PDLP Chapter 387 The deposed prince
Chapter 387 The deposed prince
"Not to mention that the Emperor has already bestowed a marriage upon him and the daughter of Grand Tutor Liu, which Liu Qingyun really doesn't understand."
"Miss, I heard that the Dowager Lady of the Marquis of Dingguo's mansion wanted to bring you in as a concubine, so the master was very angry and dismissed the matchmaker..."
The maid's words really frightened Liu Qingyun.
My father will definitely be furious with the way the Marquis of Dingguo's family is doing this.
How could the daughter of a high-ranking official like herself deign to become a concubine?
This Marquis of Dingguo's mansion is truly going too far.
Therefore, her father might consider betrothing her to Prince Duan.
Liu Qingyun frowned.
Rumors are circulating in the capital.
The emperor wanted to depose the crown prince and install Prince Duan as the new crown prince.
Therefore, he appointed his own father as Prince Duan's teacher, supervising his studies every day and teaching him the way of governing the country.
But Liu Qingyun inexplicably disliked Prince Duan.
Although Prince Duan was well-off and looked quite good, she could see through his hypocrisy.
She doesn't like men like that.
Two days later.
When Liu's father told his daughter that the emperor was going to bestow a marriage upon her and Prince Duan, Liu Qingyun was not surprised.
Seeing her daughter's sullen expression, Madam Liu said earnestly, "Yun'er, you're not young anymore. Now that Prince Duan has regained favor, there's a possibility that..."
Madam Liu doesn't need to say anything more; her daughter surely understands.
"My daughter knows!"
My mother has always liked to compare herself to others, and she was probably even more unhappy after learning that Madam Liu's daughter, Liu Shuning, had chosen a good husband.
What's more, this good husband is the heir of the Marquis of Dingguo's family, whom she thought would choose her, so her mother is naturally uncomfortable.
Now that Prince Duan has once again come into the emperor's sights, the Liu family will likely be determined to hold on tightly to this powerful figure.
royal palace.
"Father, I've noticed how well you've treated my third brother these past few days. Does that mean I should switch to the Crown Prince?"
The seventh prince looked up and asked innocently.
Emperor Cheng of Ming loosened his grip on the hand that was holding him as he practiced calligraphy.
"Who taught you to say that?"
Emperor Cheng of Ming had sharp eyes and brows.
The seventh prince looked on, his eyes filled with fear.
But remembering that man's instructions, the Seventh Prince stammered, "Father, Father, no one taught me, I thought of it myself..."
Seeing the fear on his face, Emperor Mingcheng said with heartache, "Huai'er, don't be afraid, Father is just asking..."
Since Consort Lian was executed by him, the Seventh Prince has become increasingly timid.
I wonder how the palace servants usually take care of him.
"That's enough calligraphy practice for today! You can go now!"
Upon hearing that it was finally over, the Seventh Prince's face instantly regained its luster.
After the Seventh Prince left, Emperor Mingcheng summoned Eunuch Wei.
"Go and thoroughly investigate all those serving the Seventh Prince. Anyone found to have treacherous intentions should be executed!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Huai'er was simple-minded, and Emperor Mingcheng liked this quality of his. He never expected that those people would dare to lay a hand on him!
"Your Majesty, Eunuch Wei and his men have executed Xiao Xizi, who serves the Seventh Prince..."
Do you know what crime you have committed?
"It seems that we didn't take good care of him, which caused the Seventh Prince to fall ill some time ago."
"It seems His Majesty has discovered..."
The Empress clutched the handkerchief in her hand tightly, her heart filled with unease.
The Prince Duan's return to favor led to rumors in the palace that the Emperor intended to replace the Crown Prince.
Although the Empress was uneasy, she still tried her best to remain calm.
She, the Empress, is still sitting here peacefully, and besides, the Crown Prince hasn't committed any heinous crimes. What reason does the Emperor have to replace the Crown Prince?
Although she wasn't afraid, as the rumors spread, she was still worried that the Emperor might really have such intentions.
That's why someone taught the Seventh Prince some lessons.
The Emperor truly dotes on Consort Lian's foolish son, even sending Eunuch Wei to intervene.
When Consort Ji heard about the Seventh Prince's situation, she felt a surge of relief.
She had originally intended to use the Seventh Prince to test the Emperor, but the Empress beat her to it.
Therefore, she could no longer stroke the tiger's fur.
Everyone says that Prince Duan will become the crown prince, but the emperor says nothing about it, leaving his ministers to speculate.
Shen Bazhi also sent a message, asking her to confirm the authenticity of the news.
But after what happened with the Empress, how could she dare to test the waters again?
Qingsong Courtyard.
"Your Highness, what is your opinion on the matter concerning Prince Duan?"
Prince Duan?
Lu Hanting frowned.
"He's just a decoy. If His Majesty truly cared, would he have allowed him to stay in that barbaric land of Nanzhao for so long?"
"Your Highness, is it possible that His Majesty is disappointed in the Crown Prince?"
Some time ago, the Crown Prince took it upon himself to release the Eldest Princess, and the Emperor was probably angry with the Crown Prince for this.
Lu Hanting narrowed his eyes slightly.
"That's not impossible!"
Although Prince Duan tried his best to cover up what he was doing in his fiefdom, he still managed to find some clues.
Prince Duan is probably not willing to stay in his fiefdom.
Lu Hanting did not report Lu Hanting's misdeeds to the emperor regarding the Nanzhao war.
But even if he spoke up, what difference would it make? The emperor certainly wouldn't punish his son for this.
If things really escalate, it might even implicate Chen Furong and the others.
This actually gave Prince Duan an advantage, allowing him to return to the capital to receive the emperor's reward.
"Then, Your Highness, how should we respond?"
"Hold back for now!"
Now that military power has returned to his own hands, it will be difficult for the emperor to find an excuse to take it back from him.
He believed that the appearance of Prince Duan would be a turning point.
He will wait until that day.
"Your Highness, the Lady of the Marquis requests your presence!"
Lost in thought, Cuizhu walked in.
Seeing this, Ru Feng suddenly remembered that several unfamiliar faces had visited the Marquis's residence recently. The Marquis's wife... could she be thinking of...?
Qiu Shui Pavilion.
Lady Hou looked at the imposing Lu Hanting before her, wishing he were truly her own flesh and blood.
Then she wouldn't have to live in constant fear, afraid that one day after Ting'er lost power, she would be ousted from the throne by the Marquis.
The new woman at Chunfeng Garden is now pregnant.
Judging from this trend, if I were to step down, the Marquis would probably not hesitate to remove me from my position as the Marquis's wife.
Lady Hou only hoped that her adopted son would live up to expectations.
"Ting'er, please sit down. These are pastries that Yuanyuan made herself..."
Lady Hou pulled her niece, who was still standing there dumbfounded, over.
"Yuanyuan, quickly greet your cousin, the young master!"
The voluptuous young woman in front of him looked at Lu Hanting shyly, her eyes sparkling.
"Your Highness, Yuanyuan greets you!"
Seeing the chubby girl staring at him like a lovesick fool, Lu Hanting immediately frowned.
She thought Liu had something to ask her, but it turned out to be that Liu was arranging a woman for her.
"Mother, I have something to attend to, so I'll be leaving now!"
Lu Hanting showed no politeness whatsoever, striding straight out of the courtyard with his long legs.
Seeing Lu Hanting leave without the slightest hesitation, Liu Yuanyuan looked at Liu Shi with a helpless expression.
"Auntie, does my cousin not like me?"
"Oh, Yuanyuan, please stop crying, it's not your fault..."
Ting'er probably doesn't like fat girls; he only likes the type like Wu Weiwei.
But where is she going to find him a substitute?
After Lu Hanting came out of Qiushui Pavilion, he looked at Rufeng beside him with a blank expression.
"Did you already know this?"
The fact that he was suppressing a laugh just now shows that Ru Feng already knew what Liu had done.
"I'm innocent, Your Highness! I only noticed a few new faces in the manor; I didn't know they were the men the Madam had chosen for you..."