"Second Prince, I sent you to the Ministry of Works. How is your position?"
Before the Second Prince could speak, Consort Shu interjected, "Since Ayan arrived at the Ministry of Works, he has been leaving early and returning late every day. Your Majesty, look at him, he has become quite thin."
Emperor Xiao glanced at his second son, but he couldn't figure out where the second son had lost weight.
Emperor Xiao was the emperor, and he knew perfectly well how well his second son had performed in the Ministry of Works.
It's more accurate to say that Consort Shu was sent to the Ministry of Works than to send the Second Prince to the Ministry of Works.
The second prince's tasks were basically handled by Consort Shu, but in the end, it was the second prince who received the credit.
However, Emperor Xiao was too lazy to bother with such trivial matters.
Emperor Xiao said calmly, "Is that so?"
"Yes, Ayan always says to me that he is afraid of disappointing Father Emperor's expectations of him."
Emperor Xiao frowned. Did he have any expectations for his second son? How come he didn't know?
Empress Shang pretended not to hear and quietly ate her meal.
"Your Majesty, now that Ayan is doing so well in the Ministry of Works, why don't you transfer him to the Ministry of Revenue?"
The Ministry of Revenue was previously where Xiao Chengci worked. Later, Emperor Xiao transferred Xiao Chengci to the Ministry of War.
The Ministry of Revenue was in charge of the national treasury, while the Ministry of War was in charge of the nation's military forces.
When others ask the Ministry of Revenue to allocate funds, the entire ministry will engage in a fierce struggle over it.
Whenever His Highness the Crown Prince needed to do something, the Ministry of Revenue would allocate funds without hesitation.
Emperor Xiao refused without even thinking, saying, "That's inappropriate."
Sending the second son to the Ministry of Revenue—isn't that giving Consort Shu an opportunity to line her own pockets?
"Your Majesty..." Consort Shu said sweetly, "His Highness the Crown Prince has caused such a huge disaster. Someone has to take over the Ministry of Revenue's affairs, right?"
"Xiao Chengci caused trouble, and you're gloating?"
Consort Shu was naturally happy; with the Crown Prince fallen from power, her son finally had a chance.
"How could I dare?" Consort Shu feigned fear. "However, His Highness the Crown Prince has committed such a heinous act. His Majesty must punish him severely, otherwise it will be difficult to convince the people."
Empress Shang quickly interjected, "Consort Shu's words make sense. Why don't you tell us how to punish Aci?"
Consort Shu was somewhat puzzled; why did the Empress's tone sound so excited?
According to Consort Shu's idea, the natural thing to do was to remove Xiao Chengci from the position of Crown Prince.
It would be best to lock Xiao Chengci up in prison for the rest of his life.
Without even thinking, Consort Shu knew it was impossible.
"Your Highness is disrespectful to Buddha. Why not let Your Highness go to a temple and devote yourself to burning incense and praying for blessings for a year? This would set a good example for the people of the world."
If Xiao Chengci could leave the palace for a year, Consort Shu would have a lot of time to plan things.
Empress Shang asked Emperor Xiao, "I believe Consort Shu's suggestion is excellent. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
Emperor Xiao picked up the wine cup on the table and took a sip. "Consort Shu, why don't you just suggest that Xiao Chengci become a monk?"
"Your Highness, I dare not, but Your Highness burned down the temple. There must be an explanation."
Why should there be an explanation?
"He is the crown prince, so let it be burned."
Emperor Xiao pointed at Consort Shu and said, "Since when did it become your place to point fingers and give orders?"
Emperor Xiao and Empress Shang discussed how to deal with Xiao Chengci. Even if Empress Shang said something a bit excessive, Emperor Xiao would not be angry.
Since Xiao Chengci was Empress Shang's own son, Empress Shang certainly didn't want anything to happen to him.
Unlike Consort Shu, Emperor Xiao knew perfectly well what Consort Shu was thinking.
Consort Shu was so frightened that she knelt down on the ground, "Your Majesty, I have spoken too much. Please forgive me."
"As soon as the Crown Prince got into trouble, you rushed over to kick him while he was down."
"In ordinary times, has the Crown Prince ever failed to respect you?"
Consort Shu shook her head, "His Highness the Crown Prince has always treated me with great respect."
"When the second son was in the Ministry of Justice, he made a wrong judgment, and it was the Crown Prince who cleaned up the mess."
Emperor Xiao said angrily, "And what you did was not only not come to plead for mercy, but also thought about seizing power. You are a heartless wretch."
Xiao Chengci had caused trouble, and Emperor Xiao was furious with nowhere to vent his anger.
As it turned out, Consort Shu bumped right into them.
"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong and beg you to calm your anger."
Emperor Xiao said, “Since you say you want to go to the temple to burn incense and pray for blessings, that’s perfect. Once the temple is built, you can go there and pray for the country for a year.”
Consort Shu's eyes widened. If she left the palace, would His Majesty still remember her?
Moreover, if she leaves the palace, who will take care of the second son?
"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. Please have mercy! Ayan is still young, he..."
Empress Shang spoke up at the right moment, "The second prince is not young anymore. He has long since left the palace to establish his own residence, and he already has dozens of concubines."
"Didn't you take the eldest daughter of the Duke of Pei as a concubine a few days ago? I heard she's pregnant?"
Emperor Xiao was naturally unaware of such a trivial matter as a prince taking a concubine.
Upon hearing this, the second prince also knelt down, saying, "Reporting to Mother, the pregnancy was still in its early stages, and the child could not be saved."
Empress Shang feigned a sigh, "That's a pity."
"Alright, alright." Emperor Xiao was too lazy to listen to any of this. "Go down quickly, I need to go to the Imperial Study to review memorials."
Consort Shu gritted her teeth inwardly, never expecting that her attempt to steal a chicken would backfire so badly.
Originally, I thought that since Xiao Chengci was in jail, I could make a scene and maybe get some benefits for Ayan.
Empress Shang took the cloak from the palace maid and followed behind Emperor Xiao, draping it over him.
Empress Shang, wearing her cloak, said, "Your Majesty need not be upset about Aci's matter. He should be kept in prison to reflect on his actions."
Emperor Xiao patted Empress Shang's hand, "Go to the prison later and see him in person. We'll have dinner together tonight."
Empress Shang watched Emperor Xiao's retreating figure, shaking her head and sighing helplessly.
So, everything she said was just nonsense?
Emperor Xiao is the emperor; how could he not know that Xiao Chengci needs to be taught a lesson?
On the one hand, Emperor Xiao was reluctant to part with the child he had raised himself.
On the one hand, Emperor Xiao did not want to create chaos.
Xiao Chengci has caused trouble. If Emperor Xiao punishes him severely, all those clowns will jump out.
Emperor Xiao endured bloodshed and murder, killing his own brothers and causing rivers of blood to flow, before finally ascending the throne with great difficulty.
Not only did it waste manpower and resources, but it also cost countless lives.
Emperor Xiao wanted to protect Xiao Chengci so that no one would dare to have any disloyal thoughts.
Since Emperor Xiao's persuasion failed, Empress Shang had no choice but to try to persuade Xiao Chengci.
Tell Xiao Chengci to be more sensible and not cause trouble for his father.
After finishing her palace duties, Empress Shang went to the prison.
Xiao Chengci's cell was the innermost and cleanest in the prison.
"Your Majesty, His Highness has not eaten or drunk a drop of water from yesterday to today."
"Alright, I understand."
Empress Shang glanced at the food; although it was all vegetarian, it was clean.
"Aci, come out and have a word with me."
The jailer quickly unlocked the lock and removed the chains.
After Empress Shang finished speaking, Xiao Chengci remained motionless.
Empress Shang said sternly, "You're pretending to be dead here now? Do you intend to never leave this prison?"
"Fine." Seeing that Xiao Chengci still had no reaction, Empress Shang could only threaten, "I will order someone to dig up Pei Zhi's grave right now."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
