Chapter 37

Jiang Yunshu heard that this matter was a rumor that was spread along with the Second Prince's outrageous and vulgar remarks.

Rumors circulated that the Second Prince had peculiar tastes, and he actually snatched Princess Roujia's tutor from her, even carrying her into the palace in full view of everyone.

In broad daylight, many imperial physicians were summoned, and even doctors from outside the palace were consulted.

With such debauched behavior, everyone said that the crown prince deserved to be deposed.

When Jiang Yunshu and Ling Jingchu were brought to Jianyang Palace, Jiang Yunshu's eyes were almost swollen from crying.

She leaned on Qing Shuang's shoulder, feeling helpless and heartbroken, her heart clenching with pain.

"Miss, it will take another year or two for the toxins in your body to be completely eliminated. You can't be too impatient. If this continues, even a god couldn't save you!"

Qing Shuang sighed and looked at her: "We'll see A Yao soon. Didn't the Second Prince bring her out?"

She knew, but just thinking about how A Yao knelt in the heavy rain for a day and a night, and collapsed at the doorway, talking nonsense, before being rescued by the Second Prince, she couldn't help but feel heartbroken.

My heart was pounding, and I couldn't breathe properly.

Ling Jingchu looked at her with deep, dark eyes, his cold aura like the chill emanating from a frozen pool.

When Jiang Yunshu saw Ayao, her eyes were filled with tears.

Ayao lay on the bed with a pale face, her brows furrowed, muttering something. Jiang Yunshu stepped forward and stroked Ayao's face, feeling endless remorse in his heart.

"It wasn't me..."

I didn't...eat.

"It's so cold..."

"Mother...I miss you..."

Jiang Yunshu held A Yao's hand tightly, unable to speak, and Qing Shuang couldn't hold back her tears.

Jiang Yunshu gently coaxed Ayao until Ayao fell soundly asleep, only then did she reveal her exhaustion.

The second prince wanted to offer some words of comfort, but seeing Jiang Yunshu's expression, he didn't say anything more.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Jiang Yunshu's voice was low and hoarse, and the Second Prince simply waved his hand and said it was nothing.

"Ayao is currently in my residence, so she will be fine. I will ask my father to send Ayao out of the palace another day..."

Jiang Yunshu paused for a moment, then turned to say, "Thank you, Your Highness, but I'm afraid this matter..."

The rumors circulating now are clearly spread by the Third Prince to overwhelm Mo Tingyu. If Mo Tingyu goes to the Emperor at this time, then the Third Prince will have achieved his goal.

How can a prince with such vile and disgusting tastes become the ruler of a country?

Putting aside the important officials in the court, if it incites public resentment, the second prince will really have no chance.

Chen Yanyan walked in, glanced at her first, then at Ling Jingchu, and said slowly to Mo Tingyu, "She's right, the time isn't right yet."

Jiang Yunshu looked at the person on the bed again. When would be the best time?

Can she really protect Ayao?

But her prediction was correct; the court wanted to establish a new crown prince, supposedly to stabilize the political situation.

At this time, Mo Yanzhou lost the support of the people because of his collusion with the Directorate of Ceremonial and his deliberate framing of Mo Tingyu. The Second Prince, Mo Tingyu, was also severely criticized by the court officials for his vile behavior and eccentricities.

The court overwhelmingly recommended the eldest prince.

"Since ancient times, the eldest son of the legitimate wife has been the rightful heir to the throne. The eldest prince is the rightful heir of the country."

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is of upright character and diligent in his work, which is a great blessing to the country."

With the strong support of his ministers, the emperor sat firmly on the dragon throne, his expression calm and dignified.

Amidst the overwhelming support of the crowd, Grand Tutor Wang staggered out from the throng.

"Your Majesty, I believe that the Crown Prince should be tolerant of others, have the people's livelihood and the world in mind, and truly understand the suffering of the people."

Lord Wang's weathered voice sounded calm and steady: "Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. A ruler should prioritize the people's livelihood over the state."

Everyone looked at him with impatience. Someone said, "Lord Wang, the Second Prince has not done any of what you said. If the Second Prince had not implemented the new policies, the people of Jiangzhou would not have been in turmoil and would not have committed the crime of murdering a child!"

Ignoring the mockery of those around him, Lord Wang bowed to the person in the high seat: "The previous new policies were indeed the Second Prince's fault, but he did not act out of personal desire. His trip to Jiangnan is also to atone for his mistakes, and he will surely..."

Before Lord Wang could finish speaking, he was interrupted, and the court was thrown into chaos. Everyone was arguing heatedly, and no one was willing to back down.

The emperor sighed and rubbed his temples hard.

"Lord Wang is right." The deep voice silenced everyone. "I have my own decision on the Crown Prince. You may all step down now."

The group exchanged bewildered glances. No one had expected that the Emperor would still favor the Second Prince so much after he had made such a grave mistake.

The Minister of Personnel stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I believe that the Second Prince is truly incapable of shouldering such a great responsibility. This has been the talk of the town these days. If such a wicked and depraved person is entrusted with important duties, the people will surely rebel!"

"I urge Your Majesty to reconsider!"

The emperor's face darkened, and everyone in the hall knelt down in response to the Minister of Personnel's words.

Lord Wang was so angry that he pointed at everyone and cursed, but he couldn't catch his breath and fainted.

The emperor ordered that Lord Wang be sent back, and then angrily left the court.

Back in the imperial study, the emperor was still angry when the empress came to bring him soup.

The emperor gave a light snort: "Let her in."

The Empress walked in gracefully, bowed to the Emperor, and then smiled gently, saying, "Your Majesty, you have been working very hard lately, and I am worried about your health."

As she spoke, the Queen walked around the table, removed her nail guards, and pressed her hand to her forehead. The warm hand gently pressed down, making one unconsciously relax.

The emperor's gaze lingered on her features, a barely perceptible hint of coldness flashing across his eyes.

"Thank you for your hard work, Your Majesty."

The Empress lowered her brows and smiled, "Your Majesty, how could I know such things? It's just that you haven't come to the harem for many days, and the younger sisters are all missing you."

The soup was placed on the table, and the Empress took it and fed it to her spoonful by spoonful, saying, "Your Majesty, you have lost weight."

The emperor smiled slightly, and just as the empress was about to feed him, he turned his head and dodged slightly.

"Is the Empress concerned about my health, or about my thoughts?"

Before the empress could speak, the emperor continued, "They all talk about legitimacy, but I am not legitimate."

"The crown prince should be the most capable person."

The Empress hurriedly knelt down: "Your Majesty, I had no such intention. I only..."

The emperor chuckled: "He Shu, over the years, no one understands you better than I do."

"I will not give you anything you want."

The emperor lowered his head and picked up a pen to begin annotating, his cold gaze fixed on the emperor. Eunuch Su then invited the person out.

The queen's sorrowful expression turned into cold disdain as she turned away.

Do you really think he can stand against so many powerful families on his own?

That's ridiculous.

If it weren't for the He family choosing him back then, he would surely be dead by now, and have gone through countless cycles of reincarnation.

Since he won't choose, then let him have no choice at all.