Chapter 228: Volume One – Chapter 228: Making Prince Qi a Knife in the Emperor

Volume One – Chapter 228: Making Prince Qi a Knife in the Emperor's Hand

Princess Zhaoqing understood at this point that Noble Consort Rong was truly here to negotiate peace; could she be intending to help her brother obtain an official post?

But could the Emperor agree?

Princess Zhaoqing was deeply conflicted, yet she knew her words were just thoughts; she clenched her teeth and dared not speak again to offend anyone, and pricked up her ears to listen to the Mother Consort and Noble Consort Rong converse.

"In fact, His Highness Prince Qi does have some talent; it would be a pity for him to be trapped at home without displaying his abilities," the Emperor had once told me, Rong Luoge slowly tossed out a bait.

"Did His Majesty really say that?" the Ming Imperial Consort asked in surprise.

Rong Luoge nodded slightly, "Imperial Consort, you have also seen that Prince Shou and Prince Liang have already taken positions to share His Majesty's burdens, but the two princes differ in ability. Prince Liang's duties carry heavier responsibility, while Prince Shou's are comparatively lighter. His Majesty has always been a fraternal, affectionate person, so he naturally would not begrudge his brothers or arbitrarily suppress them."

The Ming Imperial Consort fell silent. The Emperor's enthronement with Prince Shou and Prince Liang indeed came as a surprise, and the difficulty was that both had served diligently without any slip‑ups; the only criticism was that Prince Shou's abilities were limited, occasionally making him clumsy.

"His Highness Prince Qi is being considered for appointment by His Majesty here, but I don't know what the prince thinks—whether he is willing to serve the nation."

"Of course I'm willing," the Ming Imperial Consort could no longer restrain herself, turning to Noble Consort Rong and speaking immediately, "To be frank, Prince Qi does have this intention, but after all he once harbored fantasies about the succession. If he truly takes office, I worry that the restless officials at court would grill him."

"Imperial Consort, you need not worry; as long as Prince Qi walks uprightly and does nothing that could be misunderstood, His Majesty will not misinterpret," Rong Luoge looked at the Ming Imperial Consort, a pleasant smile appearing at the corner of her mouth, "Prince Qi has ability and talent; staying cooped up in the palace is truly a waste. I think the affairs of the Inner Court Office indeed require a decisive, ruthless person to control the overall situation. What do you think, Imperial Consort?"

Ming Imperial Consort: …

She knew there's no such thing as a free lunch from the heavens; the affairs of the Inner Court Office are not something ordinary people dare to take on—the waters are too deep.

Noble Consort Rong is asking her son to cut into the Inner Court Office; this is a task that offends many. If he truly takes it, he will end up offending everyone and can only cling to the Emperor.

The Ming Imperial Consort wavered; if she didn't accept this assignment, she feared her son would truly have to spend the rest of his life in Prince Qi's residence, and that would be unacceptable.

Serving the Emperor means offending those old officials at court; as for the Inner Court Office, who knows how many members of the great families have been stuffed inside and how much profit they've siphoned.

If she doesn't serve the Emperor, she'll spend the rest of her life clinging to a prince's stipend, living a bleak existence.

Clenching her teeth and being ruthless, perhaps she could carve out a future.

But if she doesn't take this assignment, there will truly be no chance later.

"My agreeing to this isn't the point; the key is Prince Qi's assent," the Ming Imperial Consort gave a wry smile, looking at Noble Consort Rong, "You also know that this child hasn't recovered yet; if you are willing to be lenient, could you allow Prince Qi to enter the palace to visit me?"

Rong Luoge readily agreed, "Of course it can be done; such a major matter truly requires Prince Qi's own willingness to succeed."

The Ming Imperial Consort immediately said, "Then thank you, Noble Consort Rong, for your leniency."

"You're too courteous, Imperial Consort; after all, it's all for the Owl Kingdom," Rong Luoge was pleased with the outcome; both matters had essentially met her expectations, "Then I won't trouble you further, Imperial Consort; you should also take good care of your health. If you lack anything, just have someone fetch it from me."

The Ming Imperial Consort smiled in response and saw Noble Consort Rong out the door.

After Noble Consort Rong left, she only then turned back and heard her daughter ask anxiously, "Mother Consort, do you really want brother to agree?"

The Ming Imperial Consort looked at her daughter, "What do you think?"

"I don't know," Princess Zhaoqing said, conflicted, "It's naturally good to become an official, but I'm also afraid this is Noble Consort setting a trap for brother."

The Ming Imperial Consort sighed softly at her daughter's words, "It truly is a big pit; Noble Consort isn't hiding anything, she's laid it out plainly."

"Huh? What does that mean?" Princess Zhaoqing didn't understand; which of her words had she missed, she wondered why she couldn't grasp what Mother Consort was saying.

The Ming Imperial Consort knew she had to teach her daughter some things; otherwise, when she eventually married out and joined her husband's family, her temperament would cause her great loss.

If her son sat in that position, there'd be no worry, but since he didn't, her daughter could no longer be carefree as before; she just needed to live happily.

She painstakingly explained the Inner Court Office affairs to her daughter; Princess Zhaoqing's eyes widened in disbelief, "How can these people be so audacious?"

"What wouldn't they dare for profit?" the Ming Imperial Consort sneered, "Recently His Majesty issued a new decree for the Inner Court Office, which served as a deterrent, but look how soon these people already reached out to siphon the harem's expenses. When your father the Emperor reigned, the early years were fine; back then he was young and vigorous, and these people didn't dare act brazenly. As he grew older, their inhibitions faded."

The Ming Imperial Consort, at this point, gave a cold laugh, "Why are the Inner Court Office officials so bold? It's simply because seven or eight out of ten officials here come from aristocratic families; backed by their clans, they naturally fear nothing."

Princess Zhaoqing had never been exposed to these matters before; her life had always been that of a little daughter's daily routine, so she had no idea about court tactics. Suddenly frightened, she didn't know what to say and after a long pause finally managed, "Then if brother were to go to the Inner Court Office as an official…"

Isn't that stepping straight into a fire pit?

"I knew Noble Consort Rong had no good intentions," Princess Zhaoqing said angrily.

"Indeed, it's true she has no good intentions, but it's also true she's giving your brother a chance. If your brother truly manages the Inner Court Office assignment, his future should then be secure," the Ming Imperial Consort sighed.

Offending all those people in the Inner Court Office leaves one only able to stand on the Emperor's ship, becoming a knife in the Emperor's hand.

Noble Consort Rong is indeed ruthless; she constantly claims to bear no grudges, yet this assignment is truly tricky—a hot‑potato—whether taken or not, it irritates everyone.

Even if it's a hot‑potato, the Ming Imperial Consort knows she and her son have no other options, unless they intend to remain stagnant for life.

When night fell, Rong Luoge met with Han Xinglan and explained everything; Han Xinglan hadn't expected her to devise such a plan and was at a loss, half laughing, half crying, "How could you think of doing this?"

"Everyone says His Majesty is at odds with Prince Qi, and many are still scheming whether they can lift Prince Qi to contend with you. Moreover, Di Yue Nu has returned this time and may well harbor thoughts of manipulating Prince Qi. I can't follow their wishes; naturally, I must strike first," Rong Luoge chuckled lightly. She was no gentleman; she acted solely for the outcome.