Chapter 187: Truly Difficult

Chapter 187: Truly Difficult

After the Second Prince left, the Emperor sat behind his desk, bowed his head, and pondered for a moment before saying, "Revoke Wu Guoliang's official position, and forbid his family from participating in the imperial examinations for two generations. Draft the edict."

"Yes."

Jiao Kangsheng hurriedly stepped out and went to where the cabinet ministers were handling affairs. Upon entering, he saw Qi Liangsheng and another cabinet official there.

He approached, gave a formal bow, and said, "Gentlemen, His Majesty has decreed that Wu Guoliang be stripped of his official rank. His descendants for two generations are barred from participating in the imperial examinations. His Majesty requests that you draft the imperial edict."

One of the cabinet's responsibilities was to assist the Emperor in drafting edicts or documents.

Qi Liangsheng, recalling Wu Guoliang's daughter who was once engaged to Xiao Yuchen, asked, "Has something happened?"

Jiao Kangsheng did not hide the facts, recounting the foolish act committed by the Second Prince. Such a matter couldn't be concealed; sooner or later, it would be known. By speaking now, he was also doing Qi Liangsheng a favor.

"Very well, I shall draft the imperial edict at once, Eunuch," Qi Liangsheng said.

He took out a blank edict and pondered for a moment before writing upon it. Once finished, he handed it over to Jiao Kangsheng. The edict would only come into effect after being sealed with the Emperor’s jade seal.

After his departure, another cabinet minister, with a face that spoke volumes, said to Qi Liangsheng, "Why is the Second Prince so fixated on the Yongning Marquisate?"

"Who knows," Qi Liangsheng replied verbally while inwardly, he began to worry about Tang Shuyi.

Although the incident was the Second Prince's fault, no parent is without bias for their child. The Emperor’s treatment of Wu Guoliang made this clear. Qi feared that the Emperor might harbor resentment towards the Yongning Marquisate as well.

At this moment, the Emperor, with the imperial jade seal in hand, stamped the edict and handed it to Jiao Kangsheng to be promulgated. Leaning back in his chair, he squinted into the distance.

Xiao Huai had died on the battlefield. Out of consideration for Xiao Huai’s reputation in the northwestern army, he had not allowed Xiao Yuchen to immediately inherit the title, indeed owing a debt to the Yongning Marquisate. However, the Marquisate had not shown much consideration for his dignity either.

Li Jingming was his son. Though foolish and impulsive in his actions, the Yongning Marquisate couldn't keep making a fool out of him!

But now, he couldn't do anything to the Yongning Marquisate. Dissecting the incidents one by one, they were all his foolish son's fault. And as a wise ruler, he couldn't punish them just because they didn't give him face.

A frustration was building inside him, itching to be released but finding no outlet.

Looking at the pile of memorials on his desk, he suddenly felt a wave of weakness. He questioned himself: was the throne, for which he had schemed and fought ruthlessly, truly worth it?

He thought of his sixth brother, who had lived a life of leisure and luxury before his death. Had he realized that being an emperor wasn’t as great as it seemed and thus given up the struggle?

Turning his head, he noticed a map hanging on the wall. It was placed there by his predecessor, clearly marking his grand ambitions—to reclaim the Kingdom of Rouli.

On his deathbed, the former Emperor grasped his hand and said, "Fulfill my wish, and you will be a great emperor."

After ascending the throne, he never forgot his predecessor's last wish. He believed he could fulfill it, especially with Xiao Huai around; he was confident that one day Xiao Huai could lead his troops straight into Rouli. But never had he anticipated Xiao Huai’s death in battle.

The news of Xiao Huai and his sixth brother’s demise was so shocking that he fainted. The tears he shed later were real, mourning not only Xiao Huai but also the lost hope of reclaiming Rouli.

He considered transferring Xiang Tianhe to the northwestern army, but Xiang Tianhe had already established considerable influence in the southern border. If he were to build similar influence in the northwest, he could potentially command half of the Great Qian Dynasty's military force.

This was absolutely unacceptable.

The Emperor felt genuinely beleaguered.

………

The Second Prince was confined to his residence, a fact that quickly became common knowledge throughout the capital. Officially termed 'confinement', it was essentially house arrest, with imperial guards encircling the prince's mansion.

Wu Guoliang's dismissal from office and the prohibition against his family participating in the imperial examinations for two generations became the talk of the town. Such a ban could potentially sever a family's path to officialdom.

Tang Shuyi, upon hearing these two pieces of news, felt no surprise. They aligned with her expectations. As the emperor's son, the Second Prince would not face execution unless he committed treason.

The current emperor, despite his limited vision and cautious actions, was no fool. He wouldn't execute his son over mere suspicion of rebellion, nor would he target the Marquis of Yongning without solid evidence.

Truth be told, Tang Shuyi had no desire to antagonize the Second Prince or provoke the emperor. But with the prince relentlessly pursuing them, they had to defend themselves or face certain doom.

"Let's keep a low profile from now on," Tang Shuyi advised Xiao Yuming and Xiao Yuzhu.

It's natural for a father to be displeased after his son has been beaten.

Both Xiao Yuzhu and Xiao Yuming understood the gravity of the situation and nodded in agreement. Xiao Yuming even added, "We must find an opportunity to eliminate the Second Prince."

Tang Shuyi acknowledged with a hum, "But we must not act rashly."

Assassinating a prince required flawless execution; the slightest slip-up could lead to the decimation of nine kinship groups.

"Tomorrow, the representatives from the Guan and Lu families will arrive. Once they meet with Xiao Yiyuan, his identity should be confirmed," Tang Shuyi stated. "Once confirmed, treat him as a cousin. As for the rest, we'll discuss it after meeting his family."

Mutual support and benefit was what Tang Shuyi hoped to see, but it would depend on Xiao Yiyuan and his family's actions. For now, Xiao Yiyuan seemed astute, aware of his desires and limitations, but only time would reveal the true dynamics.

Xiao Yuming and Xiao Yuzhu also grasped this concept. They harbored no ill will towards Xiao Yiyuan and were capable of peaceful coexistence.

The following day, Tang Shuyi, having excused Xiao Yuming from his military duties, accompanied him and Xiao Yuzhu to the front courtyard hall. Upon arrival, they found Xiao Yiyuan and Xiao Yisheng waiting in the yard.

Tang Shuyi greeted them with a smile, "Are you finding your accommodations comfortable?"

Xiao Yiyuan promptly responded with a bow, "Very much so, thank you for your gracious hospitality, Madam."

Xiao Yisheng appeared reserved, as if wanting to say something but couldn't find the words. Eventually, he chose silence and simply stood by Xiao Yiyuan's side. Inside the hall, Tang Shuyi engaged them in conversation, primarily asking questions while Xiao Yiyuan responded.

Having recently annotated texts for Li Jingyi, Tang Shuyi had immersed herself in the Classics. Aware of Xiao Yiyuan's scholarly proficiency, she discussed various topics with him and concluded internally that he wasn't significantly superior to Xiao Yuxin.

But then again, mothers often believe their own children are the best in every aspect.