CHAPTER 309: CHAPTER 309: THE ELDEST PRINCESS ARGUES WITH EMPEROR JING

The Grand Princess’s face was somber, her heart inexplicably irritable.

Isn’t it just that her retainers acted somewhat improperly? Which minister has clean retainers? People throw themselves under your banner seeking not only to fulfill ambitions but also to gain rights ordinary people don’t have.

Serving you, they seek but a bit of influence, don’t they?

Is it necessary to escalate it like this?

She refused to believe that an emperor could be coerced by his ministers.

Unless he willingly allowed himself to be coerced.

"The Emperor said he wouldn’t meet with me?" The Grand Princess’s gaze was somewhat sinister.

"Not exactly. It’s just that this old servant thinks that entering the palace now would only add to the Emperor’s troubles and serve no other purpose. The censors are all watching the Emperor, and if you enter the palace, they will use it as an excuse to stir trouble. For now, you should remain indoors and keep a low profile, very low profile." Shuangxi said.

Indeed, his suggestion was beneficial to the current situation.

This way, both in the Emperor’s eyes and the ministers’ eyes, it would seem the Grand Princess acknowledged her mistakes, allowing the matter to gradually calm down.

The Grand Princess also knew Shuangxi’s words were not wrong.

However, as the Grand Princess, does she need a eunuch to lecture her?

Usually, she merely looked up to him because he was the chief eunuch beside her royal brother, an honor beyond his fate.

Now, he presumptuously tries to reason with her, is he even qualified?

"You mean, I have to listen to you?" The Grand Princess’s tone was chilling.

"Your Highness misunderstood; it was this old servant speaking out of turn." Shuangxi did not get angry but calmly said with bowed head, "The imperial edict has been proclaimed; this old servant must return to the palace to report."

After speaking, Shuangxi left with the young eunuchs.

"Master, the Grand Princess doesn’t appreciate kindness. Everything you said was for her own good, yet she doesn’t seem grateful!"

This time, one of the young eunuchs who followed Shuangxi to deliver the edict was Shuangxi’s apprentice, very clever and usually very favored by Shuangxi.

The young apprentice couldn’t help but speak out for Shuangxi.

"How many times have I taught you, no matter what happens, never be impatient, and never show your emotions. She is the Grand Princess, above us all; does she need us mere servants for her own good?" Shuangxi said slowly.

"But, Master is always courteous to the Grand Princess. Which concubine in the palace is not respectful when meeting Master?"

"The palace concubines are courteous to Master because of the Emperor. Master serves beside the Emperor, whom the Emperor favors, hence they respect Master. But this respect is only surface level. Behind the scenes, who knows how much they look down on us?"

Shuangxi accepted this with clarity and understood it well.

Therefore, he never cared about others’ respect or lack thereof.

As long as he did not err beside the Emperor and continued being used by him, those people would always be courteous to him.

Thus, he always understood one thing: The Emperor is first and solely his master.

All the courtesy and supposed respect are because of the Emperor, enabling him to gain them.

"You have much to learn, but there is one thing Master hopes you will remember. Your sole master can and should be only the Emperor." Shuangxi said solemnly, "Wherever you might serve in the palace someday, remember this."

No matter how the concubines in the back palace cause a stir, aren’t they still under the Emperor’s nose?

They think they can do things without anyone knowing, but if the Emperor wants to know, can he not?

The young apprentice replied gloomily, "I remember, Master."

"Alright, we’re just here to deliver the edict. The rest is none of our concern. Let’s go, hurry back." Shuangxi said.

The Grand Princess still went to the palace, hastening on horseback to arrive before Shuangxi and the others.

She possessed the token Emperor Jing had given her, allowing her to enter the palace anytime without any obstruction.

"Royal brother, do you truly wish to become estranged from your sister?" The Grand Princess fixed her gaze on Emperor Jing, her tone somewhat aggressive.

Emperor Jing rubbed his forehead, "Royal sister, what are you saying? If it weren’t for you back then, I wouldn’t be sitting firmly on this throne. Your kindness to me has always been etched deeply in my heart."

The Grand Princess was somewhat satisfied with Emperor Jing’s attitude.

She just wanted him to remember that if it weren’t for her, he couldn’t have become Emperor.

Earlier she assisted him in securing the throne; now, she could naturally pull him down.

"Those ministers’ actions always tend to exaggerate; how could my retainers be as heinous as they claim? At most, they’ve committed minor errors; a small punishment should suffice." The Grand Princess said, "On ordinary days, they contribute greatly to the Princess Mansion; I cannot chill their hearts, can I? Royal brother, say a word, and I’ll go to Jingzhao Mansion to bring them back." The Grand Princess said.

"Royal sister, as the ruler of a country, how can I alter my decrees lightly? I’ve already promised them a thorough investigation into this matter." Emperor Jing was troubled, "Since royal sister believes they haven’t committed great wrongs, it should be all the more necessary to investigate, to clear their names, and only then can the ministers’ mouths be shut, preventing further unfounded claims."

"There are many tasks requiring their service at the Princess Mansion; without them, much can’t be accomplished." The Grand Princess said with a solemn face.

"That’s easy. I’ll have Shuangxi arrange for a few efficient young eunuchs to accompany you back to the mansion. Whatever tasks arise, royal sister can direct them to handle it. They are trained by the Internal Affairs Bureau, efficient and loyal." Emperor Jing said.

"Why do I need young eunuchs!"

She desires her retainers to return!

If she couldn’t protect them this time, who would serve her in the future?

"Didn’t you say the Princess Mansion lacks people to handle affairs?"

"I don’t lack young eunuchs! What else can they do besides serve people?" The Grand Princess said angrily.

"Or, should I select a few from the Imperial College for royal sister’s assignment?" Emperor Jing assumed a consulting posture with the Grand Princess, "Most of your retainers were those who failed the imperial examinations, whereas the scholars at the Imperial College could be future pillars of Zhou Country.

Perhaps this way his royal sister would run out of things to say?

He, as the mighty Emperor, spoke with such humility and compelled compromise; his royal sister, out of their past affection, should accept it and stop making things difficult for him.

But he overestimated her.

"Royal brother, I just ask you this: Are you going to release them or not?!" The Grand Princess demanded.

Emperor Jing remained silent.

"Fine, very well."

"Royal sister, how can you pressure the Emperor like this? I can’t bear to listen anymore!" Noble Consort An emerged from the inner hall, frowning with displeasure.

"What’s it to you if I talk to the Emperor?" The Grand Princess glared at Noble Consort An, wondering why she was everywhere!

"Even if royal sister doesn’t care for the Emperor’s distress, I do. The Emperor is exhausted over royal sister’s failure to restrain her retainers, yet he has always defended royal sister." Noble Consort An appeared indignant, "But who could have thought, not only is royal sister ungrateful, she even pressures the Emperor for those people! It turns out, in royal sister’s heart, the Emperor is not as important as those retainers!"