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Zhao Family, Tea Room
Xie Zhan and Zhao Yutan, the engaged couple, sat facing each other with two cups of hot tea between them, the aroma rising, but their thoughts were elsewhere.
“If you have something to say, just say it,” Xie Zhan said calmly to his fiancée.
Xie Zhan felt a vein throbbing on his forehead because he had been tricked by his future father-in-law to meet Zhao Yutan. His indifference made Zhao Yutan quite upset.
“Zhan Lang, do you dislike me coming to see you at this time?”
Actually, Zhao Yutan had something urgent to discuss with him. The sooner she said it, the better it would be for both of them and their families. She met him now out of consideration for him. Otherwise, with their wedding only a few days away, she could have waited until after the marriage.
“No, you’re overthinking it,” Xie Zhan said, though he was pained, he had to comfort her. It was indeed his thought that certain things or discussions could wait until after the wedding, but since she was here, there was no need to say hurtful things. It wasn’t helpful for their relationship.
“What I wanted to tell you is—” Zhao Yutan bit her lip, “the emperor…”
“Hm?”
“The emperor doesn’t have much time left.”
Xie Zhan looked at her in surprise. Seeing her nervous expression, he was about to ask how she knew but changed his question to, “Is the news confirmed?”
“It’s true,” Zhao Yutan breathed a sigh of relief. He didn’t ask further, otherwise, she would have been at a loss for words. It wasn’t like she could say she dreamed it, right?
Yes, she had another useful dream. The death of Emperor Kang Cheng was the content of her recent dream.
Zhao Yutan decided to reveal this news to Xie Zhan for two reasons: First, she understood the importance of early knowledge. As she was about to marry into the Xie family, she hoped her future husband, Xie Zhan, could use this information to make strategic arrangements for the benefit of both families. Second, she didn’t want to be overshadowed by Songli.
Recently, Songli’s performance had been too outstanding. Although Zhao Yutan didn’t approve of Songli’s actions and thought she had done nothing but harm, Zhao Yutan learned from her father that members of the Xie family were quite critical of her. They felt she was the reason Songli, the supposedly young matriarch, was lost to the Xie clan. Zhao Yutan felt wronged. It was true she had created the opportunity, but if the Xie family hadn’t tacitly allowed things to develop, there wouldn’t have been such an outcome.
But it didn’t matter. No matter how excellent Songli was, she was still going to be exiled! Soon, in about a month, Songli would be finished along with the Qin family!
Yes, Zhao Yutan already knew that Songli was the one who bribed Yanzi and Taozi.
Songli’s actions against her fourth brother had caused him to harbor resentment and hold a grudge against her and the family. How could he be so blind to the enemy? Zhao Yutan thought Zhao Bin was wrong, but she hated Songli even more for turning Zhao Bin into this. When they were exiled, she would make sure to seek justice for her brother!
Xie Zhan quickly assessed from the information he had collected that Zhao Yutan’s news was likely true. There was at least an 80% chance it was accurate.
Xie Zhan’s mind raced. With a change in the emperor, what benefits could the Xie family gain? And who would be the successor? The Crown Prince? No, the Crown Prince was in the northern borders, not in Chang’an. Currently, only the Third and Fourth Princes were in Chang’an.
Xie Zhan’s mind worked at high speed as he realized this was an opportunity. Should the Xie family make a bid for a dragon’s merit?
In an instant, Xie Zhan thought of many things. If the emperor passed away, what would happen to the Crown Prince… to the Qin family… to the Lu family?
The chaotic thoughts overwhelmed Xie Zhan, and he couldn’t help but take a sip of tea from the table.
“How long do you think he has left?” Xie Zhan took a deep breath and asked Zhao Yutan in a lowered voice, his eyes fixed on her.
Zhao Yutan bit her lip and looked down, “Less than two months.”
“Less than two months… less than two months…” Xie Zhan murmured twice, then came to his senses.
Suppressing his inner excitement, Xie Zhan held her delicate fingertips and gazed at her with his peach blossom eyes, “Yutan, thank you for telling me this. You’ve really helped me a lot.”
Zhao Yutan could only feel that his gaze was filled with deep affection. Heat rose to her face uncontrollably, and her fair cheeks quickly turned crimson.
When Xie Zhan returned to the Xie family, he began to frequently summon people from the Xie faction.
The Xie family was busy preparing for the wedding, and the whole residence was lively. With so many people coming and going, it wasn’t very noticeable.
In the following period, as everyone focused on the big event, or rather, the joyous occasion, the four families enjoyed a peaceful time.
These four families, in their fervor to prepare for the wedding, were unaware of how much trouble their invitations, sent one day apart, caused the many official and noble families in Chang’an. The factions closely related to them, such as the Xie, Zhao, Lu, and Qin families, were manageable. The real trouble was for the neutral parties, who were not close to any of these families, like the Deputy Minister of the Tai Chang Temple.
Looking at the two bright red invitations, Deputy Minister Li sighed repeatedly.
“Dad, are you still worried about how to attend the feast?” asked the youngest son of the Li family.
The Deputy Minister glared at him, “This isn’t about attending a feast; it’s about choosing sides!” He then complained, “The Xie family is unreasonable! They just love to make things difficult for me!”
The youngest son nodded, agreeing that it was indeed troublesome. Originally, with the Qin and Lu families having announced their wedding dates first and sent out invitations, they had already planned to attend. Then, the Xie family announced their wedding date, set for December 15th, which was the same as the other two families. Couldn’t they have moved it forward or backward a bit?
Now, both families are holding events simultaneously. Who should he attend? It’s infuriating!
“Why don’t you and Mom each go to one family?”
“Logically, that should work. But, who goes to the Lu family, and who goes to the Xie family?”
“That should be flexible, right?”
Child, you’re still too young. Your father would like to be flexible, but Lu Desheng won’t be. I heard Lu Desheng dotes on his youngest daughter. Believe me, if I go to the Xie family and your mother goes to the Lu family on the 15th, we’ll be in for trouble!
The Qin family is more reasonable, but Qin Sheng is also the youngest child among their generation. This wedding is very important.
But, Dad, Xie Zhan is the eldest son of the Xie family, and Zhao Yutan is highly favored in the Zhao family. If you go to the Lu family, won’t the Xie family hold it against you?
Ah, this is overwhelming! I wish I had a clone!
Suddenly, the Deputy Minister had a flash of inspiration, “I’ve got it! I’ll pretend to be ill! That day, I’ll just stay home sick!” If I don’t go to either house, that should be fine, right?
“And then your elder brother and your mother can each go to one family.”
“Dad, where should elder brother and Mom go?”
As soon as the youngest son’s question was asked, his wife and elder brother looked at him.
Deputy Minister Li: … Ah! Let him deal with it!