"But... but..."
Cai Jing was ill, and Cai Tao had just been arrested and taken to Kaifeng Prefecture. At this moment, apart from Fan Shiyong, this servant truly didn't know who else he could report to.
"Listen to me, from now on, bury this matter deep in your belly. No one is allowed to mention it in front of the Prime Minister!"
Seeing his subservient demeanor, Fan Shiyong said through gritted teeth.
"Yes!"
Regardless, Fan Shiyong had finally taken on the responsibility. Hearing his words, the servant breathed a sigh of relief.
Trouble could be passed on, but if it wasn't resolved, it would only grow larger. Fan Shiyong was perfectly aware of this.
However, he also understood that Cai Jing's body could no longer withstand any more torment. If Cai Jing were to hear this news at this moment, it was not impossible that the old man would simply close his eyes and pass away!
Although he knew that this matter was tricky and troublesome, at this moment, he couldn't come up with any solution himself.
Normally, he was considered brilliant in strategy, but ultimately, his plans required someone to execute them. At this moment, looking around the entire Cai mansion, he couldn't find a single person capable of stepping forward...
Should he go find Cai Tiao?
Fan Shiyong fell into deep thought again. Unlike the others in the mansion, he was perhaps the one who understood Cai Jing's intentions the best.
If Cai You was the pillar Cai Jing left to support the family's reputation, then Cai Tiao was the last refuge he left for the Cai family.
Despite being his legitimate son, Cai Jing had deliberately kept him at arm's length.
He never allowed Cai Tiao to be involved in any of the Cai family's affairs. Especially after Cai Tiao married Princess Maode, other than allowing him to pay his respects at the mansion on New Year's Day, he even forbade him from personally attending his birthday.
This was all in case something happened in the future, leaving a bloodline for the Cai family.
If Cai Tiao were to be involved now, Cai Jing's years of painstaking effort might truly be in vain. But if he wasn't involved, Fan Shiyong didn't know who else he could find to support the Cai family at this moment...
"Sir, the Prime Minister has woken up!"
As he was in a dilemma, a maidservant attending in the room hurried out.
Hearing the maidservant's words, Fan Shiyong had no choice but to return to Cai Jing's bedroom with a wry smile.
Without a doubt, he guessed that Cai Jing must have heard something. Otherwise, he wouldn't have called for him again so soon after falling asleep.
"Prime Minister, is there something you wish to say?"
Looking at Cai Jing's pale, bloodless face, Fan Shiyong felt his eyes sting.
No matter how ill Cai Jing's reputation was, at least Cai Jing had treated him impeccably.
In his youth, he had accidentally killed his tutor in the Imperial Academy and was immediately taken to Kaifeng Prefecture.
Once in prison, he was filled with regret. In his despair, he wrote a suicide note, intending to entrust it to his ailing mother.
Perhaps it was fate that he didn't perish. By chance, this suicide note fell into Cai Jing's hands. Cai Jing, valuing talent, specially pleaded with Emperor Huizong to grant him a pardon.
He also used his connections to pull strings, and thus, this heinous condemned prisoner was literally pulled out of the prison.
After being released from prison, to provide him with a livelihood, he made an exception and hired him as an accountant in his household. This allowed him to safely support his mother until her passing.
For this kindness alone, even if the world cursed Cai Jing, he had no right to criticize him.
"Has that unfilial wretch, stirred up any more trouble?"
This short sentence, Cai Jing, had to pause four times before finishing.
Seeing the exhaustion emanating from the depths of Cai Jing's eyes, Fan Shiyong felt a genuine pang of difficulty. Should he tell him or not?
"It's already come to this, just tell me whatever it is!"
Seeing his distressed look, Cai Jing arduously uttered another sentence.
"Prime Minister, the Academician went to Kaifeng Prefecture to retrieve someone. The subordinates under him offended the Crown Prince Yue. To give the Crown Prince an explanation, the servants brought by the Academician accidentally killed one of our own servants. The person is now being detained in Kaifeng Prefecture..."
After a long hesitation, Fan Shiyong ultimately chose to tell the truth.
Because he understood in his heart that only Cai Jing could resolve this matter, and it had to be resolved quickly, otherwise, it would only become more troublesome!
"It seems, someone is truly trying to scheme against this old man. I just don't know, who is it that is plotting against me?"
"Prime Minister, leave this matter to me. You should rest first. Once you've recovered, there will be time for everything else!"
Listening to the bellows of his lungs as he spoke, Fan Shiyong's nose couldn't help but sting.
"They deliberately chose this moment to strike. Isn't it obvious they are trying to finish me off while I'm sick? If I continue to lie here, I fear that after I die, the Cai family won't even have a grave!"
As Cai Jing spoke, he was overcome with exhaustion. Reflecting on his otherwise illustrious life, how had he fallen to such a state?
When he was at his peak, he wielded immense power. Even now, he was still the Prime Minister of the Great Song Empire. Yet, why was he being schemed against to such an extent?
"Prime Minister, why do you say such things? Your health has always been robust. This time, it's merely an injury caused by anger. After a few days of rest, you will recover. What is the point of these petty clowns enjoying fleeting success? As long as you can regain your health, reversing this situation will be as simple as flipping your hand!"
Although his nose stung and his eyes were a little red, Fan Shiyong still tried his best to persuade Cai Jing.
"You don't understand. Someone hates that I'm still alive! Have someone help me change my clothes and prepare the carriage. This old man should also go out for a while!"
With a wry smile, Cai Jing once again mustered all his strength, barely managing to sit up.
However, as soon as he lifted his head, he felt a dizzying sensation, almost collapsing completely.
"Prime Minister, why must it be like this, why must it be like this!"