When Yanran entered, the atmosphere in the main hall was tense and tense.
--An imperial censor has opened fire on Tang Zhuyun, listing her numerous crimes.
First, he is suspected of poisoning the emperor and plotting to kill him; second, he disobeyed the imperial decree and refused to return to the capital; third, he was jealous and refused to allow Prince of Jin to take a concubine; fourth, his jealousy and lack of filial piety triggered divine retribution, causing an earthquake in the border city.
Tang Zhuyun listened with Jinjin.
After listening, the Emperor's expression remained unreadable as he looked at Tang Zhuyun and asked, "Do you have anything to say in your defense?"
He glanced at Tang Mingfan, only to find that the latter had no expression and was focused on eating.
This old man, his beloved daughter is being attacked like this, and he can still sit still?
No, that's definitely wrong.
Tang Zhuyun declared loudly, "The claim that I poisoned the Emperor is completely fabricated. If I had any intention of harming the Emperor, I wouldn't have spent so many years tending to his health. Besides, I was far away on the border at the time. What benefit would it have brought to the Prince or myself if I had harmed the Emperor?"
Everyone was somewhat taken aback.
The last sentence essentially exposes the truth behind the power struggle between the Prince of Jin and the Prince of Ding.
Yes, if anything were to happen to the Emperor, the one who would benefit most would undoubtedly be Prince of Ding, who has the advantage of being in a favorable position.
No matter how powerful the Prince of Jin was, he was too far away to reach the border city and lost the initiative.
"The second charge, disobeying an imperial decree, I deny that," Tang Zhuyun said calmly. "At that time, the border defenses were busy, and later the Prince was seriously injured. It wasn't that I didn't want to obey the decree, but I simply couldn't leave. However, if this is to be used as a charge, I accept the punishment. I believe His Majesty will make a wise judgment!"
"Whether someone is jealous or not, I can't say for sure. The one who has the most say in this is surely the Prince, isn't he?"
Tang Zhuyun looked at Prince of Jin.
The Prince of Jin continued to toy with the cup in his hand, "I have a hidden ailment that only the Princess Consort can cure."
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
I wanted to show off our relationship, I didn't mean for you to say that!
This makes her look like a witch with sorcery.
Everyone was stunned by the Prince of Jin's astonishing answer, and soon some people couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Alright, the Prince of Jin of Jin has already exposed his shortcomings, what else can be said?
The Prince of Jin winked smugly at Tang Zhuyun.
See how amazing I am? I solved my problem with just one sentence, including future problems.
Prince of Ding sneered, "Sixth Brother, you should get your illness treated sooner rather than later."
"Hasn't the Princess been treating me all this time?" Prince of Jin glanced at his crotch. "But you, so young, shouldn't you avoid seeking medical help!"
The emperor looked somewhat annoyed and said, "What about the earthquake?"
Are you getting stuck on one or two things at a time, all revolving around the word "no"?
Where does this father of his own have any face?!
This time, Prince of Jin spoke without Tang Zhuyun having to say a word.
"Bring forth the 'Umbrella of Ten Thousand People'!"
That was a gift specifically given to the Consort of the Prince of Jin by the people of the border town.
Everyone present was shocked by the "umbrella of ten thousand people".
Those red handprints and crooked signatures were truly awe-inspiring when I actually saw them.
The Prince of Jin then said calmly, "Who is to blame and who is to blame for the earthquake? The people of the border city will decide."
Hearing the praises of those around him, Prince of Ding knew that his entire plan had been in vain.
But that wasn't all.
The Prince of Jin said, "Father, I do indeed have something to apologize for."
He stood up, took Linlin's hand, and together they knelt in the center of the ground before the Emperor.
On the ground, there were still flower petals scattered by the dancers.
Both father and son had stern faces, straight backs, and composed demeanor.
Tang Zhuyun: Hey, hey, hey, what's going on with you two?
She didn't know about this arrangement beforehand!
The Emperor glanced at Tang Mingfan again.
He had always felt that he could glean some clues from this old minister.
But today, Tang Mingfan seemed deaf, not hearing anything that was happening in the main hall, and was focused on eating his food.
Could it be that the Tang Family has fallen on hard times again and is now starving?
Yanran secretly slipped back.
Although it was said to be done secretly, it was actually done in full view of everyone.
There was no way around it; the Prince of Jin's Residence was simply too flashy, and its power didn't allow her to keep a low profile.
Watch if you want, it's free.
"Father, the world only knows that I have three sons and one daughter, but they do not know that this is my eldest son. Today, I humbly request that Father grant Linlin his proper name, include him in the imperial register, and that I petition that he be granted the title of Heir Apparent."
Yanran was surprised, then complained, "Mother, you didn't even tell me about such a good thing beforehand."
Tang Zhuyun said quietly, "That's exactly what I wanted to ask your father."
The Prince of Jin's actions were... very sudden.
Was it because his older brother's words touched him?
The Prince of Jin declared, "That's not true!!!"
He was furious.
When he wanted to impress Tang Zhuyun, Pei Shen did it first; when he wanted to surprise Linlin, Tang Baixin was too talkative.
That was his original plan for today!
There was an indescribable sense of frustration.
Why is everyone trying to steal it?
The crowd erupted in an uproar.
What's going on?
How did Tang Mingfan's grandson become the son of the Prince of Prince of Jin?
However, many people already know the truth about this matter; they are just curious about how the emperor will handle it.
Logically speaking, requesting the appointment of a crown prince should be done according to the rules and submitted in a formal memorial; no one should be putting the emperor on a pedestal in front of everyone.
Besides, even if this child were to be recognized as a member of the family, it would still be illegitimate.
Who was his birth mother? And how could he inherit the title if he wasn't the eldest son?
In short, there are too many bugs, and I don't even know where to begin complaining.
In short, did the Prince of Jin start to give up and become completely reckless, no longer caring about anything?
Or is it that the Prince of Jin is about to overturn the table?
For a moment, everyone fell silent, bowing their heads and waiting for the emperor's reply.
After a moment's pause, the Emperor said, "Since it's a request to bestow the title of Heir Apparent, then you should submit a memorial later and let the Ministry of Rites take a look..."
Everyone understood that the Emperor disagreed.
How could those old fogies in the Ministry of Rites possibly agree?
The Emperor is truly a master at shifting blame.
But the Emperor added, "Sixth Prince, I remember your eldest daughter has never been granted a title. She'll be ten next year! Guards, convey my decree: bestow upon Yanran the title of Commandery Princess Rouyi."
Yanran was eating melon—literally honeydew melon—and almost choked when she heard this.
A person sits at a banquet, and a title falls from the sky?
She had never cared about being a princess or anything like that, so why did she suddenly appear?
Besides, bestowing upon her the title of "Majestic Princess" would be good; what the hell is "Rouyi"?
Grandfather, who are you trying to disgust?
But no matter what, we must get up and thank the Lord for His grace.
Thus, Linlin failed to be recognized as a member of the clan, while Yanran inexplicably became a princess.
Everyone couldn't help but think to themselves, "The emperor's mind is unfathomable; his thoughts are truly impossible to fathom!"
However, judging from his unconventional behavior, Prince of Jin is truly the emperor's favorite son.
Elder Lord Cui said softly to Tang Mingfan beside him, "Congratulations, Lord Tang."
The Emperor's mind should already be made up.
Tang Mingfan put his hand behind his ear. "What? Elder Cui, I can't hear clearly now."
Elder Lord Cui cursed under his breath, "That old fox pretending to be deaf and dumb!"