Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 135 A Woman's Schemes

"congratulations!"

After the meeting, Yuwen Rong bowed to Wang Shouyi and said, "Your Majesty's strong support for the Anye Bureau is truly a cause for celebration!"

"Where! Where!"

Wang Shouyi cupped his hands and said, "I am very grateful for the guidance of Imperial Censor Yuwen."

He cursed inwardly, realizing he'd been dragged into this situation anyway.

During the meeting just now, apart from the last sentence, "Your Majesty is wise," Yuwen Rong didn't utter a single word.

If problems arise, they will naturally bear the responsibility.

However, initially, both Wang Shouyi and Huangfu Shangde thought that they would leave all the hard and tiring work to Yuwen Rong and just take credit for themselves.

But it can only be said that they were too naive. Yuwen Rong was not stupid. He did not want to harm the other party, but this battle was of great importance to him. If he succeeded, he would definitely become the next prime minister. If he failed, he might be torn to pieces. This matter would inevitably offend many people.

Since your On Yip Department wants to share power, you must bear the corresponding responsibility. Otherwise, you will not be able to exert your full strength and may instead hinder me.

His purpose in doing this was to prevent Zhang Shuo from using Wang Shouyi to frame him.

After Yuwen Rong left, Zhang Yue stepped forward and said with a smile, "Duke Qi, to be honest, you have really impressed me this time."

Wang Shouyi asked, "What do you mean by that, Master Zhang?"

Zhang said, "I really didn't expect you to be so persistent in giving more help to the people. I admire that very much."

"You flatter me! You flatter me!"

Wang Shouyi cupped his hands and said, "Actually, I just want to get this done."

Zhang said with a smile, "Duke Qi, you can rest assured. With your consideration for those hidden households, they will not be ungrateful."

"I hope everything is as Master Zhang said."

After chatting for a few minutes, Zhang said he would leave.

Zhang Jiazhen then slowly approached Wang Shouyi and looked at the group in front of him, saying, "They're all harboring their own ulterior motives!"

Wang Shouyi sighed, "How could I not know?"

Zhang Jiazhen added, "But you've already decided to come back out of retirement, which is inevitable. Think about it, who would have talked to you for more than a few minutes before?"

Wang Shou nodded and said, "I still need Brother Zhang's help!"

Zhang Jiazhen was his most powerful supporter in the court.

Zhang Jiazhen said, "To be honest, I was quite worried before, but I felt much more at ease after learning that you decided to cooperate with Wuming Academy. You must remember that you must stick to this and not waver, otherwise, it would be very easy for others to harm you."

Wang Shouyi's biggest problem was that he had been out of officialdom for a long time and had no subordinates. The most critical issue for Anye Bureau was execution, because it involved many vested interests, and the local officials were all involved in those interests. If you didn't have your own people, you were doomed.

Zhang Jiazhen originally planned to help Wang Shouyi here by recommending her own people to him.

The charity academy of the nameless academy is a good place to avoid all of this.

At that time, Wang Shouyi could use his own servants to act as agents, so that it would appear to be a private organization!

As Wang Shouyi and Zhang Jiazhen left Daming Palace, Wang Shouyi suddenly looked around.

Zhang Jiazhen asked, "What are you looking at?"

Wang Shouyi said, "Weren't you here when you opened the mountain? How come you've disappeared all of a sudden?"

Zhang Jiazhen thought for a moment and asked, "By the way, why is he attending this meeting?"

This question stumped Wang Shouyi, as the meeting seemed to have nothing to do with him.

Little did they know that Li Qiao was merely making a guest appearance out of friendship. He had come to discuss a charity gala with the emperor and happened to come across this event, so he decided to participate as well.

After the meeting, he immediately ran to the Nameless Academy.

"Since it's a charity gala, I have no objection."

Tao Mo quickly went along with it.

Li Qiao added, "However, His Majesty specifically requested that Que'er perform."

"what?"

Wang Xi hurriedly replied, "I can't do that; I've never performed on stage before."

Tao Mo was taken aback for a moment, then quickly said, "Your Highness is aware of this, and I would never force my student."

The boss said he wouldn't act, so who would dare force him to?

Li Qiao was afraid of Tao Mo, but not Wang Xi. He glared at Wang Xi and said, "You ungrateful brat! This was appointed by His Majesty, which shows how much His Majesty values ​​you. How dare you refuse? Aren't you trying to harm your uncle?"

"Uncle, nephew!"

"okay!"

Li Qiao said, "It's settled then. You'll play the male lead, and Hongxiu will play the female lead."

"Teacher?" Wang Xi asked in surprise.

Li Qiao nodded. "This was also designated by His Majesty."

Wang Xi said, "Then my nephew will act."

Li Qiao immediately glanced at Wang Xi, pointed at him, and laughed and scolded, "You little rascal."

He glanced at Tao Mo again, and seeing that Tao Mo was lost in thought, he whispered again, "Don't do anything reckless."

Wang Xi chuckled and said, "Nephew knows."

Li Qiao didn't say much, just let him act. Then, as if remembering something, he turned to Tao Mo and said, "Sir, recently some people outside have been criticizing you for not daring to participate in the singing competition. I would like to help you explain."

Tao Mo chuckled and said, "No need, no need. I originally didn't plan to participate, but the students all want to try. Your Highness knows this. I have never liked to restrict students. Whether they go or not is up to them."

Li Qiao nodded repeatedly, saying, "That's right, that's right."

He actually hoped that Tao Mo would send someone to participate, to save face rather than just steam buns!

After Li Qiao left, Li Jieman immediately grabbed Wang Xi by the neck and asked, "Tell me the truth, did you ask His Majesty to arrange this?"

"Oh dear, I swear to God, I really didn't know about this beforehand." Wang Xi quickly raised his right hand.

"Really?"

"real."

Wang Xi said, "Think about it, this wasn't my idea, it was Li Linfu's. And I haven't seen His Majesty recently."

Li Jieman then released his grip and sighed, "Alright, I'm giving up now."

Wang Xi said dejectedly, "What? You still haven't given up?"

Li Jieman ignored him and put a hand on Wang Shuang's shoulder. "Brother Shuang, do you think we're worse than the 'dog-headed eagle'?"

Wang Shuang thought about it carefully and said, "More or less."

Ok?
Wang Xi and Li Jie both glanced at Wang Shuang with some displeasure.

"That's good enough."

Li Jie reluctantly agreed, then added, "If he can find a chief minister, then we can too!"

Wang Xi smiled and said, "Need any help from your brother?"

"Don't!"

Li Jie said warily, "You absolutely mustn't get involved. Last time, it was the four of us who made the agreement, but in the end, you got it all by yourself."

Wang Xi also felt that this was rather unfair. "If you need my help, Brother Xiaoman, just give the order."

Li Jie chuckled and said, "Although it's not necessary, I'm happy to hear it, brother."

Huangfu Sengnian suddenly said, "Shouldn't we talk about the charity gala? It's the New Year's Day court assembly, we can't afford to mess it up."

Now that the emperor has decided to hold this charity gala at the New Year's Day court assembly, compared to that, the singing competition is utterly insignificant and not worth mentioning.

Wang Xi said, "I have thought about it carefully. Xiaoman is right. The only thing that is certain everyone is interested in is the matter between men and women."

Li Jieman quickly said, "I was just joking. How can such things between men and women be performed on stage? You clearly wanted to take advantage of the teacher."

Wang Xi said, "The kind of relationship I'm talking about is a love story, like Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu. It's not what you think. If I acted in that kind of scene with my teacher, I would be the one who loses out, and you would be the ones who benefit. Would I be that stupid?"

Huangfu Sengnian said, "You've already thought it through."

Wang Xi nodded, "You can make the changes later."

Huangfu Sengnian asked, "The next step is to persuade the teacher to agree?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Xi frowned slightly and said, "Yes! Hongxiu may not be willing to perform on stage. We need to think this over carefully so as not to hurt her unintentionally."

After discussing it for a while, they summoned Hongxiu to the back room in Tao Mo's name.

"what?"

Hongxiu exclaimed in shock, "You want me to act?"

Tao Mo nodded. Hongxiu asked, "Why is that?"

Tao Mo sighed, "I don't know either, but His Majesty specifically requested that Wang Xiaoque act with you."

Hongxiu frowned slightly and looked at Wang Xi again.

Wang Xi hurriedly said, "I know that His Majesty asked me to perform, because I went to the palace last time and talked to His Majesty about Dream of the Red Chamber. His Majesty liked me very much, but I really don't know why His Majesty asked my teacher to perform."

After a moment's thought, Hongxiu said to Tao Mo, "Sir, Hongxiu cannot act."

His tone was very firm.

Tao Mo was slightly taken aback.

Wang Xi asked, "Is it because of the students?"

Hongxiu shook her head slightly and said, "Of course it's not because of you. It's just that the teacher really doesn't want to perform on stage. Besides, as a teacher, wouldn't you rather see your students succeed?"

Tao Mo nodded and said, "Since you, Madam Hong, are unwilling to act, I will not force you."

After saying that, he looked at Li Jieman and said, "Xiaoman, please go back and tell the Prince."

"what?"

Li Jie said in a low voice, "Sir, this...this wasn't my father's request, it was His Majesty's request, this..."

Wang Xi kept staring at Hongxiu, and seeing that she remained unmoved, he was puzzled and found it strange. This was not like her. Didn't she understand the stakes involved?

Of course, this is all a routine, because Lao Tao has to maintain his persona and can't force anyone; he needs them to assist him from the sidelines.

Tao Mo waited for a moment, and seeing that Hongxiu remained silent, he could only say according to the script: "You just say that Hongniangzi only wants to be a teacher in peace and has no desire to have any further involvement with the past. Please ask Your Highness to explain this to His Majesty."

Li Jie nodded, "Student understands."

Hongxiu said, "Hongxiu has caused you trouble again, sir."

Tao Mo laughed and said, "It's nothing. It was my oversight that I didn't refuse Your Highness at the time."

Hongxiu stood up and said, "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now."

Wang Xi quickly replied, "I'll see the teacher off."

Hongxiu hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

Once outside, Wang Xi said, "Teacher, we are so sorry. We didn't consider your feelings. Yes, performing on stage again is indeed not easy for you."

Seeing the guilt in Wang Xi's tone, Hongxiu opened her mouth slightly as if she wanted to say something more, but hesitated for a moment before saying, "It's not your fault. It's not like you wanted the teacher to go on stage to perform."

Wang Xi immediately said, "Although I really want to act with the teacher, this matter really has nothing to do with me."

Hongxiu nodded, seemingly not wanting to say more, and simply said, "Teacher believes in you, teacher will go back now."

After watching Hongxiu leave, Wang Xi returned to the hall.

Li Jie asked, "Well? Have you convinced your teacher?"

Wang Xi said, "This is indeed something we didn't consider. We didn't take your teacher's feelings into account. Go back and talk to your uncle properly. I believe His Majesty won't force you to do this. If it really doesn't work, I'll go and talk to him again."

Li Jieman suddenly looked Wang Xi up and down.

Wang Xi said, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Li Jie said with a smile, "It seems you've really fallen for your teacher."

Wang Xi said, "Isn't that obvious?"

“I thought you were just after the teacher’s good looks.” Li Jieman put a hand on Wang Xi’s shoulder. “Since that’s the case, then I will never think of anything else.”

Wang Xi chuckled and said, "Without Xiaoman, a strong competitor, I can finally relax."

Li Jieman chuckled as he listened.

After returning home, Li Jieman hurriedly went to the back room, where he saw Li Linfu. He quickly bowed and said, "Xiaoman greets Uncle Li."

Li Qiao asked, "Xiaoman, you're back just in time. Do you have any ideas about what to perform at the charity gala?"

Li Jie said, "I was just about to tell my father about this."

As he spoke, he glanced at Li Linfu.

Li Qiao quickly said, "Uncle Li is one of us, don't mind him."

Li Linfu came up and did Li Qiao a great favor, and Li Qiao now values ​​him highly.

Li Jieman then said, "That's right, the teacher doesn't want to act."

Li Qiao asked in surprise, "Why?"

Li Jieman said, "Teacher left Pingkangfang hoping to have no further connection with the past. If he goes on stage to perform again, wouldn't that be going back to square one?"

Li Qiao said, "Didn't you say that this was His Majesty's designation?"

Li Jie said, "We did tell him, but he still refused. We all support him. Que Ge'er said that if it's inconvenient for Uncle to speak to His Majesty, then he will speak to him."

Li Qiao, being a flamboyant scholar, could naturally understand Hongxiu's situation. The key was that he didn't have to tell Li Longji, so he nodded and said, "Then let him go and tell her."

They were not polite at all.

"and many more!"

Li Linfu suddenly gave Li Qiao a wink.

Li Qiao immediately said, "Xiaoman, you can go down now."

Li Jie said unhappily, "Father, am I not one of our own?"

Li Qiao said, "You little rascal!"

"Father, I take my leave."

After saying that, Li Jieman slipped away.

After Li Jieman left, Li Linfu said, "It is rare for His Majesty to personally appoint someone, which shows that His Majesty values ​​this very much. If we refuse His Majesty, it may disappoint him."

Li Qiao said, "That's why I didn't want to say it myself, but let Que'er say it. His Majesty has been quite fond of him lately."

"That's not necessary."

Li Linfu said, "To be honest, Your Highness, I once did Hongxiu a favor and often helped her write songs. If I go and talk to her myself, she will definitely agree."

"is it?"

Li Qiao said, "But you can't force her. If the master finds out, it could ruin everything. The master's temperament is very eccentric."

Li Linfu immediately replied, "Your Highness, please rest assured, I will definitely not cause any trouble."

Li Qiao said, "Then you should give it a try."

That evening, Li Linfu went to Hongxiu's residence.

"I can't act."

Hongxiu stood up. “I am different from those students. They don’t care, but I do. Back then, my benefactor supported me to come to Wuming Academy because he hoped that I would leave Pingkangfang completely. If I go on stage to perform again, wouldn’t I be ridiculed? I thought my benefactor understood my thoughts the most, but I never thought that even the students could understand me, but my benefactor could not.”

"I know, I know everything."

Li Linfu said, "This is very difficult for you. Consider it one last favor to me. Once this matter is settled, you will owe me nothing."

A strange glint flashed in Hongxiu's beautiful eyes, but she kept her back to Li Linfu.

Li Linfu rushed forward anxiously, "Hongxiu, this is really important to me. Consider it a favor I, Li Linfu, owe you."

Hongxiu returned to her seat, her eyes slightly red, as if she were very sad and aggrieved.

Li Linfu said earnestly, "Please!"

Hongxiu glanced at him, then gently closed her beautiful eyes and said, "The last time."

Li Linfu breathed a sigh of relief and immediately promised, "This is the last time."

"All right!"

Hongxiu nodded and added, "All the students coming and going here know the stepmother."

A glint of light flashed in Li Linfu's eyes, and he nodded, saying, "I'll send her back to Qingxin Pavilion tonight."

Hongxiu said, "I will also give her some money."

After leaving Hongxiu's house, Li Linfu's expression changed, and a flash of anger appeared in his eyes.

His servant said, "Master, could it be that Hongxiu did this on purpose, intending to sever ties with you? She now has Wang Shaolang and the others as her backers."

"There's no other way. This banquet is of utmost importance to me. What is a mere woman? Besides, when I rise to prominence in the future, she won't be able to escape me."

Li Linfu sneered and said, "You must spread this news immediately, especially to the envoys of the Sifang Pavilion. These seats are limited, and not everyone can participate."

"The villain obeys your orders."

(End of this chapter)