Rebirth: The flatterer prince I raised couldn't be so clingy

The palace walls glowed a solemn and dull dark red at night, and under the golden roof of the Funing Hall were palace lanterns that were always burning.

Emperor Yu was playing with the twisted jade chain with orchid tassels in his hand, lost in thought, not knowing what he was thinking about.

It was not until Nei Guan Han walked into the hall that he came to his senses.

"Your Majesty, the Empress Defei is here."

"Let her in."

Emperor Yu placed the object in his hand on the table and looked up at Concubine De as she walked in.

The slim Concubine De was still wearing a Taoist robe and holding a whisk, as if she had just arranged the rituals in the Chonghe Hall with the Taoists.

Defei bowed as usual, but was exempted from the formality by Emperor Yu. She stood up and saw the small gadgets on the table at a glance.

"Your Majesty, are you thinking of Concubine Hui again?"

Emperor Yu did not refute, but secretly picked up the jade chain and plucked the orchid tassels.

"Too many things happened today. I finally understand why Concubine Hui wants me to have nightmares all the time. She is blaming me."

Concubine De shook her head and said, "Sister Huifei is a kind person. I have also said that there is no evil spirit in your Majesty. She just cannot be reincarnated. She had no choice but to hope to clear her name through this. Fortunately, Prince Duan not only found a witness for her, but also dug up the matter of the Seventh Prince."

"That matter has not yet been concluded. We have to see what can be found out during the trial..."

Emperor Yu wanted to refute, but he stopped halfway through.

Concubine De walked over and held the hand of Emperor Yu that was holding the jade chain, patting it comfortingly: "In fact, Your Majesty already knows the situation, doesn't he? If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, how could Prince Duan have mentioned the matter of oleander, why did Cao Shuyi react so violently, and why couldn't Xian Zhi refute it?"

Emperor Yu fell into a rare silence.

After a while, he sighed, "Yes, I believed the false testimony of the palace maid and wronged Concubine Hui. I feel guilty towards them and their son. Now I don't know how to make amends."

"Among the three princes now, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince lives in the East Palace, Prince Rui is raised by Concubine Shu and has his own palace in the city, but he is still living under someone else's roof. I feel pity for him, not to mention what people outside say about him. It just so happens that he has suppressed his evil spirit now, so why not give him a house while we can, what do you think?"

Defei smiled gently, flicked her whisk, and told her plan.

Unexpectedly, Emperor Yu frowned and said, "Although he has improved a lot after being taught by Zuo Qing, the child still has some problems. He used the legitimate son of Marquis Guang'an to threaten him to give up his political views. This is inappropriate. If no one teaches him, I'm afraid he will cause a lot of trouble again."

It turns out that the old fox entered the palace to trip up Prince Duan. No wonder when Emperor Yu first entered Chonghe Hall yesterday, he didn't even want to look at Prince Duan.

Defei's eyes flashed, and she already had an idea in her mind.

"Without the love and care of his closest relatives, this child will naturally become more indifferent. If Your Majesty does not mind, I am willing to take care of him on behalf of Sister Huifei so that he can learn more and not become a failure in the future and embarrass Your Majesty when he goes out."

Emperor Yu pondered for a while and said, "If you are willing, it is not impossible. I will ask Zuo Qing tomorrow and then make a decision."

Concubine De nodded calmly and took the jade chain from Emperor Yu.

"This item is a relic of Sister Huifei. It contains the karma of Sister. To avoid your majesty worrying, why not give it to me? I am willing to place it in front of the Three Pure Ones statues and pray every day to help Sister escape the suffering of karma as soon as possible and have a safe and smooth reincarnation."

Emperor Yu looked at her hand again, waved his hand and let her take it.

After leaving Funing Palace, Rong Xu followed behind Concubine De. The master and servant walked for a while before Concubine De handed the jade chain in her hand to Rong Xu.

"Tonight, find someone to copy the pattern of this thing and make a replica. Tomorrow, ask Gao Ye to give it to Prince Duan. All of his mother's belongings were burned in the fire in the cold palace. The child doesn't even have anything to remember him by. This thing is useless in the hands of the emperor. It's better to give it to someone who really needs it."

There was a cold moonlight shining on Defei's brows. She had just faked a smile for too long and now she was too lazy to show any expression on her face.

Rong Xu simply wrapped the jade chain in a handkerchief, put it in her arms, and responded softly.

"Yes."

The second day's ceremony was completed exceptionally smoothly. Emperor Yu posthumously conferred the title of Concubine Jiayi on Concubine Hui, offered sacrifices to the Taimiao, and announced it to the world.

After everyone dispersed, it was seen that Nei Guan Han informed Feng Zhanye and Gao Ye to go to the Imperial Library. According to Concubine De's information, the result of Xian Zhi's interrogation should have come out.

The two were quickly led into the cabinet by the eunuchs. As soon as they entered, they saw Emperor Yu sitting in front of the desk, Zuo Fuhong, Empress Zou and Concubine De were also there.

When Emperor Yu saw the two people coming in, he stopped reviewing the memorial in his hand, put down his red brush and said, "They are all here."

Gao Ye and Feng Zhanye saluted together.

"See Your Majesty."

Emperor Yu looked at the two young faces in front of him and nodded approvingly: "Well, no need to be polite."

"I called you here today to put an end to what happened yesterday."

Emperor Yu first looked at Gao Ye and said, "Gao Ye, you reported the news in time and ordered people to protect Prince Duan. I hereby grant you the title of Little Yongning Marquis and reward you with ten pieces of colorful satin and one hundred taels of gold as a reward."

As soon as these words were spoken, Queen Zou's face turned a little ugly. The rewards of wealth and property were not a big deal, but to decide so easily that one would directly inherit the title in the future, wasn't this reward a bit too heavy?

Her Zou family is an important family in the country. The honor that only her nephews can get was obtained by this kid with such a small thing. If this gets out, won’t people laugh at her?

If it weren't for Concubine De relying on her prayers for auspicious signs, the Gao family would still be struggling in the remote countryside of Jiangnan, and how could they have the chance to return to Beijing?

Upon hearing this, Zuo Fuhong squinted his eyes and looked Gao Ye up and down.

Concubine De knew what the two people's expressions would be without even looking. Seeing that Empress Zou was about to refute, she deliberately responded to Emperor Yu's gaze with an embarrassed smile and said:

"It is rare for a young man in Kyoto to receive such an award before he reaches the age of twenty. Your Majesty, isn't it too indulgent for him to be praised like this?"

Emperor Yu shook his head and said, "It's alright, Concubine De, you have relieved my worries and you have taken so much trouble in this ritual. Just think of it as a favor from me."

"Then I will be disrespectful to refuse. Gao Ye, please thank your majesty quickly."

Gao Ye knelt down obediently and thanked him: "Your Majesty, I respectfully thank you."

Although Queen Zou was unhappy because she was silenced, she could not express it openly, so she stared at Feng Zhanye again.

Unexpectedly, Emperor Yu just looked at the young man and did not speak to him. Instead, he spoke to Zuo Fuhong first.

"Zuo Qing, I have asked you to educate Prince Duan these days. Thank you for your hard work."

Emperor Yu's sudden remark stunned both Zuo Fuhong and Empress Zou. After hesitating for a long time, Zuo Fuhong had to agree first.

"Your Majesty, there is no need to be polite. I am just following your orders and doing my duty."

"Prince Duan, you must never forget the kindness of raising me."

Emperor Yu then looked at Feng Zhanye.

Feng Zhanye raised his eyes slightly and saw that although Zuo Fuhong bowed slightly respectfully, he did not forget to threaten him with his eyes.

He lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes covering his eyes, and said something against his will: "Teacher's careful teachings, I have always kept them in my heart and will never forget them."

Emperor Yu nodded approvingly: "Prince Duan is getting older now, and I can't bother the Prime Minister's Mansion anymore. There is a prince's mansion in the north of the city, which is just right for it to be used as a prince's mansion. What do you think, Zuo Qing?"