Emperor Feng sat down, clutching his chest, his expression grim.
Chief Steward Hu quickly tried to persuade him, "My Lord… These past few days, the Emperor has been burdened with state affairs and has fallen ill from overwork. Whatever it is, speak properly, do not cause His Majesty any more worry. Why are you suddenly talking about wanting to die?"
Ning Que slowly raised his head.
"My child is gone."
"Gone is gone…"
"It was the Empress Dowager's intention!"
"What did you say?!"
Emperor Feng's expression changed, showing slight astonishment.
"This is impossible!"
"Lin Xianhong used my unborn child as a medicinal primer to save Gu Yuan. I asked her, and she said everything she did was with the Empress Dowager's consent. As the saying goes, when the cunning rabbit dies, the hounds are cooked. If the Empress Dowager finds my Ning Royal Mansion an eyesore, she can bestow me with poisoned wine right now."
Ning Que was neither humble nor arrogant.
Because he intended to blow this matter out of proportion!
"What did you say?"
Just then, an angry shout came from outside the door. A noblewoman, adorned with golden hairpins and a phoenix coronet, dressed in red luxurious robes, slowly walked out. Although her face was covered in wrinkles, one could tell she had a good foundation; she must have been a great beauty in her youth.
She was Emperor Feng's birth mother, the current Empress Dowager!
"Greetings, Empress Dowager."
"Dispensed."
The Empress Dowager looked at the spirit tablet of Prince Ning and then at Ning Que. Over the years, she had presided over the inner palace, managing the three palaces and six courtyards perfectly. She always adhered to ancestral teachings and never interfered in politics.
Her reason for coming to the Imperial Study this time was to see Emperor Feng.
She had heard from her maid that Emperor Feng had been handling state affairs until late at night, and she wanted to remind him of the importance of his health. Unexpectedly, before even entering, she heard Ning Que's accusation.
"Are you saying Lin Xianhong aborted the child privately?"
"And used it as a medicinal primer to save Gu Yuan?"
"Yes!"
"Nonsense… Cough, cough, cough!"
"Mother Empress!"
The Empress Dowager sat down again and took a sip of hot tea. Seeing Ning Que like this, her expression finally softened a little, and she slowly said, "I have never forgotten the achievements of Uncle Prince Ning. It was his full assistance that allowed our mother and son to be where we are today. In the great war five years ago, Ning Royal Mansion almost shed all its blood. Every time I think of it, I cannot sleep at night. How could I harm you now?"
"Then…"
"Lin Xianhong did come to see me."
The Empress Dowager looked helpless and sighed softly, "She asked me if there was a way to save Gu Yuan, should he be saved? Gu Yuan had just achieved military success and was a rising general; naturally, I wanted to save him. I didn't expect her to dare to trick words out of me. As the Prince's Consort, she dared to privately abort a royal bloodline!"
Taking care of Lin Xianhong these past two years was not only because she had saved her, but also because she was the Prince's Consort!
The Empress Dowager always felt indebted to Ning Royal Mansion.
The lineage of Prince Ning died for the country, their blood staining the battlefield.
The Manor withered and declined, never returning to its former glory.
She truly did not want to see Lin Xianhong being bullied, so she protected her everywhere. Every now and then, she would send her some rewards to make her life easier. Unexpectedly, this made her presumptuous and arrogant. This time, she was even more audacious, harming the Prince's bloodline!
The Empress Dowager let out a long sigh.
"Enough… Yang Momo."
"This old servant is here."
"Inform the Ministry of Rites to withdraw the rewards for Lin Xianhong."
"Understood!"
The Empress Dowager turned her head.
She had originally intended to bestow Lin Xianhong with a title.
Now, it seemed, it was no longer necessary.
"I am old."
"The rest is for you to handle yourselves."
"Whatever you decide, I support it."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager."
Ning Que raised his hand and bowed deeply.
A resolute glint flashed in his eyes.
Lin Xianhong considered the Empress Dowager her backer.
But now?
He wanted Lin Xianhong to know.
Everything she possessed was given by him!
He could take it back at any time!
…
"Now, are you satisfied?"
Emperor Feng looked at Ning Que's reddened eyes.
"I said long ago that Lin Xianhong was not worth it."
"You already know the whole story, what do you want to do?"
"Your humble servant has only one request."
"Speak."
"Please allow your humble servant to divorce his wife!"
"Good, I grant it."
"And…" Ning Que raised his head, stating firmly, "When your humble servant sought to marry Lin Xianhong, it was done openly and honorably, even in front of all the nobles in Chang'an. So today, when I divorce her, your humble servant also wishes to do so honorably!"
"Heh, I understand."
Emperor Feng showed a slight smile.
He naturally understood Ning Que's intentions.
This was to humiliate Lin Xianhong and the Gu Family!
However, this was her own doing.
Ning Que had sacrificed too much for her.
Yet, she was blind, failing to recognize a true talent.
Emperor Feng had reminded her more than once to know her place. But this time was truly excessive; to save her lover, she cruelly aborted royal flesh and blood.
What was that Gu Yuan?
What if he inherited the title of Tiger Marquis and ranked first-grade?
He was not even half as good as Ning Que!
"All that you have said, I can agree to."
Emperor Feng looked at Ning Que, speaking righteously, "Over these years, I have always wanted you to inherit the princely title and serve the country. But you have refused repeatedly, always saying you would wait until you had an heir. Now, do you expect me to wait another three years?"
"Your humble servant is willing to inherit the princely title and serve the country!"
"Hahaha, good!"
Emperor Feng laughed heartily.
With internal and external troubles now, he needed help.
In the imperial court, four Other surname Princes were aggressively pressing.
The Three Departments and Six Ministries each harbored their own schemes, feigning compliance while acting otherwise.
If Ning Que inherited the princely title, it would be much better.
Their brotherly alliance would surely achieve great dominance!
…
Ning Que was unperturbed.
He had originally intended to fulfill his mother's last wish.
However, he had ultimately broken his promise.
In fact, he had been quite rebellious in his youth.
He always refused to do what his father asked.
Every time he was punished, his mother would hold him and plead on his behalf.
In the Western Liang battle, Ning Royal Mansion shed all its blood.
His mother's heart was completely broken.
After his marriage, his mother died in depression.
However, Lin Xianhong was not a suitable match!
"Furthermore, I am currently facing a difficult matter."
"Please enlighten Your Majesty."
"Heh, you're quite polite now."
Emperor Feng looked at Ning Que playfully, saying indifferently, "What, after inheriting the princely title, you've become so distant from me?"
"Brother Emperor is joking."
"Hahaha!"
Seeing Ning Que's embarrassment, Emperor Feng couldn't help but smile. Ning Que had disliked etiquette since he was young, his nature free and unrestrained. But none of that mattered, as long as he had talent.
"If you wish to inherit the princely title, you will inevitably encounter trouble. You've spent these years focused on Lin Xianhong and haven't achieved any notable merits. Although you've done some things in secret, they are unaware."
"The day before yesterday, Jingyang suffered a locust plague; wherever they passed, not a blade of grass remained. Now, rice prices have soared, and tens of thousands of disaster victims urgently need resettlement. Do you have a solution for this matter?"
"Within seven days, your humble servant can resolve it."
Ning Que rose confidently.
He had also heard about this matter.
Jingyang was not far from Chang'an.
At that time, one could even see the dense swarm of locusts!
Even if Emperor Feng hadn't mentioned it, he would have stepped forward to resolve it.
"Good, then seven days it is!"
"Jingyang was originally Uncle Prince's fiefdom."
Emperor Feng looked at Ning Que, "Since Uncle Prince's death, it has been temporarily overseen by Prince Qi. Since you are inheriting the princely title, Jingyang is naturally your fiefdom. You must govern it well, and do not disgrace Prince Ning's reputation!"
"Thank you, Brother Emperor."
Ning Que walked out of the Imperial Study calmly.
A gentle breeze blew, and leaves drifted down.
Now… the wind has risen!