amaotonovel Chapter 195: The Truth About the Banknotes and the Palace Conspiracy
Chapter 195: The Truth About the Banknotes and the Palace Conspiracy
An Lingrong sat restlessly in the palace, finally waiting for her father to arrive with a message. He then hurriedly pulled Zhen Huan into the inner chambers. An's father's face was solemn. After greeting her, he whispered, "Lingrong, I must now speak of the ten thousand silver notes. A high official in the court entrusted me with a confidential matter. This is my reward."
An Lingrong's eyes widened as she asked anxiously, "Father, who is this master? What are they doing? Why are they so mysterious?"
An's father sighed, "It was Lord Li. He asked me to secretly monitor the movements of several local officials and record their private affairs. Although I felt this was inappropriate, he was quite powerful, and I was blinded by greed, so I agreed."
Zhen Huan stood by, her brows furrowed. "Uncle, this matter could be big or small. If we get involved, I'm afraid there will be endless trouble. What's the current status of Lord Li in the court?"
Father An shook his head. "I only know that he has a growing following within the court, and seems to harbor considerable ambitions. I, your father, deeply regret this, fearing it will bring disaster upon you."
An Lingrong bit her lower lip. "Father, how could you be so foolish! The palace is already full of twists and turns, and now this trouble has been added."
Zhen Huan thought for a moment and said to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, don't blame your uncle for now. The most urgent thing is to find a way to sever ties with this Lord Li and not let him use you."
An Lingrong nodded. "Huan'er, you're right. But how can we do this? Since he has used this to control my father, I'm sure he won't let go easily."
Zhen Huan said in a deep voice, "Let's keep quiet for now and secretly gather some evidence against Lord Li. If he dares to threaten us, we'll have a plan to deal with him."
An Lingrong felt a little relieved: "This is the only way. I hope it can be resolved smoothly."
The topic then turned to the prince's command of the army. Zhen Huan said, "Lingrong, the prince's command of the army is becoming increasingly urgent, and the struggles within the palaces are intensifying. I heard that the Third Prince has been diligently studying military books in his study recently, seemingly determined to win. The Fifth Prince has also been diligently practicing martial arts in the training grounds, and he hasn't slacked off either."
An Lingrong asked, "Huan'er, how should we decide? Which prince should we support?"
Zhen Huan paced for a moment and said, "I think we should first test the character and ambitions of the Third and Fifth Princes before making a decision. We must not act blindly and let others take advantage of us."
So, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong found an opportunity to go and pay their respects to the Third Prince. Zhen Huan bowed and said, "Third Prince, I heard that you have been working day and night for the military command. You are truly well-intentioned."
The Third Prince straightened up and said, "Aunt Huanhuan, as a prince, I should share my father's worries and serve the Qing Dynasty. If I can get this opportunity, I will do my best and live up to the expectations of my father and the concubines."
An Lingrong asked softly, "Third Prince, if you were to lead the army, what strategy would you have?"
The Third Prince spoke eloquently: "I want to first strengthen military discipline, then share the hardships with the soldiers to boost morale, and then formulate offensive and defensive strategies based on the enemy's situation."
After leaving the Third Prince's place, An Lingrong said to Zhen Huan, "Huan'er, the Third Prince seems quite ambitious, but I always feel like he's just talking big, something's missing."
Zhen Huan nodded: "Let's go see the Fifth Prince again."
Seeing the Fifth Prince, Zhen Huan smiled and said, "Fifth Prince, it's been a long time since we last met. I heard that your martial arts skills have improved greatly."
The Fifth Prince bowed respectfully, "Empress Huanhuan, Lady Lingrong, I only hope to have the opportunity to demonstrate my skills on the battlefield and defend my country."
An Lingrong asked, "Fifth Prince, if you were to lead the army, victory wouldn't depend solely on martial arts. What are your insights into military tactics?"
The Fifth Prince pondered for a moment. "My Lord, although I may not be as well-versed in military texts as the Third Prince, I understand that battlefield situations are ever-changing and require flexibility. I will consult with our military advisors and formulate a strategy based on the actual situation. I will also lead by example to boost morale."
After leaving the Fifth Prince's place, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong discussed the matter as they walked. Zhen Huan said, "Lingrong, the Fifth Prince is brave, resourceful, and more pragmatic. However, we can't easily reveal our preferences yet. We need to observe him for a while."
An Lingrong responded, "Huan'er, you've thought it through very carefully. However, with the palace struggle, we are so cautious and worried that something unexpected might happen."
Zhen Huan comforted her, "Don't be afraid. We can support each other and handle this."
But even as they ponder this, Lord Li begins spreading rumors at court, alleging that Zhen Huan and An Lingrong have accepted bribes from a certain prince in an effort to influence the Emperor's decision. This rumor spreads like wildfire through the palace. How can Zhen Huan and An Lingrong quell the rumors and protect their reputations in this complex situation?