Chapter 363 - 363: Not necessarily a Bad Thing
Upon reading the secret letter, Qin Zhenzhen couldn’t contain her disdain.
“Such a despicable individual deserves a short and wretched existence!”
It was apparent that the Crown Prince and Chu Tiansheng were locked in a dire struggle for survival.
The Crown Prince aimed to eliminate Chu Tiansheng, while Chu Tiansheng, as the male lead, remained untouchable. Thus, it seemed inevitable that the Crown Prince would meet a premature end.
Su Bin, puzzled by Qin Zhenzhen’s statement, inquired, “Wife, how did you come to that conclusion?”
Only then did Qin Zhenzhen realize her slip of the tongue and clarified, “I mean, he has a precarious fate to begin with! If we hadn’t exposed the Eighth Imperial Uncle’s plot, he would have met his demise long ago!”
“We spared his life, but he continues to plot against us. I believe that karma will catch up to him!”
Su Bin chuckled. “Wife, I concur. I suspect his days are numbered!”
“It will be more fitting for me to consider participating in the Capital Examination after his demise.’
“True talents will always shine. There’s no rush for these few years.”
“Actually, I don’t necessarily need to secure a spot on the Golden List. If I want to honor my father’s memory, there are numerous paths to achieve that.”
“I don’t need to seek personal glory. I must protect my younger siblings and lead a fulfilling life. Preserving the Su family’s legacy is another way to honor my father’s memory.”
Qin Zhenzhen found herself torn, uncertain whether Su Bin’s perspective was right or wrong.
In the story, Su Bin had risen to the position of Grand Secretary at a young age, relying not only on luck but also on sheer competence.
To be frank, it would be a missed opportunity if someone as capable as Su Bin didn’t ascend to a high-ranking official position.
Since the moment Qin Zhenzhen decided to accept Su Bin, she had grappled with conflicting thoughts. Was it more advantageous for Su Bin to remain inconspicuous or to rise to prominence?
Remaining inconspicuous had its merits, as it meant steering clear of the web of scheming officials and straying away from the plotline of the book. The likelihood of him evolving into a formidable antagonist was nearly non-existent.
This way, he could avoid becoming a rival to Chu Tiansheng, and Su Ning wouldn’t meet her tragic fate of relentlessly pursuing Chu Tiansheng to no avail.
However, there were advantages to the other path.
Su Bin possessed the potential to occupy the position of Grand Secretary, wielding significant influence in the Imperial decision-making process. If he didn’t take a dark path, it could be a boon for the realm’s inhabitants.
As Grand Secretary, he might employ strategic means to persuade the emperor to disinherit the Crown Prince beforehand, thus averting future predicaments.
Qin Zhenzhen shared her contemplations with Su Bin, though she refrained from explicitly suggesting that he could become the Grand Secretary.
While Su Bin held great confidence in his abilities, he doubted his capability to swiftly rise to the esteemed rank of Grand Secretary. Hence, he didn’t entirely align with Qin Zhenzhen’s ideas.
“I can assure you that I’ll earn a spot on the Golden List, but I can’t promise an immediate ascent to the position of Primus.”
“Even if I secure the Primus and assume a role in the capital’s administration, it’s probable that I’ll commence from a lower-ranking post.”
“Effectively influencing the emperor’s decisions would be a formidable challenge without holding a higher official status.”
Qin Zhenzhen was somewhat taken aback. Su Bin, who had always exuded confidence, now appeared quite humble.
“Isn’t your intelligence network at your disposal?” she asked. “Even if your official rank isn’t high, can’t you utilize alternative means to handle the Crown Prince?”
Su Bin nodded thoughtfully. “Even if I don’t secure a capital post, I must find a way to confront that wretched Crown Prince!”
“In fact, not becoming a capital official might be more advantageous in dealing with him. I won’t arouse his immediate suspicion.”
“But once we reside in the capital, it becomes perilous. Living there poses risks.”
“Thus, I won’t participate in the capital examination next spring.” Qin Zhenzhen didn’t attempt to dissuade Su Bin any further.
As he put it, it might not be a poor decision after all..