Mu Ziyu was determined to kill his nominal uncle no matter what.
A fierce conflict broke out between the father and son. Mu Ziyu led his men and confronted the Prince of Liaodong with swords drawn.
The formidable enemy has not yet retreated, and internal divisions have already begun.
Therefore, Linlin has a very heavy task ahead of her.
He was going to try to reconcile the irreconcilable conflict between the father and son.
Tang Zhuyun frowned in thought.
After a moment, she slowly said, "It is indeed unacceptable for a son to surpass his father; however, it is only natural for a son to inherit his father's business."
The Prince of Liaodong, just kill him.
"That's what I thought too, but it's not feasible now," Emperor Wen said. "Over the years, Mu Ziyu has focused primarily on self-preservation; while the Consort has cultivated relationships with many people to pave the way for her son."
In other words, even if the Prince of Liaodong were to die, his subordinates would most likely split into two factions, choosing sides between Mu Ziyu and his brother.
Although Liaodong was also part of the Central Plains, the Prince of Liaodong had occupied it for so long that he had become a local tyrant.
Therefore, this kind of sibling rivalry is essentially a small-scale struggle for succession.
If there were no external threats, Emperor Wen could sit back and watch the tigers fight.
However, the problem is that there are external threats now.
"What should I do?" Tang Zhuyun felt like all her brain cells were about to die.
Emperor Wen said, "I'll leave it to Linlin."
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
Why does it feel like the blame is being shifted eastward? My son is so pitiful.
"You must trust Linlin," Emperor Wen said with a smile, patting Tang Zhuyun on the shoulder.
Tang Zhuyun glared at him. "It's you who's been slacking off!"
"My son is well-raised, so I can be lazy," Emperor Wen said confidently.
What's a little laziness now? Later on, they'll be blaming Linlin for everything!
"Is it possible to make him the crown prince once Linlin accumulates some merit in Liaodong this time?"
"Yes," Emperor Wen said, "A-Yun truly understands me! I just wonder how things are between him and Lang Xuan now..."
Tang Zhuyun didn't understand at all why Emperor Wen thought Linlin and Lang Xuan were a good match and always tried to bring them together.
"Linlin is too busy with important matters right now, how can he have time for personal relationships? When you write to him, be sure not to mention these things, so as not to bother him," Tang Zhuyun instructed worriedly.
Emperor Wen laughed heartily.
Tang Zhuyun didn't understand Linlin at all.
If Linlin herself is unwilling, no one can persuade her otherwise.
His lack of objection already indicates interest.
On this matter, Emperor Wen firmly believed that he understood it better than Tang Zhuyun.
Tang Zhuyun was really worried about Linlin, and she spoke listlessly.
Emperor Wen said, "Don't worry, Mu Ziyu is very clever and will cooperate with Linlin; the Prince of Liaodong is arrogant and doesn't take Linlin seriously, so we might be able to catch him off guard... This matter is a test for Linlin, you must trust him."
"I wish I were here."
Tang Zhuyun's words startled Emperor Wen: "A-Yun, you mustn't go to Liaodong."
"If I were here, I might be able to help Madam Xi heal her injuries; Mu Ziyu wouldn't have been so agitated, and things could have been discussed more carefully."
What kind of freak is the Prince of Liaodong?
Why would someone so wonderful Madam Xi choose to be with someone dirty, smelly, and a burden instead?
What's so great about the current princess?
"Even if you don't go, someone will treat her injuries. There's a very skilled doctor with her, who is said to have been in love with her for many years, so you don't need to worry."
Tang Zhuyun: Imagine it for twenty minutes.
A charming woman will never lack men; it's just a matter of whether she wants them or not.
"Also, Qu Hua went to Liaodong."
"Huh? I didn't know that."
It seems she has finally been honest with herself about her feelings.
Emperor Wen laughed and said, "You've been so busy with Ren Yingying setting up the girls' academy that you've neglected me. How could you possibly have time to deal with anything else?"
"We were just giving this idea, and we don't plan to start right away," Tang Zhuyun said. "We should wait until the situation stabilizes a bit more."
Emperor Wen hasn't even firmly settled onto his throne yet!
"Hmm." Emperor Wen reached out and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm a little tired too. I'll go to bed early tonight."
"Alright, you still have to attend the morning court session tomorrow."
Being an emperor is such a tragic thing.
Officials, both civil and military, can ask for leave if they have something to do. There are so many of them; who will notice if one more or one less person is there?
But the emperor is different; he has to go every day.
If he were to take a day off, countless speculations and inquiries would surely arise both inside and outside the court.
For example, is the Emperor unwell? Or is the Emperor indulging in women?
Given the emptiness of the imperial harem, "female beauty" here specifically refers to women.
Tang Zhuyun: My heart is bitter, but I will not say it.
She felt a little guilty, after all, Emperor Wen did indeed love making pancakes.
But what does this have to do with her? That's Emperor Wen's hobby!
So, to avoid being maliciously speculated about, she urged Emperor Wen to attend court properly, preferably in high spirits, lest people say she was like a vixen, draining the emperor's vitality.
The two had barely lain down when Emperor Wen began to stir restlessly.
I have to get up early tomorrow.
"It won't delay you."
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
Can you please stop coming? Pancakes are nice, but eating them every day is such a waste of oil!
He's practically drained her dry!
Fortunately, someone saved her life at the crucial moment.
Hearing Hanxiang's voice outside, Tang Zhuyun grasped at a straw. "She must have something urgent to tell me."
Emperor Wen was somewhat skeptical.
What a coincidence!
He suspected that Tang Zhuyun had given Hanxiang some kind of "secret signal" to avoid "serving him in bed."
As it turns out, he was being petty.
Hanxiang said, "Your Majesty, the Lady of the Marquis Champion has launched an attack, and the Marquis Champion has sent someone to invite you to oversee the situation."
Hanxiang was trained by Nanxing. Although they were not officially master and disciple, they had a master-disciple relationship.
So Hanxiang was genuinely anxious.
Nanxing's pregnancy was not easy; she was extremely careful throughout.
Now that she's about to give birth, it's all going to happen, and she's getting nervous.
Tang Zhuyun threw back the covers and got up. "I'm coming!"
The rules about palace gates not being allowed to be opened were not set for our own people.
Emperor Wen wanted to go too, but Tang Zhuyun yelled at him, "What help would you be if you went? Go to sleep, you have to go to court tomorrow!"
Emperor Wen: "... It's cold, you're wearing a fox fur coat."
When Tang Zhuyun arrived at the Marquis Champion, the mansion was brightly lit, and servants were coming and going, all clearly on edge.
Pei Shen was also in the delivery room with Nanxing.
However, the situation inside the house was not quite what Tang Zhuyun had expected.
The scene of "Ahhh--" that Tang Zhuyun had imagined did not occur. Nanxing was sitting on the bed eating noodles, and Pei Shen was sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Did you actually start it?" Tang Zhuyun couldn't help but ask.
Nanxing handed the bowl of noodles to Pei Shen, "It hurts a bit, and my water broke, so I guess I've started labor."
"It only hurts a little?"
"Hmm, just a little bit," Nanxing said.
Tang Zhuyun breathed a sigh of relief, "I thought you were about to give birth."
As soon as she finished speaking, her expression suddenly changed.