As soon as the word “again” left his mouth, Emperor Jingming felt a moment of awkwardness. It seemed to reveal something unintended.
When the Vice Minister of Rites and Earl Taiping heard Emperor Jingming address someone as “Seventh,” they were stunned. It was worth noting that the Seventh Prince had rapidly transformed from an obscure figure who had just returned from the Southern Borders to become Prince Yan, catching the attention of the entire court. Many were secretly trying to gauge Emperor Jingming’s attitude toward Prince Yan. Unfortunately, Prince Yan rarely made public appearances and hadn’t yet undergone his formal investiture ceremony, so few had seen him.
Could this minor official be Prince Yan?
The Vice Minister of Rites and Earl Taiping turned to glare at Zhen Shicheng. That old fox had deliberately set them up!
“Father Emperor, your son wasn’t fighting—I was saving someone,” Yu Jin calmly explained.
When others had perceived him as merely a minor official, his words carried little weight. But now, standing before the emperor as Prince Yan, the Vice Minister of Rites and Earl Taiping became immediately tense.
Yu Jin continued at an unhurried pace: “Your son was merely passing by when I witnessed the sons of General Cui, the Vice Minister of Rites, and Earl Taiping, along with their servants, attacking a carriage from the Earl Dongping’s household. The young lady inside was terrified. In broad daylight, right near the Prefecture Office, they dared to openly accost a respectable lady. Father Emperor, how could your son remain indifferent to such a scene?”
Emperor Jingming gave an almost imperceptible nod.
If that were indeed the case, one certainly couldn’t remain uninvolved.
Seeing the Emperor’s expression, the Vice Minister of Rites and Earl Taiping knew they were in trouble.
The Emperor concluded his thoughts about rewarding the unfortunate young lady with a jade ruyi, hoping it might turn her luck around.
They couldn’t back down now. If they showed weakness after learning of Prince Yan’s identity, the Emperor would think they had been bullying others with their power earlier.
It was worth noting that during this period, even Imperial Censors dared to argue with the Emperor face to face, and some high officials would debate with the Emperor when they believed they were in the right.
The Vice Minister of Rites quickly exchanged a glance with Earl Taiping.
Earl Taiping was considered half-royal, as his wife was Emperor Jingming’s cousin. This matter could be treated as a family affair, so it was more appropriate for him to speak than the Vice Minister of Rites.
“Your Majesty, my unworthy son wasn’t accosting any respectable lady. He saw Young Master Cui, Princess Rongyang’s son, being attacked by a startled horse and called for servants to help. Unexpectedly, Prince Yan struck them. I beg Your Majesty to grant justice to my son.”
“A startled horse?” Emperor Jingming caught the key point.
Zhen Shicheng immediately responded, “Your Majesty, I brought that horse as well. It’s tied to the willow tree outside the palace. If you wish to see it—”
“No need.” Emperor Jingming’s mouth twitched. “Wasn’t the horse startled? Official Zhen, did you bring it here without anyone getting hurt?”
Zhen Shicheng unconsciously stroked his beard. “Your Majesty, it’s an old horse. I don’t know what caused it to go wild earlier, but when I saw it, the old horse was completely docile, even tearful at the sight of so many people.”
Emperor Jingming had to press his lips together to suppress a laugh as he imagined the old horse with tears in its eyes.
Yu Jin seized the moment to interject, “Father Emperor, for an old horse to suddenly become startled enough to harm someone shows how aggressive Young Master Cui and the others must have been. Under such circumstances, wasn’t your son right to intervene?”
“Your Majesty, even if Prince Yan misunderstood the situation, he shouldn’t have injured our sons to this extent,” the Vice Minister of Rites pointed to his bruised son with deep grief. “Our Great Zhou has always been a nation of propriety. Wouldn’t it be laughable if we resolved matters through violence? Shouldn’t we first clarify the situation before taking action?”
Earl Taiping added, “Indeed, our sons’ injuries are minor compared to General Cui’s son’s broken leg. If he becomes permanently disabled at such a young age when Princess Rongyang returns—”
Emperor Jingming became displeased upon hearing this.
Were their sons the only ones who mattered? Was his son worth nothing?
First, the Empress Dowager had brought this matter to him, then the Vice Minister of Rites and Earl Taiping took turns criticizing his son, and now they dared to use Princess Rongyang as a threat!
What, just because his son won the fight, it became entirely his son’s fault? At the root of it, wasn’t it because their sons lacked ability?
With this thought, Emperor Jingming suddenly felt proud, though as an emperor, he maintained his composure, showing no emotion.
The Vice Minister of Rites and Earl Taiping, unaware of the Emperor’s thoughts, continued their coordinated effort to ensure Prince Yan would be taught a lesson.
Yu Jin remained silent as they spoke, standing quietly with lowered eyes.
Emperor Jingming glanced at Yu Jin, growing increasingly dissatisfied with the Vice Minister and Earl Taiping.
Did they think his son was easy to bully because he appeared docile and had no one to support him?
Did they assume that because he was the Emperor, he had to be impartial and support his officials? Then who would look after his son?
Emperor Jingming’s displeasure grew until he finally couldn’t bear the clamor and coughed once.
The room immediately fell silent.
“Each official should handle matters within their jurisdiction. Since Official Zhen has taken charge of this case, let him handle it. I trust Official Zhen will deal with it fairly.”
The Vice Minister of Rites and Earl Taiping were unhappy with this decision.
Zhen Shicheng’s stance was obvious—if he handled it, wouldn’t their sons have been beaten for nothing?
“Your Majesty—”
Emperor Jingming cast an impatient look at Earl Taiping and said coolly, “That’s how it will be handled. This is just children’s squabbling—surely you don’t want to involve the Three Judicial Offices? If the Earl isn’t embarrassed by that prospect, I certainly would be.”
His words struck hard. The Earl and Vice Minister suddenly realized something—the Emperor’s concern about Prince Yan bringing him shame revealed how much he cared about this son!
They had assumed the Emperor was indifferent to Prince Yan, but blood ties were blood ties—upon this realization, they fell as quiet as chickens.
“Very well, you may all withdraw.”
Seeing Yu Jin hadn’t moved, Emperor Jingming asked irritably, “Why aren’t you leaving?”
Yu Jin bowed to Emperor Jingming: “Father Emperor, your son believes we should offer comfort to today’s true victim. This would demonstrate your wisdom, or noble ladies might become afraid to venture out in the capital.”
Emperor Jingming finally remembered this point and asked, “This noble lady is from the Earl Dongping’s household?”
“Yes, Father Emperor. The one who was frightened today was Fourth Miss Jiang from Earl Dongping’s household. Her brother fell into the water last night and was summoned to the Prefecture Office for questioning today. Fourth Miss Jiang was worried about her brother and went to the office to meet him, only to encounter this incident…”
When Emperor Jingming heard it was Earl Dongping’s Fourth Miss, his eyes flickered.
Ah, he remembered this unfortunate lady—wasn’t she the one whose engagement fell apart because the Third Young Master of Duke Anguo’s household had desperately fallen for a commoner?
He had intended to give her some rewards as compensation but hadn’t found the right opportunity and had set the matter aside. Now that his seventh son brought it up, this was the perfect chance.
Yes, he would gift that unfortunate lady a jade ruyi—perhaps it would bring her better fortune in the future.