Emperor Guangwu took his seat on the dragon throne. His gaze was stern and imposing, and his presence was as majestic as a towering mountain.
Prince Song Chengyuan entered the hall behind him. His face was ashen, clearly showing that he had just been reprimanded. He had completely lost his usual arrogance and simply walked silently to his place. After bowing with the other court officials, he took his seat.
"Dear ministers, the rapid containment of the epidemic in Qixia Mountain on the outskirts of the capital is entirely due to your dedicated efforts. I have hosted this banquet today to commend all of you loyal and righteous gentlemen. You have made great contributions and shall be rewarded. May there always be outstanding talents emerging when our dynasty is in danger. I'll drink first as a token of respect."
Everyone quickly raised their cups to celebrate. Xiao Rencheng smiled and said, "In this epidemic - containment operation in Qixia Mountain, I believe His Highness the Prince of Yan should take the top credit."
Emperor Guangwu nodded slightly and looked at Song Yinghuai, whose face remained calm. He felt quite relieved.
This fourth son of his, although he had been strict with him, had indeed been well - raised.
Especially after learning that the source of this plague was actually created by Song Chengyuan, the comparison made Song Yinghuai's excellence even more prominent.
At this moment, even Emperor Guangwu began to waver in his heart.
Should he... really consider replacing the crown prince?
"Fourth son has really done a good job this time." This was a rare public praise from Emperor Guangwu for Song Yinghuai.
The words of Emperor Guangwu instantly made the people in the Crown Prince's faction feel heavy - hearted.
The Emperor seemed to be wavering... The situation was not looking good!
Wen Zilong, with his face covered in wine, spoke up. "I think General Sheng has also made great contributions. Without General Sheng's excellent leadership and personal presence day and night to transport water from the foot of the mountain, how could the people on the mountain have survived those days when the water supply was cut off?"
Wen Zilong's words immediately made the people in the Crown Prince's faction react and they all agreed.
"Yes, General Sheng was recommended by the Crown Prince to go up the mountain. His Highness the Crown Prince also deserves credit for his command in this matter!"
"As the crown prince of the country, His Highness was willing to go to the front - line to contain the epidemic on the mountain, representing the imperial court. He should be credited!"
Emperor Guangwu's gaze fell on Song Chengyuan again.
The Crown Prince had been well - behaved today. He just sat quietly at his seat with his head down, more obedient than usual. This made Emperor Guangwu soften his heart.
He finally realized his mistakes.
Then he turned his gaze to Sheng Jiangli. Facing his trusted general, there was a smile on Emperor Guangwu's solemn face. "General Sheng, you've worked hard. I'll remember your contributions."
Sheng Jiangli raised his cup with both hands and replied with a smile. "Your Majesty, I'm not worthy of such praise. In fact, the greatest hero in this epidemic - containment operation is neither His Highness the Prince of Yan nor I, but someone else."
Sheng Jiangli's words piqued everyone's curiosity, and they all looked over.
Even Song Yinghuai frowned, and his sharp eyes shot towards Sheng Jiangli like lightning.
As soon as Sheng Jiangli opened his mouth, he understood his intention.
He was trying to earn credit for Caiyu!
The man's face was cold and his eyes were as deep as a cold pool. His gaze quickly shifted from Sheng Jiangli to Caiyu at the far end of the hall. There was disapproval in his eyes.
Sheng Jiangli was being smart but acting foolishly for a moment.
He didn't think that Caiyu was not suitable to strive for such a great credit!
Caiyu's identity could not be exposed. The greater the credit, the more curious people would be about her. Then more people would recognize her and dig out her identity.
How could Caiyu hide her identity like this?
Emperor Guangwu looked at Sheng Jiangli in confusion. "Oh? Who is this person that General Sheng claims has made great contributions?"
"General Sheng! Watch your words!" Song Yinghuai interrupted him before he could speak, his eyes warning. "Do you know the principle that one must bear the weight if one wants to wear the crown? Sometimes, going too far will backfire."
Sheng Jiangli's eyes flashed, and he understood what Song Yinghuai meant.
His Highness the Prince of Yan was worried that if Caiyu was exposed, her background would also be revealed.
After all, Miss Lan San was the legitimate third daughter of Lan Yuanyi. It was not impossible for someone in the court to recognize her.
But His Highness the Prince of Yan had also guessed wrong.
Because Sheng Jiangli just wanted to use this credit to officially expose Caiyu's identity and let Lan Jinshu live in this world openly again!
"What does His Highness the Prince of Yan mean?" Sheng Jiangli hooked up a wild smile and ignored his warning. He continued, "Although she is just a maid, you, as her master, can't take credit for her achievements and bury real talents. Since the founding of our dynasty, we have initiated the policy of promoting people from humble backgrounds. The Emperor cherishes talents regardless of their status. Why does His Highness the Prince of Yan look down on people's identities?"
Just as Song Yinghuai was about to speak, Emperor Guangwu spoke up. "Who on earth is this person that could make Fourth Son and General Sheng argue? I'm really curious now."
Song Yinghuai's face tightened.
After all the talk, he had caught the Emperor's attention. Things had not gone as planned.
Sheng Jiangli stood up, walked to the corner at the end of the hall, and pulled Caiyu up. He walked forward under everyone's surprised gazes.
Caiyu knelt down with Sheng Jiangli, her head bowed.
Song Yinghuai's cold gaze landed on her, making her feel like she was on pins and needles.
He was angry. She could feel it deeply. The man's anger was gradually rising.
But why?
Just because she had grabbed the credit?
But even if she took the credit, she couldn't take away his credit as the overall commander of the epidemic - containment operation!
For such a major event as containing the epidemic, the Emperor never intended to reward only one person.
What was there for Song Yinghuai to be angry about?
When Emperor Guangwu saw Caiyu, he suddenly felt that she looked familiar. There was a look of confusion in his eyes.
Eunuch Cen, who seemed to know what the Emperor was thinking, leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Your Majesty, this is the young lady Caiyu who spoke so eloquently at Her Majesty the Queen's birthday banquet last time."
Emperor Guangwu suddenly realized!
That's why!
This girl did look familiar.
But... for such a girl, General Sheng actually bothered to argue with the Prince of Yan and wanted to push her forward to take the top credit?
This was interesting.
"Your Majesty, this young lady Caiyu found the source of the epidemic during the epidemic - containment operation in Qixia Mountain. It was a water - source problem. She also proposed the cable - rope method, which solved the water shortage problem on the mountain before a new clean water source was found. Therefore, the epidemic was quickly brought under control."
"Later, Miss Caiyu found the origin of the plague. She discovered plague - infected rats in the caves around the water source and informed His Highness the Prince of Yan and me. We then eliminated the root cause of the plague. Finally, she developed an anti - plague decoction, which was very effective. That's how this plague was completely quelled."
Sheng Jiangli's voice was loud and powerful. "All the imperial physicians in the Imperial Hospital can testify to the above events, and His Highness the Prince of Yan is also aware of them... Your Highness the Prince of Yan, you won't deny it, will you?"
Facing Sheng Jiangli's slightly provocative gaze, the man's lips were cold. His eyes gradually dropped, and he looked at Caiyu disappointedly.
She didn't object, so she must have discussed it with Sheng Jiangli long ago.
They had spent more time together on Qixia Mountain these days than he had with either of them.
So, they had already secretly made a plan that went against his wishes!
Song Yinghuai felt a bit dejected. He had never felt such a loss of mood spreading.
Fine.
Lan Caiyu, just grab the credit!
He slowly uttered a word, clearly and angrily, "Yes!"
"That's good." Sheng Jiangli pleaded with Emperor Guangwu. "I request Your Majesty to reward Lan Caiyu, the maid in the Prince of Yan's mansion, with the top credit for containing the epidemic!"
Let a maid take the top credit?
Sheng Jiangli's words caused an uproar among the court officials below.
A maid taking the top credit over her master was truly unprecedented!
Where would His Highness the Prince of Yan's face go?
And the Prince of Yan actually admitted it?
Song Chengyuan also stared at them in surprise, unable to figure out what Sheng Jiangli was doing.
If Lan Caiyu wasn't pushed forward, at least Wen Zilong and the others had helped him claim a bit of credit just now, and he could still redeem himself in front of his father.
Now that Lan Caiyu was pushed forward, his credit was reduced by another bit!
Song Chengyuan glared at them angrily.
Emperor Guangwu heard most of the whispering below.
His solemn gaze landed on Lan Caiyu, and he slowly asked, "Your name is Lan Caiyu? I still remember you. General Sheng is striving for credit for you. As a young girl, are you brave enough to accept it?"