Repudiating a Good Wife Is Out of the Question

185. A Big Win for Xiao Yi

Translator: Sissy That Walk

Prince Ning was so depressed because the emperor hadn’t even sent a eunuch to check on him for the past two hours, he rubbed his knees secretly and hoping his mother would come rescue him as soon as possible.

Prince Ning looked at Imperial Concubine Fair’s palace with longing eyes.

Xiao Yi stood in the officials, waiting for the emperor to summon Prince Ning, he made up his mind that he would launch an attack against Prince Ning as soon as he stepped into the hall.

But to Xiao Yi’s disappointment, the emperor just kept on talking about other business.

Prince Xing couldn’t wait any longer, he stepped forward and wanted to bring up the fact that Prince Ning was kneeling outside the hall, but Yao Wenyuan stole a march on Prince Xing and said, “Your Majesty, I have something to report.”

The emperor was about to dismiss the officials, so he said impatiently, “Your report can wait, just remember that military supplies is our top priority.”

Yao Wenyuan added, “But Your Majesty, the locust plague concerns everyone!”

Xiao Yi changed the subject and said, “Your Majesty, please repair the road to the Northwest so we can transport the military supplies.”

Officials in the Ministry of Works exchanged a few glances with each other, they were more than happy to hear that, for they could fill their own pockets once the emperor approved the road building project.

But the minister of the Ministry of Revenue raised an objection, “Your Majesty, Shizi’s idea is brilliant, but we haven’t collected enough tax and grains this year, we can’t afford to build new roads yet, please think twice, Your Majesty!”

“Don’t complain of being hard up before me! How come Prince Xing can collect tax and grains, but you can’t?”

The newly-appointed magistrate in Hunan and Hubei region now kowtowed to the emperor, “Your Majesty, it’s because of the locust plague… …”

“Stop spreading fallacies to deceive people!” the emperor pressed his forehead, he didn’t want to hear one more word about the locust plague.

The other officials begged for leniency for the magistrate in unison, the emperor had to let it go.

Prince Xing kept staring at Xiao Yi, wishing him to bring up Prince Ning’s business, but Xiao Yi ignored him.

An official now stepped forward and suggested the emperor summoning Prince Ning.

Xiao Yi showed an uncanny smile and said, “Your Majesty, I have something to report!”

The emperor heaved a sigh of relief when he saw it was Xiao Yi because he knew Xiao Yi could always say the right thing, “I’m all ears, Shizi.”

“People are suffering locust plague to the fullest extent, please entrust Prince Xing with the task of visiting the severely afflicted areas, Prince Xing is blessed by you, Your Majesty, I’m sure he can turn calamities into blessings on your behalf.”

The emperor found what Xiao Yi said so apt, he looked at Prince Xing and asked, “Are you willing to share my cares and burdens?”

Prince Xing kowtowed to the emperor and got emotional, “Father, it’s my honor to share your cares!”

“I’m glad to hear that.” with that the emperor present Prince Xing another plaque, the other officials showered Prince Xing with praises and Prince Xing was pleased by the flattery.

Prince Xing admired Xiao Yi for this move, no one would intercede for Prince Ning at this point because it was obvious that the emperor was relying on Prince Xing.

But Xiao Yi wasn’t going to stop, he planned to settle this once and for all with those people who dared spread rumour about his late mother.

The emperor summoned Prince Ning after he presented Prince Xing the plaque.

Prince Ning started to wail as soon as he set foot in the hall, the emperor found that so annoying, he pulled a long face and asked Prince Ning what he was apologizing for.

“Father, it’s the twin ear rice, they were all eaten by the locusts!”

Xiao Yi chimed in before Prince Ning finished his story, “Your Majesty, I’m impeaching Prince Ning for ruining the auspicious sign from Heaven, Prince Ning should have guarded the rice attentively, but Prince Ning has been slacking off to seek ease and comfort in life. To make it worse, instead of thinking about a way to get rid of the locusts, Prince Ning resorted to superstition and has build a temple for Locusts Spirit!”

Prince Xing gave Xiao Yi a thumbs-up in his heart.

Yao Wenyuan gasped on hearing the impeachment, he was surprised that the meek Xiao Yi was out for blood.

The emperor didn’t see that coming, he found Xiao Yi way more smarter than his father Xiao Yugui, Xiao Yi had advanced gradually and entrenched himself at every step, he was indeed a young man with great vision.

Then the emperor got a little jealous of Xiao Yugui, for he had such a capable son and son-in-law, he took a look at Prince Ning and Prince Xing, obviously Prince Ning was a good-for-nothing, Prince Xing was better, but they all knew Cao Mo and Xiao Yi were the brains in his camp.

The emperor racked his brain to come up with an excuse to rebuke Xiao Yi, but before he could open his mouth, Xiao Yi continued, “Your Majesty, I know I have offended a prince, please punish me! Please withdraw my title!”

The emperor had to put on a smile, “Shizi, I know you only said that because you are loyal to me and our country, you are pardoned, but I would like to see you speak and act cautiously in the future.”

Xiao Yi heaved a sigh of relief and thanked the emperor.

“I have once deprived your wife of his title, now I will reward him a Second Ranking title of Madam Modest.”

Xiao Yi took the hint, the emperor was reminding him to be cautious and prudent. Xiao Yi’s lips twitched, he thought he would be loyal to Prince Xing as long as he and Cao Mo were treated fairly. But somehow a sentence that Cao Mo once told him had flashed across his mind, ‘You can trust no one but yourself!’