Empress Feng closed her eyes.
When children grow up, they no longer follow their mother. This matter had happened extremely suddenly; she had only known about it one step earlier than Xiao Yunting.
But what use was knowing?
Even if she beat the Crown Prince to death, what would it change?
This fool, he would never give up until he reached the Yellow River, never turn back until he hit the southern wall.
Especially since Xiao Yunting had never relied on the Crown Prince to stand firm; she could not even persuade Xiao Yunting to swallow his anger.
Because she knew very clearly in her heart, only those without ability would endure.
Those with true ability would never endure.
So after Xiao Yunting asked that question, Empress Feng could only speak frankly:
“Yunting, your royal grandmother will tell you the truth, he indeed acted foolishly in this matter, and foolish beyond measure! But after all, you are father and son. In the eyes of the people under heaven, in the eyes of the civil and military officials, you are his son. Do you understand?”
Confucianism emphasizes the order of heaven, ruler, parents, and teachers.
In other words, the premise that the Crown Prince is Xiao Yunting’s biological father already occupies the moral high ground.
Isn’t there a saying, if the ruler wants a minister to die, the minister must die?
In fact, if it were changed to a father wanting his son to die, the son must die, it would be the same.
Since ancient times, the only one able to resist paternal authority was Nezha.
But even Nezha had to first cut flesh and bone to return them to his parents.
If Xiao Yunting falls out with the Crown Prince, no matter the reason, everyone under heaven will still call Xiao Yunting unfilial.
But Xiao Yunting merely curled his lips.
He spoke softly: “Royal Grandmother, he was the one who broke the rules first.”
He paused before continuing, “Besides, I don’t think he’s only targeting me.”
……
What did that mean?
Empress Feng was somewhat startled, then quickly reacted: “Yunting, things may not be as you imagine…”
Xiao Yunting interrupted her without hesitation: “Royal Grandmother, whether it is or not is no longer important. What’s important is that I believe, if he had the chance to kill me, he would kill me.”
How could that be?! Empress Feng was immediately stunned: “Yunting, how could you think that?! Even a tiger does not eat its cubs…”
Xiao Yunting looked at her with a half-smile: “There are plenty of parents in this world who don’t love their children. That’s nothing unusual. Now I’ve seen it for myself.”
He did not want to continue discussing these meaningless topics with Empress Feng and instead looked at her directly: “Royal Grandmother, we’ll each rely on our own abilities. But I can guarantee you, so long as I am here, you will forever be the most honorable woman under heaven.”
After speaking, he left without hesitation.
As soon as he stepped down the corridor, he beckoned Qingfeng over: “Go out of the palace. Tell Miss Qi that things may not be peaceful these days. Something has happened to the Lu family, she must be careful in everything.”
Qingfeng already knew about the incident involving the Lu family. Especially after Xiao Yunting returned and the Crown Prince immediately gave him a show of power, making him kneel for so long, he had been even more indignant.
Hearing Xiao Yunting’s order now, he immediately responded loudly in acknowledgment.
Xiao Yunting then first went to the Crown Princess’s sleeping palace.
The Crown Princess was ill.
Her health had never been very good to begin with. After hearing the news, she fainted on the spot. After waking, she had neither eaten nor drunk. When the bed curtains were lifted, Xiao Yunting almost did not recognize her.
She was so thin she looked as though a gust of wind could blow her away. Her face was pale, and her cheekbones had become prominent.
Xiao Yunting froze for a moment before stepping forward to sit at the bedside and grasp her hand: “Royal Mother!”
Crown Princess Lu forced a smile: “You’ve returned?”
In a low voice she said, “I’ve heard… you handled your assignment in Jiangxi very well…”
Xiao Yunting did not follow her attempt to change the subject and instead said directly: “Royal Mother, I already know about Grandfather’s matter. Don’t worry, I will certainly investigate this thoroughly and will never let Grandfather be wronged!”
At the mention of this, the Crown Princess closed her eyes in pain.
Then she said softly, “It can’t be investigated clearly anymore…”
Xiao Yunting immediately looked at her.
The Crown Princess gave a miserable smile: “News came from the northwest. After the incident, your grandfather tried to flee to the Oirat royal court. He was discovered and fell off a cliff. He is now missing.”
Xiao Yunting immediately understood the malice behind this.
No wonder the Crown Prince no longer even pretended to maintain appearances. He did not even wait for the Three Judicial Offices to conduct a trial before already determining Lu Ting’s guilt.
So it was because he knew the Lu family would not last until the trial at all.
Yes, frame-up and silencing through murder.
Once Lu Ting was dead, there would be no proof. Even if they wanted to defend themselves or overturn the case, it would be impossible.
What a meticulous scheme.
He quickly reviewed the matter in his mind before slowly saying to the Crown Princess: “No, Royal Mother, things are not that bad yet. I will go request Imperial Grandfather to hand this case over to me.”
He paused. “I will find Grandfather. If I cannot, I will still investigate until the truth is fully revealed and restore the Lu family’s innocence!”
Though he said so, how could it be that easy?
The Crown Princess did not want him dragged into this matter: “You’ve just achieved great merit. You shouldn’t get involved in this.”
She understood her son’s intentions.
When he had sent letters back earlier, he had repeatedly said that after returning to the capital, he would request Emperor Yongchang to grant him a marriage.
But if he became entangled in the Lu family’s case, setting aside other troubles, the marriage alone would absolutely become impossible.
Xiao Yunting knew what she was worried about: “Royal Mother, this matter was originally aimed at me. If I don’t investigate the Lu family’s case clearly, I won’t be able to sit securely as Imperial Grandson anyway. Then what right would I have to marry the person I like? I’m not marrying her to make her lower her head and suffer.”
After comforting the Crown Princess, he went straight to Taiji Hall and knelt before it.
Emperor Yongchang had originally been summoning the Grand Secretariat late at night for discussion. Upon hearing that Xiao Yunting had come, he rubbed his brow: “What did he say?”
In such cold weather, with the New Year approaching and the snow outside not yet melted, kneeling at this time, even someone made of iron could not endure.
He could not help but feel somewhat angry.
Eunuch Xia bent his waist even lower: “Your Majesty, His Highness said… the Lu family case is suspicious. He does not believe the Lu family are such people, therefore he begs Your Majesty to retract the order and allow him to go to the northwest to investigate.”
Chu Bo and the others stared at their noses and hearts, pretending they had heard nothing.
Such imperial secrets were not something ministers like them should interfere in.
Emperor Yongchang sneered and threw a memorial onto the table, speaking without revealing emotion: “Then let him kneel!”
Everyone fell silent in fear.
The Imperial Grandson had always been favored, could it be that this time, because of the Lu family matter, he would also fall out of favor?
When the news spread outside the palace, Qi Yuan was being pestered by Qi Yunzheng and Shen Jialang.
Shen Jialang shook Qi Yuan’s arm: “Older sister, go, go! I’ve never gone to the grasslands to ride horses before. Big Brother Xiang said it’s very fun out there!”
The Xiang family had sent an invitation, saying that Xiang Jie had raised a group of sika deer in the outskirts of the capital, so they invited them to attend a whole-deer banquet.
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