The Crown Prince insisted on going to the court session.
"I know my limits. I know what to say and what not to say," he declared.
Liang Yuzhou raised an eyebrow, then turned and left.
He didn't try to stop the Crown Prince anymore.
The Emperor had suffered a recurrence of his headache last night after being troubled by Princess Lingyang the whole night. Forcing himself to attend the court session today despite his illness, he must be feeling drained.
At such a moment, the Crown Prince's assistance was even more crucial.
In the court, the Emperor looked haggard but still exuded an air of authority.
After the court session, the Emperor asked the Crown Prince to stay for a private discussion.
The topic turned to the upcoming wedding of Princess Lingyang and Qin Ziqi.
The Crown Prince immediately sensed that this was a test from his father.
It was a test of whether he would prioritize family bonds or the nation.
"Your Majesty, I think that since Princess Lingyang is getting married and will move out of the palace, there's no need to build a new mansion for her as the national treasury is not in a prosperous state at the moment. The mansion of the late Eldest Princess is currently empty. It's luxurious and spacious. It would be the most suitable compensation for Lingyang," the Crown Prince proposed.
The Emperor half - closed his eyes. After waiting for a while and seeing that the Crown Prince had nothing else to say, he nodded imperceptibly.
The Crown Prince felt as if there was a stone stuck in his throat. A nameless bitterness welled up in his chest.
But all he could do was suppress his discomfort.
Li Luxiang walked in. "Your Majesty, Lord Qin is outside, requesting an audience."
The Emperor's eyes darkened slightly. "Let him in."
Qin Feng entered the hall and knelt down to express his gratitude.
"I am truly overwhelmed by Your Majesty's grace. My son is unworthy to marry the Princess. I am filled with awe and trepidation," he said, stealing a glance at the Crown Prince from the corner of his eye.
The Crown Prince maintained a calm expression, showing no emotion.
The Emperor exchanged some polite remarks and then dismissed him.
As Qin Feng walked out of the hall, he looked up at the clear sky above the palace and let out a self - deprecating smile.
Once Qin Ziqi married Princess Lingyang, his days as the Chief Secretary would be numbered.
In the Great Zhou Dynasty, a royal son - in - law and his family were not allowed to command troops. They could only serve as civil officials, and they were not allowed to hold positions higher than the third rank.
This was to prevent the in - laws from becoming too powerful and seizing control of the government.
The Emperor was a master of schemes. By bestowing this marriage, he had forced Qin Feng to side with the Crown Prince and retire.
The title of Duke of Rongxiang for the Qin family was preserved.
For the sake of Princess Lingyang's dignity, the Crown Prince would not take back this title in the future.
Even after the Crown Prince ascended the throne, the Qin family's misdeeds against Cheng Simian would not be investigated.
The Qin family would continue to enjoy wealth and honor, but Qin Feng's path as a powerful official had come to an end.
This seemed to be the best outcome...
Lu Siming looked at the table full of delicious dishes but had no appetite.
He was not in good health to begin with. Now, shrouded in gloom, he looked even paler.
Concubine Lan was extremely worried.
"Siming, please eat something," she pleaded.
Lu Siming gritted his teeth in anger. "Father is so partial. I just want to be a deputy general under my grandfather, but he refuses. Yet, for the sake of the Crown Prince, he is sacrificing his favorite daughter."
It was now impossible to win over Qin Feng.
Without the support of this close official of the Emperor, even if he had the 50,000 troops under his grandfather's command, it would be of no use.
Concubine Lan sighed. "He's the Crown Prince after all. The vast empire will be his. Naturally, the Emperor has to clear all obstacles for his succession."
"Lu Sihong, why does he deserve it? Just because he was born to the Queen? Just because he's two years older than me?"
Concubine Lan was startled. Her face turned pale, and she quickly ordered the maids to close the doors and windows.
"Siming, are you crazy? How dare you say such things?" she hissed in a low voice. "If someone hears you, your life will be in danger!"
Lu Siming gave a sarcastic smile. "Mother, do you really think I've done all this just to fight for Cheng Simian from the Crown Prince?"
Concubine Lan had not yet noticed her son's hidden ambition. "I know you just want to gain more support. When the Crown Prince ascends the throne in the future, you'll have more say. The Crown Prince will be afraid of you and will surely grant you the highest title."
"Mother, my goal is not just to be a idle prince!"
Concubine Lan accidentally knocked over the soup bowl in her panic.
The greasy soup spilled on the expensive carpet, but neither mother nor son paid any attention to it.
"Siming, stop talking and stop thinking about it. Being a prince is not so bad. You..."
"Mother, don't you want to be the Empress Dowager?"
Lu Siming looked at Concubine Lan with burning eyes, his madness welling up. "Are you willing to be forever oppressed by the Queen and always be inferior to her?"
Concubine Lan was speechless.
Lu Siming's words had stirred up the deepest and most secret longing in her heart.
Although she was favored by the Emperor, his favor for her was always within limits and never exceeded that for the Queen.
The Queen could wear bright yellow and adorn herself with a nine - tailed phoenix hairpin.
She, on the other hand, could only wear apricot yellow and wear a seven - tailed phoenix hairpin.
The son of the Queen could be the Crown Prince and would be the Emperor in the future.
Her son, who was no less capable and talented than the Crown Prince, could only be a prince and would have to kneel before the Crown Prince and shout long live in the future.
Lu Siming saw the sadness in Concubine Lan's eyes.
He held her hand and promised solemnly, "Mother, I will definitely make you the most respected woman in the Great Zhou Dynasty!"
Concubine Lan was immediately filled with excitement. She thought her son was extremely filial.
"Mother, there's one thing you need to do now. The marriage between Lingyang and Qin Ziqi must not take place!"...
Princess Lingyang had been throwing a tantrum all day. Her voice was hoarse, and her body was exhausted.
She kept asking the maids and eunuchs, "Has Crown Prince Brother pleaded with Father to revoke the decree?"
No one could answer her.
She lay on the imperial couch and cried loudly. Her heart was completely cold.
"Princess, Concubine Lan is here to see you."
Princess Lingyang stopped crying and looked confused.
Her relationship with Concubine Lan was not that close.
Moreover, Concubine Lan was sent to Father by Lu Ningzhen back then.
She hated that old woman the most.
Naturally, she didn't like Concubine Lan very much either.
Concubine Lan walked in with a bowl of steamed milk custard.
"Eat something first. Your beautiful little face has become so haggard from crying. It really makes people feel sorry for you," she said.
Princess Lingyang looked at Concubine Lan with tear - filled eyes.
Since Father issued the decree to bestow the marriage, until now, everyone had blamed her for being unreasonable, but no one had said a single word of comfort.
Even Mother had asked her to put the overall situation first.
What overall situation?
Did the overall situation mean that she had to face a face she didn't like every day?
Did the overall situation mean that she would never be happy again?
Only Concubine Lan truly felt sorry for her.
Princess Lingyang sobbed loudly. Concubine Lan sat beside her and gently wiped her tears.
"Lingyang, I know you're wronged, but the Emperor did this for the sake of the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince is your elder brother. He will inherit the Great Zhou Dynasty in the future. Naturally, he has to prioritize the nation. Although you're his younger sister born of the same mother, the nation is still more important. Don't blame him," she kept persuading, trying to make Lingyang sacrifice herself willingly for the Crown Prince and not hold any grudges.
However, the hatred in Princess Lingyang's eyes grew deeper and deeper...
The Xisi Courtyard was desolate and deserted.
The dilapidated houses had lost their former splendor. Everywhere was overgrown with weeds, exuding a sense of decay and death.
It was hard to imagine that this place was only separated from the magnificent palace by a wall.
It was like two different worlds.
Lu Siming held his breath and pushed open the creaking door.
The room was dark and stuffy. There was only a table, a bench, and a rickety bed with peeling red paint and tattered curtains.
From the depths of the bed, a hoarse and old voice suddenly came. "You're really bold. Aren't you afraid that the Emperor will find out and punish you?"
Lu Siming bowed deeply. "Nephew has come to visit Aunt."
He handed over a brocade - wrapped package. A withered hand reached out and grabbed it.
When opened, there was a brand - new summer dress inside, the most eye - catching rouge red.
There was also a complete set of ruby jewelry.
Lu Ningzhen let out a hoarse laugh.
"So, you can't defeat Lu Sihong and have come to ask me for advice?"
Lu Siming became even more humble. "Please give me your guidance, Aunt."
"Kill him. Then you'll naturally be the eldest son. According to the succession order, you'll become the Crown Prince smoothly," Lu Ningzhen said simply and directly.
Lu Siming felt his blood rush to his head. His ears were buzzing, as if his blood was boiling.
"Killing the Crown Prince is not an easy task," he said.
"I'll kill him for you. You just need to pass a few messages for me," Lu Ningzhen replied.
Lu Siming was hesitant.
Lu Ningzhen's followers had already been purged.
Where did she still have any available people?
"Don't trust me? Do you think I'm so easy to defeat?"
Although Lu Ningzhen was not visible, her voice was full of confidence. "I fell from power only because the Emperor was angry with me. I can't kill the Emperor, but killing that bastard Lu Sihong will be a piece of cake! You can rest assured. No matter what I do, as long as the Emperor still remembers my kindness to him, he won't take my life. When Lu Sihong is dead, you'll become the Crown Prince. When you ascend the throne in the future, don't forget your dear aunt."
Lu Siming's eyes sparkled. "If this plan succeeds, nephew will surely honor Aunt as the Grand Eldest Princess and let you enjoy all the wealth and honor!"
As he walked out of the Xisi Courtyard, he looked up at the sky and thought that today was a really sunny day.
In the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince received a secret letter.
"The Second Prince bribed the guards and entered the Xisi Courtyard."
Not long after, Liang Yuzhou arrived.