Chapter 12: Love Awakens (3)
"Hmph, you are too soft-hearted. Even though Great Zhou had signed a non-war agreement with Zhao, wasn't it Zhao that proposed the Gray Valley Council to break the agreement? They were the ones who broke the agreement first, so don't blame us for being unfair now!"
This man who is about the same age as Zhang Ren is Imperial Tutor Jiang Qin. He sincerely holds a grudge against your Ru Ting's death and is dissatisfied with the Emperor for not punishing the Prime Minister as he wished. Therefore, he only hates Zhang Ren. In order to seek justice for his beloved daughter, he not only opposes Zhang Ren in everything, but also always plots to frame him in secret. Unfortunately, God always helps Zhang Ren, so that he has not been able to pull Zhang Ren down from the position of Prime Minister until now...
It was all because of the loss of his beloved daughter. Zhang Ren always turned a blind eye to Jiang Qin's bad words and malicious frame-ups. Maybe he also thought that Ru Ting's death was caused by Yin Yin?
"My dears, please be quiet first!!"
How could Zhou Cheng not know what everyone was thinking? After years of watching the disputes and confrontations among these ministers, he had already grasped their habits to some extent!
First of all, he was not unaware of the improper actions of the surrounding small countries, and he had already sent troops to guard the border just in case!
In addition, he was not unaware of the situation in Zhou. Even if Zhao was in chaos, it would not be easy to attack it. He also wanted to know why Zhao Ziheng would go to great lengths to save Yin Yin? What kind of unknown relationship existed between him and Yin Yin? Yin Yin was supposed to be his enemy because she assassinated his concubine. Why did he propose the [Parliament] regardless of the consequences just for an enemy who assassinated his concubine? What kind of connection was there between them?
Finally, is it true that Yinyin was involved in the death of Ruting two years ago and the assassination of Linwei before? What is hidden behind these two cases? Is it a frame-up or just a coincidence? Why is Yinyin involved in both incidents? Moreover, the unknown assassins during the Gray Valley Council bit their tongues and committed suicide one by one, and the real identity turned out to be the soldiers and generals who followed the army to the two countries. This series of unreasonable accidents is incomprehensible. Zhou Cheng believes that there must be some conspiracy somewhere, but what he is most worried about is whether the deaths of Yinyin, Ruting and the assassination of Linwei are all implicated. If so, who is planning this huge conspiracy?
"Your Majesty, I have a good idea that may be able to solve these problems!"
That night.
The Queen Mother came to the Imperial Study.
"Why is mother here? Please take a seat!"
Two eunuchs brought a large chair for the empress dowager to sit on.
"Your Majesty, please take a seat too!"
"yes!"
Only the emperor can sit on the dragon throne .
"All of you, get off!"
"yes!"
The Queen Mother dismissed all the eunuchs and palace maids, so only the Queen Mother and Zhou Cheng were left in the Imperial Study.
"What on earth is it that requires you to trouble your mother to come to me in person? Wouldn't it be enough to just let me know?"
Zhou Cheng had some doubts about the Queen Mother's visit.
"Since the Gray Valley incident, Yan'er seems to be acting a little abnormal and sending people to cause commotion everywhere. Although Yan'er has always done things this way, I don't know why you, the emperor's chancellor, have done the same thing recently. So, mother really wants to know, what exactly are you two brothers doing that requires so many people to go to such lengths?"
The Queen Mother's words were too obvious, which made Zhou Cheng somewhat unable to answer. The Queen Mother carefully observed Zhou Cheng's expression and said: "Don't you want to say it?"
Zhou Cheng remained silent.
"As far as my mother knows, you are all looking for someone?"
Although Zhou Cheng did not say anything, the Queen Mother noticed all the changes in his expression.
"Are you all looking for the same person?"
Zhou Cheng remained silent, but he nodded slightly in response.
"...Can you tell my mother? What kind of person would require a king and a prince to mobilize so many troops?"
The Queen Mother knew very well that her two sons would not cause a big fuss over such a small matter, but she found it hard to accept that they were causing panic among the people over the same person.
But, can he say it? Can he say that Yinyin is not dead, she is still alive, but now her life or death is uncertain, and he is looking for her at all costs because he finally awakens his love for Yinyin? And he is competing with his own brother...
Zhou Cheng hesitated for a long time but still didn't say it.
Seeing that Zhou Cheng had no intention of speaking out for a long time, the Queen Mother knew Zhou Cheng's character very well, so: "It doesn't matter if you don't tell me, but as a king, you have to be worthy of the people. What you two brothers are doing now is completely inconsistent with the style of a king and a prince. This makes me very disappointed. Are you worthy of your deceased father and ancestors?"
The Queen Mother's words made a lot of sense, making it difficult for Zhou Cheng to refute.
"I don't care who you are looking for, and I can tolerate whatever Yan'er wants to do, but you can't. As the king of a country, you must not be shaken by such a small matter. As a result, the small countries that have been suppressed in the surrounding areas are ready to make a move. This is your responsibility as the emperor!"
"What the Queen Mother said is very true!"
"Besides, you still haven't been crowned queen. Even if there are three thousand concubines and beauties in the palace, you may not favor them. Mother knows that you were deeply affected by Ru Ting's death more than two years ago, but the queen position cannot be left vacant like this forever—"
At this point, Zhou Cheng seemed to understand a little bit about the purpose of the Queen Mother's visit this time: "What does the Queen Mother mean?"
"Yes, mother hopes that you will be crowned as queen as soon as possible. Originally, mother did not intend to interfere in your decision, but now it is urgent. Since the emperor has not yet chosen a favorite candidate, mother will make the decision. Mother believes that Princess Qinglian of Xia Kingdom in the northern border of our country is the most suitable!"
Zhou Cheng's guess was right. The Queen Mother's recommendation was the same as the recommendation of the ministers in the Imperial Study during the day. It was nothing more than that they went to the Queen Mother because they couldn't get Zhou Cheng to agree. The Queen Mother also knew Zhou Cheng's character, so she came in person at night...
