Chapter 15 The Prince Who Failed to Revolt
Rumors spread throughout the capital like a raging storm.
The Third Prince, punished by the late Emperor for favoring his concubine over his wife, was exiled to guard the Imperial Mausoleum. However, on Princess Jing's first day in the town, the Third Prince defied the ban and invited her to share a cup of tea. Word of this story spread quickly throughout the town, passing through the post stations and ultimately reaching the capital, causing a huge uproar.
In the capital, in teahouses, taverns, streets and alleys, people were talking and the place was bustling with activity.
"Have you heard? The Third Prince actually had contact with Princess Jing in the imperial mausoleum. He is so bold!" A lady dressed in gorgeous clothes whispered this shocking news to her female companion.
"That's right! The Third Prince was punished to guard the mausoleum, and he should have abided by his duty, but he chose to invite Princess Jing at this moment. Isn't this a blatant provocation to the royal majesty?" Another lady echoed with a gossipy look on her face, waving her fan lightly.
"What's even more infuriating is that his favorite concubine, jealous of Princess Jing's beauty, actually ordered her brother to make a harsh statement, saying that he would teach Princess Jing a lesson on the 16th day of the lunar month when the Buddhist scriptures were collected. This favorite concubine is too arrogant. Does she really think that no one in the royal family can control her?" A man who looked like a scholar accused indignantly.
"Having said that, Princess Jing is by no means a pushover. She comes from a prominent family and was personally married to Prince Jing by the late Emperor. She holds an extremely noble status and is the only cousin personally acknowledged by the Emperor. If that favored concubine and her brother really dare to act rashly, they must be tired of living." An old man stroked his beard and analyzed wisely.
"You all guessed wrong. The reason why the emperor didn't make Shufen the queen was actually to leave a place for Princess Jing." A young man, waving a folding fan, interrupted with a playful look on his face.
"In any case, it's better for us to talk less about this royal affair. If the emperor hears about it one day, we will all be in big trouble." A woman reminded everyone carefully.
When the Chief Censor openly impeached the third prince in the court, the emperor was furious when he learned of it and immediately issued an imperial edict to reprimand him.
After the court session, the Emperor summoned the Military and Virtue Envoy and said calmly, "What exactly is going on? Didn't I ask you to protect Lin'an? How do you do things? If anything goes wrong with Lin'an again, you don't have to come to see me again. Just get out of the palace!"
"Tell me! What's that little bastard Lin'an up to again?"
The Wude Sishi also felt that he was wronged, right?
He did not dare to slack off and quickly reported, "Your Majesty, it was actually the Princess of Lin'an who spread this rumor herself. As for the Third Prince's concubine's brother, he is indeed a lecher, but he has not yet had the courage to offend the Princess of Lin'an."
The emperor gradually calmed down after hearing this and asked in a deep voice, "What did you say to the third brother when you met him on the first day in Lin'an?"
The Wudesi envoy explained everything in detail.
"After hearing the rumor, I immediately went to inquire about the details and wanted to report to Your Majesty immediately..." When the Wude Sishi said this, he deliberately paused. The implication was self-evident: You have already vented your anger, what should you do next?
The emperor felt a pang of exhaustion. His message had been clear enough: stay in Shouyin Palace for a year, behave yourself, and don't cause trouble. He had already prepared food, meat, and charcoal for Lin'an, and even given her the military tokens of the mausoleum guards just in case. He had also arranged for Imperial Physician Hu to treat Xiaofei on the 15th of every month and for the palace maids to help her clean up. How had she misinterpreted his words?
Of the six brothers, only the third and sixth are left. The third is not to be feared at all. What's the problem with letting the third be the boss in the imperial mausoleum?
This unlucky kid!
The emperor said, "Send someone to protect her. Also, for the next three months, no one is allowed to help her clean Shouyin Palace. Let her do the cleaning." He waved his hand to signal him to leave.
————
Zhang Xiaojia didn't realize that she had misinterpreted the emperor's meaning. If she knew, she would probably cry.
Zhang Xiaojia watched the gate open, pushed He Fei and pulled the trailer to go to Huangzhen together.
"Brother He, the roads inside this imperial mausoleum are better than those in the capital."
[If you don’t build it well, you’ll lose your head.]
After leaving the imperial mausoleum, they walked quickly all the way. The road was well built and only 15 kilometers long. Zhang Xiaojia soon arrived in the town.
Zhang Xiaojia quickly went to the grocery store, left the cart there, and pushed He Fei around the town.
If you can’t go shopping, you can still visit the street stalls.
The stalls here are open 24 hours a day.
Zhang Xiaojia ate a bowl of wontons.
I ate ice cream, hemp drink powder, candied haws, mung bean cake... a series of sweets and cold drinks.
[Jia Jia, stop eating. You're going to have your period soon. Eating too much ice has given you a stomachache again.]
She pretended not to hear.
How could the sweets be so delicious? Zhang Xiaojia bought one of all the sweets on the street and also bought an ice cream.
The third prince sat in the tea stall and snapped his fingers.
Zhang Xiaojia snorted. She was not a dog, so she didn't go.
At this time, the eunuch beside the Third Prince walked up to Zhang Xiaojia and said respectfully, "County Lady, my master wants to see you. He said he has the power to close this street on the fifth day of next month."
Zhang Xiaojia pushed He Fei over.
Seeing this, the Third Prince's eyes flickered slightly and he said, "I underestimated you. You've only been here for ten days and already rumors are spreading everywhere."
[Jia Jia, talk to him about trading his son's title]
Zhang Xiaojia followed He Fei's instructions and relayed, "The Emperor wants to trade with you. What do you think?"
The Third Prince stared at Zhang Xiaojia and asked doubtfully, "Did the Emperor send you?"
Zhang Xiaojia shook his head: "No, it's you who should ask the Emperor for mercy and proceed with this transaction."
He had to show his loyalty to his eldest cousin. There were six princes in He Fei's generation, three of whom died, but there were many uncles in the previous emperor's generation.
"Kneel and beg," the Third Prince said with unquestionable arrogance in his tone. "Even scholars and officials don't kneel to beg the emperor. As a member of the royal family, how could I bend my knees for a mere transaction?"
Zhang Xiaojia's smile was sharp. "The late emperor banished you to the imperial mausoleum before passing away. You have yet to be canonized, and naturally your son has none either. What will become of your grandson's generation, without the protection of a clan?"
Zhang Xiaojia pointed out the dilemma faced by the third prince incisively.
These words were like a sharp knife piercing the Third Prince's heart, causing him to remain silent for a moment, with a complex light flashing in his eyes.
After a long while, the third prince picked up the teacup.
Zhang Xiaojia stood up and pushed He Fei away.
[Jia Jia, why don't you talk anymore?]
This time it was Zhang Xiaojia's turn to be puzzled and asked, "Serve tea and see off guests, don't you know?"
"I do have memories, but my skills are sealed. Especially the scientific research knowledge, I have forgotten everything, and some common sense is also sealed."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
