Proud Feather

Chapter 130 Capture
Lü Chan knelt before the emperor, tears streaming down her face.

She was a widow, and her attire was already simple; now she looked even more miserable.

"Father, Jin'er has been ill for a long time, and I am extremely anxious. I have not paid any attention to what is happening outside. Who would have thought that people outside would say such things about me, that they deliberately made Jin'er sick in order to occupy the Eastern Palace. I have no way to prove my innocence, so I can only come to Father to beg for forgiveness."

As she spoke, she kowtowed: "Your subject swears that there is absolutely no improper thought. However, Jin'er is ill, so please grant Father Emperor some time until he recovers before moving to another palace."

The emperor's face turned ashen, and he turned to the side: "What kind of work have you done? You actually let people spread rumors in the palace, and you even dared to slander the Crown Princess!"

Sun Shouquan hurriedly knelt down: "Your Majesty, please forgive me, this servant will go and investigate immediately!"

The emperor flew into a rage, smashing a teacup at his feet: "Go ahead and investigate now, what will you find? The rumors have already spread far and wide, are you going to pretend you didn't hear them?"

Sun Shouquan nodded and prostrated himself on the ground, not daring to speak.

The Emperor calmed himself down and said gently, "Crown Princess, you don't need to overthink it. I have no intention of asking you to move palaces. I am also very worried about Jin'er's illness. At this time, how can I care about moving palaces?"

His attitude slightly appeased Lü Chan, who was filled with gratitude: "I understand Father's love and care. However, with the controversy going on in the court and among the people, how can I not express my opinion? Once the rumors start, I'm afraid they will be hard to suppress."

Lü Chan kowtowed again: "Your Majesty, I request that you issue an edict to move the palace after the New Year, so as to appease public opinion."

The more she said this, the more the emperor refused: "When did I ever say I would move the palace? Ayi just left, how can I let his wife and children suffer? If I back down now, it will only make the world think that I am wrong!"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Chu Ling interjected, "Sister-in-law, what do you think those officials are up to? They're after their own reputation! Father said we should discuss it later; the grief over my brother's death hasn't subsided yet, so we should postpone it. But they won't listen. Isn't that just opportunism, trying to gain fame through this opportunity?"

She turned to him, seeking praise: "Father, am I right?"

"..." The emperor agreed, "A-Ling is right. I haven't recovered from the pain of losing my son yet, and they keep bringing it up. They simply don't respect me at all."

Chu Ling nodded repeatedly: "That's right! Father Emperor cannot indulge them, otherwise they will use their defiance of Father Emperor to enhance their reputation for being upright and incorruptible next time. As a ruler, how can one be controlled by his subjects? We must not set a precedent! If they really taste the benefits, others will follow suit. Will Father Emperor suffer every day?"

"..." This girl has already said everything for him.

The Emperor could only continue: "That's right. Crown Princess, this isn't just about you and Jin'er; it's about me. I'm doing this for myself. I can't accept that my daughter-in-law and grandson have been expelled from the Eastern Palace so soon after my son's passing. I am the Emperor, but I am also a father. Under the law of propriety, there is also human compassion. I want all my people to be kind and loving, so how can I be heartless? This matter is settled. You can go back and stay with Jin'er. I will take care of everything else."

Lü Chan hesitated: "But..."

"No buts." The emperor's attitude was firm. "You don't need to care about the rumors outside. They are opposing me, not you. Just take good care of Jin'er, and I will handle the rest."

Chu Ling chimed in, "Sister-in-law, just listen to Father! Whether it's in the court or the harem, Father will handle everything."

The emperor nodded; at least those words sounded comforting.

Lu Chan finally agreed and respectfully kowtowed: "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your mercy. Your subject will definitely take good care of Jin'er and help him recover soon."

The Emperor nodded: "I will ask the steward to pay more attention to her. Jin'er is still so young, we can't let her develop any health problems."

Lu Chan was moved to tears: "Your Majesty's kindness is boundless, and I will obey Your Majesty's command."

……

Emerging from the Funing Palace, Sun Shouquan smiled and said, "Princess Consort, rest assured. His Majesty has ordered me to investigate everyone in the palace and forbid them from spreading rumors. As for the young prince, you can also rest assured; His Majesty has already sent the Imperial Household Department to the Eastern Palace." Lü Chan curtsied towards the palace gate, "I will forever remember Father's great kindness."

Sun Shouquan gestured towards the palanquin, saying, "You should go back quickly! You've been out for so long, you must be worried about the young prince."

"Thank you, Father-in-law." She paused for a moment. "I've troubled you today."

"I wouldn't dare," Sun Shouquan said politely. "It was my fault, and I should apologize to you."

Chu Ling interjected, "Alright, stop dawdling. Eunuch Sun is a reasonable man; he won't hold a grudge for no reason. Don't you agree, Eunuch Sun?"

Sun Shouquan smiled obsequiously: "Your Highness is too kind. You and the Crown Princess are both masters. How could this servant dare to hold a grudge?"

Chu Ling glared at him: "So you're just too scared? So you still hold a grudge deep down?"

Sun Shouquan was startled and shook his head repeatedly: "No, no, Princess is joking."

Chu Ling laughed heartily: "That's right, I was just joking. Don't be frightened, Eunuch Sun."

She turned around and said, "Sister-in-law, let's go! I'll take you back to the East Palace."

Lü Chan nodded and boarded the palanquin first. Chu Ling followed, waving to Sun Shouquan as she walked: "Eunuch Sun, remember to investigate!"

Sun Shouquan watched them leave, his smile gradually fading as he looked thoughtful.

The Crown Princess's response was both timely and skillful; was it merely a coincidence or...?

Once inside the East Palace and after dismissing all other people, Chu Ling finally dared to speak: "Sister-in-law, you reacted so quickly!"

Lü Chan smiled slightly and said, "It's a bit strange that you suddenly came to Yongchun Palace to find me. What a coincidence that there was a daring palace servant on the way. It was such a great opportunity, how could I not have guessed it? But why didn't you tell me beforehand?"

Chu Ling said apologetically, "I originally wanted to talk to my sister-in-law today, but the timing was just too coincidental. You usually don't leave the East Palace, but you happened to go to Yongchun Palace to see the head of the household today. I had a sudden inspiration and made arrangements in advance so that I wouldn't leave a trace."

Lü Chan nodded: "Indeed, it's all a coincidence, a golden opportunity. With Father saying this, the idea of ​​moving the palace will definitely not be brought up again in the short term."

"Hmm." Chu Ling paused, then suddenly asked softly, "Sister-in-law, do you want to take over the Eastern Palace?"

Lü Chan was taken aback.

Chu Ling looked at her and then asked, "Occupy this Eastern Palace, and when Jin'er grows up, let him take back what rightfully belongs to his elder brother."

After a long silence, Lü Chan finally replied, "I can't say I don't want to, but waiting for Jin'er to grow up is too long. I hope he will be safe and sound."

Chu Ling smiled and said, "You're right!"

She turned to look outside, and after a moment, whispered, "Then let me do it!"

Lü Chan exclaimed in surprise, "Ah Ling!"

Chu Ling continued nonchalantly, "Father was swayed by our words, but he still favors Second Brother. We can only stall for time. Sister-in-law, I need to borrow a few people from you to do something..."