Chapter 633 - Chapter 633: Even a monster will not hurt its own children
Chapter 633: Even a monster will not hurt its own children
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The Eldest Prince was the eldest son of the first wife, and he was almost the best choice for the heir to the throne. From the moment he was born, there was a court official who wanted to make the eldest son of the emperor the crown prince. As the eldest son of the first wife existed, unless the other princes rebelled, there was no possibility of them inheriting the throne.
However, if the Empress and the emperor had a feud, then the Eldest Prince…
Zhou Linghuai was surprised by her sharpness, so he said, “When the emperor was in the palace, there was still Secondary Consort Yang. She was the second daughter of the first wife, Yang Zhan, from the former Zhan Residence. After the emperor ascended the throne, he was grateful for Yang Zhan’s kindness in teaching him, so he respected Prime Minister Fu. This Secondary Consort Yang was also conferred the t.i.tle of Consort Xian. Not long after the Ning Residence was convicted, Secondary Consort Yang was sentenced to death for murdering the Eldest Prince, and the entire Yang family was executed.”
Yu Youyao’s heart sank. “Even a monster won’t hurt its own children. The dog emperor is really inferior to a dog or pig.” At this point, she thought of what had happened to the Ning Residence and her cousin’s family. She felt a suppressed anger in her heart. “The dog emperor’s path to the throne was forged by countless bones and blood…”
The 800,000 loyal souls who had died tragically in the North, Duke Ning’s entire family, Grand Tutor Yang’s entire family, and King Li of Zhou’s entire family, as well as the Empress of the Central Palace who had been sick for a
long time…
Zhou Linghuai agreed deeply.
Yu Youyao asked again, “What about Concubine Lu? What role did she play in all of this?”
Zhou Linghuai said meaningfully, “The eldest son of the emperor died prematurely, and the second prince took over. She only needs to play the role of a favored concubine. Why should she get involved in so many things? Yu Youyao did not know what to say.
It seemed that she was not involved in anything, but in fact, she was always the biggest beneficiary. Only when the Ning family was punished did Ning Yuanbo’s residence stand out. Only when the eldest son of the emperor died prematurely could the second son of a consort fight for the throne.
This Concubine Lu was the ruthless one.
At seven o’clock, Yu Zongzheng and Yu Zongshen returned from the government office.
Old Madam Yu invited Zhou Linghuai and Yu Youyao to An Shou Hall.
Yu Zongshen said, “Consort Xu and the Third Prince are imprisoned. This concerns the dignity of the imperial family. Looking at the Empress Dowager and the emperor’s att.i.tude, it’s time for a conclusion in the court tomorrow.”
Things that happened in public only needed to be asked from the beginning to the end. There was no need to go through complicated processes like investigation and evidence collection.
Yu Zongshen said, “There’s no clear evidence that the Third Prince was involved. The Princess Consort of Duke Rongs Residence has also taken all the blame, but the emperor has punished Xu Guidao and the Third Prince.” At this point, he changed the topic. “I received news that the emperor has reinstated Concubine Lu and she has returned to Lanyi Palace.”
After resting for a while, Old Madam Yu felt better.
She suddenly recalled what Zhou Linghuai had said to her at the Precious Peace Temple on the day of the Buddhist Festival.
Even if there were any actions in the palace, they would have to wait until after the examination. At that time, the Third Prince would probably no longer be in the mood to think about these people who were ouf otheir league.
There was still Concubine Lu in the palace. Even if she was banished to the cold palace, she used to be the imperial consort who was in charge of the phoenix seal and the harem.
How long had it been? Zhou Linghuai’s words came true one by one.
Was this really just a coincidence?
Old Madam Yu composed herself and looked at Zhou Linghuai. “What do you think?”
Zhou Linghuai said calmly, “As far as I know, Concubine Lu invited herself into the Cold Palace back then.”
With that said, what was there not to understand?
Concubine Lu’s actions were to retreat in order to advance. Since she had been invited into the cold palace, the emperor would not vent his anger on the Second Prince. He would even pity the Second Prince for losing the protection of his mother. Furthermore, because the Second Prince had lost his backer, he trusted him even more. During this period of time, the emperor’s att.i.tude towards the Second Prince had already explained everything.
Concubine Lu did not need to do much. She could achieve her goal by staying low-key.
What about Imperial Consort Xu?
The Xu Residence was powerful to begin with, and Consort Xu was in charge of the phoenix seal, so she became the head of the concubines.
If Imperial Consort Xu behaved herself, she would be able to live in peace.
Once Consort Xu and the Third Prince made a move, they would anger the emperor.
Concubine Lu’s move of retreating in order to advance was really scheming.
An Shou Hall was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop!
Yu Youyao lowered her eyes. Imperial Consort Xu and the Third Prince had been imprisoned. If they wanted to be released again, it would depend on the emperor. Concubine Lu was still the final winner.
After a while, Yu Zongzheng sighed slightly. “Recently, the emperor’s health has been deteriorating. The second prince is often summoned into the imperial study by the emperor to help the emperor deal with government affairs. The second prince is also the eldest son of a consort. If…”
“Shut up!” Old Madam Yu interrupted him with a sharp gaze.
Yu Zongzheng realized that he had misspoken, but he did not think much of it.
“Mother, Concubine Lu has regained his favor. The emperor trusts the Second Prince. Our family can take this opportunity…”
Consort Xu and the Third Prince were imprisoned because of Yu Youyao.
It was all thanks to the Yu Residence that Concubine Lu could come out of the Cold Palace. Concubine Lu also had to thank them. This was a good time to position themselves well.
If one did not enter the inner palace, it was not impossible to rise in the ranks.
Old Madam Yu raised her hand and smashed a teacup at Yu Zongzheng’s chest. It fell to the ground and shattered.
“Mother—” Yu Zongzheng was shocked. His chest was wet, and he subconsciously jumped up from his chair.
Old Madam Yu stared at him coldly. “I think you’re tired of living. Is this something you can interfere in? Think about the memorial tablet personally bestowed by Emperor Gaozu in the Yu Clan. Who’s worshiped on it?”
Yu Zongzheng’s face turned red from his mother’s reprimand in public, and he couldn’t raise his head. “It’s Duke Zhonglie!’
Old Madam Yu sneered. “Why should our family be on good terms with the Zhenguo Marquis Residence? That’s because the Zhenguo Marquis Residence is a royalist party. Our family can only be a royalist party for generations. Our
family can only be loyal to whoever becomes the emperor. Why do we want to take sides? Why do we want to interfere?
At this point, she gritted her teeth. “You can only do it over my dead body.
Before I die, I’ll definitely write a letter and ask you to be fired for three years. Otherwise, you won’t just harm the entire Yu Residence, but you’ll also harm the entire Yu Clan.”
With an ancestor who had killed his king, how could he dare to think about anything else?!
Did he have a death wish?
Yu Zongzhengs expression did not look too good. He said awkwardly, “Mother, I was just saying it casually. Don’t be angry. What do you mean by over your dead body? It’s too inauspicious.”
He had just stabilized his position in the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs. If he really lost his position, it was still unknown if he could return to the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs after three years. His bright future would be ruined.
Yu Youyao’s lips twitched slightly. Her grandmother was also impressive. She was used to controlling Yu Zongzhengs personality. Why would Yu
Zongzheng want to be involved in the compet.i.tion for the position of heir?
Naturally, it was still because of his future.
If he realized that taking sides could not achieve his goal and would instead throw away his current future, he would be afraid and not dare to cause trouble..