In the flower hall of Duke Chengguo's mansion, the fragrance of tea rose up, and the warm sunshine fell on the hall, hitting the two people.
Zhu Yi and Xu Youzhen sat one above the other, but they invariably looked up at each other, with an inexplicable light flashing in their eyes.
The atmosphere suddenly became a little tense. Xu Youzhen looked at the calm Zhu Yi in front of her. A smile appeared on her face, she leaned forward slightly and spoke leisurely.
"There's nothing wrong with that. It's just that although Xu is dull in nature, he is curious. He has been unable to figure out what the young master said. If he goes back with doubts, he may be in trouble. Mian, always wanted to find out, so as a last resort, Xu came to visit rashly and wanted to ask the young master to clarify his doubts."
Zhu Yi's heart sank, but she could barely maintain her expression.
Although these words were polite, the threat in them was very strong. The implication was that if Zhu Yi couldn't solve his doubts, then he would find other ways to solve them.
As for what the solution is, it's just to go find Jiao Jing, Zhu Jian and others.
After quickly reviewing her actions in the British government, Zhu Yi still didn't expect that she had exposed some flaws, which aroused Xu Youzhen's suspicion.
So, he had no choice but to stand still. After a brief pause, Master Zhu's expression showed a hint of coolness and he said. .
"If Xu Xueshi has anything to say, just ask. However, no matter who is behind you, I hope this is the last time. Duke Chengguo is willing to cooperate with you with the greatest sincerity. However, this sincerity is not It’s not something that can be consumed infinitely!”
These two sentences made Xu Youzhen stunned.
Seeing Zhu Yi's slightly angry expression, he reacted immediately.
It turned out that in Zhu Yi's view, his behavior should be a continuation of the quarrel in the British government. In other words, Zhu Yi felt that Xu Youzhen was not here on behalf of himself, but on behalf of Jiao Jing or Zhu Jian. tentative.
After hesitating for a moment, Xu Youzhen simply accepted the mistake as wrong. Anyway, it was better for someone to take the blame than for no one to take the blame. Since Zhu Yi thought so, he just gave up. As a result, he spoke less. Somewhat scruples.
So, in just a moment, an embarrassed smile appeared on Xu Youzhen's face, as if someone had exposed her.
He looked slightly embarrassed and flustered, but it fit the image he should have at this moment.
However, Xu Xueshi quickly regained his composure and spoke.
"My young master is outspoken. If Xu continues to act coquettishly, it will appear that Xu is being pretentious. In this case, I will speak frankly."
"In the British Duke's Palace, the Young Master once said that what the Emperor did was to build momentum for His Highness the Crown Prince and to establish a reputation for loyalty and filial piety for His Highness. At the same time, it was also to draw the attention of the courtiers from reorganizing the army to returning to the East Palace to leave the cabinet. Is that right?"
Zhu Yi could clearly feel that there was something wrong with Xu Youzhen's words, but he couldn't think of anything wrong at the moment. Moreover, these words were almost a copy of his original words in the British Duke's palace, just with a different wording.
Therefore, even if she felt something was wrong, Zhu Yi nodded slightly.
"Although this is my guess, it is also the most reasonable explanation. Otherwise, could it be that the Emperor caused such a big disturbance just on impulse?"
After saying this, Xu Youzhen's expression suddenly became a little wonderful. After a moment, a strange smile appeared on his face and he said.
"Little Master, do you really think it's impossible?"
Zhu Yi immediately darkened her face, looked displeased, and said coldly.
"Scholar Xu, be careful! Although the Supreme Emperor seems to be dormant since he returned to the capital, in fact, everything is like a British master. How can you speculate on him without permission?"
He said these words with deep anger, as if he was a loyal dog of the Supreme Emperor, as if he would drive people away if he disagreed with him.
However, facing Zhu Yi's performance, Xu Youzhen did not have any special reaction. Instead, she smiled and said.
"Young Master, don't worry. You and I both know what kind of character the Supreme Emperor is. However, Xu also admitted that in terms of contact with the Supreme Emperor, Xu is indeed not as convenient as the Young Master who could often enter the palace before. Perhaps , maybe it was Xu’s misjudgment.”
"But, again, Xu has some doubts about what the young master said, and he asked the young master to clarify his doubts."
On the surface, Xu Youzhen's words were a concession, but in fact, he was pressing on Zhu Yi step by step.
Gently pressing her hand on the armrest beside her, Xu Youzhen continued to speak.
"The young master's statement is indeed logical. It is very reasonable both in terms of the results and the reaction of the eldest princess of Changde."
"Although this matter cannot be verified by either the Supreme Emperor or the Eldest Princess, each of them has their own reasons and can be justified."
"It's just that there is a big loophole in it."
At this point, Xu Youzhen raised her head, stared at Zhu Yi closely with piercing eyes, and asked.
"According to the young prince, everything the Emperor does is for His Highness the Crown Prince. So, the most critical step in this is actually that after the Emperor issues the decree, the Emperor will ask the Prince to perform the etiquette on his behalf. In this way, everything will It just makes sense.”
"However, in this most important step, the initiative is completely out of the hands of the Supreme Emperor. Isn't this strange?"
Zhu Yi's heart sank, and her eyes looking at Xu Youzhen were also a bit chilly.
However, his face remained calm and he said calmly.
"What's so strange about this? Since the Emperor doesn't even bother to pay homage to the Supreme Emperor during the Winter Solstice, how can he really follow the decree and make arrangements for dawn and dusk? In this case, it is naturally most appropriate for His Highness the Crown Prince to act on his behalf."
"So, this is just the most appropriate way!"
As soon as Zhu Yi finished speaking, Xu Youzhen's voice came one after another.
"But it's not the only way!"
He still looked at Zhu Yi, with an inexplicable light in his eyes, and said.
"After all, the Emperor's edict is just a middle edict. Although it is supported by etiquette and law, it is quite suspected of being out of spite as there has already been a quarrel over summoning Xue Huan. In this case, even if the emperor If we directly refuse to obey the edict, I’m afraid it won’t cause too much trouble in the government and the public.”
"Of course, if the emperor is not even willing to take such a risk, then a simpler way is to ask the cabinet to draft a letter saying that government affairs are busy and state affairs are heavy, thanking the Supreme Emperor for caring about him, and delivering it to Nangong, who are also brothers and sisters. Gong, the scene of harmony in heaven."
"Otherwise, if he is too lazy to do this kind of face-saving work, the emperor can be like Xue Consort, saying that he is not in good health and it is inconvenient to meet. In this way, he only needs to send someone to spread the word, and everything can be eliminated."
"Although none of these are the most appropriate methods, they are all available methods. How to do it is actually in the hands of the emperor."
"Then, if the Supreme Emperor has really been planning for a long time, just to achieve the goal of getting the East Palace to leave the cabinet, this most critical step cannot be controlled."
"Isn't he afraid that he would make such a big fuss and end up with nothing in the end?"
