After being reborn as a man, the woman improved her family's fortunes through education.

Chapter 501 The Empress's Winning Over (Part 3)

"Did Lord Jiang guess that?"

Seeing that Jiang Xiaoqi did not answer, the Empress suddenly blurted out such a sentence.

Guessed it? Guessed what?

Oh yes, I did guess that the Empress intended for the Second Prince to compete for that position.

But since you've already asked that question, is it really that hard to guess?

"Your Majesty, you shouldn't have said these things to me. There's an old saying: 'Things should be accomplished in secret, never spoken aloud.'"

"Hehe, does Lord Jiang mean that we should pretend to be like the Fifth Prince? Pretend to be attached to others, and wait for an opportunity to take a bite out of them in the dark."

Or should we let the snipe and the clam fight it out, and then, after the battle is over, become the fisherman who reaps the benefits?

The Empress's tone was so calm that Jiang Xiaoqi could not discern her emotions from it.

"Sigh~ In short, Your Highness shouldn't have talked to a minor official of the sixth rank. Isn't that a waste of your feelings?"

"Why should Lord Jiang belittle himself? So what if he is a sixth-rank official or a minister? A truly useful person is not defined by the size of his official position."

When the Empress said this, her eyes were fixed on Jiang Xiaoqi's face, but Jiang Xiaoqi held firm at the crucial moment and did not look away.

"The Queen..."

"Lord Jiang, let's not beat around the bush. I'll just ask you, are you willing to help my son and me?"

That's way too straightforward. Why don't you take it a little roundabout?

This is an attempt to get me on the Second Prince's side, but if the Second Prince's ship is calm and peaceful, it will definitely be the safest ship.

After years of teaching, he still managed to earn the reputation of being a tutor to a prince.

But if the second prince really wants to seize the throne, then he will face a stormy future. The third prince is ruthless and unscrupulous, and the fifth prince is sinister and full of tricks.

None of them are easy to deal with. Even though Jiang Xiaoqi has some loose ends pointing at the third and fifth brothers, they are far from fatal.

Both of them were extremely cautious, and they liked to take many detours in everything they did, eventually managing to extricate themselves from the situation.

The second prince is clear-headed. Although he is extremely talented in literature, he will at most become a great calligrapher or a scholar in the future.

To rule the world? I can't let my brothers eat me alive, leaving not even a scrap of bone!

That was close! Absolutely close!

Jiang Xiaoqi would not allow herself and her family to fall into such a dangerous situation.

But how can one refuse the Empress's attempts to win him over?

"Is Lord Jiang not expressing his opinion because he is truly considering how to refuse?"

Ahem, my thoughts have been guessed again.

Jiang Xiaoqi sometimes felt that the Empress herself was more suited to vying for the throne, to becoming an empress, and to emulating Wu Zetian.

It just so happens that this dynasty was called the Great Zhou, which was perfect for an empress to rule!

Having such a clever mind, ambition, quick wit, and the courage to speak, think, and act—aren't these the basic qualities that a leader should possess?

"Your Majesty, please don't make things difficult for me."

"Agree or disagree, it's just two words, is it really that hard to say them?"

Hmph, it seems I misjudged Lord Jiang. I thought you would be a capable and efficient person at such a young age.

I was quite surprised, but also very pleased, when you came to remind me of the matter of the Marquis of Chengen during the day.

That's what made me decide to ask you these questions. Ah, I've been presumptuous."

Good heavens! I just realized that the Empress is quite the silver-tongued old fox. She's got a whole repertoire of sarcastic remarks, and they're surprisingly logical.

Jiang Xiaoqi almost fell victim to PUA (Pick-Up Artist) tactics, so she quickly shook her somewhat dazed head to clear her head.

The palace gates will be locked in a little while, and the Empress still shows no sign of letting me leave. Does she want to keep this young man here for a midnight snack?

Jiang Xiaoqi broke out in a cold sweat just thinking about it. Fine, might as well go all out! Nobody will get away with this!

"Your Majesty, there is no need for you to be so reproachful. Everyone in the court and among the people knows that the Jiang family is not taking sides."

Your direct attempt to win me over today shows you really think highly of me, but not everyone who has helped someone rise to power has the chance to leave unscathed.

Not to mention the two strong competitors, the Third Prince and the Fifth Prince, even among the princes below who have not yet come of age, who can guarantee that they do not have such thoughts?

Even if they didn't have such intentions, what about their families? Not to mention the officials with whom they have intricate connections in secret.

The second prince is not facing one or two opponents, but everyone.

This includes everyone, even—His Majesty the Emperor!

This time, Jiang Xiaoqi stared into the Empress's eyes, but the Empress's eyes remained calm and unwavering, as if these words had not shaken her confidence in the slightest.

It could be said that she had a very strong inner strength, or rather, the Empress herself was aware of these issues.

However, knowing the situation she was in, the fact that the Empress could still say those words shows she has guts!

“Lord Jiang is right, I know all of this.”

really.

After a moment of silence, the Empress slowly spoke, "But the Second Prince is my son. He has lofty ambitions. As his mother, how can I not fight for him?"

Lord Jiang, not only His Majesty has read your policy proposals, but I have also had the honor of reading them. You have both the talent and the ambition to govern the country.

If you could assist the Second Prince, perhaps you could change this unfavorable situation.

Wait a minute! What did the Empress just say?

Does the Second Prince himself possess such lofty ambitions?!

No? How could he, as a teacher, not know?

All he knew was that the Second Prince learned quickly, and although he was a bit naive and impulsive, he was still a clever child.

But with the mind of a child his age, he would never believe that the second prince wanted to be emperor.

Perhaps due to the Empress's influence, the son, out of filial piety, obeyed his mother's wishes.

Even at this point, Jiang Xiaoqi still didn't believe that the Second Prince would be someone who wanted to seize the throne.

It wasn't until a familiar figure emerged from behind the screen that Jiang Xiaoqi realized he'd been tricked.

We've been made a fool of!

This mother and son really know how to manipulate people!

Jiang Xiaoqi muted his microphone; this was not the time for him to speak.

Oh dear, I'm hungry. I'll have some snacks to tide me over. The tea is a bit cold, but I'll make do with this.

The Second Prince and Chen Lin emerged from behind the screen together, having already shed all pretense.

Oh, not really. There's one last layer of pretense left, pretending to be very calm.

After exchanging a glance with Chen Lin and then looking at his mother, the Second Prince stepped forward helplessly.

Although the Empress Dowager was straightforward, Lord Jiang would always have reservations if she, as the main character, didn't step forward.

I suspect that Lord Jiang is probably already making up stories about "a hen crowing at dawn" in his mind.

However, this is truly unfair to Jiang Xiaoqi. He was just thinking about whether to persuade the Empress to become the Empress herself.

What do you mean by a hen crowing at dawn? He's not that old-fashioned!