Chapter 78: Multiple Parties Competing

Chapter 78: Multi-Party Power Play

The feud between Marquis Weiwu and Duke Chengen was vividly displayed through his increasingly loud curses.

Of course, everyone could understand—after all, not long ago, during the struggle for the legitimate main branch, the Qiao family had been outplayed by the Zhao family. Not only did they fail to secure the orthodox lineage, but they also lost the title of Duke of An.

Therefore, no one, not even the emperor, was surprised when Qiao Yunhai savagely attacked Zhao Heran. The emperor was simply fed up with these trivial, annoying matters.

"Qiao Yunhai, you—"

"Enough!"

The emperor impatiently cut off Duke Chengen.

"What we're discussing now is the matter between the Jiang and Ji families. Why are you two jumping in to spout nonsense? Step aside!"

After shooing away his annoying brothers-in-law, the emperor lowered his gaze to his civil and military officials.

"Duke Ling, you first explain what exactly happened. Could there be some misunderstanding?"

"I know Jiang Wan’s temperament somewhat. She’s not the kind of child who acts without restraint. If there’s any misunderstanding, you and Old Ji should talk it out properly. Apologize if you need to—don’t just come squawking in front of me all day long. What kind of behavior is that?"

"We’re all people of status now. You better watch yourself!"

Even though the emperor was somewhat annoyed that Jiang Wan had acted recklessly, she was, after all, his personally designated daughter-in-law. Out of consideration for his son and his sworn brother, he couldn’t let the girl’s reputation be publicly damaged.

So, from the moment he opened his mouth, he showed his bias.

Still, he really needed to have his wife take the girl in hand and discipline her properly. This kind of behavior was truly unacceptable—always picking fights with this person or that, without a trace of the dignity and virtue a prince’s consort ought to have!

Just as infuriating as that little brat, the Fourth Prince!

In many cases, the truth wasn’t what mattered—the emperor’s attitude was.

Although he addressed him by the formal title "Duke Ling," his words were filled with undisguised closeness and protectiveness toward Jiang Huailiang, forcing Ji Xun to resignedly close his eyes.

Jiang Huailiang truly lived up to being the emperor’s most loyal right-hand man. The moment his old superior finished speaking, he immediately seized the opportunity.

Shaking his thick beard, he rushed up to Chancellor Ji in two or three strides. Though inwardly furious enough to want to take an axe to the fool who couldn’t teach his son properly, his face showed nothing but sincerity as he immediately shifted the blame.

"Old Ji, look—our kids got into a fight. What kind of matter of state is that? Bringing it to the imperial court is really going too far."

"I know your kid lost to mine and suffered for it, but wasn’t it your son who blocked my son’s way in the first place?"

From start to finish, he made no mention of any daughter. At this moment, Jiang Laosan took on an exceptionally important presence in his father’s narrative.

"You know how many times I’ve brushed with death on the battlefield in my life? Of course, I’m not trying to boast about past merits. I just want to say that I, Old Jiang, have had bad luck and little blessings—unlike you, Old Ji, with your three sons, each raised so well."

"My Duke Ling mansion has only this one boy! That kid is truly the heart and soul of my old mother! If anything happens to him, the Jiang family’s days would be over! So when my girl saw her brother being bullied, she couldn’t hold back and lashed out."

"She’s just a child who made a mistake. I, as her father, apologize. Old Ji, for the sake of our past friendship when we shared the same pair of pants, can you give your brother some face?"

This torrent of words—mixed with sarcasm and pressure—made Ji Xun curl his lips in a cold smile. Of course, he wouldn’t specifically point out that his good-for-nothing eldest son had blocked not the Jiang family’s son, but the future Fourth Prince Consort.

"No need to pressure me with your military merits. You have achievements, and I have toils! Jiang Huailiang, how dare you bring up our past friendship? If we were really talking about friendship, you wouldn’t have let your children handle my son so roughly!"

"Wasn’t it all just a misunderstanding? When kids fight, who knows restraint? Don’t worry, I’ll punish those three little brats at home and forbid them from going out. I’ll find a doctor to check on your eldest nephew, alright? Come on, let’s go!"

Jiang Huailiang clearly wanted to muddle through, and the emperor clearly wanted to play along. Ji Xun, always shrewd, knew when to stop.

In political rivalries, there was no such thing as openly tearing face—that would truly be beneath them.

"Hmph, you’d better really be capable of finding a good doctor. Otherwise, don’t ever bring up past affections again."

"Absolutely!"

With the two leaders calling a truce on the surface, their respective underlings could only glare at each other and say no more.

Seeing that the conflict hadn’t been stirred up, Duke Chengen’s eyes flickered, and he shot a look at the censors standing behind him. Reminded by his superior, Censor Wang stepped forward, holding his tablet, and presented his accusation.

"Your Majesty, I accuse Duke Ling of indulging his daughter in violence, disrespecting imperial authority, and recklessly assaulting an imperial prince, endangering the life of the Sixth Prince..."

"I accuse Duke Ling of failing to maintain order in his household and lacking strict governance..."

"I accuse Duke Ling..."

Another wave of officials emerged, relentlessly targeting the Jiang family.

In the rear palace.

Imperial Noble Consort left Xu Shi and her daughter at the Fengming Palace and personally took her future daughter-in-law to the empress’s Fengqi Palace. As soon as she entered, without a word, she first bowed and apologized, only to be stopped by the other.

"Yun Niang, what are you doing?"

"Elder Sister, I’ve come to ask a favor of you."

The empress looked at her, puzzled.

"Has something happened?"

"Ah, it’s just the children being naughty again. They got into another fight with the Sixth Prince. Earlier, at my place, she was terrified, so I could only bring her here to apologize to you, Elder Sister. I beg you to forgive the girl this once."

No matter what was said publicly, they both knew the Sixth Prince came from the Zhao family. This time, he had been seriously injured again, and the Zhao family would certainly not let it go.

So Imperial Noble Consort chose her words very carefully, and Jiang Wan also bowed to the empress with proper etiquette.

"May the empress enjoy boundless happiness and peace."

"Rise first."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The empress felt a headache coming on and sighed, turning to look at Imperial Noble Consort.

"How did they end up fighting again?"

Imperial Noble Consort shot a glare at Jiang Wan.

"It’s all because this girl is too protective! Who knows what the Sixth Prince was thinking—a young man of stature, yet he blocked the Jiang family’s Han Jieer on her way home from school."

"Elder Sister, you’ve seen that little girl too—well-behaved, gentle, and delicate. How could she withstand being punched by a boy? But Jiang Wan here is too simple-minded. When she saw her younger sister being bullied, she certainly couldn’t just stand by and watch."

"Back and forth it went, and children don’t know how to hold back. So they ended up fighting again."

"Ah, these children are really too mischievous..."

Before the empress could finish her sigh, her personal maid, Jin Xiu, rushed in, pale-faced and panicked.

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! The Crown Prince has been poisoned!"