Powerful Minister Buddha like Sweet wife

 

Chapter 84: Forbidden

After hearing about Wei Lao San's report, Wei Lao da felt a pang of discomfort. As the eldest of the family, he was accustomed to having his younger siblings and their families defer to him. However, Wei Laosan had not always shown the same respect. Previously, when the family had not yet been divided, Wei Laosan had been viewed merely as a younger brother working under him. But once Wei Laosan sought separation, Wei Lao da's attitude shifted dramatically. He perceived his younger brother's desire for independence as disobedience and became quite resentful, eagerly awaiting any misfortune that might befall on Wei Laosan.Unexpectedly, after enduring several challenging years, Wei Laosan's youngest son had emerged as a prominent figure, achieving notable success in his examinations and securing an official post in the capital. This development was particularly galling to Wei Lao Da, who harbored a mix of emotions—discomfort, envy, and begrudging admiration.Returning home, Wei LaoDa shared the news with his family. Upon hearing the details, the family members expressed their sour sentiments, though underlying their complaints was a subtle shift in perspective."San Gouzi has achieved great success and holds an official position in the Capital. It seems prudent for Shu lang to accompany his third to the capital to bask in third Uncle's glory ," remarked Wang shi, Wei Laoda's wife.The suggestion sparked a realization in WeiLaoda. If Wei Laosan's family could leverage their connection to advance in the capital, why shouldn't his own family also seek to benefit? The more he contemplated, the more he agreed with Wang shi's idea.The couple conferred at length and then approached their son and daughter-in-law with their plan. That evening, after returning home, Wei Lao da's enthusiasm was palpable when he spoke to his family."My grandfather's idea is very reasonable. Although I haven't passed the imperial exams, I am a scholar. I should assist my uncle in the capital."Wang shi responded with pride, "Indeed, my grandson has the ability to support his Uncle. The entire Wei family should be grateful to us for this."Weilao da agreed wholeheartedly. "If our grandson can achieve official status, I will ensure your parents and us grandparents also join you in the capital to enjoy the prosperity."The family eagerly planned to visit Wei Laosan's home the next morning to discuss their proposal.Unfortunately, Wei Laosan's family was out selling candied haws, with Fuyao and Shulan busy with their embroidery work, and Zhong Xing being taken to town by Zhou shi.Upon returning with the candied haws, Wei Laosan's family was surprised to find Wei Lao da and his entourage already present. Wei Lao da, along with his son and daughter-in-law, as well as his grandson Shulang, had arrived with a clear agenda."Big Brother, what brings you here?" Wei Laosan asked, warringly.Wei lao da took a seat and explained, "Lao San, I understand you're moving to the capital. Considering that San Gouzi will be alone there, it would be beneficial to send Brother Shu to assist him also."Wei Laosan glanced at Brother Shu, who stood by awkwardly. He knew of Brother Shu's reputation for indulgence and gambling, and he was skeptical about how much help he could provide."Grandpa San, there's no need to thank me. Although I haven't succeeded in the exams, I'm still a scholar. Helping my cousin is a family duty,"Although he has the support of Hou Mansion . We are still his close relatives Brother Shu said grandiosely.This declaration was met with annoyance from Wei Laosan's family.Li shi, from the back room, couldn't remain silent any longer. She emerged, her irritation evident. "Why are you speaking so highly of yourself? Our Han Zhou achieved the top rank through his own efforts. He didn't receive any assistance from the Hou Mansion. We relied solely on our own hard work."Zhou shi, who had just finished tending to their son, was equally enraged by the audacity of Wang shi and her family. "It seems you're more interested in exploiting connections with the Hou Mansion than genuinely supporting the Wei family!"The confrontation escalated, with Zhou shi accusing Wang's family of seeking personal gain. "What family support are you talking about? For years, we've struggled without any support from you. Now, when Han Zhou has succeeded, you want to take credit for his achievements. It's laughable!"Zhou shi continued, "And regarding your desire to associate with the Hou Mansion, don't forget the disparaging remarks you've made about their daughter. If they learned of your backhanded comments, they might seek retribution!"The harsh truth hit Wei Bosslao da and his family, who realized they had overlooked their past misdeeds. The interaction left them visibly unsettled, and they soon departed, their intentions now thwarted.As soon as they left, Wei Laosan's mood was grim. He cast a worried glance at his second daughter-in-law. "Do you think I was too harsh?" Zhou shi asked anxiously.Li shi, with a reassuring smile, replied, "No, you spoke exactly as needed. If they dare to overstep again, we'll stand firm. If they wish to benefit from our family's success, they should dream on!"Encouraged by her words, Zhou shi vowed to maintain their stance. "Yes, Mother. I will handle it accordingly."Wei Laosan still hurt by the audacius nature of his brother's family went back to his room for a while to rest, and by evening, he was back to his usual self.At dinner, Wei Laosan gave a clear instruction: "No matter who asks you to take them to the capital, do not agree. This is our first trip to the capital, and we don't know the situation in the capital. If it turns out to be the wei lao da again, he might have his own plans, and the arrangemnets of the third son or his wife might not be accomidating for them. If we settle well in the capital in the future and they need our help, we can help then."Zhou shi felt relieved after hearing this.Liu Tangxi soon learned that Wei Laosan and his group planned to arrive by the end of February. Since it was mid-February, Liu Tangxi thought for a while and came up with a plan.Since Wei Laosan and his group had never been to the capital and Zhong Xing and Shu Lan were too young while Wei Laosan and Li shi were too old for such a journey, Liu Tangxi decided it would be best for her to pick them up herself.With her current resources, including money and people, Liu Tangxi decided not to discuss this with Wei Hanzhou but instead arranged it with Yin shi. Yin shi agreed without hesitation, and soon, three carriages left the Hou Mansion for Weijia Village.In less than ten days, the carriages arrived at Weijia Village. Wei Laosan had sold off the hawthorns at home and, with five days left before their planned departure, was thrilled to see his son and daughter-in-law sending a carriage for them.Since they had never traveled far and had four children, they planned to bring plenty of things, which made them feel more at ease.The news of their departure made the villagers, especially Wei lao da, envious. Wei lao da, worried that Liu Tangxi might remember their previous comments about her, tried to test his luck. However, the Hou Mansion's servants ignored him, and Wei Laosan refused to accommodate his request.Frustrated, wei Lao da went back home.Five days later, Wei Laosan and his group left Weijia Village and headed towards the capital.Over the few months, the political situation became more tense, especially concerning the Crown Prince and the Third Prince. Their rivalry became more intense as various issues came to light.The Crown Prince's household department was caught embezzling nearly one hundred thousand taels of tax revenue, leading to the imprisonment of several officials and nearly costing the Crown Prince his position.At the same time, the Third Prince faced scrutiny for promoting an official with questionable performance. This official was found to be connected to the Third Prince's family, leading to criticism from the emperor.The Crown Prince and the Third Prince engaged in a fierce battle of accusations. One day it was revealed that the Crown Prince had hidden thousands of acres of fertile land allocated to his family's estate, and the next day, it was revealed that there were issues with the officials appointed by the Third Prince.In short, their various misdeeds became widely known. Although many of these accusations were exaggerated, the sensitive nature of "power" made them particularly alarming to Emperor You. Even minor issues were significant to him.When Emperor You heard that king jin had started investigating the Ministry of Households for withholding military supplies, he became worried. He quickly stopped all discussions about the princes and ordered them to spend a month in isolation.The withheld military supplies were those allocated to King Jin during the war with Dayun. Even though the Crown Prince was involved, Emperor You was now cautious about King Jin's ambitions.Emperor You was frustrated with his sons. Despite his high hopes, both the Crown Prince and the Third Prince had acted in ways that threatened the country's stability. One misused funds, while the other manipulated official appointments.With few options left, Emperor You turned his attention to the Second Prince, his only other adult son.Seeing the Second Prince, who looked disheveled and nervous, made Emperor You even more frustrated. He could hardly believe this was his son."Where have you been lately? How are things at the Ministry of Rites? I haven't seen you for a long time."The Second Prince, looking guilty and scared, knelt and stammered, "I... I know I've been neglectful."Emperor You's frustration grew as he saw his son's fearful reaction. "You're supposed to be doing your job. Why are you so scared?"The Second Prince, trembling, replied, "I... I haven't been to the Ministry of Rites for the past two months. I've been avoiding it because of the difficult marriage ceremonies last year. I had to mediate between my aunt and the officials of the Ministry of Rites, and it was very stressful. I was also worried about the upcoming wedding in the Guogong Mansion and fled to avoid the responsibility."Emperor You's frustration boiled over. He was disappointed not only by the Crown Prince and the Third Prince but also by the lackluster performance of the Second Prince. "So, instead of handling your duties, you've been hiding away? This is unacceptable. You're just like your brothers—either mismanaging funds or shirking responsibilities."Seeing his father's anger, the Second Prince stammered, "I... I understand my mistakes."Emperor You's anger did not subside. "You will stay in isolation for a month, just like your brothers. Reflect on your behavior and responsibilities."The Second Prince, resigned to his fate, agreed, "Yes, Father."After the Second Prince left, Emperor You sank into his dragon chair, feeling deeply troubled. Compared to his brothers, the Second Prince's failures seemed even more disappointing."Send for a report on the Second Prince's recent activities and his connections with the Jin Palace."By evening, Emperor You received a full report on the Second Prince's activities over the past year.The report revealed that while the Second Prince had indeed visited the Jin Palace, he had had minimal contact with King Jin and rarely interacted with the Crown Prince or the Third Prince. However, he had spent considerable time at the Estate of the Huai'enhou Mansion nearby, often sneaking into the vegetable fields and sometimes being chased away as a thief.Emperor You's expression was a mix of disbelief and exasperation.His son had been sneaking into fields to steal vegetables? It was beyond frustrating. "Even if the food there is good, does a prince really need to resort to theft? How disappointing."The Crown Prince and the Third Prince were adept at using their intellects, but what about him? He was nothing but a pitiable fool!"Purchase all the vegetables from the Huai'enhoufu Estate and have them delivered to the Second Prince," Emperor You instructed curtly."Understood, Your Majesty."That night, Emperor You took his medicine before retiring to bed.By the following morning, Liu Tangxi learned that the Emperor had ordered the purchase of all her vegetables at a notably high price. The news brought her a sense of joy.When Wei Hanzhou returned in the evening, Liu Tangxi shared the development with him.She now knew that the Emperor had bought the vegetables to send to the Second Prince's residence. The situation seemed peculiar."Why do you think the Emperor is doing this?" Liu Tangxi inquired.Wei Hanzhou, who had been in the Imperial Front for over a year and was privy to more information, responded, "I've heard that the Second Prince has a particular fondness for the vegetables you grow at your Estate."Liu Tangxi acknowledged that her vegetables were indeed delicious and that it was normal for someone to enjoy them. However, the suddenness of the Emperor's actions was puzzling.The Emperor had not made similar gestures towards the Crown Prince or the Third Prince—only the Second Prince. Considering the recent troubles caused by the Crown Prince and the Third Prince, Liu Tangxi whispered, "Could it be that the Emperor intends to promote the Second Prince...?" She gestured vaguely towards the sky, leaving the implication unspoken.Wei Hanzhou regarded her cautiously, his hand gently brushing her hair as he reassured her, "No, the Second Prince genuinely likes the vegetables."Many shared Liu Tangxi's curiosity about the Emperor's motives, including the Crown Prince and the Third Prince.In the Third Prince's residence, the Third Prince remarked with a scowl, "You've heard that the Emperor has been seeking out the Second Prince these past few days and has sent hundreds of catties of fruits and vegetables to his residence?"Liu Yunan, who had grown less composed over the past year, noted, "It seems that despite their efforts to undermine the Crown Prince, the situation is beginning to waver.""Does the Emperor know that the Second Prince has been paying close attention to the Jin palace recently?" Liu Yunan asked.The Third Prince replied with a tight-lipped expression, "Of course he knows. The fact that the Emperor is aware but has chosen not to punish him suggests there might be a deeper reason."Liu Yunan frowned. "The Emperor is deeply wary of King Jin. It's unlikely that he would lightly expose the Second Prince's activities and reward him without significant cause."The Third Prince's lips curled in disdain. "The Second Prince is nothing more than a fool. What's so special about him? The Emperor must be losing his senses."Liu Yunan considered this carefully and said, "We shouldn't be overly concerned about the Second Prince. The real threat lies elsewhere."The Third Prince, intrigued, asked, "Where do you think the real threat is?"Liu Yunan responded, "Who is the Emperor most afraid of?""The King of Jin," the Third Prince answered.Liu Yunan continued, "Since the Emperor is punishing the Second Prince and confining him to his quarters, it indicates his concern about the Second Prince's close ties with King Jin. The subsequent reward must have been prompted by other reasons. If the Emperor is so concerned, we should focus on this aspect. Remember, the Second Prince was previously close to Wang Shizi as well."The Third Prince nodded, understanding her point. "We should exploit this. If the Emperor has already placed trust in the Second Prince, we must ensure that he doesn't gain further influence. One prince is enough; we don't need more rivals."The Third Prince, after reflecting on the Emperor's and the Second Prince's temperaments, smiled at Liu Yunan. He took her hand and said, "As always, An An, you are the most perceptive."Liu Yunan smiled back. "You've been preoccupied with the Crown Prince's issues. It's good for you to rest in the mansion this month.""Yes, you know me best," the Third Prince agreed."However, there is one person we must remain vigilant about," Liu Yunan added.The Third Prince, already aware of her concerns, nodded. "King Jin."The mention of King Jin brought a dangerous glint to the Third Prince's eyes. "Indeed. With so many recent events, it's clear that King Jin must be involved.""Yes," the Third Prince agreed, though his gaze toward Liu Yunan was tinged with an odd look. He hesitated, struggling to find the right words.Sensing his unease, Liu Yunan addressed the unspoken issue directly. "Are you referring to the lady from the duke Sai Mansion ?"The Third Prince's face showed a flicker of guilt as he quickly assured her, "An An, don't worry. She will only be a concubine, never a main wife. I need Duke's support, but she will not bear my child. Our future children will inherit the position."Liu Yunan understood the Third Prince's position. Despite the questionable methods used to elevate the lady of a duke's house to a concubine, she was focused on the ultimate goal."Understood," she said. "Supporting your plan is crucial, as King Jin remains our primary adversary. If we dismantle his influence among the generals, we stand a chance. The Emperor's attention will also shift to you."Relieved, the Third Prince expressed his gratitude. "I know, An An, you are always considerate. However, I assure you, she will not carry my child. Only our future children will inherit the title."Liu Yunan was resolute. She would fight for what she wanted, regardless of the Third Prince's personal choices. Her confidence remained unshaken.After discussing the important matters, Liu Yunan departed that night. As she rode in her carriage, she leaned back, reflecting on her mixed feelings. Despite her rational understanding of the situation, she felt a pang of disappointment with the Third Prince and frustration with their current predicament.Drawing in a breath of the cool evening air, Liu Yunan cleared her mind. Among the three princes, only the Third Prince seemed capable of wielding power effectively. Her participation in court matters hinged on his success. If the Crown Prince or the Second Prince were to ascend, her efforts and her relationship with the Third Prince would be in vain.With her thoughts settled, Liu Yunan pulled up the carriage curtain and closed her eyes, planning her next steps.Meanwhile, Wei Laosan and his party had been traveling slowly due to concerns for the elderly and children. After more than half a month, they finally arrived in the capital.