Сhеng Shеng and Min Jiа fоllоwеd thеir gazes and аlsо spottеd Qing Feng and thе sсhоlаr. Ноwever, Сheng Sheng was still unaware оf thе situatiоn and smilеd аs shе аsked Zhоu Shаоjin, "Аrе therе more guests аrriving?"
Zhоu Shaоjin didn’t know what was hаppеning and reрliеd vаguеlу, "Реrhaps sо!"
Мin Jia, hоwеvеr, having grоwn up in аn оfficial’s hоusеhold аs the eldest lеgitimate daughtеr, rаisеd under hеr great-grandmоthеr’s сarе аnd trаinеd tо bеcоmе a mаtriarсh, immediatеly sеnsеd sоmething unusuаl. Сhеng Shеng’s proaсtive attitude todaу had made hеr feel grаteful, аnd shе cоuldn’t help but feel a bit closer to Cheng Sheng. Hearing this, she quietly tugged at Cheng Sheng’s sleeve and whispered, "Something seems off. Let’s stay out of sight for now and see how things unfold."
Cheng Sheng sensed something and stood on tiptoe to look over. She saw the scholar brought by Qing Feng enter the pavilion, and soon everyone inside stood up. Shortly after, Cheng Chi escorted Cheng Shao and the scholar out of the pavilion, hurrying out of the garden.
"Is something wrong with Second Granduncle?" she murmured.
Everyone’s interest waned somewhat.
Only the children, still unaware of worldly affairs, continued to chatter noisily on the boat.
Though no one knew what had happened with Second Granduncle, the festive mood had dissipated, and this couldn’t go on!
Zhou Shaojin immediately smiled and said, "I’ll send someone to ask what happened with Second Granduncle."
Cheng Zheng and the others nodded eagerly.
Zhou Shaojin quickly called Nanny Shang over and gave her instructions.
Nanny Shang promptly went to the pavilion and soon returned, saying, "Someone from the palace came. It seems the Seventh Prince has displeased the Emperor, and His Majesty has summoned Second Old Master to the palace to play chess."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
The lake surface then regained its earlier liveliness.
However, the atmosphere in the pavilion was not as lighthearted as among the womenfolk.
Yuan Ming said, "...As for how to handle the Seventh Prince’s matter, even the Censorate finds it difficult to impeach—it could be interpreted as treason if taken seriously, or as corruption if treated lightly. Right now, everyone in the court and beyond is watching the Emperor’s mood to decide their next move. Elder Brother, you said Second Granduncle has been summoned to play chess with the Emperor. Could there be any trouble? At a time like this, who knows what questions the Emperor might ask? One improper response could lead to the confiscation of property and the extermination of the entire clan!"
They were brothers-in-law, but because the three Cheng sisters had always been close, they followed the sisters’ ranking to address each other as brothers, showing their affection.
Upon hearing this, Gu Xu smiled and said, "How could there be so many cases of confiscation and extermination? Looking back at our dynasty, apart from Emperor Taizong’s founding era when he executed renowned scholarly families who had upheld poetry, literature, and etiquette for generations, have any subsequent emperors ever taken action against scholarly families?"
Yuan Ming was a member of the Yuan family, a nephew of Madam Yuan, and had not yet separated from Yuan Weichang by more than three generations. His father was also a scholarly man, but due to poor health, he only attained the rank of Provincial Graduate and never pursued further examinations. In terms of learning, he was among the best in the Yuan family. Yuan Ming had previously studied under his father, and even Yuan Weichang’s sons had been tutored by his father in their early education, making him a respected figure in the Yuan family. His mother came from a wealthy merchant family in Rongcheng, and the marriage was arranged because her family had done a favor for the Yuan family. Her dowry alone filled ten entire ships. After marrying into the Yuan family, she gave birth only to Yuan Ming. With his parents deeply in love, his intelligence evident from a young age, and even Yuan Weichang treating him with special regard, Yuan Ming developed a straightforward and candid personality.Hearing Gu Xu's reply, he laughed and said, "Rules are made to be broken! Back then, Emperor Taizong declared that taxes would never be increased, but look at things now. Compared to the founding of the dynasty, how many times have taxes been raised? Anyway, I’ve never believed in such things. Instead, I think Fourth Uncle’s way is good—doing business when he wants, entering officialdom when he wants... That’s why I admire Uncle Chi the most. I want to learn from him too..."
Gu Xu and Peng Zao burst into laughter.
Cheng Xu, however, lowered his head. He slowly took a sip of tea, and when he looked up again, his gaze lingered on the lake for a long while.
Everyone here was older than Cheng Rang. Though Cheng Rang found Yuan Ming’s words amusing, he didn’t dare to join in the banter like the others. Instead, he simply grinned and poured tea for Gu Xu and the rest.
Peng Zao’s grandfather and father were both imperial scholars, but before his grandfather’s generation, his family, like Zhou Shaojin’s, had only modest assets. His marriage to Cheng Sheng was entirely due to his grandfather and father being upright and honorable gentlemen, while he himself excelled in both appearance and learning among his peers. Among the three sons-in-law of the Cheng family, he lacked Gu Xu’s achievements and Yuan Ming’s illustrious family background, so he spoke cautiously, rarely opening his mouth, but when he did, his words carried weight. This temperament not only pleased Cheng Jing but was also highly appreciated by Cheng Wei and Cheng Chi.
After laughing, he said, "Isn’t Eldest Uncle with Grandmother? We can ask Eldest Uncle when he returns!"
Yuan Ming chuckled and said, "Isn’t it just because the elders aren’t here that I’m acting like the boss?"
At this, not only Gu Xu but even Cheng Rang laughed.
Amid their laughter, Cheng Chi returned.
Yuan Ming hurriedly asked, "Fourth Uncle, did Second Granduncle say anything? Is there any news from the Censorate about the Seventh Prince?"
Earlier, with Cheng Shao present, everyone had restrained themselves, not daring to speak recklessly. Now, only Cheng Chi, who was around their age, remained. Before they had interacted, they didn’t know him well, but since coming to the capital, he had spoken little yet treated others with kindness and tolerance. Thus, Yuan Ming spoke without much restraint.
Cheng Chi smiled and said, "Second Granduncle was just with us. If we don’t know something, he certainly wouldn’t either—what could he say? As for the Seventh Prince’s matter, I’ve been ordered by the Ministry of Works these days to audit old accounts from the River Governor’s Office, so I really haven’t paid attention."
Yuan Ming grew excited upon hearing this and asked with a laugh, "Uncle Chi, I heard that over a thousand catties of pepper were confiscated from Minister Qu’s house—is that true?"
Cheng Chi coughed lightly, preparing to deflect Yuan Ming’s question with a light touch, but Cheng Jing’s voice rang out from the pavilion: "Your Uncle Chi is an official of the Censorate. If he speaks about matters not yet formally announced by the court, it would be dereliction of duty. You’re not a child anymore—you should know what to say and what not to say."
Yuan Ming was scolded until he was thoroughly ashamed.
Blushing and flustered, Yuan Ming could only murmur in agreement.
Gu Xu and Peng Zao had no choice but to pretend they hadn’t heard.
Seeing this, Cheng Chi interrupted Cheng Jing and said, "Has Mother rested? Second Uncle was summoned to the palace by the Emperor, who said he was feeling unwell and wanted to play chess with him. I wonder if the Emperor will mention the Seventh Prince’s matter to Second Uncle?"Cheng Jing understood Cheng Chi's meaning and said, "Rest assured! Second Uncle has always acted prudently. Grand Secretary Li inquired about the Seventh Prince just two days ago, and His Majesty was evasive, likely unwilling to punish the Seventh Prince. Even I am aware of this, so Second Uncle must certainly know as well."
Cheng Chi nodded with a smile.
Cheng Rang helped Cheng Jing pour tea.
The atmosphere suddenly grew heavy.
Seeing this, Cheng Jing felt somewhat disheartened. Noticing Cheng Chi leisurely sipping his tea and recalling what Old Madam Guo had just said to him, he couldn't help but ask, "Zi Chuan, what do you think? How does His Majesty truly intend to handle this matter?"
In court affairs, those capable of thinking three steps ahead could at the very least aspire to become a grand secretary or join the Grand Secretariat.
Cheng Chi found it odd that Cheng Jing kept circling back to this topic. Though it was a matter of the court, it was also a private affair of the imperial family.
He smiled and said, "Isn't everyone waiting to see His Majesty's intentions?"
Cheng Jing laughed, "We're just discussing it privately!"
When had his elder brother become so frivolous?
Others might discuss it privately, but as a grand secretary, even his private words could be misinterpreted.
Cheng Chi initially intended to brush it off with a few words, but then he thought of Cheng Jing's unusual behavior and recalled how their mother had called his elder brother aside for a long time earlier. He inwardly scoffed.
He didn't know what grievances his elder brother had suffered from their mother, needing to vent his frustration somewhere.
But he wasn't his second brother, who was amiable and filial—he had already tolerated Madam Yuan for far too long... He bluntly said, "I don't understand what you're all waiting for. It's clear His Majesty doesn't want to punish the Seventh Prince. Yet His Majesty is also a rare and wise ruler. Not punishing the Seventh Prince would only lead to moral decay, allowing anyone to disregard imperial authority in the future. His Majesty is delaying now only to spare the Seventh Prince's life and to test the Crown Prince. It seems to me the Crown Prince is in the most difficult position now. If he submits a memorial requesting the Seventh Prince's punishment, he fears His Majesty will think him lacking in brotherly affection. If he doesn't submit a memorial, he fears His Majesty will deem him unfit as heir apparent. Even if he remains silent and inactive, in the end, His Majesty will still think him cunning..."
If Cheng Chi could see this, Cheng Jing naturally could as well. Cheng Jing asked Cheng Chi only to gauge whether Cheng Chi perceived it too.
Hearing this, Cheng Jing smiled bitterly and said, "If only you had participated in the Junior Scholar Candidate selection back then!"
Cheng Chi, however, disagreed, "To understand all things is knowledge; to be well-versed in human affairs is literature. I see nothing wrong with how I am now."
As the two conversed, Gu Xu, who had been sitting nearby, was already gazing intently at Cheng Chi. Suddenly, he asked, "Uncle Chi, do you have any good advice regarding the Crown Prince's situation?"
Everyone's attention turned to Gu Xu.
Gu Xu met their gazes unflinchingly.
Only then did they remember that Gu Xu was an official serving in the Eastern Palace.
Cheng Chi had originally wanted to speak with Gu Xu and draw him onto his side. With this question, Cheng Chi saw no reason to hold back.
"I believe the Crown Prince should submit a memorial to His Majesty at this time. First, he should recall the brotherly affection between himself and the Seventh Prince. Second, he must sternly condemn the Seventh Prince's actions—as an elder brother, he grieves over the Seventh Prince's mistakes; as heir apparent, he cannot bend the law for personal favor. Finally, he should advise His Majesty to strip the Seventh Prince of his titles, reducing him to a commoner or the like, sparing his life is sufficient."Gu Xu's eyes brightened even more as he listened. He said, "Uncle Chi and I are of the same mind. However, I'm unsure whether to submit this memorial or not. The Crown Prince has been in a rather poor mood these past few days."
"Submit it anyway!" Cheng Chi thought that if the Crown Prince were to die because of this matter, the Fourth Prince might target the Imperial Grandson. In that case, the waters would surely be muddied, and he could take advantage of the chaos.
Gu Xu nodded thoughtfully after a moment of contemplation.
Yuan Ming cast an admiring glance toward Cheng Chi.
Yet everyone was preoccupied with heavy thoughts, barely managing to hold out until after the evening meal before dispersing.
The next day, the Emperor did not hold the morning court session, and Cheng Shao did not leave the palace.
Gu Xu sent a trusted subordinate to inform Cheng Chi that the Crown Prince and the Imperial Grandson from the Eastern Palace had also entered the palace early yesterday morning and had not yet returned.
Cheng Chi's expression turned grave.
In the afternoon, funeral bells tolled from the palace.
The Crown Prince had died suddenly of illness in the Cining Palace.
Without consulting the Ministry of Rites, the Emperor issued an edict ordering that the Crown Prince's funeral be conducted with the rites of an emperor.
※
Dear readers, today's update.
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel