Chapter 128 The imperial court is a huge makeshift stage...

The more glorious Prince Yu's journey was, the more wretched he returned.

The man was carried back—his elderly father, who was over sixty, slipped at the palace gate, but at least he had a loyal eunuch to cushion his fall. When it came to Prince Yu, he really broke his leg. When the imperial physician put a splint on him, his screams almost pierced the sky.

Even so, he still didn't forget to have someone carry him to Emperor Qingxi to play the victim.

"Fortunately, it was your son who went to offer sacrifices in place of Father Emperor this time. Otherwise, if that assassin had succeeded... May our ancestors protect us! Father Emperor is protected by the true dragon and is destined by Heaven. Your son has shielded you from this calamity, which can be considered as fulfilling his loyalty and filial piety, sob sob sob..."

Prince Yu cried with snot and tears streaming down his face, implying that his injury was taken on behalf of Emperor Qingxi, and that he was his father's only good son.

Princess Tong'an couldn't bear to listen any longer and lowered her head in silence.

With Prince Yu's sharp tongue, I've certainly lived a worthwhile life following him.

...Is it possible that this "assassin" is after you, Third Brother?

Emperor Qingxi was also annoyed by his crying, but it was a fact that Prince Yu had been assassinated and injured. He patiently instructed Chief Steward Huang: "Send the third prince to the side hall to rest, and give him another bowl of calming medicine."

To stop him from just crying and crying, I'd better get him to sleep.

Prince Yu was taken away, and Emperor Qingxi's imposing aura was fully unleashed. From the Minister of Rites and the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to the Imperial Guard commanders who accompanied him, everyone knelt on the ground.

"I am guilty!"

Emperor Qingxi took several deep breaths, but still couldn't suppress the restless anger in his heart.

“Since I ascended the throne, I have personally presided over the annual sacrificial ceremony at the Temple of Agriculture, praying to Heaven to bless my Great Ye with favorable weather, abundant harvests, and the well-being of the people… I have never missed a year! How come so many troubles have arisen this year simply because a prince was chosen to preside over the ceremony in my place?”

He slammed his hand on the table and roared, "If Prince Yu is assassinated, just send him back first! How can the sacrificial rites be interrupted as well? Are the Ministry of Rites and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices short of staff? You've gone through the procedures a thousand times already, find someone to fill in!"

The sacrificial ceremony was abruptly interrupted, which was what angered Emperor Qingxi the most.

Similar situations had occurred in previous dynasties. When the emperor was unwell or did not want to go out, he would designate an official to perform the ritual on his behalf, as long as the ceremony could be completed.

Emperor Qingxi pointed at the Minister of Rites' head, which was lower than a quail's, and gritted his teeth: "Don't you understand that a general in the field may disobey the emperor's orders? You don't even dare to make a decision on such a small matter. I think you've been working in vain as Minister."

The officials kneeling below dared not utter a sound.

Previously, Prince Yu and Prince Heng had been vying for this sacrificial quota, submitting numerous impeachments against each other. The officials from both sides were almost about to have a brawl outside Zuoshun Gate. Everyone knew this was a hot potato.

As a result, just last night, Prince Heng was inexplicably summoned to the palace. For some unknown reason, he angered the emperor and was imprisoned in the imperial prison.

Since the matter involved palace secrets, no one dared to inquire further. They could only modify the ceremony procedures overnight and change the chief officiant to Prince Yu.

After working overtime all night, I was supposed to go to the Temple of Agriculture early in the morning, but I was assassinated halfway there.

The scene was chaotic. Some people suggested splitting the procession into two groups: one group would be sent back to the city by fast horse for Prince Yu's treatment, while the other group would stay and continue to the Temple of Agriculture to carry out the sacrificial ceremony as planned.

But with so many people, things get chaotic. The group included supporters of Prince Heng, Prince Yu, and fence-sitters who didn't take sides. Choosing a chief officiant became a new problem.

Besides, who knows who that assassin lurking in the shadows is after? Is it to assassinate the royal family, or simply to disrupt the ritual?

What if they continue forward and someone hides in the woods and shoots arrows at them?

Prince Yu fell from his carriage and fainted from the pain, completely unaware that these officials had been arguing for over an hour, until the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices turned around, saw the rising sun, and slapped his thigh:

"Stop arguing, the auspicious time has passed, let's get out of here!"

...

This is the real reason why the sacrificial ceremony did not continue, and it is something that Emperor Qingxi must never know.

Regardless of party or faction, at this moment, they all reached a tacit understanding: no matter how much Emperor Qingxi berated them, they only needed to kowtow and admit their guilt.

Anyway, the law doesn't punish everyone, so how can we arrest them all?

After Emperor Qingxi finished cursing, he took a large gulp of tea from Princess Tong'an and then pointed his gun at the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"I have traveled this route from the palace to the Temple of Agriculture for countless years. How did you manage to keep watch along the way? How could you allow an assassin to infiltrate and even shoot arrows at the Third Prince?"

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. We cleared the streets three days ago and deployed guards along the way, but..."

The commander hesitated for a moment before saying, "But the small hill where the assassin was hiding is at least three hundred paces away from the sacrificial procession, far beyond the range of ordinary archers. Logically speaking, an assassin shouldn't have chosen such a location..."

The civil officials felt they were being unfairly scolded, and so did he.

A person who could shoot an arrow into a chariot from 300 paces away, almost killing Prince Yu, what use is such a person as an assassin? He would be better off joining the army to kill the enemy and make meritorious contributions.

"Logically speaking?" Emperor Qingxi chuckled. "Are you trying to find a reason for yourself or for the assassin?"

He then asked, "Besides the bow and arrows left by the assassin, were there any other clues left at the scene?"

Qianhu immediately shook his head: "No, he did it very cleanly and efficiently. The escape route seemed to be planned in advance, leaving no trace for investigation..."

Seeing Emperor Qingxi's increasingly grim expression, his voice grew softer and softer, and he lowered his head, no longer daring to speak.

Princess Tong'an subtly curled the corners of her mouth.

Some people have been recuperating at home for so many years, but they haven't lost their skills from when they were scouts deep in enemy territory.

"A bunch of useless wretch, get out of my sight!"

Emperor Qingxi scolded away a room full of civil and military officials, then sighed, resting his head on his hand.

"First the eldest son, then the third son. Are they just too useless, or are our ancestors showing their power to help me eliminate the wrong answer?"

He had always firmly believed that he was protected by the gods, otherwise he would not have exposed Prince An's wolfish ambitions in advance and avoided a catastrophe.

However, with Prince Heng and Prince Yu both running into trouble, Emperor Qingxi has begun to feel anxious and uncertain again.

Who is the rightful heir to whom the empire can be entrusted?

...

Prince Heng has not returned since he entered the palace last night.

At first, Princess Heng didn't think much of it, thinking that perhaps Emperor Qingxi's injury had suddenly stirred his fatherly feelings, and he wanted to have a late-night talk with his eldest son.

But we have to go to the Temple of Agriculture for the sacrificial ceremony this morning, and Prince Heng's ceremonial robes are still at home. We can't just let him leave directly from the palace, can we?

As dawn approached, Princess Consort Heng thought long and hard before finally designating someone to enter the palace and deliver clothes to Prince Heng.

The man returned quickly, carrying the dress, his face pale and his teeth chattering.

"It's terrible, Your Highness! Everyone in the palace is saying that the Prince... for some unknown reason has angered His Majesty and has been imprisoned in the Imperial Prison to keep Prince An company!"

Princess Heng was stunned. What kind of crime had she committed?

Could it be that the prince was summoned to the palace last night to carry out an assassination?

Even if you have this idea, you should at least let your family know beforehand!

Princess Heng quickly sent people out to investigate again and learned that the sacrificial ceremony would be held as usual today, but the chief officiant would be Prince Yu himself.

She quickly took a carriage to the city gate and saw Prince Yu sitting alone in his carriage, looking as if he were not going to offer sacrifices to heaven, but to ascend the throne.

Princess Heng gritted her teeth in hatred; it must have been the third prince's doing!

She stared at Prince Yu's departing figure and cursed under her breath: "...May you fall and die!"

—Then Prince Yu really did break his leg.

But Princess Heng was still not happy, because there was still no news of Prince Heng, and his fate was unknown.

Her scouts, sent out to gather information, disappeared without a trace, offering no response whatsoever.

With a bang, Princess Rongcheng pushed open the door and entered, asking directly, "What exactly did Father do wrong? Why can't we find out anything from the palace?"

Princess Heng looked anxious and bewildered: "I don't know either."

A ruthless glint flashed in Princess Rongcheng's eyes. "It's likely that my grandfather has already discovered Father's intentions, so he's striking first... Mother, we can't just sit here and wait to die. Otherwise, just think about what will happen to the Prince An's mansion?"

Princess Heng's face paled, and she said in a panic, "Has it really come to this? No, your father is His Majesty's eldest son after all, and besides, there's Consort Xian in the palace..."

Princess Rongcheng sneered, "My grandmother is nothing but a woman from the inner palace who has long since lost favor. What can we possibly rely on her for?"

Princess Heng looked bitter.

Upon hearing that Prince Heng was in trouble, her first reaction was to try to send a message to Consort Lin. But now Consort Gao was in charge of the six palaces, so how could she give Consort Lin the opportunity to contact the outside world?

Normally, each concubine's palace has some way of sending messages home, and Consort Gao usually turns a blind eye as long as they don't bring any random or shady things into the palace.

But this time it concerned her own reputation, so Consort Gao finally hardened her heart and managed the entire harem like an iron barrel, leaving no room for leaks, especially Consort Lin and Prince Heng and their son, so that they could no longer send any messages to the outside world.

"Mother, we can't wait any longer," Princess Rongcheng urged, her tone becoming more forceful. "You have the key to the side door of Father's study, don't you? Give it to me quickly, I need to know what preparations Father is making..."

Princess Heng snapped out of her daze and subconsciously shook her head. "Why would I give them to you? Those... all belong to your eldest brother."

Princess Rongcheng rolled her eyes. "My brother took my sister-in-law out of town for fun a few days ago. By the time he got back, it was too late!"

She was impatient and, without waiting for Princess Heng to give her consent, began to search the room thoroughly.

She finally found a key that she had kept separately in a hidden compartment of her vanity case.

Princess Rongcheng looked delighted and was about to take it out when Princess Heng grabbed her arm.

"Your father is still missing in the palace. If you act rashly now, aren't you trying to harm him?"

Princess Heng earnestly advised her not to act impulsively, "No news... is good news. How can a father and son hold a grudge overnight? Your grandfather was injured, so it's understandable that he's a bit short-tempered. Wait a little longer, and perhaps your father will return in a few days."

Princess Rongcheng refused to return the key to her, saying, "Keep it with me for now. If my father really comes back, I will give it to him personally."

Princess Heng had no choice but to send people to continue gathering information in the palace while also sending people out of the city to bring the Crown Prince back to take charge of the situation.

If Prince Heng really doesn't come back... His Majesty, for the sake of your grandchildren, could you please make an exception for Prince Heng's residence?

...

The following day, Emperor Qingxi suddenly summoned all officials and reopened the court.

After ten days of rest, his left leg was still immobile, so he had to be pushed in a wheelchair, and then four eunuchs had to lift him onto the dragon throne.

"Yesterday, Prince Yu went to the Temple of Agriculture to offer sacrifices on my behalf, but was attacked and injured on the way, and the ceremony was forced to stop. However, the spring sacrifice is related to the well-being of the people and the nation. If it is not completed, it may be disrespectful to Heaven. I have called you here today to discuss how to make amends."

Someone suggested, "Why not choose another auspicious day to hold the ceremony again?"

Some objected: "No. The annual sacrifices at the Temple of Agriculture have always been held on the Hai day in the middle of spring. This is an ancient custom. How can we just change the date?"

"Then change it to the Altar of Heaven, change the name, and you can change the date, right?"

"That's one way, but we'll need to ask the Imperial Observatory to perform another divination..."

"Your subject, Yao Qi, Director of the Imperial Observatory, has a matter to report!"

Amidst a murmur of discussion, Yao Jianzheng, who usually had little presence in court assemblies, stepped forward in a loud voice and walked to the front of the main hall.

Since the matter concerned the sacrificial ceremony, Emperor Qingxi valued Yao Jianzheng's opinion highly and asked in a gentle tone, "What does Minister Yao want to say?"

Yao Jianzheng: "Your humble servant has recently observed unusual celestial phenomena at night, and hereby submits this memorial."

Emperor Qingxi became inexplicably nervous. "What strange phenomenon is this?"

Is this the reason why the eldest and third brothers have gotten into trouble one after another?

Yao Jianzheng opened the memorial, cleared his throat, and said, "I observed that Mars entered the Taiwei Enclosure, a guest star traversed the sky, its tail sweeping across Vega, and the stars Tiancang and Tianyu shone together like a knot..."

The buzzing sound reached Emperor Qingxi's ears...

He abruptly interrupted, "Could you say something I can understand?"

Yao Jianzheng looked up and found that the officials around him also had blank, dumbfounded expressions.

He scoffed inwardly: So what if none of you know anything about astrology? At least some of you do recognize its value…

Yao Jianzheng cleared his throat and explained, “The comet sweeping across the Weaver Girl signifies that the Weaver Girl is in charge of mulberry and silkworms, and the comet’s tail is like the Heavenly Grandson holding a broom. A guest star encroaches on the Weaver Girl, a prophecy that the successor will inherit virtue. The granaries linked like pearls are an ancient omen of silkworms reaching the sky, and the two stars are like spinning wheels intertwined. These celestial phenomena may be related to the termination of the sacrifices at the Altar of the God of Agriculture. Therefore, I dare to submit this memorial, suggesting that instead of choosing another auspicious day or establishing another name, it would be better to restart the sericulture ceremony, replacing the harvest with mulberry and silkworms. This would not only conform to the celestial predictions but also appease the nation.”

"Restart the silkworm-raising ceremony?" The Minister of Rites blurted out, "The silkworm-raising ceremony has always been presided over by the Empress. Now the position of Empress has been vacant for more than ten years. What are you planning, Lord Yao?"

If asked who in the harem had the power of an empress without the title, the officials immediately thought of Consort Gao and began to object.

"No, no."

"The Imperial Concubine has neither a noble family background nor any children. How can she be worthy of being the Empress?"

"And then there's the Gao family..."

Yao Jianzheng had no choice but to retort in an even louder voice: "Who said I wanted the Imperial Concubine to preside over this?"

He looked at Emperor Qingxi with a righteous and awe-inspiring expression.

“Your Majesty, Princess Tong’an is the eldest daughter of the Emperor and was raised in the Empress’s palace for many years. In terms of title and status, she is the most suitable candidate.”

"Your Majesty, I request that Princess Tong'an resume the silkworm-rearing ceremony to reassure the people!"

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Author's Note: [Heart]