My father, during the Jiajing era, ensured that every household was clean and tidy.

Chapter 5 The Emperor Refuses

Yan Shifan also realized this, his expression changed slightly, and he asked doubtfully, "How old is Prince Jing? Could he possibly have such a scheme?"

Yan Song remained noncommittal, saying, "Children who grow up in the palace cannot be judged by ordinary standards. Besides, some things have nothing to do with how deep one's scheming is. Many people may be able to think of such things, but only those who have the courage to do them are truly remarkable."

Yan Shifan clicked his tongue in amazement.

He was already 80% convinced, and had gained a new understanding of Prince Jing, who had been raised in the deep palace.

However, this realization only lingered in his mind for a moment, because after understanding Prince Jing's purpose, Yan Shifan immediately understood something else.

Yan Deqiu was indeed intelligent, but he was also prone to arrogance and spoiled behavior. So, he spoke his mind without thinking, saying, "Father! In this way, wouldn't Prince Jing be the one to play the good guy, while we've become the villains for no reason?"

"Yang Jisheng's son specifically instructed that once the prince gets him out, things will be very different..."

"What are you yelling about? What are you yelling about!" Yan Song said irritably, "The Emperor always acts like the good guy, while your father always acts like the bad guy. Do you see how unhappy I am?"

"Uh!" Yan Shifan was speechless.

"So many people would kill to be this villain, and you think you're doing King Jing a disservice by being the villain?"

"Son, I'm just speaking up for your father," Yan Shifan said with a wronged expression. "Yang Jisheng openly attacked you, and Prince Jing reached out to save him. No matter how you look at it, you're the one who suffered a loss, aren't you?"

"Just wait and see," Yan Song said indifferently. "Before, the two princes lived deep within the palace and couldn't see clearly. Now that we have the opportunity, if our Prince Jing really has something on his mind, he will make his move soon."

Yan Song's guess was very accurate.

It was indeed very fast.

Just as the father and son finished their discussion, less than a quarter of an hour later, a steward came to report that someone outside was requesting an audience... no, not requesting an audience, but rather: arriving.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects. I failed to greet you in time, and this is my fault."

"Your Excellency, please rise." In the central courtyard, Zhu Zaizhen personally helped the elderly man, who was over seventy years old, to his feet. "I apologize for my hasty arrival. I just went to the Ministry of Justice and thought it would be convenient to stop by Your Excellency's residence. I am sorry to have bothered you."

"Your Highness, what are you saying?"

The old man held Zhu Zaizhen's hand, feigning reproach, and said, "Your Highness can come and go as you please in my residence, anytime. There's no reason for you to disturb me, Shifan..."

"father."

"Quickly, bring out that batch of new tea sent from Hangzhou... Look at my memory, the prince is so young, how could he like drinking tea like us old folks? Didn't you just get a batch of Western fruits at your residence? Fresh stuff, bring it up quickly."

"Okay, son, I'll go right away."

Zhu Zaizhen's arrival was indeed rushed, and the Yan family was unprepared. Fortunately, he did not care about pomp and circumstance. He had other purposes for visiting, so he politely declined a few words. The old man and the young man took their seats in the main hall. Once seated, Zhu Zaizhen got straight to the point: "To be honest, Your Excellency, I have come to ask you something today."

Yan Song patted Zhu Zaizhen's hand and asked with concern, "Your Highness wants to ask about Yang Jisheng, right?"

"right."

"It's just a minor incident, nothing serious. I heard from my subordinates that Your Highness wants to help Yang Jisheng?"

"...I'm just worried that it might be inconvenient for you here, Grand Secretary."

"Your Highness, please do not speak like this again, or this old minister will have to kneel down to speak to you today!" The old man said, trembling as he was about to get up and kneel down. Zhu Zaizhen was so frightened that he quickly stopped him. Even putting aside the fact that the old man was an elder, even when he entered the palace to meet the Jiajing Emperor, the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet was always seated.

Seeing that the old man spoke frankly, Zhu Zaizhen simply stopped talking nonsense and said sincerely, "Today, when I came out of the palace, I happened to run into the Yang family blocking the carriage and crying out for justice. It was quite a scene in front of everyone, so I thought I would try to make amends."

"snort!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Yan Shifan, who was sitting beside him, said coldly, "Your Highness, there are no such coincidences in the world. Those who embarrassed you today must have been instructed by someone. If you ask me, arrest them all! Interrogate them one by one!"

"Arrest, arrest, arrest! All you do is arrest people. There are so many people in the court who don't get along with you, are you arresting them all?" After scolding his son, Yan Song turned to Zhu Zaizhen and said, "Your Highness, please rest assured. The matter of my impeachment has been settled. My unfilial son and grandson, who were suspected of fraudulently claiming military merits, have been dismissed from office and placed under house arrest. A few days ago, I also submitted a memorial to plead guilty and request to retire to my hometown, but His Majesty did not grant it."

With just one sentence, "The Emperor does not allow it," Zhu Zaizhen understood that no matter how much of a commotion it caused, it was all in the past.

as predicted.

Yan Song's next words were even more direct: "Yang Jisheng is still imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice prison, but only to deter the wicked. If Your Highness wants to use him, it's just a matter of a word."

At this point in the conversation, Zhu Zaizhen could easily tell that the Grand Secretary had already made his decision and was just waiting for him to say those words.

He didn't mince words and cupped his hands, saying, "Then I'll trouble you, Your Excellency. When the person is released, I will keep him tied up in the Prince's Mansion to prevent him from causing you any more trouble."

Yan Song pressed down on Zhu Zaizhen's wrist as he bowed, moved closer, and his face became unusually solemn. "Your Highness's affairs are my affairs. It's no trouble. It's just Yang Jisheng. Your Highness can use him if you want. He is a sincere person, but be careful in everything you do. His teacher is, after all, Xu Jie."

Zhu Zaizhen understood, "I plan to place him in the Chief Secretary's Office of the Prince's Palace, as a Right Chief Secretary, to do some clerical and administrative work."

"good!"

"Excellent!" Yan Song nodded repeatedly. "This old minister also considered recruiting him, but unfortunately, his intelligence is far inferior to Your Highness's, and I was unable to achieve my goal. Now that Your Highness has become... Yang Jisheng's personality is only suitable for superficial actions. Establishing him as a leader can both restore your reputation and demonstrate Your Highness's magnanimity. It's a great thing to achieve multiple goals at once!"

There is another effect, which is to slap the face of the Prince Yu's Mansion, but this is something that can only be understood but not explained.

Yan Song remained silent, and Zhu Zaizhen tacitly avoided the topic as well. Just because his third brother wanted to avoid it didn't mean others had to. Having just received a favor, Zhu Zaizhen took the initiative to say, "Your Excellency, I've heard that Xu Jie and Grand Secretary Xu are behind Yang Jisheng's impeachment. We can't keep passively responding to every challenge..."

The unspoken message couldn't be clearer.

Before Yan Song could express his opinion, Yan Shifan, understanding the implication, immediately looked at his father.

however.

The old man neither went to see his son nor responded to the King Jing's attempt to avenge him. He chuckled, his white beard trembling.

Yan Song, like an old grandfather hearing his children and grandchildren express their filial piety, waved his hands repeatedly and patted Zhu Zaizhen's wrist, saying, "No need, Your Highness's intention is enough; I am happy!"

As they were talking.

He lowered his voice and suppressed his laughter, "Xu Jie doesn't dare to be presumptuous in front of this old minister. He only tries a few times when there's no chance. After failing the first time, he realized the Emperor's feelings for this old minister. Xu Jie is a smart man and knows what to do next."

Zhu Zaizhen raised an eyebrow. The old man and the young man exchanged glances. After a brief look, Prince Jing didn't press the matter further. He pondered for a moment, then said, "I haven't yet tasted the delicacies outside the palace. Would you be so kind as to have a meal with me?"

How could the Prime Minister refuse again?

Say "good" three times!

is the day.

The Yan family was a picture of harmonious relations between ruler and subject...