pleasing
Jiang Heng is always good at hiding his true feelings. No one present saw his vicious glare just now, and he won't let anyone see it either.
The Emperor was focused on listening to Jiang Yunyan's words and did not notice Jiang Heng's side.
On the dragon throne, the emperor nodded, pondering what Jiang Yunyan had just said.
Although the Imperial Observatory said so about Shen Wenqiu's destiny, very few people actually asked for it personally, even though it was the Crown Prince Jiang Yunyan.
Such a rare opportunity, and considering that Shen Wenqiu was merely a minor compiler in the Hanlin Academy, and the lack of a new top scholar was nothing to worry about, it was fine to give it to Jiang Yunyan.
If you're worried that what the Imperial Observatory says might come true, just send Shen Wenqiu over as a decoration, and don't let him do any important work. That shouldn't have any impact.
Upon realizing this, the Emperor was immediately relieved.
He looked at Jiang Yunyan, nodded, and said, "Since it's what you want, then..."
Although it was insignificant for the Crown Prince Jiang Yunyan to do anything personally, he originally had a study companion.
How could the family of the original prince's study companion possibly agree to this?
This family, surnamed Zhang, had served as officials in the imperial court for generations; the father, sons, and brothers all held important positions.
Elder Zhang was old and did not speak first; he usually spoke in a rather gentle manner.
But young Master Zhang is different. He is young and impetuous, has a sharp tongue, and is extremely arrogant because his family has been officials for generations and he is also a follower of the Crown Prince.
More importantly, Master Zhang is a brother-obsessed man.
He doted on his younger brother the most, and went to great lengths to make him the Crown Prince's study companion, thinking that this would allow his brother to develop a relationship with the Crown Prince first, so that he could rise to prominence with him when the Crown Prince ascended the throne.
Upon learning that a son of a fallen noble family had suddenly appeared and was vying with Lord Zhang's favorite younger brother for the position of the Crown Prince's study companion, his anger flared up instantly.
Lord Zhang stepped forward and immediately objected, saying, "Your Majesty! Absolutely not!"
Jiang Yunyan was taken aback. He turned around and saw that it was one of his own people, and he was immediately displeased.
Has this young Lord Zhang suddenly gone mad? How dare he contradict his proposal in court!
The Emperor was also somewhat surprised. Upon seeing that it was Lord Zhang, he roughly guessed the reason.
It's just a matter of vested interests; it's only natural that they're afraid Shen Wenqiu's arrival will steal the benefits from their child's situation.
Although this person was requested by Jiang Yunyan himself, the Emperor did not stop Lord Zhang, but simply looked at him and asked, "Oh? What are your thoughts?"
Seeing that the Emperor did not stop him and even asked him questions, Lord Zhang became even bolder.
He recalled what he had heard about the Marquis of Huai'an's residence, and said with disdain, "Although our dynasty does not select officials based on their family background, Your Highness, as the Crown Prince, is of the highest moral character. How can you allow such despicable people who curry favor with the powerful to be by your side? It is truly inappropriate!"
Jiang Heng guessed that Lord Zhang's family would stop him, but he was also unhappy that they spoke ill of Shen Wenqiu. He immediately became displeased, turned to look at Lord Zhang, and asked, "What do you mean by this, Lord Zhang? I have no idea how my companion has done anything wrong, or when he started currying favor with the powerful?"
The Zhang family has followed Jiang Yunyan, making them a sure-fire faction of the Crown Prince, destined for great success in the future. How could they possibly look favorably upon an unfavored prince like Jiang Heng?
Hearing Jiang Heng's question, he showed no respect for the royal family, but instead raised his chin arrogantly, his tone still full of disdain, and said, "The Ninth Prince doesn't know, does he? Shen Wenqiu's mother was originally the fiancée of the Marquis of Huai'an's younger brother, but she was unhappy with the marriage because her husband could not inherit the title. So, on the day she went to the banquet at the Marquis of Huai'an's mansion, she shamelessly climbed into the bed of the drunk Marquis of Huai'an!"
These are just rumors circulating among the public, or private family matters.
No one would bring this up in the imperial court.
But they looked down on Shen Wenqiu, Aunt Qin, and Jiang Heng.
So people's pain was distorted and turned into a joke.
After Lord Zhang finished speaking, many ministers discussed the matter, their expressions full of mockery and disdain, and some even stood up to support what Lord Zhang had said.
After the other ministers quieted down, Lord Zhang stepped forward and continued speaking, taking over what Lord Zhang had said.
"Your Majesty, although the Marquis of Huai'an was also somewhat confused in this matter, how could this have happened without that woman's eagerness to curry favor? Your Majesty has examined Lord Shen's talent, but we have had little contact with him and know nothing about his character. However, it is said that children resemble their mothers, and that it is difficult to learn good things, but only a day or two to learn bad things. As the Crown Prince, His Highness the Heir Apparent, the selection of those around him must be even more important. It is better to misunderstand Lord Shen than to gamble with His Highness the Crown Prince!"
Lord Zhang is older, which makes him different from Lord Xiao Zhang.
While speaking, he seemed to praise Shen Wenqiu, but he also implied that Shen Wenqiu and Aunt Qin and her son were people who curried favor with the powerful and had poor character, and should not stay by the side of the crown prince Jiang Yunyan, lest they corrupt the crown prince.
The Emperor dotes on Jiang Yunyan, but once he discovers the possibility that Jiang Yunyan will be led astray...
Then he might not be able to accept it.
Moreover, the Emperor remembered Mu Yan.
Although Mu Yan had absolutely nothing to do with this matter.
But the emperor is the kind of person who, when he has a problem, tries to shift the blame onto others.
His passionate yet deceptive romance with Mu Yan, a romance he thought was under his control but knew he was completely out of control in, remained a knot in his heart.
Therefore, the emperor would think of Mu Yan whenever he had the chance.
He secretly and maliciously accused her of some fabricated crimes.
The emperor thought to himself, "Wasn't this the same method that Mu Yan used to enter the palace and curry favor with him back then?"
What Lord Zhang said makes perfect sense. A son resembles his mother, but Jiang Heng is very different from him and looks more like Mu Yan.
Therefore, it is reasonable that Jiang Heng was imprisoned in Yaoyue Palace for many years. It is even more reasonable that he was released now and placed with Shen Wenqiu, who has an unfortunate fate.
It was clearly the emperor himself who was attracted to her beauty and deliberately approached her.
But they said it was Mu Yan's fault.
But the Emperor didn't care; he just pushed everything onto Mu Yan to justify his unfair treatment of her and Jiang Heng.
As for Shen Wenqiu, the emperor originally didn't have much of a problem with him.
At most, I think Jiang Heng is only worthy of someone of his background.
But now that Lord Zhang has said this, the Emperor hesitated.
Jiang Yunyan was his favorite son; he even considered Jiang Yunyan to be his only son.
This is the only child he is willing to give the position of crown prince to.
Shen Wenqiu, being a minor compiler, was content to remain in the Hanlin Academy.
His background had no impact on his becoming a minister.
She could stay by the Crown Prince's side, but if she corrupted his son, it would be a greater loss than gain.
Furthermore, the Emperor has already linked Shen Wenqiu's background with Jiang Heng's.
How could he possibly allow Shen Wenqiu to go to Jiang Yunyan's side?
After pondering for a moment, the Emperor immediately made up his mind and said hypocritically, "Jiang Heng only has Shen Wenqiu as his study companion. Although they no longer need to study at Zhaoming Hall, they seem to get along well, so it's not appropriate to transfer his person away. The Crown Prince has many people around him, all of whom are loyal. One more Shen Wenqiu won't make a difference, and one less won't make a difference either. There's really no need to send him to the Eastern Palace. Let's just let this matter go."
Jiang Yunyan took a step forward anxiously, as if she wanted to say something.
But the Emperor gave him a look, signaling him to shut up. He had no choice but to stand there sulking, turning his head to glare at Jiang Heng, who was keeping his head down and not saying a word.
Jiang Heng kept his head down and didn't speak, his eyes, unseen by others, filled with a sinister look.
He secretly noted down the events of the day in his heart: the Crown Prince's actions and every word spoken by the ministers of the Crown Prince's faction.
A few days later.
Outside the imperial city, within the Phoenix and Unicorn Camp.
Several men dressed as soldiers, drunk and carrying torches, passed by the tents where provisions and weapons were stored.
As they walked, they seemed to lose their grip on the torches and dropped them to the ground.
With a whoosh, the fire flared up and spread rapidly, setting the tents ablaze.
Inside the Phoenix Camp, the fire was so severe that even firefighting efforts were chaotic.
What is the Phoenix and Unicorn Camp? It is an army specially given to the Crown Prince by the Emperor.
Whenever there was a need for gilding, the Phoenix Guard would accompany the Crown Prince.
That way, you can make a big mark on it and stand out from the other princes.
However, Jiang Yunyan was not a good manager and knew nothing about military affairs.
Therefore, the Fenglin Camp was in chaos after he took over. It was common for them to bully men and women in the capital, and drinking and playing around were a daily occurrence.
It's not surprising that the Phoenix Camp caught fire; given their behavior, it was only a matter of time.
But today is different. Not only is it on fire, but Jiang Yunyan has also run into the Phoenix Lin Camp.
Feeling utterly humiliated by the events at court, Jiang Yunyan decided to visit the Fenglin Camp that very night, hoping they could devise a way to impress the Emperor and gain him more favors.
To his surprise, he found the place flooded and in complete disarray upon arrival. He immediately realized this was his chance to shine. He imagined the Phoenix Battalion being punished by the Emperor while he received a reward – a truly wonderful prospect.
So Jiang Yunyan stood there, directing everyone to put out the fire. But the water source was far away, and he found it troublesome to go back and forth. He pointed to a few barrels of wine next to him and claimed that they were also water, so he should take them and pour them on.
Thus, under Jiang Yunyan's command...
Not only were the burning tents completely destroyed, but the fire also spread to areas that were not originally on fire, and even areas outside the Phoenix Forest Camp were engulfed in flames. The fire spread rapidly, and several soldiers of the Phoenix Forest Camp lost their lives in the process.
In the end, it was Commander Liu Yu, who was returning from patrolling the camp outside the city, who saw the fire and rushed over to help, thus controlling the fire and preventing greater damage outside Fenglin Camp.
However, this way...
The fact that Jiang Yunyan's reckless firefighting had caused huge losses to Fenglin Camp could no longer be concealed within the camp.
The next morning, Shen Wenqiu, who knew nothing about it, got up very early to go to the Hanlin Academy for roll call.
Aunt Qin got up even earlier than Shen Wenqiu, busied herself getting him ready, made sure he ate properly, and gave him a few more words of advice while looking at him with concern.
Finally, Aunt Qin mentioned it.
"I heard from the servant who went out to buy supplies that something happened outside the city last night."
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