Half an hour later, Zheng Lulai summoned Yuan Cheng into the hall.
Yuan Cheng lifted his numb leg and brushed past Concubine Shu who was walking out.
He walked into the hall without looking around.
Emperor Xuan was half-leaning on the dragon couch, seemingly dozing off.
Yuan Cheng knelt down and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, your son greets you."
After a while, a deep voice came from the top, "The prince is very capable now."
Yuan Cheng didn't look up, "I dare not."
“Bang!”
The porcelain cup presented as tribute from the South China Sea fell to the ground, and several pieces of broken porcelain flew to Yuan Cheng's feet.
His expression remained unchanged. "Please forgive me, Father."
"Your Majesty has granted me full authority to handle the snowstorm. Wei Shaoqing is the prefect of Yangzhou and the primary person responsible for the disaster. I believe that summoning him back to the capital to report on his work is not an overreach."
The person on the dragon throne slowly opened his eyes. Although wrinkles appeared on Emperor Xuan's face, his eyes were deep and sharp, and he looked majestic without even being angry.
"Yuancheng, it's not your turn to call the shots in this world."
He spoke each word clearly, and one could hear the anger beneath his calm tone.
Zheng Luxin, who was waiting on the side, shuddered. He raised his eyes slightly and saw that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince didn't even frown.
Yuan Cheng was still kneeling, "Father, I dare not overstep the bounds."
"You sent Huo Yan to Nanyue and summoned Yuan Zhao back to the capital. Do you dare to say that you have no selfish motives?"
Yuan Cheng raised his head when he heard this.
"Your Majesty, the situation in South Vietnam is of great importance. Ordinary officials are not qualified to handle this matter. General Huo has fought bravely on the battlefield and has a keener sense of danger. I believe it is appropriate to send him."
"As for Zhao Zhao..." He raised his eyes and looked at Emperor Xuan, "Father, Zhao Zhao and I are siblings, and we haven't seen each other for ten years. As her elder brother, I should have taken good care of her as entrusted by our mother. I simply cannot let Zhao Zhao suffer outside."
"If you are talking about this matter, I do have selfish motives. I am willing to accept your punishment, but I only ask that you allow me to return to the capital!"
"I think Zhao Zhao also misses his father..."
When Emperor Xuan heard Yuan Cheng mention the late empress and Yuan Zhao, his expression softened a little.
He also thought of his little daughter who always sat at his knees, his most beloved princess.
But the emperor's relenting heart lasted only a moment. "She is in Yangzhou, a place of great feng shui. What kind of suffering can she endure?"
Even if it was only for a moment, Yuan Cheng caught the change in his father's tone.
He pulled something out of his sleeve and held it up with both hands. "This is a secret report from Yangzhou. Please examine it carefully, Father."
Zheng Lu took a look at Emperor Xuan, then immediately stepped forward, took the secret letter from Yuan Cheng's hand, and handed it to Emperor Xuan.
Emperor Xuan opened the letters and read them one by one. Zheng Lu didn't know what was written in them, but with his many years of experience in serving His Majesty, he knew that His Majesty was really angry.
Yuan Cheng also knew.
He knelt there straight, waiting for Emperor Xuan's next arrangement.
After a long while, Emperor Xuan put down the secret letter, his eyes solemn, "When Zhaohe returns to Beijing, let her bring the children to the palace to see me."
Yuan Cheng bowed his head and said, "Thank you, Father."
He was about to leave when the man on the dragon throne spoke again:
"The Crown Prince will be confined to the palace for a month to reflect on his mistakes."
Yuan Cheng and Zheng Lu were both stunned. They didn't expect that they would still be punished.
But Yuan Cheng was only stunned for a moment, then kowtowed and thanked him, "Thank you, father."
…
After Yuan Cheng left, Emperor Xuan stared into space in a daze for a long time.
Until Zheng Lu handed over a cup of tea, "Your Majesty, please have a cup of calming tea and go to bed early."
Emperor Xuan took the tea and took a sip, then suddenly asked, "Zheng Lu, do you think I'm old?"
Zheng Lu smiled and said, "Your Majesty is in the prime of life!"
Emperor Xuan snorted, "These days, the court officials have all been saying that the Crown Prince is young and energetic, diligent and capable. I guess they're all hoping for me to abdicate soon!"
Zheng Lu had followed Emperor Xuan for decades and naturally knew what he cared about most. "Your Majesty is Your Majesty, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is the Crown Prince. Only Your Majesty is the master of this Dacheng Dynasty."
Emperor Xuan looked at the memorials on the table and felt a little overwhelmed.
Thinking of Yuan Cheng's words just now, a trace of loneliness flashed in his eyes.
"I almost forgot what Yi'an looked like..."
Zheng Luwei raised his eyebrows and said at the right moment: "His Highness Showa is most similar to the late Empress..."
Emperor Xuan straightened up and said, "It's time for me to meet Zhaohe."
…
The news of the prince being punished reached many people that night.
In the Linhua Palace, Concubine Shu leaned on the concubine couch, listening to the eunuch's report, a smile on her lips.
"Go tell the Third Prince to be more clever in front of his father."
The young eunuch responded and left.
The Linhua Palace is magnificent, and all the furniture and utensils are top-grade tributes and extremely precious.
The hall is lit with calming incense, and it is warm and comfortable.
Madam Zhao beside her rubbed Concubine Shu's legs and flattered her earnestly, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. The Third Prince will surely seize the opportunity."
Concubine Shu lay with her eyes closed. "Your Majesty is old, and he's most afraid of power falling into someone else's hands. The first person he has to be on guard against is the Crown Prince. My Heng'er is just the right person to be more reserved..."
Although Your Majesty has already appointed a crown prince, as long as Your Majesty is in power, it is uncertain who will be the final winner.
"Your Majesty is truly wise. Now that you are in charge of the Phoenix Seal and the six palaces, you are the most honored woman in the entire harem. With you planning for the Third Prince, it will naturally succeed."
At this point, Concubine Shu opened her eyes, sighed, and said faintly: “For so many years, His Majesty has always been unwilling to make me the queen. Perhaps he still can’t let go of Shen Yian…”
Her eyes showed some fatigue. "What's so good about her? His Majesty has been obsessed with her for so many years, and even favors her children."
Aunt Zhao didn't know what to say, so she could only comfort him, "Your Majesty, the late queen is gone after all. Why bother arguing with her?"
But when it comes to the late queen's child, Zhao Mama thought of something else and said:
"Your Majesty, I heard that Princess Showa is returning to the capital..."
Concubine Shu sneered, "What can that little girl accomplish?"
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