readytorunbook Chapter 841 Innocence
Chapter 841 Innocence
The emperor's edict was issued on the third day. It stated that His Majesty was deeply saddened by the death of the Tenth Prince and, in order to pray for the Tenth Prince's well-being, decided to grant a general amnesty.
At the same time, another imperial edict arrived at Princess Lu Yangyang's residence, praising Lu Yangyang for playing a key role in the Tenth Prince's case and bestowing upon her the plaque of "Master of Medicine".
This also indirectly pardoned Lu Yangyang from the implicated situation caused by her role as the deposed crown princess, allowing her to continue staying in the capital as Princess Changyang.
After receiving the imperial decree, Lu Yangyang immediately sent invitations to the noble ladies of the major families in the capital, inviting the young women to a banquet at the Princess's residence.
Upon hearing this news, regardless of what the officials of the previous dynasty thought, the ladies in the family were overjoyed. Two years ago, when Lu Yangyang was still in the capital, she was already quite famous, all because of her excellent medical skills and her considerable research in gynecology.
Although the Great Zhao Dynasty did not have extremely strict gender segregation, it was still difficult for women to see a doctor, especially since some women's symptoms were difficult to talk about. However, female doctors were different; they did not have to worry about so much. Moreover, Lu Yangyang was truly capable. It was said that Lu Yangyang had saved the triplets of the Heir Apparent of the Qing'an Prince's Mansion. Now they could all talk and run, and were very well cared for. Furthermore, the Heir Apparent's complexion was rosy, and she did not look like someone who had almost died.
What do women fear most? Childbirth is always a brush with death, and who doesn't hope for a safe and peaceful delivery? When Lu Yangyang was exiled along with the deposed crown prince, the women in the inner quarters of the capital felt the most sorry for her, for she was a lifesaver!
Now that His Majesty has personally issued an edict of pardon, not only those who received the invitation, but even those who didn't, are all looking for an opportunity to join in the fun, for fear of missing the chance to make friends!
On the day of the banquet, the entire gate of the Princess's mansion was blocked by carriages. The news quickly reached the Duke of Xiao's mansion, and the Duke of Xiao's face darkened.
Looking at his father's expression, Xiao Tianshi tentatively asked, "Father, is there any room for negotiation regarding my aunt's matter?"
Duke Xiao rubbed his temples. "That Lady Lu is extremely cunning. She has only just returned to the capital and is already making such a big fuss. She must be paving the way for Zong Que's return to the capital."
Xiao Tianshi was slightly puzzled: "But wasn't it His Majesty's decision to depose the Crown Prince? Isn't her behavior a slap in His Majesty's face? How could His Majesty tolerate her?"
Duke Xiao shook his head: "In the past two years, His Majesty has watched the court fight over the succession with a cold eye. I'm afraid he's starting to think of the good things about the deposed crown prince again. Don't forget, that prince was raised by His Majesty with his own hands. He is very intelligent. Not to mention the Third Prince, even if all the princes below were added together, I'm afraid they couldn't compare to the position that prince holds in his heart."
"Then why..." Xiao Tianshi was even more confused.
Duke Xiao looked at his overly kind-hearted son and felt a pang of heartache: "You, no matter what position he holds, isn't he able to give it to you whenever he wants, and take it back whenever he doesn't want to?"
Xiao Tianshi's breath hitched: "Could it be that His Majesty can reinstate the Crown Prince?"
"Why not? In any case, the Crown Prince's legs are crippled, and he will never ascend the throne. Ultimately, the fate of that position is up to His Majesty. But by recalling the Crown Prince, he can remain firmly on the throne." Duke Xiao had served His Majesty for many years and knew his thoughts perfectly well. "Besides, in the past two years, since learning that the Great Zhao had deposed the Crown Prince and the succession was still undecided, Northern Yan has already begun to stir. Have you forgotten what happened before the New Year?"
Xiao Tianshi was stunned; clearly, these were things he had never considered.
Duke Xiao looked at him with a weary expression and said, "It's my fault for teaching you to be too naive."
Outside the door, a servant announced, "Your Highness, the Lady requests an audience."
Xiao Tianshi glanced at his father, and Duke Xiao nodded, "Call someone in."
Cheng Ruoxue entered the study and saw Duke Xiao there. She hurriedly bowed and said, "Your daughter-in-law greets Father."
Seeing that Cheng Ruoxue had changed her clothes, Xiao Tianshi asked her, "Are you going out?"
Cheng Ruoxue nodded: "The Princess's Mansion sent an invitation. I was familiar with the young ladies of the Sheng family before I got married, and I wanted to join in the fun. I came to tell my husband."
Xiao Tianshi originally didn't care about Cheng Ruoxue's social issues, but when it came to Lu Yangyang, he subconsciously looked at his father.
Duke Xiao replied, "Go ahead. The Princess's residence is quite lively these days. Take your younger sister with you, and when you come back, tell your mother and the matriarch about it."