Chapter 461 The Crown Prince Expresses His Position
The Crown Prince walked in with a steady gait, his eyes sharp as an eagle's, instantly catching sight of the incongruous letter on the imperial desk. He sneered inwardly, but bowed respectfully on the surface: "Your son greets His Majesty."
"Stand up, why are you so anxious?" The emperor said in a flat voice.
The prince stood up straight, his expression extremely solemn: "Father, I am here because of the Xiao Yan case."
He paused, his tone filled with deep regret, "Xiao Yan has indeed made great contributions to the country and the people, and he has also been dedicated in teaching the emperor's grandson. This is his contribution, and I dare not erase it."
The emperor looked at him calmly.
"Yes..." The prince suddenly changed the subject, "His merits are merits, his faults are faults! He carries the blood of the remnants of the King of Yue, which is his original sin. This is the first. Secondly, he has been in the Northwest Army for many years, and his old subordinates are everywhere. His prestige is too great. Now that his life story has been exposed, there is no guarantee that his old subordinates will not become resentful and cause chaos! Third, and most importantly -"
The Crown Prince looked directly at the Emperor, his gaze blazing. "Back then, to quell the Yue King's rebellion, countless loyal and brave soldiers shed their blood on the battlefield, their bones buried in a foreign land. If we show leniency to Xiao Yan just because he had made a minor contribution, how can we be worthy of those heroic souls who sacrificed their lives for their country? Where is the law of the court? Where is the majesty of heaven? If this precedent is set, there will be endless troubles. I hope your Majesty will reconsider!"
The emperor frowned.
"Has Xiao Yan ever offended you before?"
The emperor did not like the prince's impatience to "add insult to injury".
It makes sense, but Xiao Yan doesn't want to do that.
Even if he really can't survive in the end, we still have to have compassion for him.
This is the crown prince, the future ruler of a country, and he must have a benevolent heart.
The prince felt a tightness in his heart when he saw the emperor's reaction.
Sure enough, what Zhang Heyao said was right.
Zhang Heyao first strongly argued with him that Xiao Yan could not be kept, and then said that his father would not want to see a cold-blooded crown prince.
fine.
Zhang Heyao might have selfish motives—he couldn't forget Lu Qiniang, but what he said was not wrong.
So the Crown Prince changed the subject and parroted, "Of course, Father, your Majesty is kind and considerate. Considering Xiao Yan's wife, Lady Lu, who just gave birth and has an innocent child, I believe that you may show leniency to his family members and their wives to demonstrate the great grace of Heaven."
Sure enough, the emperor's expression eased slightly.
Others might not be able to see it, but the prince and Teng Wenfu could see it clearly.
The emperor suddenly asked Teng Wenfu, "What do you think?"
Teng Wenfu was shocked and fell to his knees. "How can an old servant interfere in such important matters of the imperial court?"
"No problem, just say it."
Teng Wenfu swallowed hard, lowered his eyelids, and replied in a dry voice, "Your Majesty, what His Royal Highness said is very thoughtful. Xiao Yan's crime concerns the foundation of the country, and it is indeed not appropriate to be lenient. As for his family, what His Royal Highness said is also kind and benevolent."
Abandoned Mother, I can only help you up to this point.
Teng Wenfu knew better than anyone that the emperor had no intention of changing the crown prince.
The prince can sit back and relax, waiting only a few years to ascend the throne.
He also has to plan for his future.
The emperor looked at Teng Wenfu deeply, and that look seemed to be able to penetrate people's hearts, making Teng Wenfu hang his head even lower.
The emperor was silent for a long moment before he slowly said, "I understand this matter. Allow me to think about it. Your Highness, please withdraw."
Although the Crown Prince felt unwilling, he saw that his father did not immediately reject his opinion. In fact, the very fact of "think about it" itself implied a huge pressure. So he stopped nagging and bowed respectfully: "Yes, I will take my leave."
After the Crown Prince left, only the Emperor and Teng Wenfu were left in the Imperial Study. The Emperor picked up Lu Qiniang's letter again, stroking the rough surface, and remained silent for a long time.
Dusk was falling and the yard was eerily quiet.
Lu Qin's mother had just finished feeding Chi Chi and was patting her to sleep when she heard the sound of a lock being unlocked outside the courtyard gate.
She shook her head, thinking she must have heard it wrong.
Chi Chi is very well behaved. He goes to sleep after eating and doesn’t make any noise at all.
Lu Qiniang put her on the kang.
There is no need to worry if a child of this age cannot roll over.
Lu Qiniang went out to cook for herself.
Fortunately, there are still a lot of things in the kitchen at home.
She has to eat well so that she can produce milk.
She didn't dare to think too much about it, for fear of affecting her milk supply.
Ah Huang followed behind Lu Qin Niang, and even it was quieter than before, as if it knew that something big had happened at home.
Before Lu Qiniang walked out of the inner courtyard, she saw someone coming towards her with a lantern.
I stopped and took a closer look, and it turned out to be Zhang Heyao.
He held a lantern in one hand and a food box in the other.
"What are you doing here?" Lu Qiniang asked in a muffled voice.
"Let's go back to the house. It's windy." Zhang Heyao frowned. "I can't get sick during the confinement period."
"I asked you what you are doing here." Lu Qiniang didn't move.
"I told you to go inside!" Zhang Heyao's voice suddenly rose. "You still don't understand what I'm saying."
"I can understand what people say, but I don't know if you are human." Lu Qiniang said, "Forget it, I don't want to argue with you. I don't have the energy and I'm very tired. Please leave."
After giving birth, she felt a little weaker and was prone to sweating.
This kind of weakness is not only physical, but also mentally exhausting.
Only when you live a good life will you have the energy to scold scumbags.
I'm so busy with my own affairs right now that I'm too lazy to pay any more attention to the scumbag I see.
"Xiao Yan is incompetent and has dragged you into this situation. Why are you trying to show off to me?" Zhang Heyao sneered, "Do you really think you've picked a good man?"
"Yes, my judgment of people is always bad. Are you satisfied?"
Zhang Heyao: "I don't know where you learned this sharp tongue. Can being tough now keep you fed, healthy, and raise your children well?"
"I brought you some warming soups and easily digestible meals. You just gave birth and need to rest well." He gestured at the food box in his hand, and his tone softened a bit.
"I dare not eat it. I'm afraid you'll poison it."
"Lu Qiniang!" Zhang Heyao's forehead was throbbing with anger, his rage reignited. Without another word, he strode into the main room, placing the lantern and food box heavily on the table with a clang. Then he turned, took a few steps in front of Lu Qiniang, and reached out to grab her arm, trying to drag her into the house.
No drag.
Zhang Heyao was furious.
"Do you have to ignore your own health and show off with me?"
"Let me go." Lu Qiniang took his hand away, "I'm telling the truth."
"Can't you tell the truth inside the house?" Zhang Heyao's breathing became heavier, his chest heaving, almost growling, "Lu Qinniang, I really want to hurt you, with your brain, can you figure it out? Get in here!"
Worried that Lu Qiniang might get stubborn, he said viciously, "If you don't come in, aren't you afraid that I'll strangle your daughter to death?"
"You dare!"
Lu Qiniang glared at him fiercely and walked in.
Zhang Heyao raised his hand to press his throbbing forehead, and followed closely with gritted teeth.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
