After Prince Ning was placed under house arrest, the power that was originally in his hands was handed over to Feng Changgui.
It's true that Feng Changgui came from the battlefield, and it's true that he's forthright and magnanimous, but he's not incapable of scheming or understanding the intricacies of court politics. He is the eldest prince, the eldest prince on whom the emperor places high hopes; he is born to be in this position, to be in this place.
In the imperial harem, a son's status depends on his mother, and a mother's status depends on her son. Prince Ning's punishment was not severe, but because of the return of Consort Shu and Feng Changgui, he gradually lost the emperor's favor.
Feelings are all built through spending time together. If you're far apart, talking about these things is just empty talk.
In contrast to him, Lu Qingyan was thriving. Because of hosting the imperial examinations, Lu Qingyan had gotten to know a large number of ambitious people, including many who were truly talented.
Lu Qingyan recommended these people to Feng Changgui, who in turn recommended them to the Emperor. Most of the new blood entering the court became friendly with Lu Qingyan, and gradually Lu Qingyan's position in the court became more and more stable. The officials who had previously been controlled by Prince Ning were severely marginalized and gradually withdrew.
Many people advised Feng Changgui to be wary of Lu Qingyan and to never allow Prince Jing to become too powerful and seize control of the entire court.
But after trying to persuade him a few times, seeing that Feng Changgui didn't make any move, they gradually gave up the idea. It was clearly Feng Changgui who should be fighting with Prince Jing, but Feng Changgui didn't get involved, so why should they care so much?
Besides, Prince Jing is quite capable; he handled the tasks assigned to her with great diligence, which shows he's not entirely without ability. If she were to actually take that position, it wouldn't be a disgrace.
The court was peaceful and harmonious, but Prince Ning felt uneasy.
Before Feng Changgui returned, Lu Qingyan was nothing more than a sickly woman clinging to life, and before Feng Changgui returned, she was still the person her father trusted most.
But everything changed after Feng Changgui returned. His advantageous position was gone; how could he not feel hatred?
The Meng family has fallen, but before their downfall, they left behind many valuable possessions. Since he can no longer obtain that position, he is unwilling to relinquish it to his eldest son, Feng Changgui, and his third son, Feng Qingqing.
"Ha, this is all your doing. You stole what was mine. Feng Changgui, Feng Qingqing, you can only wait to die!" Prince Ning said with a sinister look. He gathered the people left to him by the Meng family and prepared to massacre the palace.
The day was clear and sunny. The court officials, as usual, attended the morning court session, but were stopped in the Golden Palace by Prince Ning's men.
The Emperor and Feng Changgui sat above, looking at Prince Ning, who was quite different from usual. Feng Changgui said disappointedly, "Second brother, do you really have to make things this way?"
"Me, making a fuss?" Prince Ning laughed as if he had heard a funny joke: "Feng Changgui, after all these years you are still so annoying. Do you know how much I hate your arrogant expression? It's like I am a child who doesn't know what's good for him."
Feng Changgui said calmly, "It seems that my second brother still has some self-awareness."
"Get out!" Prince Ning raised his knife and the head of a minister standing next to him rolled off, his eyes staring wide-open, never to close again.
"Second son!" The Emperor roared in fury, "You unfilial son, how dare you kill a court official without cause! Do you even respect me?"
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