Emperor Jingming impatiently cut off Han Ran’s words: “Well?”
Han Ran quickly glanced at Prince Xiang kneeling not far away, a flash of sympathy crossing his eyes, before lowering his head and saying, “Reporting to Your Majesty, today during Prince Xiang’s wedding procession, Zhu Ziyu blocked the way…”
Hearing Han Ran’s account, which didn’t differ much from Prince Xiang’s, Emperor Jingming flew into a rage, slamming the table again: “How has Zhu Deming been raising his son? It seems his demotion was for nothing!”
Zhu Deming was originally the Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Although not of high rank, he was a notable figure among the numerous officials in the capital.
But after Zhu Ziyu’s scandal, Emperor Jingming demoted him from Junior Minister to a fifth-rank official, suddenly becoming an insignificant minor official.
In terms of ruining his father’s career, Zhu Ziyu had done a splendid job.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, Zhu Ziyu has already been disowned by the Zhu family.”
In an era where clan law often superseded imperial law, being disowned was a severe punishment.
A disowned person would henceforth have no family to rely on, and whatever they did in the future would no longer be associated with the family.
Emperor Jingming paused.
Since Zhu Ziyu had been disowned, naturally the blame could no longer be placed on the Zhu family.
After a moment of silence, Emperor Jingming slightly composed himself and asked, “Do the common people believe that Prince Xiang stole someone’s love?”
The kneeling Prince Xiang secretly gritted his teeth.
Steal someone’s love?
Was his head kicked by a donkey?
Han Ran glanced at Prince Xiang from the corner of his eye again and replied, “Those commoners love to follow rumors. Zhu Ziyu recklessly shouted while holding a banner, and many people believed him. They even said—”
“Said what?”
“They said Zhu Ziyu and Miss Cui were a pair of star-crossed lovers cruelly separated, and that it was quite pitiful…”
Prince Xiang, as a fellow man, I can only help you this far.
Prince Xiang was so moved he almost cried, having to lower his head to conceal his emotions.
Commander Han was being so righteous today.
His father emperor had always cared about his reputation and wouldn’t want to be seen as the villain who separated lovers in the eyes of the common people…
After a long silence, Emperor Jingming spoke: “Pan Hai, summon General Cui Xu and Princess Rongyang to the palace—”
Before he could finish, an eunuch came to report that Princess Rongyang was requesting an audience.
“Royal Brother, you must right this wrong for your sister—” Princess Rongyang rushed in, her tone faltering when she saw Prince Xiang kneeling on the ground.
“I’m listening. Speak slowly,” Emperor Jingming said.
Princess Rongyang had naturally prepared her complaint, focusing on how Prince Xiang had abandoned Cui Mingyue without considering the bigger picture.
After tearfully finishing her complaint, seeing Emperor Jingming with his eyes closed and silent, Princess Rongyang couldn’t help but urge, “Royal Brother, Mingyue has been taken back to the General’s mansion by Cui Xu. What should we do about Mingyue now?”
“It’s just as well that she’s been taken back to the General’s mansion.”
Princess Rongyang was stunned, then heard Emperor Jingming say leisurely, “Since Mingyue and Zhu Ziyu are a pair of lovers, I won’t play the villain. I’ll bestow a marriage upon them instead.”