Chapter 523: Wishful Thinking

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

Yu Youyao pursed her lips.

Zhou Linghuai smiled. ‘General Wumu’s case wasn’t completely solved until the end of the Southern Dynasty when Li Zong ascended the throne. Why do you think that is?”

Yu Youyao felt a little uncomfortable. “Prime Minister Qin wasn’t the one who caused Yue Muwu’s death, but it was Gaozong’s fault. The future generations naturally don’t dare to talk about their ancestors’ wins and shortcomings.

From this, it can be seen how difficult it is for those who have died unjustly to be completely cleared.”

Zhou Linghuai nodded. “So?”

Yu Youyao’s expression did not look too good. “Cousin, firstly, we used the power of Shandong to quell the rebellion. Secondly, we used the power of the cabinet to suppress Ning Yuanbo’s family, led by the emperor. Thirdly, we used the power of the world to suppress the rebellion. The emperor had no choice but to help King Li of Zhou quell the rebellion.”

The reason why Gaozong did not seek justice for General Wumu was because the peace faction that had caused General Wurnu’s death back then had gained power.

After her cousin’s interference, he had blocked the path of Ning Yuanbo and the cabinet from the beginning and asked the cabinet to help. The emperor had originally wanted to redress the rebellion for King Li of Zhou, but later, because of the cabinet, he had no choice but to do so.

Also, the situation in the North was unstable. Her cousin had proved his ability to stabilize the situation in the North with the battle in Shandong.

Zhou Linghuai nodded. “That’s right!’

Yu Youyao said angrily, “The emperor gave you the title of Wumu because he wants to use General Wurnu’s matter to show you kindness. He wants you to remember his kindness to your father and warn you at all times. He wants to use this to manipulate Cousin. At the same time, he’s also threatening him. If he can help King Li of Zhou redress his rebellion, he can naturally overthrow him. If you don’t want King Li of Zhou to end up like General Wumu, Cousin has to be willing to be controlled by him.”

Zhou Linghuai nodded. “Exactly!’

Yu Youyao’s eyes were already red with anger. “Therefore, he conferred the title of King Li of Zhou on your father. The word ‘Li’ can be a posthumous title of strictness and sharpness. It can also be a posthumous title of evil. Whether it’s praise or evil depends on one’s perspective. He’s really vicious and sinister.

It’s the mind of an emperor again!”

She had actually not guessed this previously. She was happy for King Li of Zhou and her cousin.

Little did she know that the ill intentions of this edict were so well hidden.

Zhou Linghuai knew that she was angry, and her heart ached for him. He stroked her hair. “Whether it’s King Li of Zhou or King Wumu, it’s wishful thinking for them to try and control me with such small tricks.”

Yu Youyao knew that her cousin was not someone who was easily manipulated, but she was still furious. “As the ruler of a country, he doesn’t want to govern the court and clean up the officials, but he just plays with power all day. How hateful.”

Others felt that the emperor thought highly of his cousin by conferring him the title of King of the North.

However, she only felt aggrieved for her cousin.

Zhou Linghuai touched the silk flower on her head. “It’s just a useless evil dragon. I’ll just kill it. It’s not worth angering yourself.” With that, he cut the hot venison again and placed it in front of her. “The venison has to be eaten while it’s hot.”

These casual words seemed to have come out of his mouth casually.

However, Yu Youyao knew that this had been planned for a long time. From the moment her cousin entered the capital, the world had been a chess board.

Yu Youyao did not think that it was bad, but her heart skipped a beat. She could only pick up her chopsticks and eat the deer meat.

The deer meat was roasted very deliciously. Yu Youyao liked the salty and not greasy texture very much. Unknowingly, she had eaten a lot and stopped thinking about those annoying things.

Zhou Linghuai took out a wine jar and poured her a glass of wine. “Tomorrow, I’m going out of the city. Do you want to go with me?”

The sweet wine complemented the strong taste of the venison.

Yu Youyao held her night glass and smiled sweetly. “It’s cold outside. Why are you leaving the city?”

Although she did not want her cousin to go out and catch a cold, she knew that he had always lived in seclusion. There must be something important that forced him to leave the city.

Zhou Linghuai’s gaze darkened. “Yes, I’m sending an old friend off.”

Yu Youyao understood. “I’ll go with Cousin tomorrow and bring the deer blood wine that I brewed yesterday. It’s cold here. It’s best to drink a cup of deer blood wine to strengthen your body.”

Since her cousin had asked her to go with him, her grandmother was no longer an obstacle.

Zhou Linghuai nodded.

The next day, the sky, which had been gloomy for more than a month, finally cleared.

After the morning court assembly, Yu Youyao received news—

The Imperial Court had announced many crimes against Song Xiuwen that Ning Yuanbo had reported. After a preliminary investigation, they ordered the Jiangdu Department to investigate and reported Song Xiuwen’s dismissal.

Ye Hanyuan would temporarily take over his position and immediately go south. He would temporarily be in charge of the coastal war in Ningbo,

Shaoxing, and Taizhou Prefectures and help investigate Song Xiuwen’s case. He had to investigate this case and punish corrupt officials to uphold the justice of the navy.

The orange-red sun hung lazily in the sky, and the repressed mood also cleared up.

There was a charcoal pot burning in the carriage, and there were curtains on all four walls to block the wind. It was also warm.

Yu Youyao and her cousin made small talk. “The Ye Residence in Linjiang has been involved in the imperial examination for generations. Ye Hanyuan’s father, Ye Xiaoci, is a civil servant. As his eldest son, why did Ye Hanyuan join the army and not take the imperial examination?

Zhou Linghuai said, “Ye Hanyuan is the eldest son of Ye Xiaoci’s first wife. Logically speaking, it’s only right for him to follow his father’s wishes and become an official. However, Ye Hanyuan stuttered when he was young and wasn’t valued by his father. As a result, he was bullied and mocked a lot.

Gradually, he became wooden and autistic. Furthermore, he was known as Fool Ye in Youzhou.”

“What?” Yu Youyao wondered if she had heard wrongly. Ye Hanyuan, who had single-handedly stirred up the entire court, actually stuttered. He even had a nickname called Fool Ye?

This reminded her of how she had mentioned Ye Hanyuan to her grandmother previously. Her grandmother had said that Ye Hanyuan was perverse and stiff.

At that time, she still felt that it was strange. Ye Hanyuan had knocked on the drum angrily. The word perverse was barely suitable for him, but how was he stiff?

Although she was a little curious, she had something on her mind at that time, so she did not probe further.

Today, after hearing her cousin’s words, she realized that this was why he was described as stiff.

Zhou Linghuai knew that she was in disbelief. so he smiled. “He used to stutter.

Although it’s not a bad illness, it’s harmful to the Imperial Court’s image.

Someone like him is not allowed to participate in the imperial examination.”

Yu Youyao was speechless for a moment. After a while, she asked, “On the day Ye Hanyuan beat the drum angrily, I passed by Chang An Street and heard him shouting about the Marquis of Changxing’s ten sins. He didn’t stutter. How did he recover after that?”

Zhou Linghuai’s gaze darkened. “That’s a long story…”

After chatting all the way, Yu Youyao’s mood gradually became heavy. How many lives had been buried in King You’s case, and how many relationships had been buried?

Unknowingly, they had arrived at the pavilion outside the city..

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