Chapter 338: Meng Shen Suffers Humiliation
Yun Chu took two steps forward.
The eunuch guarding outside the Imperial Academy immediately bowed, preparing to pay respects.
She waved her hand, signaling the young eunuch not to make any noise.
She saw Meng Shen heading into the woods behind the school, followed shortly by three or four other boys of similar age.
She recognized two of them: one was the current Sixth Prince, who had been enfeoffed as Prince Cheng. With one ear missing, his face was filled with malice. The other was the eldest son of the Grand Princess.
The Grand Princess was a relatively obscure princess without even an official title. However, if one were to mention the incident two years ago when Marquis Liu committed a breach of etiquette before the Emperor and was beheaded by the Emperor himself, many would likely recall this princess.
As for the other children, Yun Chu didn't recognize them, but she could guess they were also sons of noble families in the court.
The group surrounded Meng Shen.
The Sixth Prince shoved Meng Shen hard, nearly knocking him to the ground, while the others burst into laughter.
Yun Chu's expression darkened.
The Sixth Prince had always enjoyed bullying others—first Xie Shi'an, who was highly regarded by their tutor, and now Meng Shen, the newcomer to the Imperial Academy.
Since the Sixth Prince's injury, the Emperor had doted on him excessively, allowing the prince to become increasingly unrestrained, bullying others openly in broad daylight.
Qiutong whispered, "Princess Consort, your instructions?"
Yun Chu replied calmly, "Let's go to the Everlasting Autumn Palace."
Qiutong assumed Yun Chu was going to inform Yin Fei, but Yun Chu merely paid her respects, stayed for a meal, and then left the palace.
Yin Fei was a person of little cunning or foresight, and Yun Chu had no intention of letting her take this matter to confront Yuan Fei. If the two caused trouble, Chu Yi would ultimately have to clean up the mess.
In the evening, Meng Shen dined as usual in Yun Chu's courtyard.
Yu Ge'er and Changsheng chattered away, occasionally asking academic questions, which Meng Shen answered earnestly.
After the meal, Meng Shen stood up to take his leave, but Yun Chu stopped him. "You've been living in the prince's residence for a while now, nephew, but your aunt hasn't had a proper chat with you yet."
Meng Shen sat back down.
"I see dark circles under your eyes—are you not sleeping well?" Yun Chu asked with concern. "Is the accommodation uncomfortable?"
Meng Shen hurriedly replied, "I stayed up late studying, that's all. The accommodation is fine. Thank you for your concern, Aunt."
Yun Chu set down her teacup. "Nephew, your mother isn't in the capital. If anything happens, you must tell me so I can help you."
Meng Shen pressed his lips together and remained silent.
Yun Chu waited for a while, but he still said nothing.
She felt a headache coming on.
Qinghua Princess talked too much, while Meng Shen talked too little.
"I passed by the Imperial Academy today and saw the Sixth Prince, Prince Cheng, and a few other boys bullying you," Yun Chu said slowly. "Your status is not low—you shouldn't have to endure such treatment."
"It's nothing," Meng Shen murmured, keeping his head down. "They were just playing around with me."
Seeing that he still refused to speak, Yun Chu sighed. "Then let's just assume your aunt saw wrong."
Meng Shen stood up, bowed to Yun Chu with clasped hands, and then left.
Outside, he lifted his head to gaze at the moon.
It wasn't that he didn't want to speak up, but doing so would only bring unnecessary trouble to his uncle and aunt.
Now that the Sixth Prince enjoyed the Emperor's deep favor, while his uncle had been suspended from his post for over half a year and hadn't attended court, if his uncle were to confront the Sixth Prince, he would surely suffer.
Moreover, his grandmother was as simple-minded as his mother—she would surely impulsively lodge a complaint but gain nothing from it in the end.
What was the point?Moreover, the sixth prince and his companions hadn't really done anything to him—they merely asked him to help with their homework assignments.
Meng Shen returned to his own courtyard and studied by candlelight until nearly midnight.
When Chu Yi returned that evening, Yun Chu woke up and said to him, "Shen Ge'er is being bullied at the Imperial College. What do you think should be done about it?"
Chu Yi's voice was indifferent. "He's already eight years old. He should learn to solve his own problems. Even if it were Yu Ge'er facing the same situation, I wouldn't interfere."
Yun Chu shook her head. "I don't think he has any intention of resolving it."
"That's his own affair." Chu Yi tucked her in. "You should focus on resting well during your pregnancy and not worry about such matters."
During dinner the next evening, Yun Chu noticed a dark bruise at the corner of Meng Shen's mouth.
Chu Hongyu laughed heartily. "Mother, Shen Ge is really clumsy! He walked right into a table and bruised his mouth."
Meng Shen quickly covered the corner of his mouth.
Yun Chu could tell at a glance that the child had likely been tripped, causing him to fall and get injured.
She didn't ask further, knowing it would be futile to press for answers.
As days passed, Yun Chu's belly gradually swelled. Her body grew heavier, and each day became increasingly difficult to endure.
One day, the Empress arranged a family banquet.
Unlike previous palace banquets attended by many officials and their families, this gathering included only members of the royal family.
The Emperor and Empress sat in the main seats, with the princes and their consorts arranged in order of age. The younger children, still attending classes at the Imperial College, would join for the midday meal.
"Third Prince, you've been idle at home long enough," the Emperor spoke coldly. "Do you truly intend to never attend court again?"
Chu Yi stood up. "Your son was thinking of waiting until after this child is born and the full moon celebration is held before—"
"Hah!" The Emperor laughed in frustration. "Why not say you'll return to court after the child comes of age?"
The Empress gently intervened, "Your Majesty, I believe Yi'er may simply dislike his duties in the Ministry of Works. Perhaps we could have him gain experience in the Ministry of Revenue instead."
Among the six ministries, the Ministry of Revenue was the most crucial, overseeing the entire Great Jin's population and finances—all currently under Chu Mo's control. If Chu Yi could enter and stir things up, it would greatly benefit the Eastern Palace.
Chu Yi remained silent.
The Empress continued, "Your Majesty, you see? This is what Yi'er intends."
The Emperor tapped his fingers lightly.
Two tigers cannot share one mountain. Having two princes in the Ministry of Revenue would undoubtedly create numerous complications.
Although he had many sons, the fourth prince was dead, the fifth was under house arrest, the sixth had lost an ear, the eighth had gone to his fiefdom, and the rest were still too young...
Even with many sons, they couldn't withstand endless turmoil.
After brief contemplation, the Emperor said, "There's a vacancy in the Grand Secretariat. What do you think, Yi'er?"
The Empress was startled.
Although positions in the Grand Secretariat held lower official ranks, their actual authority surpassed that of the six ministries. Entering would grant direct access to all six ministries, making it even more formidable than controlling the Ministry of Revenue.
"No need, Father." Chu Yi bowed. "Your son wishes to serve at the Court of Judicial Review. Several cases have recently emerged, and the Chief Minister needs assistance."
The Emperor felt relieved.
It seemed Yi'er truly had no interest in imperial power whatsoever.
When he agreed to marry the Yun family daughter, the Yun family was in decline.
He showed no urgency after being absent from court for over half a year.
Now, given an opportunity, he didn't seize it but chose instead to go to the Court of Judicial Review.
"Very well. You shall assume your post at the Court of Judicial Review tomorrow."
The Emperor's decision was final.Prince Gong Xi breathed a sigh of relief. If the third prince had entered the cabinet, he would have had to expend more effort. Fortunately, that wasn't the case...
As the group chatted, the conversation suddenly turned to the newly appointed Teacher Wang at the Imperial College.
Chu Yi spoke up: "Yu Ge'er has been making remarkable progress lately, all thanks to Teacher Wang. Why don't we go observe how Teacher Wang conducts his classes?"
His suggestion was immediately met with nods of approval from many present.
Their own children were also studying at the Imperial College, yet none had ever witnessed how their children behaved in the classroom.
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