RPAGF Chapter 288 A Forced Decision
Chapter 288 A Forced Decision
"Your Highness, Consort Jin is ill, and His Majesty forbids anyone from entering to disturb her."
"Sick? She was perfectly fine when I arrived, how did she suddenly become sick?"
"This old servant is unaware; please, Your Highness, do not make things difficult for this old servant."
Hearing this, Wei Jianning was filled with anger. Seeing his grim expression, Qin Shun took two steps closer and whispered words of advice:
"Your Highness, His Majesty is unwell, yet he lingers in bed all day long. This old servant is truly worried!"
"Eunuch Qin, you have served Father Emperor for many years and know him best. Tell me, why has Father Emperor suddenly become like this?"
After hesitating for a moment, Qin Shun shook his head and said:
"His Majesty was relatively normal before, but ever since Consort Lan entered the palace, I don't know what kind of bewitching potion she gave him. His Majesty is not only listless all day long, but also doesn't care about state affairs. This old servant is very anxious, but there's nothing I can do. Now, there's Consort Jin as well. His Majesty is... sigh! This old servant advises you, for the sake of the Northern Wei Dynasty's court, you should go and discuss it with Lord Lin and Lord Zhu. It's time to let His Majesty enjoy his old age in peace."
Wei Jianning understood the meaning behind Qin Shun's words: he wanted him to ascend the throne as soon as possible, so that the emperor could become the retired emperor.
But if such a thing came out of his mouth, it would be tantamount to treason. How could he possibly say it?
He shook his head helplessly, and remembering the purpose of his visit today, he said again:
"Eunuch Qin, could you please go in and inform him that I have urgent business with him?"
"Your Highness, it's not that this old servant is not reporting, but His Majesty just sent word that he will not see anyone, and he specifically emphasized that he will not see you, the Crown Prince."
Upon hearing this, Wei Jianning suddenly had a bad feeling.
Does the Emperor know what he's here for?
The Empress was also in Jinxiu Palace just now. It seems the Emperor believed her?
He waited outside for a long time for the emperor, but the emperor still refused to see him. Even when it got dark, the emperor did not leave Mianxiu Palace, which annoyed him. So he angrily returned to the Crown Prince's residence.
He was thoroughly embarrassed, and Lan Zhi, noticing his pale face, quickly went over to ask him what was wrong.
"Didn't you see the Emperor?"
He sighed and nodded.
"I haven't seen it. If he really issues an edict forbidding you from becoming the Crown Princess, I will do what Wei Jianxun did and seize his throne..."
"My lord, you mustn't talk nonsense."
Lan Zhi was surprised that Wei Jianning would say such a thing, and immediately stopped him.
"No matter what, he is still your father."
"But he was utterly incompetent..."
"He may be incompetent, but you cannot commit patricide, or you will be condemned by all the people."
He understood this principle, of course. He was just anxious because his father was always preoccupied with women. He was also anxious because his father not only neglected state affairs but also, like those women, found fault with them in every way.
He can tolerate others bullying him, but he absolutely cannot tolerate his woman being bullied.
The next day
His worst fears came true.
The Emperor's decree arrived at the Crown Prince's residence amidst the morning mist, and Qin Shun, holding the decree, looked extremely grim.
He glanced at Wei Jianning, sighed helplessly, unfolded the imperial edict, and loudly proclaimed:
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Because Lan Zhi's family background is unclear, and she has been married to the Crown Prince for over a year, her true origins still cannot be confirmed. I am concerned that her unknown identity may be detrimental to the Northern Wei court. According to the laws of the Northern Wei court, Lan Zhi is not suitable to continue as the Crown Princess. She may remain in the Crown Prince's residence as the wet nurse of the young prince, and from now on, she should consider herself a concubine. So be it."
The contents of the imperial edict were so shocking that no one present could believe it.
Everyone knelt on the spot, motionless, but Wei Jianning suddenly laughed mockingly.
"Ha! The Emperor can really take a life with just a few words! Eunuch Qin, please go back and tell the Emperor that I refuse this imperial edict."
Qin Shun looked at him with a very troubled expression.
"Your Highness, the Emperor's decree has been issued. If you do not accept it, it will be considered disobeying the decree. This old servant will not be able to explain it when I return. You should accept it!"
“I said I wouldn’t answer, and I won’t. I’m going to the palace to see the Emperor right now.”
"Don't go. The Emperor has said that his mind is made up, and no amount of pleading will help. This old servant advises you to accept the decree!"
As he said this, Qin Shun's eyes also showed disappointment and helplessness.
The emperor he knew before was not like this. How could the current emperor be so incompetent? But what could he, a mere palace servant, do?
Wei Jianning stood up abruptly, snatched the imperial edict from Qin Shun's hand, and was about to tear it to shreds when Lan Zhi quickly stepped forward and stopped him.
"Husband, no."
“Why not? He knows how deep my feelings for you are, yet he insists on doing this. It’s obvious he doesn’t want me to have a good time. When he issued this imperial decree, he didn’t consider what I’ve done for the court, nor what you’ve done for me, nor even that I’m his son. Since that’s the case, what else do I have to consider?”
Even though what he said was true, Lan Zhi still shook her head to stop him.
"Under no circumstances can you tear up the imperial edict; it would be a grave act of disrespect."
Qin Shun also chimed in with his advice:
"The Crown Princess is right. This is a great act of disrespect. If you tear up this imperial edict today, it will only give others cause for gossip. You should think twice!"
Those present, though not daring to utter a sound, were all holding their breath in suspense for him.
Seeing that his emotions had stabilized somewhat, Lan Zhi slowly pried open his fingers, took the imperial edict from his hand, and turned to look at Qin Shun.
"Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Qin."
Eunuch Qin shook his head helplessly, then turned and left with his group of eunuchs.
Lan Zhi held the imperial edict, looked at Wei Jianning who was standing there dumbfounded with anger, and said softly:
"Everyone's here, let's go inside and talk!"
Seeing this, Tang Jun quickly waved his hand to the crowd.
"Everyone, go get busy, stop watching the show."
After everyone dispersed, Wei Jianning took Lan Zhi's hand and quickly entered the house, saying with a firm look in his eyes:
"My wife, let's leave here and go back to Kangzhuang Village."
"Husband, what are you saying?"
Lan Zhi stared at him in astonishment.
"You are the Crown Prince, how can you just leave like that?"
A disdainful smile crept across Wei Jianning's lips.
"I am the crown prince, and to outsiders, I am incredibly glamorous. But what use am I as the crown prince if I can't even protect my own woman?"
Lan Zhi understood his thoughts. She went to his side, hugged him, and gently comforted him:
“I know you mean well. This matter is also related to me. I don’t know my own name or who my parents are. No wonder the Emperor issued an edict to demote me from my rank as a concubine.”
“I don’t care who you are, you are the only woman in my life. When I heard the contents of the imperial decree just now, I had already decided that if the position of crown prince would hinder our relationship, then we would not take it. We would go back to the countryside and live our own little life. Isn’t that what you want?”
Although what Wei Jianning said was exactly what she hoped for, for the sake of the bigger picture, she continued to persuade him:
Do you think the Emperor will let you leave so easily?
"Yes, the Empress is eyeing the position of Crown Prince, and I am also extremely disappointed with it. Our departure is exactly what she wants."
Lan Zhi still felt it was inappropriate.
"But what will happen to the imperial court if you leave?"