in2ebook Chapter 278 Waiting for opportunity
Chapter 278 Waiting for opportunity
In the Prime Minister's Mansion, Yu Zhengsha locked himself in the study in a depressed mood. The entire Prime Minister's Mansion seemed to be shrouded in a low pressure because of Yu Zhengsha.
Jiang Bai brought in a cup of lotus core tea that was meant to soothe the mind and spirit. He glanced at his master's gloomy expression and carefully placed the teacup in front of Yu Zhengsha.
"Master, have a cup of tea to clear your mind."
Yu Zhengsha swept the teacup to the ground, and the fine gilded porcelain immediately shattered into thousands of pieces and flew everywhere. The whole room was suddenly filled with the slightly bitter scent of lotus core, which made people feel even more stuffy.
"What are you drinking?! I've had enough of my anger today!" Yu Zhengsha said angrily, "Yu Qingli, that rebellious son, is now relying on Murong Feng's power and is completely lawless!"
Jiang Bai remained silent upon hearing this. He was used to following Yu Zhengsha and knew his personality well. After all, Yu Zhengsha was a cautious person and would never do anything rash.
Sure enough, after Yu Zhengsha finished cursing, he gradually calmed down. He glanced at Jiang Bai and said slowly, "Today, I really fell into the hands of that rebellious son, and gave the eldest prince an excuse to accuse me."
"Young lady, do you have this ability?" Jiang Bai was a little confused. Although Yu Qingli was always different from ordinary women and seemed to be more scheming, she was still inferior to the master. What happened today?
"She's more than capable of that. Now that she's leaning on the Crown Prince and Empress Li, she's even less inclined to respect me." Yu Zhengsha briefly recounted what happened today, then sighed again. "Now the charge of disobeying the emperor's order has been acquitted, but the charge of assaulting a concubine remains with the Crown Prince."
Yu Zhengsha, who has always been cautious, would never have thought that there would be a day when someone would hold a handle on him. It was like his life was in someone's hands. He was worried all the time. The feeling was really indescribable.
The worst thing is that my heart is now with that person. If the eldest prince uses this to threaten me to support him, what should I do?
All those years of keeping a low profile, working so hard, even going so far as to create a formidable rival like Yu Qingli, had all that been in vain? To end up being a nobody on both sides was not the outcome he wanted.
The more Yu Zhengsha thought about it, the more troubled he felt. His brows furrowed suddenly. He felt like his mind was in a tangled mess with so many things on his mind that he didn't know where to start.
Outside the study, a slender willow-like figure swayed over, and the sound of rings and bracelets jingled, which could be heard from afar.
Yu Zhengsha looked up and saw the graceful figure through the window pane, and then a clear voice like that of a yellow oriole rang out.
"Father, your daughter has brewed some fine Longjing tea for you."
Jiang Bai immediately opened the door swiftly, and Yu Zhenzhen walked in slowly. The distance from the study door to Yu Zhengsha was only about ten steps, but Yu Zhenzhen walked gracefully and elegantly.
Her eyes were like water, and she looked at Yu Zhengsha shyly. Her delicate skin was slightly flushed, making her look even more beautiful, and her red lips were plump like new cherries.
She walked to the desk, brought the tea to Yu Zhengsha, and said softly, "Father, calm down and try your daughter's cooking."
Yu Zhengsha was about to nod, but he understood the implication behind Yu Zhenzhen's words. His hand froze as he stretched it out halfway. He looked up and asked, "How do you know that my father is angry? What did you hear?"
Seeing that she had annoyed Yu Zhengsha, Yu Zhenzhen bit her lips and blushed, not knowing whether she should say anything or not.
Yu Zhengsha was not willing to let her go. He slammed the table and shouted angrily, "Tell me now!"
Yu Zhenzhen hurriedly knelt on the ground, lowering her brows and eyes. "Father, I just heard that you got into trouble when you entered the palace today, but I don't know exactly what it was. I think it was just Yu Qingli who irritated you." Yu Zhenzhen said this, then looked up timidly at Yu Zhengsha and said seriously, "Father, everything I said is true. After all, there are no one from our family in this palace, so I really can't find out anything..."
Yu Zhengsha was just feeling irritated at how badly he had fallen this time, when he suddenly heard Yu Zhenzhen's words and immediately said, "Zhenzhen, what did you just say?"
"What?" Yu Zhenzhen thought for a moment, "My daughter said that after all, there are no relatives of hers in the palace, so she can't get any information."
Yu Zhengsha suddenly smiled when he heard this. He stood up and helped the confused Yu Zhenzhen up, and resumed his usual fatherly demeanor. "Zhenzhen, you are indeed my good daughter. I was too strict today. Please don't blame me."
Yu Zhenzhen was so upset by Yu Zhengsha that she dared not say a word. She came here today to find out some news from the palace, but on the way here she heard the maids and servants talking about Yu Zhengsha being humiliated when he entered the palace. She didn't know what to do.
Even so, she still wanted to know a little bit about that person.
A few days ago, that person suddenly came to the house late at night and brought her eldest brother into the palace with an anxious look on her face. Although she asked her several times indirectly, her eldest brother refused to reveal a word about why he was so panic-stricken.
Obviously, in her eyes, that man has always been so suave, handsome and free.
King Yan, do you know that outside this huge imperial city, there is a woman who cares about you day and night?
Thinking of this, Yu Zhenzhen said, "Father, you're worrying too much. How could I blame you? Besides, it's wrong for you to break into your study without permission. In fact, I came here today because I have something to ask you."
"Oh? What's going on?"
"That day, His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan hurried into the palace and took my eldest brother away. He didn't return until dawn. I wonder what happened?"
Yu Zhenzhen asked directly, but Yu Zhengsha had doubts in his heart. Why would Zhenzhen care about the affairs in the palace for no reason?
As if she could see Yu Zhengsha's curiosity, Yu Zhenzhen quickly explained, "I'm just worried about my elder brother. This foreign minister is not allowed to stay overnight in the harem. If this matter gets to know about it, wouldn't it be..."
Yu Zhenzhen thought she had concealed her thoughts perfectly, but unexpectedly, her girlish shyness was exposed in front of her father.
Yu Zhengsha frowned, having a bad feeling in his heart. Could it be that Zhenzhen fell in love with the bohemian Murong Yan?
This is not good!
"Zhenzhen, tell me, are you really asking about this because you're worried about your elder brother?"
Seeing the suspicion in Yu Zhengsha's eyes, Yu Zhenzhen suddenly realized that her father, who was always observant, must have noticed something wrong. She knew what her father was thinking, so she couldn't let him notice it now.
Yu Zhenzhen stood up straight, the shyness on her face receding. She said word by word, "Of course. This matter not only concerns Big Brother, but also our Yu Mansion. That's why I've been a little worried these days. Besides, Big Brother has always had a kind heart. If he is led astray by the Prince of Yan, wouldn't my reputation be damaged as well?"
Yu Zhenzhen's well-considered words were in line with Yu Zhengsha's wishes, which naturally made him very happy and his anger subsided a little.
"As expected, Zhenzhen, you are the most polite and chaste. Daddy was right about you. But you don't have to worry about this matter. Your eldest brother has already told me about it."
Yu Zhenzhen was a little unwilling to hear the news she wanted to hear, so she immediately took over the conversation and said, "But..."
"Alright, alright, go down. Jiang Bai and I still have some things to discuss." Yu Zhengsha patted the back of Yu Zhenzhen's hand soothingly and ordered Jiang Bai to send her out.
When Jiang Bai returned to the study, Yu Zhengsha was already sitting there sipping tea with a calm expression on his face.
"Master, have you come up with any good ideas?" Jiang Bai asked immediately.
Yu Zhengsha took a sip of tea and smiled, "This time, it was Zhenzhen who reminded me that there are no people of ours in this palace. Even if there are a few spies, they are not real masters after all. They can't speak and can't get any real information. In the end, they are of no use."
Jiang Bai nodded, waiting for Yu Zhengsha's next words.
"But Yu Qingli is now the prince's consort. It's common for her to go in and out of the palace of Queen Li and the Queen Mother. If she talks nonsense in the palace, won't we be passive and controlled by her?" Yu Zhengsha said, tapping the table rhythmically with his fingers.
Jiang Bai immediately understood, pointed at the bowl of Longjing tea, and whispered, "Master, what you mean is..."
"That's right! Jiang Bai, ah Jiang Bai, you are worthy of being my old friend." Yu Zhengsha's eyes darkened, and his fingers slammed heavily on the table. "Now that Yu Qingli thinks she can do whatever she wants, I will make another move to hinder her and see how big a storm she can stir up!"
"Master, a great idea!" Jiang Bai immediately gave a thumbs-up. "But, who are you going to choose this time?"
Yu Zhengsha glanced at Jiang Bai shrewdly, but suddenly he leaned back in his chair without saying a word and closed his eyes.
Jiang Bai immediately fell silent, knowing that he had asked the wrong question again. He immediately bowed and said, "Master, you have worked hard, so please rest for a while."
After Jiang Bai finished speaking, he cautiously left the study. Looking at the sunny day, he unconsciously squinted his eyes. This stifling weather has lasted for several days, and he didn't know who would be hit by the thunderstorm in the near future.
Yu Zhenzhen left the study and returned to her own courtyard, but she still looked depressed. Madam Yu and Cui were drinking tea and chatting. When they saw Yu Zhenzhen coming in with a lonely look, they couldn't help but look at each other, feeling a little strange.
"Zhenzhen, what's wrong with you? Didn't you go to bring tea to your father? Why do you look like this? Did your father wrong you?"
Yu Zhenzhen looked up at her mother, but she didn't say anything when the words came to her lips. She just bowed and said, "It's nothing, mother, don't worry. I just feel a little unwell. I'll be fine after resting."
As he spoke, he went back to his room without waiting for Mrs. Yu to speak.
Mrs. Yu put the tea bowl in her hand on the table, and there was a hint of worry between her brows. Although Yu Zhenzhen had not spoken a word during these days, she, as a mother, had seen everything she did. This child must have encountered some troubles.