AWB Chapter 360 Brothers join forces
Chapter 360 Brothers join forces
“Cousin, you think too highly of me. It’s true that I’m the Prime Minister’s man, but he doesn’t completely trust me. There are many core secrets that I don’t know, such as the Fengshadu rebels you mentioned.”
Gu Chi looked at Song Siyao and said, "If I hurt you, what's the point of me avenging the Duke of Huguo's mansion?"
Song Siyao believed Gu Chi's words and asked again, "How did you obtain the evidence you gave me?"
"I found it myself," Gu Chi said confidently. "I trust my judgment, and what I found is definitely true."
"If the Emperor were truly the culprit who destroyed the Duke of Protectorate's Mansion, so much time has passed, and all that evidence would have been wiped clean long ago. How could you have found it so easily?" Song Siyao asked.
"Cousin, what do you want to say?" Gu Chi asked in return.
“Cousin, you’ve been used.” Song Siyao looked at Gu Chi. “I got my hands on the evidence you gave me before you did. I once suspected the Emperor, but I’m sure it wasn’t him.”
"If it wasn't him, then who could it be?" Gu Chi was unwilling to accept it.
After investigating for so many years, he finally found the real culprit, only to be told by Song Siyao that it was all a lie.
“The person who gave us the evidence,” Song Siyao said coldly, “is clearly someone behind the scenes who already knew about our relationship. He wants to use us to deal with the Emperor.”
"I've always kept my identity well hidden. Even after I found out you were my sister, I didn't acknowledge you," Gu Chi said confidently.
"If I can find out your identity, do you think the other party can't? Someone who dares to oppose the royal family is no small fry," Song Siyao shattered Gu Chi's confidence.
Gu Chi was silent for a moment, then looked up and asked, "Cousin, what do you want me to do? Just tell me."
"Cousin is truly a smart man; no wonder he's the top scholar in the imperial examination." Song Siyao smiled faintly.
……
After talking with Gu Chi, Song Siyao continued to interrogate the people behind her.
The night is deep.
Yang Qian reappeared in front of the house in the suburbs. When he arrived at the underground palace, he saw the mysterious man in black again.
"Greetings, Master." Yang Qian said respectfully, "Master, Prime Minister Jiang's rebellion failed, and he was torn apart by five horses."
"He's hopeless. All my plans for him were for naught. He's dead now." The man in black spoke with a tone as cold as ice.
Yang Qian looked at the man in black. He had worked for the man in black for so many years, but he had never seen his true face.
He was very curious about the expression on the man in black's face under his hat, which showed that he didn't even respect the Prime Minister.
However, he quickly realized that his master dared to scheme against even Emperor Changlong, so what was a mere prime minister?
"Master, what is the next step in the plan?" Yang Qian asked.
"Let's wait and see. Song Siyao is probably looking for me everywhere. I'm curious how she'll find me and how long it will take."
The man in black spoke with a mocking tone, as if he were anticipating a good show.
Song Siyao, the decisive battle has begun.
Can you win this time?
Following the Jiang Xiang rebellion, a major reshuffle of officials took place in the court, and Chen Jiang, the Prefect of Jingzhao, was promoted to Minister of War.
Yan Bo'an, the Minister of Revenue, was appointed Prime Minister.
The Vice Minister of Works was promoted to Minister of Works, and Yan Wei was promoted to Vice Minister of Works.
The Minister of Works was in charge of the court's official business, while the Vice Minister of Works was responsible for leading teams to manufacture weapons for the court. The Minister of Works was not allowed to interfere in this matter.
All other vacant positions were filled by Shen Pei and Song Siyao's people.
This situation made everyone realize that Emperor Changlong was paving the way for Shen Pei.
The enemy of the enemy is the friend.
Shen Xuan and Shen Jing, who have always been at odds, actually sat together and drank tea.
"Fourth brother, Father is not leaving us any way out. Father is still alive, and the court is full of the Crown Prince's people. When Father passes away, the Crown Prince will take our lives as easily as crushing an ant," Shen Xuan complained to Shen Jing.
"Second brother, you are better than me in every way. The child in the womb of that concubine in your mansion is the eldest grandson of the emperor. When the eldest grandson of the emperor is born, Father will definitely treat you differently."
Shen Jing refused to accept Shen Xuan's words. The best course of action now was to protect himself and not to fight with Shen Pei.
Shen Xuan understood Shen Jing's thoughts; if he wanted to join forces with Shen Jing, he had to show some sincerity.
"Fourth brother is making fun of me. Jiang Yu is a remnant of the previous dynasty, and the child in her womb is also a descendant of the previous dynasty's remnants. How could Father possibly like her?"
Strangely enough, this was Shen Xuan's first child, but he just couldn't bring himself to like him.
"Second brother, you're wrong about that. The eldest grandson has the blood of our father flowing in his veins. Our father is very sentimental. As long as the eldest grandson can please our father..." Shen Jing hesitated.
"So what if he likes me? Does Father Emperor think he can change the crown prince just because he likes the eldest grandson?" Shen Xuan said with a mocking expression.
"Why not? There have been precedents for this in other dynasties."
Upon hearing Shen Jing's words, a glint flashed in Shen Xuan's eyes, but it vanished in an instant, and his voice deepened, "If the Crown Prince has committed no wrongdoing, Father will not depose him."
“Then let him make a mistake,” Shen Jing said.
Shen Xuan looked at Shen Jing and said, "Thank you for reminding me, Fourth Brother. If the Crown Prince ascends to that position in the future, we will both surely die. If you help me, Fourth Brother, I will never forget your kindness in the future."
"Second brother, we are brothers, it's too formal to say such things. From childhood to adulthood, the relationship between the two of us brothers is the closest. If I don't help you, who else can I help?" Shen Jing said with a smile.
"Bring the wine," Shen Xuan called out.
With a clink of glasses, their agreement was considered reached.
An hour later.
Shen Xuan was very drunk and was helped away by his personal guards.
As soon as he left, Shen Jing, who was also drunk, suddenly sobered up.
"Your Highness, are you really going to help Prince Li?" Shen Jing's personal guard asked.
"Help? I'll just watch the show and let him and the Crown Prince fight like dogs, while I reap the benefits."
Shen Jing gave a cold laugh, got up and left, and the room instantly fell silent.
At this moment, a person emerged from the shadows, then slipped away, relaying the entire conversation between Shen Xuan and Shen Jing to Song Siyao and Shen Pei.
"My husband, please announce that I'm pregnant," Song Siyao said.
"I don't want to put you in danger."
Shen Pei understood Song Siyao's intention: she wanted to lure the snake out of its hole.
But he refused.
“My lord, we must seize the initiative. If we only defend, we will be unable to defend against them. We must take the initiative and seize their lifeline.” Song Siyao said imposingly.
"Alright, I will go to the palace tomorrow to report the good news to my father."
The next day.
Shen Pei entered the palace to report this matter to Emperor Changlong. Emperor Changlong was overjoyed and bestowed gifts upon the Crown Prince's residence in a continuous stream.
Leaving the palace.
"That bitch Song Siyao! I'm pregnant and she got pregnant too, and she just had to steal my thunder!" Jiang Yu cursed.
"Consort, don't be angry, be careful not to upset the baby," the maid advised.
Jiang Yu's anger had not subsided in the slightest. "We are both pregnant, so why is there such a huge difference in treatment between me and Song Siyao? The Emperor's rewards for her are like flowing water, while I have nothing! Why is that!"