Chapter 15

In the middle of July, in the capital city.

Even though the season had passed the beginning of autumn, the weather was still hot. Emperor Jinglong was indulging in pleasures and had gone to the summer palace outside the city, leaving the crown prince to govern in the palace.

The crown prince, who was in his forties, sat on the throne in the grand hall, dressed in a vermilion court attire, wearing a jade crown. He exuded an elegant and dignified aura, with a hint of imperial majesty.

After the morning court session, the crown prince went to the study.

The study was filled with blocks of ice, providing a refreshing and pleasant atmosphere. The crown prince diligently reviewed the memorials. When he felt tired, he had two young eunuchs massage his shoulders and legs in the inner chamber. There were also palace maids holding trays of delicious and refreshing fruits to feed him.

Apart from being a little busy, his life was similar to that of the immortals in the heavens.

“Your Highness, a letter has arrived from Ningzhou Prefecture.”

A purple-clad eunuch stood respectfully outside the inner chamber, holding a tray with both hands as he reported.

The crown prince, who was enjoying himself, suddenly froze when he heard the news. He motioned for the person to come in and sat up, waving his hand to dismiss the people around him, who then left one by one.

“Whose letter is it?”

The eunuch who delivered the letter had just entered the room, and the crown prince had already asked, his voice revealing a hint of concealed unease.

The Zhou family of Ningzhou Prefecture was like a wolf in the southern region. The court had finally enjoyed a few stable years, and the crown prince truly didn’t want the Zhou family to provoke them again at this time.

“It’s from Princess Huarong.”

The crown prince raised his eyebrows in astonishment.

Huarong was the most beloved princess in his father’s eyes. Since his father married Huarong to Zhou Wen, Huarong had harbored resentment. It had been seven years since she went there, and not a single letter had been sent back to the capital.

In the center of the tray, there was a thin envelope placed quietly.

The crown prince really wanted to open it and take a look, but he knew that his father, who paid little attention to state affairs, would attach great importance to a letter from Huarong.

He remained silent for a while, contemplating the letter. Then, he smiled and instructed, “Summon the Duke Ding.”

Duke Ding was Huarong’s elder brother. They would go together to the imperial palace to see their father. If there was good news from Huarong, he didn’t mind sharing the glory with Duke Ding. If it was bad news, then Duke Ding could bear their father’s wrath. He could easily distance himself from the matter.

Duke Ding was at the Ministry of War, which was close by. He swiftly arrived within a quarter of an hour.

The crown prince smiled and said, “We have received a letter from Huarong. Let’s give our father the good news together. Our father has been eagerly awaiting this letter for seven years.”

Duke Ding stood with his head bowed, listening to the crown prince’s words. When he heard the first sentence, he suddenly raised his head, and his sharp gaze fell directly on the envelope in the crown prince’s hand.

Huarong, his only younger sister.

Seven years ago, he was ordered to lead troops to fight against enemies in the northern region. He was confident that he could repel the enemy from the grasslands. Unexpectedly, the two fiefdom princes from the southwest and southeast regions rebelled, and the court was under attack from both sides.

All the capable generals, including himself, were sent out by his father. At that time, the Zhou family in the southwest also showed signs of unrest.

His father became fearful. In order to stabilize the Zhou family and the shaky kingdom, he actually married his sister off to them.

He was far away in the north and unable to return to the capital. He sent several memorials trying to dissuade his father, but all he received was an order to focus on defeating the northern enemies without being distracted.

Duke Ding harbored resentment in his heart, a resentment that couldn’t fade even after seven years.

The crown prince admired the fleeting complexity in Duke Ding’s eyes and chuckled. “Let’s go.”

Duke Ding lowered his gaze again and followed behind the crown prince as they set off.

In the imperial palace, Emperor Jinglong, who was nearly sixty years old, was playing around in the pool with his concubines. When he heard that the crown prince and Duke Ding had come to see him, Emperor Jinglong sighed regretfully, climbed out of the pool with a lingering reluctance, and tidied up his appearance.

“On such a hot day, why have you two come?,” Emperor Jinglong asked with a hint of disappointment as he looked at his two sons entering the room one after another. One was dignified and noble, exuding the aura of a benevolent ruler, while the other bore the marks of hardships on his face, like a towering pine tree that couldn’t be toppled. Emperor Jinglong was satisfied as he stroked his beard. Among his many princes, these two were the most promising, one in civil affairs and the other in military affairs. They both assisted him in governing the country, and he trusted them as his most capable right-hand men.

“Come, have some tea.”

Emperor Jinglong cordially invited them.

The crown prince glanced at Duke Ding and took out the thin envelope from his pocket, smiling as he handed it to Emperor Jinglong. “Father, take a look at this. What is it?”

Emperor Jinglong narrowed his eyes. When he saw the words on the envelope, he stood up in excitement. His face, pale due to insufficient blood circulation, turned red quickly, and tears welled up in the corners of his eyes. He looked at Duke Ding with emotion and said, “It’s from Huarong. Huarong has finally written to us!”

In the past, he had a beloved concubine who was the most beautiful in the world. She gave birth to a little princess who could only be matched with the name “Huarong.”

The beloved concubine passed away early, and Emperor Jinglong poured all his love into his daughter.

He couldn’t bear to send his daughter to Ningzhou, but on one side was his daughter, and on the other side was the peace and stability of countless people in the empire . He was the emperor and couldn’t be so selfish.

Seeing Emperor Jinglong’s tears, Duke Ding just continued to lower his head.

On the other hand, the crown prince rubbed his eyes and gently supported Emperor Jinglong, sighing, “Father, you can rest assured now. I have always said that Huarong has a noble and understanding heart and will not harbor resentment towards you for what happened in the past. The lack of communication for so many years must have been due to interference from the Zhou family.”

The crown prince’s words were laced with sarcasm, but Emperor Jinglong and Duke Ding didn’t take offense.

.

Soon after the decree granting the title of Princess arrived in Ningzhou, a major incident occurred in the city.

Cao Mingguang was exposed by one of his subordinates for embezzling military funds. Over the years, the total amount had reached millions of taels.

Not only that, Cao Mingguang also allowed his relatives to bully men and women, and seize land from the common people. When the common people reported it to the local magistrate, Cao Mingguang personally wrote letters to the local officials, resulting in the cases being dismissed and the people being wronged.

The evidence was conclusive, and even the other three generals found it difficult to intercede for him, despite their past comradeship on the battlefield.

Especially the embezzlement of military funds by the Cao family, which violated the rights and interests of the generals and soldiers in Ningzhou Prefecture. The news spread, and even the 50,000 soldiers under the command of the Cao family despised them and wished to behead them immediately.

Looking at the bound and kneeling Cao Mingguang and his son, Zhou Wen’s handsome face was filled with regret. “Uncle Cao, before my father passed away, he entrusted me to respect and value you. But with your actions, how can I tolerate it?”

Cao Mingguang’s face turned pale, and he wanted to curse, but he couldn’t lift his head in the face of the evidence.

How could he lift his head?

Zhou Wen even exposed the pair of concubines he kept in private. It turned out that those concubines were not just anyone—they were his cousin and his cousin’s daughter!

The people’s spit was about to drown him!

At the same time, burdened with the crime of beheading and the scandalous reputation, not to mention the hatred from the late king underground, even the ancestors of the Cao family found it difficult to tolerate him!

Zhou Wen didn’t personally punish the Cao family.

He sent people to escort the entire Cao family to the capital. After all, the military funds were allocated by the court, so such a serious crime should be judged and punished by the court.

.

Zhen nan Prince’s Residence.

Feng Yuanyuan quietly arrived at Zhou Wen’s study.

“Father, was it you who exposed the Cao family?”

Last month, the Cao family had just tried to plot against the Zhen nan Wangs Residence, and this month, they were in trouble. Even though Feng Yuanyuan was young, it was difficult for her not to link these two incidents together.

Zhou Wen smiled. “Their embezzlement of military funds and protection of their wicked relatives were not my doing.”

Feng Yuanyuan asked again, “I mean, was it you who exposed the Cao family?”

Zhou Wen didn’t play dumb this time.

Feng Yuanyuan admired and was puzzled at the same time. “Then why did you only take action now, even though you should have known that the Cao family was not good people?”

Zhou Wen looked at his daughter’s serious face and explained, “Cao Mingguang was, after all, a veteran by my father’s side. Besides, the situation in the court is uncertain. Keeping him might still be useful.”

“But since he dared to plot against me, there will be a next time. How can I be on guard against him day and night?”

If Cao Mingguang had directly plotted against him personally, Zhou Wen might have been more tolerant.

But Cao Mingguang’s plot had harmed his family.

His second brother was straightforward and lacked guile, and his nephews were young and naive. They lacked vigilance. Once the Cao family devised another scheme, they would easily fall into it.

Therefore, Zhou Wen swiftly eradicated this internal threat from the Cao family.

“One must not harbor harmful intentions, but if others want to harm us, we cannot be soft-hearted. Do you understand, Yuanyuan?”

Feng Yuanyuan nodded, but she also noticed something and curiously asked, “Father, what do you mean by the uncertain situation in the court?”

Zhou Wen smiled. “You’re still young. You will understand when you grow up.”

In the face of such questions that elders don’t want to answer, Feng Yuanyuan obediently suppressed her curiosity and took her leave.

Zhou Wen sat in front of his desk, looking out the window.

His father harbored ambitions to rebel, but rebellion was not an easy task. It required the right timing, favorable conditions, and capable people.

If the court was filled with people like Emperor Jinglong and the crown prince, who were foolish and ignorant, unable to resist external enemies and unable to guarantee the well-being and stability of the people, Zhou Wen would have rebelled long ago.

But the court still had Duke Ding, who had the people’s support and was also his older brother.

Zhou Wen was willing to give Duke Ding a chance.

If Duke Ding could overthrow the crown prince and take his place, Zhou Wen would willingly bow and become a subject. Otherwise, he would accompany Huarong back to the capital in a different capacity.

Fengyi Hall.

Yingyue stood guard outside, while Weiyun knelt beside Princess Huarong’s bed, gently massaging her legs and whispering, “Princess, with the Cao family’s situation, is it possible that Prince arranged it?”

Last month, the Cao family had tried to scheme against the Wang Residence, and this month, they were in trouble. Even though Weiyun was young, she couldn’t help but link these two incidents together.

Princess Huarong remained silent.

Because she also didn’t know what Zhou Wen was really thinking.

After seven years of marriage, sometimes she could sense that Zhou Wen seemed to have some affection for her. However, there were too many obstacles between them, and Princess Huarong instinctively resisted these romantic feelings.

As long as she guarded her heart, it didn’t matter whether Zhou Wen rebelled or not.