I'm not a fortune teller.

Chapter 99: Drag him into the water!
"Father!"

"Brother, why did you come just now?"

"We were delayed on the way. Are you and Dad okay? Where's Mom?"

In the palace, when Minister Shen was at a loss, his most outstanding son, Shen Yuan, finally arrived. He did not go to take back the Nine Ministers Seal immediately, but rushed to his side to care for his relatives. Minister Shen was both relieved and a little worried.

Most people from aristocratic families are cold-hearted. For example, the one from the Jiang family can abandon his biological father without hesitation. But the facts have proved that his decision at that time was extremely correct, otherwise he might have lost his hands like all the elders in his family. Even if the mysterious woman behind him was still able to turn the tide, the Jiang family would have been almost ruined.

It's a good thing that my child cares about family affection, but at the critical moment, this kindness and filial piety is a fatal flaw!
"Your mother is fine. She has left the palace with the other female relatives. The reason why I am here is because I want to be questioned about the mysterious woman."

"Mysterious woman?" Shen Yuan was stunned.

"Yes." Minister Shen quickly recounted what had just happened.

"There is such a mysterious person?" Shen Yuan frowned. In this chaotic situation, there are many hidden dragons and crouching tigers. First, there was Hua Ling, who played chess with Master Yi, and then such a capable woman appeared. The situation in the capital will probably become even more complicated in the days to come.

"Your sister has no information about the identity of that woman, but that's normal. We don't have much hope of knowing more about her. Although her background is important, the most urgent task now is the choice of the prince."

The girl from the Shen family lowered her head at this moment, her heart pounding.

Because of her identity as a member of the Shen family, she was not tortured, and not many people thought that a little girl like her could know something. Even her father and elder brother might not be able to guess that she actually knew the most!

The mysterious woman who turned the whole situation around turned out to be Mr. Zhang, who was dressed up as a woman by himself. I'm afraid no one would believe this news if I told them.
"Da Lang." Minister Shen lowered his voice and said, "Our Shen, Jin, Jiang, and Huo families were originally headed by the Jiang family. Our Shen family is a rising star. Now, in the past hundred years, the development momentum is very good. If the Jiang family declines, our Shen family has a chance to replace them. And this time, if we can seize the initiative and take a step ahead in the competition for the painting market, we will have a good chance."

"Father, do you really want to get involved in this storm?" Shen Yuan frowned.

"You don't want to?" Minister Shen frowned.

"I don't want to." Shen Yuan shook his head. "Your Majesty deliberately threw out this bait, obviously to set up a big plan. My Shen family has never liked to get involved in these big disputes. Although we have missed many good opportunities, we have also avoided many disasters. Steady and steady has always been the route of the Shen family. Father must not be deceived by temporary benefits."

Temporary benefit?
Minister Shen was speechless. How could the painting market be a temporary benefit? If you get it, it will last for generations!

However, his son's character is rare. He can remain so calm in the face of such a great temptation and intends to stay out of it. He is young but has the demeanor of his grandfather.
"You, kid. Well, you are the recognized heir of the family, and it's time to decide some important matters. This time, you will make the decision and choose a prince who is best for the family."

"Father?" Shen Yuan was stunned. For the first time, he, who had always been silent, seemed to understand something.

"Are you scared?" Minister Shen said with a smile.

"A little bit." Shen Yuan nodded honestly. This matter concerned the future of the Shen family. He was a little worried that he would make the decision at such a young age. What if he made the wrong choice?
"It's okay. With your character, I'm relieved. The Shen family's big ship is in your hands, and there will be no trouble."

"Father."
-
"Have you thought about it, my dear ministers?"

In the Mingde Hall, all seventeen princes were brought to the hall and guarded by Hong Lie and his guards. The princes, who were previously of extremely noble status, were now like chickens and ducks in the vegetable market, to be chosen by anyone. Some elderly uncles were so angry that their faces turned red, and they cursed the emperor for disgracing the state.

In the corner, a person was helpless. It was none other than Zhang Rui.
He was about to leave the palace, but was stopped by Hong Lie who came and said that the emperor wanted to see him.

What does the selection of a prince by a great family have to do with him? Could it be that the emperor has seen through his true identity?

But once he arrived at the palace, he no longer felt that way. Before, when he was dressed as a woman, even when the emperor was under control, the way he looked at him was completely different. But now, when he was dressed as a man, the way he looked at him was not much different from the way he looked at other people. He was still under that gentle mask.

"Since it is your Majesty's order, even if we are in a difficult situation, we have no choice but to share the worries of the country. Please rest assured, Your Majesty, the prince is of noble status. Even if we have solid evidence, we will report it to Your Majesty as soon as possible and let Your Majesty make the decision personally!"

Jiang Linfeng was the first to step forward and bow.

The emperor smiled and said, "Lord Jiang is indeed a role model for all officials. However, since I have proposed it, I will never regret it. Let Lord Jiang make the choice first. After all, this time it is thanks to Lord Jiang's prompt decision, otherwise it might have caused a disaster."

"It is my duty to share the worries of His Majesty and to serve the country." Jiang Linfeng spoke righteously, with a shadow flashing in the depths of his eyes. This time, not only the strength of the Jiang family was greatly damaged, but his own reputation in the Jiang family was also controversial. If he could not get enough benefits from the matter of Hua Ling, it would be difficult to convince the people in the future.

"Then I will go first." Jiang Linfeng looked up at the many princes with worried faces, and finally said: "I will temporarily look after the Seventh Prince Li Lin."

When these words came out, many people from the noble families were stunned. The princes on the stage had not expected this either. The Seventh Prince himself was even more surprised. The Emperor asked curiously, "Have you made up your mind, Lord Jiang?"

Lu Chengfeng stood behind Jiang Linfeng, his expression unchanged, but he was very surprised. Why would Jiang Linfeng choose Li Lin?

Judging from previous intelligence, Jiang Linfeng has always suspected the fourth prince Li Yan. Li Yan's fiefdom is in Yunzhou, the best place to raise troops. Even he himself thought that Li Yan was the biggest suspect. After Zhang Rui's analysis, he decided not to compete with the Jiang family for Li Yan, and instead try the unpopular seventh prince. However, he did not expect this guy to suddenly make the same choice.

Was it something that had been planned long ago or was the information he had just obtained leaked?
This shouldn't be the case. It's only been half an hour since I got Zhang Rui's analysis, and during that time, only a few elders of the Lu family knew about this matter. After I told the elders about Zhang Rui's analysis, they all agreed. In such a short time, even if there was an accomplice from the Jiang family among the elders, it shouldn't have been leaked so quickly, right?

Not only Lu Chengfeng, but also the Minister of War Wei Jiaming looked at Jiang Linfeng deeply.

"I have no choice." Jiang Linfeng smiled bitterly: "Your Majesty also knows that the Jiang family suffered heavy losses this time. Almost 90% of the family elders were killed by Master Yi. I chose the one with the lowest probability because I have limited ability now. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

"I see." The emperor nodded. "The Jiang family has indeed suffered heavy losses this time. So, in the next ten years, the Jiang family will receive 50% more tribute."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Jiang Linfeng saluted hastily, feeling somewhat surprised at the emperor's generosity. The Jiang family's offerings had been abundant enough after three generations of management over the years, and the size was almost the sum of the two families. This time it would increase by another 50%, and it would almost be the size of three families. He was really surprised that His Majesty did not take the opportunity to reduce it but instead rewarded him so generously. If he had not slowly seen through his ambitions over the past two years, he would have thought that the other party was a fool.

"Minister Jiang has made his choice. What do you plan to do next, my dear ministers?" The emperor looked at the others with a smile.

Seeing that Jiang Linfeng did not compete for the Fourth Prince, several families naturally did not want to fall behind, and they all chose the Fourth Prince. At this time, the Fourth Prince's face was extremely ugly. Many families chose him, which meant that they all doubted him. No matter which family chose him, his situation would not be very good.

He and Li Yu are of similar age, and Li Yu always steals the limelight and he is extremely inconspicuous. The fiefdom he was given is a bitter and cold place in the north. If he has no intention of rebelling, it is really not a good place to be. As a result, he has not gained any benefit and now he has to be blamed for such a wave. He is so unlucky!
In the end, in the scramble among the crowd, the fourth prince Li Yan was snatched away by Minister Qi of Rites. After all, Minister Qi's seniority was high enough, and although he had no successor, his prestige was unmatched by the others.

"My dear Minister Shen, don't you have any ideas?" The emperor looked at Shen Yuan and smiled.

Minister Shen did not come to participate at this time, and the decision-making power was given to his most valued junior. As a rising star, the Shen family seemed to be blessed by God. Several generations of descendants were very outstanding. By the time of Shen Yuan's generation, he had become the youngest Nine Ministers in a thousand years, and was catching up with the Jiang family.

As a result, he seemed to have little interest in this competition among the princes.

"Your Majesty." Shen Yuan stepped forward and saluted solemnly: "I am too inexperienced, and my father has been ill recently. I really don't have the face to compete with you seniors. Even if I really choose that person, it may not be a good thing for me."

"Minister Shen is quite cautious." The emperor nodded slightly. Among the aristocratic families, he was relatively satisfied with the Shen family's approach, especially the steady Shen Yuan, whose style of doing things was very similar to that of Shen Yuan's grandfather. Not only was he reliable, but he also knew how to make concessions. Moreover, although the Shen family was relatively conservative in the matter of offerings, they were not as unscrupulous as the other families, and had the best reputation among the people.

If all the aristocratic families were like this, how could the Great Jin be what it is today?

"Does Lord Shen have a candidate?"

Shen Yuan thought about it, and finally said: "Then let His Highness Li Yu stay at the Shen family for a few days."

"Oh?"

Many people looked at Shen Yuan with even more surprise. Li Yu had a powerful background, even more noble than the crown prince. He was the least likely person to be reincarnated by the painting spirit. Although the forces of Donghuang Island intervened this time, no one still suspected the third prince Li Yu.

It looks like the Shen family is planning to just sit back and watch?
Zhang Rui glanced at his boss and respected him in his heart. The Shen family's style is stable enough and they are the type that is least likely to capsize. No family can monopolize the painting market. With the strength of the Shen family, they will definitely get a share. Although they gave up the initiative, it does not mean that they will be completely at a disadvantage in the future. Such a young minister of the Nine Ministers was thought to be a sharp person, but he did not expect him to be so mature.

I'm afraid I'll have to be more careful when dealing with him in the future. And there's that girl from the Shen family. She knows most of my secrets. How should I deal with her?

Just as he was thinking about it, he was shocked by the emperor's next words.

"What about Zhang Aiqing? What do you choose?"

Almost no one reacted. In addition to the ten major families, there were several other strong candidates who were qualified to choose the prince, but even among the few families that could only get lucky, the Zhang family was not included.

Everyone followed the emperor's gaze and were extremely surprised to find that the person his majesty was looking at was actually the sixth-rank official hiding in the corner.

"I?"

Zhang Rui was so shocked that he almost couldn't make it.

He knew that this old bastard had no good intentions in asking Hong Lie to invite him here, but it seemed that he would not give up until he dragged him into the trouble. So why was he targeting him?
　The New Year is coming soon, and Magic Cube has to save its manuscripts quickly. Thank you again for your support and blessings!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)