After Cheng Shengxuan left, the lives of the Cheng family seemed to have become different, but at the same time, nothing seemed to have changed.
I am still busy with the fields behind the yard, planting, harvesting, planting again, and then harvesting... repeating this process.
It's just that Old Madam Cheng often stares outside the courtyard with a frown on her face.
Wang would stare blankly and sigh from time to time.
Yu'an still ran back and forth every day, but he no longer went to Modern at night because Cheng Sitao felt that it was a waste of time.
These days, the little guy follows his dad everywhere.
To be precise, it means going around several warehouses to collect supplies.
The days passed one by one, and half a month had passed in the blink of an eye.
Cheng Shengxuan had already arrived at the capital of Muyuan.
On this day, at the Fifth Prince's residence.
Suddenly, a series of ping-pang sounds were heard in the study.
"Get out! Get out now!"
After a roar, the maids and servants serving in the study hurriedly ran out as if they were escaping for their lives, fearing that if they were a step slower, they would be chopped by the sword of the furious Fifth Prince.
After smashing things in the room, Shang Xiaomin's anger subsided a little.
"In previous years, my father asked my second son and I to prepare for the winter hunt together, but a few days ago, he suddenly told me not to worry about it anymore!"
"That's all about the winter hunt!"
"For the past three years, the year-end assessment of all officials was jointly undertaken by me and the second brother. I was in charge of the civil officials, and he was in charge of the military officials."
As he said this, his eyes gradually became fierce and he gritted his teeth.
"But today, my father said in public in the court that he would give full authority to the assessment to the second son!"
As he spoke, he exerted force with his hand and knocked the teacup beside him to the ground.
"He's a rough guy who only knows how to fight. What can he understand if he is asked to take charge?!"
Cheng Shengxuan raised his eyes and glanced at the broken porcelain pieces on the ground without saying anything.
"And that guy, Lao Er, has been acting crazy for some time. He has been opposing me in the court time and again! He has also been making random accusations!"
As he spoke, Shang Xiaomin clenched his fist and slammed the table several times.
Cheng Shengxuan on the side gave some advice.
"Don't worry, Your Highness."
Shang Xiaomin stood up suddenly.
"Not anxious? How can I not be anxious?!"
"If I allow the Second Brother to suppress me in every way and let him continue to be so proud, how will the officials in the court view me?!"
"I'm afraid it won't be long before all the ministers who supported me will turn to support him!"
Unlike his rage, Cheng Shengxuan's tone remained calm.
"It doesn't matter what the ministers think of Your Highness. What matters is what the King thinks of Your Highness."
Shang Xiaomin snorted coldly.
"How else can my father see me when he treats me differently?"
"Of course I think I'm not as good as the second one!"
Cheng Shengxuan shook his head.
"I don't think so."
Hearing this, Shang Xiaomin frowned slightly.
"What do you mean?"
"The king's health is getting worse. Your Highness should know the king better than I do. The king is not someone who will accept old age and resign himself to his fate."
Hearing this, Shang Xiaomin looked a little dazed.
Yes, my father values power the most. He finally ascended the throne, but he has only been sitting on it for a few years?
He hasn't sat on it long enough, so he naturally won't be content.
He has been seeking medical treatment and medicine since the first year he ascended the throne. The many wandering Taoists kept in the palace and the constant supply of health-preserving elixirs every month are the best proof of this.
"So what you're saying is..."
Cheng Shengxuan smiled faintly.
"Now that I am too prominent, I have made the king unhappy."
"Your Highness has been too arrogant before. I'm afraid the King's actions are because he has doubts about Your Highness. Your Highness should keep a low profile from now on."
Shang Xiaomin looked a little ugly.
So the emperor's move was actually to suppress him!
"Then Your Highness will do nothing?"
Cheng Shengxuan shook his head.
"Too many errands is not a good thing. I wonder if Your Highness has ever heard of the rogue saying, the more you do, the more mistakes you make."
"The Second Prince doesn't know much about the civil servant assessment and winter hunting. If Your Highness holds the idea of helping each other as brothers, you can assist him and give some appropriate suggestions."
"However, the Second Prince has suddenly been favored by the King, and he is very proud of himself. In addition, the Second Prince has always been arrogant, so I am afraid he is unwilling to listen."
After hearing what he said, Shang Xiaomin gave a meaningful smile.
Yes, now that he has handed over the task in his hands, he will have time to cause trouble for the second brother.
Cheng Shengxuan was right. He could give the second son some advice at an appropriate time, preferably in front of the court officials.
In this way, everyone will think that you are tolerant and respectful to your brother, and you will also earn a reputation.
If something really went wrong in the end, he could clear himself and take the opportunity to step on the second brother!
After figuring this out, Shang Xiaomin laughed twice, walked out from behind the desk, and patted Cheng Shengxuan on the shoulder.
"Ha ha!"
"Brother Shengxuan is really resourceful. With a great general like you, I don't have to worry about not accomplishing great things!"
Cheng Shengxuan lowered his head slightly.
"Your Highness, you are too kind."
At this moment, there was a knock on the study door.
Shang Xiaomin said to the outside in a good mood.
"Come in."
A guard walked in quickly.
"Your Highness, our spies in the Second Prince's mansion have sent back a message."
As he spoke, he glanced in the direction of Cheng Shengxuan with an embarrassed look on his face.
Cheng Shengxuan bowed in the direction of Shang Xiaomin.
"Then I will take my leave first."
"No need!"
Shang Xiaomin stretched out his hand to stop him, then glared at the guard.
"I have already said that Brother Shengxuan can dispatch people in the mansion at will. You must not conceal any news that Brother Shengxuan wants to know!"
"Did you turn a deaf ear to my words?!"
"After you leave, go and receive your punishment!"
The guard quickly knelt on the ground and kowtowed to apologize.
"I dare not. Your Highness, please calm down."
Cheng Shengxuan said something.
"Your Highness, calm down. This little brother is so cautious. Your Highness should reward him. The most important thing is the information he sent back."
If you do too much superficial work, it will seem fake.
"Brother Shengxuan is still sensible."
Then he shouted angrily at the guard.
"Are you mute? Speak now!"
"Yes, yes, yes."
The guard looked terrified and quickly told the story.
"Our informants reported that the second prince's legitimate son has contracted smallpox, and has had a high fever since last night. The situation is very serious."
Cheng Shengxuan frowned tightly.
"Pox?"
The second prince's legitimate son is only five years old, about the same age as Yu'an.
When Cheng Shengxuan thought of Yu'an, the reluctance in his heart became stronger.
I hope the kid pulls through it.
"good!"
Shang Xiaomin clapped his hands and shouted excitedly.
"After this incident, the second brother will definitely not have time to take care of other things, which will make it easier for us to take action."
As he spoke, a dark light flashed in Shang Xiaomin's eyes.
Speaking of which, the day when the second son was born was exactly the emperor's 60th birthday, and the child looked very much like his father.
Because of these two reasons, his son has been loved by his father since birth.
If anything happened to that child, it would not only severely damage the second child, but my father would also be greatly hit.
The more Shang Xiaomin thought about it, the more excited he became.
He did not notice the flash of sarcasm and disdain in Cheng Shengxuan's look when he looked at him.
He was just a five-year-old boy. Even if he was fighting with the second prince, they were on different sides.
Although the struggle for imperial power is destined to be accompanied by bloodshed and sacrifice.
But what is the fault of the child? !
Why would he, his own uncle, curse him with such deep malice?