"Lord Chen, you still couldn't keep the Princess tonight?" Ruan Yan asked with a frown.
"Although I couldn't keep the Princess, I did obtain some crucial information," Chen Yuanliang said with a slight smile, then recounted the intelligence inadvertently revealed by Chu Chen.
"What? Zhu Hong and Luo Jiang are actually under Xue Yun's command?" Ruan Yan was quite surprised.
"While Zhu Hong and Luo Jiang are under Xue Yun's command and often act together, their relationship is notoriously terrible!"
"Truth or deception, who can say for sure?" Chen Yuanliang shook his head slightly.
"Could that little eunuch be lying?" Gao Jun asked doubtfully.
"This is a conclusion I deduced from his words; it doesn't seem false," Chen Yuanliang was quite confident in his deduction.
"If that's the case, Lord Chen, which side do you think they belong to?" Ruan Yan asked tentatively.
"Hard to say," Chen Yuanliang shook his head slightly. "Let's observe for now."
"However, that little eunuch is quite interesting," Gao Jun nodded. "We could try to build a good relationship with him; he might be useful later."
"But he's with Xue Yun's faction, what if..."
Gao Jun hesitated. "What if we expose ourselves because of it? Wouldn't that be a loss outweighing the gain?"
Chen Yuanliang tapped his fingers lightly on the table, pondering for a moment. "We can try to use him first."
"I will handle this matter myself; you two need not be involved."
The two men readily agreed.
...
"Do you know the grave trouble you've caused!" the Empress said with a stern gaze, looking at Princess Xin Yue kneeling before her.
"Mother... Mother Empress..." Princess Xin Yue said with a choked sob, "Your daughter knows her mistake. Mother Empress, please don't be angry."
Seeing Princess Xin Yue kneeling on the ground looking wronged, the Empress's anger vanished without a trace.
"Enough, enough. It's also my fault; I've been negligent in your upbringing," the Empress said helplessly, waving her hand. "Since you admit your mistake, do you know where you went wrong?"
"Your daughter was wrong to readily accept the Prime Minister's invitation. It was because your daughter didn't consider things carefully that other officials harbored ill intentions," Princess Xin Yue mumbled.
The Empress's eyes flickered, and she asked with slight surprise, "Who told you this?"
She knew her daughter well; if she truly understood these matters, she wouldn't have attended the banquet in the first place.
Therefore, someone must have instructed her.
Princess Xin Yue dared not lie, "Little Chen Zi told me."
Then, Princess Xin Yue recounted the entire incident from beginning to end.
"The Prime Minister of the realm dares to overstep his bounds!" The Empress's expression shifted slightly. "It seems it's time to give Chen Yuanliang a warning."
"Your merits and demerits are balanced this time. I will not punish you. Go back and reflect properly."
Princess Xin Yue nodded repeatedly and hurriedly rose.
"Oh, and summon that little eunuch by your side. I have something to ask him."
At this moment, Chu Chen was undergoing a life simulation.
[...]
[After dealing with Chen Yuanliang, he believes you are merely a manipulated little eunuch and decides to build a good relationship with you to obtain intelligence from the palace.]
[Your performance this time has also earned the Empress's appreciation, and she begins to entrust you with important tasks.]
[You start to gradually display talent in governing the country, and the Empress even allows you to personally tutor the next heir.]
[Due to your outstanding performance, Princess Xin Yue begins to develop feelings for you.]
Seeing this, Chu Chen's face lit up. He had finally survived!
[Meanwhile, you continue to maneuver between the Prime Minister and Xue Yun, causing them to clash endlessly. Ultimately, with the Prime Minister's hand, you successfully eliminate Xue Yun.]
Chu Chen nodded with satisfaction, realizing his plan was indeed effective.
[After eliminating Xue Yun, the Prime Minister brazenly launches a coup, kills the Empress, and holds Princess Xin Yue hostage.]
[After ten years of covert struggles, he finally seizes control of the court, turning Princess Xin Yue into a puppet emperor.]
[At this point, you are no longer useful to the Prime Minister. Those around Princess Xin Yue, including you, are all executed. You die at the age of thirty-four.]
Chu Chen's face immediately turned bitter.
"Damn it, this Prime Minister is also no good! He actually has ambitions of rebellion."
With this thought, Chu Chen started another life simulation.
He wanted to see what would happen if Xue Yun emerged victorious with his help.
A moment later, Chu Chen closed the life simulation, grumbling.
After three full life simulations, Chu Chen discovered that Xue Yun was undeniably an idiot.
No matter how much he helped, Xue Yun would eventually ruin himself.
It seemed that even without his assistance, Xue Yun would ultimately not be a match for the Prime Minister.
However, after so many simulations, Chu Chen finally discovered that behind the Prime Minister stood someone from a neighboring country.
No wonder he could so easily launch a rebellion; he was a traitor!
Although Xue Yun also harbored rebellious thoughts, he was still far from the Prime Minister's level.
"It seems that the only one in the court who can restrain Chen Yuanliang is Xue Yun."
The thought of this gave Chu Chen a headache.
If possible, he truly wished Xue Yun would die quickly. But without Xue Yun, the Prime Minister would have no check on his power and would likely launch a coup before long.
Yet, if Xue Yun remained, he would undoubtedly continue to cause trouble for him.
"This is... truly difficult!"
"Little Chen Zi!" Princess Xin Yue's voice rang out.
"Coming, coming!" Chu Chen hastily stood up.
"Mother Empress wants to see you. Hurry to the Sacred Heart Hall; Mother Empress is waiting for you!"
"His Majesty wants to see me?"
Chu Chen was somewhat bewildered, but judging by Princess Xin Yue's expression, it didn't seem to be anything bad.
To be safe, Chu Chen conducted another life simulation on the way, ensuring there were no dangers before confidently heading to the Sacred Heart Hall.
"I heard from Xin Yue that you advised her not to stay overnight at Lord Chen Yuanliang's residence?"
Although Chu Chen knew there would be no danger after the life simulation, he was still unsure of the Empress's intentions.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, this humble servant admits his crime."
Regardless, admitting fault first was the way to go.
"Oh? Tell me, what crime have you committed?" the Empress asked with interest.
"This humble servant should not have spoken out of turn regarding the Princess's decisions. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!" Chu Chen said with utmost humility.
"Since you know you shouldn't have spoken out of turn, why did you say it?" The Empress's expression gradually became serious.
Chu Chen knew that if his answer failed to satisfy the Empress, he might face punishment.
"Because protecting the Princess is this servant's duty, and secondly, it is to gain Your Majesty's favor!"
Upon hearing this, the Empress showed a look of great interest.