lady, please calm down

'Crack~'

In the backyard of the palace, a Ru porcelain brush washer was thrown heavily to the ground and smashed into pieces.

Mao'er looked at the broken pieces on the floor and patted his chest in pain. Chen Chu, who was lying on the bed, sat up straight and said, "My dear aunt, can you pick something cheaper to break? These are all our own things."

In the entire palace, there was only one person who dared to throw objects in front of Mao'er and Chen Chu.

Cai Huan, who had already held up a piece of white porcelain from the Tang Dynasty, put down the antique in her hand when she heard "pick something cheaper and your own."

Then he sat on the chair with a sullen look on his face.

Mao'er and Chen Chu looked at each other, walked over to sit next to Cai Huan, took her hand, and said gently, "I didn't mean to hide it from you. After returning home today, I quietly told the truth to all the sisters. It just so happened that you left the house this morning, so you finally knew about it."

Cai Hua immediately pulled back the hand that Mao'er was holding, looked at Chen Chu, then looked at Mao'er, and sneered, "Could it be that you started planning this morning? If you had the intention, why didn't you tell me earlier?"

On the way back to the city today, she had imagined countless situations, and her mind had been frantically hypnotizing herself to believe that Chen Chu was fine.

The moment I saw my father, I couldn't hold it back anymore.

But what he never expected was that when he hurried to the heavily guarded backyard, what he saw was Chen Chu, who was rumored to be seriously injured, lying on the bed eating canned peaches.

The first thing the little dog asked her when they met was whether she ate canned food, and he even said it was produced in Tongshan.

After being stunned for a while, Cai Huan probably figured out what was going on. She was so angry!

She was not only angry because she was frightened to death, but she was even more angry that Chen Chu had concealed such a big thing from her in advance!

After years of companionship, Mao'er knew exactly what Cai Huan cared about, and immediately explained, "Sister Cai, it was only after Zhang's visit yesterday that the master roughly determined their plan. The master felt that instead of letting them in, it would be better to take the initiative. Outside the mansion, Xiaoman, Mr. He and others can move freely without worrying about scaring or accidentally hurting the family members."

"What does this have to do with informing me in advance? What's the matter? Are you afraid that I will leak the secret?"

As she was talking, Cai Hua got angry and said directly to Chen Chu: "Back then, in Caiwei Pavilion, you kept it a secret from me! I never thought that after sleeping in the same bed with you for ten years, you still didn't tell me something!"

No wonder Old Cai had given Chen Chu several warnings over the years, always saying things like 'If Huan'er gets angry with you one day, don't kill her, just send her back'.

If Chen Chu was still as fast as Tongshan Ma in the past, Cai Huan's attitude would be understandable. But now, Chen Chu is about to ascend the throne, and it is hard to imagine the scene of the concubines in the harem scolding the emperor to his face.

Even Mao'er hurriedly tugged at Cai Huan's sleeve, but Chen Chu just shook his head helplessly. He sat up from the bed and said seriously, "Sister Huan, if I told you in advance, would you still let me go in person?"

"."

Cai Huan was so smart that she immediately understood what Chen Chu meant. To put it bluntly, during today's trip to Daxiangguo Temple, Chen Chu was using her as bait!

This is indeed his bad habit, he loves to take risks. He was in Caiwei Pavilion back then, and later he led people to Huainan in person. Even this time, when he knew that the other party wanted to kill him, he still went to Daxiangguo Temple in person.

The cat next to him also said at the right time: "Last night, the master mentioned this matter. At first, I firmly disagreed. But the master said that there is no reason to guard against thieves for a thousand days. Only when they feel that the chance of successful assassination is within their reach, the enemy will strike hard and expose everything. The master also said that if Huan'er knew about this, she would definitely not agree and would definitely try to stop him from getting into danger. That's why I didn't tell you in advance."

Cai Huan found this much easier to accept. She could also imagine that if she had known about this in advance, she would not have let Chen Chu do this.

"You're expected to control him? You're lucky you didn't help carry the ladder when he climbed up to the roof and started tearing it down!"

Her anger subsided a little, but she was still angry. Cai Huan turned around and complained to Mao'er, but this time she did not struggle to break free from Mao'er's hand.

This scene, if seen by an outsider, would be absolutely incongruous. A concubine first got angry at the head of the family, and then criticized the wife for spoiling her husband.
It’s Tiangang instead!
Mao'er smiled, took Cai Hua's hand and shook it, "That's why I need Sister Cai's help!"

The reason why Mao'er is so humble at this moment is closely related to the fact that Cai Hua urgently summoned Qin Shengwu into the city. Although the official had made full preparations long ago, how could Mao'er not know the internal logic of Cai Hua's summoning Qin Shengwu!
The emotions brought about by the ups and downs of their moods had only gradually calmed down at this moment. Cai Huan and Mao'er slowly sat down on the couch. Only then did they have the mind to seriously think about why Chen Chu deliberately made things so big.

This is not difficult to guess. Since ancient times, assassination has been analogous to acts of war.

The assassination at Daxiangguo Temple was definitely a major event that shocked the world. Next, Chen Chu would take the opportunity to attack a certain force, and both the government and the opposition would give their full support. This is called having a legitimate reason.

In addition to the external factors, people are also looking forward to how the internal forces will react.

But the Chen brothers were in the mansion at this time, so their family was safe.

After figuring this out, Cai Hua couldn't help but ask, "When I entered the city just now, I advised Liu Baishun to close the city and impose a curfew. Did I alert the enemy?"

Chen Chu smiled and said, "Isn't this better? With these reactions, the outside world will be more convinced that I was seriously injured."

Cai Hua thought quietly for a few breaths, and then said: "If the prince wants to take this opportunity to point the finger at Jiangnan, the confessions of the assassin and the Xu family are the key!"

Up to this point, Cai Huan still didn't know who the real mastermind behind the assassination was, but her words were very interesting. It seemed that there was a subtext that no matter who the mastermind was, Jiangnan would be blamed.

Chen Chu nodded and said, "There were a total of 32 assassins involved in the assassination, but none of them survived."

"what?"

"They all had wax-sealed poison pills pressed under their tongues. Except for a few who were killed by Lao He and his men, the rest of them bit through the wax pills and died from the poison."

Chen Chu explained slowly, and Mao'er was also surprised and said, "It's definitely not an ordinary family that can raise such a brave man!"

Only when you are in charge of a household do you realize how expensive firewood and rice are. The expense of raising such a group of assassins with excellent skills and determination to die is by no means trivial.

Chen Chu had intelligence support and naturally had a list of suspects long ago, but Cai Hua did not dwell on it. Instead, she asked, "What about the Xu family? Are they all dead?"

"Zhang and Xu's eldest son Xu Zhong also took poison. The second son Xu Yi was captured alive and is now detained in the Dali Temple prison."

"I'm going to the Dali Temple to have a look!"

Cai Huan stood up immediately. She had to find a place to make up for the shock she had suffered today. Isn't Xu Yi a suitable vent?

"Why are you going there? Someone is trying the case. It's a mess outside. Just stay in the mansion."

When Chen Chu spoke, Cai Huan sat back unhappily, but after just a few breaths, she stood up again.

"Where are you going again?"

"Is it not okay for me to not leave the house?"

As she was talking, Cai Huan walked to the door without stopping. Chen Chu immediately saw through her thoughts and quickly jumped off the bed. He grabbed Cai Huan and said, "This matter has nothing to do with Jia Rou. She didn't know about it beforehand. Sister Huan, don't take it out on her."

Chen Chu revealed her thoughts, so Cai Huan had no choice but to stay. However, she said dissatisfiedly, "If it weren't for her, would the Xu family have had a chance? Even if she didn't know, she's too stupid to be used by others without even realizing it!"

The masters of the front house had arrived more than an hour ago, but so far only Chen Jingyan and Cai Yuan had personally gone to the back house to visit the King of Chu. After returning, the two had solemn expressions and did not say a word in response to their colleagues' inquiries about the King of Chu's injuries.

Zhang Chunxiao wanted to leave temporarily after finding out nothing, but was stopped by Xiao Yi and his men. They only said, "In order to facilitate the prince to meet with you at the first time when he has something to do, please stay in the mansion for a while."

To put it nicely, this is the King of Chu's trust in these people; to put it bluntly, all the ministers are under house arrest at this moment.

However, at this sensitive time, no one dared to say anything more, for fear of being suspected of being involved in the assassination. If the King of Chu was conscious, everything would be fine. If he was unconscious, those powerful generals in Huaibei might kill someone just because they suspected that he was involved in the assassination!
Late noon.

Even though there was a panic in the mansion, the front yard manager Weng Bingding did not forget about this adult. After preparing lunch, he invited him to the dining room to eat.

But no one had much appetite.

Minister of War Zhang Chunxiao took a mouthful of rice without any appetite, and suddenly put down his chopsticks and whispered: "Prime Minister Cai, Lord Chen, the news that the King of Chu was assassinated has spread throughout the city. If we all stay in the palace, there will be no one outside to take charge of the situation, and there may be chaos!"

This was an implicit request for Cai and Chen to come forward and negotiate with Xiao Yi, the eldest son, and Qin Shengwu, who had just arrived at the palace, to release them.

Before the two of them could say anything, Zhuan Yun appeared at the door of the dining room and said that Madam Chen wanted them to come over. Chen Jingyan and his brother apologized to their colleagues and left.

As soon as they left, Minister of Rites Du Zhaoqing immediately said, "Prime Minister Cai, if the King of Chu and the Princess are unable to manage the affairs, Prime Minister Cai needs to step up and take charge of the situation!"

It’s a bit strange that during the dispute over the imperial concubine a few months ago, civil servants such as Du Zhaoqing and Zhang Chunxiao were still supporting the Chen family, either openly or secretly.

But now, as soon as Chen Jingyan's brother left, Du Zhaoqing couldn't wait to express his position to Lao Cai.

But Cai Yuan seemed to be starving. He chewed his food and grumbled back, "Eat, eat, let's eat first."

There are four courtyards and a secluded dining room.

The dishes on the table were much more exquisite than the food in the front yard. Ayu sat opposite her father and uncle, each with a worried look on his face.

Chen Jingan, on the other hand, ate at a leisurely pace. Chen Jingyan felt sorry for his daughter and couldn't help but ask, "Ayu hasn't eaten either, right? Let's eat together."

Ayu shook her head and said, "My daughter is not hungry."

Seeing this, Chen Jingyan also put down his bowl and chopsticks, "What is Ayu worried about?"

This morning at noon, the prince was carried back to the rear residence in a sedan chair.

At first, upon hearing that Chen Chuyu was seriously stabbed, Yunong was so frightened that she collapsed to the ground, and her crying could be heard in the front yard.

Although Ayu was not that frightened, she was still quite scared.

Perhaps worried that Yunong might do something stupid, Maoer soon had Yunong and Ayu brought to meet Chen Chu.

The two of them then turned sadness into joy.

At this moment, Chen Jingyan had already met Chen Chu, so he naturally knew that his daughter was also aware of the real situation. But now he saw that her brows were furrowed and she looked worried, so he asked this question.

Upon hearing this, Ayu turned around and gave a look to Zhuanyun who was standing beside her. The latter immediately understood, turned around and walked out the door, closed it and stood guard at the door.

A Yu then said, "Dad, uncle..."

In a moment of urgency, Ayu accidentally called out the private name. Old Chen looked embarrassed. Ayu quickly changed the topic and said, "The prince left my father and second uncle in the mansion. Could it be that he suspected that my family had something to do with what happened today?"

Ayu said the last sentence with great difficulty.

She only knew that Chen Chu pretended to be injured, but she didn't know where he came from. She only vaguely understood that he had something to do with Jiarou.
Come to think of it, it seemed that her Chen family really had a motive. If the King of Chu and his wife died at the same time, then the legitimate son Ji'er would become a rootless duckweed.

The Chen family is at the peak of its power in the court. If they can encourage the ministers to support Ayu and Nian'er to inherit Chen Chu's political legacy, it will be a great benefit to the Chen family.

What’s even worse is that in the past, in order to compete with Cai Huan, Ayu and Jiarou were quite close.

If what happened today is related to Jiarou, Ayu will have no way to defend herself.

Chen Jingyan laughed and said, "Ayu has been smart since she was young, but she is confused when it comes to her own life."

"." Ayu looked at her father in confusion, waiting for his explanation.

Chen Jingyan continued, "How could Yuanzhang think that your uncle and I were so stupid?"

Ah Yu still didn't understand what he said, so Lao Chen continued, "My family is what it is today, thanks to your father and your second uncle who have been giving advice and helping Yuan Zhang for more than ten years! The prosperity of my family is all due to Yuan Zhang. If he passed away, how could your father steal half of Qi with only a few old friends in the court? The nearly 200,000 troops outside the city are not there to eat and do nothing!"

It was not until then that A Yu finally understood what his father meant. Even if Chen Chu was stabbed to death, his Chen family would not benefit at all because they had no soldiers!
The so-called coup d'état ultimately relies on swords and guns. Those stories about stealing a country with just a few words and strategies are either the fantasy of the scholars themselves, or the people who record history deliberately concealed certain important clues to show the strategizing of the scholars.

If Chen Churuo were gone, his Chen family might be crushed to pieces in this wave of chaos.

When the King of Chu was alive, Chen Jingyan of Yingchuan was his right-hand man, a veteran, and his father-in-law. If Chen Chu was not alive, a company commander could wipe out his entire family.

So, how could they do such a stupid thing.

After Ah Yu understood, she finally let go of her worries and asked, "In Daddy's opinion, who wants to harm the prince?"

On the side, Chen Jingan, who had been eating silently, seemed to be full. After putting down his chopsticks, he took out a handkerchief to wipe his mouth, but suddenly said: "Ayu, there are no outsiders here. Second Uncle asks you a question, and you need to answer me sincerely."

Seeing that Second Uncle was extremely serious, A Yu couldn't help but say, "Second Uncle, just ask."

"Okay, then Second Uncle will speak directly. Have you ever thought about the position of Queen, and have you ever made plans for Nian'er?"

Chen Jing'an's words were so shocking that even Chen Jingyan was startled. He subconsciously looked at his daughter and said for Ayu, "Why did Shouqian suddenly say these things? Ayu was scared."

Chen Jingyan and Ayu have never talked about this matter, but when doing things, who doesn't want to work towards that possibility?
Just like he fought for the position of imperial concubine for Ayu. It’s not that Chen Jingyan must fight for his daughter, but things are unpredictable, and there is no telling how many twists and turns a child will have to go through to grow up. What if the legitimate son dies, then Nian'er's chance will come!

Chen Jing'an did not respond to his brother's words, and kept looking at his niece. Ayu lowered her head and remained silent for a few breaths, and finally said: "Second Uncle, if Ayu said that it was late at night and everyone was busy, it would be hypocritical, but Ayu never thought of harming others."

"Second uncle knows."

Chen Jing'an couldn't help but sigh, and then said: "Second uncle certainly hopes that Ayu can make further progress, but second uncle wants to advise you now, don't have such thoughts in the future, let go of the obsession in your heart, so that you can get along well with Madam Cai San and the princess."

After talking for a long time, it turned out that Ayu should have a good relationship with Cai Huan and Mao'er. Mao'er stopped talking. She was Yuanzhang's poor first wife, but Cai Huan was treacherous and cruel, without any dignity or integrity. Chen Jingyan was still brooding over the fact that his daughter had lost her position as a noble concubine to Cai Huan.

He couldn't help but say, "Shouqian, what you said is wrong. Ayu married into the palace because she and Yuanzhang were in love, not to be humble in front of the third wife of the Cai family."

Chen Jing'an knew that his brother loved fame, and thought that some of Ayu's thoughts were also related to the subtle influence of her father. Chen Jing'an said to his brother somewhat impolitely: "Brother, you are my eldest son! If you still cling to fame and status in the future, it will not only harm Ayu, but also my entire family!"

"you"

Chen Jingyan was extremely dissatisfied with being reprimanded by his brother and said angrily: "Shouqian is the Prime Minister of Anfeng, what is my brother? If you think I am not up to the task, you can go back to Yingchuan and let the elders take over my position as the head of the clan, and you can lead the Chen family!"

Ah Yu had never seen his father and second uncle argue so fiercely, so he quickly tried to smooth things over: "Dad, listen to what second uncle has to say first."

"The Chen family of Yingchuan can still be what it is today, because we don't have the insight of my brother back then."

Chen Jing'an immediately praised Chen Jingyan. Indeed, Chen Jingyan's ability to recognize people and make friends with Chen Chu was his proudest achievement in life so far.

After Chen Jingyan's face looked a little better, Chen Jing'an said, "Brother, everyone was confused by Yuan Zhang's move today, but no one noticed that Madam Cai San was able to mobilize the Huaibei warriors? Without Zhou Liang's consent, how could Qin Shengwu follow her into the city? If Yuan Zhang is really seriously injured and unconscious today, if we make any unusual moves, we will become fish on her chopping board! Ayu, let me ask you, can you mobilize the Huaibei soldiers?"

"."Ayu was speechless.

Similarly, Chen Jingyan, whose attention had always been on Chen Chu, was instantly awakened by his brother's words and couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

The dining room was so quiet that one could hear a pin. After more than ten breaths, Chen Jing'an continued, "In short, even if Yuan Zhang suddenly becomes unable to manage things one day, with Cai Huan's help, the princess and the legitimate son will be as safe as a rock."

Chen Jingan waited for his brother to digest the news, and then comforted him, "However, brother, you don't need to worry too much. Yuanzhang is willing to protect our Chen family. Just keep the two of us in the mansion now."

"What do you mean?" Chen Jingyan came to his senses a little and asked subconsciously.

"Alas, the situation outside is so chaotic now. I guess some ambitious people have come to you and me, and took advantage of Yuanzhang's 'serious injury' to discuss the matter of deposing the eldest son and enthroning the youngest son. No matter what our attitude is, this matter is like mud falling into the crotch, and it is hard to explain. Yuanzhang kept us in the mansion, which prevented this matter, and also prevented the possibility of others using this to attack you and me in the future."

Chen Jingyan couldn't help but feel scared when he heard this.

Chen Jingan finally said earnestly: "That's why I said that just now, Ayu. Even if you don't want to harm others, if you have that thought in your heart, you will inevitably be taken advantage of. There is no shortage of people who are good at deceiving people in this world. Only by letting go of obsessions can you be free from thoughts and always be happy."

Ayu was silent for a long time, then suddenly stood up and bowed, "Thank you, Second Uncle, for your advice to Ayu." (End of this chapter)