In the history of Beiyan, there has never been a case where the current emperor abdicated the throne to a new emperor while the current emperor was still alive. Is the old emperor trying to set a precedent?
Ignoring everyone's objections, the old emperor said, "This is the decision I made after careful consideration. The crown prince is young and capable, and it is only right that he should work hard for the country. I can also enjoy my old age without having to get up so early every day to attend court."
The courtiers: ...We haven't seen you get up early more than a few times in all these years!
Crown Prince: ...Suddenly, I don't think the throne is so appealing anymore.
"emperor……"
The court officials wanted to persuade him further. Although they also felt that it didn't matter whether the old emperor was on the throne or not, they still had to put on a show. Most importantly, the crown prince was not as easy to fool as the old emperor, and their lives would not be easy after he ascended the throne.
The old emperor, however, had grown impatient and raised his hand to interrupt them: "There's no need to say any more. My mind is made up. I will choose an auspicious day for the crown prince to ascend the throne. From now on, you should assist the new emperor properly and stop causing him trouble. Alright, if there's nothing else, the court may adjourn."
After the old emperor finished speaking, he turned and left. The old eunuch behind him quickly announced the end of the court session, and the ministers knelt down to pay their respects, watching him leave so gracefully.
So, during his last court session, the old emperor did only one thing: protect that brat from the Lu family.
Everyone was seething with hatred. It was bad enough that the Lu family had risen so quickly, but to receive such favor from the old emperor was simply outrageous. What else could they be but treacherous officials?
By the way, isn't He Jiuniang a highly skilled doctor? Maybe she put something shady in the old emperor's medicine, which is why the old emperor is acting like he's possessed.
Thinking of this, a few brainless individuals quickly stepped forward to speak to the Crown Prince, urging him to be more careful and not to be schemed against by the Lu family.
The crown prince looked at them as if they were idiots, but ignored them and turned to leave.
Have these people forgotten that Lu Baichuan has been one of his men from the very beginning, and their relationship is much better than theirs?
That morning, the court officials were thoroughly disheartened after being reprimanded by the old emperor and given the cold shoulder by the crown prince. When they returned home, they were no longer chatting and laughing as before; instead, they went their separate ways and hurried back to their advisors to discuss what to do next.
Although they did dislike the Lu family, the family was now thriving, and they should try to make friends with them. They hadn't had the chance before, but now they could take advantage of the child to establish connections.
Even though it wasn't their own child who was being beaten, who cares? As long as it's a legitimate reason, that's all that matters.
What? The Lu couple aren't home, and there's no one in charge of the household?
Who cares? They just give the gift and leave. When the couple goes back, they'll feel embarrassed to return it. After that, they'll feel obligated to greet them with a smile since they accepted the gift.
It seemed that most people thought so, so the general's mansion was bustling with visitors all day long, with the gates never closed, as everyone was bringing gifts.
Of course, it wasn't a very formal gift-giving ceremony; it was just a matter of having a servant from the household make a brief visit as a token gesture.
The servants in the mansion didn't know what to do with the gifts, so they hurriedly went to report to Lu Baichuan. Only then did Lu Baichuan realize that his son had been bullied at the Imperial Academy.
However, the old emperor did protect the dog very well, and the crown prince was about to ascend the throne. It was best not to cause any trouble during this period, so Lu Baichuan decided to swallow his anger for now and find an opportunity to get back at him later.
"Since they've sent it, we'll accept it. Then we'll prepare some similar return gifts and send them over, so that those people know that we're not ignorant of manners."
Returning the gift is a way of making our attitude clear: the Lu family knows proper etiquette and doesn't covet the gifts from others; it's just a formality of giving and receiving.
"Return openly and honestly; the more people who know, the better."
Finally, he added one more sentence.
"Yes, Third Master."
The servant immediately went to prepare, not daring to delay Lu Baichuan's business.
Lu Baichuan is now staying at the prison. With him there, no one from Dongting has come, but the atmosphere among the prison guards is very strange.
However, Lu Baichuan was not in a hurry. Some people are more interesting to deal with slowly. The longer it takes, the more restless the people behind them will become. It would be good to be able to follow the clues and find the source later.
At this time, the Duke of Mu's mansion also learned about what happened in the court. The old emperor did two things in court: announced his abdication and protected the Lu family. What an honor this was! So Yan changed her mind instantly.
Previously, she thought He Jiuniang was a menace and must be eliminated as soon as possible, since He Jiuniang's existence was the greatest disgrace to her family's Duke.
But I never expected the Lu family to be so favored now, to the point that the old emperor personally came out to protect them. They will surely rise to even greater heights in the future.
The Duke's mansion is different. It has been declining in recent years. Not long ago, the Duke even beat someone to death and was arrested and detained for a few days. She, a woman, spent her days going to the homes of people she used to be on good terms with to give gifts and plead for leniency, and only then was she able to save him.
Now his life is saved, but his reputation has plummeted. He's even been barred from attending court and has been under house arrest recently. In just a few months, the Duke's mansion has changed drastically, and even the lowly servants in the house have started to treat people differently based on their status.
Yan couldn't stand this kind of life. She still wanted to be the kind of wealthy lady she used to be, surrounded by servants when she went out, and having everything she wanted prepared and delivered to her in advance.
Given the current situation of the Duke's Mansion, it is no match for the Lu family. It would be better to take the initiative to show goodwill and acknowledge that daughter. Then the Duke's Mansion can return to its peak, or even be more prestigious than at its peak.
So, Lady Yan went to Duke Zhuo Wei and told him her thoughts.
Zhuo Wei's face changed upon hearing this: "No way! Are you trying to disgust me by bringing that bastard back? Won't that make me a laughingstock? Don't you think I'm already miserable enough?"
The existence of that bastard was a disgrace to him for the rest of his life. He should have been drowned back then, but Yan was too kind-hearted and spared his life.
Otherwise, we wouldn't be facing so much trouble now.
"Master, what are you thinking? Only we know that she is a bastard. How could outsiders know? Besides, that bastard is lucky. The family she married is now favored by the Emperor and the Crown Prince. If we acknowledge that bastard as our relative, will we still have to worry about not having a good life?"
Yan patiently persuaded him, feeling that her method was excellent.
But Zhuo Wei was still somewhat unwilling, after all, it involved his dignity as a man. If the truth were to be exposed in the future, how could he face people?
Madam Yan continued gently, "My lord, are you truly content to live like this forever? On the surface, you are still the Duke, but look at the state of our household now! Those people don't even respect us anymore! I don't care about the Duke's fate, but it pains me to see him suffer like this..."
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