If it was only the Crown Princess who was killed, this matter would probably just be an inner boudoir feud and the Crown Prince would not dare to rashly report this to his Emperor Father, however, this has now implicated the life of the little imperial grandchildren hence the Crown Prince really did not dare to be negligent. As soon as the palace gate was opened, he immediately knelt outside of Yangxin Hall.
Emperor Chengkang is a very controlling emperor, otherwise he would not have established the all-pervasive Dragon Scale Guard to oversee all officials. Not only had he formulated the decree for his own reign, but also drew up governing policies for the Great Han Dynasty for a hundred years after his death. The Crown Prince is the only prince who he personally guided that could rigidly carry out his political ambitions and unless the Crown Prince disappointed him to the point of intolerable or died prematurely otherwise he would never have considered the rest of the princes
Now that the Crown Prince has given birth to a Di son while he (the emperor) is still in his prime, if the Crown Prince dies prematurely, he is still able to personally raise another imperial grandson. When he aged, wouldn’t it be perfect as the imperial grandson will be at his most energetic and ambitious age?
Therefore, the position of the Crown Prince’s family is difficult to be replaced by any other princes in Emperor Chengkang’s heart. While on the other hand, the resentment of those princes with wild ambitions that are growing with each passing day have finally reached the point of unfathomable. Thus, the murder of the Crown Princess and the imperial grandchildren could have been an inner boudoir feud, or even more likely, the handiwork of other princes.
Once the news reached Emperor Chengkang’s ears, he flew into a rage and set up an imperial case on the spot then roaringly ordered Yu Pin Yan to investigate it strictly to the end. He had heard about all kinds of harmful methods and had seen even more but this kind of method had really touched his otherwise very tough nerves.
Just imagine, a leech is not a rare thing and available to almost anyone who intentionally is looking for it. It can be put into your eyes, ears, mouth or nose and you will die without anybody knowing it. Not only does it suck your blood but also scurry in your veins and flesh before finally gnawing at your brain. One could feel the creepiness with just a brief thought of such a scene.
This technique is not only insidious but also disgusting. The Emperor had goosebumps all over his body and hurriedly ordered the Crown Prince to bring the ‘Worm-devourer’ into the imperial palace, so that he and his imperial harem could take turns to sniff it at once.
The Crown Prince dared not disobey and immediately ordered someone to fetch it, thinking he would have to find another packet of seeds some other day and have Xiang’er help him replant another pot, otherwise he would not dare to sleep at night.
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Yu Xiang stayed in bed until late morning and would have lie there for another four hours if it was not for the proclamation of an imperial edict.
The chief eunuch of Emperor Chengkang personally promulgated the decree. After praising the Third Young Miss Yu for a while, he rewarded her with many treasures and conferred her the title ‘Si Nong Xiangjun[1]’. He then chose and picked around Third Young Miss Yu’s courtyard, pulling a cartful of exotic flowers and plants back. Immediately after that, the Crown Prince and the maiden family of the Crown Princess sent someone over to express their gratitude as well as delivered an endless stream of gifts by the carriages.
Xiangjun is an official rank that is worthy of the daughters of the 7th nobility rank in the feudal hierarchy (knighthood). As this title is bestowed by the Emperor himself, this status is above all the other Xiangjun. Even though it is not comparable to the daughters of the royal clan, it is however regarded as first amongst all the noble ladies by the different surnames.
Yu Xiang didn’t feel anything after receiving the imperial edict. She just did what she ought to do, like eat and sleep, but Lin Shi and Yu Miao Qi almost passed out with anger. They originally thought she would get implicated with the Crown Princess’ serious illness and would be out of luck. Unexpectedly, the Crown Princess took a turn for the better in just one night while she reaped the title of a Xiangjun. What is actually the mystery here?
Lin Shi didn’t bother to speculate when she was unable to guess it and just kneaded her temples then walked back once the decree had been accepted. Yu Miao Qi, however, stopped Old Madam and asked in a low voice, “Grandmother, it is supposed to be a big joyous event for younger sister to be granted the Xiangjun title, but you do know her original identity. If it’s revealed one day, wouldn’t our family be guilty of deceiving the Emperor? How can a small merchant girl be worthy of the title Si Nong Xiangjun?”
Looking at her with her dark gloomy eyes for a long while, Old Madam sneered, “If Xiang’er is not worthy, could it be that you are worthy? Don’t forget, you were raised to the age of ten in the small humble Shen household.” She did not reveal the fact that the Empress already knew about Xianger’s origins but warned, “Now that you know what’s at stake, you and your mother should take care of your own mouths.” With these words, she lifted her foot and left.
Yu Miao Qi chased after her and spoke urgently, “My mother and I will naturally not say anything, but there are still the Zhao family, Yu Si Yu and my former elder brother … whether they can keep their mouths shut or not is not certain.”
Is this intended to use the power and influence of the Marquis manor to eradicate the roots? She did not even set aside the slightest bit of leeway for others. Turning around, Old Madam gazed fixedly at her before eventually shaking her head and left, leaving Yu Miao Qi standing there gnashing her teeth with hatred.
In order to investigate the matter of the Crown Prince’s residence, Yu Pin Yan did not return home for three consecutive days. Stepping foot into the manor that day, Old Madam met him and threw a clean robe over as she urged, “Go wash up quickly then go to the Chang family’s banquet. Chang Ya Fu is out of mourning today.”
“What’s her out of mourning got to do with me?” Yu Pin Yan raised his eyebrows.
“Don’t you want to break the engagement off?” Old Madam stared at him irritably.
Seeing the light suddenly, Yu Pin Yan changed his clothes and hurriedly went to pick his younger sister up from the west wing.