"Can you get in touch with the former subordinates of the Song family?" Xie Guang's eyes were filled with an indecipherable look. After a long while, he lowered his voice and asked.
Agate was taken aback.
When the emperor had massacred the entire Song family back then, he had only killed those of the Song family in the capital. However, a large clan always had some side branches with a weaker blood - relation. Even if they were like the branches of a big tree that had extended far away from the trunk, they still bore the surname Song.
When the main family was prosperous in the past, they had inevitably received some benefits.
Now that the main family was in trouble, it was the perfect time for them to offer their help.
Agate lowered her eyes and thought for a moment. "Your Highness, the empress has been living deep in the palace for a long time and has only met some women. There are a few with whom she has a relatively close relationship. If Your Highness needs, I'll send someone to get in touch with them right away."
"If they can be in the capital..." Xie Guang left his words half - said, the latter part disappearing between his lips and teeth.
But Agate immediately understood what he meant. If they were in other places, it would be difficult to reach them in time. But once they were in the capital, it would be much easier for Xie Guang to do what he wanted.
"As long as Your Highness wishes, I will surely do my best to handle it." Her tone was firm.
However, this alone was not enough. Whether these side branches were loyal or not was still a question. There were also some court officials in the capital whom Xie Guang had tried to win over before, but most of them were like the grass on the wall, swaying with the wind. The only family that truly supported his ascension to the throne was the Liu family, who had once helped him with his affairs.
His eyes darkened. "Find a way to get Liu Zhengze into the palace to see me."
Liu Zhengze was a man with an evil heart but great abilities, and he was really useful.
So even though Xie Guang knew that he was like a wild dog that might bite its master, he couldn't completely cut ties with him.
Moreover, since the Liu family had gotten on his boat early on, they had no choice but to do things for him.
It was too late for them to get off the boat now.
Agate looked at his somewhat gloomy face and slowly nodded.
This time, the emperor suddenly spat out blood. The old illness that he had never fully recovered from suddenly came like a pack of hyenas seeing meat, swarming up to divide his broken body.
Chen Xuan was waiting outside the emperor's bedroom with a solemn expression. Along with him were the Zhang family, the Liu family, the Duke's Mansion, and the Jin family.
He had decided to keep these people, so it was also up to him to explain the reason.
He told them all his thoughts and finally asked, "What's your opinion?"
The Duke's Mansion had not gotten involved this time. The old duke was just calmly stroking his beard and didn't speak rashly.
Grandpa Zhang naturally had no objections. He was the oldest and most experienced person present. It was only natural for others to be convinced when the power was in his hands.
Even if they were not convinced in their hearts, they didn't dare to say it out loud on the surface.
It was the young man from the Jin family who frowned. "I'm just a fourth - rank official. How can I take on such a heavy responsibility? I think it's better for you, Lord Marquis, to take this task."
"Hey—" Liu Zhengze said with a smile. "You can't say that. Although your official rank is not high, you studied under someone from the Imperial Academy. Your teacher is a highly respected person. With your teacher's support, I don't think there will be any major problems. It's quite reasonable for you to take this task."
The old duke snorted at him through his nostrils.
He was a rather rigid person and looked down on this cunning and slippery villain, Liu Zhengze, the most.
Liu Zhengze squinted at him. "Does the old duke have anything to say?"
The old duke forced a smile. "I have nothing to say to you."
These two were always at odds with each other every time they met, and everyone was used to it. Chen Xuan came out to stop them symbolically and then brought the topic back. "I think Brother Liu is right. Everyone knows what kind of person you are. You're not one of those scoundrels who act secretly. We'll be at ease if you act as the regent."
Liu Zhengze's eyelids twitched. He still maintained a smile on his face, but in his heart, he cursed Chen Xuan to the core.
Taking advantage and still pretending to be magnanimous. Don't think he didn't know why Chen Xuan wanted to give the power to the Jin family. Wasn't it just for balance!
He took the advantage himself but still pretended to be so generous on the surface. Humph.
Seeing that everyone was saying so, the young man from the Jin family lowered his head and thought for a while, then didn't refuse anymore.
He had already seen clearly that in the current situation, it didn't really matter whether he accepted it or not.
If he didn't accept it, he would be keeping himself out of the matter and staying neutral. No matter how the situation in the court changed, it had nothing to do with him.
But if he accepted it, it didn't seem to make much difference either. Anyway, both sides knew that he was like the grass on the wall, neither loyal nor very useful, and he couldn't have much impact on the great cause.
Thinking like this, the frown on his face relaxed. He bowed his hands and said, "Then I'll not decline your kind offer. If there's anything I do wrong in the future, I hope all the lords will give me more advice."
Liu Zhengze patted him on the shoulder in an amiable manner. "No problem, no problem."
The old duke rolled his eyes.
After this matter was settled, no matter how many thoughts were going on in their hearts, on the surface, they had to smile and say goodbye.
Liu Zhengze quietly slowed down his steps and lingered behind. It wasn't until the figures of the people in front disappeared that he turned and walked towards the Great Prince's palace.
Xie Guang was waiting in the palace. He looked a bit weak. The wound on his waist was still oozing a little blood. Logically, he should be lying in bed for recuperation now. But his overall situation was still uncertain, and he was in a hurry. So he had to dress neatly and gather his energy to deal with this old fox, Liu Zhengze.
Liu Zhengze walked in lightly. The door closed behind him. Xie Guang looked up and nodded at him. "Lord Liu."
He really didn't look well at this moment. With just one glance, Liu Zhengze could tell that Xie Guang was not having an easy time. Thinking of the still - unconscious empress, his face showed some sadness. "Your Highness, you should take good care of your body."
These were the same old words. Ever since he had been imprisoned and then released, these words had been ringing in his ears like flies. Whether it was good - willed or malicious didn't matter. What mattered was that every time Xie Guang heard these words, it seemed to be telling him that he was finished!
Xie Guang's face changed slightly. He couldn't help but let out a sigh and said with a bitter smile, "I've made Lord Liu laugh."
He was a proud man. If it were in the past, he would never have thought that he would have to humble himself and ask for help one day. But the situation was stronger than the individual. When one was under someone else's roof, one had to bow one's head.
"I asked Lord Liu to come here today because I have something to ask for your help." Xie Guang didn't beat around the bush and said straightforwardly.
Liu Zhengze was first taken aback, then his face became solemn. No matter what he was thinking in his heart, on the surface, he still looked respectful. "Your Highness, just give your orders."
Xie Guang's expression flickered. He slowly got closer to him. As the conversation went on, his expression became colder and colder, until it became as gloomy as a ghost.
Liu Zhengze, on the other hand, went from being calm at the beginning to slowly frowning at the end.
He looked up and stared fixedly at Xie Guang, saying meaningfully, "Your Highness, do you know that this is a capital crime?"
Xie Guang suddenly laughed, the laughter filled with the madness of a last - ditch effort. "Capital crime? What do I have to fear about a capital crime now?"
"Lord Liu, don't forget," his eyes on Liu Zhengze slowly turned cold. "We're in the same boat. You have no choice but to help me."
"Don't worry, though," he smiled at him. The smile was full of obvious calculation, but it still tempted Liu Zhengze. "After we succeed, I will surely help you fulfill your long - cherished wish as we agreed before."