Tianliangyuan

Chapter 320 Pillow style

In Zhao Yue's eyes, Jiang Ning was like an actress, scheming to seduce the prince with her charm and thinking that she was the most beautiful woman in the world and that the prince only had eyes for her.

Zhao Yue naturally scoffed at this.

But now that something has happened in Yongzhou, the prince still needs the support of the Jiang family, so the inner quarters of the prince's mansion cannot be in chaos at this time.

Jiang Ning believed she was the prince's darling, so she would at least create that illusion, so that she could go back to the Jiang family to persuade Grand Tutor Jiang and others, and so that Consort Jiang in the palace could whisper in His Majesty's ear.

It has to be said that Jiang Ning really did go back to the Jiang family to ask for help, just as Zhao Yue thought.

Afterwards, as soon as she finished her postpartum confinement, she rushed to the palace to express her gratitude.

It was said to be an expression of gratitude, but in reality, it was just a plea for help from Consort Jiang.

Consort Jiang saw that her niece was in good health, with a rosy complexion and a slightly plump figure, giving her a more mature and womanly charm. Looking at her attire, she knew that she was indeed living well in the Prince Zhong's residence.

“I am aware of this matter, and you need not be anxious. His Majesty’s anger has subsided considerably. Prince Zhong is only nominally the Governor of Yongzhou, not personally overseeing the area. If any mishaps occur, we cannot place all the blame on Prince Zhong. However, you should still question Prince Zhong about Li Yang, the Prefect of Yongzhou. If he cannot keep his mouth shut, there is really no need to keep him around.”

"Yes, aunt."

Zhao Yue's hard work these past few days has not been in vain, as Jiang Ning brought good news from the palace.

Since the incident in Yongzhou, Prince Zhong has been temporarily relieved of all his duties and ordered to reflect on his actions in his residence.

The Prince of Zhong did not leave his residence at all, which shows a commendable attitude in admitting his mistake.

At this moment, Jiang Ning nestled in Prince Zhong's arms and said coquettishly, "Your Highness, don't worry. My aunt said that His Majesty's temper isn't as bad as it used to be. Besides, my grandfather and father will speak up for you in front of the palace."

King Zhong finally felt relieved; heaven knows how terrified he had been these past few days.

Fortunately, Zhao Yue kept comforting him and repeatedly said that Consort Jiang would definitely speak up for him, and then the matter would naturally be resolved.

As it turned out, his queen was indeed farsighted and had a keen eye for things.

The kindness shown to Jiang Ning over the past month has certainly paid off.

At this point, Prince Zhong no longer cared about those good things. As long as things came to a close and his father wouldn't direct all his anger at him, then everything would be fine.

The Prince of Zhong spent the afternoon with Jiang Ning, and then said he needed to go to the Princess to discuss some matters, saying he would come over to keep her company in the evening. Jiang Ning responded with a shy smile.

After the Prince of Zhong and Zhao Yue finished their dinner together, they slowly brought up the trouble that had just occurred.

"We still need to deal with Li Yang's matter as soon as possible. Even if Consort Jiang doesn't say anything, we must be fully prepared. This case is being handled by Zhao Changqing, but Li Yang is the Prefect of Yongzhou, so this case will eventually end up in the Dali Temple. We are at a disadvantage in this regard."

The Prince nodded: "Your Highness, rest assured, I will arrange everything. No one will suspect us when the refugees cause trouble."

"It's good that Your Highness understands. Since Consort Jiang is willing to speak on your behalf before the Emperor, you should stay at Consort Jiang's residence more often these days. As for Consort Li, her usual expenses and treatment will remain unchanged for the time being, so as not to cause any further accusations that Your Highness is heartless."

The Loyal King said with a face full of satisfaction, "How fortunate I am to have married the Queen! If my mission succeeds in the future, the Queen will be credited the most!"

Zhao Yue smiled, her eyes crinkling: "I will truly keep these words in mind. When Your Highness succeeds in your great undertaking, I will join you in expressing my gratitude to Heaven."

King Zhong laughed heartily, in a very good mood.

What Zhao Yue meant by kowtowing in gratitude to Heaven was nothing more than the Emperor and Empress participating in the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven together.

If she could really sit in that position, then the empress's seat would naturally belong to Zhao Yue.

The more generous and considerate Zhao Yue appeared, and the more genuinely she seemed to care about him, the more Prince Zhong felt he had wronged his queen.

At the Duke of Huguo's mansion, Xu Junfeng and Princess Anhe came to talk to Xu Zhaozhao. In reality, the four of them were just sitting there discussing matters concerning Yongzhou.

Xu Zhaozhao dismissed everyone, and Dingxiang and the others were sent outside to guard.

Some things really can't be leaked out.

"The Prince of Zhong held the position of Governor of Yongzhou in name only. His Majesty was furious this time and has suspended him from all his duties, ordering him to reflect on his actions. In my opinion, the Prince of Zhong will not be able to recover this time. The mob has rebelled, and those mobs have even killed three court officials. Even if the court was at fault to begin with, His Majesty cannot tolerate such a rebellion."

"The Prince of Zhong is poorly informed, and that Li Yang is one of his men. His Majesty will surely punish him severely this time; he might even be suspended from his post or demoted."

After Xu Junfeng finished speaking, he looked at Xie Zheng with anticipation, hoping to see approval on his face.

Xie Zheng shook his head, expressionless, and said, "Although His Majesty can distinguish right from wrong, Prince Zhong is, after all, his own son. His Majesty's actions this time will likely be all bark and no bite."

Princess Anhe nodded slightly: "I also think His Majesty will not severely punish Prince Zhong, but the other officials can forget about getting away with it."

Xu Zhaozhao had some understanding of Emperor Yong'an, but she trusted her own judgment more.

Even the most sagacious emperor will eventually have selfish desires.

Prince Zhong is his first son and has been favored by him since childhood. Otherwise, His Majesty would not have failed to appoint a crown prince until now.

Logically, the heir apparent should be the first choice, so Prince An should have been made crown prince long ago. However, His Majesty dislikes the Empress, so naturally he doesn't like this legitimate son as much.

That is why His Majesty has kept the position of Crown Prince vacant.

Perhaps he had previously hoped that the son born to the woman he loved would inherit the throne, but who could have imagined that Consort Jiang would only have one daughter?

Xu Zhaozhao's intuition told her that neither the current Prince Zhong nor Prince An were Emperor Yong'an's preferred candidates for crown prince.

Therefore, these two are merely scapegoats deliberately pushed out by His Majesty.

"Prince Zhong will not be severely punished, after all, he only holds the title of Governor-General in name only. In this matter, officials like Li Yang are the main culprits. However, I think Prince Zhong is very likely to take action against Li Yang and the others."

Xie Zheng had also thought of this.

But these convicted officials are currently heavily guarded and escorted with strict security. Could this allow the Loyal King to succeed?

Xu Junfeng couldn't sit still any longer: "Since you expected this, then we have to stop him!"

Xie Zheng glanced at him casually: "Sit down!"

Xu Junfeng's body stiffened; his brother-in-law exuded an overwhelming sense of pressure.

Xu Zhaozhao shook her head helplessly: "We can't stop it, and we shouldn't stop it. After all, it's not just his faction of officials who don't want Prince Zhong to be implicated."