PDLP Chapter 373 I don’t have that much face
Chapter 373 I don’t have that much face
The Fourth Prince said with difficulty: "Father is certainly not!"
The Sixth Prince's expression remained calm. "I understand your thoughts. You're blaming my mother for not letting this matter go, for not raising her hand to let your mother go. My mother is very tolerant of any injustice, and your mother has been banished to the cold palace, right?"
The Fourth Prince was a little annoyed, but his lips pursed, unable to utter a single word. This was a tacit understanding. Which of these noble-born men ever truly considered another? Ultimately, this was the Zhou family's domain. Even the most noble of noble families had to call themselves subjects and servants before them, a phrase they couldn't openly express. Furthermore, the Sixth Prince's disrespect for his dignity in front of the Grand Consort and his brothers infuriated the Fourth Prince to the point of embarrassment.
The Sixth Prince continued, "Of course I know what others are thinking. I can tell you right now, Fourth Prince, that my mother—she's not wrong! You can question her all you want, but you can't say she did anything wrong. Father is concerned about your reputation and wants to minimize this matter. But what about you, Fourth Prince? Are you really going to do nothing? Not make amends? My mother has already issued an imperial decree to all six palaces, acknowledging her mismanagement of the harem and her dereliction of duty. She has also compensated the eunuchs and palace maids who were killed, and settled the matter. What have you and your mother done? Are you blaming others, harboring hatred, and stubbornly refusing to repent?"
"Father is the universal hope of the people. When he was still the Crown Prince, he led his troops to attack the Golden Court on the grasslands and protected millions of civilians on the border. After ascending to the throne, he worked diligently for the people and brought benefits to all the people of the world! I, Zhou Chengchen, am not talented and have no great abilities. Even now, I am still under the protection of my parents. I have not saved or protected many people. If it were me, I would not have the nerve to ask Father to expose this matter! I certainly don't have the nerve to sacrifice so many innocent lives for my own!"
The Sixth Prince's words were merciless. He left the wine glass on the table, turned around, walked out of the room, and went downstairs directly.
The Fourth Prince's face turned blue and red. He was angry and annoyed, and just stood there blankly.
The Grand Prince Consort was filled with regret. If he had known this would happen, he would never have rushed in. However, the Sixth Prince watched him mingle with them, yet he was completely different from before and rejected him without a word. Could it be that the Sixth Prince did this on purpose? The Grand Prince Consort felt that he couldn't think about it anymore.
"I'll take my leave now. The princess is still waiting for me to return to the palace!"
The eldest prince narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched the people walking downstairs. He suddenly said, "Fourth brother, I know a friend in the Beijing Camp. He is now my subordinate. He and his younger brother have been separated since childhood. Two years ago, he finally found his younger brother's whereabouts and was very happy. But... his younger brother will never come back. He died in the palace. What do you think his brother would think? What should he do?"
The eldest prince sighed and said, "Take care of yourself!"
The eldest prince turned and left. The third prince shook his head slightly: "Fourth brother...you should keep your distance from the third sister!"
The Third Prince also left Chunfeng Tower. The Second Prince recalled the time when, as a child, the man had carried him and helped him escape the snake. His mother's legs had gone limp, and after she had carried him, she couldn't even walk. He softly uttered four words: "There's nothing wrong with being kind!"
Then the Second Prince said, "I too am going back to the palace."
The half-drunk Fifth Prince was left behind. He hesitated for a moment and said, "Shall we have another drink?"
The Fourth Prince ignored the Fifth Prince and left without saying a word.
After returning to the palace, the Sixth Prince went to see Emperor Shenwu and told him that he wanted to go out for a walk. He told Emperor Shenwu that he wanted to understand the world and every piece of land in the Dasheng Dynasty. He wanted to set foot on it and understand how people survived on their own land.
The parents talked for a long time, and Emperor Shenwu finally agreed to the Sixth Prince's plan.
The eldest prince went to find that friend. That person was a small guard in the Beijing camp, named Hou Erzhu. He had a very similar temperament to the eldest prince. At first, Hou Erzhu did not know the eldest prince's identity. After knowing it, Hou Erzhu thought that the eldest prince was joking with him. After confirming the eldest prince's identity, he did not change his temper. The eldest prince also regarded him as a close friend. Who knew that Hou Erzhu soon found that he could not contact his brother. When the case of missing palace maids broke out in the palace, Hou Erzhu was forced to ask the eldest prince for help. It was related to his father's concubines and the fourth brother, and the secrets in the palace. The eldest prince was in a dilemma. In the end, the queen took action and Concubine Bai was imprisoned in Chuxiu Palace. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Concubine Bai was related to the case of missing palace maids. Hou Erzhu also became estranged from the eldest prince because of this.
The eldest prince also went there reluctantly that day. Hou Erzhu took back his brother's ashes, and the eldest prince insisted on going to see it.
The second prince went to De'an Palace to visit Concubine Jiang.
Imperial Concubine Jiang was still in De'an Palace and would never go out unless necessary. The Second Prince couldn't help but feel sorry for his mother: "Mother, you are too cautious. I will ask for your help, and you will not mind. Besides, you can't take care of these things right now."
Imperial Concubine Jiang chuckled and said, "Your father is currently arguing with the Empress! The Empress is also irritated by your father's attitude this time. How interesting!"
The Second Prince said, "It's only right that the Queen Mother is angry. The Emperor is not wrong either. It's others who are wrong."
Concubine Jiang's eyes flashed with surprise: "It seems that you like the Queen very much!"
The Second Prince had mixed feelings about Lan Qingwu. Lan Qingwu had saved him as a child, but later on, he monopolized his father's favor. His mother had been alone for years, and even then, he couldn't actually bear Lan Qingwu, the Second Prince. Overall, he didn't dislike Lan Qingwu.
"The Queen Mother once saved her son."
Imperial Concubine Jiang nodded. "Yes! By the way, stay away from the Fourth Prince from now on! After this incident, I always feel that the Fourth Prince looks sinister."
The Second Prince said, "I understand everything, Mother."
The Third Prince also went to visit Concubine Yang. Concubine Yang was feeling sleepy, so upon seeing the Third Prince, she inquired about his wife's condition. Finally, she said sourly, "That day, your father summoned all the imperial physicians to the Qingliang Palace, which somewhat delayed the Third Prince's wife."
The Third Prince lowered his head and said, "It's all my fault! I wasn't a good guard and failed to protect the Third Prince's wife and my mother."
Concubine Yang thought of something and said, "Speaking of this, you did make some mistakes. You favored that palace maid. The Third Prince's wife was seriously injured this time, and you had a lot to do with it."