Chapter 182 Major Reshuffle in the Capital
After the two fooled around for a while, the rain outside gradually subsided, falling in a fine drizzle.
Xie Yunyu had a soft couch moved out and placed under the eaves outside.
She sat half-reclined on the table reading a storybook, while Xiao Ling lay on her lap reading memorials.
The two of them didn't disturb each other, leaning against each other in quiet harmony.
...
Three days later, the emperor ordered the arrest of the group of spies in the fifteen paintings.
For a time, people in the capital were filled with anxiety.
Some of the arrested women, upon learning that their lovers were actually doubles, were so disheartened that they took their own lives.
Some simply did not believe it and continued to endure torture without speaking.
Some were recruited quickly without even being asked.
Faced with the massive and detailed evidence, the emperor was so angry that his head was spinning.
Enraged, he ordered all the relevant officials to be summoned to the palace for questioning.
With the evidence laid bare before them, and after learning the full story, several people were utterly disoriented and trembling uncontrollably.
Because if these things are true, then one's own son may not be of one's own bloodline.
The emperor angrily rebuked them for their lax household management and ordered everyone to return home to reflect on their actions, forbidding them from going out at will.
They also dispatched Imperial Guards to stand watch at the gates of each mansion.
Several ladies in prison strongly requested to see their husbands, and the Crown Prince arranged for them to meet with them.
Of course, someone was also arranged to be present and record their conversation in detail.
The most frequently discussed topic was the question of whose child it was.
These couples all shared a deep bond of affection.
In the end, it was mostly a matter of discussion: the child would be sent back to the mother's parents' home, so as not to cause them any trouble.
After their husbands left, all the ladies chose to commit suicide.
But the jailers had anticipated this move and kept a close watch on the man.
This incident caused a stir in the imperial court.
Many people returned home and had long talks with their wives.
On the contrary, the young couples were just watching the show from the sidelines.
The social circles of legitimate sons of noble families in the capital were also reshuffled.
No secrets stay hidden forever, and soon the entire capital was talking about it.
"This Prince Rui actually uses such methods within the inner quarters to transmit messages?"
Some insightful people were deeply moved.
There are also some short-sighted people who discipline their daughters at home:
"Look at the fate of those who engage in illicit dealings; weren't they deceived terribly enough?"
"That's right, we'll have to be more careful when looking for people in the future."
"These ladies, one wrong move and their lives are ruined."
The young ladies from the capital who hadn't yet married had become much more well-behaved during this time.
In the palace, the Empress deliberately spread the news into the inner palace, describing the matter in great detail, in order to see the reaction in the inner palace.
Consort Shu was quite surprised after hearing this: "So Prince Rui has played such a big game."
No wonder...no wonder..."
The maid asked, "No wonder?"
"No wonder Prince Rui has been able to contend with the capital all these years, it turns out that he is like this."
"Then, with our Crown Prince and Prince Rui cooperating, wouldn't that mean great things are about to be accomplished?" The maidservant's face lit up with joy.
Consort Shu shook her head: "Judging from Prince Rui's methods, I'm afraid my son is no match for him."
Then, after thinking for a moment, he said, "But it doesn't matter. His Majesty has issued a decree of grace specifically for the northern border."
It turned the northern border into a complete mess.
Of Prince Rui's five sons, who were both talented in literature and military affairs, two have already died, and the remaining one is dying and barely clinging to life.
Of the remaining two, one was blind and the other only knew how to do business.
Even if he were to gain the throne, he would have no successor.
The maid listened from the side, nodding silently.
Inside Chunhua Palace, Consort Rong smiled faintly upon hearing this news.
"These things are none of our business."
The maidservant beside her laughed upon hearing Consort Rong's words:
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Third Prince sat beside her, pouring tea for Consort Rong, his demeanor calm and relaxed, his expression unchanged.
Consort Rong turned to look at her son and said:
"Why did you come alone today? You didn't bring Ling Shuang with you."
The third prince laughed upon hearing this.
"Mother Consort, Ling Shuang is pregnant."
Consort Rong burst into laughter with delight upon hearing this:
"Really?"
The Third Prince nodded.
Consort Rong quickly had many things for pregnant women packed up so that the Third Prince could take them with him when he left.
The Empress frowned upon hearing the news from the palace servants.
"He showed absolutely no reaction, only expressing his joy that the Third Prince's wife was pregnant."
After thinking for a moment, he said, "Have someone keep a close watch on Chunhua Palace and do not act rashly."
"Here you go."
Consort Rong remained completely silent, which was quite unexpected.
The eldest princess asked, "Has anyone been sent to keep an eye on the third prince's residence?"
The empress replied wearily, "I've been watching, nothing unusual."
This matter caused quite a stir for half a month, and there was no news from Consort Rong and the Third Prince for the same period of time.
This is very puzzling.
However, during these two weeks, news came from those who went to the northern border with the First Prince's men.
The Crown Prince summoned Xiao Ling early in the morning to discuss matters.
"Look, this is a message sent back from the North by our people."
Xiao Ling looked at the note in his hand and suddenly realized:
"Oh, so the message was sent through a caravan."
I never imagined that the number one merchant caravan in my Great Yong Dynasty was also one of Prince Rui's men.
No wonder the people we sent before kept getting lost.
The caravan changed locations a staggering thirteen times; it's no wonder they couldn't keep up.
After saying this, he placed the note on the table and looked up to ask the Crown Prince:
"Where did they ultimately go? What did they say?"
"No further news has come back yet."
Xiao Ling then asked, "Is there any news from Wei Ningyan?"
She said the eldest prince has been very busy lately and is often not at home.
Even Huai Qing couldn't keep up, so the news was somewhat delayed.
The prince sat down, took a sip of tea, and said:
News came from Yanchi in the Western Regions that everything is peaceful.
He has already taken care of things concerning his father and Ye Jing.
"Father's intention is to let him return first, since the current situation in the Duke of Xing's mansion requires someone to return and take charge."
After Wan was imprisoned in the Dali Temple, Pei Zhuo was later released, but the second and third branches of the Xingguo Duke's Mansion came to his door every day to coerce him.
The Xingguo Duke's mansion is in complete chaos, and Pei Zhuo is utterly unable to handle it.
"Then let him come back. We can go again if necessary later," Xiao Ling said.
"Yes, that's what Father Emperor said too."
The news has been out for a few days now, so Yanchi should be back soon.
The prince looked at the scorching hot weather outside and said...
The two sat and talked for a while, when they heard someone come to deliver a message.
"Your Highness, the Crown Princess's family members have come to the palace today and are currently speaking."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ling suddenly grinned and asked:
Who's here?
The young eunuch, puzzled as to why Xiao Ling would ask such a question, still respectfully replied:
"The Crown Princess's mother, sister-in-law, and younger sister have all come."
Xiao Ling chuckled upon hearing this: "Is it the Crown Princess's second daughter, Zheng Luoyun?"
The young eunuch nodded.
Xiao Ling could hardly hide the smile on her face.
The crown prince turned and glared at him, then said to the eunuch:
"Go down."
After the eunuch left, Xiao Ling said to the Crown Prince in a cheeky tone:
"What? Aren't you going to go take a look?"
The prince said expressionlessly, "I've already seen it, it's nothing special."
Hearing the Crown Prince's words, Xiao Ling got excited and leaned closer to the Crown Prince to carefully observe his expression, teasingly saying...
"Hey, who was it that fell in love with her at first sight and couldn't forget her?"
Why are you saying it's meaningless now?
That's really strange.
The crown prince scratched his head, unsure where to begin.
After thinking for a while, he said, "I often saw her when the Crown Princess and I had just gotten married."
She often came to the palace to accompany the Crown Princess; I saw her many times.
At first, I thought she was innocent, carefree, and incredibly cute.
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