CHAPTER 455: CHAPTER 156: FAREWELL_2

"I heard that the Chu King will be overseeing the Imperial Examination starting tomorrow," Ye Qichi cut straight to the point without beating around the bush.

"Yes."

"Song Yuanzhong’s legitimate son, Song Yanqing, will also be participating in this Imperial Examination," Ye Qichi said.

"So, what of it?" Xiao Jinxing met Ye Qichi’s tone with his own, lukewarm and indifferent.

"Song Yanqing is quite talented. If he becomes one of Xiao Jinsen’s people, Xiao Jinsen will have the entire Cabinet under his control. As the Cabinet Hall directly assists His Majesty and counsels him, having it entirely at Xiao Jinsen’s command means any decision made by His Majesty will greatly empower Xiao Jinsen!" Ye Qichi analyzed the situation.

Xiao Jinxing had naturally thought of this as well.

However, lately, he had not been allowed by His Majesty to attend the morning court even once, despite having entered the Imperial Palace several times to implicitly inform His Majesty that his injuries had healed; yet, he still received no word. On the contrary, during this time, Xiao Jinsen grew increasingly audacious in court and political circles.

There were even rumors that the Imperial Concubine might soon become the Empress.

If the Imperial Concubine is made Empress, it is only a natural progression for Xiao Jinsen to become the Crown Prince.

Moreover, the Cabinet has indeed submitted a memorial to His Majesty stating that the nation cannot be without an Empress for a day, urging His Majesty to make a decision as soon as possible.

If His Majesty is considering appointing a new Empress.

With Xiao Jinsen in control of the Cabinet, they will surely advise His Majesty to appoint the Imperial Concubine as Empress.

If that were to happen.

It would then be more difficult for Xiao Jinxing to overturn the situation later on.

So the key right now is to win over some people from Xiao Jinsen’s group within the Cabinet; having dissenting voices in the Cabinet will lead to His Majesty considering his decisions more carefully.

The Cabinet may seem like a body without real power, but it is actually made up of those most influential and closest to His Majesty.

"Do you find Song Yanqing trustworthy?" Xiao Jinxing asked Ye Qichi.

When Ye Qichi directly spoke of Song Yanqing, he became interested in what she had to say.

"Most likely, he is trustworthy," Ye Qichi wasn’t entirely sure either.

In the original story.

Song Yanqing followed Xiao Jinsen.

But in the end, Xiao Jinxing reinstated him.

So, presumably, he can be trusted.

"But now, it’s too late," Xiao Jinxing stated plainly.

Ye Qichi frowned.

"Xiao Jinsen had long ago intended to take control of the Cabinet, and the Chief Scholar of the Cabinet has been his man. Otherwise, the Empress wouldn’t have struggled against Xiao Jinsen for so many years with such great power, yet still allowed him to maintain his status in political circles—because he had the Cabinet’s support. And indeed, my father puts considerable trust in the Cabinet; nearly all the strategies discussed by the Cabinet have been adopted by him," Xiao Jinxing said calmly. "Of course, as you said, not everyone in the Cabinet is Xiao Jinsen’s person. Song Yuanzhong is not, but this Imperial Examination is very likely going to make him compromise for the sake of his son’s future. Even if I rashly approach Song Yuanzhong now, the outcome won’t be favorable. There’s more."

Xiao Jinxing paused for a moment.

He continued, "Xiao Jinsen and Xie Ruiyao have married, turning the Duke Mansion into his supporters. And Song Yanqing is married to Duke Mansion’s two daughters, Xie Ruotong and Xie Ruilin, which makes it impossible for Song Yanqing to refuse Xiao Jinsen. By following this logic, Song Yanqing has already become one of Xiao Jinsen’s people. Therefore, we cannot win over Song Yanqing."

Ye Qichi looked at Xiao Jinxing.

So in this matter, Xiao Jinxing had already seen through everything.

Because he had understood everything, that’s why he had let the current situation unfold as it had.

"However, Xie Ruotong will not be Xiao Jinsen’s person," Ye Qichi affirmed.

Xiao Jinxing looked at Ye Qichi.

"So, Song Yanqing might potentially not be entirely Xiao Jinsen’s person."

"Song Yanqing is fond of Xie Ruilin," Xiao Jinxing countered her directly.

Meaning Xie Ruotong had no say before Song Yanqing.

Ye Qichi pursed her lips.

In this moment, she was somewhat persuaded by Xiao Jinxing.

"I will not consider Song Yanqing for now," Xiao Jinxing declared straightforwardly, "What I am more concerned about instead is the selection of consorts next month."

Ye Qichi listened to Xiao Jinxing’s plan.

He said, "My father has never been overly indulgent in beauty, especially as he grows older, the number of concubines truly favored by him in the harem is less and less. This is why the Imperial Concubine has been able to secure her position in the harem. I’ve secretly inquired with the eunuchs close to my father, and he hardly flips the tags of the concubines now, meaning the other concubines have no chance of truly getting close to my father. Thus, if my father indeed decides to appoint a new Empress, together with the suggestion of the Cabinet Hall, then the Imperial Concubine will quickly ascend to the throne of Empress."