Chapter 239: Volume 1, Chapter 239 — Wanting to Play Both Sides Is Absolutely Impossible

Prince Qi was genuinely surprised for a moment, looking at his mother and asking, "What kind of leverage?"

Noble Consort Ming looked at her son and smiled, "I can't tell you yet. Just go find him. If these things fall into your hands, Yun Jing would surely feel uneasy. Held in my hands, as long as they aren't leaked, he'll naturally be at ease."

Prince Qi fell silent for a moment, then looked up at his mother. "I understand. Then I'll have the Princess Consort make a trip back to her maiden family."

Noble Consort Ming nodded. "That works too. Go ahead. Once you've handled the Internal Court Office matter, if progress is fast enough, your sister and I might even be able to spend a reunion New Year with you at the prince's residence."

At the mention of this, Prince Qi finally cheered up a little. "Then I'll take my leave first."

Noble Consort Ming watched her son's retreating figure, her expression darkening slightly. It was simply that the Empress Dowager had been lucky to encounter a formidable ally like Rong Luoge. Had it been anyone else, she could have stirred up trouble in the Hou Gong and kept the new emperor from sitting securely on the throne.

With her son coordinating from the outside, the mother and son would not have been without opportunity.

But that Rong Luoge was deep in scheming and ruthless in method. Encountering her was like being grabbed by the throat. No matter how many tricks Noble Consort Ming had up her sleeve, facing someone who cut straight to the bone with such ruthlessness, there was nothing she could do.

Unable to maneuver and stall, she could only raise her hands in surrender and seek another path.

As for the Empress Dowager...

Noble Consort Ming gave a scoffing laugh. If that one didn't change her attitude and kept fixating on getting another empress from her maiden family, her days as Empress Dowager would likely not be easy going forward. By then, she, Noble Consort Ming, would be at the Qi Wang Fu surrounded by her children and grandchildren, perfectly positioned to watch the Empress Dowager make a fool of herself!

After returning to the residence, Prince Qi went directly to see Yun Shizhuang. Yun Shizhuang was very happy to see Prince Qi and immediately went up to greet him. "Your Highness, you're back?"

Prince Qi nodded impassively, looking at Yun Shizhuang and saying, "I have something to tell you. Make a trip back to your maiden family and tell my father-in-law that the Internal Court Office matter still requires his intervention to suppress it. My mother is also very concerned about this matter. I expect my father-in-law should know how to choose."

Yun Shizhuang listened with some confusion. She carefully studied His Highness's expression and saw that he didn't seem to be joking. Her mind immediately began to race. Of course she wouldn't mention the cold reception she'd received when she previously went to her maiden family seeking help. If His Highness knew that her family's affection for her wasn't that deep, it would be very disadvantageous for her standing in the prince's residence.

"Rest assured, Your Highness. I already made a trip back to my maiden family previously. My father already knows about this matter and will absolutely not stand idly by." Yun Shizhuang spoke with a smile. "Your Highness's affairs are my affairs. My father will naturally do everything in his power to help."

In the past, Prince Qi might have believed her somewhat, but having now seen through the warmth and coldness of human relationships, looking at the Princess Consort's somewhat hypocritical smile, he felt thoroughly bored in his heart. He said, "If that's the case, then I am at ease. While it's still early, Princess Consort, you should make the trip quickly. You'll be able to return before dark."

After Prince Qi finished speaking, he turned and left. Yun Shizhuang's face changed with anger, the blue veins on her hand gripping her handkerchief standing out prominently, her expression darkening.

She knew she was not the person Prince Qi loved. Sitting in the position of Princess Consort Qi—if he didn't love her, did she think she wanted it?

But after marrying him, she had already put away her former thoughts and devoted herself wholeheartedly to living with him. But what about Prince Qi?

Yun Shizhuang grew even angrier when she thought of Rong Dai. What a piece of work—he comes around when he needs her, but when he doesn't, she can't even get a meeting with him.

Even so, Yun Shizhuang still had to make the trip. His Highness's words just now had been a little strange. Her father had always refused to help before—could a few sentences really make him change his attitude?

Yun Shizhuang looked at the maid beside her, Lanyue. "Go see whether His Highness has gone to Rong Dai's quarters. Qiushuang, come with me back to the residence."

The two maids hurriedly complied. Yun Shizhuang didn't delay either, leaving the residence and taking a carriage back to her maiden family.

It was also a coincidence that when Yun Shizhuang arrived home, she happened to run into Chancellor Yun returning to the residence. Father and daughter came face to face. Yun Shizhuang hurried over to pay her respects and greet him. "Father, how come you're back so early today?"

Chancellor Yun looked at his daughter and nodded. "Why have you come back again? Since you're married, you should stay at the prince's residence, manage the household affairs properly, and serve His Highness. Don't keep coming back."

Yun Shizhuang was so angry her face went pale. Her eyes flickered repeatedly before she finally spoke. "Father, I didn't come back on my own. His Highness asked me to come back and pass on a message. His Highness says that Noble Consort Ming is also very concerned about the Internal Court Office matter and hopes you can step in to suppress it. I've delivered the message. If you have no other instructions, I'll be going back."

Yun Shizhuang didn't even want to enter the house. She turned to leave, only to hear her father say, "Stop! Did His Highness say anything else?"

Yun Shizhuang turned her head and carefully studied her father's expression, feeling that her suspicion was probably right. Previously, when she had come to ask her father for help, he had refused. Now the message His Highness had her pass included Noble Consort Ming. Could the key to the matter really lie with Noble Consort Ming?

"His Highness didn't say anything else. But as you also know, the Internal Court Office matter was caused by our family's relatives adding trouble. Whether or not you're willing to help, can the Yun family really escape?" Yun Shizhuang's words were not pleasant to hear—basically a direct slap across her own father's face.

Chancellor Yun's face darkened. "What do you know?"

Yun Shizhuang didn't want to argue with her father at the doorway either. She smiled. "You're right, Father. Your daughter knows nothing. In any case, the message has been delivered. I'll be heading back first."

Chancellor Yun, exasperated, said with a dark face, "Come inside!"

Yun Shizhuang snorted inwardly, then followed him into the residence, going all the way to the study. In the outer room, father and daughter sat down. Chancellor Yun looked at his daughter and said, "Last time you came back, it wasn't that Father didn't want to help you. It was that under those circumstances, with so many people watching, Father couldn't act rashly."

Yun Shizhuang smiled upon hearing this. "I know you have your difficulties, Father. After all, I'm a married daughter. Right now, our His Highness's situation is also difficult. But going forward, it's hard to say. His Majesty entrusted the Internal Court Office matter to His Highness—Father, have you not considered why? Noble Consort Ming is still in the palace. Previously, she couldn't meet with His Highness at all, but this time she was able to meet him once."

Chancellor Yun was taken aback. "She really met him?"

"If they hadn't met, how could I bring you a message?" Yun Shizhuang smiled. "When His Majesty was Crown Prince, he already had a reputation for benevolence and righteousness. He's not the type to kill indiscriminately. Moreover, after His Majesty ascended the throne, our His Highness has been able to follow the rules and do nothing out of line. When told to escort the funeral procession back to the imperial mausoleum, he went without a word of complaint. After returning, he stayed holed up in the prince's residence without stepping out the door once. His Majesty's decision to now employ His Highness must also be because he has seen His Highness's loyalty."

At this point, Yun Shizhuang paused slightly, raising her eyes to look at her father. "Regarding the Xue Mingli matter, Mother said you didn't orchestrate it. But his death brought us enormous trouble. This time, it's not just helping His Highness—it's also helping our own family. Father, I know you've always been cautious in your actions, but with this matter, even if you do nothing at all, do you think others will believe it?"

Chancellor Yun frowned and said nothing.

Yun Shizhuang thought for a moment, pursed her lips, and added one more thing. "Ever since that princess of Qingxuan State arrived in the capital for a high-profile marriage alliance, Rong Dai has been extremely arrogant in the prince's residence. I've seen her go to see His Highness several times. She might well be instigated by someone, trying to persuade His Highness of something. Father, your daughter is the Princess Consort Qi, and Rong Dai is a side consort. We and she are inherently on opposite sides. Wanting to play both sides is absolutely impossible."

Chancellor Yun, having his innermost thoughts struck, immediately grew somewhat guilty.