Chapter 257: Chapter 243 Gossip is Plentiful_3
Pei Zhan nodded: "In reply to Your Majesty, my wife is the granddaughter of Ning Pochi, the former Imperial Merchant."
"Ning Pochi?"
The Emperor and Empress exchanged a glance, then the Emperor said, "So it’s his descendant!"
The Empress nodded, smoothing the needlework and said, "Although the Ning Family was the Imperial Merchant of the former dynasty, they are also heroes of our dynasty. Without his generous funding back then, the efforts to resist the enemy in the northwest would not have been organized."
At this point, the Empress asked again, "Then what about her father’s side?"
"My wife’s father, Fu Yun, previously worked at the Ministry of Rites, but due to his lack of control at home, he frequently indulged the wrongdoings of his concubine. My mother-in-law has already divorced Fu Yun.
"And Fu Yun is the grandnephew of Fu Ziyu, the former dynasty’s Grand Tutor."
"Oh?"
Upon hearing this, the Emperor and Empress were once again surprised, "So she is a girl from the Fu Family!"
The Empress said, "The daughter of Ning Pochi has such courage; she truly serves as a role model for the women of our dynasty. So it seems your wife being capable has its roots."
Pei Zhan smiled and lowered his head: "Your Majesty’s praise is too much. However, I have nothing but admiration for my wife from head to toe."
The Empress clicked her tongue a few times: "Look at you, like a little Pei Yu!"
After speaking, she squinted and stitched a few more times into the shoe she was holding, then said, "Bring her to see me someday, and I’ll grant her something, so no one dares to comment on her merchant background anymore."
Pei Zhan hurriedly said, "I thank Your Majesty for your great kindness!"
The Empress laughed: "You may rise now! Take good care of training the Imperial Grandson in martial arts. No matter what people say outside about not needing military generals after the war, good ministers and generals should always be valued by the court. Both sides are indispensable!"
"I heed Your Majesty’s command!"
"Your Majesty, Vice Minister Xu requests an audience regarding Ministry of Rites matters."
The yellow-robed official reported at the door at this moment.
The Emperor nodded and said, "Let him in."
Pei Zhan was leaving when he happened to meet Xu Yin.
Xu Yin stopped and called, "General Pei," then said, "Thank you for helping me last time."
Pei Zhan said casually, "No need for thanks. There have been many rumors outside recently, and they don’t sound pleasant. General Liang seems to be in a bad mood. Take care, Vice Minister Xu."
...
When Xu Yin returned home, it was already dusk.
Lian Rong handed him some tea.
"Master, did the Emperor say anything when you entered the palace this time?"
Xu Yin looked at the tea leaves in his cup: "He didn’t say much, but when have my ears been at peace recently? I’m really confused. Who exactly is stirring up the past incident with Yongping behind my back? Even the palace has heard of it!
"Before our marriage, there was only one entanglement, which hurt Liang Ning and the Liang Family. The only one who knew the truth, Liang Ning, is already dead, and the Liang Family has always been unaware of those matters. What reason do they have to suddenly bring up the old debts?"
Lian Rong said, "Today, Tian Fu quietly went to Prince Rong’s Mansion. It seems that Master’s plan has worked. If this goes smoothly, the rumors outside will not be worth worrying about."
Xu Yin frowned: "This is really one mistake leading to another. That foolish woman made such a mess, and it’s not just my career path that’s affected?
"The reputation I’ve built over the years has been destroyed by her, and now even the Liang Family’s attitude is strange. I’ve arranged to meet Liang Chen twice, but he has declined both times.
"Even if Yongping can’t retrieve the fan, once she tells Princess Rong what I’ve told her, I’ll do everything I can to destroy Prince Rong’s Mansion!"
"Master’s ability to strategize from a distance is truly admirable."
Xu Yin drank the tea in one gulp, then looked at him: "What’s the situation with Zhe Yu?"
"He has already woken up."
"That’s also a threat," Xu Yin impatiently tore open his robe, "We can’t let him recover. Once he does, Princess Rong will definitely start investigating his attempted murder, and he will become her weapon again. Once Zhe Yu is involved, the situation in the Prince Manor will change."
Lian Rong nodded after hearing this: "Understood."
Xu Yin took a deep breath, leaning into his chair: "It’s just making amends after the damage has been done. If Yongping hadn’t brought this upon herself, positions at the Ministry of Rites and the Chamberlain’s Office would already be within my grasp. Because of this mess, even if the palace doesn’t hold a grudge, I have to stay low for a while."
"Master’s decisive actions are indeed a good thing for finally restraining the lady. Once that fan is in hand, Master can completely sever the lady’s connections with the outside world. She will no longer affect Master or cause trouble."
"She’s not important; what’s important is Prince Rong’s Mansion." Xu Yin frowned, "Prince Rong’s Mansion is a rope hanging over my head. This matter can no longer be delayed.
"Delaying further might lead to more unforeseen events."
Just as he finished speaking, noise erupted from the front courtyard beyond the wall.
Xu Yin frowned and looked up, and the guard stationed in the courtyard came in and said, "Princess Rong is here. She went to the lady’s side."
Xu Yin’s eyes flickered, and he stood and walked to the door, pausing there, then signaled to the guard with a glance.
...