"Agreed!"
Upon hearing Lv Lan speak, Yan Shuzhu pondered for a moment before finally nodding her head.
Given Ye Liuyunâs cleverness, he will surely come up with a solution.
As the emperor, Yan Shuzhu could override all dissent and, with a single imperial edict, promote Ye Liuyunâs rank.
Yet, by that time, Ye Liuyun would inevitably become a target for all, beset by many adversaries.
Though Ye Liuyunâs cultivation is commendable, being singled out by so many factions would surely be troublesome; after all, in Yan Shuzhuâs estimation, Ye Liuyunâs cultivation is still within the Innate Realm.
"Better to wait a few days before going. Qi Yuanliang has just died, and we donât know what movement there will be from the Prime Ministerâs side. If we act too hastily now, it will inevitably draw too much attention!"
Yan Shuzhu knew well that Qi Yuanliang was one of Fu Zhengqingâs men.
Though, judging by Fu Zhengqingâs character, he likely wouldnât care about the life or death of someone like Qi Yuanliang, caution never goes amiss; carefulness preserves longevity.
"Understood!"
Fully aware of the stakes, Lv Lan gave a knowing nod to Yan Shuzhuâs words.
Thinking to wait a while before seeking out Ye Liuyun.
But just as she stepped asideâ
Yan Shuzhu, as if just realizing something, raised her head and looked at Lv Lan in surprise.
"Your Majesty?"
Being gazed at in this manner, Lv Lan felt somewhat bewildered.
"When did your relationship with Young Master Ye become so close?"
Only just now did she realize: Lv Lan directly referred to Ye Liuyun as Liuyunâsomewhat intimate, isnât it?
"..."
Lv Lan hadnât thought much of it, merely called it so out of habit.
Perhapsâ
Since knowing Ye Liuyunâs Extreme Yang constitution, Lv Lan naturally started to pair herself with him in her mind.
"I..."
"Enough! I am not questioning you!"
Seeing Lv Lan hesitating to explain herself,
Yan Shuzhu casually waved her hand.
"Itâs good for the two of you to have a better relationship. You are of marrying age, and Young Master Ye is handsome and talentedâitâs I who have delayed you."
If not for her own sake,
With Lv Lanâs age, she would have been married long ago, perhaps already with children by now.
Thus, if Lv Lan has someone she cares for, Yan Shuzhu would certainly not stand in their way.
But, hearing Yan Shuzhu say this, Lv Lan hurriedly replied,
"I truly follow Your Majesty with all my heart, without any complaints whatsoever!"
Yan Shuzhu silently waved her hand, saying nothing more.
There was nothing more to be done.
Now, the one Yan Shuzhu trusts most is only Lv Lan; though she trusts Ye Liuyun too, he is after all a man, and she cannot always keep him at her side.
...
A Governor has died.
Even if word doesnât reach every corner of the city, in the officialdom this was no small disruption.
Soonâ
Prime Minister Fu Zhengqing too received the report.
At this time, inside the Prime Ministerâs Mansion, Fu Zhengqing sat solemnly in the courtyard, a chessboard before him, from time to time placing a piece, playing against himself.
"Dead, is he?"
His face betrayed no emotion; even on hearing that Qi Yuanliang had died, Fu Zhengqing showed not the slightest change in expression.
It was as if Qi Yuanliangâs death,
mattered less than the game of chess before him.
The Prince Jin City assignment had been entrusted to Qi Yuanliang by Fu Zhengqing; he thought, even if Qi failed, it wouldnât be too unsightlyânow the man himself is gone.
He placed another piece.
"Trash is trash in the end!"
Dead means deadâthere was no hint of regret in his expression.
For someone like Qi Yuanliang, should Fu Zhengqing wish, he could foster many more just like him.
"It seems the young emperor does have some ability in judging people."
Qi Yuanliang may have been worthless, but still achieved Innate Perfection; and yet he was fooled to death so easily.
As for the official story that Qi Yuanliang set fire to Sanquan Mountain and was killed by Prince Jinâs men in a fit of rage, Fu Zhengqing treated it as a joke, not believing it for a moment.
Qi Yuanliang, even if a fool,
wouldnât be so foolish as to set fire to the Princeâs territory and get caught red-handed.
It was clearly a trap.
As for who set the trapâisnât it obvious? Aside from Ye Liuyun, thereâs no one else it could be.
"Interesting!"
Another piece fell.
Fu Zhengqingâs expression, finally, shifted a little.
A trace of amusement at his lips, he set down his chess piece.
"Attend me!"
Two words, lightly spoken.
Without a sound, a shadowy figure half-knelt at Fu Zhengqingâs side, hands cupped respectfully, voice grave.
"By your command, my lord!"
...
Meanwhileâ
After leaving the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Ye Liuyun headed straight home.
If nothing else, arrangements still had to be made for Qu Sisi.
Ye Liuyun chose not to arrange for Qu Sisi to stay elsewhere, but brought her directly to his own residence.
"Is this the place?"
Veiled, Qu Sisi stepped down from the carriage, gazing curiously at Ye Liuyunâs residence before her.
"My place isnât as spacious as Prince Jinâs Mansion, you know!"
Not missing the teasing tone in Ye Liuyunâs voice, Qu Sisi cast him a sidelong glance with her beautiful eyes.
"Do I look like someone who judges by wealth or poverty?"
No matter how grand Prince Jinâs Mansion was, Qu Sisi never felt at ease there.
But it was in this very residence that made Ye Liuyunâs heart anticipate the future, for better or worse.
Stillâ
"Is it really alright?"
Qu Sisi pondered, unable to suppress a few more questions.
After all, on the road here, regarding matters within the residence, Qu Sisi had already heard Ye Liuyun speak; what if others werenât welcoming to her?
"Are you underestimating me?"
Back at Prince Jinâs Mansion,
Prince Jin had never even considered protecting Qu Sisi, but hereâthings were different.
As the patriarch, Ye Liuyun held real authority here.
"Come with me!"
Without further explanation, he simply raised his hand, gesturing towards Qu Sisi.
Meeting Ye Liuyunâs gaze, Qu Sisi felt considerably reassured, placing her hand in his.
...