pappabearbooks Chapter 1091: Contradiction
Chapter 1091: Contradiction
The person Song Ci was complaining about was also being admonished at this moment.Prince Min, namely Xia Houzhe, brushed his nose and dug his ear, sitting listlessly in the chair as he listened to the old gentleman opposite spout his repetitive words.
"...I have said before, tampering with that Song Madam is pointless. Why does the master not listen but still acts arbitrarily? It merely alerts Song Zhiyuan and Emperor Chu without achieving any purpose. Why do you insist on persisting?"
Xia Houzhe glanced sideways and said, "Didn’t the gentleman say that without chaos in Great Qing, we have no opportunity? I just want to stir some chaos, don’t I?"
The old gentleman’s eyes sharpened.
"I know, the old gentleman is going to say that a mere woman is not important. But isn’t she Song Zhiyuan’s mother? Without her, Song Zhiyuan must mourn, and with him out of assistance to Emperor Chu, isn’t there a chance?"
The old gentleman chuckled: "There is already a Prime Minister in mourning. Even now, if the Song Family’s Madam deceased, Song Zhiyuan would merely be denied feeling."
"That’s no issue." Xia Houzhe seemed to have predicted he would say this, and said, "Song Zhiyuan is valued due to having an old mother, isn’t he? Madam Song is esteemed by Empress Dowager Wang and thus respected by Emperor Chu. Love for the house extends to its crow, so naturally, Song Zhiyuan is highly regarded and trusted. But if this old lady is gone, the bond between the palace and the Song family is severed, Mr. Ning. Without connection, emotions will naturally fade over time."
Mr. Ning knitted his brows together.
"Emperor Chu has been on the throne for over twenty years, fully fledged and grown older. The emperor cannot escape the law of suspicion either. As long as a seed is sown between the ruler and minister, it will eventually take root and sprout. Without the bond, growing suspicion leads ruler and minister to contention, and then chaos can ensue?"
Mr. Ning was so angry he laughed, staring at him: "Is that the master’s thought? If the situation with those two were as simple as you think, Great Qing would not have evolved to this state. Master, the old minister knows you are anxious, but thinking your opponent is too simple will lead you to defeat."
Xia Houzhe’s face turned cold, a flicker of frustration and anger rushed through his eyes.
Mr. Ning saw clearly, feeling increasingly disappointed, yet still patient, said, "Since entering the capital, the master has acted rashly and urgently. Now that Emperor Chu is sending people to investigate Quanzhou, perhaps retreating to Xuzhou’s domain might be wise. If anything arises, Xuzhou can still serve as the stronghold."
"Is Mr. Ning asking me to retreat?" Xia Houzhe’s voice grew colder: "Retreating, waiting for Emperor Chu to uncover me, then I take advantage to raise a banner, or retreat back into shadows again?"
Mr. Ning lightly furrowed his brows.
"Or is it that the gentleman has become disappointed with me and intends to commend another master?"
Mr. Ning’s pupils contracted, staring him down.
Xia Houzhe smiled: "The Commandery Princess is indeed a good candidate. Once she bears a son, the blood remains as orthodox. But whom does the gentleman intend as the father? Truly Chu Ze, or a member of the Ning family?"
"You!" Mr. Ning stood, hands pressing against the table, his nose emitting snorts, breath quickened.
Xia Houzhe did not hide or avoid, said: "Mr. Ning has been offering advice for many years and I’m grateful, but you have forgotten who is master and who is minister, which isn’t right. How can one forget who is the ruler and who is the minister?"
Mr. Ning said nothing, before finally laughing softly, saying: "Good, good, the master has indeed grown up. No need for the old minister anymore, truly I can ’retire’ now."