Chapter 163 Thunderous Fury When Cheng Qianyue arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, sure enough...
When Cheng Qianyue arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, she indeed found a large number of people kneeling outside. Without bothering to identify them, she hurried through the hall. Once inside, she glanced around and noticed a puddle of water on the floor. The servants stood with their heads bowed, looking as if they were incapable of doing anything.
Cheng Qianyue turned her gaze to Yinreng and saw him sitting there with his back bent, his chest heaving like waves, looking like a tiger about to descend from the mountain to hunt its prey.
She hurried over, bowed, and sat down beside him to pat him on the back. To be honest, she could offer advice on other matters, but when it came to the Crown Prince, she could only keep quiet and say nothing.
After a long while, Yinreng's expression seemed to have softened considerably, but his hands were still clenched tightly, veins bulging. Cheng Qianyue gently took his fists and slowly pried his fingers open. Only then did she dare to speak, softly saying, "Your Highness, please calm down."
Yinreng let out a long sigh of relief and asked, "Do you know why I'm angry?"
Cheng Qianyue: ......
She hesitated for a moment before replying, "No matter what, you can't let yourself get sick from getting angry." She reached out and rubbed his chest, adding, "It wouldn't be worth it to harm your health over something so trivial."
Yinreng didn't let the matter drop because of her words, and kept a close eye on her. After a while, he said, "This morning at court, the ministers brought up the matter of the crown prince. What's your opinion?"
Cheng Qianyue wondered what she could possibly think. She felt those ministers were courting death. She just didn't know who those people were today who petitioned for the establishment of a crown prince, or which prince they were advocating for. She was more worried that Hongyan might be caught in the crossfire.
Cheng Qianyue sighed and replied, "I am but a woman, what could I possibly know? I only know that you are the Emperor, the ruler of the world. As for matters of the court, I presume you have your own decisions." She paused and continued, "In truth, you are in the prime of your life, why worry about the future so early? This is not the way to plan ahead. The ministers are far too anxious."
After hearing her say that, Yinreng patted her hand heavily, and his gaze towards the window suddenly turned fierce. "Even you understand this principle, but they don't."
Cheng Qianyue breathed a sigh of relief and wanted to say a few more words to calm him down. Just then, Jing Shun came in from outside and cautiously reported, "Your Majesty, several ministers outside have fainted from kneeling."
Yinreng's anger, which had just subsided, flared up again. He stood up, took two steps, and roared at the outside, "I will make them kneel and let the sun expose their filthy thoughts. A bunch of traitors, even if they die, they deserve to die."
Cheng Qianyue hurriedly went over to comfort him, and it took her a lot of effort to calm his raging anger. Seeing that Yinreng had calmed down, she said softly, "The weather is hot, and people kneeling outside are bound to suffer from heatstroke. Why don't you send them back to reflect on their actions? That way they won't be an eyesore."
Yinreng took a long breath, then waved his hand and said, "Let them get out of here."
Cheng Qianyue quickly gave Jing Shun a wink, signaling him to have the kneeling ministers who had fainted outside carried away immediately. If anything happened to them, Yinreng's reputation would be ruined. After Jing Shun hurried out, Cheng Qianyue poured a cup of tea and placed it beside Yinreng, saying, "Have some tea to soothe your throat."
Yinreng took the cup and drank a sip, but quickly put it down. After a long while, he said, "I am much better now."
Really? Cheng Qianyue was skeptical. His face was ashen, like it'd been plastered with soot. Unfortunately, she couldn't think of anything else to say to appease him. The topic of the crown prince's position was far too sensitive.
Looking at Cheng Qianyue, who was staring at him with concern, Yinreng suddenly regretted calling her over. He was mainly angry and had no one to confide in, so she was the first person he thought of. However, the timing was truly inappropriate. He sighed and said, "Alright, I want to be alone for a while. You can go back now."
Cheng Qianyue pursed her lips and said softly, "Then I will take my leave. Please don't be upset like you were just now, and please take care of your health."
Yinreng nodded in agreement.
Cheng Qianyue then got up and left. As she walked back to Yongshou Palace from Yangxin Hall, she couldn't help but feel uneasy. Upon returning, she immediately asked Lin Quan'an, "How much did you find out about the morning court session?"
Lin Quan'an said softly, "Just now, this servant did not dare to ask the people serving in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, but the matter of requesting the establishment of a crown prince has already spread in the palace. It is said that the officials in the morning court jointly submitted a memorial requesting that Prince Hongxi be established as the crown prince, and some people also mentioned the second prince and the third prince. The emperor was furious on the spot, and after the court session, he summoned several ministers and scolded them severely."
Upon hearing that someone actually mentioned Hongyan, Cheng Qianyue's eyebrows shot up in anger, and she couldn't help but mutter in a low voice, "Traitorous minister." No wonder Yinreng often cursed them like that; those four words were truly fitting for them.
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Yinreng's mood had calmed down considerably, and his rationality had returned. In fact, shortly after Hongxi and Hongjin's wedding, the Imperial Clan Court had submitted a memorial stating that since the princes were now married, they should be invited to participate in political affairs. However, for some reason, later on, court officials successively submitted memorials requesting the establishment of a crown prince. At that time, he merely snorted coldly and held back. He never expected that today the court officials would jointly submit a memorial requesting Hongxi to be established as crown prince, dragging Hongjin and Hongyan into the mess as well. Recalling the events of this morning, he narrowed his eyes, feeling that all of this was a conspiracy by treacherous individuals to undermine the relationship between him and his sons.
Crown Prince...
He had already decided not to establish a crown prince early after ascending the throne. Firstly, he did not have many children, and none of his children had participated in politics. He did not know their abilities and temperament, so it was not good to decide on a successor too early, otherwise it would be too late to change it later.
Furthermore, he has abandoned many of the divided factions in recent years. Those he mentions are naturally grateful to him, but those he has suppressed are not necessarily willing to swallow their anger. In the past few years, he did not take strong action against them because he had to follow the filial piety of not changing his father's mind for three years, and also because he needed to stabilize the court during the war. But now is the time to deal with them. He will never appoint a crown prince before he has completely crushed this group of traitors.
The petition requesting the establishment of a crown prince flashed through Yinreng's mind; the signatures on it were truly diverse. The Niohuru family... the Tong family... the Nalan family... were all among them. It seemed that his forbearance in the past few years had ironically made them think he, the emperor, had a very good temper.
Ha, then let me show you whether I have a temper or not!
After a short while, another person suddenly came to mind. If we're talking about political enemies, if we're talking about those he suppressed the most...
Eighth Brother... even though your name isn't on the list, you've done this kind of thing plenty of times before. I don't believe you weren't involved this time. Hmph, whether you were or not, you're not getting away with it!
Yinreng's eyes flashed with cold light, but he quickly ordered, "Summon the First Prince to the Hall of Mental Cultivation." He hoped that today's events would not affect Hongxi.
Hongxi had just come out of the Imperial Study when he heard the Emperor's summons and was taken aback. By the time he reacted, Hongjin, Hongyan, and the others had already taken their leave. He cleared his throat and said to the messenger, "Lead the way." Upon entering the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he felt a sudden chill in the air, and then heard his father, the Emperor, say, "It has been a long time since I have dined with you. No need for formalities, please sit down." He said yes and rose to sit down.
Yinreng looked at his son, momentarily at a loss for words. He wanted to ask if he had heard about the morning court session, but felt it wouldn't be appropriate to ask that. Finally, he said, "It's been hot lately, so be careful when you practice martial arts." After a moment's thought, he added, "Annan has sent some camphor and borneol as tribute. I'll have someone bring you some later to calm your mind and soothe your nerves."
Hongxi pursed his lips and said yes.
Yinreng gestured to the servants to serve the meal. After the food was laid out, he pointed to several dishes and said, "Send these to the First Prince's table." He raised his hand to Hongxi, telling him not to bow and express his gratitude, "We are father and son, so there's no need for such formality."
Hongxi said "yes" again and then picked up his chopsticks. But for some reason, he couldn't eat much today. After finally finishing his meal, he bowed and took his leave.
Yinreng didn't rush to tell him to leave. Instead, he had him come forward and handed Hongxi a sandalwood bead that he had been polishing for many years. He earnestly instructed him, "You may hear some things when you go back, but don't panic. Hongxi, remember, you are my eldest son, a son I value highly. You must remain calm and not be misled by treacherous people."
Hongxi's throat moved a few times, and finally he knelt down and bowed, closing his eyes with his head down: "Son... understands..." But even though he said that, after returning to his residence, he lay down on the bed and couldn't help but cover his face with his hands.
To be honest, he couldn't understand it, no matter what. He couldn't understand why the emperor had just reprimanded the officials, but then kindly summoned him to dine with him.
The conversation that had just taken place in the Hall of Mental Cultivation was still ringing in my ears.
His emotions were in turmoil because of these words and events. He wondered if he was truly the emperor's favored son. If so, why was the person who requested that he be made crown prince a traitor? But if not, why did the emperor summon him to the Hall of Mental Cultivation and show him such concern?
Father Emperor, what are you thinking? Do you favor me or someone else? Have I not done enough? Or have you truly disregarded the throne, bewitched by beauty, and want to establish another young son as your heir? Is today merely a gesture of appeasement?
Hongxi closed his eyes tightly.
For the next few days, Hongxi remained sullen, but he remembered not to show his emotions, fearing gossip. However, good news soon arrived: the Emperor had granted him and Hongjin permission to participate in government affairs, and they would no longer need to go to the Imperial Study in three days.
Hongxi was having lunch with his primary consort, Niohuru, when he immediately rewarded the eunuch who had come to deliver the message. Afterward, he pondered the matter carefully.
Hong Jin... Hong Jin has always listened to him, and he is inferior to him in both literary talent and martial arts, so there is no need to be afraid of him.
Seeing his happiness, Lady Niohuru said softly, "It's clear that His Majesty still values you, sir." She tentatively added, "Actually, there's no need for you to be impatient. You are His Majesty's eldest son, and no one else can surpass you. The more stable you are in the lead, the better." So, once you can attend court, please don't associate with those reprimanded officials. Of course, she didn't dare say this directly.
Hongxi thought it was a woman's view, but considering that his wife was trying to comfort him, he smiled gently and said, "Alright, I know what I'm doing."
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