The Golden Palace was filled with an air of tranquility.
Before going to bed, Jun Wuyuan still felt a trace of restlessness. But once he got into bed, he found that this restlessness only grew stronger and showed no sign of subsiding.
It was just that Ling Shan, that innocent fool, didn't know if it was on purpose or not, but she kept snuggling into his arms.
Jun Wuyuan couldn't scold her, nor could he wake her up... he was reluctant to do so, and pushing her away was even more out of the question.
But the restlessness was so intense that he had to go to the bathroom several times. After tossing and turning for most of the night, he finally managed to get some sleep.
When he woke up, he should have been full of annoyance. But when he saw Ling Shan lying on him, his mood inexplicably improved.
He ruffled her fluffy little head and went to court in high spirits.
That old scoundrel, Wang Yuyao, was at home recuperating. Without that annoying old face, the court officials were much more well - behaved, which made Jun Wuyuan even happier.
The court affairs proceeded as usual. What was most remarkable was that the emperor on the dragon throne didn't doze off.
Thinking about the assassination after the fall into the water yesterday and Grand Tutor Wang's temporary absence for recuperation, all the court officials were on high alert, afraid of making any mistakes.
This morning's court session was also the first time that Jun Wuyuan had made decisions on court affairs since he ascended the throne.
He took the opportunity to replace a few nagging imperial censors and mercilessly punished several corrupt officials.
The court officials saw this but didn't dare to say more.
"Those who have matters to report may do so; if not, the court is adjourned."
Liang Jiusi's voice was unusually loud for the first time, and his back was straight.
Grand Tutor Wang was on leave for recuperation and probably wouldn't be back in court for a while. Even though the court officials of the Wang faction were dissatisfied, they had to suppress their feelings for the time being.
Seeing this eunuch showing off his power, they could only bow their heads and endure silently.
Just as they were about to kneel down and shout, "See Your Majesty off respectfully," unexpectedly, Prince Jing, who had always been cowardly and had been sick and absent from court for several days, stepped forward to make a report.
No one had expected this, not even Jun Wuyuan. After several days, this timid fellow actually showed up in the morning court.
"What matter does Prince Jing have to report?"
It was really strange. Could it be that he had been bullied by Princess Jing again and couldn't bear it anymore?
A glimmer of interest arose in Jun Wuyuan's heart, and he sat back on the dragon throne.
Feeling the gazes from all directions, Jun Wuhao's body stiffened slightly.
After hearing the emperor's question, he walked to the center of the Golden Palace and knelt down.
Seeing this situation, all the court officials were curious. What on earth could this big matter be?
"I'm ashamed, Your Majesty. I'm using my personal matter to delay the court affairs. First, I beg Your Majesty to forgive me."
Saying this, Jun Wuhao kowtowed and bowed, with a look of shame on his face.
A sneer welled up in Jun Wuyuan's heart, but on the surface, he remained calm and nodded slightly, playing along with this act.
"It's all right. Since Prince Jing is so ashamed, he must have really encountered something extraordinary. Fortunately, all the court officials are here today. Prince Jing may rest assured and tell us. I and all the officials will make decisions for you."
Jun Wuhao's face froze, but he didn't dare to think deeply about what Jun Wuyuan's words meant.
He had already spoken harsh words and was determined to divorce that shrew, Lady Xiao, today.
"I implore Your Majesty to issue an order to allow me to divorce Princess Xiao."
As soon as he finished speaking, it was like a thunderbolt exploding in the ears of all the court officials in the Golden Palace.
What?
All the court officials looked at Jun Wuhao kneeling in the center of the hall. For a moment, they thought they had misheard.
How could they, as court officials, interfere in the matter of divorce?
Shouldn't Prince Jing talk to the emperor privately and then let the emperor make a decision?
At the very least, he could go to the Clan Court. Why was he forced to plead for divorce in the morning court in the Golden Palace?
It was said that the girl from the Xiao family was extremely strong and powerful. And it was well - known in the capital that Prince Jing was timid and cowardly.
With such a timid prince and a domineering princess, one could imagine what kind of life he had in the mansion.
But no one knew what exactly had happened that made Prince Jing summon the courage to make this remonstrance in the morning court?
There must be some amazing gossip!
All the court officials perked up and exchanged glances with their acquaintances.
On normal days, they relied on quarrels to wake themselves up during the early morning court sessions. They didn't dare to quarrel today, and this big event just woke them up.
Jun Wuhao seemed to sense the thoughts of the court officials and briefly recounted how Xiao Mingzhu had violated the rules and committed the seven unpardonable sins.
Then he knelt down and pleaded, "Although I'm cowardly and have achieved nothing, I'm still a prince. Lady Xiao is a good person. It's just that I'm not blessed enough. I beg Your Majesty to allow me to divorce Lady Xiao."
As soon as he finished speaking, Jun Wuhao keenly felt many gazes falling on the most dignified part of a man.
His lowered face instantly darkened, and his expression became stiff.
After hearing this, Jun Wuyuan sat up straight out of curiosity. Compared with the veiled gazes of the court officials, the gaze from the high - seated dragon throne was direct and undisguised.
A strong sense of embarrassment and resentment welled up in Jun Wuhao's heart, and at the same time, he felt a chill on his back.
Sure enough, the next moment, he heard the emperor's voice, which seemed concerned but was actually malicious.
"Is that so? Someone, quickly help Prince Eleven up, offer him a seat, and summon the imperial physician immediately!"
Jun Wuhao was stunned.
The looks of the court officials towards Jun Wuhao became even more veiled and full of pity. A man's dignity had been challenged.
Jun Wuhao immediately realized what this sentence implied.
"Your Majesty's kindness, I'm not worthy of it. Although Lady Xiao is rude and doesn't know the rules, I'm not injured. There's no need for the imperial physician..."
"How can that be?"
Jun Wuyuan interrupted sternly, "Prince Eleven is a royal relative. How can such an important matter as continuing the family line be treated so carelessly? As the emperor and your elder brother, I will surely make decisions for you."
Jun Wuhao's scalp tightened.
He almost sat down stiffly, looking flustered and uneasy.
He murmured in his heart: It sounds nice. If he really cared about his younger brother, why didn't he make a decision for him last time?
If he really believed that Jun Wuyuan was being kind to him, he would really be a fool.
While waiting for the imperial physician to come, Jun Wuyuan began to show concern for Jun Wuhao again.
"Last time I told you that the Dingyuan General's Mansion has served the country for generations. Even if there's something wrong with Princess Jing, divorce still depends on the opinions of Princess Jing and the Xiao family. After all, I can't let down the loyal officials, right?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire Golden Palace fell into an eerie silence.
The loyal officials of the emperor - protecting faction couldn't help but feel their eyes moisten. It turned out that the emperor wasn't that tyrannical and cruel.
At least, he knew that the hearts of the loyal officials couldn't be betrayed.
There were also some officials who were just watching the show. They quietly glanced at Jun Wuhao again.
So he had mentioned divorce last time.
Thinking about it, their gazes couldn't help but drift towards the place of dignity again.
Jun Wuhao: "..."
"However, Prince Eleven, don't worry. I didn't expect that you would almost lose your offspring..."