The cold followed through the night,
And spring arrived with the fifth watch.
For ten consecutive days, the sun shone brightly, and the snow on the trees and eaves seemed to have melted overnight.
That world of silver and white, adorned with ice and snow, had finally followed the arrival of the new year and remained in the past.
After the Lantern Festival, one major event in the capital followed another.
First, due to the impeachment by the Salt Transport Commissioner's subordinate, a major case of smuggled salt was uncovered. The Salt Transport Commissioner, Chen Xiao, was found to have colluded with merchants from Liangzhou to sell smuggled salt and amass exorbitant profits.
The Emperor was furious and issued an edict to dismiss Chen Xiao from his post and sentence him to beheading. All implicated merchants and their families were to have their property confiscated and be exterminated!
Next, news spread that Miss Sun from the Duke Wei's Estate was engaged to the third son of the Marquis of Wuyang. Their wedding was set for June of this year.
These were two truly prominent noble families. The marriage alliance between the Ji and Wei families also meant that their positions would become even more unshakeable.
As Jun Hui listened to his subordinate report on the matters in Liangzhou, a surge of anger welled up within him.
"Are you saying that everything in Liangzhou has been destroyed?" Jun Hui asked coldly, his voice filled with a chilling aura.
The subordinate lowered his head, trembling, "Yes, but fortunately, we managed to exchange Chen Xiao's wife and children. Chen Xiao bore all the blame himself and did not implicate Your Highness."
Jun Hui slammed his palm on the table, his breathing slightly unsteady.
His income had been completely cut off. With what would he rally again!
At that moment, the steward bustled in from outside and cupped his hands. "Your Highness, Her Ladyship wishes for you to enter the palace."
Jun Hui waved his hand. "I understand. Prepare the horses."
Jun Hui rode his horse into the palace and arrived at Consort Yun's chambers.
"Mother Consort, you sent for your son?"
Consort Yun waved for all the attendants to leave upon seeing him enter.
"Have you heard about Miss Wei's engagement to the third son of the Ji family?" Consort Yun asked coldly.
Jun Hui nodded. "I have heard."
Consort Yun suddenly stood up and said angrily, "You haven't taken my words to heart at all! The Duke Wei's Estate holds military power. I told you to interact more with Miss Wei, to gain their support. Even without the influence of Shudu, you could compete with the Crown Prince, but what have you done? Ah?"
Jun Hui lowered his gaze. He had wanted to interact more with Wei Yuanyao, but his heart was unwilling!
His heart held another figure, and he only wanted to obtain her!
He subconsciously avoided the Wei family, focusing all his energy on defeating Jun Yi on his own!
Consort Yun looked at him with cold eyes and said caustically, "Look at you now, you're almost a stray dog! You have no influence, no wealth! In literary pursuits, you can't compare to the Crown Prince; in martial arts, you can't defeat Prince Jing! Hmph! You disdained the smooth path I paved for you and insisted on crashing into a wall yourself!"
Jun Hui clenched his fists.
He hadn't heard these words in a long time.
He knew that, from childhood, he had been her tool for securing favor and seizing power.
When he was young, while Jun Mo was acting spoiled in their mother's arms, he was diligently studying and recognizing characters. If he was even slightly distracted, he would be punished.
From his childhood, the most he heard was, 'You have no powerful backing; you must rely on yourself.'
'You cannot compare yourself to others; whatever you want, you must fight for it yourself!'
'Only by ascending to that position can you obtain whatever you desire.'
Consort Yun vented her anger, and seeing his state, felt a pang of sympathy.
"Hui'er, Mother Consort knows you have feelings for that girl from the Su family. But she is currently betrothed to Prince Jing. Only by obtaining that position can you obtain her. As long as you sit on that throne, you can have any woman you desire!"
Jun Hui said coldly, "I know what I need to do. The Ji and Wei families have only just become engaged; there is still room for a change of heart."
Consort Yun knew he had a plan and breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good. Only with the Wei family's support can we proceed with other matters. I hope you won't disappoint Mother Consort."
Jun Hui nodded. "Your son understands. Your son will take his leave."
After leaving the palace, Jun Hui mounted his horse.
Ye Bai saw his grim expression and followed him, remaining silent.
"Ye Bai, tell me, what method can we use to prevent the engagement between the Ji and Wei families?"
Ye Bai thought for a moment and shook his head. "Master, please forgive Ye Bai's stupidity."
The sky was about to rain, and Miss Wei was about to marry. What other method could there be to stop it?
"There is a way to force this engagement to be postponed for three years! It can also leave the 30,000 city defense troops under Ji Kui's command leaderless!" Jun Hui's voice was low and devoid of warmth.
Ye Bai's eyes lit up. "Master means...?"
Jun Hui nodded. "This way, all three sons of the Ji family will have to observe mourning for their parents, forcing them to suspend their duties!"
Ye Bai exclaimed, "Master is brilliant! Your subordinate will attend to it immediately!"
Jun Hui nodded. "It must be done without a trace, absolutely no hidden dangers left behind."
"Master, rest assured, 'Wuxi' is without trace, colorless, and odorless. No one will discover it!"
Jun Hui looked ahead, at the setting sun on the horizon, and smiled.
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