Protect Our Clan Leader

"Jing'er, did you come back to your maternal home this time because of Yingji's matter?" Family Head Zhao Chengwen asked with a smile.

"Old Ancestor." Zhao Yijing's expression bore a hint of grievance. "Previously, An Commandery Prince and the two Great Heavenly Prouds of the Wang family made a huge fuss in Shangjing City, directly intervening in the struggle for the Emperor's son, which has already had a significant impact on Cheng Si. How could Uncle Yingji do such a thing as to stab us in the back at this critical juncture?"

"Old Ancestor, why don't you write him a letter of reprimand, telling him not to mingle with the Wang family anymore?"

Talking about this matter, Zhao Chengwen's face also turned rather serious: "This is complicated. By rights, as a junior, you should not be privy to this. But now that it involves the struggle for the Emperor's son, that scandal can't be kept from you any longer."

"Although Yingji is my sister's son, when he was young, she fell out with Prince Dexin over differences in educational philosophy. At that time, Yong'an, still a Commandery Prince, didn't stand by her side either—instead, he chastised her for being ignorant. Over time, the discord between Yong'an and my sister grew.

Later, after an argument, my sister, in a fit of rage, attempted to leave with her child but was intercepted by Yong'an, who accidentally injured her in the process."

"Enraged, my sister then went to the Frost Moon Immortal Dynasty and has not returned since. Because of this, our An Duke's Mansion has also had a major fallout with Prince Dexin's lineage. In the end, it alarmed His Majesty, who made a holy judgment, severely punished Prince Dexin and Yong'an, and personally drafted an edict to send for my sister, Zhao Xiqing, inviting her back.

But my sister has always been stubborn and proud, a Great Heavenly Proud by nature. She looked down upon Yong'an's cowardice and preferred to struggle alone in the Immortal Court."

Zhao Chengwen clearly remembered that at that time, he even beat up Commandery Prince Yong'an.

"Alas," Zhao Chengwen's face still looked somewhat unpleasant as he spoke of the matter, "Yingji, that boy, takes after my sister, untamed since childhood and has always been close to our Zhao Clan. But if he truly decides to do something, let alone me, his uncle—even His Majesty, unless he issues a decree to summon him forcibly, might find it difficult to make him turn back."

"Jing'er, now that you understand the ins and outs of this matter, just bear with it and don't take it too much to heart. As time passes, people will no longer talk about the name Long Wuji."

"So even the Old Ancestor can't do anything about that willful Uncle Yingji?" Zhao Yijing was quite resentful.

Such back-stabbing behavior had dealt a not insignificant blow to the morale of her husband Kang Commandery Prince's supporters. Not to mention, among the royal relatives who supported her husband, many had stood with him because of Uncle Yingji; now that he had caused such a scene, quite a few of the royals were wavering.

"Jing'er, even His Majesty has tacitly consented, so you mustn't do anything rash," Zhao Chengwen warned, "Do you understand why His Majesty, at this juncture, has suddenly made a grand show of rewarding Kang Commandery Prince's Residence, conferring upon you the honor of a Second Class Commandery Prince Consort?"

"Isn't it to commend my husband's service on the foreign battlefield and to offer some form of reward and consolation?" Zhao Yijing asked, slightly puzzled.

"It's not that simple. Just making some military achievements on a foreign battlefield doesn't warrant such honor," said Zhao Chengwen with a hint of joy on his face, analyzing in detail for Zhao Yijing, "The last person to be bestowed such honor was Hao Commandery Prince. And who is Hao Commandery Prince?

He is almost the nailed-on successor for Great Emperor; both Kang Commandery Prince and An Commandery Prince pale in comparison to him."

"His Majesty must have already decided in his heart; he just hasn't made his stance clear yet. Recently, An Commandery Prince came up with the 'Dala Desolate Desert Development Plan,' causing a big stir and garnering support from many Prominent Families. It looks glorious on the surface, but ultimately, it has tarnished His Majesty's face."

"Afterwards, the Wang family caused a stir with Long Wuji, intending to rally support for the fight over the Emperor's son's position, which was a move to pull people to their side and divide the opposition."

"Originally, our Zhao Clan was preparing to retaliate, but unexpectedly, His Majesty directly greatly rewarded the Kang Commandery Prince's Residence, clearly stating his stance and telling An Commandery Prince's lineage that the Emperor's son's position has long been decided in his heart, advising them to settle down and not cause trouble."

"Additionally, it's also because of Yingji's matter; he feels a bit of guilt. Taking advantage of the situation, he offered compensation to the Kang Commandery Prince's Residence to settle the people's hearts."

Zhao Chengwen's analysis was logical.

Once Zhao Yijing heard this, her expression became relaxed, and her anxiety and dissatisfaction dissipated. In the Emperor's son's struggle, although His Majesty alone could not decide the outcome, his opinions were extremely important; many neutral princes and commandery princes would be influenced by His Majesty's preferences.

"Thank you, Old Ancestor, for your guidance," Zhao Yijing was extremely grateful.

"Don't mention it, don't mention it; we're all family. His Majesty's signals are now very clear, so we mustn't make any superfluous moves at this moment, lest we inadvertently give others something to seize upon and end up in a passive situation," Zhao Chengwen said with a smile, "Since you've come back home, Jing'er, reunite with your relatives for a while and don't worry.

When Cheng Si returns from the foreign battlefield, he will surely sweep away all those jokers."

"Yes, Old Ancestor," Zhao Yijing was overjoyed.

…

Almost at the same time.

In the famed White Cloud Tower restaurant.

A group of young officials was busy reorganizing and summarizing account books, clicking away at abacuses rapidly.

Stacks of Gold Notes and even Purple Gold Notes were kept in specially made secure cash boxes, filling the room to the brim, their golden radiance nearly blinding.