Chapter 662
Chapter 407 - 387: Indulgence (One Update)
1,335 words
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7 min read
Ye Guixue didn’t seem perturbed at all.
He asked Yan Lin, "Does His Highness really believe he can control the Pingxi General?"
Yan Lin flinched, "What do you mean?"
Ye Guixue said indifferently, "Exactly what the words suggest."
Yan Lin squinted, "I am naturally capable of controlling him. He is my father-in-law and when I inherit the throne, he will be a state grandfather, having the highest rank among all ministers."
Ye Guixue laughed, "What if he doesn’t want to be the state grandfather and covets the Dragon Throne you’re eyeing?"
"Impossible!" Yan Lin immediately countered.
Ye Guixue looked at him, "Some are willing to be ministers, even with mighty influence, they wouldn’t harbor rebellious thoughts; like the Duke Residence, for the sake of the world, they would not want to be dishonored. However, others are ambitious, probably wouldn’t settle for just a state grandfather’s position, aiming for the prestigious throne instead. The Pingxi General has many children, and your wife is just one of them. Your Highness, you may want to think about it, or even investigate it to see if you are being overly confident."
The color drained from Yan Lin’s face, "Ye Guixue, what do you know?"
Ye Guixue shook his head, "I know nothing, it’s just a speculation."
He stood up, speaking to Yan Li, "Your Highness, when you came to me today, it was just like when the Great Prince came to me back then. If it’s about cooperation, there isn’t much difference between you and the Great Prince. Compared to Great Prince, at least the Marquis Nanping Residence was wholeheartedly supporting the Great Prince before his residence was sealed by the Imperial Guard. They wanted to become state grandfathers, which might not necessarily be the case for the Pingxi General’s Residence, who has been amassing wealth and expanding military supplies."
Without waiting for Yan Lin to respond, he left the room.
Yan Lin sat in place, not stopping Ye Guixue. His words had greatly shocked him. Although he found it hard to believe, he realized that a person like Ye Guixue would not make unfounded claims.
Unable to sit in peace, he rose to leave, heading back to his own residence.
He was eager to ask Zhang Wan, to see if she knew about her father’s wild ambitions. However, as he rushed back to his residence, he had gradually calmed down before he reached the entrance.
He couldn’t ask directly.
Thus, after returning, he called his closest adviser to his study, assigning guards to ensure their privacy, and they began discussing in secret.
𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚
After hearing the matter, his adviser was shocked and terrified, "Your Highness, this can’t be, can it?"
Yan Lin said, "I feel the same way you do, but those words came from Ye Guixue. Do you think he would make baseless claims?"
The aide was speechless for a moment, harboring doubts, "This...this...it seem unlikely."
"Right, Ye Guixue wouldn’t and couldn’t," said Yan Lin, "otherwise he wouldn’t be the well-known Ye Guixue."
Only those who never make empty words will stand firmly and earn the reputation of the world. Ye Guixue’s reputation is not only limited to his skills but also his virtues and reputation for his good looks.
The adviser said with alarm, "Your Highness, what should we do, then? Over the years,’ve been relying heavily on General Zhang, and our residence ties with Pingxi General’s Residence are deeply knotted. Most of our forces outside of the capital also rely on the Pingxi General. If he...if he truly harbors ambitious goals, then..."
Yan Lin’s face darkened, "What do you think if I pretend to remain ignorant?"
Looking at Yan Lin, the adviser asked tentatively, "Your Highness, you mean..."
Yan Lin pondered, "If he really craves power and seeks to grasp that position, he can’t just grab influence blatantly, he will have to use my status to gain it subtly. I can also take advantage of the ladder he built, only to catch him off guard at his most vulnerable moment..."
The adviser said, "So, you mean to indulgently let Pingxi General follow his ambitions?"
Yan Lin nodded, "Yes."
The adviser asked, "Will you still send people to verify and investigate?"
"We can’t investigate," Yan Lin replied, "If we put him on alert and he realizes I’m starting to suspect him, he may take drastic action. As Ye Guixue mentioned, Pingxi General has many offspring. Zhang Wan is just one of them."
The adviser was somewhat worried, "Your Highness, if we don’t investigate, what if Ye Guixue is trying to sow discord between you and Zhang? He has already sent Ya Qiuying to the Eastern Palace. Since he is departing tomorrow, he has entrusted Ya Qiuying to the Eastern Palace. Evidently, he has chosen to align with the Eastern Palace. Hence, no matter how tempting the terms you offer, it wouldn’t move him. Since he has tied his fate with the Eastern Palace, he may try to sow discord between you and Zhang for the sake of the Eastern Palace."
Yan Lin shook his head, "Although he may try to sow discord, my father-in-law...upon reflection, his actions these years...it isn’t necessarily for my sake."
The adviser was silenced.
Yan Lin continued, "You have been by my side for several years. How do you think my father-in-law treats me? Although I rely on him a lot, does he control me as he pleases, even forcing me to endure and disregard my own interests for him to fatten his fortune? Upon further reflection, ever since I married Zhang Wan, I haven’t actually depended on him much. I have largely relied on my father. He wants to suppress the Crown Prince, and support my elder brother and me. But who has actually benefited from this? Not me, but my dear father-in-law, Zhang Ping."
After deep contemplation, the aide took a sharp breath and nodded at Yan Lin, "Indeed, Your Highness. You have indeed awakened me."
"It’s Ye Guixue who sees clearly, or perhaps he already has some evidence," said Yan Lin, "So, from now on, I must be on guard."
The aide nodded, "Your Highness, you have to carefully think through this matter."
Yan Lin nodded, "Indeed, I have time to carefully consider it." He looked at the aide, "Starting from today, select a few trustworthy individuals and remove any implants by the Pingxi General’s Residence within my residence. Be sure to make their deaths seem accidental and not leave any traces."
"What about the Princess?" the aide asked.
Yan Lin’s eyes narrowed, "I will test her. If she is not aware of her father’s ambitions, she will continue to be my princess. If she does know...don’t blame me for being ruthless."
The aide nodded repeatedly, "This cannot be rushed, Your Highness. Now that you have made a decision, you must firmly stand your ground. Given the current momentum of the Crown Prince, there’s simply no room for any mistakes."
"I know." Yan Lin’s face was cold, "I hope that my dear father-in-law would act quickly. After keeping an army for a thousand days, he surely will use it, right? He could solve my Yan Huisheng problem, then I really ought to thank him."
"Your Highness, you are absolutely right," the aide agreed with Yan Lin’s words, "And then there’s Zhou Gu. He’s leaving the capital today. My men followed him, it seems like he’s heading towards Nanping."
"My eldest brother has been rooted out." Yan Lin squinted, "Zhou Gu is rushing to the Marquis Nanping Residence? We should send a message to the Marquis Nanping ahead of time, we can’t just let him easily win over the Marquis Nanping Residence. It would be even better to drive him into a corner in Nanping."
— End of Chapter 662 —