"Bai Lu, it seems the skies over the royal estate are about to change. If something truly happens, I may not be able to protect you!"
Bai Lu understood the Princess Consort's meaning, but leaving to protect herself was something she couldn't do at this moment.
"Bai Lu is willing to share the fate of the royal estate and the Princess Consort," Bai Lu knelt and replied solemnly, as if she were about to swear to the heavens.
True friends were rare, and friends who shared adversity were even rarer.
She helped the person on the ground up. "Since that's the case, then we shall break the cauldrons and sink the boats!"
"Bai Lu obeys the Princess Consort's orders!"
Zhao Jiaqi gave a bitter smile. What good plan did she have now? It was merely waiting for the storm to strike.
"Bai Lu, come closer, I have a few things for you to handle!"
It was best if they weren't needed, but if they were, it would be truly worrying!
After a brief whispered conversation, Bai Lu hurried away, leaving Zhao Jiaqi alone, lost in thought for a long time.
When Fan Zehao learned of this situation, he merely smiled. He wasn't angry, didn't fly into a rage, nor was he sad. Instead, he comforted her.
"My dear wife, we stood by the Emperor's ascension precisely because we didn't want that position for ourselves. This also disrupted some people's plans. With different standpoints, one sees things differently. They hate me; I understand that."
Zhao Jiaqi clasped his hand, asking softly, "Then what are your plans?"
"My plans are secondary; it depends on what the Emperor does!"
Didn't the Emperor's attitude determine everything?
Huangfu Yifan was no child of a few years, naive and ignorant. Others knew better than him how he had ascended the throne.
If he intended to reclaim military power, this was an opportunity.
If he was willing to trust him as the late Emperor had, then this matter could be resolved without any explanation from him.
Therefore, Fan Zehao had no intention of interfering. Everything was left to the Emperor to decide.
On the twenty-fourth of the twelfth lunar month, known as Minor New Year, the household was joyfully preparing to make dumplings when Huangfu Xian paid a visit.
To everyone's surprise, he had come to warn Fan Zehao: "Tomorrow, over a dozen ministers will impeach you. Be careful and don't let those scoundrels succeed!"
Huangfu Xian's move baffled Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi.
Among the princes, Huangfu Xian and Huangfu Xu harbored the greatest animosity towards him. Yet, it was Huangfu Xu who was causing trouble behind his back, and Huangfu Xian was coming to deliver this warning!
Did he not wish to see him fall at this time?
Fan Zehao crossed his arms and asked, "Why?"
Huangfu Xian pursed his lips and, after some hesitation, offered an answer: "I hate you, that's true. But I am also a prince of Yun Country, and I know what is more important, the country or family. Regardless, I've told you. You decide what to do!"
As Huangfu Xian left the study, Fan Zehao's leisurely voice followed, "Thank you. Although I already knew this news!"
The Prince of Xian outside the door stiffened, greatly surprised. Had the Prince's informants and network grown this extensive already?
The next day, during the court session, many ministers indeed stepped forward, using flimsy excuses to criticize Fan Zehao. After the first one spoke, many others followed. Upon careful counting, it wasn't just over ten people; it was everyone except the Minister of Personnel and the Minister of Revenue who had joined in.
Huangfu Xian frowned. He had informed him yesterday. What was his intention now, standing so calmly in the hall?
Conversely, Huangfu Xu stood as if nothing had happened, his gaze focused on his nose and his nose on his heart.
Huangfu Yifan swept his gaze across the ministers, then looked at Fan Zehao, and asked in a clear voice, "Does the Prince of Zhen have anything to say?"
The named individual raised his chin, gazing intently at the Emperor on the dragon throne, a contemptuous smile curling his lips.
In a moment, he lowered his gaze. "Your humble servant has nothing to say!"
The hall fell silent for a moment, then erupted into another round of condemnation, as if Fan Zehao had committed some heinous crime.
They even brought up matters that had been severed long ago, picking them apart.
The ministers spoke heatedly, and the Emperor listened with a headache.
"Prince of Zhen, the ministers are discussing your affairs. Do you not intend to say anything?"
Fan Zehao replied with a question, "What kind of person does Your Majesty think your humble servant is?"
Huangfu Yifan furrowed his brow slightly. He couldn't understand Fan Zehao's intention now. He wasn't explaining, not resisting, not even uttering a single word.
"What the ministers say is true. Your Majesty, please judge accordingly!"
He admitted to the matter. Whether the things the ministers said were true or false, he didn't care. His heart was no longer here; why bother explaining?
From this, it was also evident that the Emperor intended to weaken his influence.
"Your Majesty, the Prince of Zhen has made mistakes, but he has also rendered great service to Yun Country. Perhaps his military command of the Eagle and Tiger divisions could be revoked, and he could return to his fiefdom to live out his days as a leisurely prince."
Seeing the Emperor's hesitation, Huangfu Xu, who understood the Emperor's thoughts were aligned with his own, stepped forward at this opportune moment to offer a suggestion.
Huangfu Xian saw him move and also stepped forward, cupping his hands. "Your Majesty, I believe this is inappropriate."
"As far as I know, the Prince voluntarily left his clan. Who would abandon their lineage unless they were wronged? Has anyone investigated this matter?"
"The village where the Prince resided is called Nanling Village in Yulin Town. The Emperor and the late Emperor were once saved by the Prince in Nanling Village. Does Your Majesty not recall the Prince's disownment? Furthermore, the villagers of Nanling Village now are all deeply grateful to the Prince and Princess Consort, who have improved their lives, allowing them to eat well and stay warm, no longer suffering from hunger and cold. Why is no one mentioning this?"
As Huangfu Xian spoke, Huangfu Yifan recalled those past events.
However, he was still wary of the "covering the sky with one hand" matter spoken of by the Prince of Xiaoyao.
"I shall not pursue past matters. The military command of the Eagle and Tiger divisions is to be revoked. After the year passes, you shall return to your fiefdom and shall not return to the capital without a summons!"
As soon as the Emperor's words fell, the ministers were genuinely delighted. However, Huangfu Xian's heart grew cold.
A meritorious official was stripped of his military command after merely a few impeachments by the ministers?
The Emperor's heart was truly ruthless, discarding him with one kick after he had served his purpose!
After the court session ended, Huangfu Xu caught up with Fan Zehao and whispered in his ear, "The life-saving kindness you showed me back then has been repaid today. Stay well in your fiefdom hereafter, and I will ensure your safety and the peaceful upbringing of your children!"
Fan Zehao glanced at him, then after a long moment, his lips curled into a sarcastic smile. He flicked his sleeves and walked away.
Zhao Jiaqi was overjoyed to learn they were returning to their fiefdom. Even more so, her husband was finally retiring from military service. In the future, there would be no more worries about wars.
Nor would she have to worry about soldiers suffering from heatstroke in the summer or enduring the cold in the winter. This outcome was truly a cause for celebration for everyone involved.
In the evening, the Prime Minister and his wife, along with Song Fei, arrived. The entire capital was aware of the day's events.
Zhou Qiangwei sighed deeply, holding Zhao Jiaqi's hand and exclaiming indignantly, "Are these people blind? Even that... their hearts must be clouded by grease."