HCB Chapter 182 Planning
Chapter 182 Planning
At midnight, the candles in the study of Marquis Wei Yun's residence were still burning.
Ning Cuo has been very busy lately. Emperor Yu has issued an order for the southern expedition, and the commander-in-chief is naturally the Duke of Liang, who has now replaced the Duke of Yu in guarding the southern border. Ning Cuo, a close minister of the emperor, has been appointed to assist the Duke of Liang.
Anyone with eyes to see can see that he is nominally a deputy general but in reality a military supervisor. What's intriguing is that the person who recommended him is none other than the newly appointed Crown Prince.
The court is full of scheming, and Xiao Chen's move has clearly stirred up the waters even more. Every official in the court is a cunning fox, and with the situation still unclear, they all try to stay out of trouble, offering only empty flattery.
Ning Cuo frowned, feeling a headache coming on. The male lion was in its prime, while the cub had already grown into a lion with sharp claws and teeth...
There is a saying that the Eastern Palace is more dangerous than the Imperial Palace. Former Crown Prince Xiao Yuan is a bloody example. He does not want to take sides too early. Originally, he was confident that he would ignore the Liang family, but in the Yu family case, he watched from the sidelines and ended up getting a handle on him.
“One who has no desires is invincible,” Ning Cuo sighed softly. Fortunately, no one dared to bring this matter up unless it was a fight to the death, so he wasn’t in too much of a passive position.
As he pondered, a beautiful figure interrupted his thoughts.
“My lord,” Qin Zhong said, bowing with a wooden tray in hand, “this is a late-night snack that the madam ordered the kitchen to prepare.”
Ning Cuo nodded slightly. "Put it down."
After speaking, he continued to bury himself in his documents. After a moment, Ning Cuo looked up with a slight frown. "Is there anything else?"
Qin Zhong lowered her eyes, her fingertips twitched slightly, and she said softly, "Madam... allow me... to stay in the study to serve you..."
Ning Cuo was slightly taken aback, but after a moment he realized how familiar this scene was...
After receiving no response for a long time, Qin Zhong mustered up her courage and peeked at Ning Cuo. She saw that Ning Cuo was not looking at her, and his eyes were filled with sadness and resentment that she could not understand.
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Yucheng Teahouse
Shen Qing sat by the window, watching the bustling crowd below as the Tao brothers' carriage passed by.
Seeing Shen Qing's sightseeing attitude, Qi Shang couldn't help but say, "That's how scions of noble families are. No matter how much discord exists within, they never show it on the outside..."
Oh no! Qi Shang's heart skipped a beat. He had spoken too quickly; had he accidentally insulted General Shen as well?
Shen Qing, oblivious to Shang Luo's anxious feelings, nodded in agreement, "But we can't let them keep up this brotherly and respectful act and just finish their business and go back to Anguo like this."
Seeing that Shen Qing did not seem offended, Qi Shang secretly breathed a sigh of relief and wisely played the role of a straight man, asking, "What are your plans next, General?"
Shen Qing tapped the table rhythmically with her fingertips. "Hasn't the head manager of Tao's Trading Company been trying to get close to Registrar Xue lately?"
Qi Shang nodded and replied, "As instructed by the general, Registrar Xue has been making excuses to avoid meeting him."
“It’s time. Let Clerk Xue make the contact,” Shen Qing said, glancing to her side. “You go too. Learn how to deal with people, listen more, observe more, and speak less!”
Hei Zi quickly nodded in agreement, knowing that this was the lady's way of giving him a chance to gain experience!
Shen Qing beckoned, and Qi Shang, understanding, listened intently...
"Give the order."
"This..." Qi Shang hesitated, "Is the stake a bit too low?"
"That depends on whether Manager Tao came for himself or for his master."
Qi Shang seemed to be deep in thought. Yes, even the interests of the king and all the officials in the court could not be aligned, let alone a slave.
Hei Zi, who was standing by, also seemed to understand. He didn't understand the factions that existed in the court. Even within the Shen family, the servants were ranked according to seniority and seniority. However, the young woman's decisive and ruthless demeanor just now made her seem like a completely different person...
After Qi Shang left to carry out his orders, Shen Qing noticed Hei Zi's hesitant and awkward expression and said impatiently, "Just say what you have to say!"
"I...I...I just...I just feel..." Kuroko was startled and stammered, taking a long time to regain her ability to speak and organize her thoughts, "The young lady has been acting very differently lately than usual."
Tsk~ Outsiders can't understand, but they can't hide it from those close to them. But Shen Qing had already prepared a plan.
"The Shen family has been a prominent family for centuries. Their direct descendants have been immersed in strategy and tactics since childhood and are naturally shrewd. It's just that they haven't had a chance to use their talents in the past."
This statement, though partly true and partly false, cannot be considered utter nonsense. In his previous life, Young Master Shen had slacked off in the world of fame and fortune for many years, but that was only because he had powerful backers and could act recklessly. It doesn't mean he was really incompetent!
"As for conduct..." Shen Qing looked out the window at the bustling crowd again, "I am no longer a wandering knight-errant. I am in a position to fulfill my duties. This is a national war, there is no need to talk about martial ethics."
Therefore, even if we have no past grudges or present hatred, I will still make you die in Yongzhou!
Hei Zi shivered inexplicably, wondering where the deep chill came from.
"Relax," Shen Qing turned around and smiled, "I will always be your girl."
Kuroko snapped out of his daze and nodded repeatedly!