Chapter 1241: 23 Things About the Fake Emperor and the Powerful Officials
Until the end of the morning court session, no one mentioned finding someone to replace Cui Lang. The noble families were still very patient. Instead, one minister mentioned that the emperor should consider getting married and appointing a queen as soon as possible.
As soon as she said this, Shi Li felt that the clothes on her back were getting wet again, but at least she kept calm.
"The most important thing right now is the Enke next month. There's no rush for other things." Shi Li performed Tai Chi with ease, thus skipping over the topic.
As his eyes wandered, he met Yuan Chizhi's gaze.
There seemed to be a hint of smile on his face.
Shi Li was very confused and didn't know what he was laughing at. She just felt it was confusing.
Later, Yuan Chizhi helped her finish the homework assigned by Mr. Xie, and for the first time ever, he asked her an impromptu test.
"Your Majesty, what do you think is the relationship between Prince Zhuang and the noble family?"
This question was asked directly, and Yuan Chizhi was probably the only one among all the civil and military officials in the court who could ask such a question. Shi Li opened his eyes involuntarily and thought along the lines of Yuan Chizhi's question.
Prince Zhuang was the first to report Cui Lang, which clearly showed that he was not on the same side as the aristocratic families. However, if it were that simple, Yuan Chizhi would not have asked her.
If we wait and see, it is definitely not the end yet. If Cui Lang is eliminated, the aristocratic family will suffer a little loss, but no one will benefit. This is unlikely.
"I can't see through it for now. I need to wait and see." Shi Li answered honestly.
She also wanted to observe Yuan Chizhi's expression and guess whether he knew something, but Yuan Chizhi just smiled faintly and changed the subject so suddenly that she was caught off guard.
"Then, Your Majesty, regarding the matter of marriage and consorting a queen, do you have someone in mind?"
This time, Shi Li was really sweating. The one asking the question was Yuan Chizhi, not someone who could be fooled by Tai Chi.
"I... I..." Shi Li was so excited that he almost made a mistake in how he addressed himself. After struggling for a long time, he couldn't say a single word.
Yuan Chizhi looked at her with a smile, and after a while he said, "This matter is indeed not urgent. Your Majesty can think about it slowly."
He didn't ask any further questions, and Shi Li breathed a sigh of relief.
That afternoon, she learned from a confidant who was out investigating that there was an unfavored concubine in Prince Zhuang's mansion who was from the family of Prince Runan.
This news seemed to have nothing to do with Enke and Cui Lang, but the aristocratic families had always been closely connected, and it stood to reason that King Zhuang should not have reported Cui Lang.
It is one thing for other people to report it, and it is another thing for King Zhuang to report it.
Shi Li listened to the report from his confidant with a slightly darker brow.
It seems that many people have their own ideas about this Enko, and are now trying to muddy the waters.
She... waited and watched.
After yawning, Shi Li went into the private warehouse, picked out a few exquisite and expensive items, and asked someone to deliver them to Yuan's mansion.
Since the last time she gave Yuan Chizhi the Duan inkstone in person, she continued to send him some other items. Yuan Chizhi no longer refused and accepted them all.
However, every smile he showed when accepting a reward was very meaningful.
The eunuch quickly and respectfully delivered the emperor's reward to Yuan Chizhi.
The man in the study was wearing a loose robe. He looked at the jade pendant and other gifts, raised his eyebrows slightly, and looked at the eunuch, "Your Majesty, do you have anything to say to me?"
The eunuch answered truthfully that there was none, and Yuan Chizhi smiled and asked the men to leave.
He picked up the jade pendant from the brocade box and held it in the air to examine it.
The bamboo carved on the jade pendant is lifelike and vivid. Needless to say, the quality of the jade is the best of the best.
Yuan Chizhi suddenly looked around. The Duan inkstone on the table was the emperor's first reward. The other four treasures of the study were delivered later. Even the jade belt around his waist was a reward a few days ago.
After reading it all off, Yuan Chizhi suddenly felt a sense of absurdity.
It feels like the emperor is bribing him?
Yuan Chizhi smiled and casually tied the newly acquired jade pendant around his body. Recalling the secret report from his subordinates not long ago, he tapped the table twice with his bony fingers.
Since Your Majesty respects him so much, he, as a wise minister, should also share Your Majesty's worries.
Some people's hands are really stretched too far.