eurekapd Chapter 117 Speaking out
Chapter 117 Speaking out
My Lord, you may as well listen to what I have to say before deciding whether to leave or not. I promise that you will not work in vain."
These words seemed to have magical power, causing Su Xiuzhu to pause and feel a little curious.
Su Xiuzhu raised his eyebrows slightly. He came here because Zhao Xianer's maid said she had something important to discuss. After hesitating for a long time, he finally stepped into this unknown threshold.
Although he did not want to get involved in the Zhao family's disputes, Zhao Xian'er had previously promised to help him get close to Cui Yunhe, whom he had long admired. This thought kept lingering in his mind and could not be shaken off.
Whenever Su Xiuzhu thought of Cui Yunhe's weak and cold appearance, his heart couldn't help but churn.
If such a docile woman could show her vulnerable side in front of him, the scene would be fascinating and irresistible.
Su Xiuzhu put away his distracting thoughts, put on an attitude of listening attentively, and motioned Zhao Xianer to continue.
"My father just got out of jail, and there's no hope of him getting his job back anytime soon. In the capital, it's common to climb up the social ladder and bully the weak. I used to be so successful, how can I tolerate being trampled on by others now?"
Zhao Xian'er spoke earnestly, with an unyielding light in her eyes, "But if I can marry into Brother Xingyi's family, the Zhao family will have hope of turning things around."
"But I can't do it alone, so I came to you, Your Highness." There was a hint of pleading in her words.
Su Xiuzhu frowned slightly, obviously surprised by Zhao Xianer's plan, "Miss Zhao, do you mean to gamble with your reputation? The emperor has already arranged a marriage between His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the eldest daughter of the Cui family. Why do you think I would agree to plot against His Royal Highness the Crown Prince with you?"
"If this matter is exposed, it will be a serious crime that will shake the foundation of the country!" His words revealed shock and vigilance. Obviously, he did not expect Zhao Xianer to have such a bold idea and wanted to drag him in.
"No risk, no gain. The prince is so cowardly." Zhao Xian'er's words were full of disdain, and at the same time she threw out a bait, "I've already said that I won't let the prince do anything that has no benefit."
"If the prince helps me, I will become the crown princess of Brother Yan Yi. Then I can whisper in his ear and promote you to inherit the Dukedom. It will be a piece of cake. You can also get Miss Cui, and you only need to take a little risk."
Su Xiuzhu was silent for a moment, as if weighing the pros and cons. "When I first heard what Miss Zhao said, I was indeed a little shaken, but now in the court, the Sixth Prince is on the rise, while the Crown Prince is declining. Miss Zhao's deal is not worth it."
"Miss Zhao, you'd better look for someone else for such a good thing. My father has his own ways to get promoted and gain a foothold in the court." He did not intend to get involved in this muddy water.
Zhao Xian'er gritted her teeth. She didn't expect that Su Xiuzhu would be indifferent to such conditions, which made her feel annoyed and anxious.
But she did not give up. Her mind raced, and then she raised a sly smile, "The Duke is an old minister, so his words naturally carry a lot of weight, but what about you, the Crown Prince?"
"You can have your current position thanks to the empire established by the Duke, but can you still keep this family business a hundred years after the Duke passes away?" Her words hit the nail on the head, as if she saw through the hidden worries deep in Su Xiuzhu's heart.
When Su Xiuzhu heard this, her eyes suddenly widened and her face changed slightly. It was obvious that Zhao Xianer's words touched a sensitive part of her. "Miss Zhao, what do you mean by that? Although I am not as good as my father, I am not an uneducated and unskilled dandy!"
"How can it be difficult to protect the glorious foundation of the Duke's Mansion that has lasted for a hundred years?" Seeing his anxious expression, Zhao Xian'er smiled even more brightly.
"Your Highness has your own measure in mind. You know best whether you have the ability or not."
"As long as the prince is willing to lend a hand and give me a helping hand, after I become Brother Yanyi's Crown Princess, when Brother Yanyi ascends the throne in the future, I will certainly ask Brother Yanyi to arrange a prominent position for you. At that time, who would dare to say that you have achieved nothing except relying on the Duke's Mansion?" Su Xiuzhu pursed his lips tightly. Zhao Xianer's words were impartial and hit the pain point in his heart that he didn't want to touch the most.
He had a vast knowledge of poetry and books, but he failed in the imperial examinations year after year. Over time, his desire for a career in politics had long since vanished, and his only remaining wish was to protect the Duke's Mansion and wait for the day when he could inherit the title.
His mind was as clear as a mirror. He knew very well that once his old father passed away, he would lose all his protection and halo and return to being an ordinary person.
"Prince, what do you think?" Zhao Xian'er stared at the silent Su Xiuzhu with burning eyes, feeling anxious and unable to calm down.
If Su Xiuzhu refused, her plan would really be in a dead end.
When she thought of those noble ladies and daughters who were gossiping about her behind her back, her face became so gloomy that it seemed as if water would drip from it at any moment.
She vowed to settle accounts with those people one by one!
Just when Zhao Xian'er was extremely anxious, Su Xiuzhu finally spoke up: "My Lord, are you curious about what my plan is?"
Zhao Xian'er heard this and knew that he was ready to give in. She couldn't help but smile, "Your Highness is wise. What you need to do is actually very simple. Let me explain it to you in detail..."
As night fell, the two carriages faced each other on the quiet street for a long time, and finally disappeared into the night.
And in an inconspicuous corner, a pair of sharp eyes silently witnessed all this.
……
The next morning, as the light of day began to rise, Cui Rong unexpectedly found a note on the carved window frame.
She read carefully, her brows gradually furrowed, and then she called Xifeng to help her dress up.
Thinking the time was just right, she took a carriage to a teahouse in the city.
Inside the teahouse, the storyteller was telling a story with great excitement on his face, and Cui Rong turned her eyes slightly and caught sight of Jiang Zhen smiling at her in the box.
She walked firmly into the private room where Jiang Zhen was, opened the window, and took in the street scene downstairs.
"What happened?" She asked in a calm tone, but with a hint of concern.
The note this morning only had the words "urgent" written on it, along with a place and time. It was brief and mysterious.
"Last night, the young lady of the Zhao family had a secret meeting with the prince of the Ningguo Marquis's Mansion."
Jiang Zhen said with a smile, "I'm afraid Miss Cui will be shocked after hearing about their conspiracy."
"Unfortunately, it was already late last night and we couldn't disturb Miss Cui's sleep," Jiang Zhen added apologetically.
Cui Rongrong was very interested: "For the building owner Jiang to say this, this matter must be very important. What exactly are they planning?"
"They plan to frame the prince and make him marry Miss Zhao as his princess." Jiang Zhen said bluntly.
A hint of surprise flashed across Cui Rong's eyes.