Chapter 287 Knowing that he should have kicked out!
Cao Ce didn't expect the prince to come. He thought the emperor and the prince were still discussing how to arrange him?
Because it is impossible for him to replace Wang Lin at this time, which will shake the morale of the army.
While Cao Ce ordered his servants to serve tea, he secretly guessed in his heart that the prince wanted to execute him, a future troublemaker.
Who knew that the prince patted the place next to him and said, "General Cao, why should you be so polite? I am An Nian's uncle, and you are An Nian's uncle. We are all relatives."
Hearing the prince's tone, Cao Ce knew that things were not what he thought. But when he met the prince last night, the prince's attitude towards him was still unfamiliar, and there was even a hint of suspicion in his inspection.
But for some reason today, the prince was extra candid and there was no doubt in his eyes.
Cao Ce did not dare to take it lightly, but said: "Listen carefully to the prince's instructions."
The prince did not beat around the bush and said directly: "What my father means is that if you choose to stay in the capital, Xishan Camp is the best place to go. If you don't want to stay in the capital, then you can continue to be stationed in Suzhou after Wang Lin returns to the capital.
Of course, if you have other ideas, say them as soon as possible."
Cao Ce didn't show it on his face, but there was a huge wave in his heart.
The arrangements mentioned by the prince were beyond his imagination. He originally thought that he would be sent to the southwest border area. He also thought that there were not many people in the Cao family who could lead troops, An Nian could not raise them, and he did not know whether he would be able to learn martial arts in the future.
, are you worried?
But if he could stay in Beijing, he would be able to take care of An Nian, and by then the Cao family would have a successor.
Cao Ce immediately knelt down and said: "Thanks to the emperor's kindness, His Highness the Crown Prince will disregard the past grudges. Cao Ce will definitely die with all his strength."
The prince stepped forward to help him up and said: "Last night I heard that General Cao was back. I was very excited. I didn't ask General Cao if he was injured. Looking back today, I feel really ashamed."
Cao Ce quickly said: "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am fine."
The prince said: "That's good. In that case, how about staying in the capital and becoming the commander-in-chief of the Xishan Camp?"
Cao Ce bowed again and said, "I would like to obey the prince's instructions."
The prince said: "You haven't seen An Nian yet, have you? I just came from the eldest sister's residence. Today, the eldest sister felt cold and was recuperating. She said that when she gets well, she will take An Nian with her and Lu Yunhong and his wife to come to complain.
I wonder if it’s convenient?”
Cao Ce thought about it and realized that now suspicions were rising in the court, and they were afraid that he and Wang Lin would fight for power and cause civil strife.
The prince's move was precisely to resolve outside speculation and to preserve the reputation of himself and the Wang family.
Cao Ce quickly said: "Your Highness, don't worry, Cao Ce will prepare a banquet and go out to greet you soon."
The prince smiled and said: "Then I will also be waiting for General Cao's post."
Cao Ce raised his eyes and saw that the prince was looking forward to it with joy, and said quickly: "Don't worry, Your Highness, I will personally deliver the invitation to the East Palace."
After some pleasantries, the prince drank a cup of tea with Cao Ce before leaving.
Cao Ce had already prepared for the worst, that is, he would be sent to a place where no one has shit, and he would never have to think about returning to Beijing for the rest of his life?
But what he didn't expect was that in just one night, the attitude of the emperor and the prince changed drastically. Not only did they no longer suspect him, but they promoted him as a meritorious official.
Regardless of whether it was because An Nian had the blood of the Cao family and was able to guard the imperial city, at least he no longer had to worry about the suspicion and infamy of his father being a collaborator.
Thinking of this, Cao Ce immediately breathed a sigh of relief and decided to invite not only the eldest princess, the prince, Lu Yunhong and his wife, but even members of the Wang family...
However, at this moment, an idea suddenly flashed in his head, and he suddenly smelled something strange.
Since everyone in the court was worried about the rift between him and the Wang family, the person the prince asked him to invite should be Mr. Wang. How could it be Lu Yunhong and his wife?
Cao Ce quickly thought of the key to this, and sent his confidants to find out who else went to the eldest princess's mansion today?
As a result, his confidants soon inquired back. Because the eldest princess was unwell, Wang Xiu went to the princess's mansion this morning to diagnose and treat the eldest princess.
"What a coincidence?" Cao Ce suddenly felt that the prince's mention of Lu Yunhong and his wife was not accidental.
Maybe you want to remind him of something?
Could it be that the key lies in Wang Xiu?
Cao Ce said to his confidant: "Go and inquire again and see if you can find out what Wang Xiu said in the eldest princess's mansion. If you can find out, that would be the best. If you can't find out, forget it."
The confidant understood and quickly turned around and went out again.
Cao Ce quickly called his deputy Luo Zhen and asked, "Have you locked up the man we brought back?"
Luo Zhen replied: "The general said before that this person is very important, so the general has been keeping him alone, and now he is locked in the cellar."
Cao Ce said: "Very good, please keep an eye on this person and don't let any news leak out."
Maybe, this person can help him return a favor at a critical moment.
Luo Zhen clasped his fists and said respectfully: "General, don't worry, no one will know if this person falls into our hands."
Cao Ce nodded and asked Luo Zhen to go down and settle down. From today on, those brothers who escaped death with him no longer have to guard the border. They will stay in the capital and settle down.
When Luo Zhen heard the news, he was very excited and said happily: "It's not in vain that the general has traveled thousands of miles, and he will bring us brothers back even if he dies. Don't worry, general, we will not hold him back, and we will fully support the general and protect the capital."
's safety."
After hearing this, Cao Ce's heart trembled, but his face remained cold, as if he had expected this result.
When Luo Zhen saw this, he couldn't help but marvel at Cao Ce's clever calculation. He was also happy that there was a wise ruler on the throne, and he felt at ease.
In the evening, Cao Ce's confidants came back.
Cao Ce asked: "What did you find out?"
A confidant said: "I heard that someone in the court was talking about the general's ruthless tactics. The eldest princess was worried that the Lu family would be involved, so she specifically asked Madam Wang to go over and explain a few words. Who knew that Madam Wang was aggrieved for the general, saying that those old ministers were not allowed to stand and talk?
Since the pain in the back is so severe, it is better to go to the border to scold the enemy. If the scolding fails, there is no need to come back. He also said that the general has a blood feud, and it would be a slight if he did not cut the Tatar body into thousands of pieces. He expressed great respect for the general in his words.
"
Cao Ce was very surprised when he heard this, but his heart was extremely hot.
He had no grudges against the Wang family, but there were too many instigators, and he was worried that the Wang family would try to speculate on him and test him.
Unexpectedly, a daughter of the Wang family understands justice so well, so the man of the Wang family will not be any worse. Thanks to the short time he has been in Beijing, no one has come to sow discord. Otherwise, as time goes by, there is no guarantee that he will not be right.
The Wang family has a grudge.
Cao Ce immediately said to his confidants: "Send people around to inquire about the Wang family's family tradition, as well as the contacts between Lu Yunhong and his wife and the eldest princess. Let me see if I can give them a big gift?"
After hearing this, his confidant quickly said: "There is no need to inquire about these things. As the prince's teacher, Mr. Wang has a strict family tradition. Several young masters hold important positions. I don't know how many pairs of eyes are watching the censor's stage every day. I don't see any involvement."
of?"
"As for Lu Yunhong and his wife, it has something to do with the young master. When the eldest princess had a difficult childbirth, it was Madam Wang who rescued her and the young master together. Later, the young master had a bad spleen and stomach, so the eldest princess took the young master to Wuxi, too.
Madam Wang helped with the treatment. Therefore, the eldest princess and Madam Wang are as close as sisters, and the prince also takes great care of the Lu family."
After hearing this, Cao Ce suddenly realized and murmured: "No wonder. I said why the eldest princess is so kind to Lu Yunhong and his wife. It seems that the letter that the child was born safely..."
When Cao Ce thought of this, what else didn't he understand?
People far away on the front lines rely on their relatives to convey news from the capital through letters. But they never thought that the person who deceived them was actually their closest relatives.
At that time, even the father did not believe that the eldest princess would propose a divorce for no reason. He thought that the second brother's affair must have been discovered, and he felt ashamed of the eldest princess. He did not expect that the eldest princess had a difficult childbirth...
Cao Ce clenched his fists, feeling resentful at the thought of him driving the mother and son out like this.
If I had known earlier, I should have kicked him out!!