Too high to reach

Chapter 334 Good words are hard to persuade
This autumn day, the sky is high and the clouds are light.

The crown prince, dressed in court robes, stood at the head of the officials, feeling very pleased.

The salt administration that Grand Secretary Liu was preparing to establish had a weakness that Grand Secretary Liu had discovered. He had already prepared a replacement and brought with him a strategy for the Crown Prince's future.

Although he may not be able to take the lead, being so well-prepared will definitely have an effect. This is another big step for him in honing his skills and achieving success.

He began with great anticipation.

Li Jing, on the other hand, was in a good mood today; the news he'd been waiting for had finally arrived. Today, he was ready to deliver a powerful blow…

But, to everyone's surprise, before the two of them could even make a move...

One of the censors immediately jumped out, and he was the most ruthless of them all.

He threw out two massive bombs.

One of them was the substitute that the crown prince had prepared, who was suspected of buying and selling official positions.

Another one, also a man of the Crown Prince, spent his time during an inspection tour last year amassing wealth through extravagance. He failed to accomplish his mission and even sexually assaulted a young scholar, resulting in a death…

Upon hearing this, the crown prince broke out in a cold sweat. He knew about the buying and selling of official positions. But he knew nothing about the deaths.

But how did it come to light now?

Who's messing with him? Li Jing?!
Li Jing was wronged, and he was also very surprised, right?
So he first gave a signal to his own people. Someone was plotting against the crown prince; they would remain inactive for now.

Too much of a good thing is bad... Let's see first.

That official didn't just speak; he had a whole host of evidence. The details of the events, the witnesses—everything was meticulously prepared.

The Crown Prince is never mentioned, but those who know him well will understand his feelings.

Prince Yong'an calmly observed everything before him; he already possessed all this information.

I still have some...

However… the timing is crucial in how to get rid of it; it can't end up on your own. After all, you're not exactly innocent yourself…

Everything he did... fills my heart with tenderness when I think of that mother and child.

He's still young; he hasn't even started working as a consul yet.

Keep all these things for him. In the future, he can just pick one of them out and use it as a performance indicator to win people over!

The Emperor was furious upon hearing this, so angry he felt dizzy. He issued an edict ordering a thorough investigation and then adjourned the court...

The crown prince turned pale and went straight back to his residence to summon his advisors to discuss countermeasures.

Li Jing, now with a moment of leisure, stood there puzzled. He caught a glimpse of the Prince of Yong'an smiling calmly before turning and leaving… He stroked his chin, and then it dawned on him…

I also have information about this person. My first impression of him is that he is wealthy and has many businesses.

They live a luxurious life, but are not arrogant.

She even pleased her father.

But I absolutely adore the princess...

After leaving the palace, he sent a letter to Liu Yue, urging him to investigate thoroughly...

……

Zhou Dong has been living in a daze these days.

He was extremely anxious, but he managed to stay calm. He used to handle things himself, but now he was completely still.

However, he had a rather capable subordinate.

So he secretly instructed the man to do it for him.

That man was quite capable; he visited all of the Prince's estates.

He returned and said, "Madam Feng is being held at the Hot Spring Estate, in a small, independent courtyard. The walls are very high. Several old women are guarding it. The estate prepares the meals and delivers them to her."

She could only stay in the courtyard; she couldn't go anywhere else. She couldn't even speak to the people at the resort…

After hearing this, Zhou Dong was in turmoil.

He didn't know how to handle the situation.

His wife, Tu, had received considerable favors from Feng Liniang.

He spent all day at home complaining about Feng Liniang: "Such a good mistress of the house, such a noble concubine, so kind and generous, how could she do bad things? I think it's probably this princess who harmed her in order to seize power."

"What a pity, separated from her son. The eldest son is only a few years old, separated from his birth mother, and I heard he's even fallen ill! The other day, I told the gatekeeper I wanted to see the eldest son, but they wouldn't let me in." Madam Tu felt she was an upright person, and that she should repay kindness received. She couldn't just hide away when someone was in trouble…

These messy messages wore Zhou Dong down... That day, he came to the Prince's Mansion.

Just as he was talking to someone he knew, he ran into Granny Zhao, who came to the Prince's residence to deliver something to the Prince.

"Zhou Dong, what are you doing here?" Granny Zhao asked with a smile.

Zhou Dong stepped forward and bowed, "Granny Zhao, it's been a while since I've come, so I've come to see you. Granny, you've worked so hard about Yongle's matter... I went to visit you at home with them the other day, but you weren't there. Please take care of yourself and don't be too sad..."

"Hmm." Granny Zhao looked at Zhou Dong.

Previously, the princess had discussed with him the need to keep an eye on Zhou Dong, and had already sent people to follow him for some time, but he had acted normally...

However, it was also learned that before Feng Liniang's accident, he was busy all day long, and after finishing his shift, he would disappear to who knows where, in any case, it was not for official business or social engagements.

These days have been peaceful; I haven't left the house.

Is it a coincidence, or are people overthinking it?
"Yongle's two children live at home. Tell your wife to bring the children over when she has free time, so the kids can play together. We're all related to the Prince, from father to son. Don't let us become distant!"

"Yes. I'll tell her when I get back," Zhou Dong agreed.

Granny Zhao asked about official business again, and Zhou Dong gave a brief reply, indicating that everything was going smoothly.

After chatting for a few minutes, Granny Zhao put down her things and prepared to leave.

Once inside the courtyard, Zhou Dong stopped, but didn't ask about Feng Liniang.

Logically, he should have asked...

Granny Zhao's suspicions deepened.

Actually, she could have simply left without asking and had more people investigate.

But... she came back again, "Zhou Dong, you know about Feng Liniang, right?"

Zhou Dong was a little nervous, but he had fought in wars, killed people, and been wounded. He had learned to keep his emotions hidden, so he nodded and said, "I've heard some things."

Granny Zhao asked curiously, "Then why didn't you ask me?"

“Granny… Zhou Dong thought that this was, after all, a family matter of the prince, and he didn’t know the implications, so he didn’t ask.”

“I watched you all grow up. You are a boy, so I taught you less. But I personally trained Feng Liniang. If you ask who in this world wants the best for her… I would say she is the most important one.”

Yongle's father was in a similar situation to you... I felt I was doing quite well, so I followed suit and made arrangements for Feng Liniang's future..."

Zhou Dong was somewhat embarrassed...

Granny Zhao smiled bitterly: What will she do in the future? Who will she marry? What will her dowry be?

"But... even with my experience, I couldn't understand Feng Liniang. She chose her own path. In just a few years, she became a concubine, gave birth to the eldest son, and managed the inner quarters of the Prince's mansion. She was quite wealthy and respected. In my opinion, she should be very satisfied with her choice. But she didn't think so..."

Granny Zhao shook her head. "There are many things I can't explain. But Zhou Dong and Feng Liniang have indeed done many things that wronged the Prince. They were extremely heinous... She wasn't wronged. Her current predicament is only because the Prince considered her giving birth to Shao Ge'er and all the hardships she's endured over the years. Otherwise..."

Zhou Dong's palms were sweating with nervousness, but he nodded, "I believe what you say."

"Yes. You were all cultivated by the Prince with his painstaking efforts, financial investment, and connections. Don't think about how to repay the Prince yet; just think about yourselves, your wives, and your children. Be careful with every step you take. Be upright in your intentions and steady in your actions. Don't be like Feng Liniang..."

“Yes…” Zhou Dong replied with his eyes lowered, “Zhou Dong understands. Thank you for your guidance, Granny.”

Granny Zhao nodded and smiled, "Bring the children to our house to play sometime!"

Once they've grown up and have their own thoughts and values, she can only offer some pointers...

After Granny Zhao left, Zhou Dong stayed alone for a while...

He knew exactly what Granny Zhao was saying.

However... as he recalled Feng Liniang's appearance, he still couldn't ignore it.

This is perhaps what they mean by "good advice is hard to persuade"...

……

Mo Wen woke up quickly after being startled.

My first reaction was to touch my stomach, and my second reaction was to tell Xu Ke to clean up the scene quickly and to tell the girls to shut up.

This matter must not be known to the family.

See how she was able to make the best decision even in such an emergency.

Xu Ke's approval of her has grown even further...