106: coincidence

"What did the Grand Empress Dowager say to you today, Yingqi?"

On the way back to the Temporary Palace, Luo Yongan, sitting in the carriage, could not help but ask curiously: "The Grand Empress Dowager seems truly satisfied with you as her grandson-in-law. Even when the late Emperor's own daughters were married off, I had never seen her as happy as she was today."

"How could I not be happy? Those two little ancestors have finally been married off."

The Grand Empress Dowager, who was drinking tea at the Temporary Palace, heard Bai Yu ask a similar question and smiled helplessly: "Those two girls... back when the late Emperor was still alive, they returned from the Northern Border and seemed like different people. Sigh, actually, that's not quite right. That old hag Wumeng, her daughter had finally become normal, but now look at this—her granddaughters have inherited all of her madness!"

"Of course, Yingqi is truly a fine child. In all my years, I have never seen a man with such good looks. Furthermore, he has a clear mind and his insights and perspectives are quite remarkable. It's just his fate... sigh, I don't know if it's good or bad that he is so deeply cared for by those two girls."

Bai Yu took the teacup from the Grand Empress Dowager's hand and carefully set it aside before smiling and offering comfort: "Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. Since The Two Highnesses care so much for the Consort, they will naturally cherish him carefully, so I expect it will not be like what happened to the Duchess back then."

"I hope that is the case." The Grand Empress Dowager sighed. "It's just that although the child tries his best to restrain himself, when Zhou Chutian is mentioned, there is still a trace of murderous intent in his eyes. People, I fear, are often too clear-headed. He knows deep down that his mother's tragedy stems from Zhou Chutian. I fear that merely dealing with the Zhang family will not be enough to quell the hatred suppressed in his heart."

"Sigh, Grand Empress Dowager, please do not dwell on these things. The Grand Chancellor has committed many injustices and will surely bring about his own destruction. The Emperor cannot tolerate him, and the Consort is not the only one in the world who hates him." Bai Yu comforted her softly. "You are now at an age to enjoy your twilight years. The Emperor and the Empress are very filial, and your children are capable. The good days of our Daxing Dynasty are still ahead."

"Flowers do not bloom for a hundred days, and people do not remain prosperous forever. Yongfu and Yongze are both promising, and although the two brothers bicker every day, they have a deep bond. No matter who becomes Emperor in the future, the other will willingly assist him." The Grand Empress Dowager stood up slowly and, supported by Bai Yu, walked to the door. "But what about after Yongfu and Yongze? The Empress Dowager worries, especially since when we were in the capital, Zhou Chutian was secretly maneuvering, and the Third Prince's maternal family also had their own designs. Even if the eldest legitimate son and the second legitimate son are on good terms, the temptation of that chair is simply too great."

"Grand Empress Dowager, that is a problem for The Emperor to consider." Hearing this, Bai Yu felt a pang of heartache for The Empress Dowager who was still worrying about her children and grandchildren. "You should not worry about it anymore. Princess Yongan is right; you should focus on resting..."

"I cannot calm my heart. I only hope this storm can end soon." The Grand Empress Dowager smoothed her graying hair. "I only hope everything passes without incident..."

"You want to meet with Zhou Chutian alone?"

Luo Yongan and Luo Yongning looked at each other, not understanding why, after Mo Yingqi explained what he had just said to the Grand Empress Dowager, he suddenly said, "I want to meet Grand Chancellor Zhou alone."

"Yes. After we return to the capital, I want to meet him alone. I imagine that now, he should be willing to see me, right?" Mo Yingqi lowered his head slightly and pondered for a moment. "Actually, I had this idea a long time ago, but back then I wasn't Marquis Yongding, let alone the Consort. He certainly wouldn't have seen me, right?"

"But why do you want to see him?" Luo Yongan did not quite understand. "Yingqi, do not think about killing him..."

"No, no, I am clear-headed." Mo Yingqi smiled. "I just don't know why, but I really want to meet this person face-to-face. I haven't even thought about what to say to him, but I just want to see him once."

The Grand Empress Dowager was right about one thing; Mo Yingqi was very clear-headed. Or rather, from the day he learned the truth of the matter, he was acutely aware that while Zhang Jiawen was the executioner of his mother's tragedy, without this Zhou Chutian, Mo Qingyu would not have died of melancholy.

Mo Yingqi never believed in any so-called grand ambitions. In his view, it was precisely because of the small families and small loves of individuals that the myriad states of life were formed.

Not to mention how many people Zhou Chutian had stepped on and harmed. Mo Yingqi had always wanted to meet this person face-to-face. He had not thought about questioning him or anything like that; he simply wanted to have close, face-to-face contact with him, and then... find his weakness.

"I am preparing to meet that Consort."

Zhou Chutian, who was currently in the capital, suddenly spoke up, startling Zhao Jiguang beside him: "Esteemed Teacher, what do you mean by this?"

"Exactly what it sounds like. What is the matter?" Zhou Chutian looked up at him, revealing a hint of confusion. "Do not worry, he will not kill me. At least, not right now."

"Esteemed Teacher, please think twice. That Mo Yingqi is no ordinary Zhenfu Division Banner Commander." Zhao Jiguang still felt it was inappropriate. "This person has high martial arts skills, is ruthless enough, and is quite shrewd and calculating. You also know that the Censorate previously named him in an impeachment…"

"I am naturally aware of that. Among all the officials, big and small, in this capital, is there any ranked official I do not know?" Zhou Chutian could not help but laugh. "I only let the Censorate keep an eye on him because I saw back then that this kid had some ability. Among the people under Fang Wenbo, Lu Qianyuan is just a martial brute, and Tang Jingzhong is indeed a talent and has now made something of himself... but if we are talking about who is the most capable, or who is best suited to earn a living in the Pacification Bureau, it is none other than Mo Yingqi."

"However, I did not expect this. I was curious back then that Fang Bowen clearly valued Mo Yingqi highly. I originally thought it was because he cherished talent, but now that I think about it, while cherishing talent is true, I fear it is more likely that the palace had already sent word to him, right?"

When Zhou Chutian reached this point, he turned his head to look at Zhao Jiguang, his face still maintaining a calm expression, and his tone without any fluctuation: "Jiguang, regarding this matter, your eyes were not sharp enough."

"It is this student's negligence." Zhao Jiguang quickly stood up and bowed. "But Esteemed Teacher, even though Mo Yingqi is now a noble Consort and has been granted a marquis title by The Emperor, in the end, he is still just a Zhenfu Division Banner Commander. Although he will be promoted to Centurion upon his return to the capital, there is no need for you to have any contact with him at this time..."

"Sigh, you do not know. I cannot say why, but I suddenly really want to meet this 'Smiling Yaksha'." Zhou Chutian stroked his beard while speaking with a hint of playfulness. "Back then, the late Emperor hid it from me and sent those two sisters to the Northern Border. By the time I found out, Partridge Sky had already concealed their whereabouts."

"However, that is not important. I am quite curious: what exactly is so extraordinary about the person who can make those two arrogant and ruthless Legitimate Princesses care so much?"