C130

"Mufei, rest well. Your son will come again another day to pay his respects." Dongfang Gu saluted again before retreating from Jingfang Pavilion. Looking at her departing figure, Dong Mei spoke up anxiously, "Imperial Concubine, why don't you try persuading her more? If you really offend the empress dowager, how can it happen!"

Lady Chen smiled bitterly. "Do you think that by not interfering with this matter, your son will be able to live a life without worries?"

These words made Dong Mei think of the hidden danger around Dongfang Ze. She gritted her teeth and said, "You may say that, but it's better to avoid trouble. Why don't I go and advise His Highness?"

Lady Chen stroked her cold forehead and said helplessly, "How could you not know his character? It's useless to say anything, I just hope … Mu Qianxue has a way to resolve this matter. "

Dong Mei was speechless. She could only sigh and pray that they would be able to safely overcome this calamity.

On the evening of the 15th of September, four palanquin bearers came out of the Ministry of Justice carrying a palanquin. The one sitting inside was the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Yang He.

Yang He was very tired after reading the case report for the whole day, and coupled with the swaying of the sedan chair, he unconsciously fell asleep. When he woke up, the sedan had already stopped; he thought that they had arrived at the entrance of the mansion, but after waiting for a while, there was no sign of the butler lifting the curtain.

"This butler, where did he go?" As Yang He spoke, he lifted the curtain and walked out. Before he could stand up straight, he froze in place. The place where the sedan stopped was not the entrance he thought to be, but a spacious courtyard.

"You're awake?" The sudden voice gave Yang He a fright. He quickly turned his head, and using the light from the street lamps on both sides, Yang He saw a face that he could not have imagined. He asked with a face full of surprise, "King Mu?"

Dongfang Ze waved the green jade wine jug in his hand. "This King knows that Lord Yang has many questions, why don't you sit down and drink while talking."

Hearing his words, Yang He just realized that there were a few delicate dishes on a stone table a few steps away from him.

Yang He followed Dongfang Ze dumbfoundedly to the stone table, and only when the latter had filled the cup for him did he wake up from his stupor. He quickly said, "This official doesn't dare!"

Dongfang Ze smiled, and after he filled his cup for himself, he called out, "Sit down and talk."

As he sat down, Yang He couldn't wait to ask the question that he had been holding in for a long time, "My lord, this official …" "Why are they here? Where are the sedan bearers?" He nervously asked: "Did they accidentally offend the prince?"

Dongfang Ze smiled and said, "They didn't clash with This King. It was because This King had something to discuss with Lord Yang, so he invited Lord Yang over. He didn't inform him in advance, startling Lord Yang. I beg your forgiveness." With that, he stood up and clasped his hands towards Yang He, who quickly made way for him, "Your highness, please do not do this, this official cannot bear it."

Yang He waited until everyone had settled into their seats and then drank some more toast before carefully saying, "Your Highness, if there's anything you need, just give me the orders. This official will definitely do as you say." His words gave him some leeway. If he could do it, he could do it. If he couldn't, then he couldn't be blamed.

How could Dongfang Ze not understand what he meant? He gave a low laugh, refilled his wine cup, and said, "If I remember correctly, Lord Yang should be the top scholar for eight years."

Yang He was surprised, "Your Highness, you have a good memory. I am taking the Imperial examinations during the eighth year of Cheng Qing."

"Lord Yang is the only top scholar in the entire imperial court. Although this king was still young at that time, I have often heard royal father mention that during Lord Yang's Hall Competition article, royal father loved you so much that he could not let go of you as the top scholar. Calculating the result, it has been almost a hundred years since the founding of the Great Zhou Empire, but there were less than ten people who were able to succeed in the top three."

Yang He was quite pleased with himself when he mentioned his past three consecutive days. He humbly replied, "Your highness praises me too much. I was just lucky."

"All the scholars in the world don't know what has happened, how could they not have this kind of luck?" With that, he raised his glass once again. "This King offers another cup to Lord Yang."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Yang He felt much more at ease after the sweet alcohol passed through his throat. He was no longer as restrained as he was before.

"This King remembers that the position of Lord Yang's assistant minister was conferred by Imperial Father, right?"

Yang He nodded solemnly, "When I was celebrating for seventeen years, I was only a fourth rank official of the Ministry of Justice. When Minister Zuo was vacant, the late emperor broke through and promoted me to a second rank assistant minister. The late emperor's debt to me is as heavy as the mountains."

"Imperial Father has always known that people are good at using. He broke the rules because he knew that Lord Yang had this ability. In the Zhou Dynasty, only those who are able to use it are allowed."

"Those who are able to occupy it …" These four words touched Yang He. He downed the wine in his cup in one gulp, using this to suppress the indignation and indignation in his heart.

Dongfang Ze took all of this into his eyes and purposely sighed, "Yu Sanzhong colluded with his big brother and got into the position of Minister of the Board of Punishments. This king had thought that the position of Minister of the Board of Punishments would belong to Lord Yang, since he was the most suitable candidate regardless of qualifications or abilities. Who knew that Royal Brother would suddenly send Wei Wenbin over to the Board of Punishments.

Yang He tightly held onto the almost transparent green jade wine cup under the bright moon. Amidst the chirping of the autumn bugs, he said against his will, "During Lord Wei's time in Jiangning, he was upright and honest, his political achievements were outstanding, and he was loved by the people. It is within reason that the Emperor was willing for him to take over the position of Minister."

"If Wei Wenbin is really as Master Yang has said and is upright and honest, then This King naturally has nothing to say. I'm afraid... Hearing is believing! "

Yang He had been fighting in the government for so many years, how could he not hear the hidden meaning behind his words? He stared at Dongfang Ze and asked, "What did Prince hear?"

"This King heard..." Dongfang Ze was a man of his words. He shook his head and said, "I think it's better if you don't say."

After hearing half of his words, Yang He felt like a cat was scratching its head. How could he bear it? He asked, "There's nothing much to talk about right now, so why not tell me. This official guarantees that without the permission of the Prince, I won't say a single word."

Dongfang Ze saw that the show was almost done, so he nodded his head and leaned over and whispered, "This king has received news that Wei Wenbin has entrusted the escort company with escorting ten boxes of items from Jiangning to Jinling. They will arrive tomorrow.

"Gold and silver silk?" Yang He blurted out in shock, "Are you serious?"

"How could I joke around with such a thing? When I first heard about it, I was also shocked. On the surface, Wei Wenbin looked upright and honest, but in reality, he was plundering people's money everywhere. The people of Jiangning complained about him."