This is truly interesting. Xiao Wangye raised his right eyebrow, looking at the young emperor. It seemed as if he were scrutinizing him, as if observing whether these words truly came from his heart. No one would give up power they already held tightly, no one would abandon the chance to overthrow their enemy.
He was somewhat surprised.
The young emperor was clearly pleased by his Imperial Uncle's reaction. He finally had something that could stir ripples in his Imperial Uncle. Even if he considered this matter to be childish.
However, Xiao Wangye pondered for a moment and arrived at a correct answer: Since he became the Regent, the position of "Emperor" had been a mere decoration. The person sitting on it was his puppet. From the country's affairs to the dishes on the emperor's table, Xiao Wangye was perfectly clear about everything. The Emperor was merely a tool for his Imperial Seal. The power around him had long been dismantled by him. Only those few old fogies in court were still propping up the young emperor. Ha, thinking of them made him feel ridiculous. Did they think that as long as I wasn't the Regent, this country would be safe from foreign invaders?
Without the Regent to deter all directions, the country would have long ago been carved up and its people would have suffered immensely.
"It seems you haven't grasped what I taught you. This matter is not something we control, nor is it something we need to worry about whether the common people know. Someone will tell us the next step." After saying this, the young emperor lowered his head again, clearly looking dejected.
Xiao Wangye suddenly remembered what Ye Qingcheng had said to him: "Why can't you change that arrogant attitude of yours?" He had learned a new term from her.
He said to the young emperor again: "The method you mentioned can put us in a position of active offense, and it is not a bad approach." Perhaps it was because he was behaving differently from usual, he turned his head slightly with a hint of shyness, avoiding the young emperor's gaze.
Like a student praised by a teacher in class, the young emperor's eyes were filled with the radiance of praise. His Imperial Uncle had not spoken to him so "gently" in a long time. It seemed the rumored Imperial Aunt was truly an extraordinary person.
Perhaps this method could be used to test the true intentions of the person behind the scenes.
—
The next day, on the bustling streets of the capital, stalls were set up everywhere, just like any other day. Customers in front of the stalls were either choosing goods or exchanging news they had heard.
The first thing everyone said upon meeting was: "Did you hear about what happened in Zhuzhou?" "Yes, yes, it's been decades since such a major disaster occurred." "Indeed, even the previous one was unheard of."
"Hey, hey, you can't say that, you can't say that," an old man with a white beard interjected, stopping the young man who was speaking without restraint.
The young man quickly covered his mouth and nervously scanned around, afraid that government officials might appear.
Unlike these men who only spoke big words, the women were concerned about the innocent refugees: "I heard they have already dispersed to other prefectures and counties, I wonder if they will come to our capital."
"No way, I heard people have been dispatched for disaster relief. I believe the Prince will resolve these issues."
"Isn't that the new top scholar this year? He's capable, isn't he?"
"We don't know about his capabilities, we only know that the top scholar is very handsome." One sentence made all the women present burst into laughter. Several unmarried young ladies blushed and covered their mouths, giggling shyly.
Riding high on success, enjoying the sights of the capital in a single day.
That day, when the examination results were posted, the top scholar and the second-place scholar were the talk of the capital. Not only because of their outstanding talent, but also because of their youthful spirit, coupled with handsome faces, they had captured the hearts of the unmarried daughters of prominent families in the capital in just one day.
"However, if he can gain the Prince's appreciation, this person's talent must be extraordinary," a young man beside them, unable to watch any longer, spoke up to change the topic.
"Yes, yes, that top scholar will definitely be able to complete the task assigned to him by the Prince."
But it was clearly ineffective. The young ladies' attention was once again drawn to the top scholar's appearance. Furthermore, with the medical school founded by the Princess of the Consort flourishing, the young ladies in the capital had gained new perspectives and were very interested in the topic of "independence," gradually ceasing to be anxious about finding a good match. Their admiration for the Princess of the Consort extended beyond her medical skills.
However, even Ye Qingcheng, who seemed to have a cheat code, faced attacks from many people with stubborn and unyielding ideas.
The most representative of these was the wife of the old Prime Minister, Madam Xiao Li.
The old Prime Minister, Xiao An, had served the country diligently since the time of the previous emperor's grandfather. However, due to a conflict with royal naming conventions, his name was changed to Zhao An after he achieved success in the imperial examinations. Perhaps because of the good fortune of his name change, his official career thereafter was smooth sailing, rising through the ranks and accumulating titles until he became the Prime Minister, second only to the emperor. Later, he was granted the imperial surname Xiao by Emperor Wukang, the father of the previous emperor.
As for Madam Xiao Li, she was betrothed to Xiao An before he was even born. Prime Minister Xiao, who only dared to take concubines after he had ascended to the position of Prime Minister, greatly feared this wife he had married in his early days of hardship. Even his several concubines dared not speak ill of the eldest madam in his presence.
Such a woman, however, had been strongly opposed to Ye Qingcheng, a woman, opening a medical clinic from the moment she found out. The reason she did not attend the banquet held that day was that she felt Ye Qingcheng, as a junior, should personally visit the Prime Minister's mansion and invite her.
Unfortunately, Ye Qingcheng completely ignored such stubborn and old-fashioned thinking. She directly told the old housekeeper, "Come if you want, we don't lack her presence. Just deliver the invitation, that's all." The old housekeeper, wiping sweat from his forehead, accepted the order and left to carry it out.
Later, when the medical clinic was completed, the youngest daughter of the Prime Minister's mansion personally sought out the Princess of the Consort Xiao.
"Miss, you have a guest," Bixi reminded Ye Qingcheng. Today was the grand opening of the medical clinic, so it was not unusual to have visitors. Without asking who the guest was, she asked Bixi to bring the guest to the reception room on the second floor and prepare tea.
The Miss Xiao waiting in the reception room was not a patient person. From childhood, her grandmother had always given her the best. Now, waiting foolishly here, her pampered temper immediately flared up. "Where is your Princess of the Consort? Must this young lady wait here for so long without her showing up? If she doesn't come soon, I'm leaving."
The medical clinic attendant standing guard outside the door apologized in a low voice, "Esteemed lady, it is simply because the clinic is just opening today, and the Princess of the Consort is busy with various matters. She will be a little late, please be patient for a moment longer."
"If she doesn't come, I'm leaving. Make your Princess of the Consort come to our mansion to apologize to me." With that, she immediately stood up, making a move to leave.
Ye Qingcheng finally managed to resolve the matters downstairs and came up to receive the guest. As soon as she stepped into the reception room on the second floor, she heard the arrogant words of the young lady with a temper.
In her life, she could not stand such arrogant official behavior. She said to San San in her heart, "Wow, something fun has arrived. Give me all her information and let me teach her how to behave. This will amuse me."
Xiao Xiaoyu, the youngest daughter of the Prime Minister's eldest son, the cherished pearl of Madam Xiao Li.
"Oh, whose young lady is this, with such a temper?" When it came to sarcasm, Ye Qingcheng would not lose to anyone.
Indeed, she heard the voice before seeing the person. Ye Qingcheng's words drew everyone's attention.
She had only heard that the Princess of the Consort Xiao was exceptionally beautiful. Seeing her today, she was even more stunning than the legends. A person in good spirits seemed even more radiant. Ye Qingcheng was not disturbed by Miss Xiao's rudeness at all. Instead, her face was filled with smiles.
Miss Xiao, who intended to continue acting out, was stunned by her demeanor. When others saw the young lady from the Prime Minister's mansion, they were all fawning and respectful. This indifferent attitude was truly jarring.
She walked up to Ye Qingcheng, sizing her up, and said to her in a frivolous tone, "You are the Princess of the Consort Xiao? The Princess of the Consort Xiao who made this young lady wait for so long?"
Ye Qingcheng chuckled, walked around her, and sat on the main seat, replying lightly, "May I ask what business Miss Xiao has with this Princess of the Consort?"
Being ignored again, Xiao Xiaoyu was directly enraged. She shouted at Ye Qingcheng, "Did I permit you to sit down? Get up, you are not worthy of sitting here." She even intended to personally pull her up. Bixi blocked her way.
Ye Qingcheng stood up, walked to Xiao Xiaoyu's front, and looked down at her expressionlessly, as if she were looking at a spoiled child, "Do you think you are worthy of speaking to me like this? What is your surname? Do you know who I am?" Her tone was icy, and her gaze was like looking at trash.
This scared Miss Xiao into standing still.
"Heh, a pampered young lady. If you come to my place, no one will indulge your spoiled temper. If you want to learn a trade, go find Uncle Guan. Trying to act like a young lady in front of me is asking for a scolding. Understand?"
After speaking, she left Xiao Xiaoyu and her companions and walked out.
The maid beside her saw her young lady's dazed state and shook her body, "Miss, Miss, are you alright?" If the old madam found out that she was the one who was punished. It didn't matter whether Miss was right or wrong.
"I, I'm fine. Let's go back. Don't mention today's events to Grandmother. Let's go."
The servants dared not object and agreed in unison, following behind and walking back.
Every detail of today's events reached Xiao Wangye's ears.
"Hahahaha, the Princess of the Consort is truly a heroine. She can even subdue a pampered young lady like Xiao Xiaoyu. I am truly impressed." Lin Xiao laughed heartily.
Xiao Wangye's face held a proud expression as he said to Lin Xiao, "Have someone send a message to that old man Xiao An and tell him about the matter."