Sun Lingshu argued, “Imperial Mother, I did not know…”
“It is not that you did not know but your character is as such. It is not enough for you to watch it once but you even wanted to watch it a second time. Injuring an actor is a small matter. However, will you be able to bear the responsibility if you startle the Crown Prince’s child? The Sun family has a rigorous upbringing and is well-known for their literature knowledge over generations. How can they have such a reckless, arrogant and hot-tempered daughter like you?!” Every time the Empress witnessed Sun Lingshu making a mistake, she would be filled with regrets.
Sun Lingshu was extremely flustered as she crawled on her knees towards Empress Zhangsun. She hugged Empress Zhangsun’s legs and begged, “Imperial Mother, please don’t be angry. It's not that I was careless but there is something else going on. I have been wronged!”
Empress Zhangsun stared at her. “What have you been wronged for?”
“I have never enjoyed watching violent shows. The reason why I chose this was because I cannot take it any longer. The actor acting as Zhao Zilong has bewitched the Crown Prince and influenced him to do something unscrupulous. The Crown Prince brought him into the Eastern Palace everyday and even slept with him in the night. Their behaviour was unbearable to look at.”
At the side, Official Situ’s expression changed.
“What!” Empress Zhangsun slammed the table as she stood up. A wave of dizziness came across her. Luckily, Official Situ supported her in time.
“As I am from the Eastern Palace, I did not dare to say more. The rules in the Eastern Palace have always been managed by Official Situ. She should know about this too. I thought that Official Situ would report this to you. I never thought that she would allow His Highness to do as he wished.” She brought Official Situ down with her.
Empress Zhangsun turned sharply and glared at Official Situ. Official Situ immediately knelt down.
“Official Situ, I trusted you so much and let you take charge of enforcing palace rules and managing the Crown Prince. Is this how you repay me?” Empress Zhangsun was furious beyond belief. “Where is that actor that dares to seduce the Crown Prince? Bring him to me!”
“Your Majesty! This is my fault, I am willing to accept any punishment. Please resolve your anger and hear me out, Your Majesty. I have already investigated this matter. Before the Crown Prince left for Da An Palace to serve the Grand Emperor, he had already sent the actor away and cut off their relationship. This matter concerns the Crown Prince's reputation. Since they have already cut off their relationship, there is no need to bring this up anymore. If this matter spreads, it will ruin the Crown Prince’s reputation!”
“So you care about the Crown Prince’s reputation now? When the Crown Prince made the mistake and needed you to correct him, where were you? In order to get into his good books, you helped him to hide from me!” Empress Zhangsun yelled, “Guards! Official Situ has failed to do her duty and hid matters from her superiors. Bring her out and cane her one hundred times!”
Sun Lingshu sneered as she saw the internal attendants drag Official Situ out to punish her.
With such a big matter happening in the Eastern Palace, it was hard for it to not spread. Very soon, Concubine Yan found out about it. Prince Zhou happened to be having tea with her and she casually brought it up.
“I heard that the Crown Prince is very close to an actor. Did he anger the Crown Princess?”
Prince Zhou was not surprised. “Such a thing happened? Mother, have you been listening to rumours? The Crown Prince simply enjoys watching shows, it is no big deal.”
Concubine Yan looked at Prince Zhou and suddenly noticed the red flower embroidery on the robe that he was wearing. “Haven’t you worn this many times recently?”
Prince Zhou remained composed. “That’s right, I really like this robe and wore it many times.”
“You like the robe? Or the person who made it?” Concubine Yan saw through him immediately. “Have you managed to give the jade pendant?"
Prince Zhou raised his brows, “I haven’t found a good opportunity.”
“In terms of status, you are slightly lower than the Crown Prince but you are still of royal blood. She is simply a female official. If you really like her, you should just ask for her. It is not a big matter for a prince to want a female official. Isn’t it torturous to drag this on?” Concubine Yan felt bad for her son.
Prince Zhou was finally honest. “Not only is it not torturous, it is actually fun. Two parties have to be willing for a relationship to work. If she is not into me, it would be meaningless even if I force her to be with me.”
Concubine Yan laughed, “You are different from your Imperial father, you are infatuated.”
Prince Zhou was confident. “Mother, please do not worry. You gave birth to such a talented and outstanding son. I will definitely be able to make her like me and come to me out of her own will. With regard to Head Seamstress Fu, I hope that you will leave it to me and not interfere.”
Concubine Yan nodded. She had no intentions of interfering to begin with. After all, it was not easy to move her son’s heart. From the black and white lotus screen, she could tell that Fu Rou was someone that knew her place and that was enough for her.
Chapter 26.2: Evil Intentions
The Emperor was completely oblivious to the chaos at the Empress’ place. All he knew was that his head hurt.
He looked at the two people kneeling in front of him. One was Sheng Xiaojing’s son while the other was Lu Yunji’s son. After becoming generals, if they were to work together, they would be the future of Great Tang. Unfortunately, they simply could not get along.
What happened was, Lu Qi had returned to the city after a hunt. However, he had reached back too late and the city gates were already closed. Eventually, Sheng Chumu opened the city gates for him but requested to search his body. Sheng Chumu then tied him up and left him for the mosquitoes for the entire night.
“One of you is General Xuanwei and one of you is General Zhenyong. You are both generals and officials of the country but you fought in front of the city guards. Aren’t you guys embarrassed? I feel embarrassed on your behalf!”
Sheng Chumu spoke with conviction, “Your Majesty, I was appointed by you to guard the Xuanwu Gate. I am also concurrently guarding the West Gate and do not dare to make any mistakes. Lu Qi made trouble at the gates and I had no choice but to capture him.”
Lu Qi fumed, “Sheng Chumu, don’t push the blame on others! Your Majesty, Sheng Chumu is abusing his position and purposely made things difficult for me. He also intentionally humiliated my younger sister and triggered me, causing me to fall into his trap. Sheng Chumu is creating something out of nothing.”
Sheng Chumu wanted to put his face right in front of the Emperor. “Your Majesty, this whip scar is not something out of nothing.”
Lu Qi replied, “I merely hit once.”
Sheng Chumu exaggerated and shouted, “You still want to hit some more? Thankfully it was me and I am strong. If it were others, you would have killed them.”
Lu Qi brandished his fist. “You…”
The Emperor massaged his temples. “Both of you shut up!” Were they children squabbling?
Sheng Chumu and Lu Qi lowered their heads.
“Sheng Chumu, Lu Qi mentioned that you humiliated her sister. What does he mean?” The Emperor identified the root of the problem immediately.
“I was merely stating facts. I said that his sister did not become the Crown Princess. She was then engaged with Duke Cheng’s son but he fell sick. I asked Lu Qi to help me send my greetings to his sister.” Sheng Chumu smartly changed the tone that he had used and made it sound like there was no problem.