Under such ardent affection, Song Chuyi still felt somewhat uncomfortable. She sat stiffly for a while, feeling that every sentence Zhou Weizhao said made her face burn. Unable to help feeling embarrassed and angry, after thinking for a moment, she simply brought up the matter of Huangjue Temple with him: “His Majesty issued an edict to eradicate Huangjue Temple. Huangjue Temple was almost completely destroyed, yet it didn’t implicate Fan Liangdi at all.”
Song Chuyi always felt that the Crown Prince was somewhat abnormal. Zhou Weizhao had concealed this matter for the sake of the bigger picture and for the Eastern Palace’s benefit. However, the Crown Prince, as both a father and the master of the Eastern Palace, should not have turned a blind eye to this matter whether from a public or private standpoint. The Imperial Guard had extracted confessions from Huangjue Temple confirming they were remnants of Prince Duan’s faction. The information Emperor Jianzhang received led him to identify Huangjue Temple as Prince Duan’s remnants, and he had even gone so far as to kill all the monks of Huangjue Temple to avenge his grandson. Yet the Crown Prince, Zhou Weizhao’s biological father, after learning that Fan Liangdi had ordered Huangjue Temple to make this deadly move, remained indifferent and showed no reaction whatsoever. This was truly too abnormal.
When things were abnormal, there must be something sinister. Song Chuyi faintly sensed something was wrong.
Zhou Weizhao’s eyes darkened. See, he had told Song Chuyi before—he wasn’t a sage either. He also had a side that couldn’t be shown to others. Just like those two words “father,” which were a thorn lodged in his heart that couldn’t be pulled out.
He didn’t feel wronged on his own behalf. As his master had said, everything in this world depended on karmic affinity. Perhaps he was born without the karmic connection to receive his father’s affection. This was also something that couldn’t be helped. Endure it, let it hurt, and it would pass.
“I mentioned to Father that the monks of Huangjue Temple had confessed about Fan Liangdi’s involvement, but Father probably still hasn’t made a decision.” Zhou Weizhao’s eyes were half-lowered, his expression unreadable. “However, Mother has also mentioned it to Imperial Grandmother, and Elder Fu Youde, the Crown Prince’s Gentleman of the Household in the Eastern Palace, is not foolish either. Perhaps they can make Father’s mind waver somewhat.”
This was truly too inconceivable. This was no longer as simple as jealous rivalry, nor was it such a trivial matter as the eastern wind overwhelming the western wind in the inner quarters. Now Fan Liangdi had become so arrogant as to affect the life and death of the Eastern Palace, yet His Highness the Crown Prince still needed to consider?!
Song Chuyi had thought the best outcome for Fan Liangdi would be to be granted death by a white silk cord. Who knew that not only was there no news by now, but even with so many people earnestly advising him, the Crown Prince was still hesitating!
Just what kind of deep affection was this? Why was it that when others were devoted couples, it sounded delightful and enviable, but when it came to the Crown Prince, it felt particularly awkward? Had the Crown Prince ever considered the feelings of his legitimate wife, the Crown Princess? Had he ever thought that his legitimate son, who had just accomplished great merit, would feel heartsore? What exactly was he trying to do?!
His Highness the Crown Prince wasn’t trying to do nothing. He was currently discussing Elder Chen’s matter with Prince Zhennan: “This time, I fear things look dire.”
Prince Zhennan couldn’t remember how long it had been since he’d had the opportunity to speak properly with the Crown Prince. Hearing this, he lifted the corners of his mouth slightly: “Elder Chen has become increasingly inflated these years, acting more and more without restraint. His falling to this end was bound to happen sooner or later.”
The Crown Prince was choked into stopping mid-sentence—Elder Chen’s most improper act was still making too much of a commotion with the Yangzhou corruption case, and being too impatient, wanting to arrange Eastern Palace people to fill the vacancies in Yangzhou and grasp this fertile territory in his hands. And all of this—Elder Chen had originally acted on the Eastern Palace’s instructions.
Prince Zhennan also realized he had spoken too hastily and felt somewhat regretful—just as Her Majesty the Empress and Princess Rongcheng had said, His Highness the Crown Prince was someone who easily overthought things. He had said this for the Crown Prince’s good, to give him a reminder, but in the Crown Prince’s eyes, it might be taken as disapproval of his ideas, as finding fault with him. Prince Zhennan was intelligent after all, and immediately changed the subject to something else: “That Your Highness valued him was originally his good fortune. If he had been sensible, he should have stayed quietly in Jinling, waiting for Your Highness’s orders. But he took matters into his own hands and went up against the Song family. Yet he himself had grown old and muddled, and was instead outmaneuvered by a child. This really was an unfortunate stumble. Your Highness need not feel sorry for him. Such a person may not be of much use in the future.”
These words brought much comfort to the Crown Prince’s heart. He couldn’t help but sigh along: “You’re right. Elder Chen truly couldn’t contain himself. It’s just that with him causing such a scene, I don’t know if Father Emperor will suspect me again.”
After all, Elder Chen had previously been staunchly of the Eastern Palace faction. If his Father Emperor thought that he had secretly instructed or condoned Elder Chen going up against the Song family, then he would be too wronged.
Prince Zhennan nodded: “The Song family remained neutral in the Yangzhou corruption case, not playing any tricks at all, honestly serving as a pure minister. His Majesty values the Song family greatly in his heart. Your Highness’s reach has extended a bit too far. The previous incident had a bad influence. Now with Elder Chen causing such a scene, His Majesty may truly suspect Your Highness.”
The Crown Prince couldn’t help but sigh, somewhat irritated: “The other day Eunuch Feng delivered a secret letter, but I didn’t accept it.”
Prince Zhennan nodded: “That’s as it should be. Your Highness absolutely must not act foolishly at this time. Elder Chen must never be used again. Your Highness also cannot have any further involvement with the Chen family’s affairs.”
The Crown Prince naturally knew this. Otherwise, when Elder Chen was involved in the spring examinations previously, he would have lent a hand. The reason he didn’t help was because he knew he couldn’t help—if he helped, something would go wrong.
After agreeing, he looked at Prince Zhennan again: “Jingkuan and… what does he mean…”
This time accompanying the Grand Heir to quell the rebellion, both Ye Jingkuan and Ye Jingchuan had returned with serious injuries. The second son was covered in scars and was still lying in bed, unable to get up even now. The Cabinet was currently drafting regulations for meritorious rewards, but the rewards from the palace had already been bestowed. His Majesty and the Empress both gave rewards, and even the Eastern Palace Crown Princess had sent down rewards. Only the Crown Prince—the one who should be closest to them—only now came to ask such questions. It was evident that the Crown Prince probably hadn’t put much thought into even the Crown Princess’s rewards. Prince Zhennan raised his eyebrows but revealed nothing on his face: “By His Majesty’s protection, we managed to escape danger. The injuries will heal after some recuperation.”
The Crown Prince hadn’t wanted to ask about Ye Jingkuan’s injuries, but since Prince Zhennan had said this, he naturally expressed his gratitude and praise very earnestly for Ye Jingkuan’s escort of his son back home. Only then did he ask again: “You and Jingkuan, do you also feel that now I should…”
Prince Zhennan knew what he was going to ask. He looked at the Crown Prince and said somewhat seriously: “Since ancient times, disasters have arisen within one’s own walls. Now Fan Liangdi can be seen as not virtuous. If His Highness Prince Dongping is corrupted by her teachings…”