The situation changed dramatically in just over ten days.
Gu Jiangli didn't bother to find out the details of the matter; she was focused on recovering from childbirth.
When Heng'er turned one month old, the Prince Yu's mansion held a grand banquet. Everyone who passed by the mansion was welcome to attend, with the aim of having the entire capital celebrate the birth of Prince Yu's beloved son.
During the banquet, some whispers quietly reached Gu Jiangli's ears.
"Have you heard? It turns out that the good emperor we always thought he was was actually just pretending! He even coveted Prince Yu's wife! Tsk tsk tsk, it's true that men are attracted to beautiful women."
"I've heard about it too! Not only that, the Emperor also wants Prince Yu's fortune, so he sent many assassins to sneak into the Prince's residence to commit murder! Poisoning, hidden weapons, they used everything! I heard that the Princess Consort was almost injured!"
"Oh dear, what you all know isn't as comprehensive as what I have. One of my cousins works in a mine, and I heard that the emperor sent people to blow up the mine in order to eliminate the Crown Prince and Prince Yu! Prince Yu and the Crown Prince are buried in the mountains!"
"Yes, yes, I've heard about it too. It's thanks to the Princess and the Prince's telepathic connection that they were able to pinpoint Prince Yu's hiding place and rescue him! Thank goodness for the Princess; if the Emperor had succeeded, how many people would have died in the mine!"
"Fortunately, there were no deaths. We spent several days trying to save them, and most of them have been rescued. Some were just unlucky and were left with disabilities, but it's good that they're alive. The emperor's actions were truly a tragedy!"
......
Gu Jiangli was quite satisfied with the current rumors.
It was more detailed and exaggerated than what she had initially spread.
Originally, discussing the emperor was punishable by imprisonment, but so many people were discussing it that even the source of the rumors could not be found.
The emperor was in a state of utter chaos in the palace, with officials constantly coming to offer advice, seemingly to provide solutions, but in reality, they were criticizing him.
"Your Majesty, rumors that are detrimental to you are circulating everywhere, and even children have turned these rumors into satirical poems. Please tell us the truth so that we can respond appropriately!"
"Your Majesty, there are rumors circulating that you intend to kill His Highness the Crown Prince. I believe this is untrue. However, in order to preserve Your Majesty's reputation, it would be better to pass the throne to the Crown Prince, while Your Majesty can remain as the Retired Emperor and hold power. In this way, the unfounded rumors circulating in the public may be dispelled."
"Your Majesty, I believe that rumors stop with the wise. The claim that you covet Princess Yu's beauty is utterly absurd. No matter how beautiful Princess Yu is, she is naturally no match for the beauties in Your Majesty's harem. Let them say what they want."
The emperor was trembling with rage. Not a single word he wanted to hear! Not a single word was useful!
He slammed his hand on the table and stood up angrily.
"Get out! All of you, get out of here! Get as far away as you can!"
The ministers shuddered and exchanged glances, all seeing the "I knew it" look in each other's eyes.
His Majesty used to never get angry, and he always had a smiling face, so everyone thought he was approachable.
His anger today stemmed from the fact that the rumors were true, which made him anxious.
The ministers knew what was going on and didn't want to provoke the emperor any further, so they all took their leave.
The emperor was left alone, slumped on his dragon throne, filled with resentment.
————
Heng'er grew up very quickly and even learned to crawl slowly on his hands and feet.
Since Gu Jiangli had nothing else to do, she decided to hold a simple first birthday ceremony for Heng'er.
This was originally something to be done on the first birthday, but Gu Jiangli did it earlier.
Prince Yu never objected to her opinions, and immediately ordered someone to bring the appropriate items.
Inkstone, abacus, copper coins, books.
Originally, there were these four items, but Gu Jiangli jokingly had someone make something resembling an imperial seal and added it to the baby's first birthday celebration.
Prince Yu simply laughed and said nothing.
The mistress originally wanted to stop it, but then felt that everyone present was trustworthy, so she didn't say anything more.
They put Heng'er on the table and let him climb on it.
Almost everyone guessed that Heng'er would climb toward the copper coin, after all, it was a symbol of the Prince's wealth.
But none of them expected that Heng'er would use both hands, almost simultaneously, to grab the copper coin with one hand and the jade seal with the other.
Gu Jiangli was greatly surprised and joked, "My goodness, Heng'er, you've done it all!"
Copper coins represent wealth, while imperial seals represent power.
Her son, Heng'er, seemed to have already made his own plans.
Prince Yu's eyes darkened. "Since it is what Heng'er wants, I, as his father, will certainly get it for him."
Gu Jiangli said softly, "Heng'er's ambitions are far greater than mine as his mother's."
Prince Yu took this matter to heart and became busy again from that day on.
I heard that he didn't go to the mine, but went to the military camp instead.
As Heng'er grew up, he gradually learned to pronounce various individual syllables.
Gu Jiangli had a premonition that things were about to change drastically.
————
Inside the palace, the atmosphere in the main hall was terribly somber.
The emperor stood on the steps, and the crown prince stood below them.
The father and son looked at each other, but there was no affection in their eyes.
"After being rescued from the mine, the Crown Prince has been ill and has not seen me for several months. Today, he has finally recovered and remembered to see me?"
The Crown Prince coldly replied, "Father, I have come today specifically to see you off."
The emperor was shocked. "Send it to me? Are you really plotting to kill your father? I am your father!"
“Father, I have never denied your identity, but do you even care about me as your son? You've heard the rumors, haven't you? Everyone says you're ruthless. How can someone who doesn't care about his own son care about the people of the world?”
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