Harem Daily Life

The Queen Mother snorted coldly, "Jin'an has been in the palace since he was three years old and entered the imperial jade disc. He is legitimately a member of our royal family. How come after more than ten years, big brother still hasn't realized this?"

Lord Shu quickly apologized: "I was reckless and said the wrong thing. Please don't be angry, Your Majesty."

The Queen Mother continued, "You all look down on Jin'an, but in my eyes and Your Majesty's, he is the same as the Crown Prince, the Fifth Prince, and the Sixth Prince. There is no distinction between high and low. Today, I will tell you another piece of news. In a few days, Jin'an will be crowned a prince. He will be the youngest prince, a prince with fiefdoms. How could such a noble status be coveted by your wicked concubine?"

Lord Shu was shocked. He had not expected that a prince from the common people would be taken so seriously!

"Well, big brother, since you've done everything I asked you to do, then go back, cultivate yourself, and teach your nephews and nieces. Maybe the Shu family can walk on a more stable path."

Master Shu quickly agreed and tremblingly excused himself, only to find his clothes were soaked. He had never imagined that one day, he would be so terrified of his sister.

On the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, an imperial edict was read out in the main hall, in which He Jin'an was named Prince Jin and granted the fiefdom of Qianzhou. All the civil and military officials in the court were shocked.

"After Prince Jin gets married, he will go to his fiefdom and govern Qianzhou. Starting tomorrow, Prince Jin will go to the palace to discuss matters and study government affairs with the crown prince." He Linzhang's words surprised the ministers again. Many people did not expect that a prince adopted by the people would receive such honor and favor. It was unprecedented.

Some people wanted to object and ask the emperor to revoke his order, but they were stopped by those around them, who told them not to interfere. So although some people disagreed with the emperor's actions, they did not express it directly in the palace.

In the following days, the desks in the imperial study were filled with memorials of criticism, all of which accused the Second Prince of being unworthy of his position.

"You ignore the government affairs and instead care about which son I promote and which son I give fiefdom to." He Linzhang finished reading another memorial of advice and threw it to the ground in anger.

Eunuch Zhang hurriedly and carefully picked it up and advised, "People don't know the true identities of Your Majesty and the Second Prince, so they speak so disobediently. Your Majesty, don't take it to heart. Here is the annual tribute list sent by Yanzhou. Your Majesty, take a look at it, and perhaps it will make you feel better."

He Linzhang took the memorial and said that the State of Yan no longer existed and was renamed Yanzhou. He found a former aristocratic family of the State of Yan to manage the state and made them a vassal king.

He Linzhang looked at the list, very satisfied. "After these annual tributes are transported to the capital, part will be deposited in the national treasury, and part will be brought to the palace for the Empress to dispose of. You go and pick out the best ones first, and give them all to the Empress."

Eunuch Zhang quickly agreed and replied, "The Prince of Yanzhou has also written a letter to Your Majesty. Your Majesty previously instructed me to read it first. The letter states that the Prince of Yanzhou intends to send his daughter to the Great Zhou as a hostage. Your Majesty, please give your instructions."

He Linzhang sneered: "When we conquered Yan State, since I dared to make him a vassal king, I naturally didn't fear his rebellion. In your reply, tell him that I trust him deeply and there is no need to send my daughter as a hostage. He should govern Yan State well. I can see his merits."

Eunuch Zhang nodded and agreed with a smile.

He Linzhang saw that he seemed to have something else to say, so he asked, "What else?"

Eunuch Zhang then reported, "News has come from the Heavenly Prison that... the eldest prince is seriously ill, and they're asking Your Majesty if you'd like to go and see him."

He Linzhang hadn't heard the name He Ye for a long time.

"Your Majesty?" Eunuch Zhang asked again in a low voice when he saw He Linzhang in a daze.

"Let the imperial physician take a look and diagnose first."

Eunuch Zhang was a little worried when he heard this, but since His Majesty didn't seem to want to see the eldest prince, he didn't say anything more and could only reply, "Yes, I will arrange it right away."

In the evening, the imperial physician, returning from the prison, hurried to the Imperial Court and reported to His Majesty, "Your Majesty, I have examined the eldest prince's pulse in the prison. He has been imprisoned for years in that dark, damp, sunlight-free prison. His health is already weak, and now it is deteriorating. I'm afraid... I'm afraid he's not getting well."

He Linzhang's heart sank upon hearing this, and his expression grew exceedingly solemn. He lay awake all night, his mind reeling from the image of the eldest prince as a child. The next day, after the morning court session, He Linzhang headed straight to the Heavenly Prison.

The prison was dark and damp, filled with a pungent, rancid odor. He Linzhang frowned as he slowly moved forward, guided by the jailer. When he saw the figure huddled in the corner, he paused.

Judging by his upbringing, He Ye could be considered a child of destiny. He Linzhang had few children, and with only He Ye as his son, if no other children were born, He Ye would have been the sole heir to the throne. However, this child possessed a violent and intolerant temperament. Despite his young age, he was ruthless, even resorting to violence against his own brothers, a fact that greatly disappointed He Linzhang.

Looking at the eldest prince who was once full of vigor and vitality, now skinny and pale as paper, He Linzhang sighed and walked forward.

Hearing footsteps, He Ye slowly raised his head, his eyes empty as he looked at He Linzhang. It took him a long time to recognize his father. His dry lips moved, but no sound came out. Having been imprisoned in the Sky Prison for years, with no one to speak to him, he had long since forgotten how to speak.

He Linzhang felt a sharp pain in his heart and whispered, "Ye'er, the emperor is here to see you."

A complex emotion flashed in He Ye's eyes, including resentment, desire, and a hint of confusion.

He struggled to stand up and salute, but was unable to do so. He Linzhang, not caring about the dirt, stepped forward and hurriedly supported him, saying, "No need to be so polite."

He Ye suddenly spoke in a hoarse voice: "Father, I know I was wrong. Please let me go." He Ye's eyes were red and his hair was scattered in front of his forehead. He looked very embarrassed.

He Linzhang couldn't help but well up in tears.

"I'll have the imperial physician come and treat you. Once you're well, I'll let you go and find a beautiful place where you can live out the rest of your life."

After hearing this, He Ye's eyes flashed with disappointment: "Father, you still refuse to forgive me, and still blame me for poisoning the child born to Mrs. Tao." After saying that, he dodged He Linzhang's hand and slowly lay back in his original position.

"Father, I remember that before Lady Tao entered the palace, you often came to visit me and treated me very well. But ever since Lady Tao entered the palace, you no longer see anyone else. Not you, Mother, not Queen Wang, not me either. The only one who has eyes for Lady Tao is her seductive charm. She has ruined the lives of so many people."

He Linzhang frowned: "He Ye, don't be disrespectful to Queen Tao."

He Ye sneered, his cloudy eyes looking at He Linzhang: "Am I wrong? Didn't the emperor fall for her charm and abandon his wife and children? Look at me, I am in this situation now. It is indeed my fault, but her Queen Tao... also contributed to it."