Unruly Phoenix Xiaoyao

Chapter 67: His Majesty says, Zhen has no money

Prince Fu, Ning Guangshun, took pleasure in the misfortune of the Xie Clan's eldest son when he came with a personal invitation to the Xie estate. At the same time, he was caught between laughing and crying. Xie Wenyuan had been shrewd his entire life. When he wanted wind, wind would come; when he wanted rain, rain would come. In the end, the very grandson he'd helped onto the throne had left him in a sorry plight. Perhaps this was simply his retribution; perhaps Ning Yu had been born as a wolf that couldn't be tamed.

Xie Anyi lowered his posture before this prince, but kept all of his father's words at heart. When Prince Fu heard those words, he lost the mood to laugh at Grand Preceptor Xie. Dismiss the vassal lords? Isn't that just asking for their lives?

Inside the Grand Preceptor's estate, second steward Xie Laifu was helping Grand Preceptor Xie take his medicine. At the same time, he reported, "Grand Preceptor, the kitchens are already preparing Prince Fu's favorite tea and pastries. But will he really come?"

Prince Fu had once struggled for the throne with the previous emperor, while the Grand Preceptor had been the main force to helping the previous emperor to win his position. To put it bluntly, Grand Preceptor Xie was one of the culprits that had lost Prince Fu his throne. Second Steward Xie really couldn't fathom how Prince Fu would acknowledge the Grand Preceptor.

Grand Preceptor Xie checked the color of the skies outside the window and said, "The prince should be just about arriving. Have my two sons go to the gates and greet him."

Second Steward Xie hastened to obey. "Yes, this servant will do so now."

After the length of time it took to burn half a stick of incense passed, Prince Fu, Ning Guangshun, appeared before the Grand Preceptor's gates. Xie Laifu sighed with feeling in his heart. His Grand Preceptor really was something. Nobody could escape from his grasp! Prince Fu didn't say much to the three sons of Grand Preceptor's first wife. After a few civilities, he was brought to the Grand Preceptor's study. There, Grand Preceptor Xie was half lying on a long and narrow couch. He didn't rise when Prince Fu entered, but clasped his hands together to apologize. "This official has difficulty rising due to sickness. I ask the prince to forgive me for being unable to receive you personally."

Prince Fu glanced at Grand Preceptor Xie's complexion. Truly, he looked severely ill, with dark circles under his eyes and ashen white skin. It seemed like he'd aged a decade or more.

"All of you withdraw," Grand Preceptor Xie ordered his three sons.

Prince Fu sat down before Grand Preceptor Xie and said, "Grand Preceptor, since you're too ill to rise, then this prince will make a long story short. Lou Zigui's really mentioned dismissing the vassal lords to His Majesty?"

Grand Preceptor Xie wore a pained smile. "If the prince doesn't believe me, then why come to my estate?"

"This prince believes that the most pressing issue for His Majesty and Lou Zigui now is disposing of you, the Grand Preceptor," Prince Fu said coldly.

Grand Preceptor Xie said, "Prince, this official is simply blocking the blows from the front lines. Has prince ever considered where Lou Zigui's blade will fall once this official is disposed of? The late crown prince once said the the vassal lords had brought calamity to the country. Lou Zigui is simply promoting the late crown prince's phrases."

Prince Fu fell silent, before he asked, "Then what is Grand Preceptor's meaning?"

"His Majesty is still young," Grand Preceptor Xie shook his head with a forced smile. "Right now, Lou Zigui has blinded him. This official has worked hard to coax him, but earned his ire instead. With things as they are now, the only way to have His Majesty dispose of the vile men by his side and bring in virtuous officials is to make him understand that Lou Zigui is incompetent when it comes to managing a country."