Submitting Memorials

"Everyone, please come and read the memorial first, and let's clarify the ins and outs together."

The First Grand Secretary sat at his desk and laid out several memorials for the Grand Secretariat officials to read.

The Grand Secretariat officials gathered around, exchanging and reading the memorials submitted by the Members of the Lin clan and friends.

After reading three documents, the Assistant Grand Secretary Grand Secretary Zhang spoke first, saying, "The actions of the Heir of the Marquis of Wuding are rather absurd."

His voice wasn't loud, but it was strong and everyone could hear it clearly.

The First Grand Secretary nodded and asked him, "What are your thoughts?"

Everyone put down their folded documents and listened intently.

In reality, the Grand Secretary has the First Grand Secretary say in all matters within the Grand Secretariat.

However, Assistant Grand Secretary Zhang recently recommended a Physician who treats eye diseases to the emperor, and he suddenly became very close to the emperor and Prince Huan, which is when he was in favor.

Just as Assistant Grand Secretary Zhang was about to speak, someone outside announced, "Prince Huan has arrived."

The Grand Secretariat officials all turned to look. Qi Lingheng took a cloak and gave it to A Fu, then calmly walked in, his expression serious. "I heard that last night more than a dozen memorials were submitted Wuding Marquis Residence?"

The First Grand Secretary, accompanied by his entourage, approached and bowed. "Your Prince."

Qi Lingheng nodded slightly and said, "Please sit down and talk."

The First Grand Secretary instructed someone, "Show this to the Prince."

Qi Lingheng casually flipped through a few documents, his expression growing increasingly grim. Finally, when he put down the memorial, he practically threw it onto the table. Sitting in his chair, he asked the Grand Secretariat officials, "Has there been a decision yet?"

Assistant Grand Secretary Zhang came out and said, "Not yet."

Thinking of how Grand Tutor Lin had been Qi Lingheng's teacher, although their teacher-student relationship had ended many years ago, Prince Huan wouldn't inquire about the Lin clan's affairs without a reason. He must still remember Grand Tutor Lin's kindness, right?

Seeing that no one dared to ask directly, he spoke first, "Although the Heir of the Marquis of Wuding has a bad reputation, there are not many precedents for dealing with the affairs of nobles, so I would like to ask Your Prince for advice."

Qi Lingheng smiled and said, "I'm just here to hear what you all have to say."

The First Grand Secretary and the Assistant Grand Secretary exchanged a glance, wondering if the Prince was about to intervene. Did he intend to get involved or not?

Qi Lingheng stood up and said, "Since Imperial Father entrusted me with the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel, I can only manage matters such as the transfer and promotion of officials. As for things unrelated to my duties, you can discuss them yourselves."

Looks like they're leaving.

Assistant Grand Secretary Zhang added, "Your Prince, then we will report the matter truthfully."

Qi Lingheng walked quickly without looking back.

Everyone understood. The First Grand Secretary said, "Make exact copies and submit them."

The news spread quickly, and the court officials discussed it privately.

"Does Your Prince intend to get involved in the Lin Family's affairs or not? Why did you come and leave without giving any hints or explanations?"

Fearing eavesdroppers, everyone spoke in hushed tones, "If His Prince didn't want to get involved, he wouldn't have come all this way."

"Everyone knows that Grand Tutor Lin was once the Prince's teacher. The Prince's interference is too obvious, so it's inevitable that some people will say he has ulterior motives."

"If the Crown Prince's men find out, they'll submit another memorial, which will only make things more troublesome."

"Furthermore, in the royal family, the order is ruler and subject first, then father and son. Since Your Prince is only in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, it would be overstepping the bounds if Your Prince wanted to interfere in other matters."

\

After reading the memorial and hearing the rumors circulating outside, Emperor Jingshun summoned Qi Lingheng.

"Imperial Father."

Qi Lingheng knelt inside the inner hall, a soft futon resting on his knees.

Aside from him and the frail Crown Prince, no one else in the entire court could be found to receive such treatment.

Emperor Jingshun sat high above him, holding a memorial in his hand, pretending to be asleep and ignoring him.

Helpless, Qi Lingheng called out again, "Your subject kowtows to Your Majesty for your well-being."

Emperor Jingshun snorted coldly, sat up, and said, "You still know how to come see me?"

The father was just urging his son to get married, but the son avoided him for months and wouldn't even come to see him in private!

Although she was angry, she couldn't bear to see her son kneeling on the ground.

He ordered, "Please take a seat."

The Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, known outside as "Old Ancestor" or "Nine-Thousand-Year-Old," was also very respectful in front of Qi Lingheng. He pulled up a chair and whispered, "Your Prince, you've really angered the Emperor this time. Quickly, you should appease him properly."

Qi Lingheng smiled slightly and said okay.

After the Chief Eunuch withdrew, Emperor Jingshun pointed to the memorials piled up beside him, which were taller than a stool. They were all memorials Heir of the Marquis of Wuding.

He said, "I have seen it; the Heir Apparent of Wuding Marquis Residence is truly foolish."

"If it weren't for the military achievements of the Old Marquis of Wuding and the fact that Lin Ming taught you, the words 'Wuding Marquis Residence' should never have appeared before my eyes again."

Qi Lingheng said calmly, "Imperial Father is wise."

He frowned and asked, "Since you have already made your decision, why did you summon your son here—"

Emperor Jingshun smiled and said, "I heard you made a special trip to the Grand Secretariat regarding this matter. I'd like to hear your thoughts."

A father, of course, understands his son.

As a son, he understands his father very well.

Qi Lingheng said, "Imperial Father, please speak plainly."

Emperor Jingshun said sternly, "Although the Heir of the Marquis of Wuding is muddle-headed, there is no evidence that he murdered his wife, and it cannot be related to favoring a concubine over his wife. At most, he will be demoted or stripped of his official position."

"Heng'er, if you have no other ideas, I will handle it this way."

Qi Lingheng's face turned cold, but he was always composed, especially in front of his father.

He smiled faintly and asked, "Imperial Father, what if I have some ideas?"

Emperor Jingshun was waiting for his son to say those words.

He nodded with great satisfaction before saying, "Next year you will be going to your fiefdom, and your Empress and I are truly worried about your marriage. If we could see you go to your fiefdom with Empress Prince Huan Consort, that would be the best we could do."

The matter of suppressing the Wuding Marquis Residence is utterly insignificant compared to his son's marriage.

Qi Lingheng knelt on the ground and said calmly, "This is the king's business, and I have no right to interfere. I take my leave."

He bowed his head and withdrew, for he could not turn his back to the emperor, and only turned around after leaving the palace gate.

Emperor Jingshun was so angry that he smashed a double-eared porcelain vase.

When the Chief Eunuch of Directorate of Ceremonial entered, he was trembling with fear upon seeing how angry the Emperor was.

"Wasn't the advice given to the Prince to appease the emperor...?"

Why is the Emperor even angrier now!

Emperor Jingshun returned to the Empress's Yikun Palace in a fit of rage.

Zhao Susu, accompanied by palace servants, knelt to greet the emperor.

Emperor Jingshun helped her up, frowning as he said, "Why are you still kneeling? Get up."

Zhao Susu quickly dismissed the palace servants and anxiously asked the emperor, "Well? Has Heng'er agreed?"

"He'll never agree to that!"

Emperor Jingshun couldn't help but utter a vulgar curse.

Zhao Susu was used to it. Although one of them was the ruler of a country and the other was the empress, they were just like any other couple in private. They didn't have many formalities when they talked behind closed doors.

"Look at the fine son you've raised, Empress. He'll drive me to my death sooner or later!"

Zhao Susu was ten years younger than Emperor Jingshun, and was used to acting like a young girl in front of her husband. She said with great grievance, "Your Majesty, I cannot give birth on my own!"

Emperor Jingshun was speechless.

It wasn't easy for him to ascend to the throne back then. How come he had so many tricks up his sleeve, yet he couldn't deal with his own son?

He said angrily, "I told him to get married, not that I told him to..." But then he remembered that the word was unlucky and couldn't bear to use it on his son.

Zhao Susu sighed, "It's all my fault."

When princes reached a certain age, they had to choose palace Palace Maids to test whether they had any problems in that area. However, Qi Lingheng's experience was not smooth, which even affected his marriage.

Emperor Jingshun held the Empress's hand and said, "How can I blame you?"

There are many shady things happening in the Imperial Palace, and even the Empress can't guard against them all.

Zhao Susu was truly at a loss and said helplessly, "I thought he was grateful for Grand Tutor Lin's kindness and was willing to back down."

Surprisingly, he couldn't be persuaded by anyone.

Emperor Jingshun shook his head and said with a smile, "Susu, you still don't understand Heng'er."

Zhao Susu is nearly forty, but she is very well-maintained and looks no older than thirty. She has a lot of charm.

She looked at Emperor Jingshun and asked curiously, "What do you mean, Your Majesty?"

Looking at her face, Emperor Jingshun had lost all interest in answering.