AWB Chapter 107: Several Parties' Plans
Chapter 107: Several Parties' Plans
Chapter 107 Several parties' plans
In the Prince Zhi's Mansion, the eldest prince Yinzhi was discussing the latest news with his staff in the study in the front yard. He believed in this phoenix destiny. Apart from anything else, the channel through which he obtained the news was more secretive and more convincing than others. After all, his source of information came from the Qianqing Palace.
He also had some inside information that the Emperor also attached great importance to this woman with the fate of a phoenix, and it was said that he would directly grant her marriage to the second son during this selection.
When he got the news, Yinzhi could not sit still. Over the years, they were all children of the emperor's father, and he was the eldest son. He had also fought on the battlefield for the emperor's father, but even so, the emperor's father only gave him the title of Beile.
But what about the second son? Not only was he born as the legitimate son, but when he was just one year old, the emperor directly appointed him as the crown prince. He was raised by the emperor himself and was taken with him wherever he went. He has been enjoying great glory over the years.
This time, Yinzhi was unwilling to let the second son get that woman no matter what. He was the eldest son, and since ancient times, the eldest son has been the heir to the throne. No matter what, he had a great chance of winning the throne.
The woman's fate hadn't been made public, so anyone could get it. Since the Emperor hadn't directly decreed the marriage to Yinreng, he still had a chance. There was still plenty of time. As long as he planned ahead, he didn't believe the woman would be able to escape his clutches.
The staff are also very optimistic about the current situation of the eldest prince. In the hall there is the eldest prince's party headed by Mingzhu, and in the harem there is Concubine Hui as a backing. It's a pity that the eldest wife has not given birth to a baby boy for the eldest prince yet. However, I heard recently that the eldest wife's pregnancy this time is different from the previous ones. It seems that this time she can give birth to a child for her master.
Then there is the matter of Feng Ming. Now that he knows about it, he should find ways to get it to Zhi Beile's Mansion. If Feng Ming also enters the eldest prince's backyard, there is no need to worry that the throne will not change hands.
The eldest prince was ready to take action. The advice given by his staff was to investigate the other party first, then cultivate feelings before the selection, and then let the eldest wife or Huifei mention the woman to the emperor, so as not to worry about the woman falling into another family.
The Third Prince also had the same idea as this aide. He was the type who had the desire but not the courage to do something evil. He knew very well that he was not as favored as his two brothers, and the people following him were all literati. However, as princes, they were the ones closest to that position. Who could not have some ideas?
However, he also knew that the biggest power behind him was the Yue family. It was impossible for him to directly offend the Dong'e clan for the so-called life of a phoenix. What's more, his wife was pregnant. He had a good relationship with his wife and could not let her make any mistakes.
However, the Third Prince also had his own ideas. He believed that with his handsome appearance, elegant demeanor, and profound knowledge, if he met Nianhulu in person, she would surely be fascinated by him like the women who had entered the backyard before. If she was determined to enter his backyard at all costs, he believed that the Emperor would help her. Wasn't that how Dong E came into the Fourth Prince's backyard?
The Third Prince was still here thinking about how to dress himself up and how to meet Nianhulu by chance so that she would quickly fall in love with him. At the Fourth Prince's residence, Yinzhen was just surprised after hearing this, and then he didn't take it seriously and continued to study how to increase revenue and reduce expenditure.
The annual expenditure of the Imperial Household Department is not small. He had previously discussed with Xiaojiu Yinzhen and learned that the Ministry of Revenue now has very little silver, less than one million. If a natural disaster really happened one day, they would be powerless to provide disaster relief.
He wondered whether he should submit a memorial to the Emperor to clear the accounts of the Ministry of Revenue. Logically, the Ministry of Revenue should not have so little money left. However, he also considered that he was only in charge of the Imperial Household Department under the Emperor's instructions. If he rashly submitted a memorial to the Ministry of Revenue, would the Emperor be displeased and think that he was overreaching?
As for the so-called phoenix destiny, he really didn't take it seriously. In his opinion, the emperor's successor could only be the crown prince. Except for him, no other brother could take the throne. Not to mention the ability, he couldn't do it just by being legitimate.
His whole life he wanted to assist his second brother, so that when his second brother became the emperor, he would be the virtuous prince, just like the relationship between the emperor's father and the emperor's uncle. He always remembered that during those years when he was in trouble, it was his second brother who guided him step by step out of the mud pit. It was also his second brother who saved him without hesitation when he was framed by his own mother, and finally helped him change his jade butterfly without any grudge.
Yinzhen remembered every one of these favors. In his opinion, this so-called phoenix fate was just a trick used by the woman who was unwilling to be ordinary and wanted to climb up the social ladder.
Moreover, this news reached his ears so suddenly. Who knows, one of his brothers might have set him up with the intention of making fun of him. He now has a title and is about to have a legitimate son. He lives a very happy life. It is better for him to avoid getting involved with those treacherous people outside.
The Fifth Prince, Yinqi, who had also received the news, sat in his study for a long time before returning to his previous attitude, treating the matter as if he knew nothing and nothing had happened. He knew his own abilities well. He was already six years old and didn't know a single word of Chinese or Manchu, and was basically at the bottom of the class in the Shangshufang.
As for his identity, with the seventh prince, who was of Mongolian origin, he no longer had any connection with Mongolia and was now the eldest son of Concubine Yi.
The Emperor did not like him very much and had never treated him differently over the years. Now, in his heart, he was even worse than his ninth brother. His ninth brother could still earn money for the Emperor's treasury, but he could only be responsible for wool trading and managing several caravans under the name of the royal family. The rest of the time, he was basically idle.
After giving up the idea, the Fifth Prince went to the main courtyard of the Fifth Lady to accompany her. The imperial physician had said that the Fifth Lady's due date would be in the middle of the first lunar month. Today was the second day of the first lunar month, and the due date was approaching. The Fifth Prince wanted to take advantage of the time to accompany his Lady more, and then he would be there to see the birth of the little prince with her own eyes.
The fifth prince was thinking about being a good husband and a loving father, while the seventh prince next door was thinking about how he could get the woman with the Phoenix destiny.
He was once an ordinary prince with no ambitions. Due to his physical defects, he was never qualified to inherit the throne. But who would have thought that his mother's revenge would cost him her life and give him an opportunity.
He was the son of Huifei, a Mongolian concubine, and had the entire Mongolian Empire at his back. His status was comparable to that of the Crown Prince. Although the Emperor rarely allowed him to participate in government affairs, he controlled the entire suburban camp. If his brothers wanted to rebel, he would have the highest chance of success.
However, the emperor was now in his prime, so rebellion was definitely not an option, but strengthening his own power was still possible. He had already selected the daughter of Ma Jiashi Nuomin for this selection, and he believed that as long as she became his legitimate wife, he would be able to win over Tu Hai's old subordinates.
But what he never expected was that on New Year's Eve, Princess Ma Jia was actually driven out of the palace by the emperor. Although the specific reason was unclear, this option was definitely scrapped.
Next, he could only settle for the second best and fight for Fei Yanggu's daughter. It's not that Fei Yanggu is inferior to Nuomin. Logically speaking, Dong'e Fei Yanggu can be said to be the emperor's trusted and beloved general, who has made numerous military achievements. If he can get his support, his chances of winning will be greater.
However, Fei Yanggu of the Dong'e clan used to serve under Yue Le. Although it was unclear whether the emperor had any thoughts about him over the years, as far as he knew, the emperor disliked the Prince An's Mansion very much and wanted to eliminate this force. Fei Yanggu, who was close to the Prince An's Mansion, was not his first choice.
As for Feng Ming, he had actually investigated. She was the daughter of a fourth-rank official. If she were to be the principal wife, her status would be too low. However, he decided to give her the position of concubine directly. This way, he would have the support of the army and Feng Ming. He did not believe that he would not have the opportunity to compete with his elder brother and the prince.
At this time, the Seventh Prince Yinyou had already forgotten his physical disability. From the very beginning, everyone in the court had tacitly agreed that he would not have the right of inheritance. No matter how hard he tried, it would all be in vain in the end.
The Eighth Prince was also in a dilemma at this time. He had not yet established his own government, so after receiving the news, he could only let his subordinates investigate slowly. Besides, he was usually responsible for the affairs of the Lifanyuan. The country was peaceful, and there were few visitors from other courts, so there were not many things to do in the Lifanyuan. Besides, the Lifanyuan was not a department with real power. Those who could make friends with it were basically ordinary people who loved this industry or had no background.
As to whether he has any thoughts about this woman with the fate of a phoenix, the answer is definitely yes. Why has he worked so hard to climb up all these years? Isn't it just to reach that position and experience the feeling of holding power?
However, the situation is unclear now. Even if this woman is the real Feng Ming, he dare not step forward. Others don't say anything, but he is following the eldest brother now. If his little thoughts are known by the eldest brother, it will be difficult to end up like this.
Besides, Jiayan had just calmed down and promised that it would only be her, and she had helped him accomplish something. If he suddenly had a concubine in advance, would Jiayan still be devoted to him?
The phoenix life was an illusory thing, not worth the benefits that the Anjun Prince's Mansion could bring. However, if I couldn't get it myself, it would be impossible for others to get it easily. No matter what, I would have to get involved when the time came.
Several forces were biding their time, and Yinreng was also waiting. The bait had been thrown out, and the news that should be spread had been spread. When the time came, all he had to do was sit in Yuqing Palace and watch the show.
Buerhe had noticed something was amiss with Yinreng these past few days; he'd been a bit overexcited. However, he'd already mentioned wanting to be in that position, and Yinreng had always been thorough, so Buerhe didn't ask any further questions.
She had been experiencing some fetal movement recently, and her belly was gradually growing. Coupled with the busy schedule at the palace during the New Year holidays, she hadn't had a good rest in a while. Today, having some free time, she lazily lay on the chaise longue, basking in the sun and not wanting to move. Hongye and Jingyi followed her mother's example and lay on the other side. From time to time, she could hear Hongye giving prenatal exercises to Buerhe's belly.
He had had enough of the stupidity of his fifteenth and sixteenth uncles, and he hoped that the younger brother or sister in his mother's belly could be with him and Jingyi. Even if he couldn't have a photographic memory, at least he would have a quick mind and not be easily deceived.
Hongye had this idea because of what happened two days ago. On New Year's Eve, the emperor rewarded all the princes and grandchildren. Among them, the sixteenth prince, because he was the youngest among the princes, was specially rewarded with a heavy golden pig.
Originally, it was just a golden pig, and no one in the royal family took it seriously. But Yinlu insisted on showing off in front of the Fourteenth Prince. This stirred up a hornet's nest, making the Fourteenth Prince unhappy with Yinlu and determined to snatch the golden pig away. He was also smart and thought of a way to let Yinlu use the golden pig as a bet, and in the end he lost to him openly.
Because of this incident, Yinlu cried for an entire morning in Yuqing Palace, and it was only after Hongye gave him a wooden pony that he was finally comforted. From then on, Hongye worried that Yinlu's frequent visits to Yuqing Palace might affect his mother's unborn child. So whenever he had time, he would recite or read to Buerhe, claiming it was preemptive instruction to prevent Yinlu's infection.