fake gentry

Inside Anle Palace.

Wang Dun leaned back on the couch, playing with a jade ruyi in his hand, his gaze fixed on the outside of the hall, lost in thought.

Qian Feng knelt beside him, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back, but she didn't speak. Instead, she repeatedly rubbed her fingers inside her sleeves.

After hesitating for a long time, Qian Feng finally spoke: "My lord, there may be unforeseen circumstances on Wen Taizhen's journey. I still believe that this person should not be let go."

Wang Dun continued to play with the jade ruyi.

Qian Feng gritted his teeth: "Does Your Excellency still remember the matter of wanting to depose the Crown Prince? If it weren't for Wen Taizhen, the Crown Prince would already be a commoner."

After Wang Dun took control of Jiankang, he discovered that Sima Shao was decisive and courageous, and deeply supported by the court officials, so he planned to depose him. However, after thinking for a long time, he could not find a crime to charge him with. In the end, it was Qian Feng who suggested that he be dismissed for the crime of filial impiety.

The concept of filial impiety is like a big pocket; anything can be put into it, and no one can refute it.

Because it always gives people something to hold against them.

For example, if you greet your parents every day, but one day you are sick and can't get up and can't visit them, it will be fine if no one bothers you. But if someone nitpicks the details, you will definitely have no way to defend yourself.

Just when it seemed Wang Dun's plot was about to succeed, Wen Qiao stepped forward and thwarted it. This led to Wen Qiao being forcibly recruited into Wang Dun's shogunate.

Wen Qiao's personal charm was so great that after arriving in Wuchang, he became incredibly popular, and even Qian Feng was deceived by him.

If Wen Qiao hadn't hit him at the banquet three days ago, Qian Feng would still think Wen Qiao was a good person.

Afterwards, Qian Feng felt increasingly uneasy.

It turns out that Taiwen and Taizhen had been feigning madness and stupidity in Wuchang all this time, but in reality, they had ulterior motives.

He knew everything about the Grand General's headquarters, and if he went to Jiankang, he would surely report everything that happened in the headquarters to the court.

"My lord, Wen Taizhen has always been on good terms with Yu Yuangui. The Yu family is the maternal clan of the Crown Princess. This time, even if Wen Taizhen has no ulterior motives in recommending him as the Prefect of Danyang, Yu Liang will definitely take the opportunity to win him over. At that time, Wen Qiao will surely become a thorn in our side. Please think it over carefully, my lord."

Wang Dun suddenly threw the jade ruyi heavily onto the table, and said with great displeasure, "What's wrong with Shiyi today? Wasn't it because Wen Taizhen got drunk that day and smashed your hat with a cup? I'll just give you a new one."

Qian Feng was about to speak again, but Wang Dun waved his hand and said, "I know Taizhen better than you do. She came to Jiankang this time to do things for me. If you don't even have this much tolerance, how will you manage the officials for me in the future? Go quickly and don't say anything more."

Qian Feng's expression froze for a moment, then she lowered her head and remained silent.

He knew that if he continued to talk, he would not only fail to persuade Wang Dun, but would also lose credibility.

He bowed to Wang Dun, then got up and went out. A cool breeze blew on the corridor, and he suddenly felt a chill down his back.

As Wang Dun's chief strategist, Qian Feng was recommended to Wang Dun by Shen Chong. He himself was not of high social standing and was originally a close friend of Zhou Guang.

Wang Chuzhong's inconsistency and his tendency to be suspicious and hesitant in all matters indicate that he is not a wise ruler.

When purging the court of corrupt officials before the new year, they should have marched straight to Jiankang and forced the Sima family to abdicate. Even if they didn't take that step, they should have deposed or even killed Sima Shao to establish their authority.

But in the end, he appointed himself as prime minister and duke, and then retreated to Wuchang.

If they treated Wen Qiao this way, what's even more speechless is how they treated Xie Hong.

Killing a mere Xie boy is as easy as killing a chicken. What is the Xie family of Chen Commandery compared to that?

Not to mention Xie Hong, even when Qian Feng suggested that Wang Dun kill Xie Kun, didn't Wang Dun agree?

But ever since Xie Hong arrived, Wang Dun didn't even want to kill Xie Kun anymore.

They used to say every day that Xie Youyu was a person who should not be kept, but now it's all the opposite.

Previously, Wang Dun almost always followed Qian Feng's advice. Even the idea of ​​bringing Xie Hong to Wuchang was Qian Feng's.

Qian Feng now feels like she's shot herself in the foot.

When Wang Dun met Xie Hong, he not only had no intention of killing him, but also hosted a grand private banquet for him that very night, and even gave him his most beloved concubine, Song Yi.

Qian Feng merely reiterated today that Wen Taizhen was untrustworthy and that even if he wasn't killed, it would be best to keep him under control in Wuchang, yet Wang Dun was already so impatient.

Everything is because of that young man surnamed Xie.

Qian Feng couldn't understand why Xie Hong had gained such importance in Wang Dun's heart in just three days, to the point that Wang Dun even gave Xie Hong his own mica chariot to ride in.

Qian Feng had a vague feeling of losing control, and the seriousness of the consequences far exceeded his worst-case scenario.

With a sigh, Qian Feng walked dejectedly towards the east courtyard, only to bump into Wang Ying, who was rushing over, at the corner.

"Your Highness, why are you in such a hurry?"

Wang must have come to file a complaint.

He had just returned from Wang Han's place when he learned that Xie Hong had actually gone out of the city to see Wen Qiao off today, and a nameless anger surged up in his heart.

He ignored Qian Feng and rushed in, speaking impatiently to Wang Dun: "Father, Xie's son went out of the city today to see Wen Qiao off, ostensibly to bid him farewell, but in reality to escape. I am willing to lead a squad of armored soldiers to pursue and kill him. Father, you must not be deceived by him and let the tiger return to the mountain!"

"Snapped!"

Wang Dun slammed his hand on the table and pointed at Wang Ying, cursing, "You scoundrel! I gave Xie Feng permission to leave the city today! How dare you question me? You're becoming more and more outrageous! Do you think I don't know what you're thinking? You're jealous that Xie's son is more handsome and more talented than you. Don't think I don't know your thoughts. Is a mere courtesan worth your jealousy? I'm not dead yet, it's not your place to have such improper thoughts."

Wang Ying was so frightened that he knelt down with a thud, lying prostrate on the ground, not daring to raise his head.

He never expected that Wang Dun would even know about Yi Ji's affairs.

Indeed, he wanted to ask Wang Dun for Song Yi several times, but he didn't dare to ask.

Song Yi was merely a courtesan, not even a human being. Wang Ying felt that if he asked, Wang Dun would surely reward him.

But Wang Dun suddenly gifted Song Yi to Xie Hong, which made Wang Ying resentful.

"I am not holding a grudge against you today because you are my adopted son. If you dare to spread rumors in front of me again, don't blame me for disregarding our father-son relationship!"

Wang Ying's face turned pale and then red as he was scolded, and he lay prostrate on the ground, unable to utter a single word. His hands were clenched into fists in his sleeves, his nails digging deep into his flesh.

"roll!"

Wang Ying retreated from Anle Palace in a disheveled state, his face contorted as he headed towards Qian Feng's study.

Seeing him push open the door with a livid face, Qian Feng frowned slightly: "What's wrong, Young Master?"

Wang Ying slammed his fist on the table, gritting his teeth and saying, "I will kill Xie's son! Lord Shiyi, ever since that brat came to Wuchang, my father has disliked me. Whatever I say or do is wrong. That brat called me a traitor in front of the world, but my father not only didn't kill him, but treated him with courtesy. What is he? He's just a mere member of the Xie family of Chenjun."

Qian Feng listened quietly, poured Wang Ying a bowl of tea and pushed it in front of him, saying in a calm tone, "I sympathize with the young master's plight, but if you want to kill Xie's son, you need to think it over carefully."

Wang asked urgently, "Then what should we do?"

Qian Feng picked up her teacup and slowly took a sip: "Wait."

Wang Ying gritted his teeth: "I can't wait a moment longer."

"Your Highness, Xie's son is only sixteen years old, and he is isolated and helpless in Wuchang City. Sooner or later, he will make a mistake, so why worry about him not dying?"

Qian Feng changed the subject, her voice lowering: "But there are more pressing matters at hand."

He leaned forward, looking directly into Wang Ying's eyes: "If the Prime Minister changes his mind and no longer wishes to replace me, has the Crown Prince considered...?"

Wang Ying was horrified.

He stared intently at Qian Feng, but Qian Feng lowered her eyes and remained silent.

After a long while, Wang Ying suddenly stood up, cupped his hands to Qian Feng, and said, "I have learned a lot. I will go find my father now."

After saying that, he turned around, pushed open the door, and left, leaving behind a sinister silhouette.

Qian Feng watched his figure disappear before letting out a soft breath.

Prime Minister, please don't blame me.

You can still be a member of the Langya Wang clan if you turn back, but how can Shen Shiju and I turn back?

If you don't rebel, how can we bring glory to our family?

Qian Feng saw Xie Hong's face again.

Xie Zi is indeed a talented person.

It's a pity he shouldn't have come to Wuchang.