Chapter 184 The Tragedy of Being Born into Royal Family
However, the news coming from the First Prince's residence was:
The Crown Prince's wife seems to have been exposed, and the Crown Prince's residence is now guarded by a seriously ill person.
From a distance, people were frequently coming and going at the entrance, suggesting that something big was about to happen.
The crown prince was looking at his chubby son, who was only half a month old, when he heard the news and hurriedly went to see the emperor.
Upon hearing this, the emperor's face darkened, his eyes narrowed, and his aura exuded immense pressure.
The crown prince lowered his head, not daring to look at the emperor.
After a long pause, the emperor finally spoke, saying, "My son and I have finally come to this..."
The crown prince ignored him and pretended to be dead...
The emperor let out a long sigh, as if he had expelled all the pent-up frustration from his chest.
He then restored his imperial status and repeatedly gave orders:
"Summon the three ministers of the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Works to come before me."
The eunuch hurried away, but the crown prince remained with his head bowed and eyes downcast, not moving an inch.
The emperor suddenly asked him, "If your elder brother really rebelled, in your opinion, how should he be dealt with?"
Seeing that the question had finally come to him, the crown prince took a deep breath and answered:
"If we're talking about family ties, I hope Father will spare my elder brother's life."
But... I fear the officials in the court will not allow it.
Upon hearing this answer, the emperor suddenly flew into a rage:
"Aren't all the officials in the court your men, following your lead without question?"
Upon hearing this, the crown prince immediately knelt down and cautiously offered his explanation:
"Your Majesty's words are too much for me to bear."
The reason I say this is because everything over the years has been like this.
The Empress Dowager wishes to take my second brother back to visit his family. Have you agreed? Have the court officials agreed?
Your Majesty wanted to build a garden, but the ministers opposed it. Did you manage to complete it?
Your Majesty desires all your brothers from your maternal family to enter officialdom, and you have agreed to that. Have the ministers agreed?
All of the previous events, though they were all family matters of the royal family, caused a great deal of noise in the court and ultimately came to nothing.
"I know Father is angry because of my elder brother, but you shouldn't take your anger out on me."
The emperor listened to the crown prince's words without saying a word.
After a long while, he sighed and said, "Get up."
Upon hearing this, the crown prince stood up.
The emperor spoke again: "There have been many things going on lately, Father... Father is not in a good mood..."
I've already said something, don't take it to heart.
The crown prince calmly replied, "Father, I understand."
For the past month or so, my child has been busy and anxious every day, and has also been in a bad mood.
"If it weren't for my second brother's help and Ling'er's constant encouragement, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to endure it."
The emperor nodded and said, "Your second brother and Ling'er are on good terms."
The crown prince remained silent.
As the two were talking, a palace attendant announced from outside:
"Your Majesty, the Minister of War has arrived."
The emperor spoke, "Summon them."
The Crown Prince spent the entire day discussing military matters with the three ministers.
By the time they dispersed, it was completely dark.
The Crown Prince walked alone from the Emperor's study back to the Eastern Palace under the moonlight.
On the way, he recalled the conversation between the father and son that morning.
My mood suddenly became heavy. I looked up at the moon and took two deep breaths.
This royal family is really boring.
Father and son, brothers, husband and wife...
It's utterly boring.
No wonder Ling'er wanted to become a nun.
Damn it, I want to become a monk too.
That night, the Crown Prince did not return to the backyard of the Eastern Palace to rest, but slept alone in the study.
Upon hearing this, the Crown Princess remained silent for a while, saying nothing.
She simply instructed the maids to turn off the lights and went to sleep alone with the child.
The next day, Pei Yanchi returned to the capital.
He first went to the palace to report to the emperor.
"You've worked hard, Yanchi. You may rise."
Pei Yanchi stood up and glanced at the emperor. In just one glance, Pei Yanchi could clearly feel that the emperor had aged considerably in just two months.
After reporting the important matters, Pei Yanchi cautiously asked:
"Uncle, haven't you been resting well lately? You don't look as healthy as you did a month ago."
The emperor smiled faintly after hearing this: "I haven't been getting enough rest lately."
Then he said to Pei Yanchi, "The main reason you were summoned back this time is that your Xingguo Duke's Mansion can't function without someone in charge."
"Go home and finish your household chores first, then come to the palace to visit your grandmother when you have some free time."
"Yes, son."
Pei Yanchi lowered his head and replied with furrowed brows.
When they left the palace, they ran into the Crown Prince, and the two exchanged a few words.
Pei Yanchi wanted to go to the East Palace to wait for him, but the Crown Prince told him to go back first and come back in two days.
Pei Yanchi emerged from the palace gate, his entire demeanor exuding a murderous aura.
"My lord, where are we going now?" Pei Zhuang, Pei Yanchi's personal servant, asked.
"Return to the mansion and open the ancestral hall."
Pei Yanchi said in a cold voice.
Upon returning to the Duke of Xing's residence, the gatekeeper, seeing him come back, shouted excitedly:
"The young master has returned to the manor."
Soon all the stewards of the manor came out and stood in a row.
Some were happy, some were unhappy, but they all appeared very respectful.
There was no other reason than that Pei Yanchi had returned from the Western Regions with a group of battle-hardened veterans, each of whom was fierce and exuded murderous intent.
They didn't need to look to know that these were the Duke of Xing's men.
The old steward of the manor saw Pei Yanchi and said with tears streaming down his face:
"Your Highness, you're finally back! If you hadn't come back, our Duke Xing's mansion would have fallen apart."
Pei Yanchi held the old steward's hand and said:
"Uncle Yuan, I'm back now, aren't I?"
He patted Yuanbo's hand reassuringly twice, then turned to the crowd and said coldly:
"Go and summon everyone. Tell them that I will be opening the ancestral hall in half an hour."
Upon hearing this, the crowd dispersed.
Pei Yanchi watched the departing people and sneered.
"Where are Pei Zhuo and Pei Ying?"
"Because the other families came to visit every day, the young lady and the second young master both went to their uncle's house to hide."
Pei Yanchi cursed inwardly upon hearing this.
How could Pei Zhuo be so useless? They've come to bully us, and instead of fighting them, he just runs away.
"Send someone to bring those two back to me."
Tell him that if he doesn't come back today, he should never come back again.
"Here you go."
Pei Yanchi had endured wind and rain all the way, and although he was exhausted and disheveled, he was still very energetic.
The servant at the door finally showed some tact and arranged for someone to boil water for him to bathe and change his clothes.
Just as I finished tidying up, I heard Pei Zhuang come to report from the doorway:
"Your Highness, the Second Young Master has returned."
Pei Yanchi straightened his clothes, pushed open the door, and came out.
The brothers, who hadn't seen each other for two months, suddenly found themselves staring at each other blankly.
In Pei Zhuo's eyes, Pei Yanchi, whom he hadn't seen for two months, suddenly exuded a sharp killing intent.
He looked quite like their father, exuding great authority.
In Pei Yanchi's eyes, Pei Zhuo was full of the cowering fear and cowardice of a stray dog.
Behind him, Pei Ying was in tears.
Pei Yanchi glanced at him indifferently and said, "Come in."
Pei Zhuo and Pei Ying followed them in.
After taking their seats, Pei Yanchi asked, "Tell me what has been going on these past two months?"
Pei Zhuo opened his mouth to speak, but then seemed unsure where to begin and closed it again.
“I just returned from the palace. I already know about your mother’s situation from there.”
I wanted to ask about the other branches of the Pei family.
Pei Zhuo suddenly sighed and said:
"Now that you know about my mother's situation, you must also know that we two are probably not of the Pei family bloodline."
Pei Yanchi nodded.
"In that case, we will not interfere in the affairs of your Pei family."
Pei Yanchi sneered upon hearing this and turned to look at him:
"Then why did you come back?"
Pei Zhuo was caught off guard by the question and didn't know how to answer.
Pei Yanchi took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to Pei Zhuo.
"Take a look at the letter from the Duke of Xing."
Pei Zhuo took the letter and read it, and finally, tears welled up in his eyes.
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