Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 2130: Chapter 1889: Pulling Strings

Liu Tong raised an eyebrow; from a certain angle, Chen Xi’s actions could be seen as losing decorum in front of the ruler, but she had to admit that Chen Xi did indeed cover all the bases.

Moreover, finding trouble for Chen Xi over such a trivial matter wasn’t worth it. Liu Tong wasn’t stupid; Chen Xi couldn’t be moved. Not to mention, ninety-nine percent of the ministers present were waiting to rely on Chen Xi for their livelihoods, whether they admitted it or not. Chen Xi genuinely made their lives better.

"Go serve some tea to all the ministers," Liu Tong said to the palace maid beside her. To serve only Chen Xi in such a situation would seem rather unruly.

However, during such a Grand Assembly, very few maids were allowed inside. The only one present was because she had served Liu Tong during her years of hardship. Now that Liu Tong was regent, her maid’s status had also risen. As for others who could enter, they were even fewer.

Naturally, whether the people at the back could drink tea or not was also a concern, as even the attendants had numerous requirements in such settings.

After drinking the tea, Chen Xi didn’t feel much better, and the scene became quite awkward.

"Cough, cough, cough, can everyone hear me? This is the Secret Technique of Voice Transmission, I’ll use this to speak, my throat is basically done for," Chen Xi said, somewhat frustrated. Liu Tong silently shook her head, too lazy to pursue the matter.

At noon, during a half-hour break, the ministers grouped in twos and threes to eat and drink. Some sent messages out of the palace to their connections in Chang’an, informing their families of the issues discussed. Some even had their responses prepared, advising their families to prepare early.

"Judging by the situation, your family probably doesn’t want to speak anymore, and there’s something off about that Yang Family incident," several old men sat together, each eating their meal, and after finishing, they began to chat leisurely.

"Too lazy, the Yang Family is like a caged dragon soaring to the sky," Chen Ji realized, "Even if he doesn’t want to speak, he will finish; after all, it’s no longer a matter of preference. If he doesn’t want things to fall apart over his plans, he surely must finish talking."

"I just want to die!" Chen Xi lay slumped on the stone table, "I’ve dug a hole for myself and buried myself. I estimate it will take me about five days to finish talking."

"You’re already impressive. At least you’re prepared in all aspects and won’t be caught off-guard, which saves time. As for the five days, just endure it, and it’ll pass," Liu Ye said with a chuckle. "It’s impossible for us to do the talking. While handling our respective sections is fine, only you can grasp the overall situation."

"Let me lie down for a while; don’t mind me," Chen Xi slumped over the stone table, waved his right arm, signaling the others to not bother with him.

Jia Xu silently shook his head. Chen Xi seemed beyond help. But before he could drink a few cups of tea, Chen Xi mustered his strength and wobbled upright.

"By the way, what’s with the Minister of Justice’s Prison? I’ve never been inside," Chen Xi curiously inquired shakily.

"If you’re planning to rescue Yuan Gonglu, now’s not the right time. Wait a few more days. The Grand Princess is wise and won’t make things too difficult. Later, spend some money, and you could actually ransom him out. Just like you said before, it’s mainly about losing decorum in front of the ruler. As long as the Grand Princess lets go, other matters won’t be a problem," Jia Xu said casually.

"Can you manage the persuasion? I was even considering finding a criminal with a similar physique to Yuan Gonglu, sending him to Physician Hua and Dr. Zhang, have them perform cosmetic surgery to look just like Yuan Gonglu, and then send that person to be executed," Chen Xi’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, realizing this might not be necessary.

Liu Ye and Jia Xu were truly taken aback by Chen Xi this time, suddenly realizing there were such unconventional tricks. Chen Xi’s way of thinking was certainly problematic.

"Cough, cough, cough, I also thought of this when our initial pursuit of Cao Sikong failed. A double, although it’s not easy to find an identical one instantly, finding a close match and doing some cosmetic alterations, then back they go to deal with it," Chen Xi said with a chuckle.

"Does the Minister of Personnel plan to deal with me this way?" After saying this, Chen Xi noticed both Jia Xu and Liu Ye were looking downward, seemingly engrossed, which left him puzzled. But then, a voice came from behind him, belonging to Liu Tong.

Chen Xi and the others awkwardly rose and saluted, "Greetings, Grand Princess."

"Go on, Chen Pushi, is this how you plan to tease me? Aren’t you afraid I’ll charge you with deceiving the ruler?" Liu Tong looked at Chen Xi with a half-smile, causing him slight embarrassment.

"Cough, cough, cough, just kidding, just kidding," Chen Xi replied awkwardly, "Just pretend you didn’t hear it, just pretend you didn’t hear it."

Liu Tong shook her head, "Actually, I don’t understand why you insist on protecting Yuan Gonglu. If it weren’t for my years of experience that wasn’t easy to come by, I’d think you were deliberately undermining me."

"It’s not that we insist on protecting Yuan Gonglu, but we have no choice. Yuan Gonglu has managed to gather many aristocratic families through intimidation and violence, and now these people are used to his rules. At this point, Yuan Gonglu is not heavily controlling the aristocrats. If he’s to be replaced now..." Chen Xi explained helplessly, "It’s akin to changing generals on the battlefield."

"Is it really like this?" Liu Tong nodded, indicating understanding, then left with her maid.

"That was terrifying. I didn’t realize before how impressive she is," Chen Xi said, letting out a long sigh of relief, "It really is puzzling."

"It’s quite normal. A person’s demeanor changes with their station. The fastest way to induce such change is to elevate them to a high position," Jia Xu said, watching Liu Tong’s silhouette as she left and nodding.

"Essentially, she’s not interested in pursuing this matter further. However, the titles and official positions of the Yuan Family and the Yang Family might all be stripped this time," Jia Xu turned to Chen Xi and remarked.

"Titles and positions don’t matter. As long as Yuan Gonglu lives, he can keep these people in check. Although he acted brutally before, he’s set a precedent," Chen Xi sighed, "Now I don’t need to go down that path."

"You, with your numerous crooked ways, if you wish to protect Yuan Gonglu, give the Grand Princess many of her favorite things, create some connections. You lack no rare treasures, so just send more," Jia Xu casually advised.

To Chen Xi, treasures and the like were just a passing fancy. After his interest waned, he’d have them stored away, so using these items to rescue Yuan Shu posed no stress to him.

The Grand Princess had just left when Chen Xi slumped back onto the stone table. Suddenly, a shadow fell from above, "Hey, Marquis Chen."

"Sunx Bofu, are you here to cause trouble? I was nearly exhausted to death this morning, and now you’re here to find me at noon," Chen Xi recognized that hearty laughter as Sun Ce’s as soon as he heard it.