Dan Zhu remained silent.
"So many experts failed to kill that wretch last time; she must have a significant destiny, but I will never let this go!" Long Fengying said through gritted teeth, her eyes brimming with resentment and malice.
Seeing Long Fengying slump back in her chair with a flushed face and suddenly rapid breathing, Dan Zhu hurriedly advised, "Princess, calm your anger and mind your health."
After taking several deep breaths to calm her furious excitement, Long Fengying continued to curse those Imperial Physicians for their incompetence. freeweɓnovel-cøm
Ever since she was scolded by the Emperor and sent back to her estate, she had a big fight with the prince consort, and her body had begun to grow weak. She always felt dizzy and disoriented, yet those Imperial Physicians couldn’t find the reason, only saying she had poor circulation and needed to rest. What a bunch of quacks.
The list for the spring examination was released, with Yang Chengbin ranked as the top scholar, and Wu Lizhen placed sixth as a Jinshi.
During the palace examination on April 26th, the Emperor personally selected Yang Chengbin as the top scholar of the new class, and with Wu Lizhen performing exceptionally well, he was named the third-ranking graduate. The two of them became the youngest top scholar and third-ranking graduate of their session, especially Yang Chengbin, who had successively passed four examinations, starting as a "Scholar" student.
Meanwhile, Yang Mengchen received letters from Yang Chengxuan and Yang Chengyu. His third sister-in-law, Nangong Lingyan, gave birth to a robust baby boy, and his fifth sister-in-law, Ling Youxuan, was also a month pregnant. As Yang Mengchen was sharing this joy with Long Xuan Mo, Sun Chuanmao suddenly came running in, drenched in sweat, and said that the Emperor wanted to see her.
Mengchen followed Sun Chuanmao to Cining Palace, only to see Yang Chengbin kneeling rigidly on the floor, with the Emperor sitting in the principal seat, his countenance stern and his gaze profound. The Empress Dowager and the Empress, on the other hand, had gentle smiles in their eyes.
Hearing footsteps, Yang Chengbin glanced at his sister, then quickly averted his gaze. Yang Mengchen immediately understood the situation. She paid her respects to the trio, bowing in their direction before taking a seat next to Long Xuan Mo on a chair to the side.
"May I ask why Father Emperor has summoned his daughter-in-law?" Yang Mengchen asked, feigning ignorance.
The Emperor couldn’t maintain his stern face when addressing his daughter-in-law, "I specially bestowed upon Yang Chengbin the title of Inspector General (sixth rank), yet he refused in court, making it difficult for Me to save face. Jiujiu, what do you say, should he not be punished?"
Yang Chengbin raised his head, wanting to explain, but after seeing his sister’s profound look, he closed his mouth and remained silent.
"Eighth Brother has indeed failed to live up to Father Emperor’s grace; he should be punished!" Yang Mengchen nodded in agreement, noticing the satisfaction in the Emperor’s eyes, and continued, "However, Father Emperor, Eighth Brother has always been lively and free-spirited. Ever since studying under Mr. Song Bochao, his nature has become even more unconstrained and carefree, really unsuited for court life;
Father Emperor, with Your sage virtue and wisdom, I beseech you to allow Eighth Brother to return to the Yang Family Academy. Firstly, when I founded the Academy, it was my intention to later hand it over to Eighth Brother to manage. Secondly, Eighth Brother could cultivate more talents for the Imperial Court. Thirdly, with his overflowing talent, perhaps one day he may become a great Confucian scholar. Please, Father Emperor, grant this favor."
The Emperor was well aware of the dispositions of the nine Yang siblings. Though Yang Chengbin’s refusal in court undermined his imperial authority, the Emperor didn’t take it to heart. Now, hearing his daughter-in-law’s reasoning, which was both rational and sensible, he, as a wise ruler, naturally understood the importance of employing people according to their abilities.
"Jiujiu makes a convincing argument; I shall grant his request." The Emperor then abruptly changed the subject, "But to think he had the audacity to request in public that I grant him and Tongtong’s marriage proposal, intending to take away My precious daughter. How could I agree to that?" After speaking, he looked at Yang Mengchen with a mix of grievance and wistfulness.
Seeing the Emperor in such a light for the first time, Yang Mengchen was so surprised she nearly choked on her saliva, coughing uncontrollably.
Giving the Emperor a cold glare, Long Xuan Mo gently patted his wife’s back, helping her catch her breath.
The Empress Dowager and Empress looked at the Emperor in shock. While they too could hardly bear to part with Tongtong, they recognized that the Yang family’s household was genuinely modest and warm. With Tongtong’s naive and innocent nature, they would feel more at ease if she married into the Yang family.
Seeing that no one was offering any respect, the Emperor immediately resumed his austere demeanor, his gaze deep and inscrutable as he looked at Yang Chengbin.
Feeling the Emperor’s stern gaze, Yang Chengbin raised his head, his face a picture of firm sincerity as he said, "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, Empress Mother, Ah Ying and I have mutual affection. I swear that in this life, Ah Ying is my only wife. To me, Ah Ying is more precious than my own life! I beg Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, Empress Mother, to grant us this happiness!"
Behind the screen, Long Yingtong heard her beloved’s resounding oath and, seeing the palace maids’ and dowager sisters’ eyes filled with blessing, her delicate face blushed like roses. Shyly lowering her head, her heart was as sweet as honey.
Secretly praising Eighth Brother, Yang Mengchen joined the persuasion, "Father Emperor, Royal Grandmother, Mother Empress, Eighth Brother is of pure heart. Once he decides on Yingtong, it will be for a lifetime, and he will never betray Yingtong. Moreover..."
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