Yesterday, when Father Emperor summoned both him and the Seventh Prince to the palace, it was clear to choose between them for adoption under the Empress’s name. And what had he done?
He had returned after leaving, using a dream as an excuse to tell Father Emperor that he didn’t want to marry for three years!
Thinking of this, Prince Xiang had the urge to bash his head in.
At such a crucial moment, why had he ruined his future? If he had been the prince adopted under the Empress’s name today, he would have been eligible to compete for the position of Crown Prince.
When the Crown Prince was first deposed, Prince Xiang had secretly fantasized about that position.
Of course, he was very clear that it was just a fantasy.
As the youngest prince with a mother of humble origins, unless all his brothers died, it would never be his turn.
Could those cunning fellows all die? That was impossible.
After the Crown Prince was reinstated and then lost his life, Prince Xiang no longer even fantasized about it, deciding to follow Prince Qi’s lead, thinking that gaining some real benefits in the future would be good enough.
But it turned out that an incredibly precious opportunity had been right in front of him, and he had let it slip away—
No, that’s not right!
Prince Xiang’s mind, which had become slow due to shock, regret, and various other emotions, started turning, and killing intent began to rise.
He had missed the opportunity because of that damned Seventh Prince!
If the Seventh Prince hadn’t mentioned Cui Mingyue, how would he have gone back to tell Father Emperor those words?
Prince Xiang stared at Yu Jin, his eyes almost shooting fire.
That beast of a Seventh Prince must have known Father Emperor’s intentions early on and had schemed against him!
At this moment, Prince Xiang had the urge to cut Yu Jin into a thousand pieces.
Although everyone in the great hall had strange expressions at this time, Prince Xiang’s reaction was still too obvious.
Prince Lu thought to himself, why does the Eighth Prince look like he’s been struck by lightning? Tsk, tsk, he really can’t keep his composure. Look at me, enduring such great injustice, have I said anything?
Prince Qi came to his senses and quietly pulled at Prince Xiang.
Something seemed off with Eighth Brother.
Prince Xiang finally snapped out of it. Although he was seething with hatred, he could do nothing.
This was a court in session. If he rushed over to attack the Seventh Prince, he might end up like the Fifth Prince, demoted to a duke.
Yu Jin maintained just the right amount of surprise until Emperor Jingming’s calm voice rang out: “Seventh after the court is dismissed, go pay your respects to the Empress.”
Yu Jin bowed deeply: “Yes, Your Majesty.”
As he responded, the officials seemed to find their voices again, and the hall erupted in commotion.
The Minister of Rites stepped forward, sweating profusely: “Your Majesty, shouldn’t we… shouldn’t we discuss this further—”
“Yes, Your Majesty, this seems rather hasty—” Several officials chimed in.
Emperor Jingming lowered his eyes as he listened, inwardly sneering.
Discuss what? Once he started discussing with these old fools, it would take at least two or three months to settle the matter.
Although decades had passed, he still clearly remembered when Empress Dowager proposed adopting a prince, the previous emperor had convened senior officials to discuss it. It took nearly half a year of debates before it was settled.
He didn’t want every court session from now on to feel like a vegetable market, with no peace for his ears.
Emperor Jingming coughed once, but the excited officials didn’t hear it and continued their discussions.
“My beloved ministers, hear me out.” Emperor Jingming raised his voice, and the hall finally fell silent.
Emperor Jingming cleared his throat and spoke unhurriedly: “This is my family matter. Today is merely to inform you all. The Minister of the Imperial Clan Court has already amended the clan records to adopt Prince Yan under the Empress’s name…”
Facing the murderous glares of the officials, the old Minister of the Imperial Clan Court almost fell to his knees.
He would endure it this time, but if the Emperor did something like this again in the future, no matter how great the benefits, he wouldn’t do it. Let whoever wants to do it, do it!
The old Minister could already imagine the siege he would face after the court was dismissed.
Not giving the officials time to wail, Emperor Jingming glanced at Pan Hai.
Pan Hai understood and shouted at the top of his lungs: “Court is dismissed—”
Emperor Jingming, who was already prepared, fled quickly as soon as these words were uttered, leaving the officials dumbfounded. It took them a while to recover.
The Emperor announced such an important matter and just ran away like this?
The old Minister of the Imperial Clan Court saw his chance to slip away, but his heavy body slowed him down. He had barely taken half a step before he was surrounded by the officials.
“Minister, how can such a significant matter be settled like this?”
Hearing the officials’ accusations, the old Minister felt deeply aggrieved.
Did these fools think the Emperor had consulted with him? He was the first one to be merely informed!
Some quick-witted officials approached Yu Jin, cupping their hands in respect: “Congratulations, Prince Yan.”
Yu Jin calmly thanked them and was escorted by eunuchs to pay respects to the Empress.
Prince Lu waved his hand in front of Prince Xiang’s eyes: “Stop staring, he’s long gone.”
Was it necessary for the Eighth Prince to be so shocked? He was still too young after all.
“Let’s go.” Prince Qi’s voice was hoarse as he tried hard not to show any abnormality.
The princes followed the flow of people out. Although they all wanted to go to their respective mothers to gather information, they understood that now was not the right time, so they had to suppress their urgent feelings and return to their mansions.
The princes’ mansions were located on the same street, so they naturally walked together.
The atmosphere was a bit strange along the way. As they were about to reach their destinations, Prince Xiang said softly: “Fourth Brother, I’d like to sit with you for a while.”
Prince Qi was startled, but after nodding slightly, he forced a smile and asked Prince Qin, Prince Lu, and Prince Shu: “Would you all like to come sit for a while?”
“No need.” Prince Shu was the first to respond, cupping his hands in farewell as he headed towards the Prince Shu Mansion.
Prince Lu had never liked Prince Qi, so he certainly wouldn’t join in on this, and Prince Qin was always low-key, so he naturally declined as well. In the end, only Prince Xiang followed Prince Qi to the Prince Qi Mansion.
After dismissing the servants, Prince Xiang slammed his fist on the table: “Fourth Brother, that scoundrel Seventh Prince schemed against me!”
Prince Qi’s expression changed slightly: “What do you mean, Eighth Brother?”
With no one else present, Prince Xiang became somewhat emotional. After a while, he rubbed his face hard and said: “Yesterday… Father Emperor summoned both me and the Seventh Prince to the palace, and the Empress was there too—”
Prince Qi raised his eyebrows, completely shocked.
Prince Xiang closed his eyes and gritted his teeth: “Looking back now, it was obviously for today’s matter.”
“How did the Seventh Prince scheme against you?”
Prince Xiang felt somewhat embarrassed, but now that he had been tricked by Yu Jin and lost the possibility of instant success, he could only hope that Prince Qi would help him vent this anger. So he revealed Yu Jin’s provocation.
“Fourth Brother, we’ve all underestimated the Seventh Prince before. He’s your biggest threat!”
Prince Qi saw the hatred in Prince Xiang’s expression and sighed lightly: “Indeed, the Seventh Prince is not so simple. In the future, I’ll need Eighth Brother’s help. We brothers must unite and not let the Seventh Prince have his way.”
Prince Xiang immediately cupped his hands: “Rest assured, Fourth Brother. I will do my utmost to assist you and definitely won’t let the Seventh Prince off easy!”
Prince Qi and Prince Xiang, more united than ever before, now saw Yu Jin as a thorn in their side, even pushing Prince Shu to the back burner for the moment.
Prince Xiang drank four cups of tea before returning to his mansion, dejected.
After dismissing the court, Emperor Jingming prepared to go to Kunning Palace, wanting to see the scene of maternal love and filial piety. Pan Hai carefully reminded him: “Your Majesty, shouldn’t we inform Consort Xian about Prince Yan’s matter?”
Emperor Jingming’s footsteps faltered.
Oh, he had forgotten about that.