CHAPTER 143: CHAPTER 143 PRIME MINISTER’S PLOT

"Really?"

"When have I ever lied to you?"

This was true. The Second Prince thought for a moment and then said somewhat shyly.

"I want the doll in Xiao Luzi’s hand."

The doll in Xiao Luzi’s hand was precisely the one Princess Consort Yi had ordered to be made resembling Lin Wanyi.

Seeing this, Lin Wanyi finally realized.

Children, aren’t they most fond of these things?

But it seems Princess Consort Yi hadn’t made any for the Princes and Princesses, which is quite a problem.

After thinking for a moment, she asked the Emperor.

"I wonder if the craftsmen who made these dolls are still around? If they are, I’d like to request one for the Second Prince."

The Second Prince was not in a position to ask, so it was more suitable for Lin Wanyi to do it.

This excuse would allow her to visit Princess Consort Yi openly.

She had quite a few things to inquire from Princess Consort Yi.

The Emperor didn’t think much and replied directly.

"I will send someone to ask Princess Consort Yi about this. If they are still available, have one made for all the Princes and Princesses in the palace to cheer everyone up."

The Emperor was quite fair regarding this matter.

The Second Prince, hearing this, did not think much of it.

In the past, he might have been sad alone.

But now, with the teachings of Lin Wanyi and Nanny Du, his mind has broadened significantly.

He no longer gets caught up in minor matters.

Thus, he felt much better, and his illness naturally eased a lot.

Everything was moving in a positive direction.

But when Princess Rongkang in the Prime Minister’s Mansion learned that Lin Guifei did not preside over the Qiqiao Palace banquet, she furiously smashed her teacup.

"Lin Wanyi! I truly underestimated this wretched girl. She must have schemed extensively before the Emperor to trap Miss Zhou!"

Beside her, Nanny Liu, who had served her for many years, comforted her while easing her anger.

"Don’t worry, Old Madam; as long as Prime Minister Lin and our Prince Zhan Mansion are around, the status of the Imperial Concubine cannot be shaken. It’s just a temporary setback; with a bit of strategy, we can overcome it."

Princess Rongkang was not as foolish as Second Madam Mrs. Wang.

After losing her temper, she would naturally think about how to handle it.

It seems that the main branch has indeed grown stronger.

Could it be that since the family split, they truly think they can do as they please?

Trying to step over them, wanting to show off?

What a dream!

"Now is not the right time to deal with the main branch, but send someone to keep a close watch on the Dong Family. Report immediately if there’s any sign of activity. The accounts of merchant families are always unclear; if we catch them colluding with someone, hmph! I want the Dong Family annihilated!"

"Rest assured, Old Madam, I have already instructed this matter."

"Hmm."

Nanny Liu, being experienced, naturally handled things more reliably than others.

And now, she had another person to worry about, her grandson Lin Guangzhi, who was still studying at the Imperial College.

The family had already lost two people; nothing must happen to him!

"Send two more aides to Guangzhi, make sure they have some martial skills to prevent any accidents."

"Yes! Don’t worry, Old Madam, I will arrange this!"

After Nanny Liu left, Princess Rongkang finally calmed her emotions.

Reflecting on all the events that had happened in recent times.

When exactly did the main branch start defying them and harboring rebellious thoughts?

Suppressing them wasn’t a matter of just one or two years; they had been meek for over twenty years, but now they suddenly became bold.

She suddenly thought of the eldest son of the main branch in the Imperial Armor Army.

It was said he became the trusted aide of the Fourth Prince.

Could it be, it was from him that some secrets leaked, making the main branch feel secure in their power?

The more she thought, the more reasonable it seemed.

She then called out to the outside.

"Gu Yu."

"I’m here."

The maid serving Princess Rongkang, Gu Yu, entered the room obediently.

"Prepare the carriage; I want to return to Prince Zhan Mansion. Tell others I’m going to see Princess Consort Zhan as she’s unwell."

"Yes."

When Princess Rongkang’s carriage left the Prime Minister’s Mansion, Prime Minister Lin was quietly listening to Housekeeper Lin’s report in the study.

There was another person standing in the study.

His figure was thin and looked young, but the lines on his face were many.

Especially his eyes, which were deep and inscrutable.

After Housekeeper Lin reported that Princess Rongkang left for Prince Zhan Mansion, his expression remained as calm as ever.

"Hmm, noted, you may go."

"Yes."

Housekeeper Lin understood the rules; the Prime Minister would let him know what he needed to.

But if there were things he shouldn’t know, forcing it would be suicidal.

Having served as housekeeper for decades, he was smart enough.

So he quietly left the study.

As he walked out, he still heard the sound of leaves falling from the trees outside.

Inside the study, the man stepped out from the shadows.

Prime Minister Lin glanced at him and then asked.

"What’s your view on this matter?"

"The Commandery Princess returning to Prince Zhan Mansion is for two reasons: first, to discuss how to deal with the main branch, and second, she’s likely suspecting the Imperial Armor Army, so she’s rushing to inform Prince Zhan."

Prime Minister Lin felt this reasoning was quite suitable.

He stroked the beard under his chin, narrowing his eyes as if pondering something.

As things progressed, everything was part of a scheme.

A scheme between himself and the Emperor.

Be it Lin Wanyi or Lin Wan Zhou, the main branch or secondary branch, even Prince Zhan Mansion and Princess Rongkang were all pieces on his chessboard.

He wrote detailed reports of the mansion’s affairs and submitted them to the Emperor.

The purpose was simple: to make the Emperor protect Lin Wanyi and in turn, watch over the main branch a bit.

In doing so.

One purpose was to use this matter to dispel the Emperor’s suspicions of the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

After all, he had long known about the Second Prince staying in Lin Wanyi’s garden.

Having been the Emperor’s teacher since childhood and guiding him for many years, competing with him in court for so long, how could he not understand the implications?

Another purpose was to sacrifice the pawn to save the king.

Both Lin Guifei and Lin Wanyi were his granddaughters.

The rise and fall of either did not impact Lin Xiangfu much.

But for Prince Zhan Mansion, it was different.

If Lin Guifei were in power, Prince Zhan Mansion’s influence would undoubtedly rise.

If Lin Wanyi were in power, Prince Zhan Mansion would be like losing an arm and would face a formidable enemy.

Under these circumstances, Prince Zhan Mansion would not sit idly by.

There would be anger and counterattacks, and counterattacks would lead to mistakes.

If he seized this opportunity, discarding the burden of Prince Zhan Mansion would naturally happen.