Proud Feather

Chapter 35 Disposal
From the arrival of Concubine Tian Shu to Tian Hui'er's confession, it took only a short time. The Tian family members sang, recited, acted and fought, and the four of them took on all the roles.

The emperor still asked his daughter: "A Ling, what do you say?"

According to Chu Ling's previous temper, she would have exploded by now, but at this moment, her expression was calm: "Father, let the decision be made. After all, they are my second brother's in-laws. If this creates a rift between my second brother and me, it would be bad."

The emperor's heart ached when he heard this. His daughter was a troublemaker, not afraid of anything, but now she had to worry about this.

"You don't have to think about this!" The emperor found the Tian family increasingly annoying. "You're a princess, higher in rank than a prince. Don't you have the right to punish a criminal who offended you?"

Chu Ling looked up at him, tears in her eyes: "Father!"

The emperor nodded encouragingly: "Tell me, what do you want?"

Chu Ling was silent for a moment, and finally, under the nervous gaze of the Tian family, she said, "I don't want to see them again."

"Alright." The emperor turned to look at the Tian family. "Spreading rumors isn't a serious crime, but daring to plot against the princess is unforgivable. Concubine Shu, I'll leave your niece to your care. Teach her a lesson in duty, and then send her back to her hometown along with the Tian family."

This is to wipe out the Tian family completely!
The three ministers present were all touched.

The Dahuai Temple rumor was a minor event in the entire case. Firstly, the rumor hadn't spread widely, and secondly, the damage wasn't significant. Any punishment would likely be confined to the inner court. Yet, the emperor showed no mercy to the Tian family and stripped them of their official positions, all earned through his favor.

What does this mean? Even if Concubine Shu is favored, the Second Prince is already the first candidate for the crown prince, but his weight in His Majesty's heart is still not as great as that of the princess.

Also, Your Majesty just said, "Teach her what duty is." What is Tian Hui'er's duty? To be a good attendant to the princess? What about the Tian family? Even what about Concubine Shu?
It was not the place for outsiders to interfere in the emperor's family affairs. The three important ministers said nothing and just watched silently.

Concubine Tian Shu leaned forward and replied in a trembling voice, "Yes. I will take care of it right away and come back to apologize later!"

The emperor nodded and watched her take everyone from the Tian family away.

"Gao Qing, you did a good job."

Gao Mian hurriedly said, "It was all the princess's advice. I dare not take any credit for it."

Regardless of whether it was polite or not, he said it, and everyone followed his lead. The emperor said, "After this incident, I have more confidence in your ability to find the real culprit."

Gao Mian lowered his head and suppressed the excitement in his heart: "I will do my best to find out the truth and repay your kindness."

At this point, the emperor also grew tired: "Alright, all of you go down!"

The three ministers responded in unison and quietly retreated.

Only the father and daughter were left in the hall.

"A Ling." The emperor softened his voice and looked at his daughter.

Chu Ling's eyes were red, but she smiled: "What are your instructions, Father?"

Seeing this made the emperor even more uncomfortable. He said, "If you're unhappy, just say it. Why should you hide it in front of your father?"

Chu Ling bit her lip and said nothing.

The emperor waited patiently. Chu Ling was finally moved. She walked over quickly, leaned on the emperor's knees, and cried, "Father, I'm so scared!"

The emperor patted her head and sighed silently: "What are you afraid of? You are a princess, higher in rank than a prince. I have even given you the title of 'Jia'. Apart from me, you don't have to be afraid of anyone in this world."

Chu Ling just shook his head: "But Father, I feel like the world has suddenly become so strange. How long has it been since Big Brother left? Less than a month, how come so many things are different? Big Brother was praised by everyone, everyone thought he was a good person, but he was murdered by someone. Hui'er used to obey me obediently, and I always thought she was loyal, but I didn't expect her to become jealous over such a small matter."

She grasped the emperor's sleeve, her voice tinged with grievance, "Father, I have a bad temper, but I know for sure I've never treated her unfairly. Sometimes I accidentally lose my temper with her, but I always make amends later. So, how many of those who greet me with smiles actually hate me in their hearts?"

After hearing these words, the emperor felt even more disgusted with Tian Huier.

He said, "A Ling, you don't need to think about this. Who is Tian Hui'er? Being able to be with you is a great blessing for her. How can she have the right to resent you? The Tian family is originally your mother's servants, so naturally they should serve you as their master. It's her fault that she has other intentions. You don't need to reflect on it."

"But she is my second brother's cousin." Chu Ling lowered his head. "Father, I understand. My eldest brother is gone. You will eventually appoint a new crown prince, and that will be my second brother. By then, the Tian family will be prosperous. How can we still treat them as servants? That will undermine the dignity of the emperor."

The emperor frowned.

Chu Ling continued, "And the Concubine Shu, she will be the Crown Prince's mother by then. How can she still mention her past as a slave?"

"A Ling..." The emperor was in mixed feelings. He wanted to comfort her, but he had no way to refute her.

"Father, I'm fine." Chu Ling raised her head and smiled at him again, but it was a little sad no matter how she looked at it. "You have your difficulties, and I understand them. I'm not saying this to complain, but I just don't know who to talk to. It feels like I wasted my time growing older without gaining wisdom. Now I truly see the world as it should be."

The emperor was so moved by her words that he could only stroke her head and sigh, "A Ling, my poor child!"

Chu Ling smiled and changed the subject: "Let's not talk about these unhappy things. Father, have I done this job well? Can I continue with it?"

How could the emperor pour cold water on her at this time? He smiled and responded, "Well, you have sorted this matter out in just two days. I think you are much more capable than them!"

Chu Ling laughed heartily: "Father is teasing me again. Lord Gao is still capable, but there are some things I dare to do that he dares not."

The emperor replied, "He is a little timid, but he is a master of practical matters."

Chu Ling was counting: "Now that the rumors have been clarified, it's time to go investigate the Dahuai Temple. Father, those monks are in the Imperial City Division, right? I'll go find Master Xue tomorrow!"

The emperor nodded and said, "I'll have someone tell Xue Wang."

The father and daughter talked for a while and had lunch together before Chu Ling took her leave.

Before leaving, the emperor said, "A Ling, don't worry, I will make arrangements for you."

Chu Ling seemed not to understand and agreed with a smile.

After she sat on the sedan chair and lowered the curtain, she finally put away her expression and revealed a hint of a sneer.

I'd known Concubine Shu wouldn't give in so easily, so I easily pushed the blame onto Tian Hui'er, turning it into a jealous saga between two daughters, and brushed it off lightly. So what if my father punishes me severely? As long as my second brother ascends the throne, the Tian family will be back.

But it doesn't matter. The Dali Temple has already made this matter an ironclad case. The Tian family resents the old master, and Concubine Shu's moral failings are clearly recorded in the file. Tian will never have the chance to become queen in this life!

She wanted to tear off the faces of this mother and son bit by bit, and let the world see their unfaithful, unfilial, unkind and unjust faces underneath!