Jian Guozhi woke up early in the morning. After freshening up, he got ready for the court. Today, the decision about the next Empress had to be taken. He was a little intimidated because the Ministers in the Court might raise an issue to either remove him from the position of Governor or banish him to a desolate place with his wives. Somewhere, he was ready to accept this because this is what he sowed with his mother and uncle.
"Your highness, what are you thinking? The food is getting cold," Eunuch Long said. Eunuch Long had come back from a long journey after two months. His master never was thoughtful towards anyone, but he was astonished to see how the First Prince raised his voice against evil. He was tense to see the state of his master, but a servant like him could not be of any help.
Jian Guozhi picked the chopstick when Zhilao Mi arrived there. "Jian Ge," she softly called out his name and bowed to greet him. Eunuch Long excused himself and walked out of the chamber.
Zhilao Mi lifted her head and went near Jian Guozhi. She pulled out a chair for her and sat gracefully on it. "I prayed for you the entire night. It is a magical thread from the shrine where I prayed for you," Zhilao Mi stated and took out the thread from her pouch, which she was holding.
Jian Guozhi knitted his brows when Zhilao Mi took his hand and tied the thread around his wrist. "Jian Ge, this will always protect you. Did you eat last night? Eunuch Long informed that you were not taking your meals properly for a few days," Zhilao Mi questions clearly showed how worried she was for Jian Guozhi. He felt good to realize that he had someone to lean on.
"Did you have your meals? Forgive me, I prohibited anyone's entry here," Jian Guozhi apologized.
Zhilao Mi refused. "I was praying for you in the shrine. I returned in the morning from there," Zhilao Mi replied.
"Have breakfast with me then," Jian Guozhi stated and picked a plate for her. Placing it in front of her, he handed her the chopstick.
Xue Yu-Yan was watching them from the second door's entrance. She lowered her eyes which had turned watery. She had prepared wheat soup noodles for Jian Guozhi. It was her first time cooking, but it was a waste. She lifted her head and saw how brightly the two were smiling. 'I am not meant for him,' she told herself and left from there.
She reached the royal kitchen where Zhiyi was waiting for her. "My lady, you came so soon. Did the Prince not like this?" Zhiyi asked as she took the tray from her hand.
"Jian Ge was having his breakfast with Sister Mi. I thought not to disturb them, so I returned," Xue Yu-Yan asserted and left the kitchen with Zhiyi.
"My Lady, you should not have left like this. This way your husband will distance himself from you. You are his official second wife, so you need to go closer to him," Zhiyi humbly said.
"I am trying," Xue Yu-Yan replied in a low voice. "Let's go to Zhenzhu Inn," Xue Yu-Yan excitedly said.
"My Lady, you shall do your breakfast first," Zhiyi anxiously requested.
"I am not hungry," Xue Yu-Yan simply replied.
~~~~
In the Imperial Court, everyone was waiting for the Emperor to come. The ministers were whispering with each other while the Crown Prince was conversing with the Prime Minister. As the Emperor set foot in the Imperial Court, the whispers died out, and everyone stood straight with bowed heads.
Han Wenji got seated on the Dragon Throne. "Your Majesty, we were informed about your sudden passing out during the marriage ceremony. Today's hearing was not mandatory, but then a few dark things came to light. We Ministers could not help but call for a court to discuss a few matters," Minister Zhong voiced.
"These past few days have not been pleasant for the Royal Family. The Crown Princess got injured, and then I passed out because of severe chest pain. I gave the punishment to Empress Wei because she committed a crime that could not be pardoned. Apart from that, Hu Jingguo, a skilled young man in medicine, has taken his position as the Second Royal Physician." The Emperor briefed about the decisions taken by him in the Court.
"Your Majesty, the decisions taken by you are indeed supreme. The crime was punished, but then in the Capital rumors are spreading about the Regal Family." Minister Zhong humbly put forward his points.
"What kind of rumors, Minister Zhong?" Sheng Li showed his interest.
"That the members associated with the Wei Family shall be banished from the Palace. Earlier it was Prime Minister Zhang Yong, who was doing rampant corruption in the capital. We Ministers did not say anything because of the Empress. But, the true face of the late Empress came out, which had created insecurities among us. We Ministers do not want any casualties in the Palace. That's why we all have signed this petition to remove the current Governor of Luoyang and also banishment of the First Prince," Minister Zhong showed the scroll in his hand.
Jian Guozhi squinted his eyes as the Ministers had turned against him, not one but all.
Sheng Li was astonished to see if those Ministers would gather against the First Prince- asking for his removal and banishment.
Minister Zhong stepped forward and extended the scroll to one assistant when Sheng Li grabbed it, astonishing the Minister.
"Minister Zhong, you work for the Ministry of State affairs, right? Forgive me, but I have never seen you speak until today. I shall intake more almonds to sharpen my memory," Sheng Li sarcastically said and looked at the scroll.
Nianzu amusingly looked at the Crown Prince. 'Crown Prince is defending the First Prince. It is such a rare thing to see.'
Suddenly they heard the loud laugh of Sheng Li. He controlled his laughs and asked for apologies. "You all Ministers have so much free time to write such a long message which is useless. There are numerous pending matters for the betterment of people, but you never came with a petition for them," Sheng Li stated and scoffed. Jian Guozhi was bewildered to see that the Crown Prince took his side.
"Crown Prince, it is not your battleground where everyone listens to you." The Minister of Justice came forward and bowed before the Emperor and then continued, "It is the Court, which comprises the Emperor and his Ministers. As the Crown Prince, your duty is to be unbiased towards everyone. The Wei Family had made not one mistake but many grave mistakes. Everyone is equal in front of the laws of the Han Empire. It would be an injustice to the Former Empress if the Wei Family each member is not punished.
Speculations are there that Princess Consort Xue was also associated with the late Empress and the First Prince. I urge his highness to punish the entire Wei Family for their crimes severely."
Every Minister bowed ninety degrees and in unison asked for the First Prince's banishment from the Empire along with the Wei Family.
Sheng Li clenched his fists. "The Criminals are already punished. If I commit a crime, it does not mean that my wife and people related to me will be punished," Sheng Li pronounced and looked at his father. "Your Majesty, the First Prince should not be punished just because his mother was from the Wei Family." Sheng Li then turned to face the Minister of Justice, who was glaring at him.
"I am indeed good in battleground but in the Palace matters, I am excellent. I ask every Minister here what the Governor of Luoyang did not do for the people correctly? Provide me one solid reason to agree with all of you. I will myself ask for the banishment of the First Prince if the reason is satisfactory, with evidence," Sheng Li put forward the condition in front of the Court Ministers.
"What kind of reason does the Crown Prince need?" A chuckle escaped from the mouth of the Minister of Personnel. "If a commoner makes a mistake, his entire family is punished, then why can the same thing not happen with the Royal?" He questioned.
"Everyone, keep quiet. This is the Court, yet you all are fighting here," Han Wenji finally spoke. "No one from the Wei Family will be punished. The First Prince will not be banished. It was his mother who did the crime, and she was punished for this. I believe as an Emperor, you all will respect my decision. It is not a biased decision. If such rumors are spreading, then find the root cause behind it. As the Crown Prince mentioned, bring the evidence against Prince Jian if Ministers think that he is involved in all this," Han Wenji announced his decision.
No one dared to speak further. They all bowed in front of the Emperor, acknowledging his decision. The Minister of Justice narrowly gazed at the Crown Prince before lowering his head.