Chapter 28: No Filter on His Mouth
Empress Ma noticed the emperor seemed deeply troubled, knowing that if he didn’t snap out of it quickly, major problems could arise.
He was the emperor, the ruler of the nation, and needed to regain his composure rapidly.
However, seeing His Majesty in this state, it seemed unlikely he would recover soon.
Perhaps they should seek out Li Fan, believing that his persuasive tongue could certainly change the emperor’s mind.
She immediately said:
“Your Majesty, why don’t we visit Li Fan tomorrow?”
Zhu Yuanzhang actually wanted to see Li Fan as well, but if he went as the emperor, Li Fan likely wouldn’t speak truthfully.
After contemplating for a moment, he said:
“Tomorrow we will see Li Fan. I will go in disguise, and honey, you will get him to talk!”
Uh!
Empress Ma looked at the emperor in shock, not expecting him to really want to see Li Fan, but why go in disguise?
Confused, she asked:
“Why doesn’t Your Majesty just summon Li Fan openly? Why go through all this elaborate deception?”
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned, shaking his head:
“It’s not the same. If Li Fan knows my identity, he definitely won’t speak the truth! We need him to speak honestly, I’ve noticed what he tells you is different.”
Empress Ma silently nodded at Zhu Yuanzhang’s words, realizing that if Li Fan knew the emperor’s identity, he would never speak frankly.
Previously, he had spoken openly to her, only because he didn’t know she was the empress.
If he knew, he would be very proper and cautious.
That’s why His Majesty wanted to go in disguise, to hear Li Fan’s true thoughts.
After thinking for a moment, she said:
“Since Your Majesty intends to go in disguise, why not dress as a coachman and drive the carriage, while I question Li Fan inside, so you can listen closely outside?”
Xu Da broke into a cold sweat hearing this, starting to worry about Li Fan.
Although His Majesty did not want to deal with Li Fan right now, if he said something reckless, it could anger the emperor with dire consequences.
Moreover, Xu Da knew that if Li Fan met someone he connected with, he had no filter and would say anything, even telling the empress that the Ming dynasty wouldn’t last 300 years.
If he spoke so freely before the emperor, even Xu Da might get implicated.
He realized he had to accompany them tomorrow, or at least send his daughter, to prevent Li Fan from saying something outrageous. He quickly said:
“Your Majesty, let me accompany you tomorrow to see Li Fan, to hear what astonishing things he might say!”
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Xu Da warily, starting to suspect his motives.
He had already learned from Mao Xiang that Xu Da had grown close to Li Fan recently, and that the Wei State Duke’s household was involved in many of Li Fan’s businesses.
Now, Xu Da wanting to join them only raised more suspicion about his intentions, especially since he wanted to investigate Li Fan’s thoughts.
Taking Xu Da along might make it difficult to achieve the desired outcome.
What if Li Fan says something important and gets interrupted by him? Suspicious, he asked:
“Don’t you have your own business to attend to tomorrow? Just take care of your own matters!”
Empress Ma also understood what Xu Da was trying to do.
When she was talking with Li Fan earlier, Xu Miaoyun had been causing disruptions, albeit not deliberately, but she could sense it.
Xu Miaoyun clearly didn’t want Li Fan to say anything reckless.
If Xu Da didn’t go, it might be hard to ensure Li Fan wouldn’t say something reckless, which could anger His Majesty, leading to trouble.
However, bringing Xu Da might be too obvious, easily raising the emperor’s suspicions. She then said:
“Duke of Wei, go about your business as usual tomorrow, I will take Xu Miaoyun with me.”
Xu Da felt relieved upon hearing the empress would take Xu Miaoyun, as having someone else present was sufficient.
Someone could always remind Li Fan not to say anything outrageous, especially since His Majesty was on the edge of breaking down.
If Li Fan said something reckless and frightened the emperor, the consequences could be unpredictable.
As long as Xu Miaoyun was by Li Fan’s side, it should prevent him from saying anything too reckless.
“The Empress is right, I indeed have some matters to attend to and cannot accompany you, but Xu Miaoyun accompanying you will suffice!”
Zhu Yuanzhang looked suspiciously at the two of them, realizing what they were aiming for.
They clearly didn’t want Li Fan to say anything too outrageous.
He decided to turn a blind eye to it, lightly coughing before saying:
“Then it’s settled. Tomorrow, Xu Miaoyun will accompany us, I want to see what astonishing things Li Fan can say!”
Empress Ma sighed in relief, knowing that having Xu Miaoyun present would ensure Li Fan wouldn’t say anything too outrageous. She then said:
“Duke of Wei, make sure to instruct Xu Miaoyun not to reveal our identities tomorrow!”
Xu Da nodded quickly, knowing the importance of this task.
His Majesty allowing Xu Miaoyun to accompany them was already a big compromise, and if the truth were revealed to Li Fan, it would be a disaster for him.
Now, he could only hope that Li Fan would be careful with his words. He quickly said with a smile:
“Rest assured, Your Majesty and Empress, my lips are sealed, there will be no leaks whatsoever!”
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