readytorunbook Chapter 186 The Villainous Female Supporting Character's Mind Was Read 41
Chapter 186 The Villainous Female Supporting Character's Mind Was Read 41
All the civil officials and their families were safely escorted back to their residences. Although the events of that day were strictly forbidden to be spread, the fact that both princes had been imprisoned one after another, and that several members of the factions of the Third and Sixth Princes had been demoted or executed, made it impossible to keep the matter a secret.
Everyone in the imperial court felt insecure.
However, these bloody storms in the imperial court did not affect the inner quarters.
Although blood was spilled that night, and life and death were separated by a hair's breadth, for most people, once it's over, it's over.
Perhaps when you're old and look back on this, it will become a good topic of conversation.
As for the present, the women were even more curious about how Lin Shuwan had managed to make two princes fall head over heels for her. They also wanted to learn from her.
Recalling the heartbroken and pathetic state of the Sixth Prince when he was finally suppressed, many noble ladies were actually somewhat moved.
Not to mention, just as Emperor Chengping issued the decree to arrest him, the Crown Prince also arrived at Lin Shuwan's side.
Even though Lin Shuwan looked impatient, the Crown Prince still patiently comforted her and carefully checked her over to make sure she was alright.
The noble ladies saw this and wished they could take his place.
But they couldn't just go directly to ask her about it, and Lin Shuwan never really got along with them, so they could only secretly get together with a few girlfriends and speculate about it.
As they pondered this, various interpretations emerged.
Later, it evolved into the idea that Lin Shuwan only wanted to be empress, and she would agree to marry whichever prince could win the throne.
When it spread to the general public, there were even more versions.
Coincidentally, the storyteller had grown tired of talking about the crown prince recently, so he has a new topic to discuss.
A story of love and rebellion: the tale of the Sixth Prince and the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo.
Two men are vying for one woman; what is it about the general's daughter that makes her so alluring?
She loved the country more than the beauty; let us tell you about the legendary life of Lady Lin.
……
The exaggerated words made Lin Shuwan, who usually loved to go out, unwilling to leave the house and obediently stayed in the mansion for several days.
Madam Lin teased her about this for quite some time.
*
Emperor Chengping's health had been poor ever since the incident at the autumn hunting banquet.
Firstly, he was getting old, and secondly, he had to review a large number of memorials and think about various things every day, which led to his illness from overwork.
Secondly, he was also angered, as he had only six sons who had reached adulthood, and two of them had committed acts of rebellion.
After returning to the palace, he tossed and turned in bed, and fell ill the next day.
The imperial physicians then discovered that Emperor Chengping had been given a slow-acting poison long ago, which was not noticeable during normal times, but was fully revealed when he fell ill.
The imperial physician who usually took Emperor Chengping's pulse was dragged away, and the palace maids and eunuchs who served him were also investigated and punished severely. Even Chief Steward Ma was given thirty strokes of the cane.
Gu Yanli was also extremely busy. Emperor Chengping fell ill, and not only was the investigation of the poisoner carried out, but all matters, big and small, inside and outside the palace and in the court, were also entrusted to him.
Gu Yanli was quite helpless. He had originally planned to resign from his position as crown prince, but instead, he found himself with more and more work.
After being busy for some time, we finally made progress in identifying the murderer.
"Cough cough, Consort An?" Emperor Chengping leaned against the headboard, his lips pale. In just a few days, several white hairs had appeared on his head, and even the fine lines at the corners of his eyes and on his forehead had become more pronounced.
"That's right." Gu Yanli glanced at it only once before lowering his head to continue reporting the results.
Although Emperor Chengping was not the same as his father in his previous life, after spending so much time together, he had truly treated him sincerely.
Seeing him lying there so weakly now, I can't help but feel a little sad.
"She was from the same hometown as the imperial physician who treated my father, and the two of them..." Gu Yanli, mindful of Emperor Chengping's feelings, did not continue.
Even though Gu Yanli didn't say it, Emperor Chengping could guess his unspoken meaning and sneered, "Heh, I underestimated them, mother and son. One secretly raised an army, and the other poisoned me. What about You Ning? Does she know about this?"
"The Third Princess is probably unaware of this. How does Father intend to handle this matter?"
"Consort An and her son will be executed together." Emperor Chengping's eyes were cold, but when he mentioned the Third Princess, he sighed and said, "As for You Ning, considering that she was unaware of the situation, let's demote her to a commoner."
"Yes."
Gu Yanli didn't say much, but he felt that given the Third Princess's personality, being demoted to a commoner might be even more unbearable than being directly sentenced to death.
"An'er," Emperor Chengping called out.
"My son is here."
"I am getting old. After you leave, have the Ministry of Rites prepare for your coronation ceremony on an auspicious day."
"I hope Father Emperor will rescind his decree."
Emperor Chengping looked at Gu Yanli in surprise: "Oh, why?"
The other princes would rather rebel than sit on the dragon throne, but the crown prince wouldn't take it even if it were offered to him.
Emperor Chengping thought for a moment and then said, "But because of that girl from the Lin family, although I promised the Duke of Zhenguo that his family could leave the capital, I can tell that the girl also likes you, and she might stay for you."
“Father, it’s not all like that. I also want to travel around and see the world. Why don’t you pass the throne to someone else?”
In his previous life, he served as an official in the imperial court. Although he had the idea of "establishing a life for the people (Note 1)," he wanted to realize his elder brother's ambition. He was able to leave something behind in this world and live these twenty years in vain.
When he first arrived here, he was troubled by his social status and lack of money, which is why he thought about taking the imperial examination.
Thinking about it later, he actually wanted to use this body, which was a thousand times better than his previous life, to appreciate the majestic mountains and the rushing rivers and seas.
He longed to experience the misty rain of Jiangnan, the vast plains, and the everyday life of its inhabitants.
Moreover, after experiencing that night's upheaval, he had absolutely no goodwill towards the throne.
After listening, Emperor Chengping sighed again and explained, "When I didn't know you were still alive, I did think about who should inherit the throne after I passed away."
"The eldest son is mediocre, the second son is playful, the third son is violent, the sixth son is dull, and the fourth son is decent in terms of knowledge and temperament, but he lacks his own opinions and is easily swayed by others, which is a major taboo for those in positions of power."
Emperor Chengping shook his head and said, "The other princes are not yet of age. So, there isn't a single suitable one."
“Previously, I had the capacity to observe for a few more years and select one of the young princes to raise by my side, but that is no longer possible.”
Gu Yanli opened his mouth to speak, but Emperor Chengping waved his hand and said, "Don't talk about being blessed with good fortune. I know my own body. Well, by this calculation, it has been twenty years since your mother left me. I wonder if she would recognize me now that I look so old, hahaha."
Emperor Chengping smiled and said, "I thought the Eleventh Prince was quite good before. If you still think the same way after you ascend the throne, then keep him by your side and teach him for a few years. I believe you can do a good job."
"Alright, that's settled then. I'm tired, you may leave."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave." Gu Yanli had no choice but to accept the imperial decree and take his leave.
……
……
……
(Note 1: From Zhang Zai's "Hengqu Yulu" of the Northern Song Dynasty)
"To establish a moral compass for Heaven and Earth, to secure a destiny for the people, to continue the lost learning of past sages, and to usher in an era of peace for all generations."