After entering the residence, that woman showed no pleasant expressions to the late Emperor, as her heart dwelled only on her lover. How could the late Emperor tolerate such treatnt?
Moreover, as this matter was a scandal that shook the whole city, how could the late Emperor endure such a blow to his dignity just as he ascended the throne? Consequently, he handled the matter rather foolishly.
The late Emperor, under the pretext that the Yi Family engaged in wicked and unjust actions locally and behaved unrighteously, intended to punish them.
Later, persuaded by court ministers who argued that the new Emperor’s ascension warranted pardoning the world, the late Emperor spared the Yi Family.
Ultimately, the Yi Family was given the punishnt of being barred from entering officialdom within the next three generations, and the matter was thereby settled!
Pitifully, the Yi Family invested both money and effort, even relinquishing the fiancée of the Clan Leader’s son, only to suffer such an outco.
The Second Prince also lanted about the situation. Although he was a royal family mber, he equally believed that the late Emperor was unjustified in his actions.
There were many beauties in the world, and as the woman was on the brink of becoming another man’s wife, why should the late Emperor insist on forcing his desires?
This manner of conduct was rather disgraceful, especially considering that afterward, without a word, the woman’s family sent her into the imperial residence. To then harbor anger seems unreasonable, doesn’t it?
However, the Second Prince could understand the late Emperor’s thoughts, as it all boiled down to losing face!
The dignity of the royal family could not be compromised, yet that woman also showed little consideration for her family.
To be honest, within the royal harem of three thousand beauties, are they all truly willing to beco won of the Emperor? Perhaps not?
Yet none were seen as steadfastly chaste as to seek life and death over it. Once in the palace, they all continued to live accordingly, didn’t they?
The woman shared mutual affection with her betrothed, disdaining the late Emperor, which surely enraged him.
Moreover, as the late Emperor ca to power through usurpation, he feared both the idle gossip of others and being disdained by them.
Being the 95th Supre, how dare anyone look down upon him—thus, the Yi Family t misfortune!
Fortunately, the late Emperor was dissuaded, and while the woman’s family was unaffected, their days were nevertheless not easy. In this world, those who offer help in adversity are rare, while many rely add decoration to laurels.
The late Emperor, in his later years, ntioned the incident again, and his speech carried a hint of regret.
Yet he ultimately couldn’t bring himself to revoke the decree, considering that words from the golden mouth could not be easily altered.
"Sigh! The Yi Family is much diminished now, and in Hejian Prefecture, they barely hold the title of an aristocratic family, rely living off the blessings of ancestors!"
Despite his embarrassnt, Qian Licao responded to the Second Prince’s inquiry.
He was sowhat intrigued by why the Second Prince had suddenly brought up the Yi Family.
"Let’s put aside the matters of the past for now. The fourth-generation descendants of the Yi Family should have grown up by now, right?"
The Second Prince smiled slightly and unreservedly brought up the topic.
"Does Your Highness intend for the Yi Family to enter officialdom? However, the Yi Family has already begun to decline. After so many years of being out of public service, they probably lack the vigor of their ancestors."
Shen Shikang was puzzled by the Second Prince’s intentions, as the Yi Family had no outstanding talents back then, and they had remained obscure for years, offering no advantage to the Second Prince.
"You must not forget that a lean cal is larger than a horse. In recent years, the Yi Family produced two Great Scholars, and they are perhaps plotting to re-enter official service; we should strike first to gain the advantage."
The Second Prince held considerable confidence in the Yi Family. If they were truly obscure, how could two Great Scholars arise? Isn’t it all part of creating montum to re-enter the officialdom?
"Precisely, this treasure map can serve as a touchstone; if the Yi Family demonstrates extraordinary ability, it would save us much trouble indeed. A strong dragon cannot suppress a local snake; they could shield us from many nuisances."
Having the Yi Family stand in public view allows them to hide in the shadows. Even if Dali Temple investigates, their risk would be greatly minimized.
"But the Yi Family back then... Does Your Highness truly believe they would take official posts again? They could harbor resentnt, and while refusal is one thing, feigned acceptance while secretly opposing you is another matter entirely."
Jiao Ling was sowhat worried, as the Yi Family had suffered undeserved calamity back then. Having lost rank and privilege, with the late Emperor severing their route to officialdom through the imperial examinations, could they bear no resentnt? How could they be content!
But the Second Prince rely smiled calmly, "If they did not wish to enter official service, they wouldn’t have produced two Great Scholars."
"But if they hold resentnt, with intentions of rebellion. What if Your Highness allows them to participate, and they seize the treasure map for themselves?"
Jiao Ling was less optimistic than the Second Prince, harboring distrust toward the Yi Family.
No one could swallow such bitterness from the past. If the Yi Family had done sothing in private over the years, and they handed them the treasure map, wouldn’t that be sending a sheep into a tiger’s mouth?
The Second Prince, however, sipped his tea gently, "I have already dispatched people to roughly assess those aristocratic families. Although the secret dealings are still unclear, estimating rebellion seems beyond their capacity."
It’s true that the Yi Family may still harbor unwillingness, yet instigating rebellion isn’t an easy feat.
The Yi Family had been in decline for years, with many family alliances, so with obscure lesser families, others with rchants.
The Yi Family hasn’t achieved anything remarkable in business over the years, and several branches have already begun to falter.
As they say, they are opportunists who sail with the wind. Seeing that it takes three generations to rise, who with so family assets would want to marry into their family?
Such a family lacks not only financial resources but also has no standing in the court.
Moreover, they possess none of the essential elents for staging a rebel uprising.
At least until now, the Second Prince had found no signs of the Yi Family harboring seditious intent.
"Even if they aren’t secretly engaged in any disgraceful undertakings, their abilities are rather too weak. Your Highness might as well consider recruiting other more thriving families, which would save us considerable hassle as well."
Jiao Ling still believed the Yi Family presented too great a risk, and their capabilities seed insufficient.
"The aristocratic families are difficult to control; they have grand ambitions, making them prone to turning the tables unexpectedly."
The Second Prince had already made up his mind, believing that if the Yi Family truly had ulterior motives, he could uncover traces in their interactions, which was better than being kept in the dark.
Besides, being overly cautious won’t accomplish great endeavors.
The Yi Family seeks officialdom for status and authority; he recruits them for profit, likewise for power.
If their goals align, then they ought to strive together.
As for whether the Yi Family would accept his recruitnt, he was not worried. If they refused such a good opportunity, then he wouldn’t need to hold them in high regard anyway.
Seeing the Second Prince resolute, the others could only refrain from further objections.
Add in the fact that they too believed the Second Prince’s move, albeit risky, was currently the most suitable strategy.
"The recruitnt of the Yi Family must proceed swiftly lest others seize the advantage first!"
Shen Shikang thought this thod ingenious, but the Eldest Prince and Prince Jing were no pushovers either. If they were to steal the lead, His Highness would indeed be left empty-handed.
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