Ji Youze listened and gently shook his head, pointing to the chair opposite him.
"Sit! Let’s talk slowly."
Ji Youze first poured a glass of water for Dugu before pouring one for himself. After taking a light sip, he began to speak.
"This matter is related to both the Ji Family and the royal family. I was quite worried before the Emperor’s edict was issued, but now, I’m not worried anymore."
What?
Dugu didn’t understand.
"The Emperor has grown up!"
He had anticipated the encirclent of Qixia Temple, but he hadn’t foreseen the Emperor’s other move: dispatching the Empress Dowager to offer prayers for blessings, thereby using an Imperial Decree to restrain Liao Kong.
As long as Liao Kong cannot leave Qixia Temple, Xiaosuisui will be temporarily safe.
"The Emperor? Aren’t you always saying that the Emperor is just a child?"
Dugu looked at Ji Youze and tutted a few tis. "It’s strange. You’re clearly not much older than the Emperor yourself, yet you always insist he’s just a child. Now you suddenly say he’s grown up. I just don’t get it."
Ji Youze gently shook his head and smiled lightly.
"The Emperor has to govern the country, so he needs to make decisions and formulate plans promptly. However, his usual behavior is to be too hesitant, too fond of watching the ministers bicker and avoid responsibility. But judging by this incident, he’s not actually that soft-hearted."
Dugu understood Ji Youze’s words, so he continued, "That’s the Emperor’s statecraft!"
Ji Youze gave a light laugh—a rare sight, usually reserved for a few close friends.
Seeing his smile, Dugu also laughed and said, "You actually understand. He enjoys watching the ministers bicker not because he’s weak, but because he’s young and can’t control those old officials. So, he deliberately stalls, dragging things out until the various factions are deadlocked and a decision absolutely must be made. Only then does he saunter out. This is to show that he is the Emperor, and he is the one who should make the decision. Moreover, regardless of whether the decision is right or wrong, the ministers need him, the Emperor, to be the one to take the fall. Thus, the ultimate authority always remains in his hands, and he indirectly controls the affairs of the Imperial Court. Our Emperor, despite ascending to the throne at a young age, doesn’t have an immature mind at all. According to my father, there aren’t any particularly outstanding imperial tutors in the Imperial Court of our Great Han! I have no idea where he learned these tactics! Especially that disastrous tactic of weeping in the Fengxian Palace—my father knew right away the Emperor couldn’t have conceived of it! Who knows which scoundrel ca up with that damned idea! It’s because of it that my third sister is still waiting to be married!"
As Dugu finished speaking, he suddenly felt a chill and furrowed his brows. "Strange, why do I suddenly feel a bit..."
Suddenly, his eyes widened as he looked at Ji Youze.
"It can’t be... Don’t tell it was you? Ji Youze, you’re too wicked! Do you have any idea how many nobles and high officials are cursing the person who’s been masterminding things for the Emperor behind the scenes?"
Ji Youze poured himself another cup of tea, refilled Dugu’s cup, and then said, "If word of this gets out, I’ll hold you responsible."
"You..." Fuming, Dugu ground his teeth. "I’ll forget we ever had this eting today!"
"That’s good," Ji Youzhi said, "To the main point: my older brother has lost two boxes. They contained around one hundred thousand taels of gold and roughly two hundred thousand taels in silver bank notes. If we find these things, there will be money for disaster relief."
At Ji Youzhi’s words, Dugu’s eyes widened, sparkling with excitent as he asked, "Is that true? Where are they? I’ll go find them."
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