amaotonovel Chapter 273 The Ruthless and Disabled Crown Prince (173)
Chapter 273 The Ruthless and Disabled Crown Prince (173)
He felt utterly hopeless, completely drained of strength. His ears were ringing, and he couldn't lift his head to look around and see what expressions the people around him had.
He looked up, staring intently in the direction of his mother, telling himself: This is the only way...
"Ling'er!" Consort Liu cried, tears streaming down her face.
She struggled with all her might and managed to break free from the restraints on either side, but after taking only two steps forward, she was pinned down again. In the darkness, she screamed at the top of her lungs, "Ling'er! What are they going to do to you!"
"The Second Prince is plotting rebellion and his troops are besieging the capital!" The old nanny beside her whispered, "Your Highness, don't struggle anymore. Save some dignity for yourself..."
"Wh-what?" Liu Fei stared blankly, as if she hadn't understood what was being said, repeating the question in a daze.
"Your Highness, you'd better behave yourself, for your own good and for the good of His Highness the Second Prince." The nanny whispered in her ear, afraid that she would cause a scene.
"How could this be... my Ling'er..."
Consort Liu burst into tears. She had long sensed that her child had been plotting something these past few days.
But she never expected that... it would be such a serious matter!
Treason? Treason? How could Ling'er possibly be plotting treason?
"Your Highness! Tell me, is this fake? Please help me, please help Ling'er! You are the most benevolent person in the world, I beg you..." Consort Liu tried to take the Empress Dowager's hand.
The Empress Dowager did not turn to look at her, but instead held the imperial edict in her hands and took two more steps forward: "Is there anyone else who is dissatisfied with this edict?"
There was complete silence below.
Is anyone else still alive?
"The Emperor's last edict is here! Everyone, kneel—"
Seeing that no one spoke up or dared to object, Decheng took the imperial edict from the Dowager Consort.
He chanted in a drawn-out voice.
The contents of the imperial edict were read aloud once more, word by word, the sound carrying far through the chilly night.
Unlike the noisy and restless atmosphere of the last chanting, this time it was unusually solemn, with every word and phrase striking heavily in everyone's hearts.
"So be it—"
"We will obey the late Emperor's edict!"
Below, ministers shouted, and then a hundred responded in unison, like a mountain roaring and a tsunami crashing, repeating over and over: "In accordance with the late Emperor's last edict—to enthrone His Highness the Crown Prince!"
Ji Shuling's army was routed and disorganized, with many of them collapsing to the ground, their faces ashen and filled with despair.
The Second Prince has surrendered; he has personally admitted to it. This proves that the Second Prince has personally confessed to his crime of treason, that he raised an army in rebellion, and besieged the capital.
What will they do then?
Are they destined to suffer this undeserved calamity as well?
Some of them vaguely knew something, but because they were eager for credit, they followed along without really understanding anything. Others truly knew nothing. The majority of them were soldiers who knew nothing and could only obey orders.
They were unwilling to accept it.
He Pingyan's army dismounted silently and in unison, the clanging of their armor creating a dark and imposing sound that seemed particularly chilling in the night.
He Pingyan's expression was unclear, but he looked up in Ji Shumin's direction without making any move.
Ji Shumin, separated by ranks, seemed to notice He Pingyan's gaze, looked up and looked back, his eyes gentle and calm.
He Pingyan withdrew his gaze, respectfully lowered his head, and listened to the thunderous cheers of the crowd supporting the Crown Prince's ascension to the throne.
The night is finally over.
The next day, things gradually returned to normal in the capital. The people learned of the Emperor's death, and the entire city was draped in white mourning banners. However, the people also learned that the eldest prince would be succeeding to the throne.
"It's His Highness the First Prince who has succeeded to the throne!"
"When His Highness the Third Prince was still the Crown Prince..."
"His Highness the First Prince and His Highness the Third Prince are blood brothers!"
No matter what they did, they couldn't stop the public from gossiping.
"But didn't His Highness the Second Prince say a few days ago..."
"Could it be that His Highness the First Prince is truly not the one stated in the will...?"
No matter what they did, they couldn't stop the public from gossiping.
Even though the people didn't usually have any impression of the Second Prince, and in their memories he hadn't accomplished anything or done anything to benefit the people, Ji Shuling's commotion a few days ago still made them suspicious.
As Ji Shuqin and Ji Shumin said, "Because of this, no matter what the outcome, no matter how strong the evidence we present, in the end, we cannot silence public opinion, and we cannot change what others think..."
Ultimately, it will continue to exist.
Things quickly returned to normal inside and outside the palace, as He Pingyan's sudden return temporarily put him in charge of guarding the capital.
Lu Liruan didn't know exactly what Ji Shumin had said to them, but when she saw Zhuang Yuxun again, she had no trace of sorrow and looked exactly the same as before.
With the crisis in the capital over, Lu Liruan finally felt relieved. After the palace was thoroughly investigated and the gates were reopened, Lu Liruan immediately left the palace, boarded a carriage, and headed towards the Marquis of He'an's residence.
Upon entering the Marquis of He'an's residence, Lu Liruan saw Qinghe, whom she had arranged to be by Madam Gao's side.
Qinghe curtsied to Lu Liruan: "Your Highness, Third Prince's Consort."
"Li Ruan—Li Ruan, why are you back at this time!" Madam Gao took a few steps forward to greet her, looking Lu Li Ruan up and down: "How come you've become so thin in just a few days?"
Lu Liruan has been working herself to the bone these days. She doesn't realize it herself, but she's not eating or sleeping well, and her already small face has become even thinner, looking smaller than the palm of her hand.
He raised his hand and grasped Madam Gao's hand that was touching him: "Mother, how have you been these past few days?"
"Good, good, very good. With Qinghe here, we can rest easy... If it weren't for Qinghe's comfort, your father would probably be terrified!" Madam Gao expressed her sincere gratitude.
"You flatter me, Madam," Qinghe said softly, declining the offer.
Lu Liruan nodded to Qinghe. She knew Qinghe's abilities. Qinghe had a convincing and reassuring quality. When Lu Liruan had her by her side, she felt much more at ease: "Qinghe is my most capable assistant. She will become a female official in the future."
After Ji Shuqin became regent, a system of female officials gradually emerged in the palace. They were promoted according to their positions in the palace, and were given salaries and official titles. Although they did not go to the court, they were still considered officials.
If a woman reaches a certain age and wishes to leave the palace, she will be given a stipend. If she does not wish to marry after leaving the palace, someone from the palace will take care of her after her death, and she will not be subject to encroachment or humiliation by relatives.
If one does not wish to leave the palace, one can serve as a lady-in-waiting in the palace until old age, and be provided for by the palace. Alternatively, one can be hired by a family in the capital who needs a tutor, specializing in teaching girls.
Although Lu Liruan was very reluctant to part with Qinghe, it was a real pity that Qinghe, with all her skills, was only a maidservant by her side.
Why not let her enter the palace as a lady-in-waiting? Although Qinghe is taciturn, she is very insightful. She will definitely be able to make greater use of her abilities as a lady-in-waiting. Lu Liruan has already discussed this matter with Qinghe and carefully inquired about Qinghe's opinion.
Qinghe was sent to Lu Liruan by Ji Shumin, but Lu Liruan thought that according to Ji Shumin, they might travel together to explore the country and enjoy the scenery. If Qinghe followed her, she would really just be a maid.
Ji Shumin told Lu Liruan to make her own decision, and he would not interfere or say anything more.
Qinghe was initially unwilling to leave Lu Liruan. She was an extremely loyal and righteous person, and a woman's loyalty was no less than a man's. She was willing to serve Lu Liruan for the rest of her life.
Later, after Lu Liruan repeatedly persuaded her, Qinghe finally revealed her true feelings. If she hadn't been by Lu Liruan's side, she would have been very willing to give it a try. It was clear that she was eager to try and make progress in becoming a female official.
Lu Liruan then told her that they could meet again when she returned to the capital. She said that she would feel guilty if her life was uneventful. After thinking about it all night, Qinghe finally agreed.
"Become a female official? It's good to be an official! I never thought women could be officials!" Madam Gao said happily upon hearing this, as she was never a person with outdated ideas.
"If you ask me, what's wrong with women being officials? Does it have to be men? We've never competed with women, so why must it be men who are in office?" Madam Gao clicked her tongue.
“I should say this too, why does it have to be a male heir? You haven’t seen your father’s character…” Madam Gao rolled her eyes: “He can’t even sleep soundly at night, and the next day, his eyes are covered in black and white! It’s terrifying…”
“If any of our Lu family's aunts had inherited the title, the Marquis of He'an's mansion wouldn't be in its current state. It's only now that it's passed down to your father that he's at least somewhat timid and doesn't dare to act recklessly. This time, he's even been lucky enough to keep the title. Look at those scoundrels! The First Prince and the Third Prince did the right thing. Don't be fooled by their loud complaints; we honest people also look down on them and think it's a good thing they were punished!”
With the external troubles resolved, Madam Gao's talkative nature returned to normal. She spoke very quickly and soon launched into a long list of complaints!
Lu Liruan thought to herself: That's right. If women could really inherit titles, why would the Dowager Consort have bothered to marry into the palace? If the Dowager Consort could inherit the Marquis of He'an's mansion, she would surely have a great future.
How could a woman who could support an emperor be simple?
"How is Father?" Lu Liruan was not surprised that her father was worried and fearful; he was just that kind of indecisive and cautious person.
“Nothing’s wrong. There are people surrounding the mansion, and he can’t eat or sleep properly. He feels like he has a knife to his throat. At night, he stares with wide eyes, saying that the Marquis’s mansion is in danger, and that Li Ruan is also in danger. I scolded him a few times: ‘You’re acting crazy yourself. What are you doing with Li Ruan?’” Madam Gao vividly described Lu Li Ruan.
She was good at talking and joking, and she made the situation sound funny and witty, but Lu Liruan could still sense that the situation that day must have been somewhat critical, which made her father so nervous.
"Where did Father go today? Why didn't he come to see if his daughter was unharmed?"
"Hey! He's suddenly become very busy these past two days..." Madam Gao lowered her voice: "The eldest prince has ascended the throne, and the third prince is the eldest prince's half-brother, and they are still so close. Li Ruan, you are the third prince's consort. Although we cannot have banquets and entertainment during the national mourning period, the invitations sent out are practically worn down the threshold!"
"It's much worse than the matchmakers who arranged marriages for you and your siblings back then..." Madam Gao said, using a metaphor.
Lu Liruan: ...
At the time, not many people probably stepped on it.
At that time, her two elder brothers were injured, and outsiders said that the Marquis of He'an's mansion was going to decline. She was engaged to the Crown Prince, but others felt that the Crown Prince would not marry her given his power.
Later, when His Highness the Crown Prince became disabled, they avoided the Marquis of He'an's residence even more, so there were no matchmakers coming to their door.
Therefore, all of her two older brothers and two younger sisters were still unmarried, and Madam Gao often sighed because of this.
"Other children are already running around everywhere, but your two older brothers, and now with Qing'er, are all chasing after money with their eyes wide open, practically falling into a money hole!"
This year, due to the unstable situation in the capital, Lu Liruan finally wrote to them, telling them not to come back for the New Year, and that her younger brother, who was still studying in Jiangnan, should spend the holiday there as well.
"Does Father still care about this?"
"Your father doesn't really care, but after all, they extended a warm invitation. He can't very well be seen as arrogant and looking down on people, can he?" Madam Gao sighed. "Luckily, we don't have to drink alcohol these days, otherwise, I'd have to have people carry your father back every day!"
After waiting for a while, the Marquis of He'an did not return. Lu Liruan listened to Madam Gao's rambling on and on, saying that all the children were so wild and unruly. They didn't seem to be sad at all that they couldn't come back for the New Year reunion. The letters that were sent back showed that the siblings were living a very cheerful and carefree life there.
Lu Liruan concluded: You don't even need to look to know they're grinning from ear to ear and extremely happy.
"Why is Jiangnan so wonderful? The capital is so prosperous, yet they don't seem to miss it," Madam Gao complained.
Lu Liruan pursed her lips, thinking to herself, "Next year when you complain, you might have to add two more people to your list: me and Ji Shumin. After all, I was also looking forward to traveling around Jiangnan."
When they returned to the palace, Lu Liruan told Ji Shumin about it as a joke.
Having just finished his work and returned, Ji Shumin, leaning against the bed and panting, lifted his eyelids and said, "At that time, Marquis He'an and his wife will probably complain every few days that I lured Li Ruan out of the capital."
"Oh?"
Lu Liruan felt a tickle in her heart when she saw him looking so listless and half-dead. Sickly beauties always have a unique charm. Lu Liruan felt sorry for Ji Shumin when he was really sick before, but now that he was almost recovered, Lu Liruan felt nothing but a tickle in her heart when she saw him looking so sickly and as if he knew how to touch people.
“They think you kidnapped me, but actually…” Lu Liruan followed Ji Shumin’s fingertips upwards, where he was wearing casual clothes with wide sleeves.
Lu Liruan slipped her hand inside her sleeve, and was then looked at by Ji Shumin with a sidelong glance, creating a unique and alluring atmosphere.
"Actually, it was I who recklessly dragged the beauty along on the trip."
Called "beauty," Ji Shumin curled the corners of his lips, seemingly not only not disliking it, but even liking it...
"Thankfully, I'm still quite presentable, considered a beauty by Li Ruan. If I ever become penniless, I'll trouble Li Ruan to cherish me..."
"Sure, as long as my little beauty is considerate and attentive to my needs and takes good care of me... I'll love her dearly." Lu Liruan lightly kissed his ear, looking like a lecherous man.