The Herbal Scents of Farm Life
Chapter 1290: The Emperor’s Right-hand Man

Chapter 1290: Chapter 1290: The Emperor’s Right-hand Man

"In response to His Majesty, neither of us saw Wu’er," said Prince Yi.

He looked up and glanced at the Emperor.

"When the two of us arrived, the National Teacher had just returned to his residence and sent us away, saying that since Wu’er was bestowed upon him by the Emperor, there was no need for the two of us to worry any longer."

The Emperor: "..."

How could he continue to question after such a response?

How should he instruct Prince Yi and his wife to retrieve the person from the National Teacher’s Mansion?

Keep in mind that Yin Baiqing was someone he decreed to Suyang. He had thought that Suyang’s loyalty was unwavering.

Given that he had lost his own son, and to his own kin no less, he thought it fitting to console him with Yin Baiqing, serving two purposes at once—it would have been a consolation and a way for Suyang to keep a watchful eye on Yin Baiqing for him.

Who would have thought...

In the blink of an eye, that weathercock Suyang had completely turned towards Sui Zimo, catching him entirely off guard!

Now, he found himself in a precarious situation. If he didn’t retrieve Yin Baiqing quickly, how would he explain it to that person, and wouldn’t he be allowing Princess Consort Yi to get the better of him?

"Since he is your son, the National Teacher surely has no reason to prevent you from seeing him. It must be that the two of you have offended the National Teacher in your words," he said, after deep thought, his voice heavy.

"Let it be decided by me then. You and your wife shall bring gifts and apologize to the National Teacher, and while you’re there, take the opportunity to see Wu’er. I’ve heard that Princess Consort Yi misses Wu’er a great deal, hmm?"

"This..."

Hearing the Emperor’s words, Prince Yi showed a look of difficulty on his face.

"Your Majesty, it’s not that I don’t want to see him, but the National Teacher said that the child Wu’er becomes restless just from not seeing us. If he were to see us again, it would likely make him even more inconsolable. Therefore, the National Teacher suggested it would be best for both of us to visit less often."

He had no intention of going to the National Teacher’s residence only to become the Emperor’s pawn and gain nothing from it.

Moreover, once he visited the National Teacher’s residence, the Emperor would surely summon him once more to the palace to inquire about the real and fake Yin Baiqing. How would he answer? Should he say the person was real or fake?

Both answers were problematic.

"Yes, Your Majesty, when Lord Husband and I went earlier, the National Teacher’s countenance was quite unpleasant. Presumably, he also prefers that we do not visit Wu’er again," Princess Consort Yi said, echoing her husband’s words.

"Although I miss Wu’er dearly, I should not cause the National Teacher any displeasure, for he is Your Majesty’s strong right arm."

The Emperor: "!!!"

He was rendered utterly speechless by Princess Consort Yi’s remark.

This Princess Consort Yi, typically seen as easy to bully, he now realized, was far from that, having mastered the art of concealed resistance!

It seemed that hoping for their cooperation in bringing the person back was impossible; he would have to find another way.

"Zhenzhen is useless!"

He cursed Prince Yi in vexation and dismissed them with a gesture of his hand.

"Summon a scribe for the decree."

Since he couldn’t rely on Prince Yi and his wife, why couldn’t he just retract the previous imperial edict?

Now that Suyang had turned towards Sui Zimo, there was no need to maintain appearances for the National Teacher’s Mansion. He could simply issue a decree for Suyang to send Yin Baiqing back to Prince Yi’s Mansion.

Would Suyang dare not comply? What could Sui Zimo possibly do to him?

If Sui Zimo wanted to win over Suyang, he would have no choice but to hand the person over!

...

"Is the decree ready?"

In the empress dowager’s palace, after hearing the news from the imperial study, the empress dowager truly felt like slapping the Emperor dead.

"This...wretch!"