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

Chapter 686 Sheep, Rabbit, Fox, Hunter

With another red-eyed rabbit for comparison, the Fifth Prince's rabbit became noticeably calmer and lost its initial panic.

Humans are indeed social animals, always afraid of being the exception, and this herd mentality manifests in every aspect of life.

Just like those officials outside the palace gates, if there were only one or two of them, they probably wouldn't have lingered outside the palace gates for so long.

Everyone held the mentality that "the law does not punish the masses," believing that with so many people, even if His Majesty were to blame them, he would only reprimand them a few times and would not actually take any action.

Essentially, these people are no different from a flock of sheep in a pen. They go wherever the leader goes, and even if the direction is wrong, no sheep thinks of correcting it.

They still walked forward one after another, with their tails on their heads.

It eats grass when there is grass, drinks water when there is water, stops when it stops in front of it, and goes when it goes in front of it.

The Fifth Prince, of course, would not admit that he was a sheep, since he hadn't even shown his face.

Although he really didn't want to admit that he was a rabbit, he realized that he was in a hurry.

It wasn't until he met the equally anxious Fourth Prince Zhao Hongsheng that he gradually calmed himself down.

Regardless of whether there is an imperial edict or not, there will always be people who can't help but try to probe, inquire, or even spy on him.

What's the rush? There will eventually be definite news, and I absolutely cannot jump out at this time.

I must maintain my consistent low profile and make good use of the resources at my disposal to deal with different emergencies.

If your name is on the imperial edict, you must be prepared to deal with it and take precautions.

If the imperial edict bears someone else's name, then you should prepare to attack and seize it.

In short, you must never let something you like fall into the hands of others.

The Fifth Prince felt suffocated just thinking about having to live a life of subservience under the oppression of others.

After noon, the dark clouds finally moved aside, giving the already less-than-stellar sunlight a chance to shine.

Minister Lin thoroughly enjoyed his meal before the Emperor. With the help of a young eunuch, he rinsed his mouth and wiped his hands before leisurely leaving the Imperial Study.

The eunuch opened the window to let the smell of the food dissipate, and then turned up the charcoal fire in the brazier to make sure the emperor wouldn't feel cold after the window was opened for ventilation.

Minister Lin, like a confident fox, walked excitedly out of the palace, ready to tease the sheep waiting eagerly outside the palace gates.

The emperor picked up the book he hadn't finished reading that morning and continued reading quietly, occasionally taking a sip of ginseng tea at a comfortable temperature.

Calm as a hunter who doesn't care about success or failure, or gain or loss, only wanting to mobilize all the animals in the forest.

Sure enough, as soon as Minister Lin arrived at the palace gate, he was surrounded by a group of officials.

Everyone chimed in with their own questions, some subtle and reserved, others direct and direct, inquiring about the so-called imperial edict establishing an heir apparent.

Minister Lin simply smiled at them without answering.

The officials were as anxious as ants on a hot pan, yet they dared not act rashly towards this high-ranking and powerful Minister.

"Oh, my lord, there are no outsiders here. We won't tell anyone what you've said. We're just worried that His Majesty has chosen an unreliable person."

"Yes, yes, for the future of the Great Zhou, we can't just sit idly by. His Majesty didn't give us any hints beforehand. Is this news true or false?"

"That's right, Minister Lin. You are the only person to have an audience with the Emperor after the rumors of establishing an heir came out. You can't keep this a secret."

Minister Lin, still smiling, glanced at the eager officials and slowly began to speak:

"Please do not be anxious, everyone. His Majesty will make a wise decision on the matter of choosing an heir."

Although I had an audience with the Emperor, I did not mention the so-called imperial edict on establishing an heir. Today, I came to His Majesty to discuss increasing winter military supplies.

By the way, everyone, I wonder where this rumor actually came from?

"Gentlemen, you are all well-informed. Hmm? Where did Lord Li hear this from? Please tell me."

"Ah I?"

Lord Li from the Ministry of Rites was completely bewildered. Why was he suddenly singled out when there were dozens of officials present?

"I, I, I heard it from other adults too."

"Oh? Which esteemed person told you that?"

"Um, it was, it was the Vice Minister of Rites who said it."

The Ministry of Rites had two vice ministers. At this time, Lord Li did not say whether it was the left vice minister or the right vice minister, in order not to offend anyone so obviously.

However, Minister Lin was not one to let things slide. He immediately went to the two vice ministers of the Ministry of Rites.

"Which Vice Minister said this? And where did you get this information? Why did you only tell Minister Li of the Ministry of Personnel and not me? Is it because I am not as popular as Minister Li?"

The two vice ministers of the Ministry of Rites' expressions changed. Although Minister Lin was not their direct superior, a higher rank could have a significant impact. How were they supposed to answer this?!

"Yes, sir, we heard it from someone else. It's close to Lord Li's residence, so we informed him."

"Oh, so who told you that?"

It's the same old story; it seems like they're determined to get to the bottom of it.

"This, this, we heard it from Lord Cheng, yes, but it seems that Lord Cheng also heard it from someone else."

"Oh, I see. Is Lord Cheng here?"

"Yes, Your Excellency is here."

An elderly man with white hair and beard walked out. Minister Lin frowned. This Lord Cheng was from the Hanlin Academy.

When did the people from the Hanlin Academy get involved in all this messy stuff in the court? Is there no pure land left in the court?

"Master Cheng is getting on in years. It's freezing cold today, so please don't take your health for granted."

This statement, seemingly out of concern, actually implies dissatisfaction.

Strange, he wasn't this dissatisfied with the previous people, so why did Minister Lin's expression and tone change when he came to Lord Cheng?

Old Hanlin scholar Cheng Daren's forehead was actually sweating in the winter. He was bitter inside, as he had been forcibly dragged here.

I've wanted to leave for a long time. My old leg pain is about to flare up, and if I keep standing here, I'm going to die.

If it turns out to be a coup even if it's not one, how can your family members and descendants have a good life?

"Uh, Your Excellency, I am about to go home. I really can't take it anymore, and I'll probably be bedridden tomorrow."

"Yes, go back. You're getting on in years, take care of your health."

"By the way, before you go back, tell me how you found out about that news, and where you heard it from?"

The officials present looked at each other, wondering if they were still going to get to the bottom of things.

Immediately, their expressions turned grim. They knew that if they followed the trail, it was only a matter of time before they found the source.

Even if you're not the source, is it really okay to betray others?