Chapter 268 Backing

Ji Yuntang snapped out of it, utterly astonished, stunned by Luo Junhe's quick thinking. "How did you know?"

"Isn't that just common sense?"

Then Luo Junhe took Ji Yuntang's hand and stated firmly.

"If I'm not mistaken, this was proposed by Heir Xie, and your agreement must have something to do with the people of Yongning Marquis Manor."

Ji Yuntang, after listening to Luo Junhe's analysis, gave him a thumbs up.

"A He, your guess is spot on."

"It was Ji Huaiche who provoked me. At first, I, the Princess, really intended to use the method of recognizing kin to anger Madam Ji, hoping to anger her to death, so that no one would be there to back Ji Qingqing."

"But later, I discovered that Duke Rong and Madam Cai are both very good people. When others were pointing fingers at me, calling me unfilial and unfaithful, Duke Rong and Madam Cai stepped forward and stood by my side. They spoke up for me in every way, supported me, and finally silenced all those gossips. For the first time, I realized that parents can go to such lengths for their children, with unconditional love and trust. I have to say, their personalities suit me perfectly."

"Most importantly, the couple is extremely generous, clearly from a prominent family, without the slightest pettiness of Madam Meng and Ji Nanchuan."

"Madam Cai gave me the bracelet handed down from her mother, and Duke Rong gave me the Pardon Token granted by the late emperor as a welcome gift. Even Heir Xie gave me one hundred thousand in silver notes and said he wanted to recognize me as his sister."

"Aside from Heir Xie being familiar with me, Duke Rong and his wife and I were just people we had just met. After only one meeting, they were able to help me so much. What reason do I have to refuse such wonderful parents?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Junhe chuckled and gently poked her forehead, his face brimming with affection.

"You, you're such a little money-grubber!"

"So, it's thanks to A Tang that I've gained such wonderful in-laws without lifting a finger."

He knew Ji Yuntang wouldn't just go around recognizing strangers as family without a reason.

Duke Rong and his wife's generosity was one thing, but the main thing was that both of them had excellent reputations in the capital.

They were nothing like the Yongning Marquis Manor, which was utterly vile.

For Ji Yuntang, recognizing them as family could only bring benefits, not harm.

And there was one crucial reason that Ji Yuntang hadn't mentioned, but Luo Junhe could see it right away.

Xie Jinrong and Madam Cai knew full well how precarious the position of Prince Ye's Manor was in the capital right now, yet they still resolutely recognized Ji Yuntang as their goddaughter.

In other words, they also wanted to send a message: the Duke Rong Manor had already taken the side of the Prince Ye's Manor.

Luo Junhe thought to himself that Xie Jinrong had placed his expectations on him, but he couldn't even stand up now.

He didn't know whether this was good or bad for the Duke Rong Manor; he just hoped he wouldn't bring trouble to them.

Suddenly struck by a thought, Luo Junhe frowned and remarked sarcastically.

"A Tang, now that you've recognized Duke Rong and his wife as your parents, I'm sure this news will spread throughout the city. In terms of the capital's political landscape, people might see this not as a simple family recognition, but as an alliance between Duke Rong Manor and Prince Ye's Manor. This will inevitably affect the interests of certain people."

"What I fear is that my overly suspicious mother, Consort Li, will stir up trouble to harm you once she learns of this."

The support from Duke Rong Manor was a powerful boost that Ji Yuntang had secured for Luo Junhe. How could Consort Li let Luo Junhe grow stronger?

Based on Luo Junhe's understanding of her, Consort Li would surely interfere this time and damage their relationship.

Sure enough, in Weiyang Palace…

Ji Yuntang recognized Duke Rong and his wife as her godparents at the Xu family's full-month banquet, causing a city-wide stir that eventually reached Consort Li's ears.

Upon learning that it was Madam Cai who had taken the initiative to recognize Ji Yuntang, Consort Li angrily slammed the table with a fierce expression and gritted her teeth.

"This bitch! How scheming—she can't even go to a full-month banquet without latching onto the Duke of Rong's estate. She's utterly desperate to build connections and clear the path for Luo Junhe!"

As Consort Li saw it, Madam Cai had never met Ji Yuntang and knew little about her, so how could she possibly take the initiative to recognize her as a goddaughter?

This has to be a trick—a scheme by that bitch Ji Yuntang to deceive Madam Cai!

Otherwise, with so many people at the banquet, why would Madam Cai pick her in particular?

And the reason Ji Yuntang targeted Xie Jinrong and his wife was nothing more than helping Luo Junhe expand his network.

He's been bedridden for three years, and people have been leaving and drifting away one by one. Even the ministers who once favored Prince Ye have abandoned him.

A dying man is destined to have no shot at the crown prince position. They had to leave the dark for the light and choose new backers.

But some ministers remained neutral, neither supporting the Crown Prince nor Prince Qi. They quietly observed the changes in the court and responded with timely strategies, a way to stay out of trouble.

No matter how those princes tried to win them over, they just brushed them off with vague words, never making firm pledges.

The most notable examples were Prime Minister Hua and Duke Rong—one a civil official, the other a military general.

Both held high positions, had extensive connections, and possessed abundant resources. Emperor Jingyang valued them greatly.

Even Emperor Jingyang could not easily touch them.

Thus, Hua Jing'an and Xie Jinrong have always been the top targets for the court princes.

Although the two still haven't made their stance clear, they've both publicly praised Ji Yuntang, showing a tendency to lean toward Prince Ye's estate.

This can't go on!

Consort Li was extremely anxious and restless. Though the Crown Prince detested her, she could not bear to see Luo Junhe's power grow.

She worked hard three years ago to dismantle his power—how could she let him rise again?

Jian Lan bowed her head, poured a cup of hot tea, and spoke soothingly.

"Your Highness, hasn't Prince Nanxiao already told you that Prince Ye will never be able to detoxify? Why torment yourself over him unnecessarily?"

Prince Nanxiao told her that without Dragon Scale Herb, Luo Junhe's legs would never recover, but Consort Li still couldn't stop worrying.

After all, Ji Yuntang had already reached into the Duke of Rong's mansion—how could she not be anxious?

"Of course I trust Zhenglang, but that bitch Ji Yuntang is too dangerous. When she gets involved, nothing good ever comes of it. How can I be at ease?"

Jian Lan thought a moment, then a flash of inspiration hit her, and she came up with an idea.

"Your Highness, please calm down. Since Ji Yuntang can latch onto the giant tree that is the Duke of Rong's residence, why can't we do the same?"

"Hasn't the Tenth Princess always wanted to marry Heir Xie and become his consort? I think Ji Yuntang has actually done us a favor—this is the perfect opportunity to marry the Tenth Princess into the Duke of Rong's mansion."

Consort Li's eyes flickered slightly. She took a sip of tea and said calmly, "Continue."

Jian Lan said, "Your Highness, think about it. No matter how contemptible Ji Yuntang is, she is still nominally your daughter-in-law, and now she has become the young lady of the Duke's mansion. So on the surface, doesn't that make you and the Duke of Rong's estate in-laws?"

"As long as we make good use of this relationship and ensure the smooth marriage of the Tenth Princess, it will be a wonderful way to strengthen family ties. The Duke of Rong's mansion likely won't object."

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