Chapter 71: The Crown Prince Abdicates

  Zhao Xun couldn't understand why the Crown Prince would voluntarily abdicate. She thought this was just a rumor spread by outsiders.

  But Lu Changxiu, upon hearing the news, repeatedly confirmed that this was not a rumor: "The people in the government are all saying this, how could it be a false rumor? If the Crown Prince had not submitted his own petition to abdicate, who would dare spread such rumors?"

  That's also true, if it were in the capital city, there might be a possibility that it was a rumor spread by political enemies on purpose. But here is Shanghai Prefecture, which is far away from the capital city. If rumors fabricated out of thin air can spread so far, then the government offices along the way are useless, and the imperial court will soon collapse.

  Zhao Xun was worried, if it wasn't a rumor, then it meant that the crown prince had really abdicated. Why? Was his injury too severe? But he could still ask to abdicate on his own, didn't that prove that his mind was still clear? At least he was still alive, even if his injuries were severe, with good treatment, there would be a day when he recovered. Now, if he asked to abdicate and later recovered from his injuries, but the emperor had already appointed a new crown prince, what would he do then?

  He was shot by a poisoned arrow, not crippled or disabled, and he didn't do anything wrong, there's no reason for him to step down, yet he did, is there something unavoidable going on behind the scenes?

  It was not that Zhao Xun was worried, but because the Crown Prince's family had been very kind to them, and from a personal perspective, she did not want the young man who was handsome, upright, and wise in her memory to suffer an unfortunate fate. She also did not want his gentle and kind wife and their lovely son to be heartbroken. Moreover, these years, they had all been under the protection of the Crown Prince. If they lost this protection, how would the newly established heir apparent view them, people who were obviously close to the Crown Prince?

  Her heart was like a cat's scratch, she couldn't wait to grow wings and fly to the capital. To ask her grandmother and little brother what was going on.

  They must have known the news long ago, right? How are they now? When will they return? It's been only seven or eight days since Rui Da Lao Ye set out with two clansmen and is still on the way. By the time they arrive in Beijing and send a message back, who knows when that will be.

  Zhao Xun was getting anxious and urged Lu Changxiu: "Go ask around, find out why the Crown Prince asked to step down himself, how is his injury now?"

  Lu Changxiu responded with a "yes". Then hesitated and asked: "Miss, if the Crown Prince abdicates, what will happen to our family?"

  Zhaoyi was stunned. She didn't expect Luchangxiu to have thought of this too. Usually, she saw him as quiet and taciturn, but now it seemed he had such sharp thoughts. But how could she respond now? All she could say was: "What can be done about it? We'll just go on with our lives as usual. I'm more worried about the crown prince's injuries."

  Lu Changxiu seemed somewhat dissatisfied with her answer. Zhang Kou was about to say something when he was pulled by his wife, Lu Ma, and shut his mouth. After the couple retreated together and arrived at the courtyard, Lu Changxiu asked with some dissatisfaction: "Just now, why did you pull me?"

  Lu's mother glared at him: "Of course I want to pull you, what did you just ask? The Crown Prince has great kindness towards our humble house, and no matter if it's the old lady, big brother or big sister, they're all worried about his injury. As for whether he is still the Crown Prince or not, what does that have to do with us? In the past when he wasn't the Crown Prince, we lived like this; when he became the Crown Prince, our household was still like this; and if he steps down, what difference would it make?"

  Lu Changxiu hesitated for a moment before asking the question that was most pressing on his mind: "I'm worried, when we were in the second house and sued in front of the emperor, we could win because the crown prince supported us. Now if he abdicates, will the fourth house... come back again?"

  Lu's mother looked at him in surprise: "What makes them think they can come back? The case was judged by the emperor himself, and the crown prince only testified for our old lady. Unless the emperor changes his mind, who dares to overturn the verdict? What's wrong with you today? How could you ask such a thing?"

  Lu Changxiu smiled somewhat awkwardly: "Isn't it just thinking too much? It's really... being scared by the Crown Prince's abdication, I'm still a bit dizzy now."

  Lu's mother became worried: "Is it because the sun is too big today and you got dizzy from the heat? Don't tell me you've gotten a heat stroke! You hurry back home and rest, I'll send someone else to ask for news."

  Lu Changxiu also felt that his current situation was not good, and there were some other things to do, so he agreed, and hurried back to his own house. Lu's mother went out to ask for news without mentioning it.

  After several more days, the news from the capital gradually became clear. The Crown Prince indeed suffered severe injuries and might not fully recover, so he voluntarily asked to abdicate due to concerns that he could no longer serve as a qualified heir. The Emperor tearfully agreed to his request, allowing him and his family to move back to the Guangping Wang Fu from the East Palace, but did not formally issue an edict stripping him of his title, probably because he couldn't bear it and still held onto some hope that his son would fully recover one day.

  But the Crown Prince - or rather, the current King of Guangping - memorialized to request that the Emperor establish a new heir. He also proposed a method for selecting a new crown prince, which was adopted by the Emperor. All princes other than the King of Guangping - whether it was the eldest second prince or the youngest sixth prince who was not yet seven years old - were all moved into the side halls of the Qianqing Palace to live together, eat together, sleep together, sit together, and lie down together. They would study together and be examined by the Emperor together. The Emperor would select the most suitable crown prince from their daily behavior. During this period, all princes could not contact their mothers or external officials, and the attendants beside them were also appointed by the Emperor.

  This probation period is likely to last for a considerable period of time. The grown-up princes have long moved out of the palace and established their own residences, so how can they get used to this life under the eyes of the old emperor? Among them, there are also carefree princes who do not aspire to the throne, but unfortunately, they cannot escape even if they want to, and can only endure it silently. At the same time, the underage young princes are too young, having just started their education, with limited knowledge and thinking ability, and without familiar people to guide them, even if they are smart, they will easily be surpassed by their older brothers, or even reveal their youthful ignorance. This examination is a severe test for all the princes, yet no one dares to disobey the order.

  One thing is certain, that before the trial period ends. Outsiders do not understand the performance of the princes and cannot judge which prince is more favored by the emperor. Those who have a mind can't do anything, afraid of revealing their intentions, being caught and losing the advantage of the prince they support.

  The situation in Beijing has presented a strange calmness.

  Zhao Xun heard these rumors, and after secretly letting out a breath of relief, he also felt that something was strange. Although the Crown Prince's abdication was a major event that could not be hidden from the world no matter what, it was different from the previous rumors such as "The Crown Prince might die" or "Which imperial son will become the new heir". However, so many details were spreading all over the world. Was someone also secretly stirring up trouble? Were they in cahoots with the people who spread the news of the Crown Prince's injury earlier? What was their ultimate goal?

  Zhao Xun only hoped that her grandmother, Zhang Shi, and younger brother, Zhao Wei, who were still in the capital, would not be implicated in this matter of imperial succession, as long as the family of the Prince of Guangping was safe. Isn't that right?

  The Capital City. The Wangfu of Guangping King.

  Gao Yun, who had returned to being the Prince of Guangping from the Crown Prince of Dong Palace, calmly finished drinking the medicinal broth handed over by Princess Zhong, and revealed a faint smile: "Today's medicine isn't as bitter as yesterday's, could it be that the imperial physician has finally taken pity on me?"

  Zhong's eyes reddened at the words, and he hastily took over the bowl, forcing a smile as he said, "What nonsense are you talking about? With Old Lady Zhao here, Prince Wang has nothing to fear from being laughed at."

  Madam Zhang sat on a stool not far away, casting a sympathetic glance at the Prince of Guangping as she listened to his words. Hurriedly covering up her unusual expression, she smiled and said: "Your Highness's injury has taken a turn for the better. Your mood is good enough that you can joke around, I'm delighted but haven't had time to react yet, how could I possibly laugh at you?"

  King Guangping laughed: "This is all thanks to the medical books and medicinal materials contributed by Old Lady Zhao. If it weren't for the prescriptions in those ancient books you sent, the imperial physician wouldn't have been able to concoct an antidote for the poison I ingested. You also sent so many good medicinal materials, which allowed all the toxins in my body to be completely eliminated. Old Lady, your contributions should be remembered as the greatest."

  "Alas," sighed Zhang, "I am ashamed, if only I could find more ancient medical books..."

  The King of Guangping waved his hand and lowered his voice: "Old lady, I know what you want to say, it's nothing more than my eyes. But I was poisoned severely and my injuries are serious, being able to keep my life is already a great fortune, I don't dare to have any other wishes. I just hope that the fourth prince can smoothly ascend to the throne, take advantage of me still being able to teach him some things, do my best to help him stabilize his position in the East Palace, and then I will retire and focus on recovering my health in the palace, from now on no longer worrying about the court's turmoil." He relaxed his expression, a pair of dull eyes fixed on Queen Wang, smiling warmly: "In recent years, I've been busy with government affairs, neglecting you and the crown prince, it's time for me to spend more time with them..."

  Zhong's eyes reddened again, she grasped the hand of Guangping King and said softly: "Your Majesty, why say such things? I and Zhēn brother have never complained about you. As long as you are well, your body recovers soon, and you are still as spirited as before, no matter how much suffering I endure, it is my pleasure."

  The King of Guangping smiled even more gently.

  Zhong Shi took the medicine bowl and left the room, and the smile on Guangping Wang's face also faded. If even his wife couldn't accept the fact that he was blind, others would surely be even more unwilling to accept it. Hopefully, he wouldn't make a mistake and do something he shouldn't do.

  Zhang noticed his unusual mood and called out to him: "Your Highness?"

  Guangping King quickly regained his smile and said to Zhang, "Madam Zhao, you don't have to worry. The matter of Wei's noble title has already been mentioned by me to the Emperor, I'm sure it won't be long before he issues a clear edict."

  "Zhang's family has already given up hope: "Whether or not Wei Ge can become the Duke of Jian Nan is actually not important, I just want a definite answer. Now that I've seen things clearly, I dare not have high hopes again. Your Highness should focus on recovering from your illness. After some time, when the weather cools down, I'll take Wei Ge back to the south as well."

  The King of Guangping's face showed a look of surprise, he furrowed his brow and thought for a moment before asking in a soft voice: "What happened?"

  Zhang endured for a moment, but ultimately couldn't hold back: "Zhao Yue was promoted to the sixth rank last month. It's said that it was due to his military achievements, and even if we don't discuss whether these achievements are true or false, when he went to Jinzhou, he was just a minor ninth-rank inspector. In five years, he has been promoted six ranks in a row, which is simply unbelievable. With his abilities, it's absolutely impossible for him to have been promoted based on real talent and merit. No matter who is standing behind him, please don't be careless, Your Highness!"