The two palanquins stopped at the same time. The bearers carefully put down their poles, and just like when Fan Xian and Chen Pingping met, they quietly retreated into the distance. The palanquins naturally leaned forward, so the people sitting inside should be uncomfortable. But strangely, neither the Prime Minister nor the person in the palanquin came out to greet them.
So the palanquins bowed to each other, like two friends greeting each other, or like a couple bowing to heaven and earth before their wedding night.
"Ruofu, don't be too sad." A soft and weak voice finally came from the opposite palanquin. It was the Eldest Princess coming out of the palace to see her lover from many years ago!
Hearing this familiar voice, the Prime Minister frowned slightly, as if remembering something from many years ago. He said lightly, "I am very grateful that the Eldest Princess is concerned about my family matters."
Hearing his distant words, the Eldest Princess's voice immediately became mournful. "This difference between master and subject … how can it be brought up between the two of us? Why are you speaking so coldly today? "
A cold laugh came from the Prime Minister's palanquin. "Your Highness, Ruofu is incompetent, but I do not want to become a dough that you can knead as you wish."
The other palanquin fell silent, as if not expecting such hurtful words. After a long while, she replied pitifully, "Ruofu, what do you mean? Although Gong 'er is not my child, I always send people to send gifts to your residence during the festival. I love him as much as you do … I, I, I, as a dignified princess, am I your punching bag? Forget it … you are not in a good mood today, so let's not talk about it. "
Lin Ruofu suddenly snorted. "I have met with the Eldest Princess today to tell you that I have agreed to Chen'er's marriage in October."
…
…
It was completely dark outside the palace walls. Only the lantern placed next to the Eldest Princess' sedan gave off a bit of light. The long period of silence was enough to prove how shocked the seemingly weak woman in the sedan was right now, and how angry she was after hearing these words. After a long time, the Eldest Princess' clear voice that was like the cold winds of winter came through the sedan curtains. "That is my daughter! I will not let her marry that little bastard of the Fan family. " Whether in or out of the palace, the Eldest Princess had always given people an image of weakness. Who knew that her words would be so harsh?
"Can you … persuade His Majesty?" Lin Ruofu's voice carried a trace of self-blame and self-pity. "Moreover... Your Majesty has let the world know that Chen'er is my daughter. This means that she is destined to be a dishonorable character."
The Eldest Princess's voice immediately became extremely sad and beautiful, "You really have the heart to …"
Hearing her voice now, Lin Ruofu felt disgusted. He said with disgust, "If Princess is worried about the palace treasury, that is no longer within the scope of my consideration."
Chang Gongfang said in a trembling voice, "If you don't consider it, who will? I am just a woman, living alone in the palace, do you think it was easy for me all these years? "
Inside the palanquin, Lin Ruofu's face was filled with loathing. "I have a daughter, but I can't see her all year round. I can only occasionally catch a glimpse of her from afar at the palace banquets. Do you think it's easy for a father like me?!"
The Eldest Princess miserably explained, "This is something that can't be helped. Back then, I was secretly pregnant, and I didn't have the heart to ruin your future, so I raised her alone. These years, I have helped you take care of things in the palace, and secretly transferred silver from the palace treasury for you to use. Don't tell me you don't think of my kindness?"
The voice in the Prime Minister's palanquin grew cold. Lin Ruofu growled in a low voice, "My future? Since then, when have I ever taken the initiative to ask for such a future? Back then, I was a poor scholar, but now I have become a Prime Minister. It seems to be glorious, but I can't see my daughter. I gave birth to a son... but... "He said in a trembling voice in the palanquin,"... but died tragically in front of me. This is not my future, what I want. This is only the power you want. You are not willing to marry a prince who will never be able to make a name for himself, and live the rest of your life in peace. Do you think I should thank you for this? "
Hearing these words, the Eldest Princess was enraged. In a shrill voice, she cried and cursed, "Lin Ruofu, things have already reached this point, yet you still say such nonsense. If you really are not satisfied, why didn't you say anything when you were transferred to the Imperial Censorate to be the Imperial Censorate? Why didn't you feel sad when you were transferred to Hanlin Academy? Why didn't you blame yourself when I helped you get the position of assistant minister of the Ministry of Appointments? When you were promoted step by step, you didn't remember my kindness. Now that things are not going your way, you vent all your anger on me! "
"Very well, Rui'er." Hearing the Eldest Princess's voice become louder and louder, Lin Ruofu's voice calmed down. His words were filled with resentment, "I would rather you be this kind of shrew than to always have that kind of sorrowful appearance. Do you know that that is very disgusting?"
The Eldest Princess was so angry that she couldn't speak.
"As for Chen'er's marriage, I have decided. I have observed Fan Xian. No matter what kind of person he is, at least he is not someone who will die easily," Lin Ruofu said coldly. "I do not wish for my daughter to become a widow."
The Eldest Princess rebuked him. "Have you lost your mind today? Gong'er has just been murdered, and you are in such a hurry to win over the Fan family. Do you really believe what that old dog Chen Pingping said? Sigu Jian is a man of high status. How could he come to the capital to kill people? Perhaps Fan Jian is the mastermind behind this. "
Lin Ruofu said coldly, "The one who died was my son. Do you think I did not go to see him for the last time? Those scars cannot be hidden. Sigu Jian's sword will is sharp but casual. Even if I am mistaken, the one in my household will not. "
Seeing that she could not convince him, the Eldest Princess's tone softened. She pleaded, "Wait for me to investigate. Even if you do not pity me, do not let Chen'er marry into the Fan family."
After a moment of silence, Lin Ruofu finally spoke. "Wu Bo'an suggested to me the plan to assassinate Fan Xian. I did not agree. I did not expect him to persuade the stupid Gong'er."
The Eldest Princess fell silent. She knew that it was difficult to convince him that she had nothing to do with this matter.
"Wu Bo'an is your man." Lin Ruofu's voice was so cold that it seemed to freeze the swaying curtains of the sedan chair in the night wind. "I always knew that he was one of your people, that he was someone you used to monitor me, but I never thought that my son would die because of you. So, let's stop here."
The night wind began to blow around the palace walls. The palanquin slowly disappeared into the darkness. A lantern fell weakly to the side of a lonely palanquin. The faint sound of a woman weeping could be heard from the palanquin.
The eunuchs nervously stepped forward, and the palace maids held up lanterns. The procession slowly entered the palace through the corner gate of the palace.
The palanquin traveled for a long time before arriving at Guangxin Palace, where the Eldest Princess was temporarily staying. The curtain was lifted, and the Eldest Princess stepped out, her face streaked with tears. The eunuchs and palace maids quickly lowered their heads, not daring to look up. The Eldest Princess weakly walked up the stone steps. Finally, she wiped away the tears on her face. Suddenly, she smiled sweetly, like a willow tree that had just shed its dew. She timidly said, "Kill them all."
Several streaks of green light appeared! The eunuchs did not have time to beg for mercy before their throats were slit by the Eldest Princess' palace maids with knives hidden in their sleeves. Inside the palace, the corpses fell to the ground, making a few soft sounds.
— — —
The Prime Minister's manor was not the largest residence in the capital, but it was the wealthiest. Neither King Jing nor the wealthy Marquis Tianling could compare to the Prime Minister's manor. The main entrance and decorations of the Prime Minister's manor did not appear to be very luxurious, but those who were truly knowledgeable could tell at a glance that the furnishings within the manor had already been stripped of their splendor, leaving behind only high-class playthings. Just a few chairs could probably be replaced by King Jing's large nursery.
Of course, the comparison we're making here naturally excludes His Majesty's residence. His residence is called the Imperial Palace. Who would dare to compete with him there?
Lin Ruofu was able to amass so much wealth in a short span of twenty years. Everyone knew that he was greedy and crafty, but His Majesty always turned a blind eye and pretended not to see it. This was a very confusing matter.
Walking through the front hall, Lin Ruofu greeted the civil officials who had come to offer their condolences. His expression was somewhat dejected as he walked into the inner residence. The officials knew that the Prime Minister was in a low mood and did not want to disturb him, so they all took their leave. Only a few officials who had urgent business to attend to waited helplessly. Lin Ruofu seemed to think of them. He walked back and asked what had happened. He forced himself to finish dealing with the matters at hand, then waved his hand weakly to let them go. When these officials left the manor, they were filled with self-blame and indescribable admiration. The Prime Minister had encountered such a calamity, yet he was still able to put public affairs first. He was truly a rare pillar of the nation.
Arriving at the inner residence and entering the study, Lin Ruofu sat at the table and did not say a word for a long time.
"Sir, it does not seem appropriate to fall out with the Eastern Palace at this time." Yuan Hongdao, the closest friend of the Prime Minister and his most trusted advisor, brought him a cup of tea. Today, Yuan Hongdao was wearing plain clothes. Seeing Lin Ruofu forcing himself to stay awake, he couldn't help but feel gloomy. "Let's not talk about this for now," he said. "You should go and rest first."
Lin Ruofu shook his head. His wrinkles were filled with deep worry. "Now that things have come to this," he said quietly. "For the sake of this manor and the people of the Lin clan, I have to make a plan."
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