Chapter 213 Court Standoff
The Minister of Justice also spoke up: "Your Majesty, did the wise and virtuous rulers of past dynasties not love their sons?"
But princes are subject to the same laws as commoners, let alone this charge of treason.
If Your Majesty intends to pardon the Crown Prince, how will our judicial system persuade the world to abide by the law in the future?
The military officers were also unwilling, and the Minister of War stepped forward and said:
"Your Majesty, let's put aside everything else and just talk about this war."
The Crown Prince's rebellion has implicated people in more than a dozen counties, who have suffered innocently from the ravages of war.
Your son is a son, but aren't the sons of those ordinary people sons too?
Who were the sons of the soldiers who died on the battlefield?
Your Majesty, you are the ruler of all people.
He is the sovereign and father of all people, not just Xiao Lin's father.
After listening to the words of the senior ministers, the crown prince was at a loss for words.
Because what they said is right.
Your Majesty is the ruler and father of all people, not just one person.
The emperor was rendered speechless by the three men's successive rebukes, and finally fainted.
The morning court session ended hastily amidst the chaos.
The emperor was carried back to Taiji Palace for emergency treatment.
Led by the former Minister of Rites, the court officials went to Taiji Palace to apologize.
A group of people knelt together outside the Taiji Palace.
When the Empress Dowager heard that the Emperor had fainted during the morning court session, she hurriedly sent people to help him over to see him.
Who knew that halfway there someone would come and report that all the officials were kneeling outside the Taiji Palace to beg for forgiveness.
When the Empress Dowager saw that things had escalated, she quickly came over.
Upon seeing the Empress Dowager, all the senior officials wept as if they had lost their own parents.
They said they were sorry to His Majesty, because they had angered him to the point of fainting.
They also said that the eldest prince's life could not be spared.
After listening for a while, the Empress Dowager finally understood that it was all for the sake of the eldest prince.
Then he waved his hand and said, "My dear ministers, please rise."
All the officials rose and stood up, bowing deeply.
The Empress Dowager continued, "I am already aware of the matters discussed in court today."
But His Majesty is, after all, only a human being, not a god.
How can a person be completely devoid of human emotions and desires?
A father's love for his son is the most common emotion in the world, so it's normal for him to have such thoughts.
Do you wish for your emperor to be a heartless man?
The officials realized that the old lady was trying to take sides.
Just as several people were about to speak, the Empress Dowager continued:
"Of course, what you ministers have said is also correct. We must consider the overall situation in court affairs and not let personal matters interfere with public duties."
This matter will be put on hold for now and discussed later.
You may all go back now.
"His Majesty will have someone to discuss this with him."
Seeing that the Empress Dowager had spoken in this way, the officials had no choice but to take their leave.
The emperor inside the palace had already woken up and naturally heard the empress dowager's words outside, but he closed his eyes wearily again.
The image of the eldest prince as a child appeared before my eyes.
That was his first son, and he had poured so much of his heart and soul into him.
He once personally taught him to write, ride horses, and draw a bow, thus beginning his education.
Take him to fly kites, train eagles, go hunting...
That was his eldest son, on whom he had placed great hopes!
There was a time when the two were very close, sharing the harmonious relationship that a father and son should have.
What exactly happened later that led to this situation between father and son?
The emperor's heart was filled with unspeakable sorrow...
**
When the Crown Prince returned to the East Palace from the Taiji Palace, everyone in the East Palace knew about the incident of the officials kneeling before the Taiji Palace.
They served her with utmost care, not daring to make the slightest mistake.
Xiao Ling poured a cup of tea for the Crown Prince, then glanced at Xie Yunman sitting below, signaling him to speak.
But Xie Yunman acted as if he hadn't seen it, and kept his head down drinking tea.
Xiao Ling had no choice but to speak: "Um, Crown Prince, this...this..."
Upon hearing Xiao Ling's form of address, the Crown Prince knew something was amiss. He turned to look at him, his face expressionless, and said:
"Speak up if you have something to say."
"Um... I wanted to ask you, what exactly is your attitude towards the First Prince?"
The crown prince thought for a moment and said, "It doesn't matter. At this point, whether he lives or dies is no longer important."
Xiao Ling breathed a sigh of relief and said:
"Okay, that's good."
But this matter must be resolved; we can't let the court officials and His Majesty be at odds.
The prince took a sip of tea and said, "Then what good idea do you have?"
Xiao Ling considered for a moment and said, "I just discussed it with Lord Xie, and the choice in this matter actually rests with the Crown Prince himself."
The crown prince turned to look at Xiao Ling, puzzled.
"Yes, just send someone to tell him about the situation in the capital, and see what he chooses."
If he still had any conscience, he would have taken his own life.
If he has no conscience, then he will appear to have no remorse, and the officials will be even less likely to agree.
"Um...um...that's what I mean..."
After hearing this, the Crown Prince glanced at Xiao Ling, then turned his gaze to Xie Yunman.
"This idea was clearly yours."
Xie Yunman lowered his head awkwardly and said, "Your Highness has discerning eyes. I... spoke presumptuously."
The Crown Prince looked at Xie Yunman and asked again, "What, do you two have a grudge? Why do you want him dead so badly?"
Xie Yunman lowered his head and whispered, "He's coveting my wife."
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince remembered that the First Prince had also kidnapped Xue Weiyang.
Sigh... You reap what you sow...
Forget it, he doesn't want to deal with it anymore.
"Don't do this. There are plenty of smart people in the court. Let them do it," the Crown Prince said helplessly.
Xie Yunman respectfully replied, "Yes, Your Highness, please stall the situation for now. There will be a result within ten days."
The crown prince didn't speak, and Xiao Ling thought to himself that he should change the subject to something lighter.
He then said, "This Ye Jing is truly a devoted lover."
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince became excited and leaned closer to Xiao Ling, asking:
"How so?"
"Yanchi said that Ye Jing wanted to resign from his position as the heir of the Marquis of Guangping's mansion, and also give up his position in the army."
He wanted to retire to Qingya Academy with his lover.
The crown prince was indeed distracted upon hearing this, and exclaimed:
"What a devoted lover! It's an epic romance."
As Xiao Ling spoke, he was secretly planning in his mind that he must tell his wife about this when he got home that night.
She seemed quite interested in learning about the two's love story.
After thinking for a moment, he added, "Actually, retiring to Qingya Academy is not bad. It's far from the hustle and bustle of the capital, and we can live a carefree life. There's nothing wrong with that."
After saying that, he looked at Xie Yunman and asked, "What do you think?"
Xie Yunman shook her head and said, "I don't understand, but I respect it."
Xiao Ling burst out laughing when she heard him say that.
"Is there anything in this world that you don't understand?" Xiao Ling joked.
Xie Yunman rolled her eyes at him and didn't say anything.
The crown prince looked at the memorials beside him, his brows furrowing again.
The three then began to discuss military action in the north.
In the afternoon, Xiao Ling dragged his tired body back to the Xie residence with Xie Yunman.
After dinner, the two went to see Grandpa Xie together.
The three began to talk about the northern border.
Grandpa Xie sighed and said, "Man'er, go and take down the box on the top shelf of my bookshelf."
Upon hearing this, Xie Yunman stood up, stood on the stool, and took down the top box.
Carefully open it and place it in front of Grandpa Xie.
Grandpa Xie took out a neatly folded piece of paper and carefully unfolded it.
As the paper unfolded, Xiao Ling gradually became surprised:
"This...this is a map of the North?"
Grandpa Xie nodded: "This is a detailed map of the Northern Territory."
Xiao Ling nodded. This was incredibly detailed; the map even clearly marked the villages.
Grandpa Xie then opened another picture below.
This map, though still of the northern border, is a detailed depiction of the mountains, rivers, and terrain.
Xiao Ling had never seen such a picture before and looked at it very carefully.
Xie Yunman knew at first glance that this was Xie Yunyu's unique map marking method.
The next image is a river course map, which he had never seen before, so he looked at it very carefully.
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