Chapter 99 Something's Wrong
After Lord Ye went to Jiangnan to investigate the accounts, news kept coming back to the capital.
Consort Wu's brother-in-law was found to have embezzled 50,000 taels of disaster relief funds that the government was distributing to the people.
He was immediately thrown into prison by Lord Ye, who was carrying the imperial edict.
Immediately afterward, Emperor Xiao Xuan of the capital saw the memorial and immediately ordered the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review to send people to investigate. He also ordered the confiscation of the property of Consort Wu's sister.
Consort Wu requested an audience with Emperor Xiao Xuan for three consecutive days but was unable to see him.
King Zhao knelt at the entrance of the Qin Zheng Hall for two hours before finally meeting Emperor Xiao Xuan.
However, after leaving the Hall of Diligent Governance, King Zhao's expression was not good.
He told Consort Wu that his aunt's family was doomed. His father had spared his uncle's life out of consideration for them, but he was still to be exiled to the southwest.
In addition, my aunt's family was exiled after their property was confiscated; all adult males were exiled, and several of my cousins were sent to the brothel...
Although he had already arranged for his cousins to be sent out, Consort Wu was still so angry that she fainted.
"Your Majesty is so cruel!" Consort Wu's face was covered in tears.
King Zhao could only sigh.
My uncle is too audacious! He actually dared to embezzle disaster relief funds. This is Father Emperor's bottom line!
This only adds to the suffering of the disaster victims. Isn't this damaging the very foundation of Chongqing?
"Mother, Uncle... he has only himself to blame!"
You should know what your father hates most.
"Uncle... you really made a huge mistake!" King Zhao couldn't help but say.
"But...that's your aunt's family after all! They're our blood relatives!"
Your Majesty's punishment is so severe, how can I, and you, save face?
"I thought that being demoted to a commoner and having my property confiscated was enough, but I never expected..." Consort Wu said while crying.
King Zhao didn't know what to say.
Was Father Emperor's punishment too severe? It seems a bit harsh, but Father Emperor could even give his own younger brother poisoned wine, so what's wrong with dealing with these so-called relatives from the Eighth Route Army?
"Mother! Don't think too much."
Today, my father told me that they are them, and we are us.
It's their business if they're blinded by wealth; Father still values us.
Furthermore, the reason your father doesn't see you is because he doesn't want you to make any more mistakes.
Look at the Fifth Prince's side; even Consort Ruan's family members were punished.
Consort Ruan merely removed her hairpin to apologize, daring not to plead for mercy. You... should learn from Consort Ruan." Prince Zhao could only advise Consort Wu.
Consort Wu suddenly regained consciousness.
These past few days... Consort Ruan has indeed not come to her palace, but when she first learned that Ye Yunshu from the Censorate was out on official business, she came to complain in tears.
The implication was that His Majesty had been misled by treacherous people, which was why he wanted to punish both families…
While she was making a scene demanding an audience with His Majesty, she wisely removed her hairpins to apologize...
I never would have guessed she was so cunning...
“Consort Ruan…” Consort Wu’s eyes suddenly turned cold.
“Mother! Fifth Prince told me that Consort Ruan initially wanted to plead for her, but he stopped her.”
I was busy here and didn't have time to come and stop you.
Your father will not see you, nor will he see Consort Ruan. You should stay quietly in the palace for the next few days.
In two months, it will be your birthday. Your father will celebrate it with you every year.
"Don't mention those things to your father then. Just pretend they never happened. He still dotes on you!" King Zhao advised again.
"It was my oversight!"
When your father sent out the Inspectorate, I should have abandoned your aunt's family.
"Ye Yunshu has made her move; she's aiming to break down the door and ransack the house. I was careless." Consort Wu sighed.
"So Mother Consort knows what to do?" King Zhao breathed a sigh of relief.
"Don't worry! Your mother is still the same as your father liked."
During this period, my mother will devote herself to Buddhist practice and stay quietly in Ronghua Palace.
I won't concern myself with what's happening outside anymore.
"My son, you must be careful. The Censorate is the Crown Prince's man. They've caused such a huge commotion; they certainly won't let this go easily," Consort Wu immediately instructed Prince Zhao.
"Mother, don't worry!"
The Crown Prince can't do anything to me right now!
Alright, I'll head out of the palace now. I'll come see you again in a couple of days!
...
The tense situation in the imperial court did not affect Song Zhimin's duties at all.
She continued to take care of Xiao Jingjue every day.
Since the assassination attempt at Linde Hall, Xiao Jingjue has become increasingly dependent on Song Zhimian.
He would tell Song Zhimian everything.
Song Zhimian listens to everything she says and is not at all as mischievous as other children her age.
On this day, Song Zhimian watched as the eunuchs thoroughly cleaned the Zixiao Pavilion and organized all the things Xiao Jingjue would need for his studies.
"The Mid-Autumn Festival is just a month away, and the weather is gradually getting cooler."
Have the imperial physician send the young prince's diet list for the autumn to the kitchen.
In addition, the needlework workshop in the inner palace also reminded him that the young prince seems to have grown a little taller than he did three months ago.
Those who work with needle and thread should pay a little more attention when cutting clothes.
"The shoes only need to be slightly larger. Never mind, you can send the young prince's shoe pattern to the imperial sewing staff later!"
Song Zhimian made arrangements for everything.
The eunuchs also wrote them all down.
Before long, Xiao Jingjue returned, covered in sweat, with several eunuchs.
"I played Cuju with my twelfth uncle today. He's not as good as me and he fell several times! I also fell twice."
Song Zhimian looked at Xiao Jingjue, who was covered in sweat, with a flushed face and some dirt on his clothes.
She quickly summoned the eunuchs to change Xiao Jingjue into clean clothes and wipe him down.
While sipping her tea, Xiao Jingjue chatted with Song Zhimian about what time they would go out to play the next day.
But as evening approached, Song Zhimian noticed something was amiss.
In the past, after playing Cuju (ancient Chinese football) for so long in the afternoon, Xiao Jingjue would always have a very delicious dinner.
But today...
Xiao Jingjue ate less than half of the dinner prepared by the kitchen staff.
The eunuch serving dinner immediately informed Song Zhimian of the situation.
Song Zhimian immediately checked the meal that had been served.
These are all foods that Xiao Jingjue usually likes to eat, so why was only such a small amount used?
"Did Your Highness have any pastries this afternoon?" Song Zhimian asked in a low voice.
“No! His Highness has always remembered Master Song’s words and will not use snacks and tea from outside.” The eunuch immediately said.
Song Zhimian frowned and quickly got up to walk towards the room where Xiao Jingjue was resting.
Xiao Jingjue was ready to rest.
Song Zhimian could tell at a glance that Xiao Jingjue's face was still a little red.
"Is Your Highness dissatisfied with the taste of dinner?" Song Zhimian asked with a smile.
Xiao Jingjue immediately shook her head.
"No! It's just... I can't eat!"
"Is something wrong?" Song Zhimian immediately became anxious.
Xiao Jingjue thought for a moment, then suddenly pointed to her cheek and said, "This...it's a little sore! I don't want to chew anything!"
Song Zhimian thought for a moment, and realized that there was nothing in today's dinner that required much chewing.
Could it be that...
Song Zhimian immediately reached out and gently touched the area behind Xiao Jingjue's cheek, below his ear...
With just that touch, Xiao Jingjue frowned.
Song Zhimian also vaguely felt a small, hard lump...
"Quickly, go and fetch the imperial physician!" Song Zhimin's heart sank.
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