Thrown into the Imperial Prison?
All the ministers were stunned.
Surely, this wasn’t necessary? Was it appropriate for Your Majesty to speak so casually about such a severe punishment?
Emperor Jingming swept his gaze over the ministers from his elevated position and looked at Yu Jin. “Prince Yan, do you have anything to say for yourself?”
He wanted to see how this rascal would explain himself.
Yu Jin knelt and said calmly, “Your son has nothing to say.”
Emperor Jingming raised an eyebrow. “In that case, guards—”
Several censors who had been criticizing Prince Yan hastily interjected, “Your Majesty, this cannot be done, it must not be done…”
Emperor Jingming raised his hand, stopping the palace guards’ movements, and frowned, asking, “Why can it not be done?”
He knew these fellows had treacherous hearts but lacked the courage!
One censor, with great reluctance, said, “Your Majesty, although Prince Yan’s refusal to accept the palace maids sent by Noble Consort Xian is an act of filial impiety, the crime… the crime doesn’t warrant such punishment…”
Emperor Jingming maintained a stern face, unmoved. “The Great Zhou Dynasty governs the world through filial piety. Since this is an act of filial impiety, it is naturally a serious crime. I think merely throwing him into the Imperial Prison is too lenient. Perhaps we should—”
The ministers, hearing this, were shocked and exclaimed, “Your Majesty, this absolutely must not happen!”
Seeing the ministers dropping to their knees en masse, Emperor Jingming’s lips curled into a slight smile.
He hadn’t even said anything yet. What exactly was it that absolutely must not happen?
Glancing at Yu Jin, who was kneeling straight on the ground without a trace of expression on his face, Emperor Jingming felt both annoyed and helpless.
This fool, why did he have to send away the palace maids sent by Noble Consort Xian? He could have at least kept them to tend the fires. Why was he so simple-minded?
Thinking about it, at least the Seventh Prince had accepted the palace maids he had sent. It seemed that in the Seventh Prince’s heart, he as a father was much more important than his birth mother.
Emperor Jingming’s expression turned serious.
He had thought too much. This unfilial son indeed needed to be taught a lesson.
Allowing the ministers to continue their persuasions, Emperor Jingming remained silent, his face frighteningly grave.
At this moment, Zhen Shicheng spoke up: “Your Majesty, I believe it was inappropriate for the ministers to criticize Prince Yan in the first place. Prince Yan is not the Crown Prince and doesn’t bear the burden of continuing the imperial lineage. As such, Noble Consort Xian’s gift of palace maids to Prince Yan is a family matter, unrelated to state affairs. If Prince Yan declined an elder’s goodwill, Your Majesty and Noble Consort Xian, as parents, could reprimand him behind closed doors. To bring this matter to court for criticism, could it be that our Great Zhou has no other matters to attend to?”
Emperor Jingming nodded inwardly.
Minister Zhen was indeed the most sensible.
The other ministers gritted their teeth.
This old Zhen Shicheng was now playing the good guy in front of the Emperor. Who didn’t know that Prince Yan had saved his son? He had his agenda.
“No need to throw him into the Imperial Prison?” Seeing the ministers eager to confront Zhen Shicheng, Emperor Jingming asked hesitantly.
The ministers immediately backed down and said in unison, “We implore Your Majesty to reconsider!”
Of course, what Prince Yan did was wrong, but to throw him into the Imperial Prison just for not accepting palace maids from his birth mother? What kind of people would they be if this news spread?
Moreover, Prince Yan’s deed of saving the top scholar had already become known. Now, the common people in the capital all knew that the auspicious sign of the Great Zhou was protected by Prince Yan. If they sent Prince Yan to the Imperial Prison, they might have rotten eggs thrown at them when they went to court in the future.
Thinking of that scenario, the ministers felt a wave of fear.
Emperor Jingming pondered for a moment and said, “Since all the ministers are pleading for Prince Yan, let it be. However, punishment cannot be avoided. How about this: Prince Yan shall be confined to his residence for seven days to reflect on his mistakes!”
The ministers secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said in unison, “Your Majesty is wise.”
As they left the palace and felt the chilly spring breeze, their minds suddenly cleared.
Something wasn’t right. They were the ones who had criticized Prince Yan and urged the Emperor to punish him. How did it end up with them pleading for leniency on Prince Yan’s behalf?
Had they been fooled by the Emperor?
Looking back at the solemn palace gates, the ministers slowed their steps.
If they were to rush back now and demand that the Emperor increase Prince Yan’s punishment, would they even survive?
Never mind, never mind. Next time, they must remain vigilant and not be confused again.
In the hall, Emperor Jingming looked at Yu Jin, who was still kneeling, and asked irritably, “Seventh, why didn’t you accept the palace maids sent by your birth mother?”
Yu Jin lowered his eyes and said calmly, “This is the first time in my life that I’ve received a gift from my birth mother, and it turned out to be two living people. At the time, I thought someone might be using my birth mother’s name to send them. Living people are different from inanimate objects. If I kept two living people by my side, what if they were assassins?”
Emperor Jingming nodded instinctively.
That made sense… No, it didn’t make any sense at all. He had almost been led astray by this boy again.
However, Noble Consort Xian had indeed gone too far. This was the first time she had sent anything to the Seventh Prince, and he was already so grown…
Thinking this way, Emperor Jingming’s anger subsided a bit. He admonished, “You grew up outside the palace and don’t understand many things. The two instructing palace maids I sent cannot be assigned random menial tasks. They are there to instruct you.”
Yu Jin remained silent.
When he didn’t express gratitude, Emperor Jingming was more surprised than angry. “What is it?”
Among all his sons, he had never seen one as bold as this boy. It was quite refreshing.
Yu Jin looked up at Emperor Jingming, whose temples were already frosted with gray, and said with difficulty, “There’s something I want to say, but I’m afraid it might anger Father Emperor. Yet, if I don’t say it, I won’t feel at ease.”
“Speak,” Emperor Jingming said, walking over with his hands behind his back.
Hmm, if it angered him too much, it would be convenient to kick the boy.
Yu Jin put on an honest face and said, “Your son has observed that outside the palace, common people have children one after another, and I’ve never heard of any of them not knowing what to do…”
“Outrageous!” Emperor Jingming was furious and embarrassed.
This unfilial son uses the outside world to provoke him.
Yu Jin fell silent, kneeling obediently.
Emperor Jingming circled him, getting angrier the more he thought about it. He raised his foot to kick him.
Yu Jin didn’t dodge, allowing the kick to land on his backside.
Emperor Jingming stopped and asked in a deep voice, “You just don’t want to accept the palace maids’ instruction, do you?”
“Father Emperor is perceptive.”
Emperor Jingming took a breath and asked, “What exactly is the reason?”
It was free, after all. Why would he rather offend his father emperor than accept it?
Yu Jin said seriously, “Your son is someone who would rather have nothing than settle for less. They’re not as good-looking as your son, I really couldn’t bring myself to sleep with them…”
“Get out of my sight!” Emperor Jingming pointed, his beard quivering.
Yu Jin immediately stood up. “Your son takes his leave. I’ll return to my residence to reflect now.”
In the blink of an eye, only Emperor Jingming and his attendants remained in the hall.
Emperor Jingming was silent for a moment, then laughed angrily, “This rascal.”
If only the Crown Prince could be as discerning, he would be at ease.
As Yu Jin walked out of the palace, he saw Zhen Shicheng standing by a willow tree.
“Minister Zhen hasn’t left yet?” Out of the palace, even breathing felt easier. Yu Jin asked with a smile.
Zhen Shicheng bowed to Yu Jin. “I haven’t had the chance to thank Your Highness for saving my son’s life. My son also wanted to thank Your Highness personally, but due to yesterday’s incident, His Majesty ordered him to stay at home for now…”
Yu Jin waved his hand dismissively. “It was nothing. Minister Zhen, please go about your business. I need to return to my residence to reflect.”
Zhen Shicheng was silent for a moment, then smiled and said, “Your Highness and Fourth Miss Jiang would make a fine couple.”
Yu Jin smiled. “Minister Zhen’s judgment is godlike, your eyes are much brighter than others. I’ll take my leave now.”