Chapter 636: Stand in Line

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Qin Zhenzhen and Su Bin shared the same idea.

If they couldn’t address the situation directly with Su Ning, they would focus on the young master of the Public House.

The Public House’s young master, possessing a noble status and good looks, was undoubtedly a potential husband for some noble ladies in the capital.

Their plan involved orchestrating an opportunity for him to be alone in a room with a young noblewoman, or perhaps just cooking a meal together.

The chosen partner had to be a noble lady, and if her reputation became tarnished, she would be compelled to marry him.

By doing so, the Public House wouldn’t have a legitimate son of the appropriate age.

They entrusted this matter to the individuals who had successfully handled the fifth princess’s case in the past, confident that they wouldn’t disappoint.

This approach alleviated the need to hastily summon Su Ning back to Shanglin.

Half a month later, news arrived from the capital, confirming that the matter had been resolved.

The Public House’s young master had been discovered in a compromising situation with the young commandery princess of the Prince’s Estate. Although no improprieties had occurred, the capital’s streets were abuzz with speculation. Eventually, it was announced that the two were engaged for life.

Given the influential status of both families, they had no choice but to acknowledge the union.

It turned out that the incident coincided with a flower appreciation banquet hosted by one of the wealthy families in the capital. The event featured invitations extended to noble ladies and affluent young masters.

Amidst the blossoming spring flowers and vibrant summer blooms, the ladies were attired in light, revealing clothing that accentuated their figures. The noble young masters blushed, captivated yet wary of crossing any boundaries.

In ancient times, such gatherings resembled contemporary blind date banquets. If a man developed an interest in a woman, he would dispatch his family to propose marriage to her household every few days. Conversely, there were instances where women took the initiative to propose to men, given that both parties were of equal social standing.

The young master of the Public House possessed commendable qualities, making him a sought-after suitor among noble ladies. Amid the interested parties, a commandery princess took a liking to him, and reciprocally, he was interested in her. However, Lord State Duke raised objections.

The objection stemmed from a larger political context – when their family assumed the throne, all members of the original royal family had to be eliminated. The commandery princess’s grandfather was a prince of the royal family, a piece of information conveyed to the Dragon Phoenix Hall.

The fortuitous coincidence of mutual interest between the two individuals made the situation more manageable.

Su Bin and Qin Zhenzhen felt as though a weight had been lifted from their shoulders.

Around the same time, news arrived from the palace announcing the demise of the Empress Dowager. On the day of her funeral, the emperor, bedridden and unable to attend, was represented solely by the young crown prince.

Half a month after the Empress Dowager’s passing, word spread from the palace that the Emperor had succumbed to illness, vomiting blood. Following their interment in the Imperial Mausoleum, the Public House backed the young crown prince’s ascent to the throne. Lord State Duke assumed the role of Regent, overseeing court affairs.

During this period, a faction of dissenting ministers was eliminated by the Public House.

The vacant seats were swiftly occupied by individuals affiliated with the Public House. The ministers who had previously aligned themselves with the Third

Prince and the General Manor refrained from openly opposing the Public House after hearing the Third Prince’s declarations. Some even pretended to show allegiance to Lord State Duke.

This strategic maneuver served a dual purpose – it helped them conserve their strength and created confusion for Lord State Duke. A wholesale purge of civil and military officials by Lord State Duke would risk destabilizing the entire system.

As the crown prince assumed the throne, the royal court appeared to gradually regain a semblance of normalcy under the firm control of the Public House. However, beneath the surface, an undercurrent flowed.

Civil and military officials who supported the Public House, the Third Prince, and the General Manor clandestinely aligned themselves and worked diligently to secure positions for their respective masters. Their ultimate aim was to earn promotion to a noble rank..