CHAPTER 699: CHAPTER 344: CHECKS AND BALANCES

In the study of Prince Dai Mansion, Prince Dai and Marquis Xuanping were listening to Fu Zhong report on the situation in Jinling.

"Since when did the seventh become so capable, actually able to gain the support of the Song Family?" Prince Dai recently heard about this matter, and his first reaction was to find it absurd, thinking it impossible for the Song Family to support Prince Jing. However, it turned out to be true. "Why would the Song Family support the seventh?"

Prince Dai was knowledgeable about the families, Cao Group, and Salt Gang in Jinling. The Song Family was the leader of the Jinling Salt Gang with great influence in Jinling. Although the Song Family rarely participated in court affairs, the families there all followed the Song Family’s lead.

Marquis Xuanping also found it strange, having never heard any connection between Prince Jing and the Song Family. He speculated, "Could it be related to the Empress?"

Prince Dai sneered, "Does the Empress have that capability? If she did, do you think she would keep it hidden? With her personality, she would have flaunted it long ago."

"Indeed. If the Empress truly had a connection with the Song Family, given her personality, she would have contacted them long ago, not waiting until now." Prince Jing had already fallen out with the Crown Prince; if the Song Family had supported Prince Jing early, the Empress and Prince Jing would have already been confronting the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen with confidence. "Prince Jing only gained the Song Family’s support after going to Jinling; there must be a reason behind this."

"Regardless of the reason or what relationship the seventh has with the Song Family, it’s a good thing for us that the Song Family is supporting him now." Although Prince Dai was surprised by the Song Family’s support for Prince Jing, he was not about to sabotage it secretly. "The seventh is in conflict with the Crown Prince; now that he has the Song Family’s support, what do you think he’ll do?"

Marquis Xuanping said, "Given Prince Jing’s temperament, he will stop at nothing to gather evidence against the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen."

"If we have people in Jinling, I wouldn’t mind giving the seventh a hand." Prince Dai said with a smile, "The seventh is sure to bite hard into the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen this time. Once he returns, we’ll be able to enjoy a good show."

"Your Highness, I’m worried about Suzhou." Marquis Xuanping expressed his concern, "Now that Jinling’s Imperial Examination has gone smoothly, Suzhou’s must be held as well. Otherwise, the Crown Prince and Prince Jing will use this matter against us."

"I said from the start not to oppose the Imperial Examination, yet you insisted on stopping it. Now you want to hold it." Prince Dai, not being a scholar, wasn’t affected by the holding of the Imperial Examination. Moreover, most of his subordinates were soldiers who earned their positions through military achievements, having no need for the Imperial Examination. "I told you before, Father values the Imperial Examination, and we shouldn’t go against him, yet you insist on doing so."

Marquis Xuanping, seeing that Prince Dai didn’t understand his earnestness, displayed a wry smile.

"Your Highness, do you think I want to go against His Majesty? I have no choice but to do so."

Prince Dai was taken aback and confused by Marquis Xuanping’s words: "Uncle, no one is forcing you to do this. I certainly didn’t force you."

"Who said no one is forcing me?"

"Who has the power to force you, why didn’t you tell me?" Prince Dai grew anxious, "Such a big thing, why didn’t you speak up? Who’s forcing you, I’ll go cut him down?" Who dared to intimidate his uncle like this was clearly not considering him at all.

Seeing his nephew so worried about him, Marquis Xuanping felt both moved and amused: "Your father."

"I’ll go chop..." Prince Dai stopped abruptly mid-sentence, turning his head in shock towards Marquis Xuanping, "Who did you say?"

"His Majesty."

"Father?" Prince Dai exclaimed, "How could it be Father?"

"It certainly wasn’t a direct decree from His Majesty." Marquis Xuanping continued, seeing that Prince Dai still did not understand, "We’ve always balanced with the Crown Prince and his faction. They opposed the Imperial Examination in Jinling, so we naturally had to oppose it in Suzhou."

Prince Dai still could not comprehend and asked with a puzzled expression, "If we need to balance, shouldn’t we do what the Crown Prince’s faction isn’t doing?"

"Your Highness, things aren’t as simple as you think."

The more Prince Dai listened, the more confused he became, his face a portrait of puzzlement.

"Uncle, please explain it clearly."

"Do you know why the late emperor gave me Suzhou Prefecture back then?" Marquis Xuanping continued without waiting for Prince Dai’s response, "It was to balance the Duke Zhen Country Mansion."

Prince Dai replied, "That I know."

"You also know that our Marquis Xuanping isn’t a family of aristocracy, unable to compare with the Duke Zhen in any aspect. The late emperor gave Suzhou to us to strengthen the Marquis Xuanping, enabling us to counter the Duke Zhen."