The next day, Emperor Zhou did not attend the morning court, citing illness, and had Crown Prince Ye Shen preside over it instead.
After the court session, as soon as Chancellor Yao arrived at the Council of State, someone whispered in his ear.
“Really?”
Chancellor Yao looked at the person in astonishment, almost disbelieving his own ears.
Marquis Shen had people bring courtesans to the Four Directions Inn late at night to revel all night, and even imprisoned Gao Yin and Hulü Xian?
Had Marquis Shen gone mad?
“That’s what the subordinates are saying.”
The person replied, “This official also finds this matter too preposterous and is still in the process of further confirmation!”
“Go confirm it immediately!”
Chancellor Yao ordered in a deep voice, “Once there is definite news, report it to this Chancellor at once!”
“Yes!”
The person quickly departed.
Chancellor Yao found a seat and sat down, pondering with a lowered gaze.
Did Marquis Shen really have such immense courage?
Reveling with courtesans at the Four Directions Inn was one thing, but he even dared to imprison Gao Yin and Hulü Xian?
Was he tired of living?
Could it be…
Was it His Majesty’s intention?
He did know that His Majesty had a secret discussion with Marquis Shen in the imperial bedchamber last night.
But he didn’t know what they discussed.
As long as Marquis Shen wasn’t insane, he shouldn’t possibly imprison Gao Yin and Hulü Xian.
If it was indeed true, it could only be His Majesty’s intention!
If this was His Majesty’s intention, then His Majesty’s purpose was worth scrutinizing!
Could it be that His Majesty was truly bewitched by Marquis Shen and wanted to go to war with Yong Country?
Did Great Zhou have the strength for that?
The more Chancellor Yao thought about it, the more he felt something was amiss, and he no longer had the heart to deal with government affairs, sitting there in constant contemplation.
He now had to clearly understand whether His Majesty truly intended to go to war or was merely putting pressure on Yong Country.
However, before Chancellor Yao could figure it out, a eunuch hurried over, “His Majesty urgently summons Chancellor Yao for a discussion!”
Chancellor Yao’s heart skipped a beat, and he immediately asked, “Besides this Chancellor, who else has His Majesty summoned?”
The eunuch replied, “Also Chancellor Lü and the Ministers of various departments, and someone has also been sent to invite Prince Wuping…”
Listening to the eunuch’s words, Chancellor Yao became even more worried.
Damn it!
Had His Majesty truly entertained the idea of going to war with Yong Country?
Chancellor Yao did not want to rashly start a war.
From a public perspective, the current Great Zhou was simply not prepared to cope with a major war; starting one now would mean slim chances of victory.
From a private perspective, once war broke out, His Majesty would certainly heavily rely on those in the war hawk faction, and military generals would gain greater influence in the court!
Moreover, he also held the concurrent post of Minister of Revenue.
Once fighting began, he would inevitably have to find every possible way to raise money and provisions.
Furthermore, once war broke out with Yong Country, His Majesty, for the sake of stability in the court, would certainly not consider replacing the Crown Prince for a short period!
For him, going to war with Yong Country was more detrimental than beneficial!
Chancellor Yao thought as he quickly rushed to Emperor Zhou’s imperial bedchamber.
…
Approaching noon, The Eldest Princess arrived at the Four Directions Inn.
However, The Eldest Princess did not enter the Four Directions Inn; she merely sent someone to inform Marquis Shen.
Marquis Shen came outside the Four Directions Inn, simply bowed to The Eldest Princess, and smiled, “The Eldest Princess isn’t here to thank me as well, is she?”
He and The Eldest Princess had no prior connection.
The Eldest Princess suddenly coming to find him could only be for this matter, he presumed.
“Yes.”
The Eldest Princess pursed her lips and smiled, then bowed again to Marquis Shen, “Regardless of what Imperial Father decides, many thanks to Marquis Shen for speaking out righteously!”
“The Eldest Princess overstates it.”
Marquis Shen smiled, “I just can’t stand people like Chancellor Yao wanting to exchange women for peace! The Eldest Princess doesn’t need to worry too much; His Majesty is the ruler of a country, but he is also a father, and I believe His Majesty would not want any princess to enter a marriage alliance with the Third Prince of Yong Country!”
“Yes.”
The Eldest Princess nodded with a smile and then asked, “Is Marquis Shen free? If it’s convenient, I’d like to invite Marquis Shen for a simple meal to express my gratitude.”
“That’s really not convenient.”
Marquis Shen gestured towards the Four Directions Inn, “The envoys from Yong Country are all in the Four Directions Inn, so it’s not very convenient for me to leave!”
“Alright!”
The Eldest Princess did not press the matter, “Then another day it is!”
Another day?
Marquis Shen’s body suddenly trembled.
Was this an agreement, or was it an agreement?
As Marquis Shen was lost in thought, a carriage sped towards the entrance of the Four Directions Inn.
“It looks like Seventh Sister!”
The Eldest Princess stared at the carriage, muttering to herself.
Ye Li?
Didn’t this Xiao Ba Po thank him last night?
Why had she come again?
Under their gaze, the carriage stopped outside the Four Directions Inn.
The curtain of the carriage was pulled back.
It really was Ye Li!
The Eldest Princess smiled at Ye Li, who was lifting her skirt and stepping down from the carriage, “Seventh Sister, are you also here to thank Marquis Shen?”
“I’m here to hit him!”
Ye Li said angrily.
“Ah?”
Her words directly bewildered both Marquis Shen and The Eldest Princess.
Marquis Shen looked at this Xiao Ba Po, utterly speechless.
Had she taken the wrong medicine?
She thanked him last night, and today she’s turning hostile?
Besides, he hadn’t provoked her!
Ye Li stepped forward, ignoring Marquis Shen’s confusion, and aggressively pulled Marquis Shen aside, scolding, “Are you trying to die? Do you think that just because Imperial Father temporarily favors you, you can run wild?”
The Eldest Princess looked at Ye Li in confusion, “Seventh Sister, what exactly is going on?”
“What’s going on? Ask this suicidal scoundrel!”
Ye Li pointed angrily at Marquis Shen, “This scoundrel brought courtesans to the Four Directions Inn to revel, and he even dared to imprison the Yong Country envoys!”
“Ah?”
The Eldest Princess’s face drastically changed, looking at Marquis Shen in disbelief.
Upon learning Ye Li’s intention, Marquis Shen couldn’t help but smile wryly, “Princess, this matter… is not convenient to discuss, you two should go back first!”
He also couldn’t explain this matter to Ye Li.
Besides, he didn’t need to explain to Ye Li.
She should use her brain and think, would he dare to do this without his father’s tacit approval?
“Come with me!”
Ye Li glared fiercely at Marquis Shen with bulging eyes, motioned for her attendants not to follow, and quickly led Marquis Shen aside.
“We won’t talk about you bringing courtesans to the Four Directions Inn to revel for now, but you cannot imprison envoys!”
Ye Li stared at Marquis Shen with fire in her eyes, “Even if Imperial Father tacitly approved, you cannot do this! Otherwise, once this matter goes wrong, no one in court will blame Imperial Father, but you will become the scapegoat…”
Ye Li’s face was cold as she meticulously explained the serious implications to Marquis Shen.
Of course, she guessed that this was something Imperial Father had tacitly approved.
But Imperial Father’s tacit approval was useless!
Sometimes, even an imperial decree was useless in court matters!
Once something went wrong, no one could protect him!
Listening to Ye Li’s words, Marquis Shen couldn’t help but show a knowing smile.
He suddenly felt that this Xiao Ba Po was quite good after all!
At least she was genuinely thinking for him.
Moreover, her political acumen seemed quite good!
“Don’t give me that smirking face!”
Ye Li stared at Marquis Shen’s smiling face, “If you don’t think for yourself, at least think for You Rong and her mother! Don’t think you’re too important; the court can do without anyone!”
“Mm-hmm…”
Marquis Shen nodded perfunctorily, “Thank you for the reminder, Princess.”
“If it weren’t for you speaking out righteously last night, this Princess wouldn’t bother with your messy affairs!”
Ye Li was fuming, and then she threatened aggressively, “If you dare to call courtesans to the Four Directions Inn to revel again, this Princess will…”
“The Princess will castrate me, right?”
Marquis Shen was already numb to this Xiao Ba Po’s threats.
Su Yourong didn’t even manage him, so why was she bothering so much?
Could it be that she had a crush on him?