Chapter 400: Just to make trouble for the prince
The midsummer sun was scorching, cicadas were chirping noisily outside the palace, and even the white marble steps were steaming with heat.
The prince was wearing a moon-white gauze robe with a green jade belt around his waist and a mutton-fat jade pendant tied to the dangling silk ribbon. The jade had a warm color, making him look even more elegant and calm.
He walked steadily and when he reached the palace gate, he paused for a moment, raised his hand to straighten his clothes, and when his fingertips brushed across his collar, his movements were gentle and there was no trace of impatience.
"Your Highness," the eunuch in front of the emperor bowed his waist and lowered his voice very low, "The emperor has not had his lunch because of the Duke of Wei's affairs. You... please be more careful."
The prince nodded slightly, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the coiled dragon pattern on the jade pendant inside his sleeve.
The palace door opened with a breeze. He stepped inside, his eyes slightly lowered, his expression respectful but not humble, "Your son pays respects to the emperor."
The emperor looked up from the pile of memorials, his eyes filled with displeasure: "What's the matter with you coming here at this hour?"
The voice was a little cold, like an ice cellar in summer.
The emperor placed the red brush on the edge of the inkstone. A drop of cinnabar slowly slid down the tip of the brush, spreading a dazzling red on the rice paper.
The prince was obviously not intimidated by his majesty, and said slowly: "There are still some hidden stories about the night when Sun's cousin was kidnapped that have not been made public."
"oh?"
The emperor looked gloomy and looked at the prince, who was standing upright with his back as straight as a pine tree. "What's the secret?"
The prince raised his head, his eyes clear, "Yesterday, Sun Huanzhi came to visit the East Palace and told me that the night Haining was abducted, it was Liang Nian from the second branch of the Liang family who took the risk to tell him about the evil plot of the first branch of the Liang family. It was also he who helped Sun Huanzhi to capture Liang Zhong, which gave Haining a safe night."
The emperor asked indifferently, "Is there such a thing?"
"Prince, why have you come?"
The prince said calmly, "Sun Huanzhi wants to ask this son to intercede for the second branch of the Liang family. I beg your father to be lenient with them."
The emperor suddenly sneered: "Do you know that Liang Jingyou was just in this palace, holding the golden medal of immunity from death given by the previous emperor, threatening me to release the second branch of the Liang family. What a coincidence, he threatened to die, and you came in the blink of an eye?"
The paperweight on the dragon table was slapped loudly. "Prince, I didn't know you were so kind."
"I don't know."
The prince's back was straight, but anger was rising between his brows. "Did Liang Jingyou commit suicide for this? This is so shameless. The crimes committed by the Liang family are too numerous to list. Why would he plead for the Liang family?"
"What's more, they killed my mother..."
The words stopped abruptly, and the emperor saw the prince's clenched fists, his knuckles turning white.
The emperor narrowed his eyes: "Aren't you also pleading for the second branch of the Liang family now?"
His eyes roamed over the prince's face, as if trying to see through his true emotions beneath his calmness.
The prince lowered his eyes and spoke in a low and restrained voice: "Haining is the only legitimate daughter of the Sun family. She is my cousin, and the Empress Dowager has always loved her."
He paused, tightening his knuckles slightly, "If something happened to her that night, the Sun family, the Empress Dowager, and... if my mother were still alive, they would surely be sad."
When the late queen was mentioned, the atmosphere in the palace suddenly became tense.
There was a dark flash in the emperor's eyes, and his fingertips unconsciously stroked the dragon pattern on the imperial desk.
The prince raised his eyes, his expression calm and almost indifferent: "In any case, I will remember this favor from the second branch of the Liang family."
He paused for a moment, and said in a nonchalant tone, "As for your father's decision, I dare not interfere."
The emperor looked at him steadily, and suddenly chuckled: "Your request for mercy is really perfunctory. If Sun Huanzhi knew about this, he would probably blame you for not being sincere enough."
The crown prince's lips twitched slightly, but there was no smile in his eyes: "I promised him, and I did it. As for the outcome, it all depends on the emperor's decision. I... can't do anything about it."
The emperor stared at him for a moment and suddenly understood something.
The prince has had a lot of interactions with the Liang family over the years because of Concubine Liang.
But now that he already knew the truth about the death of the late queen, how could he not hate her?
What about the first and second branches of the Liang family? Anyone who has the slightest connection with Concubine Liang, I'm afraid the prince would want to get rid of them as soon as possible.
The emperor felt relieved and even slightly pleased.
Liang Jingyou was sensible and died himself, saving him the trouble.
As for the second branch of the Liang family, they are just a group of mediocre people and cannot cause any trouble.
Keeping them around would actually allow the prince to be alert at all times and sharpen his character.
"I hesitated before, fearing that if I pardoned the Liang family, I would upset you." The emperor softened his tone, as if testing you.
The prince's expression remained unchanged, and he only whispered: "I dare not."
The emperor smiled with satisfaction: "Since you are so clear about gratitude and resentment, then I will grant you what you ask for."
He picked up the red brush and wrote, "Before his death, Liang Jingyou wrote a document to divide the family. The second branch of the Liang family had no knowledge of the conspiracy, and they were credited with exposing it, so they were released without charge."
The prince's heart suddenly relaxed, but his face twitched uncontrollably, as if he was unwilling for a moment.
He quickly calmed down and said in a dull tone, "Father is kind and merciful."
The emperor looked at him and his smile deepened.
——Very good, the prince is still the prince after all.
No matter how deep the hatred is hidden, it cannot be hidden from his eyes.
-
It rained that night.
Drops of water dripped from the eaves, making crisp sounds on the bluestone slabs.
Yuan Wanru leaned against the window, looking at the dense rain outside, with the corners of her lips slightly raised.
"The second wife is about to be released from prison..." she whispered softly, with a long-lost sense of relief in her eyes.
But the smile disappeared before it reached his eyes.
The case of Concubine Liang is about to be settled, and Tang Bo’s death is probably not far away.
While he was thinking, Lu Jiangnian walked in: "Today, Su Shaodong sent a message to Xuanying, inviting you to go to Qihuangzhai tomorrow."
Yuan Wanru's eyes moved slightly and her fingertips curled up lightly. It seemed that there was news from Su Shaodong.
"It's okay, I hope everything is still in time."
Lu Jiangnian knew what she was worried about. Now, they actually didn’t know whether Tang Bo was alive or dead.
Take a chance, he's still alive.
Lu Jiangnian hugged her from behind, his chin resting lightly on the top of her head: "My wife, I think you have always had good luck, and this time will be no exception."
"Tang Bo is already in the Emperor's hands. He probably isn't in a hurry to kill anyone. After dealing with Concubine Liang and her son, it will be Tang Bo's turn."
She relaxed into his arms. "I hope so."
"Nine out of ten of your previous guesses were correct. I hope it will be the same this time."
Lu Jiangnian squeezed her palm and said, "Why, you don't believe me?"
Yuan Wanru smiled lightly: "I believe you, Liang Nian and the others will be released from prison soon."
She paused, and lowered her voice a little, "If he hadn't been alert and sent a message to Xuanying in time, the Liang family would have sent someone to Nanjiang County, I'm afraid..."
Before he finished speaking, Lu Jiangnian's arms tightened a little.
Yes, if something happens to the Yuan family because of this, I’m afraid my wife will never be truly happy in her life.
fortunately.
"Let them leave the capital." Lu Jiangnian kissed her temple. "Now that we have finished our business, this is not a place to stay for long."
Yuan Wanru nodded: "But the Liang family's property has been confiscated, so we have to prepare some money for them."
Before he finished speaking, Lu Jiangnian chuckled, "You really underestimate our emperor."
He twirled a strand of her hair with his fingertips. "Since he is willing to let her go, he won't do anything too embarrassing. Besides, Liang Jing has the document on the division of the family property."
"He's certainly generous."
Yuan Wanru sneered, a hint of sarcasm flashing in her eyes, "Keeping the second branch of the Liang family to trouble the prince, this kind of 'grace' is very suitable for his character."
This reason is really ridiculous and sad.
Lu Jiangnian turned her around and held her face: "He is an emperor, but he is also a mortal."
His thumb gently stroked her slightly furrowed brows, "Who in this world doesn't have some shady thoughts in their hearts?"
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