Chapter 328: Chu Hongyu Strikes Back
Yun Chu ate her meal quietly.
After half a year of traveling abroad, both children had matured and become sensible. They no longer needed assistance during meals and could eat perfectly well on their own.
Just as Chu Hongyu was serving porridge for his younger sister, a voice suddenly sounded beside his ear: "Yu Ge'er, your mother is with child. Will it be a younger brother or sister?"
He turned his head and saw Chu Lan's face, replying coldly: "What business is it of yours?"
"If your mother gives birth to a younger brother, then there'll be quite a show to watch," Chu Lan said with a gleeful expression. "My mother said that once your mother has her own child, she'll definitely make her own child the Young Son of the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor. As for you, you'll be nothing by then."
Chu Hongyu's hand paused: "Your mother told you such things?"
Chu Lan nodded: "Not just my mother said so—many maids in the Eastern Palace say the same thing."
As soon as she finished speaking,
Chu Hongyu abruptly stood up: "Imperial Grandfather, your grandson has a matter to report!"
The Emperor lifted his eyelids: "What is it?"
"Your grandson wishes to report that the Crown Princess manages the Eastern Palace incompetently! The misconduct starts from above and spreads below—when those above behave unworthily, those below will do the same!" Chu Hongyu declared loudly. "Might Imperial Grandfather ask how this should be handled?"
The Crown Princess's face turned pale as she rose and knelt at the foot of the steps: "Father Emperor, your subject has done no such thing. Yu Ge'er is just acting recklessly."
"I'm not speaking nonsense—I have a witness!" Chu Hongyu pointed at Chu Lan. "Sister Lan'er said that the Crown Princess declared in the Eastern Palace that my mother would bear a son, and that once the younger brother is born, I would no longer be the heir to the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor. Not only did the Crown Princess say this, but even the maids and eunuchs in the Eastern Palace repeat it. May I ask Imperial Grandfather, isn't this what's called 'misconduct from above influencing those below'?"
Chu Lan's eyes widened in shock, and she stammered: "N-no, I didn't... I haven't..."
Chu Changsheng stood up and spoke in her soft, gentle voice: "Imperial Grandfather, I heard it too."
The Empress's expression darkened.
She already had more than enough troubles to handle herself, and now this foolish girl Chu Lan was causing more problems.
This trivial matter concerning the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor was known throughout the capital—everyone was privately discussing whether this child would be a boy or a girl, and who would become the future heir to the Prince of Pacifying the West. It was one thing to discuss it privately, but how could that senseless girl Chu Lan say such things right to their faces!
What was even more unacceptable was that during a mere quarrel between children, Yu Ge'er would actually bring the matter before the Emperor.
The Empress cast a cold glance toward Yun Chu.
If Yun Chu would just step in to mediate, she believed the two children would naturally drop the matter and everything would blow over.
Yet Yun Chu remained seated where she was, showing no intention of intervening to smooth things over.
The Empress had no choice but to speak: "Your Majesty, this subject believes this is merely childish squabbling—nothing of great importance."
"Children wouldn't say such things on their own," Guogong Furen said with a slight smile. "What would a child understand about heirs and such? It must be that adults spoke these words, and the child remembered them... For the Crown Princess to discuss matters of the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor in front of children is indeed somewhat inappropriate."
The Empress's face darkened.
Li Jingshu, oh Li Jingshu—were you now openly challenging her, the mother of the nation?
The Crown Princess was so frightened her hands trembled, instinctively defending herself: "Father Emperor, please see clearly, your subject did not..."
The Emperor suddenly slammed his hand on the table: "The Crown Princess has failed in educating her children and managing her subordinates. She is hereby penalized with six months' suspension of stipend as a warning to others!"The Crown Princess wore a bitter expression: "...Yes."
She returned to her seat and cast a cold gaze at her own daughter, Chu Lan, who shrank her neck and dared not meet her eyes.
Before the Crown Princess could do anything, the Crown Prince's cold voice rang out: "If you cannot manage your child properly, then hand her over to someone who can!"
"Yes, Your Highness..."
The Crown Princess bit her lip.
Chu Lan kept her head lowered until the Crown Princess excused herself and left the banquet, only then did she dare to look up.
She glared angrily at Chu Hongyu: "Tattletale!"
Chu Hongyu leisurely ate a meatball, swallowing it before replying: "Don't let me hear such words again. Every time I hear them, I'll report it. I enjoy tattling, so what?"
Chu Lan was so furious she wished she could smash her dinner plate over his head.
But she didn't dare. If he reported her again, the Emperor would surely become more convinced that her mother was incompetent at raising children...
Chu Hongyu proudly leaned close to Yun Chu: "Mother, am I not impressive?"
Yun Chu patted his head.
Using others' strength against them could indeed be considered a tactic.
She smiled gently and said: "You children may use such methods among yourselves. But if any adult bullies you, remember to tell me and your father first."
Chu Hongyu nodded: "Naturally."
The banquet soon approached its conclusion.
During the festivities, Yun Chu noticed that the Emperor and Guogong Furen had disappeared for over fifteen minutes.
And the Empress's complexion had visibly worsened.
As the Laba Festival banquet concluded, the Emperor stood up to toast with everyone. Just then, with a clatter, a soft sword fell from the body of the Guogong heir in full view of everyone.
The blade was flexible, but the hilt was forged from steel, making a heavy sound as it hit the ground.
The Guogong heir, nearly thirty years old and holding a wine cup, stared in stunned silence as the sword fell from his person.
"Audacious!" General Weimeng drew his sword and pointed it at the Guogong heir. "What punishment deserves one who secretly brings weapons into the imperial palace!"
In this dynasty, all officials must remove their armor and weapons before entering the palace, and are forbidden from carrying any arms into the hall. Only generals and guards of the third rank or above, along with the Imperial Guards, are permitted to carry weapons.
The Guogong heir's status simply did not permit him to carry swords.
"Your servant is wronged!" The Guogong heir fell to his knees with a thud. "I am loyal to Your Majesty and the court! I would never attempt assassination or rebellion! I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly and clear my name!"
"The sword fell directly from your body! What more investigation is needed!" the Crown Prince said coldly. "Father, in my opinion, the Guogong heir has held this position for over twenty years without receiving an official title from you. Resentful, he sought to take revenge during the banquet. His intentions are condemnable!"
"Impossible!" Guogong Furen Li Jingshu stood up. "Your Majesty, Qi'er would never do such a thing! Someone must have framed him deliberately!"
The Minister of Justice stepped forward: "This matter isn't difficult to investigate. We simply need to trace the origin of this sword."
Guogong Furen nodded: "It must be thoroughly investigated!"
After she spoke, she noticed the Guogong heir trembling all over. She asked in disbelief: "This sword is yours?"
The Guogong heir slowly nodded.
The sword was indeed his, but he hadn't carried it with him. He couldn't understand how this could have happened...
Guogong Furen turned to look at the Empress, and saw the profound smile curling at the corners of the Empress's mouth.
Meeting Guogong Furen's gaze, the Empress's smile deepened.Over the years, Guogong Furen, relying on the emperor's favor, had offended countless people. With this incident erupting, many families would come to trample on them. The Duke's residence would vanish from the capital from then on.
It was no wonder she had spent ten thousand taels of silver to bribe the servants of the Duke's residence...
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