Lu Anyuan was about to stand up to argue, but Xu Yixing firmly held down a corner of his cloak and stood up gracefully:
"This is what I, your son, must do. There must be no one with ulterior motives around your father. Although my surname is Xu, I am a member of the royal family now, and I dare not fail to advise you. As for the merits, I dare not take all the credit. This is all due to Lord Bai Yu's meritorious service in eliminating the bandits under his command, and the soldiers' sacrifice. As a woman, I have only said a few noble words that everyone can say."
Xu Yixing said this slowly, without even stumbling, as if she really believed it. But if you were close enough, you could see that she was holding her legs with both hands, her nails almost digging into her flesh through her thick panties.
Bai Yu, standing beside the emperor, relaxed the hilt of his sword, his eyes flickering. Was the emperor trying to ruin Yi Yan's reputation? Did he think she was not good enough and planned to choose a new princess as the future empress?
Fortunately, it seemed that his newly recognized niece was quite quick-witted and did not speak against the emperor. Otherwise, if the emperor directly abolished her position as princess in the name of disrespect, in the current situation, no one would be able to protect her.
Xu Yixing sneered in her heart. Ever since the emperor brought people to capture her and took her to the secret room, she had already seen through the emperor's coldness and suspicion. He didn't even trust his own son, let alone herself, the daughter of a traitor.
The emperor, seated in the upper seat, observed Xu Yixing from afar. Seeing her lower her head, her face flickering in the bonfire's light, he felt a strange sense of disdain. The more respectful she was, the more repulsive she seemed. Who knew if she still felt resentful for Xu Xianshan, and how could she tolerate him becoming the legal wife of his most cherished son?
"You didn't call me father in the past, but today you are being so affectionate. Well, leave now." The emperor didn't bother to argue with her. She was just a woman, and there were plenty of ways to get rid of her. Today he had something serious to discuss.
When Lu Anyuan saw Xu Yixing coming back, he felt a little relieved, but when he saw her lips pursed into a line and the unchanging expression on his father's face, he always felt that he was being stabbed in the back by his father.
"You..." Lu Anyuan wanted to speak to comfort her, but just as he said one word, he heard his father suddenly raise his voice and continue speaking.
"Since we are talking about merit, Xiaokangzi, please tell everyone my intention."
Eunuch Kang nodded in agreement, stepped forward, and announced in his distinctive duck voice, "The Emperor values Prince Xiaoyi's loyalty and has ordered him to serve as regent in the Imperial Study, where he will learn the art of government."
Lu Anyuan turned his head and looked upward in disbelief. His surprise stemmed from Eunuch Kang's mention of "regency." Normally, the Crown Prince would only be appointed regent when the Emperor was away on a campaign or seriously ill. His father was fine now, so why was he planning to relinquish power? Furthermore... he hadn't issued an edict to appoint a Crown Prince. This was so illogical and unjustifiable. What was his intention?
The princes and ministers were also stunned, and there was a brief silence. Although they had known that the emperor favored Prince Xiaoyi, this was too sudden.
Before anyone could react, Eunuch Kang paused and continued, "His Majesty also said that the Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Princes have been studying in various departments in the capital for a long time and are now capable of taking charge. He has granted them special permission to return to their fiefdoms and to receive the rank of prince!"
Now even Xu Yixing, who was in a bad mood, raised his head. The emperor made the other princes kings and sent them back to their fiefdoms. This was because he was determined to make Lu Anyuan the successor, so he helped him get rid of these people in advance. In the future, when the emperor passed away, only Lu Anyuan would be by his side, and naturally no one would be able to compete with him.
Good father, are you planning to make him a lonely man, and then take me away after a while so that you can choose a future queen for him with a better family background? Let's see if you can achieve your goal!
Upon hearing this, the princes were all startled. They quickly pondered the meaning, their hearts divided, but they all immediately rose to express their gratitude. With the emperor's decree now in place, the fifth and sixth princes, who had no ambitions for the throne, were naturally overjoyed. Finally, they could leave the capital and live their own leisurely lives!
No one knew what the third and fourth princes were thinking. After thanking them, they calmly sat back in their chairs, as if it had nothing to do with them.
The emperor then mentioned some ministers who were to be commended. Those who deserved promotions were promoted, and those who deserved rewards were rewarded. The place was filled with a lively and festive atmosphere, and no one paid any attention to Xu Yixing, who had just been troubled by the emperor.
Xu Yixing looked up just now, then quickly lowered her head, staring at the barbecue in front of her, her eyes empty and her mind wandering. Suddenly, Lu Anyuan on her right reached out and shook her hand vigorously, like a burning coal. Suddenly stimulated, she regained her composure, looked at Lu Anyuan, and gently let go of his hand.
Lu Anyuan felt that his hand had been pulled away, and he looked at her in surprise. Yixing, are you going to become estranged from me just because of a few words from my father?
But Yixing said nothing, only gently shaking her head and turning her gaze back to the table. Lu Anyuan, furious, grabbed her hand under the table again, this time with a little more force. Unfortunately, Yixing's hand seemed boneless; somehow, it slipped away.
This happened three times, and finally, Lu Anyuan could no longer bear it, so he pressed her hands together and pressed them tightly against his thighs. This time, Yixing didn't resist, but unfortunately, she didn't turn around to look at him.
The three days of the autumn hunt ended quickly. The emperor had originally organized this event just to announce his will, and he barely showed up for the next two days. However, Xu Yixing and his wife had been acting awkwardly for the past two days. No matter what Lu Anyuan said, Xu Yixing insisted he wasn't feeling well and slept alone in the inner room of the tent.
Poor Lu Anyuan can only sleep outside. Humph, go back and complain to my aunt about my father!
Although Lu Anyuan didn't have a mother to love him, he did have an aunt who had a say in the emperor's affairs. So, as soon as the autumn hunt was over, he hurried to Madam Jing's residence. Not long after, Madam Jing boarded a carriage bound for the palace.
Not long after, Madam Jing's car drove straight from the palace into Prince Xiaoyi's mansion, but she ignored Lu Anyuan who was still waiting for her in her mansion.
"Madam, you are here?" Xu Yixing was still in the room. Unlike usual, there was a strange light on her face, like a killer meeting his target, like a robber seeing a local tycoon with a huge sum of money, like a gangster seeing a beautiful young lady in distress.
In short, if Madam Jing had not been worried about what happened in the palace just now, she would have felt her hair stand on end and her hair stand on end the moment she saw Xu Yixing.
"Yes, Yuan'er came to my house as soon as he came back and told me about what happened at the autumn hunting grounds, so I went to the palace to see the emperor and brought back some news that you might want to hear."
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