EBE Chapter 1419 The Colt
Chapter 1419 The Colt
Lin Yiwan subconsciously grasped her hand: "As long as you and Ziyu are happy, it's all worth it, no matter how tired I am!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Zi'er outside reported, "Reporting to the Lady of the Marquis, Your Highness, the Prince of Dongping's Mansion has sent a birthday gift to Young Master Ziyu!"
Princess Youyi's face immediately showed surprise. She quickly pulled Lin Yiwan out and saw Zi'er leading a chestnut pony.
She asked in confusion, "What is this?"
Zi'er explained, "The Crown Prince of Dongping said it was a gentle and fine horse brought back from the barbarian lands to entertain Young Master Ziyu!"
Princess Youyi looked at Lin Yiwan with surprise. It seemed that Prince Dongping had not attended Ziyu's birthday banquet, but he had sent a gift through his son. This meant that he had compromised.
In other words, the royal family he represented was willing to approve of her marriage.
She almost cried tears of joy!
However, she also knew very well that the reason why the Prince of Dongping was willing to let the Crown Prince make the trip was because Aunt Wan had saved him.
She said in a hoarse voice, "Aunt Wan, actually this little pony should have been given to you!"
Lin Yiwan smiled and waved her hand: "No way, my old arms and legs can't take any more trouble. Let's hurry up and send it to Ziyu, he'll definitely like it!"
Princess Youyi had no choice but to have Zi'er take the foal to Ziyu's courtyard first, before turning to Lin Yiwan and asking, "Do you think the Prince of Dongping has softened his attitude towards the Marquis of Zhanyi's residence?"
Lin Yiwan's smile vanished instantly; so many years of resentment couldn't be erased in an instant.
However, as long as we are no longer enemies, that's fine.
At this moment, the main courtyard of the Liu family was filled with a tense atmosphere.
The white-haired and bearded Elder Liu frowned as he stared at his eldest son and said, "What did you say? The conflict between the Prince of Dongping and the Marquis of Zhanyi has eased? When did this happen? Didn't he not even attend the birthday banquet hosted by the Mo family brat?"
Liu Dalang, Liu Chengye, bowed deeply, his forehead damp with cold sweat.
His voice, however, dared not be the slightest bit ambiguous: "Father, it's true. Yesterday, when I was on duty at the Ministry of Personnel, I happened to overhear the commander of the guards beside the Prince of Dongping chatting with someone, saying that the heir of the Prince of Dongping personally went to the Marquis of Zhanyi's residence to deliver a birthday gift to the Mo family brat!"
Grand Secretary Liu slammed the teacup he was holding onto the table, the celadon cup making a crisp sound as it struck the surface.
The maid standing in the corridor was so startled that she trembled and almost dropped the tea tray she was holding.
He stroked his long, white beard, his eyes deep and unfathomable, and after a long while, he squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth: "If it weren't for that old bastard Prince Dongping's instructions, the young master would never have had such a heavy burden. Do you know what he sent?"
Liu Chengye stole a glance at his father's face and saw that his brows were furrowed even more, so he quickly and carefully replied, "I heard it's a foal brought from the barbarian lands. Although the gift isn't expensive, it's the thought that counts!"
Upon hearing his words, Grand Secretary Liu's expression turned cold and grim.
Immediately afterward, Liu Chengye spoke anxiously, "Father, it's not a good thing that the Prince of Dongping and the Marquis of Zhanyi are on good terms. Over the years, our Liu family has only managed to gain a foothold in the court by relying on the Prince of Dongping. My eldest brother's position in the Ministry of War and my third brother's place in the Imperial Academy were all recommended by the Prince of Dongping. If the Prince of Dongping really reconciles with the Zhan family, how will our Liu family face us?"
Grand Secretary Liu suddenly looked up, his sharp gaze sweeping over his son like a knife, and coldly shouted, "What's the panic?"
Upon being shouted at by his father, Liu Chengye immediately fell silent, a cold sweat breaking out on his back, and dared not utter another word.
Grand Secretary Liu stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the bare flowering tree in the courtyard, its bare branches swaying slightly in the cold wind, much like his chaotic thoughts at that moment.
He was well aware of the stakes involved. Back then, it was his Liu family, under the instruction of the Prince of Dongping, who joined forces with court officials to accuse Zhan Yihou Zhan Yan of abusing his power. It was also he who questioned Zhan Yan's background, putting him in the spotlight.
Although the Marquis of Zhanyi's mansion still received the late emperor and the Emperor Li's messengers afterward, the feud between the two families had already been established.
Over the years, the Prince of Dongping has regarded the Zhan family as a thorn in his side, and the Liu family has followed suit by targeting them in every way and causing them a lot of trouble.
The Zhan family's military rations were repeatedly obstructed, either due to delays or shortages. The generals recommended by Zhan Yan were repeatedly rejected, with complaints that they lacked the qualifications and were unfit for important tasks.
Even the fact that Zhan Mu was framed for smuggling cheat sheets into the exam was secretly orchestrated by Liu Chengfeng.
Now that the Prince of Dongping has suddenly changed his ways, there must be some unknown reason behind it.
After a moment of silence, Grand Secretary Liu turned his back to his son and asked in a deep voice, "Has Zhan Yan made any unusual moves in court recently?"
Liu Chengye thought carefully for a moment and carefully chose his words: "No, he is still the same as always. He is taciturn when attending court and rarely speaks except for matters of military affairs. However, the other day His Majesty summoned him to the palace for a meeting, and they talked for a full hour."
Grand Secretary Liu's heart skipped a beat again, and his hands unconsciously clenched.
Could it be that His Majesty intends to bring together the Prince of Dongping and the Zhan family?
The thought had barely crossed his mind when Grand Secretary Liu suppressed it. Impossible. His Majesty is a man of deep thought; he fears the Prince of Dongping and would never interfere in this matter.
"Father, do you think the Prince of Dongping might be feigning goodwill while actually trying to probe the Zhan family's strength?" Liu Chengye asked, still clinging to a sliver of hope.
Grand Secretary Liu shook his head, his tone certain: "It doesn't seem like it. The Prince of Dongping is very proud and has never bothered with such hypocritical behavior. If he hates someone, he will deal with them openly and directly, and would never do such roundabout things with gifts and pleasantries."
He pondered for a moment, then suddenly remembered something, his eyes flashing as if he had grasped a key point: "By the way, how old is Ziyu, the child of the Mo family, this year?"
Without hesitation, Liu Chengye replied, "Father, he should be six years old. I've heard that the child is very intelligent, and also excellent at riding and archery. He is deeply loved by Zhan Yan and Lin Yiwan."
Grand Secretary Liu stroked his beard, seemingly lost in thought: "Does the Crown Prince of Dongping have a daughter who is about the same age?"
Liu Chengye's eyes lit up, as if he had been enlightened, and he quickly said, "Father, now that you mention it, I remember! Princess Huian, the daughter of the Prince of Dongping's heir, has just turned six this year. She is exquisitely beautiful and has a perfect appearance. She is extremely favored by the Prince of Dongping, who would give her the stars and the moon from the sky. Could it be that the Prince of Dongping wants to form a marriage alliance with the Mo family?"
Grand Secretary Liu nodded slowly, his tone heavy as if a boulder was pressing down on him: "It's not impossible. If the two families really do get married, it will be a true alliance of strengths, unmatched in the entire capital. At that time, not to mention our Liu family, even those old families in the court with centuries of history will have to consider their own weight and dare not offend them easily."