Deposed 5

Chapter 5. The Birthday Banquet

Although he knew that Wei Zhao had already dismissed all the irrelevant people near the carriage, the secret guard still scanned his surroundings very cautiously and said, “Your Lordship may not know, but since His Majesty ascended the throne, the Crown Prince has harmed two imperial fetuses!”

This statement was no less shocking than a clap of thunder.

After the initial shock, a layer of chilling dread spread through Wei Zhao.

“Explain in detail, what exactly happened?”

This was the new dynasty. The reason why the little Crown Prince, a former crown prince with no legitimate claim, could sit on the throne was not only due to the pressure from the old clan elders and Emperor Wu’s dying decree, but also entirely because of the current Emperor’s benevolence. He should be grateful, but instead, he committed such a heinous act? Could it be that Diting was really manipulating everything from behind?

The secret guard said, “The first time was three years ago at the Mid-Autumn Festival palace banquet. His Highness, the Crown Prince, pushed Noble Consort Hui into the lake in front of everyone. At that time, Noble Consort Hui was only three months pregnant, and her pregnancy was not yet stable. After she was rescued by the guards, she had a miscarriage that night. His Majesty was furious and summoned the Zongzheng Temple. He publicly punished the Crown Prince with fifty strokes and confined him to his residence for three months of reflection. Noble Consort Hui could not bear this hatred and kept demanding that the Crown Prince pay with his life. In the end, His Majesty forcefully suppressed the matter.”

“It was thought that after this lesson, the Crown Prince would restrain himself. Who would have thought that the following year, when Noble Consort Shu became pregnant, His Highness, the Crown Prince, would repeat his old trick and push Noble Consort Shu into the lake as well.”

Wei Zhao’s eyes turned cold, “Was it also in public?”

The secret guard shook his head, “No, it wasn’t. When Noble Consort Shu became pregnant, it was the Flower Festival. All the consorts, princes, princesses, and members of the imperial clan followed Her Majesty, the Empress, into the Imperial Garden to admire the flowers. Noble Consort Shu was feeling restless during her pregnancy and dismissed her attendants to walk alone. She was hanging colorful paper on a peach tree when she was suddenly pushed from behind and fell into the nearby Qu Pond. After the incident, the Imperial Guard immediately sealed off the Imperial Garden. Everyone in the garden, including Her Majesty, the Empress, was summoned to Nanxun Hall to be examined by the imperial physicians.”

Wei Zhao frowned, “Why did they need to be examined by the imperial physicians?”

“Because Noble Consort Shu’s clothes were scented with a family heirloom, a pregnancy-safe warming cloud incense. Once it gets on the skin, it can’t be washed off with water, and it takes at least seven days for the scent to completely dissipate. The person who pushed Noble Consort Shu into the water must have had the warming cloud incense on their hands. Perhaps knowing that he couldn’t escape the examination, when it was His Highness, the Crown Prince’s turn, he didn’t even extend his hand and readily admitted it himself.”

“At that time, this incident caused quite a stir. Many ministers knelt before Chengqing Hall, demanding that the Crown Prince be deposed. In the end, it was the old King of Changning who came out with Emperor Wu’s dying decree and suppressed the matter.”

At this point, the secret guard secretly glanced at his lord’s expression and cautiously said, “The Crown Prince, relying on Emperor Wu’s dying decree and the support of those old clan elders, is becoming increasingly perverse. Even His Majesty and the court officials dare not provoke him. Your Lordship should also avoid crossing him…”

Wei Zhao sneered inwardly.

In this world, the little brat who could make him afraid to provoke him probably hadn’t been born yet. Even if there were, he would kick him back into his mother’s womb.

Waving his hand to dismiss the secret guard, Wei Zhao’s emotions fluctuated, and he couldn’t calm down for a long time. Three years ago, he had witnessed firsthand how the little Crown Prince went mad. At that time, he thought it was because of Emperor Wu’s sudden death that the little Crown Prince was stimulated and acted crazily. Now it seemed that the little Crown Prince’s cruelty and brutality were deeply ingrained in his bones and beyond redemption.

***

Two days later, the First Prince’s birthday banquet was held as scheduled.

The First Prince, Mu Jue, was the legitimate son of Emperor Changping and Empress Ji. If it weren’t for Emperor Wu’s dying decree, he would be the most legitimate heir to the throne. Compared to the arrogant and domineering Second Prince, the court officials preferred the gentle and refined First Prince. Especially the old ministers from Emperor Wu’s reign, they were truly tired of war and urgently needed a crown prince who could settle down and focus on civil governance to soothe their wounded hearts. And because of his heart condition, which prevented him from practicing martial arts, the First Prince, who wrote excellent essays and knew how to treat worthy men with courtesy, undoubtedly met all their fantasies about a wise ruler.

Moreover, the First Prince’s heart condition was due to an accidental fall into a lake when he was a hostage in the imperial capital. In a roundabout way, he could be considered to have contributed to the country. Emperor Changping felt very guilty towards this eldest son. He not only appointed the head of the Grand Secretariat, Wei Hong, to teach Mu Jue, but whenever the palace received any rare medicinal materials, he would have the Imperial Hospital send them to the First Prince’s residence first.

Therefore, as the lanterns were lit, the First Prince’s residence was filled with court officials from all walks of life who had come to congratulate the First Prince on his birthday. The hall was so full that the stewards had to arrange several more tables in the courtyard.

The First Prince, Mu Jue, fully demonstrated his beautiful quality of treating worthy men with courtesy. He personally greeted every guest at the door, regardless of their rank. He was already handsome and refined, and coupled with a crimson robe, whether it was because he was in good spirits due to the happy occasion or because the color of the robe suited him, his usually pale face unexpectedly showed a few hints of color.

As the time for the banquet approached, the steward glanced at the empty seat at the top left with some difficulty, “Now only the Crown Prince and Old Madam Wei from the Marquis of Dingbei’s residence have not yet arrived, Your Highness. If we don’t start the banquet soon, the dishes will get cold… Should we tell the kitchen to take the dishes back and keep them warm?”

Before Mu Jue could speak, the Second Prince, Mu Xiao, sneered, “Old Madam Wei is advanced in years, so it’s understandable that she is slow. But what kind of airs is the Crown Prince putting on? In my opinion, he is deliberately trying to make things difficult for Eldest Brother, to let everyone know that he is the Crown Prince and more ‘noble’ than all of us.”

The hall fell silent for a moment. An old minister from the Emperor Wu’s reign immediately spoke up for his beloved First Prince, “This is simply outrageous! So what if he’s the Crown Prince? Can the Crown Prince be late for no reason and put on airs in front of us old ministers?”

“Never mind us, the First Prince is His Majesty’s legitimate son. In terms of age and seniority, he ranks first among all the princes. For the Crown Prince to be so disrespectful to his elder brother is truly outrageous!” another old minister chimed in.

A fleeting look of embarrassment flashed across Mu Jue’s face. He hurriedly tried to appease them, “Please calm down, my lords. Don’t ruin your health over this insignificant birthday banquet of mine. His Highness is busy with state affairs and also leads the Imperial Guard. Perhaps something really did come up.”

“Your Highness, you are just too kind!”

The old minister who spoke first looked heartbroken, “The Crown Prince is clearly trying to make things difficult for you. I know you are gentle and don’t want to make enemies, but when necessary, you must show your temper. You can’t let people walk all over you.”

The crown prince he favored was perfect in every way, except that he was too honest and too naive.

These words resonated with many court officials. For a time, the hall was filled with voices denouncing the Crown Prince’s various acts of misconduct. It was as if the Great Mu Dynasty would explode on the spot if Emperor Changping didn’t depose this former Crown Prince tomorrow.

“His Highness, the Crown Prince, has arrived!”

Just as the ministers were discussing the matter to the point of tears and despair, the gatekeeper’s loud and joyful voice came from outside the hall.

The entire banquet hall was like a large loudspeaker that had suddenly been switched off. It instantly fell silent.

Everyone looked towards the door. In the flickering candlelight, a handsome young man dressed in a cloud-white brocade robe slowly entered. He wore a plain Shu silk cape over his shoulders and a piece of mutton-fat jade hung from his waist. The jade and the person complemented each other, bright and translucent. He possessed the pure and noble air that only a true member of the imperial family could have. His ink-black eyes were brighter than the stars in the sky, making it impossible for people to look away.

Sigh, if only his character wasn’t so bad, he would be very pleasing to the eye.

Many people sighed in their hearts. The heavens were truly blind. There were so many good young men in the world, why did they have to give such an appearance to such a notorious former Crown Prince? It was truly a waste of heavenly gifts.

“Old Madam, please watch your step.”

After entering the hall, Mu Yun did not immediately take his seat. Instead, he turned around and helped an old woman with silver hair adorned with gold and silver into the hall.

“Thank you, Xiao Yun.”

Although the old woman was over seventy years old, she was still full of energy, dressed brightly, and had a kind smile. She looked very amiable. It was just that when she crossed the threshold, her legs seemed a little unsteady, and she almost stumbled.

Fortunately, Mu Yun gently supported her and steadied her in time. The old woman smiled even more kindly and held Mu Yun’s hand tightly, not wanting to let go. Her eyes were practically sparkling. What a beautiful boy, what fair and soft little hands.

“Old Madam Wei?!”

After seeing the old woman’s face clearly, not only the Grand Secretary Wei Hong but also several princes stood up.