Emperor Mingde raised an eyebrow. "Stand up and speak."
"Alas." Prince Yong stood up, looking utterly dejected. From behind, he appeared as if he could barely stand.
"What exactly happened?" Emperor Mingde continued to ask. He already knew what Prince Yong was going to say today, but he seemed completely unaware on the surface.
Prince Yong sniffed again, went through the two tricks Zhao Shu had taught him in his mind, and said, "Brother, I'm out of money at the age of nineteen."
Before everyone could voice their accusations against Prince Yong, Emperor Mingde spoke again, "Why are we out of money?" His lips twitched; he had been worried that his younger brother wouldn't know how to speak properly, but now it seemed that was for the best.
The ministers' faces turned green. This was a grand court assembly, where matters of vital importance to the nation were to be discussed! To bring up a shortage of funds at a grand court assembly was utterly absurd!
However, the ministers who saw the bigger picture remained silent, and the others continued to observe. Given the example of the remonstrating official who was about to die a few days ago, no one dared to be the first to speak out.
Moreover, Lord Wang, Lord Xie, and the Duke of Ningguo—no, the Marquis of Ningguo—are currently at home educating their children.
“Your Majesty, we have too many people in our household and cannot afford to support them,” Prince Yong said, sounding extremely aggrieved.
After Prince Yong uttered these words, Prince Hui, who had been giving him frequent winks, could no longer hold back. He stepped forward, holding up his jade tablet, and earnestly said, "Your Majesty, the nineteenth prince is ignorant and should not be indulged any longer."
With him taking the lead, several ministers immediately stood up and shouted, "Your Majesty, I second your opinion." They had originally intended to ask the Emperor not to show favoritism towards the prince, but seeing Emperor Mingde looking at them with a cold face, they stopped talking.
Those who manage to rise to high positions aren't stupid; who would want to be the first to stick their neck out?
At this moment, the crown prince quietly turned around and gestured for his men to step forward.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
