124: Chapter 80: Old Tricks 124: Chapter 80: Old Tricks Jih Heng arrived very late.
Even so, Emperor Hongxiao didn’t show the slightest displeasure, as if he was accustomed to it.
Not only that, including Prince Cheng, no one dared to interject.
Jiang Li saw this and knew that, although many feared Duke Su for his insidious and ruthless nature, prone to unpredictable moods, Jiang Li believed that in the imperial audience hall, Duke Su felt entitled to do as he pleased because he relied on something else.
There were many who acted without restraint, but anyone who provoked someone of higher status would naturally be taught a lesson, to make the unruly person bitterly regret their actions.
But it seemed that the person to discipline Duke Su had yet to appear, and no one from Empress Dowager Liu’s camp, no matter how arrogant, dared to disrespect him.
Even Princess Yongning, upon meeting Duke Su, did not say much.
In this world, those of low status fear those of higher status, and those of high status fear those even higher.
Emperor Hongxiao, although the emperor, probably didn’t have a much easier time than Duke Su.
Jiang Li thought that to be a man like Duke Su would be quite satisfying.
At least no one dared to bully or humiliate him.
Thinking this, Jiang Li found his own thoughts rather amusing and shook his head, dismissing these strange ideas.
After Jih Heng paid his respects to Emperor Hongxiao, he found his place and sat down.
His seat at the palace banquet was very close to Prince Cheng, nearly placing them on equal footing.
Jiang Li noticed that many of the young ladies in the room were diverting their gaze from Prince Cheng or Shen Yurong, turning their attention to Jih Heng.
After all, in terms of appearance, Jih Heng surpassed all the men in the hall combined.
Even individuals with handsome features like Shen Yurong and Ye Shijie seemed to fade in his presence, as if covered in dust.
Such a person was naturally meant to outshine everyone else, akin to the moon surrounded by stars.
However, the current Jiang Li found no joy in mere appearances.
Even Xue Fangfei, who was once considered the greatest beauty of Yanjing, ultimately couldn’t withstand wealth and glory.
This showed that beauty alone was insufficient.
“Duke Su seems to be highly valued by His Majesty,” Liu Xu whispered to Jiang Li.
“The emperor has no confidants,” Jiang Li smiled, “He can only rely on Duke Su now.” With Emperor Hongxiao’s unstable position, Prince Cheng’s faction watched eagerly for an opportunity.
The former Prince Cheng had restrained himself somewhat, but now, with the support of Right Chancellor and Prince Cheng’s mutually supportive relationship, Prince Cheng’s faction had become more stable.
On the other hand, as the head of the civil officials, Jiang Li’s father, Jiang Yuanbai, wielded extensive influence.
Perhaps the Jiang Family harbored no intentions of rebellion, but for an emperor with weak authority, the Jiang Family’s power was a threat.
On one side stood Minister Yuan’s camp, and on the other, Prince Cheng’s camp, with Emperor Hongxiao himself also in play.
Northern Yan was now in a tripartite balance.
Jiang Yuanbai’s influence was widespread, and if he were not present, many government affairs would likely grind to a halt.
On one hand, Emperor Hongxiao needed to rely on Jiang Yuanbai to maintain stability, and on the other, he had to guard against Prince Cheng’s covert attacks.
Among the three powers, Emperor Hongxiao ironically became the weakest.
Jiang Li felt sympathy for Emperor Hongxiao’s struggles.
Moreover, the majority of the ministers were divided into two camps: one that supported Jiang Yuanbai, the conservative faction, and one that supported Prince Cheng, a faction harboring ambitions.
Emperor Hongxiao had precious few men he could trust.
Although he had been on the throne for seven years, this time was far from sufficient to cultivate ministers capable of standing up to the other two factions.
In this situation, Duke Su, Jih Heng, was an excellent choice.
Firstly, with the support of Jih Minghan, the Jinwu General, and his old troops, Jih Heng commanded an army and held considerable power.
Secondly, Jih Heng’s grandfather, the old general who had grown up on horseback, was steadfast in his belief in loyalty and serving his country, an unassailable character.
Emperor Hongxiao could use him with confidence.
Thirdly, Jih Heng was unpredictable and ruthless, making him harder to buy, and given his mysterious movements and distance from both the Jiang Family and Prince Cheng’s factions, he remained untarnished and clean.
Thus, it was natural for Emperor Hongxiao to value Jih Heng and see him as a close confidant.
However, would Jih Heng really be content with just being Emperor Hongxiao’s confidant?
Jiang Li couldn’t help but glance at the youth in red.
She always felt that Jih Heng wasn’t as unpredictable and moody as others claimed.
He was difficult to read not because he left no traces, but because he hid his intentions too deeply.
Jiang Li also faintly sensed something odd, but couldn’t pinpoint what was strange.
In any case, in the relationship between Emperor Hongxiao, Prince Cheng, and Jih Heng, Jiang Li perceived a subtle difference, something more complex than what appeared on the surface.