"Your Highness the Crown Prince has grown so arrogant today? The sages said that when the Son of Heaven breaks the law, he is punished like any commoner. Your Highness should set an example for all under heaven. How can you treat the matter of Duke Ying's Estate so lightly? You must not show favoritism. This case is vast in scope and appalling to hear of. Heaven itself has laid bare these wicked deeds, yet Your Highness even pleaded with His Majesty on their behalf. Have you spared a thought for His Majesty's difficulties?"
Did this old fool even know what he was saying?
Though Empress Lu also disagreed with the Crown Prince pleading for Duke Ying's Estate before the emperor, even she, a woman confined to the inner palace, knew what these old fools would say if he did not go: that the Crown Prince was hardhearted, unmoved even when his wife's family suffered. So nothing he did would be right?
The more Empress Lu listened, the angrier she grew. It was not that she truly sympathized with her son's difficulties. She felt her own standing had been slighted. How dared these court officials point at the Crown Prince's nose and berate him? Such audacity! They should all be dragged out and beheaded!
"Your Highness, do you object?"
Of course Empress Lu objected, but she did not dare snap back. Her gaze turned exceptionally sharp, frightening the old minister into taking a step back. He dropped to his knees. "Your Majesty, this old minister lacks the ability to correct His Highness the Crown Prince. I ask leave to return to my hometown. I beg Your Majesty to grant my request."
Then he actually began weeping, tears and snot streaming down his face. The emperor did not even try to