Chapter 558: Parting the Clouds to Reveal Deep Danger

Shenjing North City, Yulong Street, Zhao Wang Mansion.

Zhao Wang, Li Zhongmao, felt somewhat anxious when he heard that someone from the Qianyang Palace had come to offer sacrifices.

Ever since Zhang Kangnian failed and was punished in Jinling, the Emperor's harmony and trust in him had taken a sharp turn for the worse.

Although he had thought of many ways to remedy it, he was struggling and seemed unable to recover anything.

At this time, the Wang Fei passed away, and someone from Qianyang Palace suddenly came to the mansion to pay respects.

Prince Ning and others could think of it, and Zhao Wang could naturally be certain that the visitor must have been instructed by the Emperor.

This made Zhao Wang feel surprise and joy. Could it be that because of the Wang Fei's passing, the Emperor finally felt pity and changed his mind...

But Zhao Wang knew that his father Emperor had always been deep in strategy, with a dark and unpredictable mind, and it was really hard to guess without seeing it with his own eyes.

Not only was he full of anxiety and confusion, but Prince Ning, Jia Cong, and others who followed Zhao Wang were also curious in their hearts, but since it had nothing to do with them, they just followed to fulfill the etiquette.

When the group arrived at the entrance of the Wang Fu, they saw two carriages parked at the entrance, with the emblem of the Palace Ceremonial Supervision on them.

A eunuch nearly forty years old got off the first carriage; it was Guo Lin, the deputy director of the palace eunuchs.

Later, several little yellow-gate eunuchs got off the carriage, and they were also carrying two loads of top-quality incense, candles, paper money, straw figures, and other sacrificial items.

Although the director of the palace eunuchs was Ouyang Bin, after the Retired Emperor retired to the deep palace, Ouyang Bin also followed the Retired Emperor into seclusion, and the power of the palace eunuchs was handed over to Guo Lin.

Therefore, although Guo Lin was the deputy director of the eunuchs, he was the veritable number one eunuch in the Great Zhou palace, and he was the confidant most trusted by the current Emperor, always serving by the Emperor's side, never leaving his side.

Seeing that the person sent by his father Emperor to mourn the Wang Fei was actually the deputy director Guo Lin, one could see how much importance he attached to this matter. His thoughts surged, and he couldn't help but be excited.

Because in Zhao Wang's view, since his father Emperor sent his most trusted eunuch to mourn the Wang Fei, it was the greatest mourning honor given to the Wang Fei, and it was also a comfort for his loss of his wife, and a forgiveness for the previous estrangement.

Wasn't this what he had been waiting to get? Zhao Wang thought of this, and a burst of ecstasy surged in his heart.

Even though he was facing the pain of losing his wife, Zhao Wang still had a smile on his face when he saw Guo Lin, saying, "So it is Director Guo who has arrived. This Prince failed to welcome you from afar, and I hope you will forgive me."

Guo Lin smiled somewhat insincerely and said, "Your Highness is too polite. The Emperor heard that Wang Fei Zhao passed away and said that the Wang Fei was virtuous and steady, a model among the primary wives of the princes, and her virtue could cover her peers.

This year she was only twenty, and because of a minor illness, she ended up in a critical condition. Heaven did not give her time, and the Emperor felt very regretful in his heart.

In the past, when the Wang Fei entered the palace to pay respects to the Empress and the Empress Dowager, this servant had met her several times. The Wang Fei treated people kindly and respected etiquette, which is admirable.

Now hearing of the Wang Fei's passing, the Emperor specially granted this old servant leave to come to the Wang Fu to mourn."

Prince Ning on the side sighed, "This Prince also heard that the Wang Fei was very esteemed by the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. It is indeed true, but it is truly regrettable that she passed away so young."

After hearing Guo Lin's words, Zhao Wang, Li Zhongmao, thanked him with his mouth, but felt extremely uncomfortable in his heart.

On festivals in the past, he brought the Wang Fei into the palace to pay respects, but the Emperor did not praise the Wang Fei too much, yet he didn't expect that he valued her so much in his heart.

The father Emperor even called her a model among primary wives, and her virtue could cover her peers. This was already a very high praise, and even had the appearance of being the mother of the world in the future.

Zhao Wang, as the eldest imperial prince, knew very well the schemes of the royal family. Since ancient times, the Emperor's words were worth a thousand gold, and his words were law. The Emperor's words were all carefully considered and would never be spoken casually.

His father Emperor was deep in calculation, and his words would not be aimless.

Guo Lin was the father Emperor's close confidant and an even more seasoned person. The words he said would never be spoken casually, but contained deep meaning.

Zhao Wang originally thought that after the Wang Fei passed away, his connection with the Zhang family of Jiangling would fade, and the suspicion and doubt in his father Emperor's heart because of Zhang Kangnian would gradually fade, which was a good thing for him.

Now hearing what Guo Lin said, he seemed to have thought of the matter too simply...

Guo Lin continued, "The Emperor also said that when he was in the potential residence, he had an old friendship with Master Qilian of the Jiangling Zhang family. Although it was only a friendship of gentlemen, it was still an old friendship.

Master Qilian lost his legitimate eldest granddaughter in his later years, and he must be grieving in his heart. Your Highness should write a letter to pay respects to comfort him, on behalf of the Wang Fei to fulfill the filial piety.

The Emperor also heard that the Wang Fei's same-generation brothers, Zhang Kangwen and Zhang Kangyong, were the Wang Fei's same-generation brothers.

The two had been officials in the Ministry of Works and the Court of Ceremonial, and although they had no outstanding achievements, they were still diligent. Now they have been transferred to remote states as officials.

The Emperor, thinking of Wang Fei Zhao's virtuous posture and the Jiangling Zhang family as a virtuous family, should grant them favor. He has already decreed to the Ministry of Personnel to use them according to their talents and transfer them to the capital's government offices to serve as officials, to comfort the Wang Fei's spirit."

Prince Beijing Shui Rong, First-Class Count Niu Jizong, First-Class Viscount Liu Fang, and others who heard this all echoed, saying that although the Wang Fei had passed away, receiving the Emperor's mercy and favor, she should be able to rest in peace without regrets.

Prince Ning looked at Zhao Wang with envy that he didn't even hide...

In fact, thinking about it, it was reasonable. Although the person was gone, the family's imperial favor remained undiminished. In the eyes of others, this was the Emperor giving Zhao Wang and the Wang Fei great decency.

Zhao Wang hurriedly bowed to the south, saying many words about the imperial grace, and his originally sad face seemed to become even paler, but others couldn't see it.

At this moment, he felt somewhat confused. In the eyes of others, it was such imperial kindness, but deep in his heart, it stirred up huge discrepancies and fear.

Everything in front of him had completely deviated from his assumptions.

He forced the Zhang family children out of Shenjing, and his primary wife passed away suddenly, just dissolving the decline brought by Zhang Kangnian.

But the palace bestowed favor, effortlessly pushing things back to the original track, making people unable to struggle at all, or letting them fall into the abyss.

He seemed to be able to see his father Emperor's cold and deep gaze, looking at him with some disdain, as if he had already seen through him...

After Zhao Wang let Guo Lin into the mansion and led him into the mourning hall where Wang Fei Zhao's coffin was placed.

The news that Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao sent Guo Lin to mourn Wang Fei Zhao and granted favor to the Jiangling Zhang family spread quickly among the guests and officials who came to mourn.

Inside and outside the Prince's mourning hall, many people whispered, all saying that the Emperor was kind and benevolent, and although Wang Fei Zhao died, her favor remained undiminished...

Jia Cong, although he followed the crowd and accompanied Zhao Wang to the mansion entrance to welcome Guo Lin, and saw the whole process of the matter.

But he didn't, like Shui Rong and Li Zhongrui, praise Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao for granting favor to the Wang Fei, showing kindness and benevolence. He just watched quietly from the side and didn't show his face or speak.

After returning to Shenjing from Jin Ling, he heard that Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had developed suspicions and misgivings toward his eldest son, Li Zhongmao, whom he had always trusted and relied upon, because of Zhang Kangnian.

Since the beginning of the eleventh month of last year, the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Court of Judicial Review had been active frequently, and the officials, connections, and military commanders under Zhao Wang, Li Zhongmao, had all been subjected to a round of purges.

This was because the Emperor, due to the Zhang Kangnian incident, regarded Zhao Wang's secret accumulation of power as a hidden danger and suppressed and weakened it.

The current Emperor was in his prime. Under normal circumstances, his imperial path was still very long, and his ambitions had much time to be practiced.

Possessing the world and subduing the four seas, emperors all regard it as a treasure, and until the moment of life and death, they do not allow others to touch it, even their own children.

Naturally, he did not hope that among the imperial princes, someone would attempt to grow big and have any improper thoughts.

After the impact of the Jin Ling Guard Army case, Zhao Wang, Li Zhongmao, revealed his true level.

After being suppressed by Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, Zhao Wang, Li Zhongmao, who had been renowned in the court and among the people and even rumored to be the successor, saw his influence greatly diminished compared to before.

This might be the effect Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao wanted...

Jia Cong had heard too many such deeds in his past and present lives. This kind of internal entanglement and secret struggle involving the royal family had always been the most filthy and dangerous thing in the world.

Once involved, one would fall into a state of no return. Therefore, encountering this kind of situation, he naturally stayed as far away as possible, and was too lazy to say even a word of nonsense.

The scene seen today, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, during the mourning period of Wang Fei Zhao, not only sent his confidant eunuch Guo Lin to the mansion to mourn, to show kindness and benevolence.

He also moved the Zhang family children who had been moved out of Shenjing back to Shenjing to serve as officials. Such generous favor to Wang Fei Zhao was quite unusual no matter how you looked at it.

Moreover, the Emperor moved the Zhang family children who had been moved out of Shenjing back to Shenjing to serve as officials, which shows that these relatives of Wang Fei Zhao were not the target of the Emperor's suppression.

Then who moved them out of Shenjing in the first place? Jia Cong only needed to think a little, and the answer was self-evident. It must be Zhao Wang, because he was implicated by Zhang Kangnian and lost the trust of the Emperor, so he used means to force all the Zhang family children in the capital out of Shenjing to clear himself...

Over the years, Jia Cong had frequent contact with Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao. He knew very well that this deep and suspicious monarch most feared being deceived by his subordinates.

With the Emperor's consistent sharpness, how could Zhao Wang's tricks escape his eyes? It was just showing off before an expert.

The Emperor made such a big fanfare and granted great favor to the deceased Wang Fei, which was to show his dissatisfaction with Zhao Wang's actions.

Zhao Wang also spent a lot of effort, but what he did did not resolve the estrangement between father and son, but instead made the relationship between father and son even more rigid and distant.

Moreover, Jia Cong secretly pondered and thought deeply that the whole thing might not be limited to this.

He remembered that before he went out today, Wu Er had mentioned the rumors outside to him, saying that Wang Fei Zhao died young because of the death of her brother Zhang Kangnian, and she died of excessive grief.

At that time, Jia Cong felt that this matter was a bit strange. The death of parents and siblings is indeed a great pain in life, but it is very rare to die of excessive grief because of it.

What's more, Wang Fei Zhao and Zhang Kangnian were only cousins, not siblings of the same father and mother. Dying of grief because of it is somewhat inconsistent with secular human feelings and common sense.

Therefore, Wang Fei Zhao's death might not be because of the death of her cousin Zhang Kangnian, which led to her death of grief...

Thinking of the Zhang family children who were hurriedly moved out of Shenjing by Zhao Wang, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's deliberate generosity to the Jiangling Zhang family, and Zhao Wang's face that looked grateful but could not help but suppress the disappointment,

Jia Cong seemed to have some enlightenment, and looking at the eldest imperial prince beside him, a sense of solemnity that made him shudder arose in his heart...

Jia Cong recalled the drill site for the new red-clad cannons, where he first saw Zhao Wang, Li Zhongmao, whose demeanor and style were so extraordinary.

Moreover, his words and deeds were enthusiastic and clear, respecting the virtuous, and even gave the precious sword carried by Prince Yu, which was captured after destroying the Chahan tribe of the remnants of the Mongols, as a gift.

It can be said that Jia Cong had always had a good impression of this eldest imperial prince, but he didn't expect that he was such a deep and sinister person. Did he really do such a thing that angered both gods and men?

Jia Cong watched coldly as Guo Lin paid his respects before Wang Fei Zhao's spirit, and watched Zhao Wang, with a warm face, respectfully send Guo Lin out of the Wang Fu.

He suddenly felt that this magnificent Wang Fu, the handsome and heroic Zhao Wang, and the seasoned and capable Guo Lin were all filled with an unspeakable gloom.

He followed others to pay his respects before the Wang Fei's spirit, declined Zhao Wang's polite invitation to stay for a banquet, and hurriedly said goodbye and left.

Just as he walked out of the corner door of the Wang Fu, he heard someone calling him from behind. Looking back, it was Prince Beijing Shui Rong, and his heart paused slightly.

Shui Rong smiled and said, "This Prince recently heard that Jia Yuzhang has been reading behind closed doors. Many talented people who came to the capital for the exam have heard of your name and came to the Marquis's Mansion to pay a visit, but they have no chance to see you.

Jia Yuzhang is so diligent in reading, could it be that you are determined to win the glory of the laurel in the spring exam again?"

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Your Highness is too flattering. In the Yongzhou area, I had some luck.

The spring exam is a gathering of talented people from all over the world. There is no second in martial arts, and no first in literature. Even if I am arrogant again, I dare not speak of winning the laurel in the spring exam, lest I become a laughingstock."

Shui Rong smiled and said, "Jia Yuzhang is too modest. During this time, talented people often come to my mansion. They are all the best of the scholars from all over the world. We serve tea and listen to music, discuss poetry and articles, which is quite interesting."

Jia Cong wondered, "I recently heard that a booklet has appeared on the market, specially recording the candidates and subordinate officials for this spring exam, causing scholars from all over the world to follow the booklet and visit, which is very noisy.

It's just that I have been reading behind closed doors recently and haven't seen that strange booklet. Your Highness also has talented scholars visiting. Could it be that Your Highness's name is also on that booklet?"

Shui Rong was slightly stunned when he heard this and smiled, "Jia Yuzhang is really teasing me. What is recorded on that blue booklet are all the great scholars and famous people in the court and the pride of the imperial exam.

How could a person like me have the honor to be recorded on it? It's just that I like to socialize and travel in my daily life, so I have some reputation, which is why people come to move around.

It's just that although my mansion is full of talented scholars, it's a pity that you, the Jieyuan of Yongzhou, are missing, which is a bit of a flaw.

If Jia Yuzhang can take time out to visit, everyone discussing poetry and articles together will definitely become a good story, and my mansion will add even more glory..."

Jia Cong heard the key words from Shui Rong's words: blue booklet, and what is recorded on it are all great scholars and famous people in the court and the pride of the imperial exam.

He could already conclude that Shui Rong had also seen this strange booklet. Otherwise, how would he know it was blue, and be so sure about the characteristics of the recorded names...

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Some time ago, there was quite a bit of turmoil in the court regarding the selection of the chief examiner for the spring exam.

Master Liu instructed me to read behind closed doors before the spring exam, focus on the exam, and not be negligent, move around, or provoke trouble. I also have to follow the master's orders.

If it weren't for Wang Fei Zhao's passing today, and the etiquette of the noble family not being allowed to be slighted, I'm afraid I would have saved even this trip out. I can only fail Your Highness's good intentions."

Shui Rong was a bit disappointed when he heard this, but he was not too surprised. He had been rejected by Jia Cong many times, but every time Jia Cong's etiquette was meticulous, making it impossible for people to find any reason to blame him.

Scholars have always respected their teachers. Jia Cong's sentence "the master's orders are hard to disobey" already made it difficult for people to refute.

Moreover, Jia Cong's teacher, Liu Jingan, was a contemporary literary master, and his words were authoritative in literary matters. Even if Prince Beijing had the dignity of a prince, he had to retreat three feet in etiquette.

Shenjing, City West Hongxiang Inn.

In the independent courtyard on the south side of the inn, Wu Liang and Zhou Yan entered the courtyard laughing and talking, seeing the door of the west wing open, and Lin Zhaohe was sorting out his luggage there.

Wu Liang asked curiously, "Brother Yichun, why are you sorting out your luggage at this juncture?"

Lin Zhaohe smiled and said, "A few days ago, when you went out to pay visits, a cousin of mine found the inn. He has lived in Shenjing for several years, but I have always been studying in the academy, so we lost contact.

He also heard about my news from the same year in the capital, so he found my residence and invited me to live in his villa, saying that the place is quiet and convenient for reading before the spring exam.

It is also a kind of deep affection, and it is also the friendship of a cousin from childhood. I really can't refuse, so I'm moving there today.

I was waiting for you two to come back so we could say goodbye to each other before leaving."

Wu Liang looked regretful and said, "I originally wanted to discuss articles with Brother Yichun often, so that we could make progress, but I didn't expect you to move away. However, it doesn't matter; it's convenient to move around in Shenjing.

The two of us visited Xu Liangxiong, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, last time to ask for advice and talk, and it was very harmonious. In addition, Master Xu and the teacher are close friends, so he values us two quite a bit.

Today, there is a banquet at Master Xu's mansion, and we two are also invited to attend. I'm afraid we will talk about some insights on entering the spring exam at the banquet.

Brother Yichun, Master Xu is the first place in the second rank of the spring exam in the 19th year of Yong'an. He is also an outstanding talent in the imperial exam. He has served as a subordinate official in the spring exam twice, and his experience in the spring exam test field is very seasoned.

Being able to listen to his explanation of the spring exam is something that cannot be exchanged for real gold and silver. The opportunity is really rare. Brother Yichun, you should attend this meeting before moving to your cousin's villa."

Lin Zhaohe heard this, his heart stirred slightly, and he said, "This kind of opportunity is indeed rare, but when entering the spring exam, everyone's knowledge and situation are different.

Although Master Xu is a senior in the imperial exam, his words and methods are not necessarily usable by everyone. Xiwen, you can use what you hear as a reference, and you can't use it all.

I really want to go together, but the carriage and horses for the family to visit are already waiting outside the store, and there are elders waiting in his house, so I really don't dare to be rude.

Another day, I will invite you two to drink together, and then I will tell you about the reference, which will also let me broaden my knowledge."

Wu Liang shook his head with a smile when he heard Lin Zhaohe's words. He knew his classmate's temper well; he always kept his promises and had an appointment with his family first, so he definitely wouldn't go.

However, he was right. When the two of them go, they will tell him, and he will know everything, which is also a convenient thing.

The two helped Lin Zhaohe take his luggage and sent him to the carriage that had been waiting for a long time.

When Lin Zhaohe got into the carriage, he looked back and saw Wu Liang and Zhou Yan still standing on the side of the road waving goodbye to him, their faces still carrying a happy spirit.

Probably looking forward to the banquet at Master Xu's mansion today, where they can listen to the teachings of the predecessors of the imperial exam.

Lin Zhaohe boarded the carriage. As the wheels rolled, he suddenly thought of the Jieyuan of Yongzhou, the Marquis Weiyuan who rejected all the scholars who came to visit and focused on reading behind closed doors.

With his prestige in Shenjing and his roots in the officialdom, he has more opportunities to contact people like Xu Liangxiong than scholars like them.

However, there are many rumors about this person in the market, but I have never heard of him having any dealings with these officials waiting for the spring exam.

It can be seen that people with real talent have their own hills and valleys in their chests, and will not easily take these external forces of visiting and wandering to heart...

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 559 =====