Chapter 80 (None)

Emperor Yuanming couldn't control his paranoia and stared intently at Jiang Ling. She felt a chill run down her spine from his gaze and said angrily, "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven; you don't need to suppress your anger. Just speak your mind."

"What are you thinking? Are you cursing me?" Emperor Yuanming couldn't help but question.

Jiang Ling couldn't believe his ears. Emperor Yuanming's words were utterly domineering and absurd. Judging by actions, not intentions, even gods couldn't control what people thought. This false "Son of Heaven" dared to attempt to control people's minds!

What are you laughing at? Are you mocking me?

Emperor Yuanming pressed him for answers, his expression anxious and uneasy. He paced back and forth around Jiang Ling, his gaze fixed on her, afraid of missing any expression from her.

"If you want to condemn someone, you can always find a pretext. If the emperor wants to punish someone, he doesn't need to find an excuse."

The fish, stabbed to pieces by Jiang Ling, was as disgusting as Emperor Yuanming. Jiang Ling threw down his chopsticks, rinsed his mouth, and got up to return to the inner palace.

"Where are you going?" Emperor Yuanming followed behind Jiang Ling, relentlessly asking.

Jiang Ling was utterly annoyed. He stopped and looked at Emperor Yuanming suspiciously, asking, "Does Your Majesty wish to summon the imperial physician to examine your pulse?"

"How dare you!" Emperor Yuanming glared at Jiang Ling and roared, "How dare you curse me to fall ill!"

Jiang Ling not only cursed Emperor Yuanming to fall ill, but also wished for his immediate death. He possessed power yet was unreasonable, cold-hearted, self-righteous, and arrogant. Encountering any of these traits would drive one to the brink of collapse.

"Your Majesty, curses are useless. The Master did not speak of strange phenomena, physical prowess, disorder, or spirits. Praying to gods and Buddhas is the same. Dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes, and wealth and honor depend on reincarnation."

Jiang Ling felt she was on the verge of going crazy and started rambling incoherently. Emperor Yuanming, disturbed by her antics, scrutinized her carefully: "I think you should have the imperial physician examine your pulse to ensure you're feeling well."

"I'm so tired." Jiang Ling rubbed his temples, trying to calm himself, and said as calmly as possible, "Your Majesty, I simply don't have the energy to raise the Fourth Prince..."

"I forbid it!" Emperor Yuanming immediately interrupted Jiang Ling sternly, angrily saying, "This matter must not be mentioned again!"

Jiang Ling gritted her teeth and said angrily, "I'm afraid Consort Zhao is already preparing the Fourth Prince's first birthday gift. If the Emperor doesn't agree, Consort Zhao won't dare to blame the Emperor. She'll think I went back on my word, and then it will all be my fault."

"My decree is nothing more than that of a mere concubine. How dare you question it!" Emperor Yuanming sneered arrogantly.

Jiang Ling looked up at the cloudless sky in the distance and silently recited the Heart-Cleansing Mantra.

On a fine spring day, the almanac should be updated with the following: It is not advisable to get angry or waste words on scoundrels.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Emperor Yuanming stared at Jiang Ling, pressing him for an answer.

"I have nothing to say." Jiang Ling was completely speechless and silently returned to the inner palace.

Emperor Yuanming followed closely behind Jiang Ling, gazing at her slender figure and pondering to himself.

Ever since Jiang Ling gave birth to the third prince, she has been constantly busy. Once she's busy, she has no time to think nonsense. The fact that we haven't heard her thoughts must mean that she truly hasn't considered them.

After Emperor Yuanming understood, the worries that had been weighing on his heart disappeared, and his steps became lighter.

The third prince was fast asleep in his small bed, while Wenjuan and A'ruo were doing needlework by his side. When they saw them enter the room, they quickly put down their baskets, got up to greet them, and quietly left the room.

Jiang Ling took off her outer robe to prepare for a midday rest. Just as she sat down on the couch, the Third Prince woke up and called out to his mother in a childish voice.

"Mother is here." Seeing that she couldn't sleep, Jiang Ling could only lift the Third Prince out of his crib and bring him food and water into the room.

Jiang Ling has gradually reduced breastfeeding. The Third Prince cries for milk at night while sleeping, and during the day he eats rice and vegetables with boiled and cooled milk.

Wenjuan set out the food on the low table. The Third Prince washed his hands and face, put on his apron, and sat obediently on a small stool. He picked up the milk and drank half a bowl in one gulp. He put down the bowl, took a silver spoon, scooped up some steamed egg, and stuffed it into his mouth. The silver spoon tilted, and most of it smeared onto his face.

Emperor Yuanming couldn't help but chuckle: "Look at him, so clumsy. We should have someone feed him, so he doesn't get all messy."

Letting the Third Prince eat by himself helps improve his fine motor skills, hand-eye-brain coordination, and self-regulation of hunger, thus establishing good eating habits. Initially, he started eating with his hands, but with Jiang Ling's patient correction, he has corrected this and now only uses a silver spoon to scoop food.

What Jiang Ling hated most about Emperor Yuanming was his habitual suppression and reprimands. It was as if a single word of praise from him would instantly turn the Third Prince into a spoiled brat.

However, history provides ample examples of how this harsh educational approach can ultimately turn spoiled brats into despicable scoundrels. The lack of legal constraints and unchecked power transform them into such despicable individuals.

Jiang Ling's reluctance to raise the fourth prince was partly due to this. Emperor Yuanming frequently asserted his presence, interfering and meddling in his affairs.

After hearing it so many times, Jiang Ling only wanted to poison him to make him mute.

The Fourth Prince's cries could be clearly heard into the room. Jiang Ling said, "Your Majesty, please go and see the Fourth Prince. He has woken up and wants to eat. It would be better if Your Majesty arranged it personally so that you can feel at ease."

Upon hearing the sarcasm in Jiang Ling's words, Emperor Yuanming's face darkened, but he did not turn hostile. He got up and went to the side room.

Yunhui and Yunxia worked together with the wet nurse to soothe the fourth prince, change his diaper, and feed him milk.

When Emperor Yuanming saw Wu, the wet nurse, carrying the fourth prince into the inner room, he looked around and asked, "Where is the fourth prince's food?"

Yun Hui replied, "Your Majesty, the Fourth Prince is weak, and the Empress has instructed that he should continue to be breastfed."

Emperor Yuanming grunted, then, thinking of the milk the Third Prince had consumed, asked, "Has the Third Prince ever taken any milk?"

“The Fourth Prince has never consumed cow's milk,” Yun Hui answered truthfully.

Emperor Yuanming was quite displeased. Jiang Ling was sure that the food he gave to the Third Prince was the best. As the ruler of the empire, how could he lack even a bowl of milk? He immediately said, "Go to the kitchen and get a bowl of milk for the Fourth Prince. From now on, the Fourth Prince will also drink milk!"

Yun Hui was stunned, hesitated for a moment, and then mustered her courage to say, "Your Majesty, the Empress said that the Fourth Prince should not drink cow's milk. He should wait until he is older and stronger before giving it to him."

Emperor Yuanming realized that Jiang Ling had no intention of only caring about the Third Prince, and the pent-up anger in his chest instantly dissipated. After a brief stay, he returned to the Chui Gong Hall. Feeling sleepy, Emperor Yuanming rested for half an hour before getting up to go to the Imperial Study to review memorials.

Picking up his pen, Emperor Yuanming recalled the matter of the fourth prince and instructed Huang Liang, "Go and summon Consort Zhao."

Huang Liang arrived at Xiangxue Pavilion to deliver an imperial decree. Consort Zhao returned from Xiefang Pavilion and excitedly discussed the Fourth Prince's first birthday celebration with Granny Huang. She was afraid that if the arrangements were not made properly, it would give others something to criticize.

After giving birth to Xiao Jiatang, Emperor Yuanming rarely summoned her to court, and never had her serve him in bed. At first, Consort Zhao was heartbroken, but her feelings gradually faded.

After all, although she hoped to have another prince, whether one had a son or a daughter was up to fate and had no say in it.

Her beauty had faded before her favor ended, and the same was true for Consort Zhao. Emperor Yuanming seemed to still love her, but her belly never showed any signs of pregnancy again.

As for Consort Zhao's son, Consort Zhao watched coldly. Xiao Yunrui was the eldest, and Consort Lin's status was more noble than hers; in any case, it was not Consort Zhao's son's turn to be the crown prince.

If she could get the Fourth Prince under her control, she would also have the ability to compete for the position of Empress Dowager!

Upon hearing that Huang Liang had arrived, Consort Zhao was overjoyed, thinking to herself that it must be related to the Fourth Prince!

Consort Zhao had Granny Huang give Huang Liang the thickest purse, and she asked with a smile, "Granny Huang, what brings His Majesty to see me?"

Huang Liang politely replied, "His Majesty did not mention it, this servant is unaware."

Seeing that she couldn't get any answers from him, and knowing that Huang Liang was always tight-lipped, Consort Zhao didn't want to cause any more trouble and quietly made her way to the Imperial Study.

Emperor Yuanming was reviewing memorials when Consort Zhao stepped forward to pay her respects. Without raising his head, he simply grunted, "Rise."

Consort Zhao stood respectfully waiting. After a while, Emperor Yuanming closed the memorial and instructed Huang Liang, "Send it to the Hall of State Affairs."

Huang Liang left carrying the box containing the memorials. Emperor Yuanming wiped the cinnabar from his fingertips, drank half a cup of tea, and then said, "Atang is nine years old this year, and in a few years she will be choosing a consort. Although no one dares to bully my princess, she still needs to learn some household management, needlework, and accounting so that she will not be deceived by cunning servants."

Consort Zhao listened respectfully on the surface, but inexplicably felt uneasy inside. Emperor Yuanming's words seemed to express concern for Xiao Jiatang; it was common for princesses to marry late, even at eighteen or twenty. With more than ten years until her marriage, Emperor Yuanming's sudden mention of it at this crucial juncture made it impossible not to suspect something else.

"Just focus on taking care of Ah Tang, and don't interfere in anything else."

Consort Zhao felt a chill run down her spine. She bit her lip and asked nervously, "Your Majesty, I will take good care of A-Tang and will certainly not let her disgrace the royal family. There is one thing I don't understand. What is this other matter that Your Majesty mentioned?"

Emperor Yuanming frowned, glanced at Consort Zhao, and thought to himself that he used to think she was intelligent, but he did not expect that she was just a woman and her knowledge was always shallow.

Out of consideration for Xiao Jiatang, Emperor Yuanming had always given her some face. But since it involved the Fourth Prince, he was no longer polite and said, "I have designated Consort Huishu to raise the Fourth Prince, so you don't need to worry about it anymore."

Consort Zhao's heart, which had been pounding in her chest, suddenly sank. Her whole body involuntarily turned icy cold, and her trembling hands, hidden under her sleeves, were already clenched into fists, her nails digging deep into her palms, yet she felt no pain.

"Why, Your Majesty, why won't you allow me to worry about the Fourth Prince's affairs?" Consort Zhao suppressed her immense disappointment and distress. As soon as she spoke, her lips tightened and her voice trembled.

"Consort Huishu is of noble birth and has raised the Third Prince to be lively and clever. As a concubine, you only have a princess, which is not enough to raise the Fourth Prince."

Emperor Yuanming offered an explanation, then immediately became displeased, "Do you dare to question my decisions?"

"Your Majesty, I dare not. I shall take my leave."

Consort Zhao curtsied, tilted her head slightly, blinked back the tears that were about to spill from her eyes, and left the Imperial Study with her back ramrod straight.

Emperor Yuanming despised her lowly status, believing she had only given birth to a princess and was unworthy to raise a prince. She had already suffered enough humiliation and disgrace; she refused to shed more tears and become a laughingstock!

Once outside the Chuigong Hall, Consort Zhao's pace finally slowed. A gentle spring breeze blew, and pink petals, seemingly drifted from nowhere, carpeted the ground. She lowered her eyes and stomped on them. The petals instantly turned to mud.

Granny Huang glanced at Consort Zhao's pale face, feeling anxious but not daring to ask any questions. Just then, seeing Consort Zhao suddenly turn around and walk towards the east, she couldn't help but ask, "Where is Your Highness planning to go? It's getting late, and the Second Princess is waiting for Your Highness to review today's calligraphy."

Consort Zhao walked forward step by step, her voice as cold as ice: "A princess is just a princess. Even if she is of royal blood, she is always inferior. I, her mother, am of low birth and rank. I was born into her body, and it has only brought her down with me."

Granny Huang was taken aback, then stepped forward and asked with concern, "His Majesty summoned Your Highness, has something happened?"

“The Emperor said I am not fit to raise the Fourth Prince,” Consort Zhao said slowly, emphasizing each word.

Every word caused her excruciating pain and made her tremble with anger.

Consort Zhao's words to her were even harsher, and her actions even more despicable, far less so than Emperor Yuanming's few words of explanation.

The sisters were constantly engaged in open and covert struggles, their words sharp and cutting, each wishing the other dead.

Emperor Yuanming should not have treated her this way; she had been with him for many years and had given birth to a princess for him.

Even if a day as husband and wife is worth a hundred days of kindness, even if the relationship has ended, she shouldn't be looked down upon like this, trampled into the dust!

In the evening, the third and fourth princes, full of energy, spun around like tops on the carpet spread in the courtyard. The two chased each other, panting and giggling foolishly.

Jiang Ling, exhausted from the afternoon's ordeal, leaned against a pillar in the corridor, listlessly eating pear strips. She saw Emperor Yuanming emerge from the side hall, tossed the pear strips back into the dish on the stone railing, and cursed under her breath.

"You look so energetic!" Emperor Yuanming stood with his hands behind his back by the felt mat, looking at the two of them with affection, and said with a smile before walking towards Jiang Ling.

"You don't look well. Are you feeling unwell?" Emperor Yuanming stepped onto the steps, looked up at Jiang Ling, and asked with concern.

Jiang Ling curtsied and said it was alright, "Those two haven't slept all afternoon and have been making noise until now, giving me a terrible headache."

To prevent Jiang Ling from complaining and suggesting that the fourth prince be sent away again, Emperor Yuanming quickly strode up the steps and said, "I have summoned Consort Zhao to the Emperor's presence and made it clear to her that the fourth prince is being raised in Fanying Pavilion. Do not bring it up again."

"As expected of the 'Quick Man,' he really moved fast!" Jiang Ling muttered sarcastically, sensing something was wrong, and asked, "What did the Emperor say to Consort Zhao?"

Emperor Yuanming glanced at her, picked up a pear strip from the plate and chewed on it, saying casually, "Of all those who disobey my decrees, only you are exempt from my punishment. As for the rest, throughout the land, who dares to utter a single word of dissent against me?"

Ignoring his overbearing imperial air, Jiang Ling pressed on, "What exactly did the Emperor say when he summoned Consort Zhao?"

"Look at you, you actually dare to question me!"

Emperor Yuanming glared at Jiang Ling reproachfully and told her about summoning Consort Zhao. Finally, Emperor Yuanming raised an eyebrow and said deliberately, "No one else can compare to you. I treat you differently."

Jiang Ling leaned weakly against the corridor pillar, silently gazing at the sparse stars in the sky, utterly speechless with emotion.

The infighting and power struggles within the imperial harem were largely due to the emperor's incompetence.

Emperor Yuanming was the real culprit, a despicable and wicked emperor who stirred up trouble and fanned the flames!