaurant. He immediately instructed Shi Tou to investigate the matter.
"Snapped!"
'
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Enraged, Prince Yong smashed his teacup and roared, "The Rong family is courting death!"
"Father, please calm down."
Zhao Sheng quickly advised, "The Rong family's situation might just be a coincidence; those rumors outside shouldn't be taken seriously."
"Even if it was just a coincidence, why didn't the Rong family stand up to clarify the rumors?"
"It's because the Rong family hasn't clarified things that this matter has escalated, putting me in a very passive position!"
The Prince of Yong said coldly, "Those officials who wanted to side with me are now hesitating again. These people are all opportunists; how can you persuade me to accept them?"
"But if you had accepted them, Father, how come we are in such a passive position now?" Zhao Sheng said.
He really had no way to deal with his father. He had previously advised his father to accept the officials who had switched allegiance from the Prince of Chong.
But the king disagreed. Before even sitting on the throne, he was already worrying about not having enough to go around.
Now, because of those rumors circulating outside, those who originally wanted to switch sides are now hesitant and observing again.
This shows that they believe the rumors circulating outside to some extent.
It's not really their fault; it's just that the government's attitude is really hard to fathom.
The emperor had previously kept some officials and nobles who supported the Prince of Yan in the palace, but later dismissed or stripped them of their titles.
He seemed to have chosen Prince Yong.
However, the emperor has been slow to establish an heir, and rumors circulate that he is waiting for the prince's wives and concubines to give birth, which is somewhat plausible.
"Are you lecturing me?"
The King of Yong glared angrily at Zhao Sheng.
"6
Zhao Sheng was speechless for a moment, but he knew that his father was angry, so he could only look at his sister.
At this point, only she could persuade her enraged father.
Princess Jiacheng ignored his gaze, instead holding a handkerchief and looking at the embroidery stitches on it.
Left with no other choice, Zhao Sheng could only mouth that he agreed to her conditions.
Why aren't you saying anything?
Seeing that he remained silent, the Prince of Yong scolded him, "Did I guess right?"
"Father!"
Emperor Jiacheng rose, sat down next to Prince Yong, patted his back, and smiled, saying, "Why are you angry with your elder brother? I think this matter is not simple; perhaps it was Prince Chong who sent people to do it."
"I also feel that he's involved!"
Upon hearing this, the Prince of Yong sneered, "When I ascend the throne in the future, he'll get what's coming to him!"
"Father, those are things for the future. Solving the immediate problem is the most important thing," said Princess Jiacheng.
"Um?"
Prince Yong's eyes lit up, and he said, "You have a way?"
"The solution is actually very simple."
Princess Jiacheng smiled and said, "My father is now going to the palace to see His Majesty. He requests that His Majesty bestow a marriage upon Miss Rong and Young Master Qi."
"No!"
Prince Yong quickly shook his head and said, "That was the husband your mother and I chose for you. How can we let someone else have him?"
Moreover, if word got out, people would think I was afraid of the Rong family.
"Father, although the young master of the Qi family is said to be very good, I don't like him and I don't want to marry him."
"
Princess Jiacheng angrily said, "If you insist on marrying off your daughter, then I will become a nun."
"What kind of nun are you? If you don't want to be one, does your father think he can force you?"
Prince Yong quickly comforted his daughter, saying, "Don't worry, I promised you that you can choose your own marriage. Your mother and I will never interfere."
"I don't believe it. Who knows if Father is lying to me? Unless you go to the palace and ask the Emperor to grant them a marriage, I will become a nun." Princess Jiacheng said, turning her head away as if she was angry.
"Okay, okay, I'll go right away."
Fearing that his daughter might actually insist on becoming a nun, the Prince of Yong quickly agreed.
"Guards, Father is going to the palace! Quickly prepare a carriage for him!"
Upon hearing this, the Princess of Jiacheng was overjoyed and immediately gave instructions.
Upon hearing this, the servant looked at Prince Yong, who said irritably, "Didn't you hear what Jia Cheng said? Go now!"
"yes!"
A servant immediately responded and left.
"Father, please go and change your clothes."
The magistrate of Jiacheng County pulled Prince Yong up and pushed him outside.
"Okay, okay, I'll go right away."
Prince Yong did want to appease Princess Jiacheng first, but since she had already made all the arrangements, he had no choice but to go.
Don't forget what you promised me.
Princess Jiacheng looked at Zhao Sheng and said, "If you're lying to me, big brother, I'm capable of anything."
"How could I dare to lie to you?" Zhao Sheng said with a wry smile.
He naturally understood his sister's personality; otherwise, he would have pretended to agree beforehand.
Princess Jiacheng is sometimes very reasonable. For example, when she asked him for help, she didn't force him to do it, but instead set conditions.
"Good to know."
Princess Jiacheng nodded in satisfaction and said, "After this incident, Father should have learned his lesson. Once this storm has passed, you can persuade him to accept those people again. Father will agree. If he doesn't agree, I will step in."
"I understand." Zhao Sheng nodded.
"Then I'll go back to my room first."
Princess Jiacheng rose, bowed, and walked outside.
Zhao Sheng watched his sister leave, feeling conflicted.
He agreed, but it won't be easy to accomplish this.
Men should marry when they are of age and women should marry when they are of age. How can he stop them from getting married when they have reached the right age?
Moreover, if Wang You finds out, it will ruin their friendship.
"It's actually true."
Wang You frowned slightly after hearing the news that Shi Tou had found out.
Someone saw a nanny from the Prince of Yong's residence visit the Qi family, and this morning, Rong Xian, the younger brother of Consort Rong and Marquis of Xingping, visited the Qi family with generous gifts.
Considering all of this, it's pretty much confirmed that both companies have their eyes on Qi Heng.
But there is still a big question mark surrounding this matter.
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That's why the Rong family dared to do that.
In the original drama, the Rong family was less competing with the Yong Prince's Mansion for Qi Heng, and more being used as a shield by the Qi family.
Princess Jiacheng and Rong Feiyan fell in love at first sight with Qi Heng at the polo field.
Then both families hinted at their intentions to the Qi family.
Before long, the news spread that Princess Jiacheng and Rong Feiyan were vying for Qi Heng's affections.
However, the Rong family's backer was Consort Rong, or more accurately, the Emperor.
Consort Rong was not the Empress; her high status was due to her being the Emperor's favorite concubine.
When the new emperor ascended the throne, those concubines were either forced to commit suicide, sent to guard the emperor's tomb, or shaved their heads to become nuns.
These three options were practically the fates of imperial concubines after the death of emperors throughout history.
Even if the Rong family were brainless, they wouldn't dare offend someone who could potentially become the crown prince.
Wang You thought that the Rong family would most likely give up the idea once they learned that the Princess of Jiacheng had taken a liking to Qi Heng.
But they didn't pay attention to the rumors circulating outside, since such things were impossible to explain.
However, on the Qi family's side, Qi Heng was making a scene because he wanted to marry Minglan, and even threatened to go on a hunger strike.
The Qi family dared not reveal the truth, nor did they dare to agree directly.
What if Qi Heng does something that would offend the Prince of Yong?
So they used the Rong family as an excuse to delay the matter.
When the Prince of Yong's mansion saw that the Rong family had not clarified the situation for a long time, they believed the Qi family's story, which led to the abduction of Rong Feiyan.
Otherwise, why did the Prince of Yong's mansion only target Rong Feiyan and not Minglan?
However, things have changed drastically, yet we've still ended up like this, which is clearly abnormal.
Could it be that Chong Wang is manipulating things?
He not only suspects the present situation, but also suspects that the King of Chong was manipulating things in the original drama.
If Prince Chong wanted to rebel, he could only follow Li Shimin's example and launch a palace coup.
The entire process of the Prince of Yan's actions was actually not significantly different from the Xuanwu Gate Incident.
Kill your opponent, then infiltrate the palace through an inside agent and take control of the entire palace.
The difference is that Prince Chong was not the son of the emperor, while Li Shimin was the son of Li Yuan.
After Li Shimin gained control of Li Yuan, he learned that his two sons had died, leaving him with only his legitimate son.
Despite his back pain, Li Yuan still chose to appoint Li Shimin as crown prince.
This wasn't just a matter of being forced into it; it was also a matter of having no other choice.
Li Yuan could have easily avoided issuing that decree. Although Li Shimin could still have ascended the throne, there would have been issues with the proper etiquette and laws.
And since he was Li Shimin's father, Li Shimin could not possibly kill him.
But the Emperor is different. Prince Chong is not his son, and even if he kills his rival, the Emperor is unwilling to pass the throne to him.
But Prince Chong didn't think that far ahead. Since he didn't have a large army, he could only follow Li Shimin's approach.
However, this method has a prerequisite: there must be an inside agent who can easily enter the palace and take control of it.
The most suitable candidate is Rong Xian.
Rongxian was one of the three deputy commanders of the Palace Guard, in charge of one-third of the Imperial Guards.
Secondly, Rongxian was different from other generals of the Imperial Guards; he received this assignment because his sister was a favored concubine.
However, once the emperor passes away, the Rong family will lose its current status, and there is a possibility that they will try to win him over.
Of course, that alone is not enough.
Rebellion could lead to the extermination of an entire clan, and the Rong family might not dare to take that risk.
But what if the Rong family offends Prince Yong?
Therefore, Prince Chong secretly orchestrated this matter. Although it was just a minor conflict, it would greatly increase the chances of persuading the Rong family by preserving their status.
Prince Yan probably didn't expect that Prince Yong's mansion would target Rong Feiyan.
If his guess is correct, then the current situation is most likely also Wang Qian's doing.
In other words, he originally thought that Qi Heng would marry Princess Jiacheng if he didn't have any romantic entanglement with Minglan, which actually made no sense.
The issue itself is not whether he will marry Princess Jiacheng, but rather what the Rong family thinks.