Daughter of aristocratic family

Chapter 491 Analysis
After Zhao Wangshu finished looking at the account books in the study, he came out to have lunch with Yao Shanzhi. There were a variety of dishes on the table, and one of them was particularly eye-catching. It was the delicacy that Zhao Wangshu specifically mentioned and learned from the Prince Zuo's Mansion.

"This dish is called 'Gold and Jade', which means wealth and good fortune. The ingredients are exquisite, the color is golden and attractive, it melts in your mouth, and it is delicious." Zhao Wangshu said as he picked up a piece of food for Yao Shanzhi with chopsticks, his eyes flashing with anticipation, "Try it and see if it suits your taste?"

"If you have tried it and think it is delicious, it must be to my taste." Yao Shanzhi has great trust in Zhao Wangshu's taste.

He picked up the dish, put it in his mouth, took a bite, and after savoring it carefully, his eyes lit up and he praised, "It's really delicious! Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with distinct layers of flavor. It has the sweetness of the shrimp and the richness of the meat. It's really wonderful."

Zhao Wangshu smiled brightly and said, "As long as you like it."

Yao Shanzhi had a pleasant lunch and went home happily to arrange personnel and collect evidence of the Liu family's crimes.

It’s just that Lord Liu was still serving as an official in another place three years ago. But judging from Liu Wu’s style of doing things, it is conceivable that the Liu family must have been domineering and arrogant in that place far away from the capital, and many people must have suffered greatly from it.

Princess Rui Chengzhang has sent people to investigate. Yao Shanzhi is mainly investigating what the Liu family has done in the capital over the past three years. Zhao Wangshu has arranged for people to bribe the Liu family's servants to find out the family's internal secrets and evidence.

The three of them had clear division of labor and each had their own focus, yet they were closely connected, weaving an invisible net that slowly approached the Liu family.

The Liu family had no idea that three people of noble status were investigating them. Relying on the power of Concubine Liu, they continued to live a life of luxury, debauchery and tyranny.

Young Master Liu Wu was even more unscrupulous. He lingered in red-light districts every day, bullying men and women and doing all kinds of evil.

Of course, Liu Wu was quite "discerning". He only bullied the lower-class people and did not dare to offend the children of powerful families or important officials in the court.

The overturned carriage caused Song Yuanqu to have a miscarriage; the knocked over stall left Yao Shanzhi covered in oil; both were accidents.

However, what Zhao Wangshu and the other two did not expect was that after such an accident, the Liu family did not think of remedying the situation.

After Yao Shanzhi found out something, he ran to Zhao Wangshu again and said, "The Liu family is too arrogant."

Zhao Wangshu shook his finger and sneered, "It's not arrogance, but extreme stupidity."

"True arrogance is based on strong strength and an unshakable position. Although acting ostentatiously, one should know when to advance and retreat, and when to let go. Liu Wu's behavior is nothing more than relying on the power of Concubine Liu in the palace. He thinks he can do whatever he wants, but in fact he is digging a grave for the Liu family."

Yao Shanzhi nodded. "Based on the Liu family's actions, those ministers in the court who want to support the eleventh prince will probably back off."

"If Concubine Liu knew that her family was such a hindrance, she would be so angry that she would fall ill." Zhao Wangshu felt a little sympathetic to Concubine Liu.

"She can't control her family, she deserves to be angry to death." Yao Shanzhi said coldly.

"This, it seems that we can't blame her. She lives deep in the palace and can't control it." Zhao Wangshu shook his head slightly, with a hint of understanding in his tone: "As the saying goes, the palace is like the sea, full of twists and turns. Concubine Liu is already walking on thin ice in it. It is nothing but a fool's dream to want to control the family's every move outside at all times."

"But if she could use her influence to give some warnings, perhaps she could reduce some of the disasters. However, human greed is insatiable, and the people of the Liu family may not listen to her advice." "Yue'er, you think she is too kind. She was able to jump from a small candidate to become the most favored Concubine Liu in the six palaces. How could she be a simple person? It's not that she can't control it, she is deliberately indulging it in order to expand the family's influence in the court." Yao Shanzhi had a bad impression of Concubine Liu.

Zhao Wangshu had no contact with Concubine Liu, so she would not question what Yao Shanzhi said, nor was she willing to question it, because Yao Shanzhi was her good friend.

He nodded and said, "Indeed, if Concubine Liu really wants to, she can always use some channels to influence the family. Even if she can't manage things, she can at least give a reminder so that the Liu family won't act so ostentatiously. But what is her intention in doing this?"

Yao Shanzhi touched his chin and said, "Perhaps a prince without a maternal family can make the emperor uncle feel more at ease?"

"There are only a few people left in Concubine Rou's family. In the entire family, the only official is a seventh-rank county magistrate." Zhao Wangshu reminded her.

"It's strange that Prince Zuo didn't promote anyone from his mother's family when he was regent." Yao Shanzhi's eyebrows flashed with confusion. "Indeed, according to common sense, since Prince Zuo has the power to regent and holds considerable power, it shouldn't be difficult for him to promote a few people from his mother's family. But he chose to let his mother's family remain silent. There may be a hidden meaning behind this."

Zhao Wangshu pondered for a moment, "Do you think Prince Zuo's move is to avoid suspicion? After all, if he promotes his mother's family too obviously, it will inevitably cause criticism from the court officials, who will think that he is forming a clique for personal gain. In the power struggle, keeping a certain distance and innocence may make him more firmly invincible."

"But this will not be good for him to seize the throne, right?" Yao Shanzhi asked hesitantly.

Zhao Wangshu's eyes flickered slightly, "Gardenia, let's not talk about the royal family's affairs." She was afraid that she might accidentally let slip and reveal the prince in the cold palace.

"It's okay. We're just chatting." Yao Shanzhi picked up the pastry on the plate and started to eat it.

Zhao Wangshu took a sip of tea and said, "Indeed, on the surface, Prince Zuo's decision not to promote his mother's family seems to be contrary to his political ambitions. But upon closer thought, this is not necessarily a brilliant strategy."

Yao Shanzhi understood it instantly. "The rise of the maternal clan's power is often seen as a potential threat to the imperial power. Especially when the succession to the throne is undecided, this threat is infinitely magnified."

"Prince Zuo chose to keep his mother's family low-key, even seemingly 'fading away', most likely to show the emperor that he has no intention of competing for the throne, and even less of using his mother's family to strengthen his own power. This attitude will undoubtedly greatly increase the emperor's uncle's trust and confidence in him."

Zhao Wangshu smiled and nodded. "This way, he avoided the criticism caused by promoting relatives and maintained his reputation and image. In the court, reputation is often more important than actual power. It can win him more support and the hearts of the people."

Yao Shanzhi suddenly realized, "Prince Zuo's move is really brilliant! It not only avoids the suspicion of the emperor uncle, but also preserves the safety of my mother's family. It really kills two birds with one stone."

“Not only that, Prince Zuo can cultivate the power of his mother’s clan in secret, allowing it to grow gradually without showing off. After all, true strong men often know how to accumulate strength in the dark, and when the time is right, they can strike home in one fell swoop.” Zhao Wangshu didn’t expect that this casual remark would hit the nail on the head about Prince Zuo’s private plan.

"With such deep scheming and long-term planning, Prince Zuo is truly impressive." Yao Shanzhi said with emotion.

"This is just my guess. Royal affairs are complicated and changeable. Who can really see through them?" Zhao Wangshu said quickly.

Yao Shanzhi chuckled, "I know, I know, don't take it seriously, don't take it seriously."