Masquerade in Bridal Attire and Marry the Prince

77. The Nice Plan of the Zhao Family’s

Translator: Antonia

Du Chuxuan’s hand shook and from the cake in it fell off a lot of scums. His face pale and stiff, he turned around and at once saw Yuxing Tianrui standing at the door seemingly as gentle as spring breeze, his lips twitching a little at the corners and giving Dongxiang a fierce look. He must have seen Yuxing Tianrui long ago so that he had suddenly become obedient just now.

Dongxiang shrank his neck to minimize his presence as much as he could. Although he was a close servant of Her Highness, His Highness had made it more than clear that if he failed to take good care of Her Highness he’d land himself in serious trouble. What a dilemma!

Yuxing Tianrui ignored their interaction and tossed a glance at Luo Yi, who was now standing there in embarrassment, “Now you do have plenty of time, uh? Don’t you have overloaded work?”

Before, when Yuxing Tianrui managed the affairs of Sect Luo, Luo Yi often complained to him that he didn’t have enough hands. Back then, Yuxing Tianrui also didn’t have enough assistants, or he wouldn’t have assigned so much work to everyone of them. To his surprise, only a few days later, Luo Yi should actually have the time to help Du Chuxuan copy women’s virtues. It seemed he had been too kind-hearted before.

Luo Yi also had a twitch at the corners of his lips. It was obvious that between His and Her Highness, Her Highness was the tougher one, but how come Her Highness suddenly became henpecked? Nonetheless, how Du Chuxuan took it was Du Chuxuan’s matter. After all he was still the Crown Princess, so others mustn’t try to make a guess.

“Your Highness must be joking. You’ve told us that now we are now Her Highness’s followers and should take orders from Her Highness, so technically, I’m not being idled and doing nothing.” He said that and then passed a look of asking for help to Du Chuxuan, who, at this moment, was the only possible savor of him.

However, Du Chuxuan could hardly get himself out of it and receiving his sign, could only return a grin of just throwing him to fate. The look couldn’t be more irritating. What kind of princess was this to abandon her own followers just in order to please her husband? How hateful!

Yuxing Tianrui carried a smile in his eyes and took a complacent glance at Du Chuxuan, but at the sight of his obsequious eyes, he somehow became upset, snorting, and turned to walk to the inner rooms, “Since you’ll take orders from Her Highness, then get out of my East Palace and don’t stay in my way.”

Hearing that, Luo Yi no longer dared to say more. Obviously, their Crown Prince was angry with shame. Staying here would only make him a punching bag of His Highness. Before Yuxing Tianrui said more, he cupped his fists to Du Chuxuan and ran away fast as if there was oil under his shoes.

Motioning to Dongxiang to let him leave, Du Chuxuan wore his smiling mask and went forward, “Your Highness must be really tired these days. Please allow me to help you get changed.” Ever since the two confessed to each other, Du Chuxuan rarely talked in this manner. Now, how could Yuxing Tianrui failed to understand what Du Chuxuan’s extra meaning in his words?

But he wouldn’t refuse to be served. He turned to look at Du Chuxuan and then sat on the bed, putting on airs, “This morning, the Zhao family made a petition to the Emperor.”

Du Chuxuan was shocked and instantly remembered what Luo Yi had said. After all, this had just happened in the court, and even Sect Luo couldn’t find a way to deliver the news that fast. Du Chuxuan thought briefly and figured what the Zhao family would retort to in order to negotiate with the Emperor.

“I heard that there was a terrible drought in the south this year, which created many refugees. At this time, the Zhao family proposed to offer part of its wealth to support the treasury, didn’t it?” The drought in the south wasn’t an untouchable issue. On the contrary, the Emperor had been bothered by it recently. In the past years, there had been floods in the south, but this year the trouble became drought, which had nearly led to no harvest at all.

Yuxing Tiarnui frowned a little, because he hadn’t expected Du Chuxuan to think it through so fast. Although his answer wasn’t precise, it was basically no difference from the Zhao family’s proposal, “The Zhao family makes a great part of officials in the court. Though they don’t enjoy a high pay, you can’t stop them from making their pockets full through other means.

Now it’s fair to say the Zhao family is one with immeasurable wealth. They not only proposed to offer money, but also suggested that the eldest grandson of Old Master Zhao follow the army to the south to relief the disaster.” A touch of cold sneer was on Yuxing Tianrui’s lips. Anyone could tell that following the army to the south would be a comfortable job. As long as no mistake was made, he could return to the capital and wait to be promoted.

Besides, the proposal of offering financial support at this time would not only help the Emperor out of the urgent situation but also won for the Zhao family a good reputation among people. A position at the cost of nothing. A favor to the Emperor. This was one stone three birds, an idea without any hidden dangers.

“Not only so. If someone, surely one of those who were against the Zhao family, happened to stir up troubles in the middle and make it a huge event, then the Zhao family also gets a chance to extirpate its opponents. Old Master Zhao is truly a man of the world.” Du Chuxuan couldn’t help sucking his teeth. By careful analysis, you would find it just terrifying.

Throwing the clothes onto the rack, Yuxing Tianrui lay languidly onto the soft couch, “If they wish to make a splash, just let them. Anyway, things aren’t as easy as they believe.’

The Emperor wasn’t a fool after being in the position for so many years. Only by the simplest hint dropped by one of the ministers, he was able to discern the turbulence behind it. Sometimes, he just chose to turn a blind eye in order to maintain the balance in the court, or when the turbulence was desirable for the Emperor.

At present, the Zhao family took the initiative to make such a proposal. Even though eventually it would gain much good, it would also be a contribution to the country. Yuxing Tianrui was afraid, the Emperor would also seek to take this opportunity to test out the true strength of the big families. Therefore, the Emperor had also resigned a troublesome and rewardless task to the Zhao family.

“Father really did that?” Du Chuxuan was surprised. Old Master Zhao had been a support of the Emperor when the previous emperor was in the throne. This was why the Emperor respected Old Master Zhao all the time. Why did he suddenly become vigilant against him?

Yuxing Tianrui sneered. His father was never a fool. The reason he didn’t try to crash the big families was merely to maintain peace. Since father had decided to do that, he wouldn’t make any moves. Yet, his father was obviously in a poorer health condition, the day when he had to face the position wouldn’t be too late.

Everything he was doing now was just to pave the way for his future.

At the sight of Yuxing Tianrui’s sorrowful face, Du Chuxuan had a punch of ache in his heart and on an instant, he leaned down and pressed a fierce kiss on those red lips.