A major campaign was launched in the capital.
Zhou Shaoyu was in the peony garden, lying on the couch where Xie Zhaozhao was reading by the window, watching the withered leaves flying around in the yard.
Xie Zhaozhao left, Yuan Yuanman left, and Hongying and Hongshu also left with the two hundred guards who were guarding the courtyard.
Apart from Aunt Cui and Aunt Chai, only men remained in the courtyard.
She no longer wanted the Bei Chen sword that she had always used and returned it all to him.
The moon sets in the east and the stars in the south and dust settles in the north. The four secret guards return to their positions.
This courtyard has lost all its vitality.
Nanxing entered from outside and, seeing his master like this, felt distressed but had no choice but to report, "Your Highness, His Majesty summons you to the palace..."
Zhou Shaoyu: "I'm sick."
"His Majesty has sent the imperial physician!"
"Tell them to leave."
Nanxing went out to give a reply, and Hua Zisheng sighed.
Hua Zisheng returned to the imperial study, bowed his head, and smiled obsequiously, saying, "Your Majesty, His Highness's injuries have not yet healed."
Emperor Hui snorted, slammed the memorial in his hand onto the dragon table, and sneered, "I have painstakingly nurtured him for decades, yet he opposes me for a woman! No matter, if he doesn't want to be the crown prince, I will make the seventh prince the crown prince! Hua Zisheng, go and summon Jingqi and Consort Jing."
Hua Zisheng continued to serve Emperor Hui ginseng tea, and said to the young eunuch Quanfu waiting at the door, "Quanfu, go to Consort Jing's place and convey the imperial decree that His Majesty summons the Seventh Prince."
Quanfu had been loitering at the entrance. Upon hearing Hua Zisheng's words, he was so excited that he smiled broadly and ran off to Yuxiu Palace.
Emperor Hui smiled faintly and said, "Old man, you've become lazy too. Why didn't you go and summon them yourself? You actually sent a newcomer instead?"
Hua Zisheng smiled like an aunt and said, "We need to bring some new people. This old servant is used to serving His Majesty and doesn't want to leave for even a moment."
"Old man..."
Emperor Hui only said this one sentence without looking at Hua Zisheng's expression, while Hua Zisheng had a cool smile on his lips.
Zhou Jingqi's birth mother was originally just a maidservant by the side of Consort De. Even after giving birth to a son, she was only granted the title of Consort Jing, because His Majesty said that she was the most virtuous and quiet and never competed for power.
After Consort De passed away, Consort Jing and Noble Lady Xin lived in Yuxiu Palace. However, Noble Lady Xin only gave birth to a little princess.
A short while later, Quanfu, beaming, reported at the door: "Your Majesty, Consort Jing has arrived with the Seventh Prince."
"Announce."
Zhou Jingqi and Consort Jing entered the Imperial Study respectfully and hurriedly knelt down.
"May Your Majesty be well!"
"May Father Emperor be well!"
The seventh prince, Zhou Jingqi, was seven years old. His hair was neatly tied on top of his head, and he looked very respectful and had impeccable manners.
Hua Zisheng quickly glanced at the Seventh Prince and Consort Jing, then quickly looked away.
The Seventh Prince deliberately imitated Zhou Shaoyu's attire and demeanor.
Consort Jing is known for not fighting or vying for anything? Hua Zisheng couldn't help but twitch his lips again.
Xiu Ning was spanked by Empress Xie some time ago, and now that he can finally walk again, Hua Zisheng doesn't let him do any heavy work, but just makes him stand at the door as a messenger.
Xiu Ning watched his master's every move with respect. He did not miss the fleeting disdain on his master's lips. He immediately felt guilty and bent over, his face showing no emotion other than a smile.
Emperor Hui spoke with Consort Jing and the Seventh Prince for a short while, then summoned the Ministry of Rites and told Consort Jing to prepare to receive an award the next day.
On the 20th day of the tenth month of the 33rd year of Emperor Hui's reign, Emperor Hui issued an edict establishing his seventh son, Zhou Jingqi, as the Crown Prince of Daqian and placing him in the Eastern Palace. His mother, Consort Jing, was granted the title of Consort Jing and bestowed the title of Master of Yuxiu Palace.
At noon, after the court session, Qin Lang immediately went to Qingpu Garden and told Zhou Shaoyu the news.
"Your Highness, what are you thinking? Is your relationship with Miss Xie really over?" Qin Lang said helplessly. "My wife has been crying so much that she's been sick for days."
Xie Shi was imprisoned, Xie Zhaozhao was divorced, Liu Yiyi wanted to help but couldn't do anything, and Grand Secretary Liu had been dismissed and was at home, no longer even qualified to enter the palace to submit memorials.
Qin Lang tried every possible method, but he couldn't get into the imperial prison. His Majesty had issued a strict order forbidding anyone from visiting the Xie family.
Emperor Hui's efficiency in dealing with the Xie family was unbelievable.
Early in the morning, Xie Zhaozhao was divorced. When Liu Yiyi and Qin Lang heard the news, they immediately went to visit Xie Zhaozhao, but they didn't even go inside the door.
From the moment the Xie family was imprisoned and exiled by imperial decree to their forced departure from the capital, Liu Yiyi was caught off guard and didn't have time to process it all. By the time she learned the news, the Xie family had already left the capital.
Liu Yiyi and Qin Lang first went to plead with Zhou Shaoyu, and then went to chase after the Xie family. Perhaps due to excessive emotional excitement, Liu Yiyi fainted before leaving the city.
Left with no other choice, Qin Lang took her to see a doctor.
After handing Liu Yiyi over to his mother and the doctor, Qin Lang desperately chased after the Xie family, only to encounter the unconscious Zhou Shaoyu again on his way out of the city.
He watched as Zhou Shaoyu was taken away by the guards before he hurriedly rode his horse to deliver 30,000 taels of silver to the Xie family. This was all the cash that Qin Lang and Liu Yiyi could scrape together in their haste.
Liu Yiyi was unable to see Xie Zhaozhao one last time, and felt that she had done too little for Xie Zhaozhao. Overwhelmed with worry, she cried so much that she fell seriously ill and has not recovered yet.
If Qin Lang hadn't repeatedly vouched for her character, Liu Yiyi would have insisted on dragging her ailing body to Qingpuyuan to berate Zhou Shaoyu...
However, His Majesty announced to the world that he had appointed the seventh prince as crown prince.
Zhou Shaoyu appeared calm.
He said calmly, "Zhaozhao and I were forced to separate. I will spend the rest of my life with Heng'er. I will not get involved in the affairs of the court."
Qin Lang was helpless; besides, the imperial edict had already been issued, so he had no choice.
I just felt really frustrated.
No sooner had Qin Lang left than Bei Chen rushed back, looking travel-worn. Zhou Shaoyu, seeing his ashen face, immediately perked up and asked, "What happened? Did something happen to Madam?"
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