Therefore, the fact that Xu Lingyi was immediately granted the rank of Fei upon entering the palace made many people, both inside and outside the palace, restless.
“Mother is not angry, so why should the Princess be?”
When Princess Minghua heard that a daughter from the Xu family was going to enter the palace and would be given the rank of Fei right away, she came to the palace immediately.
“I feel sorry for Mother. You have been in the palace for so many years, managing palace affairs for Father, and you are only a Gui Fei. What right does that daughter of the Xu family have?”
“It’s unfair to Mother. Mother has managed palace affairs for Father for so many years, yet you are only a Gui Fei. Why should a daughter from the Xu family be any different?”
Princess Minghua was indignant.
“Princess, there’s no need to be upset. She is the daughter of the Xu family. General Xu has served on the frontier for many years and has earned the trust and favor of your Father Emperor. Being granted the rank of Fei is not really surprising. I just didn’t expect the Xu family to actually allow their youngest daughter to enter the palace.”
The Xu family’s daughter has no worries about marriage prospects, and she has only just come of age. The Xu family loves their daughter and is not the kind of family that would sell her for personal gain.
“The Xu family is shameless, doing everything possible to please the Emperor. As for ‘loyal ministers’, I think it’s all just flattery and sycophancy.”
Not only were Gui Fei and Princess Minghua surprised, but many families in the capital were also taken aback by this.
***
Li Xu’s residence—
“The Xu family’s daughter has entered the palace.” Li Xu read the words.
“The Xu family is actually willing to do this? I once heard that the Xu family doted on their youngest daughter, but now it seems that was all a lie.”
“My Lord, it is clear that the Xu family is hypocritical. General Xu is a man of deep thoughts. He has been cultivating his beloved daughter’s reputation for many years, probably all for this day—to present his daughter, who has just come of age, to His Majesty. On one hand, it demonstrates his loyalty to the Emperor; on the other, it strengthens his ties with the Emperor.”
“I’ve heard that his daughter is exceptionally beautiful and has just come of age. She’s sure to win His Majesty’s favor once she enters the palace. With a mere whisper in the Emperor’s ear, the Xu family’s position will be even more secure. It seems that although General Xu is a military officer and appears upright and honest with little scheming, he is actually more cunning than some treacherous officials.”
Li Xu nodded: “We underestimated this person before. We should be more careful when dealing with him in the future. However, His Majesty likes people like General Xu. Right now, in His Majesty’s heart, General Xu is probably the most loyal minister to him.”
Li Xu put a big X over the two characters ‘Xu Family’ that he had just written.
“If I were the monarch, I would never trust such a two-faced person. Moreover, the Xu family has been on the frontier for many years, and their achievements overshadow the monarch. The people on the frontier probably only know General Xu and not the name of the monarch. If such a person were to rebel one day, it would probably cause great turmoil.”
Li Xu’s advisor nodded: “Indeed, it’s not uncommon for military generals to rebel and seize the throne throughout history, while civil officials, lacking military power, are left to the emperor’s mercy. This is why emperors are extremely wary of military generals. The question is whether Our Majesty truly trusts the Xu family, or is it that…”
The advisor didn’t continue, but Li Xu laughed.
“Of course, the latter possibility is more likely.”
He asked himself honestly: If he were in that position, he would probably worry about the Xu family day and night. How could he possibly truly trust the Xu family?
If he rose to power, the first thing he would do would be to seize the military power from the Xu family and wipe them out completely.
After all, the situation on the frontier has improved considerably, and he doesn’t think General Xu is irreplaceable. This dynasty has outstanding talents—surely he can find someone capable of leading troops into battle, right?
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Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152