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

Emperor Zhao Yong of the Great Zhou Dynasty still issued an edict, ordering the fourth prince to inspect the waterways on behalf of the emperor.

However, inspecting the river was a major task, and he already had other, more suitable candidates.

The fact that the fourth prince volunteered for this job is a mystery; it's unclear whether he was feeling stifled in the palace or had other motives.

It doesn't matter which situation it is, as long as you take the lead and let others act as your assistants.

Not only can it fulfill its supervisory responsibilities, but it can also help us see what the fourth brother is really up to.

I'm still in my prime, but these older princes already have their own little schemes, humph!

The Tong family controlled the Ministry of Rites, the Gong family controlled the Ministry of Personnel, the Wang family controlled the Ministry of Revenue, the Chen family controlled the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works were entirely under their control.

However, recently the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue have been getting along very well, meaning the Wang family and the Ministry of War have been getting along very well.

The Tong, Gong, Wang, and Chen families were all the maternal relatives of the princes.

Although the Liu family of the Prime Minister and the Wu family of the Ministry of Works are also maternal families of the princes, the two princes are still young, only eight or nine years old.

The Tong, Gong, Wang, and Chen families all coveted the position of crown prince, since these four princes were all nearing adulthood.

Logically, the Empress's legitimate son should be the Crown Prince, but unfortunately, the second son was born with a deficiency. Even after years of treatment by the imperial physicians, he still appears dull and mentally challenged.

Although he is born of the legitimate wife, it is really difficult for him to be in a high position. Blindly adhering to the principle of respecting the legitimate son would harm the people of the entire Great Zhou.

Even if the Empress doesn't make a mistake, the Yang family of the Marquis of Chengen will surely seize the opportunity to use the Emperor to command the feudal lords.

Alas, it's no wonder that the sons of the remaining concubines from well-to-do families were eager to compete for power; it's only human nature.

Emperor Zhao Yong was not afraid of his sons fighting each other. Even if they fought to the death, it was the natural law of survival of the fittest.

However, as long as there is competition, if dirty tricks are repeatedly used, then don't blame him, the emperor, for being ruthless...

He was not yet forty years old, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, he could remain in power for another ten years or so. The empire he had built must be handed over to a virtuous and capable successor!

Anyone who tries to shake the foundation of the Great Zhou Dynasty should not blame him for being ruthless!

After receiving the imperial decree, the fourth prince, Zhao Hongsheng, was secretly pleased, but he was somewhat dissatisfied with his father's arrangements.

The deputy—he's actually the deputy to that old geezer in the Ministry of Works! What makes him so special?!

Just because he's the Minister of Works? Just because he understands river construction and reinforcement? Just because he's senior and experienced?

Hmph! No matter what position he holds, he's the Minister of Works, while my maternal grandfather was the Minister of Rites!

Bah! If they dare to ruin my plans or block my way, they'll be in deep trouble too!

He had planned this all along. This inspection of the river would serve two purposes: first, it would allow him to escape the power struggles within the palace and earn some merit for himself; second, it would provide an opportunity to find Qi Qi.

When the time comes, we'll bring the person back, then find a way to change their identity and bring them into the palace to stay with them for a long time.

As for the position of Crown Prince, it is worth fighting for, but there is no need to go to great lengths, since Father Emperor is not old.

It's too ugly to fight to the death right now.

I imagine even the Emperor wouldn't be happy about that.

He wondered if it was just his imagination, but he felt as if he could sense his father's anger, though it was only fleeting.

Recently, my eldest brother, third brother, and fifth brother have been getting very close to the ministers in the court. It's not that I haven't thought about following suit, but I really don't understand what they're talking about, and I'm really not interested in it.

Sigh, forget it. I'll just try my best and let things take their course. If it doesn't work out, so be it. Being a prince like the King of Shu wouldn't be bad either.

He had his own fiefdom, and his relationship with the emperor was quite good; he lived a quiet and peaceful life.

Then, Qiqi will be his queen, hehe~

Zhao Hongsheng almost drooled, but quickly swallowed it back.

He looked around, but no one noticed him; after all, all the palace servants were bowing and keeping their heads down.

After returning to the Prince's residence, Zhao Hongsheng instructed Xiao Dezi to begin preparations for inspecting the river.

He summoned his trusted bodyguard and instructed him, "Go and investigate the old man's preferences and habits in the Ministry of Works. We need to know our enemy and ourselves before we go on this trip."

The shadow guard accepted the order and left, while Xiao Dezi did the other.

Meanwhile, Minister Wu of the Ministry of Works shook his head and sighed when he learned that he had taken the Fourth Prince to inspect the waterways.

He knew that the fourth prince was ambitious but lacked talent, and feared that this trip would cause many troubles.

But the emperor's command was hard to disobey, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and deal with it.

"Ugh……"

"My lord, you have been sighing ever since you received the imperial decree today. Isn't this just inspecting the river?"

Although it is a bit of a waste to have a minister personally lead the team, isn't it because His Majesty the Emperor values ​​and trusts him?

Why does the old man always look so worried? Look at those wrinkles between his brows, they've deepened even more."

Madam Jiang, the wife of the Minister, raised her hand and stroked her husband's forehead, and Minister Wu Yuan finally relaxed his brow.

"What you say is true, Madam. His Majesty does indeed rely on me, and I will certainly not fail to live up to His Majesty's favor. Alas, but the Fourth Prince's temperament..."

Compared to the other princes, I actually know very little about him, only some opinions I've heard from my colleagues.

"How is it?" the Minister's wife asked.

"To say he's simple-minded... he also knows how to interact with court officials like other princes do."

But to say he was shrewd and calculating... he couldn't detect the ministers' underlying refusal in their words.

He doesn't seem to be pretending to be confused, so is he genuinely confused? Sigh, anyway, this job of mine is going to be difficult.

If it were another prince traveling with him, he could still find a way to deal with it, but this one… the steward had no idea what kind of trouble might be waiting for him on the road.”

After a moment's thought, Madam Jiang, the wife of the Minister, also felt that this kind of personality was the most uncontrollable. Although her husband was a Minister, he was, after all, of royal blood.

As for her own family, it was the only one among the Six Ministries, except for the Ministry of War, that did not have a daughter in the inner palace.

Whether you call him a loyal minister or a paragon of virtue, although he is valued by His Majesty, he still lacks the support of someone close to the Emperor.

If something happens in someone's family, their daughter will plead for them in the palace or whisper sweet nothings in their ear.

As for their own family, they could only get information through the connections of the Grand Eunuch in front of the Emperor, which was the Wu family's weakness!

"Master, do you want to reconsider letting Wan'er enter the palace?"

"Madam! Don't mention this again! I've said it before, women of the Wu family are not allowed to enter the inner palace or the royal court!"

"Yes, sir, I will not mention it again, but you..." Madam Jiang hesitated, unable to finish her sentence.

"For an official, it is enough if he is not ashamed before Heaven and Earth, not ashamed before the Emperor, and not ashamed before the people."

If one is destined to suffer calamity, it cannot be resolved by sending one or two daughters or granddaughters into the palace.

"Entering the palace is like entering a deep sea; why ruin the life of a Wu family woman for something as fleeting as smoke?"

Jiang nodded. She had once married a low-ranking official against her family's wishes because she valued his character.

Now, it is she herself who has forgotten her original aspirations.

Having lived a happy life in the Wu family, how could he turn around and take away the happiness of his daughter and granddaughter?