Chapter 268: Summoning Counselors for Discussion
Xie Shi'an wandered dazedly to the entrance of the Gongxi Royal Mansion.
Back when he was imprisoned in the dungeon, it was the Gong Xi Prince who had saved his life.
But when he emerged from the dungeon and went to seek an audience with the Gong Xi Prince again, the prince refused to see him.
He vaguely guessed that the suggestion he had proposed must have encountered problems during implementation, leading the Gong Xi Prince to abandon him.
However, now that the Gong Xi Prince was being punished by the Emperor to reflect behind closed doors—even forbidden from attending the New Year's Eve banquet—this was his most downcast moment and also when he had the least to do. He might be willing to spare some time to see him.
He approached the main gate and stated his purpose.
The Emperor had only forbidden the Gong Xi Prince from leaving the mansion but hadn't prohibited outsiders from visiting.
Yet, to avoid suspicion, most people wouldn't meet with the Gong Xi Prince at this time.
Thus, Xie Shi'an became the only person besides Consort Hui to visit during this period.
Naturally, he was permitted entry.
Entering the Gongxi Royal Mansion, Xie Shi'an followed to the study.
The Gong Xi Prince was painting when he heard someone enter. He set down his brush, looked up, glanced at Xie Shi'an, and then sneered, "Looking so wretched—have you come to seek me out now that you're at the end of your rope?"
Xie Shi'an pressed his lips together and said, "When this commoner was first at the end of his rope, Your Highness saved me, allowing me to cling to life. Yet I have had no way to repay you."
"Oh?" The Gong Xi Prince, having nothing better to do, leaned back in his chair and said leisurely, "So, Young Master Xie has come to repay me?"
Xie Shi'an lowered his head. "For the life-saving grace that I cannot repay, I can only strive to assist Your Highness in ascending to the highest position."
"Audacious!" The Gong Xi Prince's face turned cold instantly. "A mere commoner like you dares to recklessly discuss court affairs? It seems you've grown tired of living!"
"Although Your Highness is confined to this small place, you should know that Yun Chu, the legitimate eldest daughter of the Yun family, is about to marry into the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor and become the Princess Consort of the Pacifying West," Xie Shi'an raised his head. "And I was once the eldest son most valued by the Yun family's eldest daughter. Even now, in private, I still call her mother. Since she cannot bear children, she treats me as her own. Why not let me become Your Highness's spy placed beside Prince Pingxi?"
A cold glint appeared at the corner of the Gong Xi Prince's eyes.
Meanwhile, the New Year greetings at the palace had concluded. Chu Yi took the two children out of the palace. After sending them back, he summoned his counselors for discussion.
It was worth noting that this was the first day of the New Year. Everyone, barring any emergencies, was visiting relatives and friends or drinking heavily. Suddenly receiving Prince Pingxi's summons, the officials who had been drinking were startled. They quickly drank several large bowls of sobering soup, slapped their faces, and hurried by carriage to Chu Yi's current residence.
One by one, the officials met at the entrance of the residence, each with a worried expression.
"Why has His Highness summoned us so suddenly during the New Year?"
"It must be something important; otherwise, His Highness wouldn't specially call us at this time."
"Could it be that bandits have gathered outside the capital? That would indeed be a major matter."
The group of court officials discussed among themselves as they stepped through the courtyard gate.
They saw Cheng Zongguan smiling cheerfully and saying, "His Highness knows you've all worked hard this past year and has specially prepared New Year gifts for everyone. Please come this way, esteemed officials."
Hearing this, the anxiously waiting hearts of those present immediately settled back into their chests.It turned out they had been summoned to receive New Year's gifts. The Prince was being excessively courteous, making them feel rather embarrassed.
When they saw the New Year's gifts, these officials were astonished.
Each received two jars of premium Nü'erhong wine, two fresh live fish, an entire lamb leg, and a large basket of fresh green vegetables... In the depths of winter, these items were exceptionally rare. That the Prince had prepared so much for people like them... Scanning the entire capital, no other household provided such generous New Year's gifts for their Counselors—no, it should be said others didn't even give New Year's gifts at all.
The Prince treated them with extraordinary generosity.
They must pledge loyalty to the Prince, devote their lives to him, and never betray him...
Steward Cheng smiled and said, "Since you're all here, why don't you gentlemen sit with His Highness for a while."
The officials indeed wished to express their gratitude to the Prince in person, so they followed into the main hall.
Inside, charcoal fires burned, making it very warm. Seats had long been prepared, with steaming hot tea at each place.
"No need for formal greetings, please be seated."
Before anyone could bow, Chu Yi spoke.
The officials felt profoundly comforted. Every time they entered the palace to pay respects, those high-ranking officials would always wait until after they completed their bows before saying "No need for such formality"—it always felt somewhat hypocritical, though they never dared say so openly...
The highest-ranking Official Zhou bowed with clasped hands: "Thank you, Your Highness, for specially preparing New Year's gifts for us. We hereby congratulate Your Highness on the new..."
Chu Yi's lips curved into a smile: "The marriage hasn't been settled yet, no need to offer congratulations so hastily."
Official Zhou: "..."
He had only meant to congratulate for the New Year, not for the wedding.
"Since you've brought this up, just right," Chu Yi took a sip of tea before continuing, "let's discuss the marriage matter."
Everyone: "..."
This was just like last time—summoning them for discussions late at night, only to end up asking how they had married their current wives.
Only now were they beginning to vaguely understand that the Prince had been planning to marry the eldest daughter of the Yun family since that time.
As the Prince's Counselors, they actually disapproved of this marriage. Not only would it bring no advantage to the Prince, it might even subject him to ridicule.
Before any of them could speak,
Chu Yi said, "Before you all married, what betrothal gifts did you prepare for your wives?"
They understood.
He was determined to marry the Yun family's eldest daughter.
Therefore, objections need not be voiced.
Moreover, having accepted the Prince's generous gifts, they naturally had to devise strategies to help.
"Reporting to Your Highness, when this old official married over twenty years ago, my family was poor. I set traps myself and caught a deer, using the deer skin as betrothal gift to marry my virtuous wife."
"My marriage was arranged by my parents. The betrothal gifts were prepared by my mother—consisting of cloth, gold, and silver."
"Actually, the betrothal gifts mainly demonstrate the man's sincerity, making the woman feel valued..."
Everyone offered their opinions.
After nearly two hours of discussion, the gathering finally concluded.
The officials collected their New Year's gifts and prepared to leave when Cheng Xu approached cheerfully: "Gentlemen, please wait."
Several officials turned back: "What instructions does Official Cheng have?"
"Well..." Cheng Xu scratched his head, "it's like this... I impulsively hugged a woman some time ago, and since then she's refused to speak to me. What... what should I do?"Lord Zhou's gossipy heart burned fiercely. Setting down the New Year's gifts, he inquired carefully: "Why did Lord Cheng embrace that woman? What was her reaction when you held her? Did you apologize afterward? Did she say anything..."
Beside them, over a dozen pairs of ears perked up simultaneously.
Cheng Xu coughed lightly.
This was far more useful than questioning those military camp fellows.
With the military camp crowd, one would have to spend money at Desheng Tower just to get some information.
But each of the Prince's Counselors was clever - asking a few questions while he had the chance was truly cost-effective.
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