She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 712 - 710: Gave Him Half of the Court

Chapter 712: Chapter 710: Gave Him Half of the Court

Liu Yu also frowned, "The Ye family’s daughter has always acted unconventionally, previously just impulsive and rude, acting entirely on whims. Now, she still follows her heart, but there’s a purpose behind her recklessness. But this purpose is too transparent, like the incident earlier this year, when she forcefully wrested three thousand taels of silver from the Ministry of Works without the slightest shame."

Speaking thus, Liu Yu turned to Prince Fu, "Subordinate sees that perhaps His Majesty overlooks the Ye family girl’s straightforward manner precisely because she’s capable, hence no punitive action against her. However...is the girl truly guileless and thoughtless?"

While saying this, he couldn’t help but shake his head. The more he observed, the less he understood the girl. If one assumed her to be guileless and lacking schemes, how then, when plotting for wealth, could she be so cunning? Yet when she schemed for wealth, she indeed neglected to maintain her reputation.

Prince Fu felt the same concern; he rubbed his brow and said with a wry smile, "Initially assigning the wooden railway installation project to Lao Liu was indeed an oversight. Originally, because lay railway tracks was troublesome and unrewarding, it was pushed aside. But if Lao Liu gives the project to the Qi family, allowing Ye Xinyan to complete it smoothly, her standing in front of His Majesty will only become more solid."

Prince Fu looked toward Liu Yu, "Ye Xinyan’s status at Duke An’s Mansion isn’t the same as before. It’s said that Duke An values her highly, and the Ye family’s toddler spends his days with Ye Xinyan and the Children of the Qi Family. Duke An might very well intend to entrust Duke An’s Mansion to Ye Xinyan."

Shi Dong listened and nodded incessantly. Previously, Prince Yu showed no interest in the throne or state affairs and steered clear of politics. Back then, which family’s daughter Prince Yu married was of no great consequence.

But now things had changed, with Prince Yu assisting in the Ministry of Personnel and also taking the granddaughter of the Grand Secretary, and even simultaneously accepting the daughters of General Huwei and the Assistant Minister of Rites as Concubines, it was something that could not be overlooked. General Huwei was a fierce general under Duke An’s command, and the Minister of Rites was advancing in years...

The strength of Prince Yu’s Mansion was almost sufficient to challenge the positions cultivated for years by Prince Fu and the Crown Prince in the Imperial Court.

Shi Dong frowned and said, "I really don’t understand what His Majesty is thinking. By doing this, won’t there be yet another faction in the Imperial Court? He truly doesn’t mind the chaos."

Liu Yu sighed, "There are still too few factions. If there were thirty or fifty factions in the court, it would be as good as having no factions at all." Shi Dong’s eyes widened, realizing the sense in this reasoning.

With a sigh set aside, the conversation that needed to be had still continued. Liu Yu said to Prince Fu, "Your Highness need not fixate on Prince Yu and the Ye family girl’s railway installation project. We fear not Prince Yu’s actions; inaction on his part is the real trouble as we have no leverage. As long as His Majesty assigns him tasks, we can always find his lapses and opportunities to act."

Shi Dong came back to his senses and echoed Liu Yu’s statement, "Mister Liu is right. When it comes to construction projects, we are the real experts. We are far stronger than the Qi family and the Ye family girl, irrespective of experience or manpower. We know exactly where to start to ruin a project."

Prince Fu raised an eyebrow, looking at Liu Yu and Shi Dong. They nodded at Prince Fu, indicating this approach was very feasible.

Liu Yu continued, "According to the news we’ve gathered, when the Qi family came to the capital to start their Construction Business, they didn’t bring many of their old workers. They intended to recruit artisans, overseers, and scholars and craftsmen in the capital, which is perfect for us to infiltrate our people. We have more than enough people, from overseers to laborers, ready to be positioned for convenient action when needed."

Prince Fu pondered for a moment, his face brightening as he nodded, "This is indeed a solution. If the Qi family is granted the court’s wooden railway project, they would indeed be in urgent need of workers."

Prince Fu’s accumulated frustration from the morning dissipated quite a lot.

The court’s construction projects were nothing like the minor works of the private construction industry. The planned railway for this year stretched about eight hundred li, and the project required the employment of a large labor force. Apart from the laborers, there were many stewards, foremen, as well as scholars and craftsmen. A problem at any stage could affect the success or failure of the project.

"Alright, Mister Liu will arrange for people to keep an eye on the Qi Family Construction Business. If they’re hiring, find some reliable craftsmen and laborers to go over there. As for the expenses, pay them twice the usual wages," Prince Fu instructed.

Shi Dong laughed and said, "That’s why, Your Highness, you needn’t worry. With such a long stretch of railway, involving numerous complicated matters and an extended construction period, starting from early spring and finishing by early winter would be quite an achievement. It’s easy to meddle. This is Prince Yu’s first time undertaking a task for the court; if he botches it, it won’t be easy for him to reverse the court officials’ opinion of him later on. It’s the same for the Ye Family lady; if she ruins the task Prince Yu has been assigned, how could she possibly fare well?"

......

The Crown Prince was even worse off than Prince Fu, smashing two more teacups as soon as he entered the room, scaring the young servant who followed him to the point of trembling.

Before Tan Weixian could even speak to placate him, the Crown Prince, already fuming, pointed outside and angrily asked, "What is the meaning of this from Imperial Father? If he doesn’t want me to be the Crown Prince, he should just say it outright. What’s the point of all these complications? First, he supported Prince Fu, that man with wolfish ambitions, who has continually tried to trip me up over the years.

Now, he’s pushing Lao Liu forward. Lao Liu never had the ambition; he was content being the Carefree Prince. Yet, Imperial Father insistently brought Lao Liu out and assigned him as the Assistant Manager of the Ministry of Personnel. He even recently matched him with three women. Giving those three women to Lao Liu is like handing over half the court to him. What is Imperial Father trying to do?"

The Crown Prince’s words made Tan Weixian feel as though his heart was jumping out, and he continually gestured with his hands, his face filled with barely concealed worry.

Tan Weixian kept bowing to the Crown Prince, saying urgently, "Your Highness, please be careful with your words, Your Highness, please calm your anger. His Majesty has always been wise and sagacious. His Majesty does these things only to find a suitable daughter-in-law for his son, there can’t be any other motive."

As he was speaking, he kicked the two kneeling pageboys several times and scolded, "Why haven’t you scurried away yet? What are you doing staying here? Do you expect to stay and receive a reward or something?"

The pageboys, upon hearing this, felt a gratitude for Tan Weixian that was as unstoppable as the relentless flow of a mighty river. They had no desire to continue kneeling there; not only had the Crown Prince uttered such profoundly treacherous words, but even if he hadn’t, they wouldn’t want to face the Crown Prince’s raging fury.

It was reckless of the Crown Prince to spew such seditious words, and just by hearing them, they were at risk of losing their heads, victims of a calamity through no fault of their own. They were grateful that Lord Tan was kind and understanding of those below his station.

Moved to tears, the pageboys hurriedly cleaned up the shattered porcelain on the floor and quickly made their exit.

Once the door had closed, Tan Weixian finally stood up straight and advised the Crown Prince, "You are the heir apparent of the entire realm, regardless of whether it’s Prince Fu or Prince Yu; they are Your Highness’s subjects. If they make a mistake, Your Highness has the right to reprimand them, and if they perform well, that is merely their duty as subjects. As for what kind of women they marry, it genuinely doesn’t matter at all."

The Crown Prince glared at Tan Weixian with great annoyance, feeling very impatient. Tan Weixian always spoke these patronizing words fit for a child.

Not to mention Jinrong’s behavior, but as for Jinyi, that youngster, couldn’t he see for himself whether Jinyi was serving him, the Crown Prince, properly or not?