The eunuch involved in the Crown Prince’s misconduct was quietly taken away and beaten to death, which need not be mentioned further. The punishment for the Crown Prince was temporarily put on hold due to his memory loss.
The calm in the palace made Prince Qi suspicious. He said to his wife, “Something seems strange.”
“How so?”
“The Crown Prince had his eye on Seventh Brother’s sister-in-law. Today, my people saw Lady Jiang enter the Treasure Pavilion, but afterward, it turned out to be the Crown Prince and a eunuch misbehaving… I suspect Seventh Brother intervened…”
Having been told by Jiang Si that she felt sick just looking at her during Consort Xian’s birthday, Prince Qi’s wife harbored a deep hatred for Jiang Si. She said, “That’s not surprising. I’ve observed that Seventh Brother and his wife aren’t easy to deal with. My Prince must be cautious.”
Prince Qi sneered, “Seventh Brother made such a big name for himself after just one outing. Of course, he’s not as impulsive and unrestrained as he appears. Look at Fifth Brother to see what happens to truly impulsive people.”
His eyes weren’t blind, and his mind wasn’t dull. Of course, he wouldn’t be fooled by Seventh Brother’s facade.
Among the royal family, truly reckless individuals never prospered. Even Princess Rongyang, who had flourished for so long, didn’t meet a good end.
“However, there’s no need to rush. No matter how popular Seventh Brother is among the common people, his chances are slim. His age and rank alone put him at a disadvantage. What I find strange is the situation in the palace.”
“In the palace?”
Prince Qi nodded slightly. “The Crown Prince was taken to the Ministry of Justice. The matter surely can’t be kept secret. Logically, Father Emperor should know by now. Why hasn’t there been any news of the Crown Prince being punished?”
Prince Qi’s wife pursed her lips. “Father Emperor reinstated the Crown Prince, so he’ll surely protect his reputation.”
“Even so, he would still find some other excuse to vent his anger… Why don’t you go to the palace and try to get some information from Mother Consort?”
“Alright, I’ll go to the palace right away.”
Prince Qi shook his head again. “Never mind, let’s wait and see for now. We can’t let Father Emperor suspect that I had a hand in the Treasure Pavilion incident.”
Today’s events wouldn’t shake the Crown Prince’s position, but there was still the matter of Qianhe County waiting.
He wasn’t in a hurry.
Once, twice, three times—as long as the Crown Prince remained the same hopeless case, Father Emperor’s patience would eventually run out.
“Fortunately, the Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching. We can investigate during the reunion banquet,” Prince Qi murmured.
Yu Jin was also puzzled by the palace’s reaction.
Could it be that the old Emperor had achieved Buddhist enlightenment and become so even-tempered?
Well, they’d have to wait and see at the Mid-Autumn Palace banquet.
Two days later, it was time for the Mid-Autumn Palace banquet.
When the Crown Prince appeared before the other princes with his head wrapped in bandages, everyone was shocked and asked, “What happened to you, Crown Prince?”
The Crown Prince smiled at his brothers, looking as innocent as a fawn in the forest. “I accidentally bumped my head.”
“How did you bump your head? You must be careful, Crown Prince,” the prince consoled him insincerely.
The Crown Prince smiled and said, “I don’t remember how it happened.”