"I heard that Liang Shicheng's people are also involved?"
Compared to his fierce glare, Cai You appeared much calmer.
"What's so strange about that? The Crown Prince is a sinking ship at this point. If he doesn't get off quickly, do you think the Emperor will let him off?"
Cai You said with a cold laugh.
"While that's true, I still feel something isn't quite right. What did the old man say? Did you ask him?"
If it were someone else making such a move to switch allegiances, Cai You wouldn't be worried at all.
But would Liang Shicheng really do that?
From the day he sided with the Crown Prince, it was already decided that Prince Yun would not fare well after ascending the throne, and even if he switched allegiances now, it would be the same in the future.
He wasn't someone who gave up easily, and this current action was not at all like Liang Shicheng's usual behavior.
At times like these, Cai You still preferred to hear his father's opinion. After all, Cai Jing had navigated officialdom for so many years, experiencing three rises and three falls, and holding the position of Prime Minister three times, something unprecedented since the founding of the Great Song Dynasty.
"I did mention it to the old man, but you know his temper..."
Speaking of this, Cai You seemed somewhat dismissive.
Although he admitted that he was indeed inferior to his father in many aspects, he found it difficult to accept Cai Jing's cautious approach of planning thoroughly before acting on any matter.
Of course, this was also one of the reasons why Cai Jing was still unwilling to hand over his power and influence to Cai You.
"How about this! I'll hold onto these things for now, and you go to the duty room! Also, try to probe the old man's thoughts and see what he says about this matter! In any case, the arrow has already been shot from the bow, so just tell the old man directly that you've gotten people involved and let's see what he says this time!"
After pondering for a moment, Cai You said with a frown.
"Is that necessary? Won't I just get scolded if I go now?"
Cai You immediately became somewhat unwilling. He had indeed issued the orders in Cai Jing's name this time; otherwise, Cai You alone would not have had such a significant following.
Having done something and then reporting it, wouldn't going to confess now be asking for a scolding?
As long as the deed was done successfully and the outcome was good, the old man would at most grudgingly accept it. But now, with no outcome yet, wouldn't going now be seeking trouble?
"Let's ask first. I have a feeling Liang Shicheng is plotting something!"
If one were to rank the most difficult noble officials in the current court, Liang Shicheng would definitely be at the forefront.
As a eunuch, to be personally granted the Jinshi degree by the Emperor was an unprecedented event since the founding of the Great Song Dynasty.
Cai Jing had experienced three rises and falls over the years, but Liang Shicheng had truly been favored continuously from beginning to end.
Such a seasoned official, a veritable evergreen in the political arena, made it impossible for him not to treat him with caution!
"Alright then, you wait for me here! But don't keep waiting too long. The Emperor should have finished his morning lessons by now, and the news from the Imperial City Department should already be on the Emperor's desk. If we go too late, we might arouse the Emperor's suspicion!"
"Don't worry, I understand!"
Seeing Cai You nod, Cai You then headed towards the Hall of State Affairs.
Although normally, even with Cai You being a scholar of the Baohe Hall, he still lacked the qualification to enter the Hall of State Affairs.
However, it was precisely because he was Cai Jing's son, and Cai Jing was someone who was adept at breaking rules.
Therefore, even though this minor scholar of Baohe Hall moved in and out of the Hall of State Affairs, no one dared to question it.
Even though the situation was now critical, Cai You still walked with small, measured steps, taking almost the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before arriving at the Hall of State Affairs.
"Didn't I tell you? Don't come here when you have nothing to do. If others see you, they'll gossip!"
Seeing his son walk in so brazenly, even Cai Jing frowned.
"I have something to tell you; it's quite urgent, so I can't afford to be so cautious now!"
As Cai You spoke, he subtly gestured to Cai Jing with his eyes.
After all, Wang Fu was sitting nearby, and there were certain things he couldn't say openly at the moment.
"I'll be right back, you all discuss it amongst yourselves!"
Although he didn't know what his son wanted to tell him, Cai Jing was somewhat prepared.
Sighing, he stood up, said a word to Wang Fu, and then turned to leave.
"Prime Minister Yuan, please go ahead. We are here to handle things!"
Wang Fu also replied with a smile.
"What exactly is it? Why did you have to find me here?"
Returning to his own duty room and closing the doors and windows, Cai Jing said with some displeasure.
"I did something behind your back!"
Since everything that needed to be done had been done, and the memorial had already reached the Memorial Submission Office, it couldn't be retracted, so Cai You said directly.
"Don't tell me you ordered them to impeach the Crown Prince!"
Cai Jing suddenly stood up.
Although he was over seventy years old this year, as the de facto ruler of the Great Song Dynasty, how could he have survived so stably until now if he hadn't heard any such rumors?
"The Crown Prince is clearly a sinking ship now, and even Liang Shicheng is changing his tune. If we don't make a move now, are you waiting for Prince Yun to blame us after he ascends the throne?"
Looking at Cai Jing's sharp eyes, Cai You mumbled quietly.
"You know nothing!"
Furious, Cai Jing slapped him across the face. This matter had completely caught him off guard and had disrupted all his plans.
"Why are you hitting me? Everyone in the court knows the Crown Prince is about to fall. Are we not going to participate now? Don't you know what happened to Zhang Dun back then?"
Although he had expected his father to be furious, he never imagined that his father would actually slap him.
He was already nearing fifty years old, and being slapped at this age, how could he feel good about it?
"Who told you the Crown Prince was bound to fall? Who told you Liang Shicheng had defected? Did you hear Liang Shicheng say so yourself? Did you see the Emperor anger the Crown Prince with your own eyes?"
Facing his son, who was as stupid as a pig, Cai Jing was trembling with anger.