The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

After Song Zhiyuan sent his son out, Grandmaster Fu became secretly vigilant, because he knew that the real tough issue with this rascal’s visit had arrived.

Song Zhiyuan noticed the cautious look of Grandmaster Fu and couldn’t help but lower his eyes with a smile.

He personally refilled Grandmaster Fu’s hot tea, and also poured himself a cup. It was only when Grandmaster Fu took a sip that he slowly began to speak.

"Prince Min is planning to return to the capital with Princess Consort Ji. I wonder what high opinion Grandmaster Fu might have on this matter?"

Cough, cough.

Grandmaster Fu choked on the hot tea and began to cough, glaring at him with resentment. This rascal, he did it on purpose.

He drew a handkerchief from his sleeve and wiped the corner of his mouth, saying, "Prince Min? When did this happen?"

"From the time the petition was submitted until now, calculating the time, he should be close to the borders of Shangjing," Song Zhiyuan said indifferently. "Master Uncle, you have kept it very well hidden."

Grandmaster Fu feigned ignorance: "What?" 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"The matter of the imperial edict."

Grandmaster Fu raised an eyebrow, calmly lifting the tea to sip it lightly.

"Grand Tutor, the late Emperor respected you as a teacher. For that imperial edict to escape the Emperor’s spies until now, you must have long known of its existence. Is the content on it true?"

"I’m an old man now. Since the late Emperor passed away, I’ve retired to become a Mountain Master. How could I know of any imperial edict? Even if there were one, it’s been so long that I can’t remember any details."

Song Zhiyuan said, "If the Emperor is unjust, he can be deposed, allowing Prince Min to ascend the throne to demonstrate legitimacy."

With both hands on the table, Grandmaster Fu, in an agitated tone, said, "That’s impossible."

Song Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow, curling his lips as he held the teacup.

Grandmaster Fu: "..."

Damn it, he was tricked!

This damned rascal learned nothing good from the Ji family but picked up their cunning ways perfectly.

"You tricked me!" Grandmaster Fu was very angry.

Song Zhiyuan laughed and said, "Master Uncle’s great talent deserves extraordinary treatment."

Grandmaster Fu sneered coldly, "I should be grateful for your compliment."

Song Zhiyuan stood up, cupped his hands in a grand gesture of respect, and sincerely apologized, "Yunzhi offended, here I apologize to Master Uncle. Please do not hold it against Yunzhi."

Grandmaster Fu snorted, yet his displeasure faded slightly.

Song Zhiyuan sat down and said, "Master Uncle, my actions are unintentional. The late Emperor played such a hand, leaving the Emperor suspicious. Now that there’s an imperial edict for a return to the capital, could there be another imperial edict left behind? You also know, back then, the late Emperor really had the idea of deposing the Crown Prince and establishing his younger son."

Grandmaster Fu was silent. He certainly knew that during that time, the late Emperor really was a bit muddle-headed, believing the claims of some descendants of Ji and thinking their bloodline more noble, intending to set up a young child as the Crown Prince. Among those advising against it were also himself.

"The late Emperor was not foolish to that extent," Grandmaster Fu couldn’t help but say a word for the late Emperor. "The late Emperor cherished his young son and only left an edict allowing Prince Min to return to the capital upon reaching the age of twenty-five."

Song Zhiyuan said calmly, "It seems that pillow talk also has its uses. You say he was not foolish, yet he left such an edict. If Prince Min has the will, leading an army of ten thousand back to the capital, what kind of situation would that be?"

Grandmaster Fu’s eyelid twitched, "Would he dare?"

"What if he dares?" Song Zhiyuan said, "This edict, if used well, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. If not used well, at most it remains with him in the capital as a hostage, no great loss." At most, he would just be an idle Prince.

A Vassal King returning to the capital cannot leave easily once back, but holding such an edict, bringing troops back, he can say he’s following the late Emperor’s edict. What could be done to him?