Chapter 176 She is no match for Dou Wenyi
Prince Rui did not want to comment further on Xie Guidu's matter; thankfully, Xie Guidu wisely took all the blame upon himself. Otherwise, he wouldn't have minded adding another innocent soul to the Dali Temple's prison.
This matter involves titles of nobility. The Emperor has deposed Xie Guidu from his position as heir apparent and has forbidden illegitimate sons from inheriting the title. This means that the title of Marquis of Dingyuan can only be passed down to this generation.
This is a stark warning: if the scions of powerful families make a mistake, it could implicate their entire family, or even their titles!
This time, it finally shocked the aristocratic families in Tianning City who were watching the spectacle.
The news spread like wildfire, even reaching Qionglin Garden.
"...Godfather, Xie Guidu is really in prison?" Dou Mingyan was extremely shocked when she heard this news.
Xie Guidu was originally a scion of a powerful family with an excellent reputation. He was also a leader among young literati, and even Prime Minister Meng valued him highly and intended to cultivate him.
He should have had a bright future, how did he end up like that?
Dou Mingyan had enjoyed his pursuit and had a very good impression of him, even though their last meeting was somewhat unpleasant.
In her heart, Xie Guidu only said those heartless words out of jealousy and resentment at being abandoned by her.
His past infatuation with her was originally a testament to her honor as a noblewoman.
But now that he's in jail and his reputation is ruined, his once enviable devotion seems particularly pathetic and can no longer be presented in public!
"Was it Dou Wenyi who harmed him?"
Dou Mingyan was filled with mixed emotions. She had been defeated time and time again in her several confrontations with Dou Wenyi. Even though she had to serve that old man, she did not feel that she had lost.
It was only then that she seemed to truly see Dou Wenyi for who she was; she was like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, ready to take a life when no one was looking.
Now, only by bringing down Pei Siyan can she have a chance to trample Dou Wenyi into the mud and make her wish she were dead!
The Imperial Advisor nodded. "It's her."
According to the plan, as long as Dou Wenyi and Xie Guidu successfully elope, they will throw both of them into the sea to feed the fish on the ship. At that time, Pei Siyan will be ridiculed by the world because the Crown Princess eloped with someone.
I just never expected that Xie Guidu would turn out to be so useless!
Dou Mingyan's eyes flashed with astonishment, "Godfather, Xie Guidu and she grew up together, and he was deeply devoted to her. How could she harm him like this?"
"She's ruthless. Anyone who gets involved with her is doomed. Is Pei Siyan going to die?"
"He won't die! His illness is probably faked." The Imperial Advisor felt a lump in his throat whenever he thought about it, but Emperor Muzong forbade anyone to mention his illness.
"Don't try to interfere in these matters now. Your goal is to serve the Emperor well and win his favor. Hasn't he already agreed to arrange a new identity for you? There are advantages and disadvantages to being in Qionglin Garden, but you will eventually return to the palace and be made a concubine."
"His Majesty is obsessed with carpentry. Have you carefully read the 'Luban Classic' and 'Tiangong Kaiwu' that I gave you before? If you don't firmly hold his heart, once a man's novelty wears off, he will lose interest in you."
Dou Mingyan felt a headache coming on when she thought of the densely packed small characters, page after page, all about the structure and construction process of houses, bridges, and pavilions.
She couldn't stand looking at such a monstrous thing.
She replied dismissively, "Yan'er knows, she will definitely look through it carefully."
The Imperial Advisor could see through her absent-mindedness and coldly reminded her, "You are different from Dou Wenyi. If you don't straighten your mind, you will never be able to turn things around."
Dou Wenyi is indeed quite capable; Dou Mingyan is no match for her at all.
At the same time, the Imperial Advisor also felt that Prince Rui had been having a run of bad luck lately.
Now that the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion has been severely punished, those powerful families who have attached themselves to Prince Rui will naturally feel intimidated, and some even have the cunning to try and undermine Prince Duan's influence.
Such undercurrents were exactly what Emperor Muzong wanted to see, while the anomalies in the Eastern Palace were not so obvious.
For several days in a row, itinerant doctors from all walks of life came to the Eastern Palace to treat the Crown Prince.
On this day, Dou Wenyi went to Chongzheng Hall.
She pursed her lips, kept her eyes straight ahead, and after kneeling and bowing respectfully, presented a large pile of medical records.
"...That doctor is the last apprentice of Physician Ge. He has been treating His Highness for some time now, and His Highness looks much better than before. He said there is a way to cure His Highness, but it may leave a hidden ailment."
Emperor Muzong sat high on his throne, glancing at her indifferently, and couldn't help but think of Dou Mingyan, who had served him diligently in Qionglin Garden.
As expected of sisters who are not related by blood, their personalities are completely different.
"What hidden ailment?"
Dou Wenyi feigned shyness and said in a very soft voice, "It will hinder your sexual relations, and Your Highness will probably have difficulty having an heir in the future."
Even though the emperor was somewhat prepared, he was still taken aback by these words. His expression was complicated. "What does the Crown Prince mean?"
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. His Highness is suffering greatly from illness and is depressed. He often locks himself in his room and does not allow anyone to disturb him. But I know that he writes memorials every day requesting to be deposed. Even if his illness can be cured, his headaches cannot be completely eradicated..."
Emperor Muzong sighed softly and gave Eunuch Feng a wink. Immediately, a young eunuch brought a stool for Dou Wenyi.
When Dou Wenyi sat down respectfully, her eyes were already slightly red and teary.
“The recent events have nothing to do with you. It was those people with ulterior motives who took the opportunity to stir up trouble and try to incite their brothers to kill each other. You don’t need to blame yourselves.”
Emperor Muzong's voice was stern yet tinged with helplessness.
The saying goes, "A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime." As the crown prince, Pei Siyan is a sitting duck no matter what he does, and he will be subjected to countless attacks and framing.
Upon hearing this, Dou Wenyi tentatively spoke up, "If His Highness can be cured, he can at least have some happy times again. We certainly dare not hope for an imperial heir. I am willing to be confined to the Eastern Palace with him, or live a life of wealth and leisure in a secluded corner. I beg Your Majesty to leave us a way out."
The emperor's face suddenly darkened. "Insolence!"
Dou Wenyi knelt down again with a thud, her voice trembling, "Your Majesty, please, for the sake of Empress Wen, allow His Highness to give it a try!"
The atmosphere inside the hall was tense and cold.
Dou Wenyi held her breath and dared not even breathe loudly.
Emperor Muzong's expression gradually softened from its gloomy tone, and he said in a deep voice, "When did I ever say I wanted to depose the Crown Prince?"
He just wanted to toughen up his sons. After all, everyone wants to reach that high position. If they can't be ruthless and can't beat their own brothers, then it's not destiny.
But Pei Shaoqin's methods were too clumsy and could not be fooled at all. How could they possibly fool the court officials?
He was so eager to replace the crown prince, but what would happen if he actually dethroned him?
Who does he want to replace?
The emperor's eyes sharpened. "Can the medical skills of that Physician Ge's apprentice be trusted?"
He said he was 60% confident...
"This is approved! If anything happens to the Crown Prince, I will make him bring his head to me!"
Eunuch Feng glanced at Dou Wenyi; she was indeed intelligent.
Today, she made a special trip to report the Crown Prince's condition in detail to the Emperor, which not only demonstrated her loyalty but also allowed her to distance herself from the matter, even during the process of treating the Crown Prince.
Even if something bad happens to her, the Emperor won't blame her.
After Dou Wenyi left, the emperor got up and went to the Imperial Garden, where he summoned Shen Yanzhou to accompany him for a walk.
"What is your opinion on the Crown Prince's illness?"
Shen Yanzhou was slightly taken aback; the emperor had indeed become suspicious of the crown prince's illness again...
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