She calmly replied, âYour Majesty, just as conquering a territory and defending it often require different people, while Lin Shimo himself may not be able to take action personally, his skilled subordinates can easily kill an enemy a thousand miles away for him.â
The Emperor smiled, âIn your eyes, Lin Shimo, the head of an academy, seems even more capable than Jiang Mubai.â
âThey both serve the country, and I believe that Lin Shimo must be as loyal to the Imperial Court as Uncle is. He must have his unspeakable reasons for doing this.â
âWhat unspeakable reasons?â
âWell⦠It is said that the Prince Xinhai is obsessed with lust. Perhaps Lin Shimoâs daughter or granddaughter has been taken advantage of by Prince Xinhai?â
The Emperor chuckled, âFine, letâs discuss this when Lin Shimo comes in a few days. Crown Prince, you must try your best to appease Prince Xinhai and give the Silla Kingdom a satisfactory response so as not to affect the relationship between our two nations.â
âYour son will spare no effort.â
âAlso, I have appointed Prince of Zhao to concurrently handle the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel. He is a family member, so you should get along well. You are the Crown Prince, do not make things difficult for him.â
âYour son understands.â
âYou may leave.â
After issuing the orders, the Emperor waved his hand, dismissing them.
Jiang Ning followed behind Li Hongyuan, walking out of the Crystal Frost Hall. Feeling the cold breeze blowing in her face, she asked, âIsnât the Minister of Personnelâs job yours?â
Li Hongyuan glanced at her, âYou remembered wrong, I am in charge of the Ministry of Revenue.â
Jiang Ning said, âThe Ministry of Revenue manages money and grain, while the Ministry of Personnel manages people. Although both positions are equally important, managing people is more advantageous in winning peopleâs hearts. The Emperor clearly wants to cultivate Li Youâs power.â
âSo what?â
âCanât you see the Emperor is guarding against you?â
âDonât talk nonsense.â
Li Hongyuan walked away.
Jiang Ning followed, âLi Hongyuan, why did you try to trap me in front of the Emperor?â
Li Hongyuan glanced at her, âCall me by my name again, and Iâll make you carry twins once more.â
ââ¦â
After the last incident, she had no choice but to drink a bowl of contraceptive soup.
Li Hongyuan knew but didnât say anything.
As the Crown Prince, he naturally hoped to have as many children as possible. However, he didnât seem to force Jiang Ning to have children either.
She didnât want to, and he didnât care.
In Jiang Ningâs view, as the Crown Prince, Li Hongyuan would never lack women, and as long as his body was healthy, he would eventually have many children.
She would never risk her body again to bear any more children for the Li family.
While walking leisurely, Li Hongyuan said, âIn front of Emperor Father, Iâve already protected you enough. Jiang Ning, donât be ungrateful.â
âHow did you protect me?â
âDo you think that if you donât say it, no one would know what youâve done?â Li Hongyuan said indifferently, âIf youâve made a move, why didnât you kill him? You left him alive, arenât you disgusted?â
Jiang Ning was startled and laughed, âIf Prince Xinhai died, the East Palace would be implicated. I was thinking of you. I heard that several memorial reports were submitted against you today?â
âJust some ministers claiming that I was cruel and disrespectful, hurting Prince Xinhai recklessly and affecting the diplomatic relations between the two nations. There were never a shortage of cowards in the Imperial Court. They are afraid of offending Prince Xinhai and the Silla Kingdom would ally with the Han Kingdom on the grasslands, and their cavalry would trample over Great Sheng.â
âIs this Han Kingdom really that powerful?â
âYou can be fearless, but donât be ignorant.â