kvmb Chapter 404 The Prince's Mystery: The Cannon Fodder Bride Forced into a Substitute Marquis'
Chapter 404 The Prince's Mystery: The Cannon Fodder Bride Forced into a Substitute Marquis'
In the days that followed, Tang Ruijing went to the yamen and returned home in an orderly manner.
She even secretly visited the Qin family mansion halfway through the trip. Old Madam Qin probably already knew the truth, and she treated Tang Ruijing and Su Jinyue very warmly.
The eldest prince, Tang Ruibin, was very powerful as he was acting as regent, and many court officials fawned over him, flattering him greatly.
Prince Jing, Tang Jingfan, obeyed all orders given by Tang Ruibin.
The eldest prince's faction was naturally very arrogant, and the empress's maternal family was also very arrogant.
The eldest prince's brother-in-law, who had previously lost face at the Qizhen Pavilion, has now come back to the Qizhen Pavilion.
Moreover, this time when he approached Qizhen Pavilion, he shamelessly claimed that he would protect Qizhen Pavilion from now on and demanded 80% of the profits!
Tang Ruihao and Feng Enchi, those spoiled brats from aristocratic families, were furious. How could someone make such a demand right from the start? It was as if the shop was opened just for their family.
They wanted to confront the other party head-on, just like last time, but Tang Ruijing stopped them in time after learning about it.
The Crown Prince's faction is currently very arrogant, and Tang Ruijing is worried that they will suffer losses. It is not a good time to escalate the conflict, as it may even implicate their respective families.
He had to use all his persuasion to finally convince these people to temporarily avoid the limelight, and at the same time, he temporarily closed the Qizhen Pavilion.
At this time, it's still best to keep a low profile. Some shrewd families know that having one dominant family is not a good thing.
Moreover, Emperor Xinghe was only ill, not dead; he was still watching from above!
Song Zhihua secretly approached Tang Ruijing several times, urging him to make a decision quickly, otherwise the eldest prince Tang Ruibin would become the undisputed next emperor.
Tang Ruijing casually brushed it off, and then immediately relayed Song Zhihua's news to Emperor Xinghe in the palace.
Emperor Xinghe quickly sent back a message, even saying that if necessary, false information could be sent to Song Zhihua, and the people in the palace would cooperate.
From Emperor Xinghe's reply, Tang Ruijing knew that the emperor had been secretly plotting and was not far from closing in.
Now, the eldest prince Tang Ruibin's family holds absolute power in the capital, and those who are at odds with the eldest prince can only endure it.
Prince Jing, Tang Jingfan, has his own thoughts, but now, because of his role as regent, the eldest prince, Tang Ruibin, is gradually becoming out of Tang Jingfan's control.
Tang Jingfan probably couldn't hold out much longer. He had people under his command and had even turned many people against him in important departments in the capital. With Emperor Xinghe's life in imminent danger, he wouldn't just watch the eldest prince, Tang Ruibin, ascend to the throne.
Time flew by, and the end of the year was fast approaching. On the eve of the end of the year, Emperor Xinghe suddenly attended the morning court session.
Emperor Xinghe stated that his condition had improved and that he would revoke the eldest prince Tang Ruibin's regency privileges after the New Year, after which everything would proceed as normal.
After announcing his decree, Emperor Xinghe left leisurely, leaving behind the unpredictable eldest prince, Tang Ruibin.
The court officials looked at each other in dismay. This was the result of the eldest prince's regency? Why didn't Emperor Xinghe utter a single word of praise? How could this be so unreal?
The courtiers who had already bet on the eldest prince all looked to Tang Ruibin, hoping he could give them some hints, but what could Tang Ruibin say?
He was now completely confused and had no idea what his father meant.
In the end, he could only angrily turn and leave.
Prince Jing, Tang Jingfan, smiled thoughtfully. He was confident that the poison he had administered could not be cured by Emperor Xinghe. Emperor Xinghe's current condition was much better, and he guessed that it was just a temporary relapse.
If that's the case, then he needs to act quickly; the eldest prince, Tang Ruibin, is a good pawn.
Every year at the end of the year, the palace holds a banquet, and this year is no exception.
Emperor Xinghe's health improved significantly this year, and he enthusiastically invited many court officials to attend, indicating that this year's palace banquet was quite lively.
The palace banquet was a signal that Emperor Xinghe was out and about, that the eldest prince Tang Ruibin had revoked his power as regent, and that the eldest prince's faction had become much more restrained.
The atmosphere in the capital city relaxed and began to feel like the Lunar New Year.
However, beneath the lively atmosphere, undercurrents were still surging, with various forces moving closer to the capital and their respective plans proceeding at full speed.
The palace banquet was proceeding as scheduled. As the fourth prince, Tang Ruijing had moved to the front row, behind the third prince, Tang Ruiqian.
Knowing that the banquet was bound to be unpleasant, Su Jinyue and Tang Ruijing were fully prepared and armed with precautions.
At the banquet, everyone had a smile on their face, but no one knew what was hidden beneath those smiles.
Soon, Emperor Xinghe appeared with his concubines. Emperor Xinghe enthusiastically led the way in giving a congratulatory speech, and the court officials shouted "Long live the Emperor!"
The eldest prince, Tang Ruibin, wore a fake smile, and then, at the height of the palace banquet, he smashed a wine cup and launched a palace coup.
Emperor Xinghe remained calm as he was surrounded by the imperial guards who had sided with the eldest prince, Tang Ruibin.
Looking at the arrogant Tang Ruibin, Emperor Xinghe asked, knowing the answer already, "Ruibin, what do you want to do?"
The court officials were all brought under control, and the hall fell silent instantly. Everyone secretly lamented what was going on. Why did something always happen at the palace banquets?
When the eldest prince, Tang Ruibin, saw that Emperor Xinghe was being controlled by his own people, he felt that he had won.
He stepped forward and said confidently, "Father, since you have already appointed me as regent, it means you have high hopes for my abilities. How can you just take it back like that?"
"Father, leave the affairs of the court to me. You should rest and recuperate in the inner palace."
Emperor Xinghe was silent for a moment: "So, you're forcing me to abdicate?"
You couldn't do this by yourself; you need someone to work with you, right?
"Father is wise, and Uncle Jing also thinks highly of me. Father previously ordered Uncle Jing to assist me, and now Uncle Jing is fully supporting me. Isn't Father very satisfied?"
As soon as Emperor Xinghe asked the question, Prince Jing, Tang Jingfan, sensed something was wrong. Before he could stop him, Tang Ruibin had already spoken.
Tang Jingfan felt a chill run down his spine when he saw the cold gaze Emperor Xinghe cast upon him.
Emperor Xinghe turned his head to look at Tang Ruibin and sneered, "You really are stupid, you didn't even realize you were being played!"
Tang Jingfan smiled bitterly. He could fool his nephew Tang Ruibin, but he wasn't confident he could fool his brother Emperor Xinghe.
While Tang Ruibin was still fuming, Tang Jingfan stepped forward.
"Your Majesty is still so perceptive."
Tang Ruibin wanted to ask more questions, but Tang Jingfan waved his hand, and Tang Ruibin was immediately taken into custody by his own imperial guards.
Emperor Xinghe looked at Tang Jingfan: "Jingfan, I have never treated you badly. After I ascended the throne, I granted you the title of king and bestowed upon you a fiefdom. I have been more than generous to you. Why are you betraying me now?"
Emperor Xinghe, as expected of someone who had been an emperor for so many years, remained calm and composed even with a knife pointed at him.
Tang Jingfan remained silent for a long time before replying, "Brother, I'm sorry, but I'm determined to have this throne!"