Chapter 316 - 316 Decision

316 Decision

Qian He left the fourth prince’s courtyard and quickly rushed back to inform Lu Ze and Lin Suisui. While everyone was packing up and preparing to set off, Qian He seized the time to tell Lu Ze everything that had happened to the fourth prince just now. Then, he said, “The fourth prince has already agreed to let Zhou Hengchang be in charge of the safety of Duke Huai Yang’s ministry.

However, Zhou Hengchang had some conflict with Princess Ning Fu previously. Aren’t you worried?”

“What are you worried about? Are you worried that they’re in cahoots?” Lu Ze only smiled when he heard that Qian He was worried. Then, he said with certainty, “Don’t worry, Zhou Hengchang is a smart person, so letting him do it is the best arrangement.

At least with him around, it’s impossible for Princess Ning Fu to cause trouble.”

After all, Zhou Hengchang was an unscrupulous person. Back then, in order to obtain the power of Duke Huai Yang’s ministry, he had a very detailed understanding of Duke Huai Yang’s mother and Princess Ning Fu. Therefore, it was not an exaggeration to say that the person who understood Princess Ning Fu the most in the northern region was Zhou Hengchang.

Therefore, with him around, Duke Huai Yang’s ministry would be the safest.

Qian He heaved a sigh of relief.

However, before he could leave, Lu Ze took out a small porcelain bottle and handed it over. “Arrange for someone to put this in the fourth prince’s medicine.”

“This is…” Qian He was shocked and looked up at Lu Ze in disbelief. Could it be that he wanted to poison the fourth prince?!

“Don’t worry, this thing won’t kill him. I just want him to be more obedient for the time being. I don’t have the time to keep worrying about him!”

When Lu Ze saw Qian He’s worry and fear, he explained to him calmly.

After hearing Lu Ze’s explanation, Qian He heaved a sigh of relief and said respectfully, “Then I’ll go personally.”

No one would be at ease if such a thing was handed over to others. He could only go over there himself!

They had already made plans to leave, so after obtaining the fourth prince’s approval, they prepared very quickly. In less than an hour, they were ready.

After carrying Pei Qian into the spacious carriage that Lu Ze and the others usually sat in, everyone left Duke Huai Yang’s ministry and returned to their residence under the protection of a group of guards.

After all this trouble, Duke Huai Yang’s ministry finally regained a little piece. Princess Ning Fu sat by the old consort’s bed. Although she personally served her grandmother medicine, she seemed a little distracted.

In the end, the old consort couldn’t stand it anymore. She gestured for the nanny beside her to go forward and take the medicine bowl from Princess Ning Fu. Then, she helped feed the medicine to the old consort to ease the awkwardness caused by Princess Ning Fu’s distraction.

“What’s wrong with you? You’re usually in high spirits when you come from the fourth prince’s place, unlike now. What happened?”

The old consort drank a bowl of medicine and took a plum to calm herself down before asking Princess Ning Fu, “Why? Is the fourth prince’s assassination related to our ministry?”

“No.” Princess Ning Fu hesitated for a moment before turning to look at the other maidservants in the room. “There’s nothing else for you guys to do here. You can all leave!”

After hearing Princess Ning Fu’s instructions, those maidservants even left the room one after another. Rong Gui, Princess Ning Fu’s most trusted servant, followed them out to guard the door to prevent outsiders from disturbing them.

Princess Ning Fu told the old consort what had happened to the fourth prince today. Then, she said with an aggrieved expression, “Grandmother, do I really have to give up like this?

I’m really unwilling to give up like this!”

“Silly child, you’ve already come this far. How can you give up?” After hearing Princess Ning Fu’s story, Duke Huai Yang’s mother was silent for a long time before she sighed and said to her, “Now, you can only follow the fourth prince’s wishes and move forward.

However, I can more or less understand his plan from what he said.

The fourth prince’s influence in the imperial court is the weakest now, so he has no choice but to borrow strength to seize that position. However, he doesn’t seem like a person who’s willing to be controlled.

Therefore, what seems like a safe bet on the surface might be a disaster for these families that ally themselves with him in the future.

“But you’re different. Duke Huai Yang’s ministry is just an empty shell. If you can enter his backyard, even if you become his concubine, you’ll be social climbing.

However, since he had said it so clearly, you should know what he really means. What the fourth prince wants is an obedient chess piece that can be used by him however he wants.

If you’re willing, your status will definitely be stable.”

Duke Huai Yang’s mother’s tone was very calm and gentle as she reached out to help Ning Fu tidy up the loose hair at her temples before continuing, “But if you fall for him, you’ll be doomed.

“Ning Fu, it’s up to you to decide what to do.”

“I don’t care. Grandmother, you were right previously. Feelings are all lies! Have you forgotten that when we were in the ministry previously, the stories we heard and the past vows were instantly worthless in the face of a sudden crisis?

Your husband, who had said that he would never leave you, betrayed you for a few taels of silver!

“Grandmother, I’ve had enough of living under the nose of others! I’m not a chess piece now, but my life in the north is a joke. But if I become a chess piece and obtain the glory, status, and power I want, what’s the harm in being a chess piece?”

Princess Ning Fu suddenly gritted her teeth as she looked at Duke Huai Yang’s mother firmly. “Grandmother, I’ve decided. Don’t worry, I definitely won’t fall for him!”

“That’s good. If you can realize this clearly, staying by the fourth prince’s side is good for you.” old consort nodded with a sigh and turned to look out of the snowy window. After a long time, she said, “Ning Fu, I’m old, so I don’t know how much longer I can accompany you.

Over the years, I’ve become much more enlightened.

In this world, the most unreliable thing is a man’s promise! You have to remember that you have to secure everything in your hands firmly!”