The three of them listened, deeply disappointed, "Is it just about confiscating so land?"
Tang He replied irritably, "Without evidence, they only lose a few spies. Even if the land is confiscated, they need another charge. Do you think it’s easy?"
He said, "Even if you find a charge, you still have to see if they acknowledge it. If they don’t accept it, trying to take land from them is like climbing to heaven. This ti, they themselves are at a disadvantage and are feeling guilty inside, so His Majesty can seize the opportunity to confiscate so land with just any excuse. Otherwise, after a bout of fighting, we don’t know what will happen to their families, but many officials and commoners caught in the middle could lose their lives."
Tang He pointed to his nose and said, "You see how I’m avoiding things now, cautious in my movents, afraid that one day soone might get killed by my horse as I leave, and then I would only see you in jail."
Manbao shrunk back and asked, "So what should I do?"
Tang He pointed at Yang Heshu and said, "Isn’t he protecting you? These past days, he even had Wantian follow your carriage to the Imperial dical Office, and at this sensitive ti, invited all of us to have roast venison."
Manbao widened her eyes, "Wantian is following my carriage? Why didn’t I know?"
Tang He smiled and glanced at Bai Shan, saying, "There’s a lot you don’t know."
Yang Heshu also smiled slightly, not avoiding the matter, and pointed directly at Bai Shan, "He’s the one who asked to help."
Manbao gave Bai Shan a look, then clung to life, "Then, is it still appropriate for us to et the Fifth Prince?"
Yang Heshu: ...
Tang He burst out laughing.
Yang Heshu said helplessly, "Just think of it as going to play with the Fifth Prince. If there are things you find hard to say, you can quietly remind the Fifth Prince to co to ."
Recently, his relationship with his father has been strained, and it’s not good to have conflicts in front of outsiders. Otherwise, the news spreading would only harm Ms. Yang, not benefit her.
Once Ms. Yang shows a decline, even if the emperor hasn’t done anything, other noble families might take action first.
So the Fifth Prince can co find him, but it’s not suitable for him to go to the Fifth Prince at this ti.
Bai Shan drank a sip of tea, put down the cup, and stood up, "Let’s go, it’s about ti, let’s go see."
Tang He contemplated whether to join the hustle, Madam Tang having already shot him a glance and said, "You go ahead; we’ll stay here and wait for your news while eating."
The three of them responded, turned around, and ran off.
After all, they ca on horseback, so going out is simple, and the Fifth Prince’s residence isn’t far away; it only takes less than two quarters of an hour on horseback.
The three put on their cloaks, called over Daji and others waiting at the front, and set off.
Daji saw them coming out so quickly and in such a hurry, thought they might have quarreled with soone, but seeing the faint excitent on their faces, he realized it didn’t seem like it.
Once out on horseback for a stretch, they pulled the reins to gather the horses close together for a whispered conversation, "These noble families are terrifying."
Bai Shan said, "It’s all about profit; you can’t argue with it, can’t insult it. Yang Heshu’s refusal to struggle much is the right choice, you can’t argue with those people, nor with Marquis Yang."
Bai Erlang nodded, "Yes, as our teacher said, ’rotting wood can’t be carved,’ all the teachings would be futile if they don’t listen, better not to bother."
Manbao led her horse and said, "Let’s go then, we’re going to find good wood that can be carved."
The promising Fifth Prince was being taken aside by Marquis Yang to talk. He sighed, "Those spies were sent into the palace during your grandfather’s ti to be your mother’s and your hands, but never got around to it. Who knew your uncle would suddenly make this step."
The Fifth Prince kept silent, his face taut.
Marquis Yang looked at his expression, ultimately not speaking those words, and instead said, "It’s inconvenient at ho now, hard to enter the palace, unaware of how the Empress and you are doing in the palace."
The Fifth Prince’s expression softened a bit, "Mother has cried several tis, even pleaded with Father, but now Father doesn’t visit Mother anymore. However, the Empress ca twice, calming Mother down, so she’s feeling a lot better now."
Originally, the Fifth Prince didn’t want to ask, but thinking of his uncle’s consistent kindness, he couldn’t help but ask, "Was it really my uncle trying to harm Yingnu?"
Marquis Yang sighed, "He did it for you."
The Fifth Prince’s expression greatly changed, exclaiming, "What do you an for ? The Crown Prince is the legitimate firstborn, even if it’s not him, there’s still the Third and Fourth Brothers above, how could Uncle have such thoughts..."
"Your Highness, don’t be afraid, His Majesty knows this matter was solely his doing, unrelated to you." Marquis Yang reassured him, "His Majesty still cares about you, you can tell by how neither you nor the Empress were implicated this ti."
"It’s just unfortunate about your uncle; he’s still in prison, his fate unknown."
The Fifth Prince opened his mouth, eventually saying, "Wasn’t it said that Yu Shui wouldn’t confess to anything, taking all the bla?"
"He’s just a servant; claiming everything was his own doing defies logic. Yang Rong will surely face charges, whether they’re major or minor depends. If His Majesty is lenient, perhaps only he will be taken. Otherwise, the entire Yang Residence on Shule Street might be implicated. Alas, your cousin’s son is only two years old; if implicated, who knows if he’ll survive."
The Fifth Prince just opened his mouth.
Marquis Yang didn’t press further, instead pulling out a letter, "This is a letter for the Empress. With strict controls in the palace, outside ssages hard to pass in, I can only rely on you to deliver it. By the way, now that your residence is built, isn’t it ti to open your temple next year?"
The Fifth Prince, dazed, took it and nodded.
Marquis Yang smiled and said, "Opening a temple is a grand occasion, needing money for many things. I’ll send so money your way soon, and you should decorate your rooms to your liking, as it’ll cost quite a bit."
The Fifth Prince bashfully lowered his head, "Big Uncle, isn’t this inappropriate?"
"What’s inappropriate? Your mother is my cousin, should your uncle encounter any misfortune, it’ll be my responsibility to take care of you. Isn’t it natural for an uncle to care for his nephew?" Marquis Yang patted his shoulder, "Alright, go have so fun. It’s rare to leave the palace, enjoy yourself. By the way, do you have enough money on you?"
Though the Fifth Prince said he did, Marquis Yang still took off his money pouch and stuffed it into his hand, suggesting he stroll down Main Street, "Buy so things for the Empress to cheer her up, don’t let her stay too sullen."
The Fifth Prince nodded repeatedly, escorting Marquis Yang out through the side gate of the residence before turning to return. Just then, he heard a clatter of hooves.
Curious, he looked back, just in ti to see Bai Shan, Zhou Man, and Bai Cheng pulling back their horses to let Marquis Yang’s group pass before galloping towards him.
Bai Shan and the others jumped off their horses, looked him up and down, and then at the money pouch in his hand, faces full of surprise, "Did you just get bought off?"
The Fifth Prince frowned, stuffing the money into his sleeve, "What do you an by that?"
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