After having a full meal of meat, the King of Jin, who was full of energy, went to the court in a heroic and vigorous manner to stir up trouble. No, he went to the morning court.
At the morning court, the King of Jin personally submitted a memorial to impeach the King of Qing, saying that he "delegated power to the clerks and listened to women's words, and was conniving."
When Prince Qing learned that his "brother-in-law" rode a horse through the street and caused Princess Jin to be disfigured, he asked Princess Qing to prepare gifts and go to Prince Jin's mansion to apologize.
Now it seems that his princess did not go.
Even if Prince Qing resented Princess Qing for being narrow-minded, unvirtuous, and ignorant, he couldn't get angry at this point. He had to cheer himself up to deal with Prince Jin.
It was impossible for him to deny the charges King Jin had impeached him. King Jin had evidence, so he tried to evade the main point, "I was not careful enough and was deceived by this woman. I was thinking about recommending useful talents to the court, so I fell for her trick. After I knew the truth, I immediately expelled her."
"I really don't like the fact that my servants are relying on the power of the palace to fight for land with the common people. I am busy with government affairs and I should not have neglected to discipline my family members."
"I am trusted by the Grand Empress Dowager, the Queen Mother, and the Emperor. I am a regent together with Prince De, Prince Jin, and Prince Yu. We have discussed and consulted with each other on state affairs. I have never monopolized state affairs, excluded dissidents, or abused my power."
The person who really wants to monopolize the government is Prince Jin. Prince Yu has been put under house arrest. General Song, who was relied upon by the late emperor, has lost all face because of Concubine Song Gui and Song Yirou, and is now on the margins of the court.
There was also General Xiong, who had a feud with the King of Jin. His shelling of the disaster victims had far-reaching consequences, and he has not yet been reinstated.
Some of the officials he supported were also suppressed by Prince De and Prince Jin for various reasons, and had a hard time in the court.
Now the King of Jin has bared his fangs at him again and wants to punish him, this hateful boy.
After Prince Qing defended himself and several important officials persuaded him, the young emperor gave Prince Qing a light punishment, "deducting one year's salary, returning the occupied land, and compensating the farmers."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace. I am deeply grateful." Prince Qing said.
This kind of punishment was not harmful to the wealthy and powerful Prince Qing. He was secretly pleased with himself, thinking that Prince Jin was still too young to compete with him.
Prince Jin narrowed his eyes slightly. Although he already knew that it was impossible to completely drive away the cunning Prince Qing with these evidences, he deliberately took the opportunity to alert the enemy and make Prince Qing reveal more flaws.
But unexpectedly, the snake showed up so soon.
The Marquis of Anping, the Duke of Wei, the Duke of Sushui, and the Right Prime Minister of the Secretariat, who have always been neutral, will speak up for Prince Qing. These people are really good at hiding their true intentions!
Prince Jin and Prince De looked at each other. The intelligence was still incomplete and there were still some fish that had slipped through the net, so they had to investigate carefully.
The fact that Prince Jin impeached Prince Qing further proved that the rumor about Prince Jin's wife being disfigured was not true.
The princesses of Prince De were very worried, so they took the best scar removal cream they had found and went to visit Jiang Changning.
Seeing Jiang Changning's intact face, several people said at the same time: "The rumors are indeed unbelievable."
"I just broke my nose, I'm not disfigured. I don't know how the rumor about my disfigurement spread out there." Jiang Changning said helplessly.
"You don't even give an explanation and let rumors spread. You've been rumored to be as ugly as a female demon." The Crown Princess of Changshan laughed.
Jiang Changning smiled, "The innocent will be innocent. I don't have that much free time to explain."
The Princess of Dewang smiled and said, "No need to explain. Tomorrow on the Lantern Festival, you can go to the palace to enjoy the lanterns, and the rumors will be dispelled."
"Anyway, thank you all for coming to see me." Jiang Changning said with a smile.
"Why are you being so polite to us? I'm glad to see that you're okay." Zeng Zhaofu said with a smile.
"Those who want to laugh at you tomorrow will be greatly disappointed." The Crown Princess of Changshan said with a smile.
"Ningning, I tell you, put on a veil and cover your face tomorrow and let them guess whether you have any injuries on your face or not." Zeng Zhaofu suggested.
"Good idea, Ningning, let's do it." The Princess of Changshan agreed.
"Find a chance, take off the veil and slap them in the face." Prince De's wife also said.
Jiang Changning's eyes flickered and he said with a smile, "I'll listen to you."
Wen Bingqing laughed, "You mischievous girls." After a pause, "But it's quite fun."
The concubine ate a few extra Yuanxiao for breakfast, but she couldn't digest it well and felt unwell, so she took a leave.
The Lantern Festival became the anniversary of Qiao's death. Princess Kangren did not celebrate the Lantern Festival and took a leave of absence from entering the palace.
Xiao Ming is still young, and the concubine is reluctant to let him go out in the wind and snow.
Prince Jin and Jiang Changning rode in a carriage to the palace gate. When getting off the carriage, Jiang Changning picked up the veil and put it on.
"Why are you wearing a veil?" asked Prince Jin in confusion.
"Your Highness, you forgot that I am disfigured and cannot face people." Jiang Changning said with a sly smile.
King Jin knew that she was trying to play a trick on him, so he smiled and said, "Naughty."
"I am fulfilling their wishes. They should thank me for being so considerate." Jiang Changning opened the car door. "Your Highness, can you pretend to help me take off my veil by accident and stun them?"
"As you wish." Prince Jin smiled, got off the carriage first, then turned around to help Jiang Changning.
Outside the palace gate, there were not only the Jin Palace family, but also people from other palaces. When they saw the Jin Palace's carriage coming, they deliberately stopped, just to take a look at the disfigured Jin Princess.
When Jiang Changning appeared wearing a veil, all the noble ladies thought was: She is indeed disfigured.
A woman's appearance is very important, especially since Jiang Changning is just an orphan who caught the eye of King Jin because of her face. Now that her appearance is ruined, her life will be difficult.
"Fortunately, she has given birth to a son, so she will be able to secure her position as Princess Jin no matter what." Someone whispered.
"She is lucky, after all, she has a son." Someone agreed.
"I heard that the King of Jin has already requested that her son be made the Crown Prince. Even if she loses the King of Jin's favor, her life won't be too bad."
They spoke in a very low voice and Jiang Changning couldn't hear them, but she could guess what they would say and didn't care.
I followed the Prince of Jin through the corridor, got on the sedan chair, and went to the Chongming Hall where the lanterns were hung today.
All kinds of lanterns are hung outside the Chongming Hall, and under each lantern is a small roll of paper, which is a riddle.
After sitting in the side hall for half an hour, everyone arrived and the Empress Dowager came with the Emperor.
Looking at Jiang Changning wearing a veil, a hint of regret flashed across the empress dowager's eyes.
"The whole country is celebrating the Lantern Festival. I have asked the craftsmen in the Craftsmen's Workshop to make a batch of palace lanterns and invite everyone to enjoy them together." The Queen Mother said with a smile.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern." Everyone bowed.
"I have asked the imperial scholars to write a hundred riddles. Whoever comes out first will be rewarded handsomely," the Queen Mother continued.
You can’t appreciate the beauty of lanterns in broad daylight, but the riddles are clear.
Jiang Changning walked to a lantern hanging on a tree, untied the thin hemp rope, and unfolded the paper roll. On it was written: A person leans on the Pearl Bridge to watch the falling petals. Guess a word.
"Your Highness." Jiang Changning deliberately turned his head to look to the side.
"Be careful, there are branches here, and they almost scratched you." When Prince Jin brushed away the branches, he also pulled off Jiang Changning's veil.
"Oh, my veil." Jiang Changning exclaimed in a fake manner.
All my teeth have fallen out and I am in so much pain at the roots of my teeth that I feel like dying.
(End of this chapter)