Chapter 170: When the war broke out, there were nearly 10,000 casualties. Can this still be called a family matter?

"What is sister-in-law's plan?" Chu Li was puzzled and asked impatiently as he left the room.

What He Nianqing said was right. If the other three branches of the He family wanted to get out of this, they just had to deny her identity. After all, there would be no evidence to prove it.

Ruan Qinghuan was silent for a moment. "When the late consort was in power, many women's portraits were presented from all over the country. Sister, how come the Prince of Chen decided to marry the daughter of the He family, and he didn't even see her portrait?"

Chu Li opened his mouth in disbelief: "Sister-in-law, are you saying that all of this was planned by King Chen?"

In this way, thinking about the current situation of Princess Chen, we can find some clues.

Although she was a princess, she had not been able to give birth to a child for many years. However, the concubines that Queen Chen took into the palace gave birth to children one after another.

The royal family attaches great importance to bloodline. If Chen Wang's wife was really a maid in disguise, it is understandable that Chen Wang would not let her get pregnant.

Ruan Qinghuan had a good impression of He Nianqing: "The He family has fallen to such a state, but she is still able to stay by the side of the already crazy Madam He. She is certainly filial."

Chu Li said gloomily, "It's a pity that good people don't get good rewards. So, what's the point of marrying such a wife and having a bunch of children? Is it just for family strife?"

Seeing her filled with righteous indignation, Ruan Qinghuan shook his head. This kind of fighting and grabbing was not uncommon in the wealthy families.

"Although He Nianqing has little to do with this matter, the eldest wife of the He family may not be innocent. Sometimes you have to go with the flow when you are in a whirlpool. Mr. He died suddenly not long after his son's death. Maybe it was to hide something."

The two legitimate sons died, leaving only Ho Hung-chi. As a father and the head of the family, he did not want the first branch of the family to die out.

**

In the palace, at the gate of Anhe Palace late at night, the emperor stood for a long time.

The crying outside the palace continued for a long time, making his expression even gloomier.

Eunuch Xu knew that the emperor was angry: "Your Majesty, Concubine Qi has been kneeling for a whole day. How about I let her go back first?"

"Let her kneel until she truly repents." The sky was filled with stars, but it could not illuminate the cold and desolate night in the palace.

The emperor sighed deeply and said, "Tomorrow, He'an will come to the capital, right?"

"The guards have come to report that the Prime Minister and General Ji will be able to enter the palace before noon tomorrow."

"Hmph, he is young, but he is an old fox. He is just giving me an opportunity to step down." He skipped the morning court and reported the matter to Prince Chen in private first. He was thoughtful.

Eunuch Xu knew that the emperor was talking about Prime Minister He: "Prince Chen's matter is a family matter, and it should be..."

"Family affairs?" The emperor interrupted him: "When the war started, there were nearly 10,000 casualties. Can this still be called a family matter?"

"I am an ignorant old servant. Please forgive me, Your Majesty." Eunuch Xu fell to his knees in fear.

The emperor was extremely disappointed with Prince Chen. No matter whether it was the doting when he was young or the ennobling of the title when he grew up, he thought he had treated Prince Chen much better than the other princes. But why did he become the most dissatisfied one?

Fortunately, He'an and Ji Lingchuan were able to plan and strategize in the battle of Jiangnan, so it did not cause too much impact or loss.

But the conspiracy to rebel has already been decided. Whether for the sake of the stability of the country or to give an explanation to the soldiers and court officials, this matter cannot be easily covered up.

**

In the inn, Ji Lingchuan and He An were both awake: "We left Chu Li in Jiangnan. Who knows how angry he would be now."

Although it was for her safety, Ji Lingchuan felt uneasy when he thought that she would be angry about it.

The journey back to the capital this time was extremely dangerous. He was ambushed three times and Prince Chen almost escaped.

He will finally arrive in Beijing tomorrow. He has thought everything through. After completing his current assignment, he will immediately return to Jiangnan to pick up the person.

"We will go to Beijing tomorrow and complete our mission first." He'an was also worried about Ruan Qinghuan. The reason he kept her in Jiangnan was not only for her safety, but also because he didn't want her to get involved in this case.

"The people have been brought back, why do you still look so worried?"

"Prince Chen is a prince after all. Because of his love for Concubine Qi, the emperor is very tolerant of him and even suppressed the matter of Lucheng's private soldiers."

"So, you are worried that the emperor will protect me this time?"

This time, He'an was not sure how the emperor would handle the matter.

If he still chooses to protect King Chen, he will be charged with treason. By then, the Pei family will be first, the He family will be second, and it will be even more difficult for the second branch of the Ruan family to escape.

**

At noon the next day, He An and Ji Lingchuan were waiting outside Yu's study. More than half an hour had passed, and there was no movement inside.

Now, even Ji Lingchuan was unsure.

As soon as he entered the palace, the emperor summoned Prince Chen in. Could it be that as He An thought, the emperor would protect his son?

While he was thinking, the sound of cups breaking was heard in the hall, and then two eunuchs ran in from the door. When they came out, they looked panicked and ran towards the direction of the Imperial Hospital.

Seeing that the situation was not going well, He'an and Ji Lingchuan wanted to go into the palace to protect the emperor. At this moment, the crown prince also came over upon hearing the noise.

As soon as he reached the door of the study, he saw two guards escorting Prince Chen out. Eunuch Xu also came out to pass on a message: "The emperor has ordered that Prince Chen be taken back to the palace for a joint trial by the three courts, with the prime minister supervising. The affairs of Qizhou and Jiangnan must be thoroughly investigated, and not a single mistake can be made."

Supervision?

The emperor handed over the power of trial to Jiang Jie.

When the prince came over, he also heard some unusual movements in the study room: "Please ask Eunuch Xu to pass on a message and tell him that I am here to pay my respects to my father."

Eunuch Xu: "I will go right away. Your Highness, please wait for a moment."

After a while, Eunuch Xu came out and said, "The emperor is not feeling well today, so let the crown prince and the two adults go back first."

Prince: “…”

He An and Ji Lingchuan bowed and said, "I will take my leave."

After walking a distance, Prince Chen turned around and spoke disrespectfully to the Crown Prince: "Your Highness, you rely on being the Queen's son and occupy the position of heir apparent, but you are indecisive and timid. How can you shoulder the heavy responsibility of being the ruler of Dongzhao?"

The prince shook his head and said, "Prince Chen, my father, as the ruler of a country, has experienced many upheavals and has also used military force to pacify the world. Now my country of Dongzhao is peaceful and prosperous, and the country is prosperous and the people are safe. My father has shown his benevolence and good governance, and has worked for the well-being of the people."

"Times have changed. You and I should have followed our father's example, governing the country with benevolence and building up military strength to prevent foreign invasion, instead of provoking wars for personal gain, causing internal strife and causing innocent people to suffer from war."

"I am doing this because my father is unfair and partial to you. If you are not the empress's son, what qualifications do you have to sit on the throne of the crown prince?"

The prince said: "You also said that I am the legitimate son, so what you said is not true."

These words crushed the last bit of self-esteem of King Chen: "Father will definitely regret this. When another country invades Dongzhao, he will see your incompetence and regret the decision he made today."