Chapter 273: A Two-Player Game
Ying Bai was mostly in a daze, and when he occasionally regained consciousness, he would cry and make a fuss.
He was only thirteen years old. How could he bear to lose an eye at this age?
The Princess Consort Chu was also gaunt, and her current despair was as great as her previous expectations for Ying Bai.
“Princess Consort, His Highness sent word asking you to return to the mansion to rest,” the palace maid serving Ying Bai told the Princess Consort Chu.
She merely shook her head blankly, “I’m not tired, I can’t leave him.”
Princess Duanmin watched from the side and advised, “You’ve been in the palace for three days, it’s time to go home and see. Don’t worry, I’ll be here! Besides, you and His Highness haven’t seen each other for these few days, and there are some things you should say face to face.”
Princess Duanmin’s words stirred the Princess Consort Chu’s heart. That’s right, she should also talk to her husband.
When the Princess Consort Chu returned to her own mansion, it had only been a short three or four days, but she had lost a noticeable amount of weight, and her complexion was particularly gaunt.
Upon seeing the Prince Chu, they couldn’t help but weep together.
The Prince Chu inquired about Ying Bai’s recent condition. Naturally, he doted on his son. But now there were more pressing matters, so he advised the Princess Consort, “Stop crying for now, this is not the time for tears. I have something important to discuss with you.”
He then recounted to the Princess Consort Chu his conversation with Tutor Zhuge, who had personally visited their mansion.
After hearing this, the Princess Consort Chu hesitated, “This… is this acceptable? Shan’er is only five years old, and he’s usually pampered.”
“You don’t need to worry about this. Children are bound to be a bit willful, it doesn’t matter,” the Prince Chu said.
“Never mind whether this can succeed or not, even if he’s sent to the palace, wouldn’t he still be by the Empress’s side? Because of this matter, she will surely hold a grudge against us, how can she treat him kindly?” The Princess Consort Chu strongly disagreed. “Bai’er is already like that, I really can’t let Shan’er take risks. I only have these two sons.”
Saying this, she covered her face and wept again.
“You are truly too soft-hearted! Haven’t you considered that if Shan’er cannot enter the palace, then we will be completely useless pawns!” the Prince Chu said urgently. “Even if we gain a slight advantage this time, they will surely seek revenge later. At that time, both Bai’er and Shan’er will be implicated.”
This time, no matter what, Ying Tong must be brought down. Bai’er’s future was ruined by him, and he shouldn’t even think of being the Crown Prince!
Shan’er is young, the Empress will surely be more fond of him. After all, she has no sons of her own, so she will naturally dote on an adopted one.”
The Princess Consort Chu naturally understood the reasoning, so she did not insist further, only saying, “Let’s not talk about other matters for now, let’s see how Prince Zhao and the others are dealt with!”
Prince Zhao’s side was naturally in a panic. Ying Tong’s actions were indeed beyond his expectations.
Although he had decided to eliminate Ying Bai, he never expected that it would be his own son who acted, and in full view of everyone.
No matter how he denied or argued, he would ultimately have to pay the price.
Right now, he was only thinking about how to minimize the damage, and he couldn’t help but think of his father-in-law: “Why hasn’t the Grand Tutor arrived in the Capital City yet? If he were here, it wouldn’t be so troublesome.”
He wasn’t the only one eagerly awaiting the Grand Tutor’s return to the capital; the Empress was also hoping day and night, even sending people out of the capital to meet him.
In the afternoon, an eunuch from the Emperor’s side came to deliver a message, saying that the Emperor wished to dine in the Empress’s Palace.
Upon hearing this, the Empress quickly ordered preparations to be made.
Before it was dark, the Emperor arrived at the Empress’s Palace. These past few days, the Emperor had also been preoccupied with the matters of Prince Zhao and Prince Chu, and his face inevitably showed a hint of fatigue.
The Empress quickly stepped forward, “Your Majesty has worked hard. Please lie down on this couch for a while, I’ll have someone come to give you a massage.”
The Emperor raised his hand and rubbed his temples, saying, “No need. Please have them brew some tea first!”
“I heard that Your Majesty has not been sleeping well these past few days. Your subject has already ordered the Imperial Kitchen to stew a nourishing soup to calm the nerves. I wonder if Your Majesty will find it to your liking?” the Empress said cautiously.
The one who caused trouble was her maternal family, so she couldn’t help but feel guilty.
“Prince Chu and Prince Zhao are in such a fierce conflict. Even with the most calming nourishing soup, I will still worry and have a headache,” the Emperor was truly troubled.
“No matter how difficult the matter, Your Majesty must take care of your dragon body. Every winter your cough recurs, and the Imperial Physician also said that rest is key for recovery,” the Empress said, tears welling up. “Your subject never imagined that Tong’er would cause such a great disaster. I don’t know if those matters in the court are true or false. Has Prince Zhao become so audacious?”
The Emperor certainly wouldn’t let her continue crying, and said, “This is not your fault, it’s not as if you told them to do evil. However, I must also tell you that today the Imperial Academy students in the Capital City have jointly submitted a petition, and even went to the Yamen to petition. They demand that this matter be dealt with severely and Prince Zhao be punished.”
“This… these Imperial Academy students, instead of studying properly, why are they causing trouble?” The Empress frowned upon hearing this. She knew very well that Imperial Academy students were the most stubborn and loud, and unforgiving when they were in the right.
“You can’t say that. Water can carry a boat, and it can also capsize it. Public outrage should never be ignored. These Imperial Academy students are well-read and understand the classics; they are not ordinary people!”
“Yes, yes, Your subject was rash,” the Empress quickly retracted her words. “Your subject is also anxious and doesn’t know what to do.”
“Speaking of which, there is something I need to discuss with you,” the Emperor took a sip of tea. “Whether it is to appease public anger or to pacify Prince Chu’s family, Ying Tong cannot remain in the palace any longer.”
“I heard he has also been ill these past few days. Let him return to Prince Zhao’s Mansion to recuperate.”
The Empress was naturally unwilling. She had always intended to adopt this nephew and have him inherit the throne.
She tentatively asked, “Does Your Majesty mean for him to temporarily leave the palace and return after he recovers?”
“Empress, he cannot enter the palace again. Having caused such a great disaster, he is now tainted. How can he remain in the palace?” The Emperor’s expression was more serious than ever before.
All along, he had shown great respect to the Empress, and the same applied to the Dong Family.
“But Your Majesty, if Ying Tong leaves the palace, then Ying Bai cannot… then who…” the Empress couldn’t help but ask.
“I have thought about it. If we want this matter not to escalate further, we can only have Prince Chu’s youngest son enter the palace. This way, Prince Chu will not continue to hold onto the matter, and it will prevent a lose-lose situation,” the Emperor sighed deeply. “Otherwise, if they continue to clash, even more officials will be drawn in. King of Fenye is here now, should he watch us make a fool of ourselves?”
The Empress silently lowered her head, no longer arguing. Although she was unwilling, she knew that what the Emperor said made a lot of sense. No matter how powerful their family was, they could not completely disregard the court’s laws and discipline.
It was all Ying Tong’s fault for being too reckless and causing such a great disaster.
If this matter was not handled properly, and public resentment boiled over, the Emperor would also become more estranged from her.
