The Beloved Concubine of the Eastern Palace (book 2)

Chapter 333 - Planting Seeds

At Yichun Palace.

Wan Liangyuan received the news.

Unlike Yang Fei's excitement, she remained silent for a long time.

Yuetao stood beside her. "Liangyuan, if His Majesty truly intends to send your brother to the northern frontier, it means he sees great potential in him. This could be a golden opportunity for glory."

"Is it?" Wan Liangyuan questioned, as if doubting herself.

"My brother is currently the Commander of the Capital Guards, a critical position trusted by His Majesty. The frontier offers a chance for merit, but also the risk of death. Yuetao, my brother is the pillar of our family. If he falls, our family is doomed."

Yuetao was momentarily speechless.

Indeed, unlike the established Nanning Marquis House, the Hu family had shallow roots.

Wan Liangyuan's father was a low-ranking official. The Hu family's rise was due to her brother, Hu Daixu.

The Nanning Marquis House had generations of noble heritage. If Yang Chengyu fell, the family would still stand strong with other sons to carry on.

For the Hu family, the loss of Hu Daixu would be catastrophic.

"But if His Majesty doesn't send your brother, might he bear a grudge over the recent incident?" Wan Liangyuan frowned. "If my brother can't earn merit, will he be further distanced by His Majesty?"

Seeing Wan Liangyuan's heavy heart, Yuetao suggested, "Instead of worrying here, why not ask your brother's opinion? You can't decide for him."

Wan Liangyuan pondered briefly, then nodded.

At Zijin Hall.

Fang Yun had just returned from inquiring about the Second Princess at Yuzhang Palace, her expression somber.

Yuanhe, waiting at the door, quickly approached.

"Your Highness, there's movement at Zhongcui and Yichun Palaces. They seem to be sending messages outside."

Fang Yun paused, then said, "Keep an eye on them."

"Yes," Yuanhe replied, stepping aside.

Inside, Yanwei closed the door and asked, "Your Highness, did you spread the news to incite rivalry between the Yang and Hu families?"

"Indeed," Fang Yun said, sipping tea.

Qingrong spoke softly, "But I'm concerned the Hu family can't compete with the Yang family. If Yang Fei's brother goes to the frontier and earns merit, her position will only strengthen."

"I know the Yang family has deep roots, unlike the Hu family," Fang Yun said with a slight smile.

"Do you remember the Lantern Festival family banquet this year? Yang Fei tried to recommend her brother for the frontier. What was His Majesty's response?"

"He didn't agree," Qingrong said quickly, then pondered. "So His Majesty favors the Hu family over the Yangs?"

Yanwei's eyes brightened. "But the Yang family is ambitious and eager for glory. They'll suppress the Hu family to achieve their goal. His Majesty will see it as the Yangs challenging him, not just the Hu family."

"Precisely," Fang Yun said, her eyebrows lifting.

They immediately understood her point.

If Hu Daixu were chosen for the northern frontier, Yang Fei and Wan Liangyuan would become enemies, splitting their alliance permanently.

If Yang Chengyu were chosen instead, the Hu family's reaction was uncertain, but Pei Yao's distrust of the Yang family would deepen.

In this situation, the more Yang Chengyu excelled, the more he risked overshadowing the Emperor. Combined with Yang Fei's already apparent ambition, this could spell disaster for the Yang family.

Pei Yao wasn't the type to eliminate allies out of paranoia, as long as they remained loyal and respectful of boundaries.

But the Yang family's recent behavior showed they were far from content.

Yang Fei's ambitions were clear: becoming Empress and securing a healthy prince to ensure the future ruler had Yang family blood.

Pei Yao, like most emperors, believed in rewarding loyalty but not tolerating overreach. Ambition beyond what was granted was seen as dangerous and unacceptable.

Yang Fei and her family misunderstood this. They believed that by being powerful and influential, they would force the Emperor and court officials to grant their desires out of necessity.

While this approach might work with a weak ruler, Pei Yao was neither weak nor foolish.

Currently, the Yang family was stable because they hadn't yet crossed any lines. Pei Yao's restraint was to avoid appearing ruthless and losing credibility.

However, if Yang Fei and her family mistook Pei Yao's restraint for trust or fear, they were gravely mistaken.

Fang Yun knew she couldn't prevent all consorts from advancing or their families from rising in rank. Her strategy was to plant hidden obstacles.

These hidden dangers would eventually unravel the seemingly smooth path of her rivals.

The Yang family acted swiftly.

The next day, Hu Daixu encountered trouble.

His men, responsible for city patrol, arrested the leaders of a brawl.

Unfortunately, these leaders were Liang He, grandson of General Liang Renyuan, and Zhao Ruining, son of Lord Wen Jingbo.

General Liang, an elderly war hero, doted on his only grandson after losing his two sons.

Lord Wen Jingbo, equally protective, had fathered Zhao Ruining in his old age after five daughters.

Upon hearing their sons were arrested, both families rushed to free them.

With the arrests made by Hu Daixu's men, the situation escalated to his attention.

He found himself in a dilemma, unable to offend either side.

Faced with a celebrated general and a titled noble, both were influential and had legitimate grievances.

Stuck between these powerful families, Hu Daixu hesitated to make a decision.

Desperate to protect their sons, both families appealed directly to the Emperor.