The interference of maternal relatives in power, especially the Cui and Tang families—those veteran ministers who single-handedly controlled the court—was nothing short of a disaster for the Xiao family.
The Crown Prince possessed talent, but lacked boldness and was indecisive. It was feared he wouldn't be able to suppress them at all, or perhaps, blinded by romantic feelings, he would be easily manipulated by that daughter of the Tang family.
As for the Cui and Tang families, they could be said to be a grave threat to the Emperor. As long as they were not eliminated, he could not sleep peacefully day or night.
In the past, there was still room to maneuver, but after this incident, no emperor could ever tolerate the existence of the Cui family anymore.
The Emperor's words were truly severe.
Xiao Chen's face turned slightly pale as he hurriedly spoke, "Please rest assured, Imperial Father. I will absolutely not allow the Cui and Tang families to endanger the imperial power."
The Emperor bent down and stared at the Crown Prince. "Is that so? Are you sure you won't let your judgment be clouded by lust?"
Cold sweat dripped from the Crown Prince's forehead.
"I heard that you are quite displeased with the daughter of the Liu family I bestowed upon you. It has been several days since your wedding, yet you haven't stepped half a foot into her room."
All movements within the Crown Prince's estate could not be hidden from the Emperor and the Empress.
The Emperor continued, "It seems the Tang family's daughter has truly won your heart. No wonder the Cui and Tang families are so arrogant; it turns out they are certain they can manipulate my Crown Prince."
"No," Xiao Chen immediately explained. "I have been busy with court affairs for the past few days. I have rarely even stepped into the main consort's bedchamber. Secondary Consort Liu was anxious, which is why she went to complain to Imperial Mother."
"Is that so." The Emperor lowered his eyes to gaze at the Crown Prince, his gaze chillingly cold.
"It is exactly so. Secondary Consort Liu was personally bestowed by Imperial Father; I naturally would not treat her coldly."
The Emperor flicked his sleeves, his expression majestic. "As long as you know what's in your heart. If you want to secure your position as Crown Prince and sit firmly on the future dragon throne, you must think clearly about what is most important."
The Emperor's words were extremely heavy, serving as a naked threat.
If Xiao Chen was not capable and could not be a good Crown Prince, he still had other sons.
"Yes," Xiao Chen complied.
He slightly lowered his head, his brows furrowed tightly. He knew in his heart that his Imperial Father could no longer tolerate the Cui and Tang families for even a moment. And if he still wanted the Crown Prince position, he had no choice but to fall in line.
His heart was very heavy, but facing the Emperor, he could only try his best to pretend everything was fine.
Shen Xiabai had not spoken from beginning to end, maintaining his silence.
The Emperor calmed down, seemingly pondering something. After a long while, he said, "My beloved subject Shen, tell me, what should I do to teach the Prime Minister a lesson?"
Shen Xiabai lowered his eyes. "To reply to Your Majesty, although Prime Minister Cui went against the imperial will, what he said was in accordance with propriety and the law. Even if it spreads, he will be praised by others for not fearing death and being upright and selfless."
Hearing this, the Emperor frowned. "I am asking you for a method, not to listen to you praise him. Or are you saying you also think he is not at fault?"
"I would not dare. Prime Minister Cui's disobedience of the imperial will is considered a capital offense, but he indeed had valid reasons and evidence. I am merely discussing the matter objectively to report to Your Majesty that the voice of the people and the annals of history cannot be ignored."
The Emperor looked at him and didn't speak for a long time.
"Then, according to your opinion, what should be done?"
"I..." Shen Xiabai paused before saying, "I have a personal grudge against the Cui and Tang families. It is not appropriate for me to offer advice on this matter."
And the reason the Emperor valued him was precisely because of his tact and intelligence.
If Shen Xiabai were too eager for quick success and instant benefits to achieve his goals, he would not have today's achievements.
After a brief silence, the Emperor finally said, "What you just said is not wrong. I was indeed too hasty regarding the promotion of the Liu family. Since Prime Minister Cui has more reason on his side, then... we won't start with him."
Moreover, the authority in the Prime Minister's hands was absolutely not something that could be stripped away overnight; it could only be planned slowly.
The Emperor's gaze intentionally or unintentionally swept toward the Crown Prince. "If there is nothing else, you may withdraw first."
Xiao Chen had long wanted to leave.
The Emperor was usually quite amiable, but whenever it came to matters related to the Cui and Tang families, he would definitely get angry. Especially Prime Minister Cui's recent actions, which indeed touched the Emperor's reverse scale.
"Your son takes his leave."
Only after the Crown Prince left did Shen Xiabai suddenly speak up, "Your Majesty's meaning is to start with Grand Tutor Tang."
The Emperor nodded. "The Cui and Tang families... if there is no Tang family, the Cui family will lose a vital arm. I want to see if my good Prime Minister can still be so arrogant."
The Emperor's eyes were filled with chilling killing intent.
Shen Xiabai's eyes flickered. He lowered his head and said nothing.
Coming out of the palace, Yu Feng felt that his master seemed to have something on his mind. "Master, now that the Emperor is determined to deal with the Cui and Tang families, doesn't it suit your wishes perfectly? Why are you unhappy?"
Shen Xiabai got into the carriage, leaned against the wall, and slowly closed his eyes. After a long while, he said, "In the next couple of days, go personally to the place where my father and brother once provided disaster relief, and investigate what happened back then again."
Yu Feng was taken aback. "Didn't Master already investigate it long ago? Why investigate again so suddenly?"
Shen Xiabai narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "Back then, the Cui and Tang families were also meritorious subjects who helped the Emperor break through the siege and consolidate imperial power. But once they lost the sovereign's favor..."
He did not continue, but he had his own thoughts in his heart.
The Emperor was so decisive in burning his bridges once they had served their purpose today, which showed his true ruthless nature.
Back then, would he have spared the head of an aristocratic family who endangered imperial power and almost overthrew him?
What emperor would spare a treacherous minister, especially one who relied on his power to repeatedly embarrass him and pose an endless threat?
Yu Feng was surprised. "Master suspects that the deaths of the Old Master and the Eldest Young Master are also related to the Emperor."
Yu Feng frowned deeply. "It shouldn't be, right? After all, we have investigated it many times. And back then, it was forced by circumstances; the Emperor's promise to spare the Old Master was also dictated by the situation."
"But the Cui family is different. No emperor could tolerate being manipulated and threatened by a subject. Prime Minister Cui's actions this time touched the Emperor's reverse scale."
In the history books, an emperor who could refrain from killing subjects who offered blunt admonitions was already considered an eternal wise ruler. But someone like Prime Minister Cui, whose power overshadowed the sovereign, was simply a treacherous minister.
"Master, from beginning to end, this matter has been a game of chess between the Emperor and Prime Minister Cui. You have never added fuel to the fire regarding their actions, let alone secretly interfered. So you can have a clear conscience."
Shen Xiabai indeed thought so and acted so, but... "The son of the Liu family did not meet the conditions for promotion. It's just that apart from Cui Qingyuan, no one dared to speak up."
He slightly closed his eyes and rubbed the space between his eyebrows. "Forget it, go and investigate again, just to be absolutely sure."
Yu Feng complied.
Not long after Shen Xiabai left the imperial study, the Chief Eunuch came to report, "Your Majesty, Consort Liang has arrived. She says she simmered a medicinal meal for you. Knowing that Your Majesty is exhausted from state affairs, she wants to help nourish your body."
The Emperor's brows relaxed. "Let her in."
Consort Liang was intelligent, with a lively and endearing personality, and they shared a childhood affection. Compared to the dull Empress, she won a bit more of the Emperor's favor.
Before long, Consort Liang came in carrying the medicinal meal, her eyes and brows filled with a smile, as if merely looking at the Emperor was enough to make her heart joyful and ecstatic.
"I haven't seen you for a few days, and Your Majesty has become much more handsome. I am delighted just looking at you."
The Emperor cast a sidelong glance at her and lightly scolded, "Stop being so glib. Haven't you been worrying about your son's marriage these past few days? Suddenly thinking of me, do you have a target in mind?"
Consort Liang curled her lips. "Is he not Your Majesty's son too?"
