Wang Shi began to purge Liu Shi's loyalists. A human trafficker, accompanied by a large number of servants, arrived at the mansion, presenting a roster to Qiuyue with a fawning smile.
Wang Shi asked a few questions and then purchased over twenty maids and more than ten young male servants.
Suddenly, many new faces appeared in the South Mansion.
Ji Jinmo did not take this opportunity to plant his own spies. Instead, spies already embedded in the South Mansion relayed the message: many of the newly acquired maids and young male servants possessed martial arts skills.
A list was appended to the message.
In the study of the South Mansion.
"Master, our secret guards have disguised themselves as maids and young male servants and are now stationed in various corners of the mansion."
"Excellent!"
Nan Chaoyin nodded with satisfaction.
Wang Shi's decisive action in removing Liu Shi's loyalists was exactly to his liking. He had few secret guards remaining by his side and had intended not to attract attention. However, with the moles within the mansion surfacing, he felt a constant unease, as if his hidden secrets were about to be exposed. He had to eliminate all the embedded spies in the South Mansion to alleviate his anxiety.
Therefore, he had previously tacitly agreed to and encouraged Wang Shi's actions.
...
Ji Jinmo handed the list to Nan Shiying. Nan Shiying raised an eyebrow, "Your Highness, who do you think these people belong to?"
"Nan Chaoyin!"
"Tsk~"
Playing these guessing games with Ji Jinmo was always tedious; he could always provide the correct answer immediately.
"Twelve people."
"Your Highness, how many secret guards do you think this scoundrel Nan Chaoyin still has under his command?" Nan Shiying counted the names. Among the more than thirty servants, twelve were Nan Chaoyin's pawns. While twelve wasn't a large number, the principle remained: a court official privately harboring secret guards was deserving of death!
"Quite a few!"
Nan Shiying's question was essentially rhetorical, but fortunately, Ji Jinmo's answer was equally evasive.
Nan Chaoyin indeed had issues, but the problem was that no one could identify what exactly this old scoundrel was up to. At least on the surface, he remained a loyal minister who cared for the people, the current Prime Minister. Even with Ji Jinmo's immense power, he couldn't disregard public opinion and directly strike at Nan Chaoyin.
If mere death could resolve matters, the South Mansion would have long since become a sea of blood. Why else would she rack her brain trying to find concrete evidence of his crimes?
...
As the envoys from Dali were set to depart from Linyuan soon, Ji Hong, whether to bid farewell to a troublesome presence or to genuinely foster long-term peace between the two nations, issued an edict. Two days later, on the eve of Yu Chengxuan and his entourage's departure, a farewell banquet would be held in the imperial palace.
The previous state banquet had ended unpleasantly. For today's banquet, the court officials could only pray that no further incidents would occur. Over the past six months, one event after another had transpired, often occurring in clusters, keeping them on tenterhooks day and night, fearing that something else might happen and draw their ire.
Upon hearing that Ji Hong intended to host a farewell banquet for Yu Chengxuan and his group, Nan Shiying felt that Ji Hong was not averse to making a show of superficial gestures to highlight Linyuan's friendly attitude towards its neighboring allies.
Two days later, a grand banquet was held in the palace.
Ji Hong had no consorts by his side. Ever since he learned that Zou Yun'er was pregnant, he had cherished and doted on her. However, due to the previous infiltration of the palace by remnants of the Miao territory and the subsequent suspected theft of border defense maps by spies from Liaojiang, Ji Hong kept Zou Yun'er's pregnancy a secret. Apart from the Empress Dowager, her attending maids, and Physician Wei Yuan, no one else was aware of it.
In the current setting, the pregnant Zou Yun'er was not suitable to attend. However, if other imperial concubines were to attend the banquet, it might inadvertently give rise to inappropriate thoughts among those in the court and the harem. Therefore, no concubines were allowed to participate.
After several rounds of drinks and multiple courses of food.
Just as the court officials and their families present were secretly relieved that no other unexpected events had occurred today, Yu Chengxuan suddenly stood up and walked to the center of the grand hall.
Everyone's hearts immediately tightened.
What new trouble was this individual about to cause?
Ji Hong put down his wine cup and looked at Yu Chengxuan. Yu Chengxuan clasped his hands, bowed, and then proclaimed loudly, "Before my departure, I have a request, which I hope Your Majesty will grant."
Ji Hong raised an eyebrow slightly and said with a smile, "Your Highness, please speak freely!"
Yu Chengxuan turned his head and looked towards the rear left. Among the many noble ladies, Nan Yuan'er, clad in a pale lotus-colored skirt, sat alone at her seat, separated from the lively crowd. She was like a noble fairy disdainful of mingling with the commoners.
Sensing the direction of Yu Chengxuan's gaze, everyone was slightly taken aback.
Was this man still harboring intentions towards Nan Yuan'er?
Nan Shiying swirled the wine in her cup, observing the ripples it created. Did Ji Hong not know Yu Chengxuan's feelings for Nan Yuan'er? No, he knew. So, was he hosting this banquet to give Yu Chengxuan an opportunity to speak?
And then, would he send Nan Yuan'er to Dali for a political marriage?
"When I was in Dali, I heard of a daughter from the Nan Mansion whose beauty was unparalleled and whose talent was exceptional. Now that I have entered the capital and met her in person, I find her to be breathtaking. I am in love with Yuan'er, and therefore, I implore Your Majesty to grant me a marriage with Yuan'er, allowing Dali and Linyuan to become even closer through this union, forging an everlasting bond." Yu Chengxuan withdrew his gaze and made his earnest plea, his words revealing a deep affection that was moving.
The young maidens who harbored romantic feelings cast envious glances at Nan Yuan'er.
Yu Chengxuan was impeccable in terms of his appearance, demeanor, and status. There were few people in this world more noble than him. If this matter had fallen upon any other young lady, it would have been a blessing cultivated over eight lifetimes. However, for Nan Yuan'er, it was not a cause for celebration.
She was supposed to be the Empress of Linyuan. Why would she refuse the position of Empress and instead become a prince's consort in Dali?
The path to the throne in Dali was fraught with peril, with daggers and swords at every turn. If Yu Chengxuan could overcome all obstacles and ultimately seize the throne, it would be one thing. If not, she would become a prisoner, or worse, perish by the victor's blade. Why should she risk it?
This Yu Chengxuan was simply delusional.
Nan Chaoyin, lost in thought, did not immediately step forward to intervene. Ji Hong tapped his fingers on the table, not speaking immediately.
In the silence, a sense of unease spread. The court officials tugged at their collars, feeling as though their collars were constricting their breath.
Just as the atmosphere became increasingly stagnant, Ji Hong suddenly let out a laugh and fixed his gaze on Nan Chaoyin, asking, "Prime Minister, Yuan'er is your daughter after all. What are your thoughts on this matter?"
Nan Chaoyin adjusted his sleeves, stood up unhurriedly, and replied, "It is all up to His Majesty's decision!"
"Father!"
Nan Yuan'er's eyes widened in disbelief.
The old fox!
Ji Hong cursed inwardly, a cold smile playing on his lips. However, outwardly, he appeared greatly pleased. He pondered for a moment and then said, "Since Your Highness has made such a sincere plea, it is evident that you truly admire Yuan'er. In that case, I have no reason to refuse."
Ji Hong stopped tapping the table and raised his voice: "I hereby confer upon Miss Nan Yuan'er of the Nan Mansion the title of Princess Anyang. I bestow upon her one hundred taels of gold, bolts of silk and satin, a jade ruyi, a pair of phoenix hairpins for a princess, and I bestow..."
As everyone witnessed His Majesty bestowing one precious item after another, they sighed inwardly. They wondered how Nan Yuan'er had managed to blind His Majesty's eyes, that he would rather bestow a marriage than bring her into the palace... Wait, could it be because of the recent rumor about 'women in power leading to the downfall of the nation'?