The Crown Prince Zhu Xiong Ying seemed completely unaware that he had been punished and confined to his quarters. He appeared as usual, and it was difficult to discern his emotions from his expression.
After offering sacrifices to his ancestors at the Fengxian Hall, Zhu Xiong Ying walked unhurriedly toward the East Palace. Along the way, many maids, eunuchs, and guards carefully observed Zhu Xiong Ying's expression, perhaps hoping to find a way to salvage the situation.
Wang Chengen rushed over at this moment, somewhat flustered, "Your Highness, many civil and military officials and nobles are petitioning in front of the Meridian Gate."
Zhu Xiong Ying was taken aback. Had something happened again? What were these people doing? "Petitioning? Why?"
This time it seemed that Wang Chengen was stunned. He cautiously replied, "Your Highness is the foundation of the country. Now Your Highness is confined to the Eastern Palace because of the Duke of Wei. Those civil and military nobles are pleading for Your Highness."
Upon hearing this answer, Zhu Xiong Ying immediately understood, but she was somewhat amused and exasperated, and genuinely felt unsure of what to say, as the matter was indeed rather complicated.
Zhu Xiong Ying thought it best to let things take their natural course. This whole drama was orchestrated by him and Lao Zhu, so there was no need to let people know how the story would unfold beforehand. It was better to keep them in the dark.
Wang Chengen was actually quite worried, fearing that the Crown Prince might displease the Emperor. Having served Zhu Xiong Ying for so many years, this was the first time Wang Chengen had witnessed the Emperor showing any dissatisfaction with the Crown Prince, let alone such a severe punishment.
Many people were stunned at this moment, and many were even somewhat at a loss.
The atmosphere at the Eastern Palace was clearly much more somber, with many people feeling lost and disoriented. They were all dependent on the Eastern Palace, sharing in its glory and its loss.
If the Crown Prince falls out of favor, their status will naturally decline sharply. If His Highness the Crown Prince is punished, they might be among the first to be severely punished, used as examples to deter others.
Seeing the Crown Prince return to the Eastern Palace, many people felt they had found their pillar of support, but there was also a sense of bewilderment.
His Highness the Crown Prince appeared neither frustrated nor resentful, just as usual. However, the news that His Highness the Crown Prince had been severely punished was from the court and could not possibly be false; it was the absolute truth.
Upon seeing Zhu Xiong Ying return, Xu Miao Qing immediately knelt down to beg for forgiveness, "Your Highness, my brother was arrogant and reckless, which led to..."
Zhu Xiong Ying was both amused and exasperated that he had even kept it from his own wife. However, there was no need to hide this from Xu Miao Qing, so Zhu Xiong Ying quickly pulled Xu Miao Qing up.
"Don't overthink it. It's not what you think." Looking at Xu Miaoqing, who was about to cry, Zhu Xiong Ying said with a smile, "This is just a stage that my grandfather and I set up, and we invited people to put on a good show."
Xu Miaoqing seemed to understand something now, which was also because Zhu Xiong Ying had already explained many things clearly enough.
Looking at Xu Miaoqing, who was still shaken, Zhu Xiong Ying said with a smile, "You don't understand what's going on in the court. There have been a lot of important events lately, and I've offended quite a few people. Your Majesty is finding a reason to extricate me from this situation so that I don't offend anyone."
Xu Miaoqing said softly, "I panicked for a moment. Over the years, my grandfather has never punished my husband for any matter, big or small. That's why I was so flustered."
"It's alright, it's good that I can rest during this time." Zhu Xiong Ying laughed and said to Xu Miao Qing, "Being confined to the East Palace for three months, I can finally tease Yin'er. By the way, where's that boy?"
Xu Miaoqing immediately replied, "It was the Emperor who took Yin'er away."
Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, then said to Xu Miao Qing, "I suppose it was because Your Majesty was afraid you would overthink things that you took Yin'er away. In the future, if you encounter these kinds of things, don't panic, and think more about Your Majesty's deeper meaning."
Xu Miaoqing, head bowed, dared not say much, but she muttered to herself. This one incident had already left her completely flustered; if something like this happened again, she definitely wouldn't be able to sit still. Her husband wasn't afraid, but that didn't mean Xu Miaoqing wasn't afraid or worried.
Even though Zhu Xiong Ying was the crown prince, he had received constant favors over the years. But in the end, he was still just the crown prince. Even if the crown prince's power was strong, when facing the founding emperor, such a line of crown princes, though seemingly powerful, could still be suppressed.
After comforting Xu Miaoqing, Zhu Xiong Ying remembered something. "I'm confined to the Eastern Palace, so there are some things I can't do. This time, my elder brother suffered an undeserved calamity because of me. Send someone over later, and he'll understand."
Xu Miaoqing naturally had no objections, as she wasn't particularly familiar with these matters. Xu Miaoqing also admitted that she didn't understand much about court politics, and she knew that her abilities were very limited.
Since her husband has said so, she should just do what he asked her to do; these are probably things she can do well.
Zhu Xiong Ying didn't intend to favor one over the other. After comforting Xu Miao Qing, she naturally needed to check on Lian Qiong Qiong as well. After all, she was pregnant, and if she were to be constantly worried and anxious, it might have some negative effects.
Indeed, that's exactly the case. Lian Qiongqiong is truly worried right now. After all, this is the first time His Highness the Crown Prince has been severely punished by His Majesty the Emperor, and she is very unaccustomed to it. She is also filled with anxiety.
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