Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 1112 - 479: Lin Qinghan’s Pregnancy (Part 2)

Xiang Wei smiled: "An Zhichen has gone to the Northwest, and there’s nothing to worry about. However, I’m afraid Tingzheng won’t escape this dispute."

Yueyao’s heart skipped a beat: "Has the Ninth Prince made a move?"

Xiang Wei said with a smile: "No, the Ninth Prince is merely someone who enjoys pleasure, what move could he possibly make? But this time, the Ninth Prince has gained an advantage. The princes are fighting fiercely, and the Emperor balanced the powers in the Imperial Court by putting the Ninth Prince in charge of the Ministry of War. Who knows what His Majesty’s intentions are?"

Yueyao suddenly asked: "Who do you think among the Princes has the best chance to ascend to Dabao?" Yueyao spent her previous life in the Nunnery, unfamiliar with the affairs of the Imperial Court; but now that she has Xiang Wei by her side, the two often discuss court politics.

Xiang Wei shook her head: "According to ancestral traditions, with the Crown Prince gone, the Fourth Prince should be made Crown Prince, but the Fourth Prince is not capable of undertaking such responsibilities. As for the Third Prince and the Fifth Prince, each has their strengths and weaknesses."

Yueyao was somewhat doubtful: "What about the Ninth Prince?"

Xiang Wei frowned slightly: "The Ninth Prince is neither scholarly nor martial; the Emperor would never make him Crown Prince. However, it’s clear the Emperor wants to use the Ninth Prince to balance the power in the Imperial Court, making him the figure all other Princes want to win over."

Yueyao smiled. She did not believe the Ninth Prince was neither scholarly nor martial. On the contrary, the Ninth Prince knew well how to keep a low profile. Even the mediocre Third Prince had jumped forward upon the Crown Prince’s death, yet the Ninth Prince remained as usual, something quite uncommon.

Familiar with Yueyao, Xiang Wei noted her expression and asked: "Madam, do you favor the Ninth Prince?"

Yueyao deflected: "Do you forget that Mingzhu once said the Ninth Prince has great talent? This high talent being spread as unimpressive in both literature and martial arts, don’t you find it peculiar? Hmm, even if he previously had reasons to conceal himself, now with things as they are, if he doesn’t fight, there is only death. Do you think he would continue to live a mediocre life?"

Xiang Wei understood the implication of fighting or facing death. Giving it thought: "Apart from the notion of being neither scholarly nor martial and lazy, there’s nothing truly bad about the Ninth Prince?" After speaking, Xiang Wei had a realization, "Could it be the Emperor’s assignment of the Ninth Prince to the Ministry of War wasn’t mere coincidence but his maneuver behind the scenes?"

Yueyao shook her head with a smile, "Whether it’s coincidence doesn’t matter; what matters is the Emperor’s health is still good, so the Imperial Court won’t have issues for now."

Xiang Wei saw the future as bleak: "The Imperial Court may be calm for now, but if things proceed like this, troubles are inevitable." While the Emperor’s good health now suppressed internal issues, should his health decline in the next three to five years, and a Crown Prince not be established, that’s when the Imperial Court would see fierce battles.

Yueyao laughed: "These matters aren’t ours to worry about." Yueyao could leisurely discuss court affairs mainly because An Zhichen wasn’t in the Capital City. As for Tingzheng, he was merely a close guard of the Ninth Prince, without power or influence, not worth others’ schemes, so Yueyao wasn’t worried about Tingzheng at all. As for the future, future concerns can’t be managed now.

The old nanny who brought cakes for Little Bun returned, bringing Little Bun as well. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Little Bun had specifically come to thank Yueyao, not just for the cakes, but also for caring for him while he was sick.

Yueyao smiled and drew Little Bun close, and after considering carefully, said, "Hmm, you look healthy. Make sure to take care of yourself in the future."

Little Bun nodded emphatically: "Yes, Auntie, don’t worry, I will take care of my health."

Yueyao kept Little Bun for dinner. Since the children were young, there was no need for gender propriety; everyone shared a single table for the meal.

After dinner, Yueyao had Gu You and Gu Lan personally escort Little Bun back to the Niu Mansion. Xiang Wei smiled and said, "Madam, childhood sweethearts make the strongest bonds. If you truly want Little Bun as a son-in-law, perhaps it’s best to let them develop feelings now."

Yueyao rolled her eyes at Xiang Wei: "The girl has been in the inner chambers, with limited interaction with men. If they get close now, should Little Bun become fond of another family’s girl, the one at a loss would be Kexin." Yueyao wasn’t opposed to strengthening family ties with Mingzhu, but it must be based on Little Bun’s desire to marry Kexin; otherwise, no discussions.

Xiang Wei found the argument reasonable: "I did not consider it thoroughly." Xiang Wei had simply thought the two looked good together, inspiring her idea when seeing Little Bun with Kexin today.

Yueyao sighed softly. In these times, survival as a woman wasn’t easy; living a peaceful life with contentment was even harder. As a mother, she naturally had to consider more for her daughter.

Seeing Yueyao’s demeanor, Xiang Wei quickly shifted the topic: "Madam, the other day Lian Yuehuan visited the pastry shop and mentioned wanting me to help preserve some assets for her. Madam, what do you think?"

Yueyao felt the topic transition was odd: "Do you have to ask me about something like this? Handle it as you see fit." Xiang Wei acted more skillfully than her; she well knew what should and shouldn’t be done.

Xiang Wei laughed: "I told her that storing silver notes with me would be fine, but I can’t take other things." Having often interacted with Yuehuan, Xiang Wei sensed over time that Yuehuan had a good nature and wasn’t scheming, thus willing to help.

Yueyao nodded, saying: "Did you not tell her that things aren’t as dire as she imagines?" Though the Qian Family is associated with the Fifth Prince, as long as the Fifth Prince isn’t treacherous, should his bid for power fail, those following him might at worst have their assets confiscated and be exiled, with women and children generally spared. As for the Fifth Prince being treacherous, Yueyao doubted he had such capabilities.

Xiang Wei shrugged: "I mentioned it, yet she didn’t take it in. Now, her sole focus is leaving herself some retreats. I suspect perhaps we’re just one of her backup options."

Yueyao felt Yuehuan’s actions were justifiable. Knowing the road ahead was treacherous, she would surely make some preparations.