CHAPTER 548: CHAPTER 548: THEY ALL WANT TO CAUSE TROUBLE

The Empress Dowager, after being interrupted by Song Ci, seemed slightly less irritated, though her expression still carried a hint of sadness.

Song Ci felt a pang of sympathy for her. The late Emperor’s actions were undoubtedly disheartening to the Empress. It’s not an exaggeration to say that she was set up. Sending someone to a vassal state should’ve been the end of it, but secretly issuing such an imperial edict was truly puzzling.

And then there’s Prince Min—oh, now it’s Prince Min—wasn’t playing lord of the land in his own territory enough? Did he return because he has a death wish? Xuzhou was prosperous when it was granted to him, and after nearly twenty years of development, it’s even wealthier now.

The fact that Emperor Chu allowed him to return raises questions about whether he has designs on Xuzhou.

One must know, when a Vassal King returns to the capital, going back to their fiefdom is quite difficult. Similarly, becoming a Vassal King isn’t easy either. Doesn’t television often depict how emperors repeatedly block Vassal Kings from ascending to power, and once they have, the emperor employs numerous, varied strategies to reclaim the lands?

Yet, Prince Min chose to return—has he lost his mind?

Song Ci felt that both Prince Min and Princess Consort Ji wanted to stir trouble by returning. However, since Emperor Chu permitted it, he certainly intends to stir things up.

Thinking of this, Song Ci began to analyze the situation carefully with the Empress Dowager.

"...Xuzhou is indeed wealthy, but that also means potential problems abound. For instance, if the Ji family wants to amass troops, they’ve got the funds. With the Emperor so far away, we wouldn’t know what’s happening over there—trouble could brew."

The Empress Dowager furrowed her brow yet stubbornly retorted, "Even so, do they think they can rebel? If they wish to become traitors, let them hoist their flags and rebel then!"

Song Ci mused with a hint of conspiracy theory, glancing at her sideways: "Lady, the late Emperor left an edict allowing them to return to the capital; who’s to say he didn’t leave another edict naming Prince Min as successor?"

The Empress Dowager’s face changed drastically, her lips trembled: "That’s impossible!"

"Possible or not, we don’t know. We can’t exactly summon the late Emperor and ask, can we? What if?" Song Ci raised an eyebrow and said, "So if they want to return, let them come. Once back, leaving won’t be as easy."

"You mean?"

"Keeping them in sight is better than losing track of them. Whatever moves they make, we can catch on immediately, can’t we?" Song Ci spoke softly, "The Emperor must think so too. No one can sleep peacefully under his roof. Xuzhou’s wealth might breed insatiable traitors, which he fears."

The Empress Dowager remained silent.

"Once Princess Consort Ji and the others return, the Emperor can delve into Xuzhou’s affairs and perhaps make some moves himself. Heh, you’ll see how Princess Consort Ji will react then."

The Empress Dowager’s expression softened a little, "I’m just tired of seeing that woman’s face."

"Honestly, it’s no big deal. The late Emperor is gone, and she’s lost her greatest support. Her rank is merely that of an Imperial Concubine now. In your presence, she still has to salute and pay respects. If she disobeys, you have every right to reprimand her easily, don’t you? As for Prince Min, when in front of you, he must call you ’Mother.’ You think Princess Consort Ji wouldn’t feel a sting hearing that?"

The Empress Dowager’s interest was piqued: "That’s quite true."

"So please, don’t be angry with the Emperor. He must have his considerations in making this decision. You’ve watched him grow up; you know better than anyone whether he is a wise ruler." Song Ci added a touch of flattery and said, "Even if Princess Consort Ji and her cohort have other ideas, I firmly believe one thing: evil cannot triumph over good."