Prime Minister He choked on his tea in shock after hearing Zheng Qian’s words and began to cough violently.
"Cough cough cough... What did you say... cough cough..."
Zheng Qian repeated what he had just said: "I want to be the study panion of the Tenth Prince, please help me, uncle."
Prime Minister He quickly put down the teacup in his hand and pulled out a handkerchief from his chest to wipe his mouth.
"You want to be the study panion of the Tenth Prince?"
Zheng Qian nodded and said, "That’s right, I know uncle can help me." His elder brother held a minor official position, and asking him for help would be fruitless. So, he directly sought help from Prime Minister He. Actually, asking his father for help was also possible, but his father was back in his hometown, and writing letters back and forth was too slow; he couldn’t wait.
His elder brother said that today the master would go to the Imperial College with the Fourth Prince, but Zheng Qian waited all day at the college and never saw the master. His elder brother only informed him in the evening that the Fourth Prince had issues today, so he didn’t take the master to the college. He also mentioned that the master visited Baihe Temple today and was attacked there, but fortunately, nothing happened.
After hearing these events, Zheng Qian was even more determined to stay by Zhao Yao’s side. If he had been beside the master, he would never have let the master face such danger.
"Qian, why do you want to be the Tenth Prince’s study panion?" Prime Minister He was unaware that Zheng Qian intended to recognize the Tenth Prince as his lord and was very curious about why Zheng Qian wanted to be the Tenth Prince’s study panion.
"The Tenth Prince is my lord."
Prime Minister He couldn’t believe his ears and asked in astonishment, "What did you say?"
"The Tenth Prince is my lord!" Zheng Qian raised his voice to make sure Prime Minister He heard clearly and repeated, "The Tenth Prince is the lord I have chosen!"
"The lord, the Tenth Prince?" Prime Minister He asked in shock, "Why did you choose the Tenth Prince as your lord?"
"The lord beat me at chess, he’s smarter than me, he’s my lord." Zheng Qian’s reason was simple and straightforward.
"Just because the Tenth Prince beat you at chess?"
"Yes."
"Are you serious?"
"Serious, the Tenth Prince is the lord I’ve been looking for!" Zheng Qian said earnestly.
"Have you told your father about this?"
"My father once told me that no matter who I recognize as lord, he doesn’t care." Zheng Qian said, "He also said that if I recognized a lord, I should assist him wholeheartedly and be loyal for a lifetime."
Prime Minister He silently criticized Zheng Xilin: This old fox is indeed cunning and shrewd.
"Uncle, I know that the lord is not much favored and has no support among the ministers, but I don’t mind." Zheng Qian said very earnestly, "No matter what the lord wants to do in the future, I will follow him."
Prime Minister He looked at Zheng Qian and saw determination in his eyes. He understood that this child was serious about recognizing the Tenth Prince as his lord.
"Qian, things aren’t as simple as you imagine."
Zheng Qian asked puzzledly, "What do you mean?"
"The matters concerning the Tenth Prince are not as simple as they appear, do you understand?" Prime Minister He said, "You are Zheng Xilin’s son, and if you recognize the Tenth Prince as your lord, you will bring trouble to him."
Hearing this, Zheng Qian frowned slightly. He didn’t quite understand Prime Minister He’s meaning and asked, "Uncle, what do you mean by this?"
Prime Minister He couldn’t speak frankly with Zheng Qian, so he had to directly say, "Qian, even if I help you remend yourself to the Emperor to be the Tenth Prince’s study panion, the Emperor wouldn’t agree."
"Why?" Zheng Qian asked, puzzled, "I’m so smart, why wouldn’t the Emperor agree to let me be the lord’s study panion?"
"As I said, you’re Zheng Xilin’s son, and being by the Tenth Prince’s side will bring him trouble, even danger." Prime Minister He continued, "You should know the situation your elder brother faced after entering the court, so you should be clear that if you bee the Tenth Prince’s study panion, the ministers’ focus will fall on the Tenth Prince, which will bring trouble to him, a bright mind like yours should understand this."
Prime Minister He’s words silenced Zheng Qian.
"You’re Zheng Xilin’s youngest son, and if you bee the Tenth Prince’s study panion, it will signal to the ministers that your father, Zheng Xilin, supports the Tenth Prince." Prime Minister He patiently explained, "You mentioned earlier that the Tenth Prince isn’t much favored and has no minister support in the court. This means the Tenth Prince has no power in the court. Do you think the people of the Crown Prince, or Prince Dai, or the Third Prince will let the Tenth Prince go once they see you supporting him as lord?"
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