Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 280 The Secret Exposed
The King of Wu knew nothing.

Song Shi'an was able to confirm it directly.

Because this kid is definitely not the kind of emperor who would say, "Let me test you," and he's not the kind of cunning and calculating ruler who would do that.

The impression he gave Song Shi'an was: Look, I'm telling you such confidential things, don't I treat you like a brother and be very loyal?

It is very common in interpersonal communication.

Trading privacy for social interaction.

They might even expose some of their own unfavorable secrets to try and build a closer relationship.

Similarly, this can also be explained by interpersonal relationships.

Song Shi'an and Xiao Wei have the kind of relationship where they can lie on the sofa, each playing on their own phone, and idly while away an afternoon.

True friend.

I really want to be your friend.

“Sima Yu…” Song Shi’an thought about the name for a while before he realized, “Isn’t he the Grand Diviner? I remember he performed a sacrifice when we went to war before.”

“Yes, it’s him.” Just as King Wu was about to speak, he remembered that there was still a eunuch present, so he waved him away and continued, “He has been staying in his residence for several months without leaving. And at this time, news came from the palace that when he entered the palace earlier, he was interpreting His Majesty’s dream.”

"When was it?" Song Shi'an asked with great curiosity.

“It’s quite a coincidence, just two days before you took the provincial examination in Sizhou,” King Wu said earnestly.

"That was a long time ago."

While agreeing with him, Song Shi'an cursed inwardly.

Wasn't that the day before I time-traveled?
This means that the emperor had just dreamt of a rebellious minister.

Thus, his journey to another world officially began.

This is really not a coincidence; it has a hint of the 'will of the universe'.

I was reborn.

Wei Ye received a 'divine prediction'.

We are all the protagonists in our own stories.

A novel featuring two male protagonists is here.

"Shi An, what do you think?"

On the one hand, the King of Wu wanted to get closer to the King, but on the other hand, he also wanted to find a real solution.

Perhaps he has a plan?
Song Shi'an really does have some tricks up his sleeve.

But this is all predicated on Sima Yu not tipping him off and letting him know about the dream.

I even gave psychological counseling to others, and I'm already feeling pretty good about myself!
Fortunately, no one should know that Sima Yu had sought him out.

At most, only one Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) planted by his side, or by Sima Yu's family, would know.

If the emperor were to find out, he would be helpless.

But right now, the King of Wu knows absolutely nothing.

“Your Highness, given your status, if you really want to know, you should just ask Sima Yu directly. He shouldn’t dare not refuse to tell you, right?” Song Shi’an asked.

Upon hearing this, the King of Wu became angry: "I went to see him in person yesterday, but Sima Yu claimed to be ill and didn't even let me into his residence. My status has been completely wasted."

"Well, perhaps this matter is just too sensitive, and even Lord Sima dares not say it," Song Shi'an offered a slight explanation on his behalf.

“Of course, that’s possible.” King Wu quickly smiled, showing his tolerance. “If the matter is really too big, we can understand Sima Yu’s difficulties.”

The King of Wu must now restrain his temper.

It shouldn't appear too domineering.

After all, Ye Changqing was right; he was the ruler, and the rest were his subjects.

How he treats one minister is observed by all the other ministers.

If Sima Yu gets angry if he doesn't see him, Song Shi'an will also worry that if things don't go his way in the future, the King of Wu will also get angry at him.

Note: Never show your bad side to others before you have a particularly good relationship with the other person.

“After all, this is a matter of the palace, and it will put Shi An in a difficult position.” King Wu quickly changed his words, “If it involves you, let’s try not to say anything.”

“Your Highness, I have no way to repay Shi An’s great kindness,” Song Shi An said earnestly. “If you are truly worried about this, you can speak with Shi An. I fear that I am too incompetent to help Your Highness.”

"If you are still so ignorant, then there are no learned people in the Great Yu." Upon seeing this, the King of Wu said directly, "In fact, it wasn't just me who went to see Sima Yu. Before me, Wei Yi... the Prince of Zhongping had actually gone many times, and even sent people to wait for him for several months, just to see him once."

"Is there such a thing?"

“Changqing personally caught him once,” King Wu said. “Later, when we investigated further, we found that he had been there more than once. Even when he visited in person, he was still refused entry.”

"That means His Highness Prince Zhongping believes this matter is extremely serious," Song Shi'an said solemnly.

"What do you think...?" King Wu asked, "is it related to?"

After looking around, Song Shi'an stood up, walked to the side of the King of Wu, covered his mouth with his hand, and whispered, "It might be related to the struggle for the throne."

The King of Wu's heart tightened immediately.

He didn't think much of the dream.

He was even willing to talk to me about things like the struggle for the throne.

Although it was their first meeting, he made many insightful remarks during their conversation in the study.

However, a rift developed in their relationship.

Now he's willing to talk again.

Want to reconcile?
"Then what should we do?" King Wu asked, adopting a humble and respectful demeanor.

“Shi’an believes that since Sima Yu is unwilling to tell you, and also unwilling to tell His Highness Prince Zhongping, it means that he will not tell anyone,” Song Shi’an said solemnly.

"Yes, then we'll never know!" King Wu said anxiously.

"If it really was a message released from the palace, then it should be meant for you to know."

Song Shi'an's tone was utterly serious, devoid of any playfulness. "Then we don't necessarily have to ask him about this." "Ask His Majesty?"

"We can't ask His Majesty either," Song Shi'an said, speechless.

His Majesty just wants to find a scapegoat.

He absolutely cannot leave the field.

If he tells the prince, then it will be done—he will tell the prince about the dream and make his son pay attention to the rebellious minister who appeared in the dream.

Do you listen to your father or not?
While King Wu was in a dilemma, Song Shi'an reminded him, "Your Highness, it was the right thing to go to the palace to verify this matter."

These words made the King of Wu suddenly realize something, and he looked at Song Shi'an: "Chen Bao?"

Since it was spread by a eunuch.

Then let's find the most powerful eunuch.

“But,” King Wu said with some concern, “that is His Majesty’s chief eunuch. Would this offend him?”

“This…” Song Shi’an hesitated, revealing his predicament.

"Peace and safety are assured, there are no taboos," King Wu said sincerely. "If you trust me, please do not be afraid."

“Yes.” Song Shi’an made up his mind and said, “Eunuch Chen, although he serves His Majesty, he is still a human being and cannot help but have human emotions.”

King Wu was once again enlightened by Song Shi'an.

Yes, isn't Chen Bao afraid of dying?
If he knew about this, he would also be in danger.

Perhaps he had already planned to be buried alive with the emperor when he died.

I remain calm as I am.

But do they really want to die?

I'm just a eunuch, with no offspring and no source of male pleasure, so what if I die!

Chen Bao: You're so selfish to say something like that!
“Chen Bao also wants to survive.” King Wu stared at Song Shi’an and said slowly, “And if he had to choose, he would choose me.”

The truth is so simple.

Along with the throne, eunuchs also inherited it.

Even after becoming emperor, Chen Bao remained a grand eunuch.

Therefore, he could only side with the future emperor who could promise him life.

Couldn't those closest to the emperor see that the position of crown prince had already been decided?
"Shi'an, with you in my life, I have no worries!"

The King of Wu was delighted with Song Shi'an's surrender and advice.

Song Shi'an smiled and said, "It is my honor to be able to relieve Your Highness's worries."

Wei Yiyun, go ask him.

Ask about this cursed dream!

Then, you'll find out that I am the treacherous minister your father was wary of.

Song Shi'an did it on purpose.

If we let the King of Wu know now, we can conduct a compliance test and force him to gradually accept the facts.

Instead of waiting until he inherits the throne to learn this secret.

Wei Ye.

I'll play fair and square!
.........

"Your Majesty, the Prince of Zhongping has made his move."

Chen Bao went before the emperor and reported the news.

"Among my many sons, if we're talking about intelligence, this Wei Yiyuan surpasses all the others. Even Wei Wusheng can't compare." The emperor smiled. "But what he has is only petty cleverness."

Because his birth mother was of humble status, she was only slightly better off than Wei Wusheng.

They are incomparable to the King of Jin and the King of Wu.

My mother's family was not of noble birth.

Such a person has no chance of becoming emperor.

Therefore, he traveled around and cheered for the Prince of Jin to become emperor, showing his shrewdness, but in the emperor's eyes, he only felt disgust.

Just like Li Yuanji.

However, he was a handsome and intelligent Li Yuanji.

"Speak," the emperor said.

Then, Chen Bao bowed and reported: "When Prince Zhongping was monitoring Sima Yu, he was discovered by Prince Wu's magistrate, Sheng Anling, who gave him a warning. However, he noticed that Sima Yu's movements around the mansion were unusual, so he personally led his men to block Sima Yu, who was hiding in a cart and secretly leaving the mansion."

"Is Sima Yu really inside?" the emperor asked.

“His Highness Prince Zhongping’s men admitted it,” Chen Bao said. “This happened the very next day.”

"Then who was he going to see in his secret trip?" the emperor asked, knowing the answer already.

"His Highness Prince Zhongping's men did not find it..." Chen Bao said, "This servant estimates that it should be Song Shi'an."

"Then it can only be Song Shi'an." The emperor leaned back on the dragon throne, revealing a coldness. "Currently, Sima Yu has sought out Song Shi'an. And the Prince of Zhongping has captured Sima Yu."

"Yes, but what His Highness Prince Zhongping said to Sima Yu is currently unknown."

"But he's already the closest person to me."

"Your Majesty," Chen Bao asked tentatively, "should we perhaps hint at something to His Highness Prince Wu?"

"Losing once, losing continuously, losing all the time."

The emperor slowly shook his head, showing no mercy, and said, "If he is not even as good as his brother, he cannot sit on the throne."

(End of this chapter)