Chapter 931: Chapter 929: Going to the Ministry of Works—Is That Right?
No wonder Zhang Cunhai was surprised. After the Emperor obtained the book of embezzlement accounts from the Ministry of Revenue, he was extremely angry, though he just looked extremely displeased and did not react like moments ago, when his angry shouts could be heard outside the Imperial Study Room.
He shouted twice consecutively, both directed at His Highness Prince Yu. Yet, look at His Highness Prince Yu walking out of the Imperial Study Room with poise. Aside from nothing seeming wrong, his drooping mouth corners and indignant eyes showed no sign of fear or remorse after being scolded by the Emperor.
Oh, the Emperor loudly told His Highness to roll out, so he just rolled out. Actually, nothing’s wrong, nothing at all.
Facing Zhang Cunhai’s surprise and inquiry, Jinrong’s mind was also on the matter of the Emperor telling him to roll out.
Damn it, it’s too embarrassing. The Emperor’s shout to roll out was quite loud; presumably, Zhang Cunhai heard it, which is why he is looking at him with that expression, right?
Jinrong, slightly embarrassed, gave Zhang Cunhai a smile, gesturing towards the door behind him, "Actually, my Imperial Father was just in a good mood, so he spoke loudly. Eunuch Zhang, you may go in to serve now."
Then, he pretended to dust his robe’s front flap and strode out of the palace.
Only then did Zhang Cunhai symbolically bow towards the departing figure of His Highness Prince Yu, his eyes filled with complexity. Is Your Highness really sure the Emperor is in a good mood? Why does it seem that after being scolded by His Majesty, His Highness is seeking allies?
Zhang Cunhai was troubled, wondering whether to go in as Jinrong’s ally now, or wait for the Emperor’s summons, and then test His Majesty’s mood.
Then he heard the Emperor’s voice from inside the room: "Zhang Cunhai, summon the Cabinet lords immediately for a discussion."
Indeed, His Highness is a sincere man, confirming that His Majesty is indeed in a good mood.
......
In the evening, Jiang Yifan returned home, and Ye Xinyan, who had been on pins and needles, quickly went up to him.
In Ye Xinyan’s view, what Jinrong, Jiang Yifan, and Zheng Pengfei were up to was tantamount to touching the Emperor’s reverse scale.
No matter how incompetent the Crown Prince is, he was personally chosen by the Emperor as the heir. To forcefully expose the Crown Prince’s sordid deeds before the Emperor without his knowledge doesn’t just topple the Crown Prince, it slaps the Emperor’s face, doesn’t it?
If the Emperor wanted to investigate the Crown Prince, it must be of his own volition. Doing such a thing without the Emperor’s consent is extremely risky, what if it sows discord between the Emperor and Jinrong, resulting in disaster?
The role Jiang Yifan played in this matter is obvious even if one uses their toes to think. Jiang Yifan is Jinrong’s close friend, and has served in the Ministry of Revenue for over two years. Before Hao Ruhai presented the accounts, he had close contact with Hao Ruhai. The role Jiang Yifan played in this matter is self-evident.
If they incited the Emperor’s wrath, Jinrong, being his son, has father-son affection and royal prestige to protect him. Zheng Pengfei can just walk away. Only Jiang Yifan, being out in the open, is the one Ye Xinyan worries about.
The only key to the whole matter is the status of Jinrong in the Emperor’s mind. If the Emperor is truly as Jiang Yifan described, wise and discerning, valuing and liking Jinrong’s character and integrity, then it would be a scare without danger.
Otherwise, the outcome is predictable.
When Jinrong and the others were planning, Ye Xinyan felt Jiang Yifan would be the one most disadvantaged in this matter. But this is about men’s ambition and aspirations, and it’s the best opportunity to topple the Crown Prince.
All she could do was provide what help she could and wait at home worrying, what else could she do?
Jiang Yifan’s everyday clothes had long been set aside. As soon as he entered, Ye Xinyan picked them up and handed them over, leading Jiang Yifan inside while asking softly, "Did everything go smoothly? His Majesty didn’t vent his anger on anyone, did he?" Hopefully not on you? You are the scapegoat in this matter, the one to be abandoned.
Usually, Jiang Yifan’s return signaled that maids and old woman servants were unnecessary in the house. The maids like Jiu Yu had already withdrawn completely.
Jiang Yifan embraced Ye Xinyan’s shoulder, taking her inside while saying with a smile, "It’s alright, the current Emperor does protect his beloved son but can discern priorities. Though what His Highness did upset His Majesty, it also means that the court’s longstanding ailments will be addressed. His Majesty’s longstanding troubling issue can now be treated, he’s quite pleased."
Jiang Yifan enjoyed the feeling of being alone with Ye Xinyan but did not quite comprehend why she kept maids and Song Ping’s household from knowing important matters.
Actually, avoiding personal attendants makes speaking and acting inconvenient. Like with Shi Yu, Hongzhi, and others who followed him and Jinrong, they know the masters’ affairs thoroughly. It makes things go smoothly, as if with ease.
But Ye Xinyan was adamant. The things Jiang Yifan is involved in are dangerous, and the fewer people who know, the better the security.
It’s good for these maids and old woman servants too. If Jinrong and Jiang Yifan failed, they would have more ways to retreat. When possible, there’s no need to drag more people into the danger.
Jiang Yifan changed clothes, wiped his face briefly with a cloth towel, and the two sat opposite each other on the couch.
Jiang Yifan took the tea cup Ye Xinyan handed over and continued, "...We claim the Crown Prince suffered a sudden heart attack, is unconscious, and is sent back to the Crown Prince’s Mansion to recuperate. Now, with grain, military supplies, and disaster relief funds being frequently allocated, it’s inadvisable to make big changes in the Ministry of Revenue..."
Jiang Yifan recounted to Ye Xinyan what he knew.
Is it truly so calm?
Ye Xinyan asked surprised, "You kept this from His Majesty, pushed the Crown Prince’s mess to this extent, does His Majesty not care?"
Even if the Emperor is magnanimous and indifferent to Jinrong and others disregarding his authority. However, the Crown Prince’s Mansion is not an ordinary place. Even if it’s on the outskirts of the royal palace, it’s still the royal palace, and thieves actually managed to invade and steal deeply hidden things...
An imperial son with such power and means, for an emperor, such behavior should be quite dangerous, no?
Jiang Yifan laughed and said, "His Majesty did make a few threatening remarks, but they were just words, and he let it go lightly."
Does the Emperor value Jinrong so much?
Surprised, Ye Xinyan asked, "And you? Are you still in a leisurely position in the Ministry of Revenue, free to ask leave from superiors anytime to roam about?"
Since the crisis is over, let’s talk about something lighter. Ye Xinyan is rather easygoing and enjoyed Jiang Yifan’s current situation very much. Whenever he doesn’t feel like going to work, he stays home or with his wife at the workplace. Always available, even without being called, there’s plenty of time to spend as a couple.
Jiang Yifan looked at Ye Xinyan smiling, appearing very happy.
Ye Xinyan was surprised, "Really letting you continue in a leisurely post? Can we take easy duties, and just muddle through life? Could it really be so nice?"
Jiang Yifan’s face instantly turned dark, what did Ah Yan mean? Does he seem like he has potentials to live off a woman?
Ye Xinyan sheepishly said, "Well, I just care for you, okay? It’s really good like this now; we have silver, and can still live prosperously."
Jiang Yifan, imitating Ye Xinyan’s manner, rolled his eyes exaggeratedly and ruffled her hair fiercely, "Is your husband such a useless person?"
"Hey? My hairstyle!" Ye Xinyan pushed Jiang Yifan’s hand away, "Did the court assign you a new position?"
Hmph! Men are so vain. Even the same official post, they’d rather go through hardship, striving for bigger, more power, than be leisurely.
"Hmm, to serve as a Secretary at the Ministry of Works; the Ministry of Personnel will issue the transfer documents in the next few days."
The Ministry of Works, isn’t it? Ye Xinyan silently repeated it twice, her heart all in alarm.
"Who suggested it? Was it His Highness’s suggestion?" Is this their plan to get at her?!