Chapter 929

"Grand Physician Zhang Feng, what do you think of this person?" Yuan Kui said slowly.

"Zhang Feng?"

Yuan Ji thought for a moment and said, "I don't have much contact with him on a daily basis, but rumors in the court say that Zhang Feng is not as vicious as Zhang Rang, and his reputation is quite good."

"Although Zhang Feng is different from Zhang Rang, he... he cannot perform the duties of a man," Yuan Kui suddenly said.

"Ah?"

Yuan Ji was greatly shocked: "This... I have never heard of this."

"Of course, only a very small number of people know about this. I learned of it in the first place from the Eunuch," Yuan Kui said.

"Yuan She?" Yuan Ji asked.

Yuan Kui nodded.

From Emperor Liu Zhi to the current Liu Hong, there have been three partisan prohibitions over two generations, and countless partisans and scholar-clans have been suppressed as a result.

The eunuchs hold power, and the scholar-clans are in decline.

Yet, under these circumstances, the Yuan clan has still been able to maintain its peak.

This is not entirely because the Yuan clan has had members serving as the Three Excellencies for four generations and is famous throughout the world.

In fact, if the partisan prohibitions were strictly enforced, the Yuan clan would be the first to be targeted.

But the Yuan clan, like the Xun clan of Yingchuan, made concessions to a certain extent.

The Regular Attendant Yuan She is the Yuan clan's concession.

He is also the external aid the Yuan clan has introduced into the palace.

It is precisely because of Yuan She that the Yuan clan was able to avoid the previous several partisan disasters and maintain its influence in the court.

Just as Xun Yu married the daughter of the Regular Attendant Tang Heng, which allowed the Xun clan to avoid the persecution of the partisan disasters.

"Zhang Feng actually..." Yuan Ji said, feeling very surprised: "Doesn't that mean, He Lingman..."

"Heh heh."

Yuan Kui smiled.

This is a scandal concerning Zhang Rang, and also a scandal concerning Zhang Feng.

It is just that such things cannot be spoken of.

Even less can it be allowed for just anyone to know; once it spreads, Zhang Rang will inevitably retaliate out of shame and anger.

There is no benefit in spreading such things; this kind of behavior that harms others without benefiting oneself is entirely consistent with family interests.

"No wonder." Yuan Ji suddenly thought of something and said: "No wonder it is rumored in Luoyang that He Lingman is unchaste and promiscuous; it turns out it is because of Zhang Feng..."

"Doesn't that mean that He Lingman's meeting with Duan Yu might be a secret tryst?"

Yuan Kui picked up his teacup, took a sip, and nodded: "That should be the case."

"You said that Duan Yu might have a connection with the He clan; that is not false."

"But to say that Duan Yu is controlled by the He clan, that is absolutely impossible."

"Duan Yu..."

Yuan Kui's eyes, which were like those of an old fox, narrowed slightly as he said: "Don't talk about He Jin; even I have underestimated Duan Yu."

"That son of the He family is far inferior."

"Even if Duan Yu sold him, he might still be helping Duan Yu count the money."

Yuan Ji felt very surprised.

To hear such high praise from his uncle Yuan Kui is enough to show Duan Yu's formidable nature.

"If this child Duan Yu is not kept in check, in less than ten years—I fear within three to five years—there will be no one who can restrain him. He is even worse than Liang Yi and the others."

"However..."

"He is still a bit green after all," Yuan Kui said, squinting his eyes: "This time, I want to play another game of chess with him!"

"Does Uncle mean... to use Duan Yu and He Lingman, and then borrow Zhang Rang's hand?" Yuan Ji asked.

Yuan Kui shook his head and said with a smile: "Such shallow things have no effect when used on Duan Yu."

"Would people like Zhang Rang really care about such a reputation?"

"Even if we inform Zhang Rang of this matter, or just tell Zhang Feng, if Zhang Rang finds out, he will definitely suppress this matter."