In the face of real benefits, reputation is actually worthless.
After the Empress Dowager gave an affirmative answer, Yang Zhong immediately stepped forward, holding the jade tablet, and said, "I second Lord Guan's opinion. This matter concerns the reputation of the royal family and should be thoroughly investigated to restore the integrity of the royal family."
Many things will only get worse if you try to cover them up. Only by being open and honest and explaining things clearly can you stop the flood of rumors.
“Lord Yang, it is precisely because this matter concerns the reputation of the royal family that it should not be announced in the main hall. The Golden Palace is a place for discussing national policies, not a marketplace! How can such a disgraceful matter be brought to such a refined place?” Zhao Bi objected.
"Fourth Prince, you are mistaken. Matters of the royal family are matters of the world, and should be discussed as matters of state." It was Prince Jin who spoke up to help him at this moment.
When he spoke, Zhao Shu was taken aback. The Prince of Jin always kept himself out of the picture, but this time he interrupted. Did he have a personal grudge against Zhao Bi?
Zhao Bi was furious. He glanced at the officials and found that none of the people who used to fawn over him spoke up for him. Instead, they all sided with Guan Heng and Yang Zhong.
Even the Prince of Jin took advantage of the situation, especially his words, which were truly inappropriate.
Zhao Shu also felt that the Prince of Jin should not have said that. She wondered what had gotten into him. Even if he wanted to kick someone when they were down, he should have used other words.
“Your Highness is right. I urge the Empress Dowager to issue an order for a thorough investigation and ask the Consort to explain the whole story,” Guan Heng said.
After he finished speaking, all the civil and military officials knelt on the ground and shouted for the Empress Dowager to issue an order for a thorough investigation.
“Zhao Bi hasn’t even warmed his seat as crown prince before he has to step down. It’s truly pitiful,” Sun Yun said.
Zhao Shu recalled Master Wuye's words and shook her head, "You're wrong, he won't be crippled."
The ministers shouted in unison. The Empress Dowager, behind the beaded curtain, weighed the matter for a moment and said, "Consort Hao, tell me the whole story in detail. Do not slander good people, nor condone the wicked."
The threat is made openly and legitimately.
The reason Hao Shumei hadn't revealed Zhao Bi's name was simply to wait for the court officials' reaction. Now it seems she was right; the day Zhao Bi becomes crown prince will be the day he is abandoned.
A discarded pawn, what can we use to fight her!
However, she glanced at Prince Yong and sneered inwardly, "Zhao Shu, I've said it before, if you don't kill me, I will make you wish you were dead!"
Zhao Shu keenly sensed that Hao Shumei inside the main hall hated her intensely. She had spared Hao Shumei's life to use her, but unfortunately, she had been too arrogant and had now been outmaneuvered.
Just as Hao Shumei had gathered her emotions and was about to start crying, Huo Baichuan pushed Sun Yun and said, "Go quickly and save Prince Yong."
The side door was ajar, and Huo Baichuan, being very strong, pushed Sun Yun into the main hall, immediately causing an uproar among the court officials.
Many people recognize Sun Yun. Even if she changes her clothes, they can still recognize her. After all, the head of the Sun family, although she is a woman, still needs to be guarded against. Which family doesn't have her portrait?
"How dare you, Sun Yun! Do you know where you are?" Guan Heng immediately stepped forward and rebuked Sun Yun, then cupped his hands to the Empress Dowager and said, "Your Majesty, this woman is audacious and reckless. Please punish her!"
As a member of Yi De's faction, how could he let go of the opportunity to suppress Zhao Shu's group? But at this moment, he made another foolish mistake.
The Empress Dowager was no ordinary woman. In a flash, she realized why Sun Yun had rushed out at this moment, but she frowned.
However, his son's reputation is the most important thing; nothing else matters.
Therefore, the Empress Dowager's thoughts were ever-changing and incredibly flexible.
Before she could speak, officials who were not part of Zhao Bi and Yi De's faction immediately stood up and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I implore you to calm down. Miss Sun is the head of the Sun family and cannot be regarded as an ordinary woman. In ancient times, there were female prime ministers. Miss Sun is no less capable than men. In my opinion, it is appropriate for Miss Sun to enter the court and take up an official position."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Shu rolled her eyes at Huo Baichuan and said softly, "You're just bragging."
Huo Baichuan picked at his ear, then raised an eyebrow. "It's not yours anyway, so it's fine if it's broken. Besides, you're bragging so much, all to save your father. You really don't appreciate kindness. By the way, if she says anything offensive later, don't get angry."
Zhao Shu was too lazy to argue with him. Having lived several lifetimes, she would be a fool if she couldn't figure out what Sun Yun was going to do next.
It was nothing more than a way to divert the attention of the court officials, extricate Prince Yong from the situation, and at the same time ensure Zhao Bi's utter ruin.
As for the method, what could be more outrageous than pledging one's life to someone during the mourning period, and the person being one's best friend's father? If this matter cannot be temporarily suppressed regarding Hao Shumei, then the established moral code will be rendered useless.
Moreover, she didn't actually object to her father marrying Sun Yun. Sun Yun was capable, beautiful, and came from a good family. Where else could she find such an excellent second wife? A good wife can influence at least three generations. In her opinion, no one was better than Sun Yun.
As for things like good friends and fathers, although their values may be somewhat skewed, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. We cannot ignore the maximum benefit that can be obtained just because of some subjective factors.
Prince Yong is no longer young, and he's a bit foolish. If he doesn't marry a capable princess soon, she'll eventually get married, and who will take care of her then? Lin Dongxue? Don't be ridiculous. Lin Dongxue grew up in the Lin family and has deep feelings for them. Besides, the Lin family is a merchant family, and merchants are profit-driven. Who knows if they might bully Prince Yong?
Besides, Sun Yun likes Prince Yong. She has everything she needs and wouldn't cheat Prince Yong. Marrying her would be the most reassuring thing.
Actually, all those reasons Zhao Shu came up with were just to convince herself to accept the fact that her best friend was going to become a stepmother. Alas, arrogance never ends well; this time, she finally tasted the bitter fruit of her own making.
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