Spring Drunk Chang'an

"My son is overthinking things!" Prince Yan chuckled. He was just about to discuss the matter of Fan Liuxiu with Concubine Qu when suddenly, a palace maid hurried in from outside. Seeing the two of them, she knelt down with a plop and said, "Your Majesty, Eunuch Bai has arrived. He said the Emperor has issued an order for the prince to appear before him in Qiankun Palace."

"Your Majesty?" Concubine Qu frowned, puzzled, "Did you tell me why?"

Wansui knows that Xun'er is with her, so he usually doesn't disturb her!

"Eunuch Bai leaked the news, saying it's something about the court and the border!" the palace maid whispered.

Prince Yan and Concubine Qu looked at each other and fell silent.

Their faces didn't look good.

half an hour...

"Mother, the Crown Prince just finished his audience with the Emperor and went to the Empress. His speech and behavior are very different from usual, so... maybe something went wrong with him and he's reported my son's mischief?"

King Yan asked speculatively.

Those with harsh looks are quite sinister.

Concubine Qu's pretty face darkened. "Alright, what's the point of guessing here? Just go ask your father. He always loves you!"

"Mother will accompany you."

After saying that, she spread her sleeves and stood up, walked slowly to the side of Prince Yan, held his wrist as if she was holding a child, and accompanied him out of the palace.

The mother and son followed the eunuch Bai in front of the emperor and went to the Qiankun Palace together.

At that time...

Emperor Yingwu had just issued an order to send General Xu Chang back to the capital to "examine" him when he saw the mother and daughter coming over hand in hand.

Concubine Qu, a female member of the harem, did not need anyone's permission to enter the Qiankun Palace. This shows how much the emperor favored her.

Even the queen doesn't receive this treatment.

However, Emperor Yingwu didn't think there was anything wrong. Instead, his face turned bitter, completely different from when he was facing the Crown Prince. He actually stood up from the throne, raised his hand to hold Concubine Qu's arm, and asked with concern: "Zhan Yan, it's so hot, why did you come here in person?"

Zhan Yan - that is Concubine Qu's maiden name.

"You haven't been to the harem for two days. I'm worried about you!" Concubine Qu frowned slightly and did not mention Eunuch Bai. She just spoke softly with infinite tenderness.

Emperor Yingwu sighed and shook his head, "I am high up in the palace, with so many people serving me. What is there to worry about?"

Concubine Qu smiled gently.

On the side, Prince Yan saw this and took two steps forward to greet him, saying, "Your Majesty, your son greets you."

He didn't kneel.

Emperor Yingwu didn't care. He just raised his hand to indicate that he didn't need to be polite, and pointed to the couch, "Zhanyan, Xun'er, please sit down."

"Yes!"

The mother and son looked at each other and sat down.

Concubine Qu spontaneously sat down next to Emperor Wuying and poured him a cup of tea. Prince Yan sat opposite them with a smile on his face.

It seems that he really wants to be gentle.

It's a pity that I was born with a problem of appearance. No matter how I smile, I look sinister!

He doesn't look like a good person.

However, the bald-headed son was his own son, so Emperor Yingwu did not find the Prince of Yan sinister. Instead, he cared about him and said, "Bring some snacks to your prince."

"Yes!" The eunuch in the hall retreated in response. After a while, he brought a tray with eight dishes of snacks and placed them respectfully in front of Prince Yan. Prince Yan...had a lot of wives and sons around him, but he was like a little child, eating the snacks with relish.

Emperor Yingwu's old face relaxed, and he looked at the expressions of Concubine Qu and Prince Yan with gentleness and tolerance.

Compared with the treatment the prince received from him - he couldn't even sit down or drink tea, the father and son were at loggerheads, neither giving in, and sparks were about to fly.

Concubine Qu, Prince Yan and he are more like family and father and son.

The three of them had a warm moment.

Seeing that Emperor Yingwu's expression had softened, Concubine Qu smiled and asked, "By the way, Your Majesty, you called Xun'er here. What happened? Why are you so anxious?"

"This..." Emperor Yingwu's smile softened and he sighed slightly.

His expression changed.

Concubine Qu and Prince Yan were startled and looked at each other secretly, but their faces remained unchanged and they continued to look at him with a smile.

Emperor Yingwu waved his hand. Because the atmosphere was so good just now, he took the initiative to find the reason for his son's behavior. "...Zhan Yan, this is my fault. I didn't find a good in-law for Xun'er. Xu Chang got into trouble. He tried to frame Song Bin for collusion with foreign countries, and the Crown Prince got hold of it!"

Prince Yan's heart skipped a beat, his pupils contracted, and his face changed color.

Concubine Qu, on the other hand, was calmer. She covered her lips and exclaimed, "Xu Chang? I remember, he, he should be Concubine Xun'er's uncle?"

"Yes, I think he has some conflicts with Song Bin, or maybe... Alas, he took the initiative to frame Song Bin and wanted to please Xun'er!" Emperor Yingwu sighed, without even conducting a trial, and directly made a judgment on the matter.

At this time, the Prince of Yan also reacted. His eyes rolled, and he pounded his chest and stamped his feet, saying, "Father, I never thought that Xu Chang would be such a traitor. Usually, Concubine Xu is gentle and virtuous, and seems to be a good person. Who would have thought that he would have such an uncle? It is really beyond my expectations!"

"This, this... How can my son have the nerve to see the Crown Prince?"

"My brother will definitely blame his son!"

"The Crown Prince has some misunderstandings, but don't be afraid, Xun'er. I will explain it for you!" Emperor Yingwu persuaded reluctantly.

Concubine Qu and Prince Yan looked at each other.

It turned out to be the prince who filed the complaint.

He actually discovered that? This, this is truly fatal. They had been planning for several years, using Liu Xiu as a hidden chess piece, to finally place Xu Chang next to Song Bin. They had originally intended to use the Cheng'en Mansion as a prelude to gradually prying the throne of the Eastern Palace, but they had never expected...

The first step was discovered!!

Then wouldn’t their subsequent arrangements be useless?

Prince Yan was extremely upset, anxious and afraid, but he pretended to be deeply moved. "Father, your son is already this old. I can't share your worries, but instead I make you worry about me!"

"My son is so useless."

"I can't compare to my brother the Crown Prince..."

"It's not your fault. It's my fault for not choosing a good relative for you. Concubine Xu is not a good one. Wait until Xu Chang returns to Beijing and investigates the matter. If what the prince reported is true, then demote Concubine Xu and I will choose a good one for you." Emperor Yingwu advised repeatedly.

I also feel sorry for my son.

Prince Yan was startled for a moment. In an instant, the image of his eldest son, born to Concubine Xu, emerged in his mind. However, that image lasted only a moment before he pushed it out of his mind. "Father, I obey your command."

He didn't even say a word to fight for his woman and children.

He deliberately acted well-behaved and obedient.

Think about the Crown Prince who refused to listen to him when marrying the Crown Princess and instead had to discuss it with the Queen. Then look at the Prince of Yan who always does what he says and is sensible and filial.

Emperor Yingwu couldn't help but feel relieved.

Concubine Qu glanced at his expression, her eyes flickered slightly, and she quickly took his arm, flattering him with sweet words, and Prince Yan tried to please her in every way possible.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became warm.

The Crown Prince's complaint, the reason for Xu Chang's false accusation...

All of them were forgotten by Emperor Yingwu.

-

Concubine Qu and Prince Yan dismissed the suspicion in just a few words. Xiao Chuo and Queen Song naturally didn't know about this.

The mother and son talked for a few words about the selection of concubines, and Empress Song became very tired. Seeing this, Xiao Chuo took her leave and left the palace. She returned to the Chunli Courtyard of the Ningguo Mansion. Just as she sat down, Nanny Liu came to report, "Your Highness, Liu Chang'an requests an audience!"