Chapter 1071

Emperor Jian Shi sat dejectedly on the steps, his expression lonely.

In recent years, on the surface, he appeared to value Marquis Pingjiang highly, but in private, he had spared no effort to suppress him.

Now, the main figures of the entire Marquis Prefecture, from the Second Master to the Heir, hold no official positions. One could say it is because of mourning, but the fundamental reason is the Emperor's suppression.

Many people from the Marquis Prefecture serve in the officialdom, but their ranks are not high, and they hold no positions of real power.

Only Marquis Pingjiang alone holds military power, with heavy troops assembled.

As long as Marquis Pingjiang's military power is seized, the Marquis Prefecture will be like a bird with broken wings, never able to fly again, only able to wait for death in its cage.

Things were developing in the direction he had envisioned, but Xiliang moved south, the court officials forced his hand, and Marquis Pingjiang was brought back to life... all his efforts were wasted. Everything he had done before was in vain.

Could Emperor Jian Shi be reconciled to this?

Of course not.

But the situation is stronger than the man.

Wang De approached cautiously and whispered: "Your Majesty, the ground is cold; please take care of your health."

"Am I a failure?"

"Your Majesty speaks too heavily. For now, Xiliang is the most important thing."

"I am compromising precisely because I know this. But I am not reconciled!" Emperor Jian Shi punched the ground; just hearing the sound made one feel the pain in his hand.

Wang De hurriedly had someone bring hot water to apply a hot compress for the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, you shouldn't ruin your own body because of anger. Marquis Pingjiang is advanced in years; he won't be able to be arrogant for many more years. It won't be too late to summon him back to the capital after Xiliang is defeated."

"Heh heh! Once he defeats Xiliang, summoning him back to the capital will be extremely difficult! Why do you think Xiliang chose to move south at this time? Could it be that someone tipped them off?"

Emperor Jian Shi looked as if he were gritting his teeth.

"It seems necessary to let the Embroidered Uniform Guard investigate; no matter who it is, I want them dead!"

Wang De shivered along with him.

Anyone could hear that Emperor Jian Shi wanted Marquis Pingjiang dead! He didn't say it out loud, but in his heart, he had long since concluded that all of this was Marquis Pingjiang's calculation!

Old scoundrel!

Marquis Pingjiang is returning to the capital!

Marquis Pingjiang is not returning to the capital again!

Marquis Pingjiang is going to start fighting again!

Within a few short days, the situation had undergone a 180-degree turn, and the onlookers were all completely bewildered. This change in the situation was simply too shocking.

Chen Guanlou was stunned!

He thought to himself, no wonder the Marquis Prefecture wasn't anxious at all; it turned out they had a backup plan all along.

He ran to the Marquis Prefecture to inquire with the Chief Steward.

"You all played a really big hand."

"Don't talk nonsense!" The Chief Steward denied it flatly. "Played what? The Marquis Prefecture didn't play anything! Everything is destined by Heaven. Xiliang has had droughts for several consecutive years, the pastures have dried up, cattle, sheep, and horses have died one after another, and the people cannot make a living.

Although they annexed surrounding tribes and small countries, they still couldn't alleviate the pressure within their country. Moving south was destined; if not this year, it would be next year. Clearly, the Xiliang King couldn't wait until next year. By next year, perhaps the Xiliang King would be replaced. Understand? Everything was destined to happen."

"Chief Steward, you certainly know a lot about the situation in Xiliang!"

"The Marquis is fighting in the Northwest; it is only right for this old man to appropriately understand the situation there. Not just this old man, everyone in the Marquis Prefecture, from top to bottom, especially the children, must learn knowledge related to the Northwest so they can join the army and serve the court in the future."

"The court may not necessarily value the Marquis Prefecture's source of troops."

They might even have to guard against them strictly.

"It doesn't matter if the court doesn't value them; it's enough that the Marquis Prefecture values them itself." The Chief Steward's demeanor was relaxed, a change from his previous seriousness. Clearly, with Xiliang moving south and Marquis Pingjiang regaining military power, the entire Marquis Prefecture felt as if the clouds had parted to reveal the moon.

The dark clouds over the Marquis Prefecture had dispersed!

Although they were still in the mourning period, one could visibly see that the Marquis Prefecture's popularity and spirit were gradually recovering, a change from the decadence when the old lady first died!

The Marquis Prefecture silently told the outside world that the Marquis Prefecture was still there and couldn't be toppled! Anyone who bet on the Marquis Prefecture's downfall would be slapped in the face!

Even if trapped in desperation, the Marquis Prefecture could still make a comeback!

Did you think it ended there?

This was just the beginning.

Two days later, the palace gave the Marquis Prefecture generous rewards.

Immediately after, the Heir, Chen Guanfu, was allowed to return to his official post. He was a grandson, and half a year of mourning was enough. A great talent could not be cooped up at home; he had to come out to serve the court and share the Emperor's burdens.

And this time, Emperor Jian Shi was very generous, letting Chen Guanfu serve in the Ministry of Personnel. This was the head of the Six Ministries, showing how much the Emperor valued him.

As for the Ministry of Works, eh, it really had become the Emperor's private plot.

Emperor Jian Shi arranged for Xiao Changsheng to serve in the Ministry of Works as Vice Minister.

What was he doing?

He was clearly replicating the path Jiang Tu had taken back then.

Could it be that the Emperor wanted to mold Xiao Changsheng into a second Jiang Tu?

Absurd!

Utterly absurd!

Does the Emperor even know what he is doing? Xiao Changsheng is unlearned and unskilled, rising to power because of his sister, the Imperial Consort; his family background is slightly better than that of Jiang Tu, that street hoodlum, but even so, it cannot cover up Xiao Changsheng's identity as a sycophant who clearly serves with his 'beauty'.

Although no one says it, everyone has a ledger in their hearts.

With Xiao Changsheng's pretty face, he stays overnight in the palace at every turn. If you say the Emperor isn't after his beauty, even ghosts wouldn't believe it.

The brother and sister are both goods who serve with their beauty; in an instant, everyone cast doubt on the three princes born to Imperial Consort Xiao.

For a time, Xiao Changsheng's popularity clearly overshadowed the reinstated Chen Guanfu.

Inside and outside the court, people were whispering that Xiao Changsheng relied on his beauty to get the position of Vice Minister of Works, replicating Jiang Tu's path to success.

Chen Guanfu stood in front of the full-length mirror, trying on his newly made official uniform.

"Everyone has run off to focus on Xiao Changsheng, which is excellent! Add some more fuel to the fire, and strive to have Xiao Changsheng take over the mansion where Jiang Tu used to live."

"Heir, this matter might be a bit difficult. The mansion where Jiang Tu used to live is now managed by the Imperial Treasury and has been allocated to a member of the imperial clan."

"Then kick them out. Tell Wang De that as long as he accomplishes this, I will take care of his nephew's studies and imperial examinations. A mere Jixia Academy is not worth mentioning."

The Chief Steward stood to the side, bowing. "Why does the Heir insist on having Xiao Changsheng live in the mansion where Jiang Tu lived?"

"Everyone says Xiao Changsheng is replicating Jiang Tu's path, so I will give him a helping hand to make his replication more complete. Imperial Consort Xiao wants to become in-laws with me, heh heh..." Chen Guanfu looked at the mirror with a look of disgust. "Since I have been reinstated, the matter of Mengxun entering the palace for the selection cannot be delayed any longer."

"Does the Heir mean..."

"The Marquis Prefecture never takes sides. However, when necessary, the Marquis Prefecture will still make a choice."

Chen Guanfu sneered, seemingly satisfied with the new official uniform, but he still offered his opinion:

"The cuffs need to be taken in; don't affect my writing. The belt should be wider. That jade pendant Chen Guanlou brought last time—is he unwilling to sell it?"

"The Heir's information is outdated. That jade pendant he brought last time was stolen by a woman. He was too embarrassed to say so himself and lied, claiming he kept it to play with. I didn't have the heart to expose him either. Sigh, he is good at everything, but he is easily brought down by women."