“I’m afraid Luo Liangyuan has her own agenda. Yan Liangyuan is also a loner, just as rumored, she doesn’t get along with anyone,” Feiyue said.
The Crown Princess nodded, understanding the situation.
It's better if they're not harmonious; if they are, she'll have a lot of headaches.
Yan Nangui thought to himself, "There are so many benefits to not attending that damn poetry debate."
Since the Crown Prince is under house arrest, he really won't try to go out.
It's just a curfew, not imprisonment. Even if I don't go out, the guards and other people in the mansion can still come and go as usual.
So what kind of news can be stopped?
Now is the perfect time for the Ning family to seize the opportunity. With the Crown Princess causing all this trouble, the Ning family had already lost all hope with the Seventh Prince.
The twelfth prince is too young; truly intelligent people do not dare to place their ambitions on him.
So even if they were forced, they had no choice but to side with the Crown Prince.
With the Crown Prince under house arrest, the Ning family naturally had to submit a petition to plead for his release.
Meanwhile, the Crown Prince enjoyed a few rare days of leisure in his residence.
When it's time to appreciate flowers, then appreciate flowers; when it's time to relax, then relax.
Knowing that the Crown Prince was in the garden, Yan Nangui originally intended to go but did not.
"Let's sit in the pear grove outside."
“Yes, but… His Highness has asked Consort Xia to accompany him, so it’s alright for you to go as well,” Luo Kui said.
"It's alright, but why bother?"
Those who can't see the Crown Prince will try to sneak in, but she can see him too, right? What difference will a few days make?
The loquat seemed to understand but not quite, and responded.
She didn't want to embarrass herself, but there were far too many people who wanted to go.
Soon, Xiang Fengyi and Wang Fengyi went for a stroll in the garden together.
It was a chance encounter with His Highness the Crown Prince and Consort Xia.
The crown prince did not send them away.
However, it would be strange if Ye Liangdi could continue to endure it.
In the afternoon, someone was sent to invite them.
After all, she was pregnant, and she had suffered some injustice this time, so the Crown Prince wasn't angry.
It's just that it's impossible to go today.
I just sent her some things and told her to take good care of herself and that I would visit her tomorrow.
After being confined to his residence for ten consecutive days, the situation in the imperial court became quite volatile.
The innocent person confined to his quarters was the crown prince, who was no ordinary person.
It is said to be an act of self-reflection, but if His Majesty only uses the charge of lax household management to criticize the Crown Prince, then it is really too deliberate and far-fetched.
In fact, His Majesty came to investigate Laiyang Prefecture in secret to see if he could find any incriminating evidence.
But the Crown Prince is too clean.
If punishment is truly necessary, it can only be said that the Crown Prince was unable to see clearly and was unaware of Zhou Chongguang's corruption over the years.
However, punishing Zhou Chongguang would have far-reaching consequences.
Therefore, Your Majesty has no substantial evidence to convict him.
Moreover, His Majesty's punishment of the Crown Prince... these words alone send chills down one's spine.
Even if His Majesty thinks it in his heart, he must outwardly appear to wish the Crown Prince well.
Otherwise, if His Majesty were to punish the current Crown Prince, the mere fact that these words were to spread would cause turmoil in the country.
Therefore, all the officials in the court came to ask why, and pleaded for the Crown Prince.
After all, the Crown Prince had made no mistakes in court affairs and had achieved considerable success.
It's really not a big deal that the family wasn't properly managed.
Besides, the concubine committed suicide because of her infidelity. It would be pointless for Your Majesty to keep pressing this matter.
Therefore, Shu Zhongjing is also under a lot of pressure.
Although the Ye and Ning families did not discuss it, they were essentially of one mind.
Almost everyone should ask Shu Zhongjing, "What do you mean by locking up the Crown Prince for no reason?"
Furthermore, His Majesty has already begun to receive memorials from local authorities.
They naturally dared not ask anything excessive, but simply said that upon hearing that His Highness the Crown Prince was unwell, they were filled with apprehension and prayed day and night for His Highness's speedy recovery so that he could return to court.
If word gets out that the emperor is unwell, all those qualified to submit memorials will do so.
Similarly, the same applies to the crown prince.
At this moment, Shu Zhongjing was in a very passive position.
After all, the Crown Prince's trip without incident is a meritorious act, and he will not only not be rewarded but also punished.
Even if it makes sense, it will inevitably earn one a reputation for being harsh.
As leisurely as Shu Chengfeng was, so was Shu Zhongjing's irritability.
He practically gritted his teeth as he bestowed the reward upon the crown prince.
Now that the reward has been given, it's not appropriate to keep him confined indefinitely.
The Crown Prince was summoned to the palace. In the Beichen Hall, Shu Zhongjing asked, "How has your self-reflection been going these past few days?"
"Your Majesty, I have been restless and terrified day and night. I am even more ashamed to accept Your Majesty's reward today," Shu Zhongjing said, kneeling.
"You are the crown prince of the country, and I have high hopes for you. Now you can't even manage your own household. What will become of you in the future?"
“Father is right. Ning is vicious and Ye is stupid and gossipy. In my opinion, we should both go back.” Shu Chengfeng frowned, as if he was really annoyed.
That won't do.
Shu Zhongjing snorted, "Nonsense! Do you think you're some commoner? Deposing and establishing a crown princess is a major event that must be reported to our ancestors. How can you act recklessly like this? And that daughter of the Ye family, she's your mother and son, don't you have any kinship left?"
"Yes." Shu Chengfeng bowed his head.
"Alright, you're still young. You've learned your lesson this time. Just teach you properly in the future." Shu Zhongjing snorted, "Go, pay your respects to the Empress Dowager, and go see your mother."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I take my leave." Shu Chengfeng said, getting up and leaving.
Shu Zhongjing snorted again.
He would love for Shu Chengfeng to offend the Ning and Ye families, but how could that be possible?
That would cause a huge uproar.
Let's call it a battle between the Ye family and the Ning family.
Paying a visit to the Empress Dowager was very simple; it was just a matter of kowtowing, saying a few words, and then leaving.
In Fengxiang Palace, the Empress had been waiting for a long time.
Just as Shu Chengfeng was about to pay his respects, the Empress stopped him, saying, "No need for formalities, come in."
"How was your trip? Sigh... I was so worried when I heard about your situation." The Empress sighed.
"Your Majesty, I am well. I have caused you worry," said Shu Chengfeng.
"These past few days, your mother has been listening to your grandfather and hasn't done anything. Now, you're all right, and you can attend court the day after tomorrow. It's a pity that you went out to earn merit, but..." The rewards were given reluctantly.
Not to mention the idea of His Majesty praising him in public.
"It's alright. I did some things that Father Emperor didn't like on this trip. It's understandable that Father Emperor is angry."
When he went to Chengzhou to inspect the army, he dared not linger, because that was too sensitive.
But if you go to Jiangnan, it wouldn't be right to not see any scholars.
Sometimes, a writer's pen can rival a thousand troops.
Therefore, the two-day trip to Qinshan Academy was exactly what His Majesty wanted.
How could he not be angry?
"You are the rightful heir." The Empress's four simple words conveyed everything without needing to be said.
"Let's not talk about these things anymore. I'm sorry to have troubled Mother with matters concerning the manor," Shu Chengfeng said.
"It's better not to talk about it. To be honest, I really..." The Empress sighed and glared at Shu Chengfeng.
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