The Command to Pamper the Husband - Chapter 228

Seeing Zhao Jide’s deep emotions, the Duke of An took a sip of tea.

“I’m telling you all this to make you understand that the grudges and rivalries you see are just small pebbles in the grand whirlpool of the court.”

The Duke of Ning and Grand Secretary Zhao are arch-enemies, but the Minister of War is close to both Grand Secretary Zhao and the Duke of Ning.

This relationship is confusing.

But looking deeper, all three are alumni of Luyang Academy.

Thus, it all makes sense.

Any personal grudges are insignificant compared to the overall interests of their faction.

“If that’s the case, why did you recommend that I align myself with the Minister of War instead of Grand Secretary Zhao?”

The Duke of An laughed. “Master Zhao is indeed perceptive. I won’t beat around the bush. The Duke of Ning and I have no apparent friendship but are quite close. For a rare talent like you, I naturally wish for you to connect with the Duke of Ning.”

“Wouldn’t it be more direct if I aligned myself with you, Duke of An?”

The Duke of An smiled. “Military generals and civil officials do not associate in private. Have you forgotten?”

Zhao Jide suddenly remembered. Although the Duke of An was young, his ancestors had always been military officials.

A third of the military power was in his hands.

And Zhao Jide, being part of the Hanlin Academy, was seen by others as a potential Grand Secretary candidate, even if he was currently being ostracized.

A close relationship between a Grand Secretary and a military general, even if good, cannot be made public.

This principle was clear to Zhao Jide.

“We have no prior acquaintance, Duke of An. Why do you favor me so?”

Duke of An’s offer to align with the Minister of War meant it was feasible.

Moreover, the Minister of War was closely allied with both the Duke of An’s and Duke of Ning’s houses.

“I naturally have a request for you, Master Zhao.”

“A request?” Zhao Jide laughed. “I didn’t know I had such capabilities.”

“Don’t underestimate yourself, Master Zhao. You are the top scorer handpicked by the Empress, the only scholar in the Great Yan Dynasty to receive such favor.”

Everyone in the Great Yan Dynasty knew.

The current Emperor cherished the Empress more than the kingdom.

Gaining the Empress’s favor was more significant than the Emperor’s.

However, the Grand Secretaries didn’t accept him, and the Empress couldn’t force them to do so.

Moreover, compared to the Grand Secretaries, he was insignificant.

In short, he wasn’t worthy.

“If you are willing to align with the Minister of War, I guarantee that your career will soar, and you will have a smooth journey.”

Opportunities don’t come without a price, and such a grand offer couldn’t be without strings attached.

Zhao Jide became cautious.

“Duke of An, you offer me so much, but I have no idea of my value. Please clarify.”

The Duke of An pushed a letter placed next to his tea cup towards Zhao Jide.

“Read this first.”

The letter was concise.

It required Zhao Jide to slander the Empress.

Regarding the incident where the Empress dealt with the Minister of Justice during the palace examination, the Duke of An wanted Zhao Jide to claim that it was all orchestrated by the Empress.

The Minister of Justice wasn’t abusing his power. The Empress wanted to depose him and forced Zhao Jide to frame him.

After reading the letter, Zhao Jide was furious.

Slamming the letter on the table, Zhao Jide stood up to leave.

“The Empress has been exceedingly kind to me. I will never slander her.”

Seeing Zhao Jide’s angry back, the Duke of An did not try to stop him.

He spoke in a sinister tone, “Master Zhao, think carefully. I give you three days. If I don’t hear from you, I guarantee you’ll be packing up and leaving the capital, never to return.”

Zhao Jide stiffened, turning to look at the Duke of An.

The Duke of An gazed at him with contempt.

It was as if Zhao Jide were nothing more than an insignificant ant.

With a fierce shake of his sleeves, Zhao Jide stormed out.

It was night when he left the restaurant.

The cool breeze hit his face, filling him with disgust and anger.

He had always known the court was dark and deep.

But he never expected such blatant darkness to be laid out before him.

And the one he was asked to slander was the mother of the nation.

Had these ministers gone mad?

Internal power struggles were one thing, but why slander the Empress?

She was the Empress!

Not to mention her role as the mother of the nation, half of the territories the current Emperor held were conquered by the Empress.

Her military achievements were unparalleled.

If the Emperor were wary of the Empress and wanted to reduce her power, he could understand.

But the Emperor cherished the Empress deeply, almost wanting her to rule the kingdom.

Yet the Duke of An…

What was the Duke of An’s motive?

The Minister of Justice deposed by the Empress was aligned with Grand Secretary Zhao, who was the enemy of the Duke of Ning. And Duke of Ning was close to Duke of An.

These convoluted court relations gave Zhao Jide a headache.

But he knew, no matter what, he wouldn’t slander the Empress.

Now, what should he do?

His mind felt like a filthy rag crawling with maggots and flies.

Zhao Jide walked restlessly.

In the bustling Drum Tower Street, he seemed like a lost soul.

Walking on, he suddenly found himself in front of the palace gates.

His heart stirred, and Zhao Jide hurried forward.

He had to tell the Empress everything that had happened today.

“I need to see the Emperor urgently.”

The guards at the palace gate looked Zhao Jide up and down, then sternly refused, “No.”

“No?” Zhao Jide’s eyes widened. “Why not?”

“The Emperor has ordered that as the Empress is about to give birth, no one except the Grand Secretaries or senior officials of the Six Ministries with urgent matters is allowed to enter after nightfall.”

Zhao Jide’s head was drenched in sweat.

But no matter how anxious he was, he couldn’t enter the palace.

It was the palace after all.

Helpless, Zhao Jide returned home.

He didn’t expect to wake up the next morning with a fever, possibly from the cold night air.

His entire body was weak, unable to move.

He lay in bed for three days, anxious the whole time. Finally, on the fourth morning, feeling somewhat better, he prepared to go to the Hanlin Academy, only to be met with an imperial decree.

He was appointed the governor of Yuzhou.

He was to take office immediately and was forbidden to enter the capital without summons.

Zhao Jide realized that the three days the Duke of An had given him were up.

Holding the decree, Zhao Jide felt dizzy and disoriented.

The appointment of officials in the court seemed like a mere child’s play.

He wanted to enter the palace.

But his courtyard was filled with people, all of whom were to accompany him to Yuzhou.

The Duke of An not only arranged his post but also assigned several attendants.

Calling them attendants was merely a rewording for spies.

Ha!

He never thought the only thing he deserved was this.