Prince Ning blew his beard and glared, his tone unfriendly, "You didn't do the job I told you to do properly, and you still come up with so many excuses. How presumptuous!"
Liu Zhao didn't even blink. "Father, you should be the one who understands the difficulty of this matter. Why are you making things difficult for your son?"
Prince Ning snorted, "Sharing my worries is filial piety."
Liu Zhao smiled coldly, "I really want to share your father's worries, but I'm not strong enough. How about letting my fourth brother shoulder this heavy burden?"
When Liu Yi heard this, he immediately became anxious.
How could he have the ability to raise money to repay the debt owed to the Ministry of Revenue?
He hurriedly said, "As the eldest brother, you should set an example for your brothers."
Liu Zhao looked at Liu Yi with a half-smile, "Fourth brother has always said that he is brave enough to take on responsibilities and can do them. Now that our father has something to ask, you keep refusing. What's the reason? Could it be that all those words you said before were just empty talk?"
Liu Yi hurriedly defended himself, "Brother, you're joking. I've only been training for a short time, and my skills are limited. How can I do something that even you can't do? Please don't make things difficult for us."
Liu Zhao looked back at Prince Ning and said, "I'll leave this matter to my father to decide."
Prince Ning is obsessed with lawsuits and money. It’s such a terrible thing.
Pei murmured to Prince Ning, "Business in the south is not going well this year. We are suffering heavy losses. Our profits are a full 20% less than last year."
Prince Ning frowned.
Concubine Shu quickly said, "It's New Year's Eve, so don't discuss things that will spoil the mood. The Ministry of Revenue is in arrears, and since the Emperor hasn't issued an order yet, don't scare yourselves. Huyang, don't be so sad either. Things will work out in the end. When that day comes, I'll work with you to find a solution."
Princess Huyang's worry turned into joy, "Thank you, mother."
The palace maid came to report that the banquet was ready and asked everyone to go to Chenghui Palace.
Concubine Shu asked, "Your Majesty, have you said who will host the family dinner tonight?"
The palace maid shook her head, "Your Majesty never said it clearly."
It’s not said clearly, what does this mean?
Concubine Shu waved her hand and asked the palace maids to leave first.
She looked towards Prince Ning and asked, "What do you think about this?"
Prince Ning remained motionless, "I don't think it will be a good outcome."
Concubine Shu frowned. "Your Highness has been quite active lately. We can have the family dinner tonight, but what about the New Year's Day court tomorrow? Empress Cui Ruizhen has passed away, and when women enter the palace, do they have to go to the Weiyang Palace to pay homage to her spirit tablet?"
Prince Ning said nonchalantly, "Mother, you are worrying about nothing."
Concubine Shu was furious. "This matter concerns the future of us mother and son, and whether your descendants will fall into the dust or soar to the sky. How dare you accuse me of being a mediocre person? I think you are becoming more and more ridiculous."
Prince Ning sat lazily, "Does mother really think that fighting for that position will be of any use?"
Concubine Shu snorted coldly and said nothing.
Prince Ning added, "Father will not be easily manipulated. It is better to remain still than to act now. Furthermore, I don't think Father has any intention of appointing a queen."
Concubine Shu frowned, "Without a queen, this harem..."
Prince Ning interrupted Concubine Shu with alacrity, saying, "It's been almost a year since Queen Cui Ruizhen passed away, and the harem is still the same. Is it in turmoil because the queen is gone? Nowadays, it's better for everyone without a queen."
Concubine Shu frowned and thought deeply.
The hall was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
Gu Jiu looked at Liu Zhao secretly.
Liu Zhao looked serious, as if someone owed him five hundred taels of silver.
Gu Jiu lowered his head, thinking in his heart.
With the Ministry of Revenue's arrears and the disputes in the harem, the court is becoming more and more chaotic.
The prince still sat firmly in that position. No matter how many people attacked and slandered him, the emperor could not make up his mind.
Everyone can see that the emperor dislikes the prince and is dissatisfied with him in many ways.
So what is the emperor waiting for?
Why haven't you made up your mind yet?
Is he waiting for the prince to become desperate and do something desperate?
Are you taking this opportunity to observe the character of the princes?
Or, because Queen Cui Ruizhen asked the Crown Prince to observe three years of mourning, will the Emperor keep his promise and really give His Royal Highness the Crown Prince three years?
However, judging from the emperor's past behavior, he is not a man who keeps his promises.
The emperor is ruthless and will take revenge when he has a grudge. This is the true nature of the emperor.
Princess Huyang reminded everyone, "The banquet is ready, shouldn't we go over there?"
Ning Wang looked at Concubine Shu.
Concubine Shu said, "No hurry."
Prince Ning beckoned a palace attendant and instructed, "Keep an eye on Imperial Concubine Xue's movements. If she leaves, report immediately."
The palace maids took orders and left.
Concubine Shu laughed and said to Prince Ning, "You and I have the same idea."
Prince Ning laughed heartily, "It is natural for a son to share his mother's worries."
It was not until Concubine Xue left that Concubine Shu asked the palace maids to prepare the sedan chair and go to Chenghui Palace.
The lights in Chenghui Hall were bright.
As soon as Concubine Shu entered the room, Concubine Xue came to greet her with a smile.
"Shu Fei, you are finally here. You are the only one missing."
Concubine Shu looked reserved, "Isn't His Majesty here yet?"
"Oh? Concubine Shu actually wants to come later than His Majesty? When His Majesty comes, I have to talk to him."
Concubine Xue seemed to be smiling.
Concubine Shu's face turned serious. "In the past, you liked to misinterpret what others said, often making things up. After all these years, you still haven't changed this habit."
Concubine Xue raised an eyebrow and smiled, then countered, "Concubine Shu is still so direct in her words. After all these years, why haven't you changed this habit?"
Concubine Shu snorted coldly, not wanting to say more to Concubine Xue, and walked straight to the end of the hall.
Rows of tables were neatly arranged and everyone sat on the floor.
Gu Jiu separated from Liu Zhao and went to the female seat on the right, sitting behind Princess Pei.
Ouyang Fu and Xiao Qin'er were located below Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu wore a dark red, curved-hem gown today, without much decoration, and a set of red gold head jewelry on her head.
On the wrist is a matching red gold bracelet.
Xiao Qin'er wore a set of jade head jewelry today, a long gown with a curved hem embroidered with rich peonies, and had bright white teeth and a sweet smile.
She looked around and saw people around her who were familiar to her.
Gu Jiu heard her mutter, "Dong Gong is here too."
As expected, all the people from the Eastern Palace attended the event, led by the Crown Prince.
Everyone looked at the people in the Eastern Palace, and the female members of the family had to greet the Crown Princess and exchange a few words.
The princes were not so polite and could not help but make some sarcastic remarks to the prince.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince coughed twice and his face turned pale. He was still ill.
He ignored the sarcasm of his brothers and walked straight to the front, sitting on the floor behind the desk.
The princes of the Eastern Palace sat behind the Crown Prince.
Gu Jiu discovered that the arrival of the prince and his family changed the atmosphere in the hall.
Many people were whispering to each other, their eyes all looking towards the prince.
The prince stood still as a mountain, as if he didn't know that he was the one everyone was talking about.
The Crown Princess, on the other hand, sat with her head bowed, her hands hanging down. Her hands, tucked into her sleeves, had already been clenched into fists.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
With the eunuch's shout, the emperor arrived.
The emperor strode into the hall with great strides and walked towards the main seat.
Everyone stood up and prepared to salute.
When the emperor saw the prince, he paused noticeably, then walked to the main seat as if nothing had happened and sat on the ground.
"Meet the Emperor (Grandfather)"
"No need to be polite."
Concubine Shu and Concubine Xue served the emperor on his left and right.
In this way, there is no need to distinguish who is the most respected. They are all concubines of the emperor.
The emperor gave the order, "Begin the banquet!"
The palace maids filed into the hall carrying wine and food.
Gu Jiu looked at the cups, plates, and bowls before him. There was no difference between a royal family banquet and a palace banquet. If there was a difference, at least the wine and food at the family banquet were hot, not cold.
Today is New Year’s Eve, the last day of the year.
The emperor has a good character.
There was singing, dancing and feasting, and since there were no outsiders present, all those present were members of the royal family, and the atmosphere quickly became lively.
King Zhao stood up first and came to the crown prince's table, "Brother, I'll toast you a glass."
The Crown Prince was still fine, but the Crown Princess became nervous first.
The prince's face turned pale and he coughed twice. "I'm toasting you, so I should drink. But I'm not feeling well, and the imperial physician has told me not to drink. I beg your forgiveness."
The King of Zhao immediately became dissatisfied, "Brother, do you look down on me? You won't even drink a glass of wine?"
"It's not that I don't want to drink, but I can't drink." The prince's voice was weak.
King Zhao's face turned serious. "Prince, you look down on me, your brother, and think I'm vulgar and unworthy of drinking with you, right?"
The prince flatly denied it, "I absolutely do not have such an idea."
"Then drink it."
Prince Zhao stared at the Crown Prince and insisted on forcing him to drink.
Teng!
The emperor's eldest grandson stood up suddenly and said, "I'm going to drink with my uncle."
King Zhao laughed heartily and pointed at the emperor's eldest grandson, "You little brat, step aside."
The emperor's eldest grandson was furious, "Uncle Wang, do you look down on your nephew?"
King Zhao's eyes were like those of a hawk, as he sized up the emperor's eldest grandson from head to toe. "You are not worthy of my toast."
"Nephew toasts Uncle Wang." The emperor's eldest grandson picked up the wine glass and toasted respectfully.
The King of Zhao ignored him and stared at the Crown Prince, "Does the Crown Prince really want the Emperor's eldest grandson to drink this glass of wine for you?"
The prince coughed continuously until he couldn't speak.
"I'll drink it for him."
With a roar, the Crown Princess stood up.
"Am I qualified to drink this glass of wine for the Crown Prince?"
Prince Zhao turned around and looked at the Crown Princess, laughing heartily. "Sister-in-law, it's perfectly acceptable for you to drink this glass of wine for the Crown Prince. Come, I'll offer you a toast."
The Crown Princess picked up the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.
King Zhao also drank up the wine in the cup and showed the bottom of the cup to show that the wine was finished.
He turned back to look at the prince and laughed, his laughter mostly mocking. A dignified prince actually asked a woman to take the initiative to drink. Haha, the prince was only capable of this.
The prince looked at the princess with his eyes, his gaze was too complicated and filled with too many emotions.
From beginning to end, the emperor did not intervene in this matter. He just stood by and watched everything indifferently.
Gu Jiu looked around, and when the emperor looked at the prince, there was obvious disappointment in his eyes.
What are you disappointed about?
Disappointed that the prince didn’t drink?
Or are you disappointed that the prince can't even handle such a small challenge?
Gu Jiu thought to himself: The prince is in danger.
Perhaps within three years, the emperor will depose the crown prince.
King Zhao took the lead, and the princes and royal family moved among the dancers, looking for people to drink with.
The scene was lively and casual.
Prince Ning ran up to the emperor and said he wanted to toast him.
The emperor rarely gave King Ning a good look and drank half a cup.
Prince Ning was still unaware, "Why did Father only drink half a cup?"
The emperor glanced at Prince Ning coldly and said succinctly, "Get lost!"
Prince Ning really left.
When Gu Jiu saw this scene, he found it funny.
However, when Liu Zhao and other grandsons of the emperor came forward to toast, the emperor remained friendly and had a loving look in his eyes.
It turns out that grandparents are close to each other.
Prince Ning complained below, "The old man is so partial that it's unbearable to watch."
Xiao Qin'er, who was beside Gu Jiu, was drinking by herself and was also happy.
When the wine was full, she raised her glass and said, "Sister-in-law, I toast you."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Thank you, sister-in-law. Today is the royal family banquet, sister-in-law, please don't get drunk."
Xiao Qin'er snorted, "I don't drink. My sister-in-law just talks too much."
Gu Jiu didn't care and drank a glass.
Xiao Qin'er ran to the front again with a wine glass and toasted the princess.
At this time, a eunuch hurried to Chen Dachang, the chief inspector, and whispered a few words in his ear.
Chen Dachang's expression changed slightly.
The Crown Princess, who had been silent until then, glanced calmly in Chen Dachang's direction. She loosened her fists, her face now smiling.
Gu Jiu noticed this scene and immediately had a bad feeling.
She looked across, searching for Liu Zhao.
Liu Zhao was surrounded by people toasting him and couldn't get away at all.
When Chen Dachang walked towards the emperor, Gu Jiu clenched his fists and was inexplicably nervous.
She glanced around and it seemed that many people didn't notice the eunuch who had just come in. They were just busy drinking.
Will something happen?
Could something have happened in the court?
Where did the natural disaster occur?
Gu Jiu picked up the wine glass, covered the corners of his lips, and kept his eye on the emperor without showing any expression.
Chen Dachang came to the emperor and whispered in his ear.
Neither Consort Xue nor Consort Shu paid attention to this matter. Even if they did, they didn't dare to listen.
Gu Jiu clearly saw that after Chen Dachang finished speaking, the emperor, who had been in a good mood, suddenly had a dark cloud on his face. He looked like he was going to kill someone if they disagreed with him.
Gu Jiu's heart skipped a beat. It's over, it's over. Something must have happened.
She continued to cover her face with her sleeves, leaving only her eyes exposed, paying attention to the emperor's movements.
The emperor's eyes first looked at them.
Gu Jiu was shocked. Could something have happened in Prince Ning's Mansion?
Looking closely, the emperor's gaze was not towards them, but towards Princess Huyang.
Then, the emperor looked at Prince Consort Chen who was sitting at the end.
Gu Jiu's wine glass almost fell to the ground.
Princess Huyang and Prince Consort Chen?
What on earth had these two done wrong? To the point where the emperor looked at them like he wanted to eat them.
Gu Jiu was anxious. As the saying goes, when one prospers, all prosper; when one suffers, all suffer.
Even though Princess Huyang is a bitch, we must not kick her when she is down at this time.
She couldn't remind Prince Ning and Liu Zhao, so she had to remind Princess Pei who was sitting in front of her.
Gu Jiu stood up, walked to Pei's side, and whispered, "Your Highness, His Majesty just glanced at Aunt Huyang and Prince Consort Chen, and it seems there's a crisis."
Princess Pei was stunned and subconsciously looked at the emperor. Sure enough, she saw anger in his eyes.
She asked Gu Jiu, "Are you sure? It's really Hu Yang and the Prince Consort?"
Gu Jiu nodded solemnly, "You are not mistaken. Please find a way to remind my father."
Pei waved her hand and asked Gu Jiuxia to leave.
She was also a little confused. On the one hand, she was gloating, but on the other hand, she was worried about implicating Prince Ning's Mansion.
After thinking about it, I decided to remind Prince Ning first.
Concubine Xue was the first to notice that the emperor was in a bad mood, so she asked, "Your Majesty, are you feeling unwell?"
The emperor drank a glass of wine and shook his head slightly.
Bang!
The wine glass in the emperor's hand fell to the ground.
Everyone was shocked.
Prince Ning complained: "What is the old man going crazy about again?"
The emperor's gaze was directed at the Prince Consort Chen Yuan.
Chen Yuanzheng felt uncomfortable all over, his lower limbs numb from sitting still for so long. This aggravated his injuries, making it feel like torture.
Suddenly, the musicians stopped playing, the dancers stepped aside, and everyone's eyes followed the emperor's gaze and looked at him.
His heart started to panic, his hands got confused, and the cups, plates, and bowls on the table fell to the ground with a loud noise.
This time, he was so nervous that he broke out in cold sweats.
“Emperor, Emperor…”
Prince Ning suddenly asked, "What does your Majesty mean?"
"Shut up. I will settle the score with you later." The emperor angrily scolded King Ning.
Pei was terrified.
What happened? What exactly did Princess Huyang and her husband do wrong?
"Chen Yuan!"
"I am here!"
Prince Consort Chen immediately stood up from his seat, walked forward, and knelt in the center of the hall.
The emperor laughed in anger, "I've heard you spend money like water, and your reputation is well-deserved."
Prince Consort Chen was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat. "I acknowledge my guilt."
Princess Huyang's palms were sweating and her face was pale. She looked at Prince Ning and Concubine Shu frequently.
Concubine Shu shook her head slightly, signaling her to stay calm.
"A few days ago, the Embroidered Uniform Guard apprehended a group of tomb robbers. According to this group, all their loot was sold by the consort of the Chen family in the capital. They also claimed that the consort of the Chen family had tipped them off about the great tomb down there. They were even able to work together because of the consort of the Chen family's guarantee. I had no idea that the consort of the Chen family had the ability to divide gold and spot blood and find great tombs."
When these words were spoken, everyone in the hall was shocked.
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－－
I have had diarrhea from last night until this morning and it is still going on.
I should have finished writing it yesterday, but I haven’t finished it yet.
The second update will be released a little later.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
