She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 539 - 537: Expressing the Appropriate Attitude

Chapter 539: Chapter 537: Expressing the Appropriate Attitude

Prince Fu was not one to be easily disheartened, yet upon hearing these words, he actually displayed a hint of desolation.

Liu Yu steadied himself and said, "No, Your Highness thinks too pessimistically. The Crown Prince has been mediocre and inactive for so many years, and even interferes recklessly with the accounts of the Ministry of Revenue, His Majesty has indeed reprimanded him numerous times, but has always protected and taught him without ever having the thought to depose the Crown Prince. Prince Yu has merely engaged in business, and business is a minor affair, His Majesty surely wouldn’t elevate Prince Yu so highly just for this, let alone pose a threat to the position of the Crown Prince."

Prince Fu felt somewhat disheartened, "Even if Imperial Father has no intention of elevating him, after Prince Yu assists the Ministry of Personnel for a few years and gains more connections, with someone stirring things up, it’s inevitable he might entertain other wild ideas."

"That is true," Liu Yu agreed with Prince Fu’s words but was not discouraged, "However, the Crown Prince and Your Highness have been involved in court affairs for so many years, the power you’ve accumulated is incomparable to Prince Yu’s. Let him gather connections for now, the rail project here is a major affair, it can both elevate your trusted followers and involve matters of silver. Let’s focus on these tasks without bothering about him. Let the Crown Prince and Prince Yu compete first and see who has greater influence and stronger means."

Prince Fu gave Liu Yu a sidelong glance, "You seem rather philosophical about it." Although his words were nonchalant, his expression clearly relaxed.

Liu Yu also relaxed and continued, "Actually, the situation before wasn’t very good either, after all, the Crown Prince has been the heir apparent for many years. With only Your Highness opposing the Crown Prince in the Imperial Court, it appeared a bit aggressive on Your Highness’s part. Having another force involved might not be a bad thing, at least Your Highness doesn’t have to face the Crown Prince alone, can be more at ease, and less subject to criticism.

Now we control the rail project, which is already a vast undertaking. If done meticulously enough, not only can Your Highness place trusted followers, but also there will be no lack of silver in the future. Compared to Prince Yu assisting the Ministry of Personnel, it’s the affairs here that are more important."

Prince Fu had already calmed down, and upon hearing Liu Yu’s pinpoint analysis, most of his pent-up frustration dissolved, and he nodded in rare agreement. Then, somewhat regretfully, he said, "Prince Yu really has extraordinary luck. Ye Xinyan escaped from the Mansion, and after getting so far away, she happened to be encountered by him. No matter what, we’ve lost the initiative; it truly seems like fate is not on our side."

Thinking this, Prince Fu felt even more vexed by fate’s cruelty. He recalled Shen Qixiang and his son, "Moreover, our choice of people was improper. Shen Qixiang really is unfit for great tasks. I have already explained things to him clearly here, yet he still couldn’t grasp the essence, missing such a good opportunity. We took action early here, and look now, how many noble families are courting the Ye Family and the Yin Family."

Speaking of this, Liu Yu also felt deeply moved, "Subordinate has also heard, nowadays, no matter the size of the gathering in the houses of the capital, there is definitely an invitation from the Wife of General Zhenyuan, Madam Sun. People know that General Zhenyuan can decide half of Miss Ye’s matters, thinking of taking Madam Sun’s path to marry such a money-making tree. It’s a pity that we missed such a good opportunity. At the beginning of the year, the Yin Family indeed wanted to arrange a marriage for Ye Xinyan as soon as possible."

Liu Yu regretted in his heart, "Speaking of which, it is also our dereliction of duty for not having properly investigated Shen Yong’s character, resulting in the loss of this opportunity. If the marriage alliance had succeeded, we could have done much more with the production of bolts and lathes. Not only would we have affairs with the Ministry of Works, but selling bolts to the private Craftsmanship Sector would also yield better returns. What a great opportunity we’ve lost." Liu Yu kept shaking his head and sighing, his face unable to hide the regret and sorrow.

Seeing Liu Yu grief-stricken, Prince Fu consoled him, "Actually, Mister Liu doesn’t need to regret so much; the event at that time turned into such a mess, although Shen Yong was foolish enough, the marriage was only agreed upon by us and the Yin Family, we had not yet approached the Ye Family and Ye Xinyan.

Looking at the current state of affairs, even without Shen Yong’s blunder, it may not necessarily have been successful. Now those eager to marry Ye Xinyan into their families, which family’s background can compare with Shen Qixiang’s? Let it be, what’s done is done, talking further is futile. We should concentrate on the rail project as you suggested, that’s what matters."

......

Yesterday, Jinrong had been admonished by the Emperor, leaving him in low spirits; he and Xu Deng had drank late into the night before returning to the mansion. He had risen in the middle of the night to attend court, and coupled with an arduous task forcibly assigned to him, his spirit was utterly flagging.

He did understand that being an Assistant Manager of the Ministry of Personnel was exceedingly convenient for influencing officials and consolidating power. However, he already had a fair number of people at his disposal, and these were individuals he had observed for many years and could trust. He truly did not care to recklessly meddle in the matters of the court’s appointments, promotions, and transfers. Thus, he was not as eager for the position and power as Prince Fu imagined him to be.

Still, the necessary protocol and demeanor had to be maintained, especially regarding Ye Zi, who could not be slighted. By the time court was adjourned, Jinrong’s spirits had somewhat recovered. He paid no mind to the peculiar stares of other court officials, and took the lead out of the hall, waiting for either Duke An or Marquis Zhongyong to emerge.

Duke An, spotting Jinrong from a distance, thought to turn away to avoid him but before he could step aside, You Shida, the deputy envoy from the Commission for the Transmission of Edicts, just happened to approach Duke An and greeted him with a smile, "The esteemed elder has looked in fine form these past few days; this subordinate has yet to extend his congratulations on the addition to your household."

Recently, the heir of Duke An had fathered a son out of wedlock. Although Duke An had been low-key and had not thrown a lavish feast to celebrate, he had nonetheless rewarded his family servants repeatedly, indeed setting off firecrackers in celebration.

Duke An glanced at Jinrong who appeared to be chatting idly with the Vice Minister of Personnel not far away, and smilingly returned You Shida’s courtesy, saying, "Lord You is too kind, it’s but a trifle. It’s merely the addition of a natural grandson, not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning at all."

As You Shida walked alongside Duke An, he laughed and said, "How could it be a trifle? His Grace has served the country, guarding the border pass for many years, securing both home and country’s peace, but due to this duty, the succession of his line was delayed, only having the Princely Heir as his son. Now that the household is blessed with a new member, it is indeed a joyful occasion."

You Shida was Consort Liang’s brother and Jinrong’s maternal uncle. His current actions and these words, though aimed at smoothly guiding Duke An to Jinrong, also expressed his true thoughts.

Because of the many years Duke An had spent at the border pass, not only had the succession of his line been delayed, but so had the education of his own kin. His sole son was an incompetent dolt, and his two grandsons were both born out of wedlock, neither of them remarkable. It was probably known throughout the entire capital that not having a worthy heir was an unspeakable pain for Duke An.

The addition of a male member to Duke An’s Mansion was indeed a good fortune. It was said this grandson was born from the Duke’s Heir Apparent’s Decent Concubine, and both Duke An and the Duchess placed great importance on this grandson. Both the Decent Concubine and her son were being raised in the Duchess’s quarters.

Observing Duke An’s grizzled hair, You Shida sincerely hoped that the elder could fulfill his wish, that this grandson could be raised successfully and uphold the now seemingly scant family enterprise of Duke An’s Mansion.