Chapter 159: His Majesty is playing a grand chess game!

Haha, Minister Du, Fang observes your complexion is rosy; I suppose you've recovered from your rest and will be able to resume office soon.

Outside the Liangyi Hall, Fang Xuanling, who had originally come to find Li Shimin, saw Du Ruhui, who had also come to find Li Shimin, and was instantly overjoyed.

During the period when Du Ruhui resigned to recuperate, his duties were all transferred to him, keeping him extremely busy every day, exhausted mentally and physically.

Seeing Du Ruhui's body seemed to have recovered, he was naturally pleased.

Du Ruhui felt somewhat amused.

Good fellow, when seriously ill they called him Brother Ke Ming, but when recovered they called him Minister Du.

The old friend actually had two faces, which truly amused Du Ruhui.

However, he naturally understood Fang Xuanling's meaning: nothing more than hoping he would quickly return to court and reclaim his duties.

Fang Xuanling probably thought that he had come today to discuss with Li Shimin the matter of resuming office.

Unfortunately, Fang Xuanling was mistaken; he had not come today with any thought of returning to court, but rather had other business.

Moreover, after years of hard work, he finally had a legitimate excuse to rest—how could he return so quickly?

"Brother Fang, sorry, but you'll have to endure a bit longer."

Du Ruhui silently said to himself, then spoke bitterly: "Brother Fang, to be frank, during my period of recuperation I have constantly been thinking of state affairs, hoping to return to court soon to share His Majesty's burdens and work with many colleagues."

Fang Xuanling laughed upon hearing this.

However, Du Ruhui's next sentence caused his smile to freeze instantly.

"However, my body has not yet fully recovered; I can barely walk. Brother Fang should know that His Majesty's three edicts today concern my son, and I harbor doubts, leaving me no choice but to drag my sick body here to seek clarification from His Majesty."

Du Ruhui shook his head with a regretful expression.

Fang Xuanling: "......"

Damn it, I was happy for nothing.

I thought he could finally relax a bit, but it turned out to be merely his wishful thinking.

Indeed, he had personally witnessed Du Ruhui's treatment process back then; such an injury certainly couldn't heal in just a month or two.

Fang Xuanling said resentfully: "Minister Du, since your condition hasn't improved, you should rest even more and strive to recover as soon as possible."

"If there's anything, you could simply send a letter; I'll inform His Majesty for you—why make the trip yourself?"

Du Ruhui chuckled inwardly and changed the subject: "Brother Fang, when I arrived I saw you pacing outside; why didn't you go in?"

"Could it be that His Majesty is not here?"

"Not at all." Fang Xuanling explained: "Minister Du probably doesn't realize how much uproar His Majesty's three edicts have caused; many officials who consider themselves upright are inside petitioning for His Majesty to withdraw the orders."

"Come, listen."

Saying this, Fang Xuanling gestured for him to come forward; Du Ruhui, seeing this, became interested, stepped forward two paces, and brought his ear close to the door.

Throughout the Tang Dynasty, probably only a handful of people would dare to do that.

"Huh, are they arguing in there?" Du Ruhui murmured.

"Indeed, they've been arguing for a while." Fang Xuanling scoffed.

Perhaps because they were far off, they couldn't make out exactly what was being argued, but they could catch bits and pieces.

As Fang Xuanling said, they were urging Li Shimin to withdraw the orders, claiming it couldn't set a precedent, would harm future generations, speaking grandly of righteousness and fearlessness, leaving Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling speechless.

The two did not want to get involved in this matter, so they stayed outside, waiting quietly.

After an unknown amount of time, Li Shimin's angry roar came from within the hall, along with a vigorous 'Get out!'

A large number of officials streamed out of the Liangyi Hall, grumbling dissatisfiedly as they walked.

Love them or hate them, these people are truly bold.

As soon as they emerged, they saw Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, but having just been scolded and failing to achieve their goals, the two groups did not engage.

After those officials had left, Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui exchanged a glance, then entered the hall.

At that moment, Li Shimin still looked angry, cursing under his breath.

Upon seeing Du Ruhui, Li Shimin exclaimed in surprise: "Ke Ming, has your illness healed?"

"...... Uh." Du Ruhui replied embarrassedly: "Your Majesty, my illness hasn't healed yet; I can barely walk."

Li Shimin's eyes flashed with a hint of disappointment, but he also understood, raising his hand and saying: "Since you're here, please have a seat."

The two stood on ceremony, for they had been here countless times and were quite familiar with the place.

"You two are also here to inquire about the matter of granting Weinan County to the Crown Prince as a fief?" Li Shimin asked immediately.

Fang Xuanling immediately spoke: "Your Majesty, regarding this matter, I indeed harbor doubts."

"The Crown Prince is the heir apparent; logically he will inherit the throne, so he need not have a fief like other princes; if forced to grant one, it could cause turmoil and suspicion in court."

"I believe Your Majesty is a wise ruler; even knowing it's inadvisable, you firmly granted the Crown Prince a fief, surely there is a purpose unknown to this humble servant."

"I have pondered deeply but still cannot find an answer; therefore I dare to seek clarification from Your Majesty."

There is a great difference between servant and servant.

For example, someone like Fang Xuanling, who is talented and followed Li Shimin through life and death when he rose in rebellion, naturally carries different weight.

Sometimes one need not hide one's words.

Li Shimin nodded, looking at Du Ruhui and said: "I won't ask you; I suppose your purpose is the same as Xuanling's. I thought more than just the two of you would come, but Fu Ji and that country squire Wei Zheng didn't show up."

"That is somewhat unexpected."

He said, gazing at Du Ruhui: "Ke Ming, you know quite a bit about the situation; you should be able to guess some of my intentions—why don't you speak first?"

"Ah?" Du Ruhui raised his head in surprise.

He had come here to seek clarification from Li Shimin; how did it turn into him being asked to speak?

Meanwhile, Fang Xuanling looked at his old friend in puzzlement.

Logically, Du Ruhui is seriously ill and has not gone out during this period; how could he, upon hearing His Majesty's words, seem to know some things he doesn't?

What is going on?

Du Ruhui thought for a moment and said, "His Majesty granting Weinan County to the Crown Prince as a fief should be for his son, or put another way, paving the way for the Marquis of Weinan."

His Majesty, is what I said correct?

"Huh?" Li Shimin laughed and asked, "Why do you say that, my dear minister?"

"I indeed value Zi An, but to claim I expend such great effort to pave the way for him—does that seem a bit forced?"

Forced? Nonsense. You're definitely paving the way for Chen Yan.

If earlier Du Ruhui still had some doubts, now he can almost be certain.

He continued, "The Marquis of Weinan has already married Princess Gao Yang; according to His Majesty's earlier intention, he was to be placed in the court as an official."

"However, His Majesty did not, as I imagined, keep talent like the Marquis of Weinan by his side, but transferred him to Weinan County and even sent his son to assist him."

"Moreover, if you intend to grant Weinan County to the Crown Prince as a fief, you could have done it earlier or later, but you chose this particular moment."

"I dare guess that His Majesty is playing a grand chess move!"