Chapter 100 Son Pays for Father's Debts

Yinzhen sat on the soft stool where Hongzhao had just sat, propping himself up on his knees and looking down at the upright child in front of him.

Hongzhao raised his eyebrows slightly. In this situation, which resembled testing a student, he thought for a moment and then spoke: "I have also listened to the debates of the various officials in the court for two days. Each side has its own reasons, but I have different opinions from them."

He paused as he spoke, and Yinzhen followed up with a question: "Oh? What's different? Tell your father."

“My son and Prince Dun are uncle and nephew, that’s the biggest difference.” His round eyes shone even brighter in the candlelight, and every move he made revealed the cunning of a young man.

"So you advocate not punishing Prince Dun?" Yinzhen raised an eyebrow. He didn't really expect a young child to have any unique insights, but Consort Wan's words just now had left him with mixed feelings, and he wanted to see how his Hongzhao would respond in the same situation.

But Hongzhao shook his head with a smile and explained directly without keeping him in suspense: "It's not that I won't punish him. Prince Dun has repeatedly disrespected you, Father. You are the Emperor and have great magnanimity, but I am just a child and cannot be so broad-minded. To put it bluntly, I have always held a grudge against you, Uncle."

As he spoke, he even pursed his lips in a playful gesture, which instantly broke the seriousness on Yinzhen's face. Yinzhen smiled and reached out to ruffle Hongzhao's hair twice, saying, "You've already learned to hold grudges at such a young age," but in reality, he was secretly overjoyed. If Hongzhao had a tail, he would have already spiraled into the sky.

Hongzhao, as if playing around as usual, rubbed his head against the warm palm of his hand and continued, "So I think that Prince Dun was definitely wrong in this matter. Since he was wrong, he should apologize. However, with Uncle Shi's temperament, it is impossible for him to go so easily. So let's find someone to go in his place."

"Find someone to replace him?" Yinzhen's eyes flashed, and a thoughtful look appeared on his face.

At this moment, Hongzhao gently lifted his robe, pretending to kneel down. Yinzhen, quick as a flash, leaned over and grabbed him by the back of the neck, lifting him up. The father and son stared at each other in this position, but Hongzhao was the first to give in—"Father, I'm afraid you'll be angry if I say what I want to say. It's better to kneel down first, so as not to frighten you later."

Yinzhen chuckled at his seemingly reasonable expression and tapped his forehead—"When has your father ever been angry with you, to the point of scaring you? Just tell me."

Hongzhao straightened up as instructed. “As the ancients said, if a son is not taught, it is the father’s fault. Uncle Shi has done something wrong and is unwilling to apologize. Only Grandfather can step forward. However, Grandfather has been gone for more than three years. Father, you are the emperor and the elder brother. You are the most suitable candidate at this time.”

Seeing the deep thought in his father's eyes, he changed the subject—"But precisely because Father is the Emperor, your personal apology will certainly show your sincerity, but this matter must be blown out of proportion. I also know an old saying, 'The son pays for the father's debts.'"

He proudly puffed out his chest and patted himself—"At this time, Father, your appearance is too grand. But I am just right. My tenth uncle's eldest son, Hongxuan, goes to school with me every day. So I will take him to Lord Zhang Lin's residence to apologize."

After hearing this, Yinzhen remained motionless for a long time, repeatedly imagining how the Tenth Prince would react if he found out.

A six-year-old prince cousin, along with a six-year-old prince cousin, the two children who together were no taller than a door frame, went to apologize on behalf of an uncle in his forties.

It would be strange if that annoying tenth brother didn't feel ashamed enough to find a crack in the ground to crawl into!

If that were the case, everyone would praise the emperor for his wisdom and love for his brothers, and the crown prince for his benevolence and respect for scholars, while this Prince Dun would be nothing more than a tyrannical rogue! The Tenth Princess Consort is a reasonable and capable woman; even if she were forced, she would make him apologize in person, and he might even have to come to her to beg for forgiveness.

Great! Just thinking about it is so satisfying!

He couldn't help but pat his knee, then reached out and lifted Hongzhao up by the waist. As he stood up, he gently tossed him upwards. The sudden feeling of weightlessness made Hongzhao close his eyes, but he couldn't help but laugh out loud.

This hurdle has been overcome smoothly.

Hearing the hearty laughter of the two people inside, Su Peisheng couldn't help but smile along. As he laughed, he couldn't help but glance in the direction where Consort Wan had just left.

He remembered... that the Crown Prince's entourage was not complete, and wondered if he could also have an aunt.

——

The next morning at court, the two groups, who had been locked in a stalemate for the previous two days, were now fully prepared, waiting for the emperor's order to engage in another fierce battle. However, the emperor's opening edict caught everyone completely off guard.

An apology was issued? Who apologized? Did the Crown Prince apologize on behalf of the Emperor?

Lu Jiawenzhong stared intently at the movements ahead, clenched his fist, steeled his resolve, stepped forward, bowed, knelt down, and shouted, "Your Majesty's profound understanding of righteousness is truly a blessing for our Great Qing! Your Majesty is wise!"

Upon hearing this, everyone quickly knelt down and echoed, "Your Majesty is wise!"

at the same time.

Censor Zhang Lin, hearing the bruises around his eyes and the corners of his mouth, stared wide-eyed at the Crown Prince, who was bowing and apologizing in front of him, backing away as if he were about to sit on the ground.

To appear formal, Hongzhao wore the court robes he wore on the day he was appointed Crown Prince. He lowered his posture and, with the bewildered Hongxuan in tow, repeatedly apologized on behalf of his father, bowing respectfully before Zhang Lin.

Zhang Lin steadied himself, and the elderly man, his face bruised and purple, knelt down before Hongzhao with a thud, his face contorted with tears streaming down his face—"What virtue or ability do I possess to deserve an apology from Your Majesty and the Crown Prince? I have devoted myself to the Qing Dynasty for decades, and to receive such a apology is enough to make me die without regret!"

After saying this, he pounded his chest with his hand, and Hongzhao quickly reached out to help him up. But the person in front of him was crying so hard that he almost collapsed to the ground and could not be pulled up no matter what.

He knew he had made the right decision.

Before noon, the news spread like wildfire throughout the capital. At the same time, another piece of news reached Prince Dun's residence.

Princess Consort of Prince Dun frowned deeply, her handkerchief clenched tightly in her hand. Looking at the eunuch who had come from the palace to deliver the message standing below, she secretly pinched her palm, forced a smile, gave the gift money, and was about to see the person out.

Her heart was in turmoil, torn between conflicting emotions. Hongxuan had been granted the title of Beizi, and her eldest daughter, Princess Qingcheng, had been exceptionally granted the title of Heshuo Princess—a title reserved only for daughters of the Emperor's concubines. Now, the Dzungar Khanate was seeking a marriage alliance, and Princess Chaogui remained unmarried. Could it be... could it be that the Emperor was considering having her daughter take his place?

The eunuchs who could leave the palace to deliver messages were all very shrewd. Seeing that the Princess Consort of Prince Dun was absent-minded and preoccupied, they turned their eyes and thought of the instructions given to them by Eunuch De before their departure. They stood still and spoke again.

"Congratulations, Your Highness! This is a wonderful thing. It must be because of your good fortune with Consort Wan that the Consort was able to visit her after her miscarriage. As soon as the Consort recovered, she remembered your kindness and spoke to the Emperor, which is why she received this honor."

After saying this, he didn't care about the lady's expression, and simply smiled and bowed his head to take his leave.

The Princess Consort of Prince Dun looked somewhat surprised. She had no ill feelings towards this Consort Wan in the palace, so why was she acting this way...?

The cold wind made her even more anxious. She clenched her fist tightly, turned around, and walked briskly into the palace.

The next morning, Prince Dun earnestly apologized to the Emperor in court. In front of everyone, he walked up to Censor Zhang Lin and, for the first time ever, lowered his usually arrogant head and bowed respectfully.