Red Mansion and Crimson Pearl

Chapter 243 Cao Kuangru (Part )

Prince Beijing's expression finally eased, and he became more intimate with Cao Yu. He smiled and reached out his hand, patting Cao Yu's shoulder across the table:

"Why should this happen between you and me?"

Yin raised his chin towards Liao Changshi and asked, "What's the matter?"

Liao Changshi also breathed a sigh of relief, looked at Cao Yu gratefully, and whispered, "Yucun has returned to Beijing."

Prince Beijing was stunned: "What?"

Cao Yu was also stunned: "Didn't the emperor dislike him because he formed a clique with Wang family and occupied the old house of Lin family? So he specially arranged for him to be appointed as an external official?

"It's only been a short time, and he can return to the capital? Did the emperor pardon him, or did he sell out the Wang family?"

Liao Changshi gave Cao Yu a thumbs up and smiled, praising him first: "Kuang Ruoran is worthy of being a Tianguan brother. He is really sharp-eyed and sharp-eared!"

Then he quietly reported to King Beijing, "Yucun went to Sichuan and got a job as the governor of Yizhou, which is actually the best and most lucrative job in the world.

“But the governor there is Wei Anguo, the emperor’s most trusted man, and he is ruthless and merciless.

“Yucun is not to be trifled with, and has been sitting on pins and needles for more than half a year.

"When the prince was about to come to Jiangnan, didn't he write a letter saying that he would rather be the magistrate of a small county in Jiangnan than be the second most powerful governor in the world?

"The prince didn't agree to his request. So he went to ask Prince Zhongshun for help!

"When he returned to the capital this time, it was Prince Zhongshun who spoke for him in front of His Majesty!"

Prince Beijing and Cao Yu's expressions suddenly changed.

Prince Beijing gritted his teeth and said nothing.

Cao Yu snorted coldly, his face full of disgust: "This kind of fence-sitting villain!

"The hatred between our prince and that fellow Zhongshun stretches back generations, and they will never reconcile in this life.

"He could ask anyone else for help, but he asked Zhongshun for help!"

As he spoke, he became confused again and looked at Liao Changshi.

“However, I heard that Zhongshun is the most suspicious person.

“Except for a few friends I made friends with when I was young, no one else listened or believed.

"This Yucun is really very powerful. It's ok for him to curry favor with the Four Families of Jinling, but how come even Zhongshun can work for him?!"

Liao Changshi hesitated to speak and glanced at Prince Beijing.

Prince Beijing sneered and gritted his teeth, saying, "They had an affair in their early years, and they still have feelings for each other!"

"What's the matter?" Cao Yu asked without thinking.

Prince Beijing and Liao Changshi both paused and looked at each other calmly.

Liao Changshi's eyebrows trembled slightly, and he was about to ask.

Then Cao Yu continued to ask: "Has he told the prince? Has he told him everything? Is there any witness?"

The two men were stunned and their eyes met again.

Cao Yu looked at Prince Beijing, then at Liao Changshi, and frowned:

"He wouldn't just report it to the prince and call it a day, right?

"Since he and Zhongshun had a falling out, he should have left some clues as evidence.

"Where's the evidence?! Wasn't it handed over to the prince?!

"Such a clever and skillful official, how could he not have a backup plan?

"Who would believe it? I don't believe it anyway!"

Cao Yu spread his hands, his face full of sincerity.

Prince Beijing and Liao Changshi also gradually became solemn and their eyes deep!

"Your Majesty, Yucun's circle of friends is quite wide.

“Four surnames, he captured the Wang family.

“Four kings and eight dukes, he has pledged his loyalty to you again.

"Among the royal family, he hooked up with Zhongshun.

"I always feel that among the civil officials and military generals, there will be his methods!"

Prince Beijing’s expression became increasingly gloomy.

Cao Yu glanced at him and pulled Liao Changshi: "Old Liao." He motioned him to look at Prince Beijing.

Liao Changshi followed his gaze and quickly changed the subject: "This matter is not urgent.

"Now that our mission in Jiangnan is almost over, we have to return to Beijing.

"When the time comes, His Majesty will know whether he is a human or a ghost at a glance."

Prince Beijing still had a gloomy face and said nothing.

Cao Yu's heart was slightly moved, and he looked at Prince Beijing, then at Liao Changshi, lowered his voice, and asked anxiously:

"The prince didn't give him any important tasks, did he?"

Prince Beijing tried to hold back, but still couldn't hold it back, gritted his teeth and whispered:

"I asked him for the mineral deposits in Yizhou!"

Cao Yu's face changed drastically. With a thud, he changed from kneeling to sitting cross-legged, looking at Prince Beijing stupidly.

His mind raced, and he stood up again, leaning his hands on the desk, and asked Liao Changshi through gritted teeth:

"Was it a face-to-face interview or a letter?! Is there any evidence left behind?!"

Liao Changshi was frightened by him and his face turned pale. He stammered and replied, "Yes, it was a secret letter. It was not convenient to meet him at that time..."

"You! You idiot!" Cao Yu was so angry and anxious that he spoke without thinking, and his two fingers almost poked Liao Changshi's eyes!

"This kind of thing! Even if they are close to you! Can it leave any trace?!

"You just hope that he will just stick with Zhongshun!

"What if he is a spy planted by the Supreme Lord or the Emperor in our two families!

"With just this piece of paper, you've handed the prince over to him!

"A poor, rootless person with no origins! He has no one but himself in his eyes!

"You want to control him, but he has nothing for you to control!

“You actually let the prince trust him!?

"Old Liao, are you crazy? Huh?!?"

Liao Changshi fell to the ground, sweating profusely, his face pale!

Prince Beijing's face became increasingly uglier and paler!

Cao Yu looked so distressed that he wanted to punch the table, but he restrained himself. He turned his head back and glanced at the bustling crowd below.

Ouyang Bao was drunk and fell asleep on the table.

But he narrowed his eyes and saw Cao Yu's glance.

By chance, someone nearby touched him.

Ouyang Baoteng sat up straight and shouted, "Mom! I was wrong! I won't dare to do it again!"

There was a sudden silence in the field.

Then there was a burst of wild laughter!

Cao Yu laughed dryly along with the others, and winked at Liao Changshi: "The prince is drunk, Old Liao, help the prince go back and rest!"

Liao Changshi exchanged glances with Prince Beijing and nodded slightly, then Liao Changshi helped Prince Beijing to stand up.

Just at this moment, a servant suddenly ran in from outside.

Seeing this, Cao Yu stepped forward, extended his hand to support Prince Beijing, and whispered, "Mr. Liao, go and see what's going on. I'll help the prince go back first."

Liao Changshi nodded quickly: "Thank you, Kuangru."

"Why are you being so polite?" Cao Yu impatiently "supported" Prince Beijing and walked around the screen.

When the noise in the hall faded away, Cao Yu complained to Prince Beijing:

"Your Majesty's trip to Jiangnan to quell the flood is not only a great achievement.

“For the common people, it is worth three or five merit tablets!

"But none of the people around you have ever advised in this direction.

“This kind of crappy banquet, once the big things are settled, can’t we have it anytime and anywhere?!

"Just a few Jiangnan chefs and a few singing girls and dancing girls! What don't we have in Beijing?

"Take what you need, and hurry back to Beijing!

"The Emperor is already seventy-two years old, and the princes are about to choose their concubines...

"What's so special about this lousy Jiangnan?!"

The more Cao Yu spoke, the happier Prince Beijing's face became, until he heard his last sentence:

"Just drive a few nails in and take a boatload of silver, that's all!"

Prince Beijing showed a smug smile that couldn't be more satisfied: "Kuang Ru, Kuang Ru, the only one who understands me is Kuang Ru!"