freenovelworld Chapter 802 Warning to the Luo Family!
Chapter 802 Warning to the Luo Family!
Although Duanmu Chuze was furious, Consort Luo was a member of the Ming Prince's Mansion and could be considered a member of the royal family. He couldn't just tell her that she was not allowed to enter the East Palace again, could he?
Fortunately, Princess Ming didn't say anything, otherwise he might have been so angry that he stormed into the Ming Prince's residence.
Although Duanmu Chuze couldn't do anything openly, he could naturally give Ming Wang a heads-up in secret.
When Prince Ming learned that a few words from Consort Luo in his residence had displeased the Crown Princess, he was not stupid and naturally knew what to do.
The next day, news came from the Prince Ming's residence that Consort Luo had angered the prince for some unknown reason and was therefore punished by being confined to her quarters for a month, with no one allowed to plead for her.
Originally, Princess Nali and Consort Luo shared the emperor's favor in the Ming Prince's mansion. But now that Consort Luo has been punished, the atmosphere in the mansion has changed immediately.
However, it wasn't just Princess Nali who changed; on the contrary, King Ming and Queen Ming became even closer.
Originally, King Ming and Queen Ming were a young couple who were very much in love. Later, if it weren't for the Queen's several miscarriages, their relationship would not have become increasingly strained.
Now that the former Crown Princess Xie is gone and Prince Kang has been dealt with, Prince Ming has naturally come to understand many things.
Over the years, although Princess Ming has not given birth to a legitimate son, the son she raised by her side has been raised very well.
Now, Princess Ming has only one daughter, who has been granted the title of Princess by imperial decree. Moreover, the Empress often summons her to the palace to keep her company, which is enough to prove Princess Ming's care.
King Ming was unwilling to create any more complications, especially regarding Duanmu Chuze, whom he always felt he owed.
Originally, the fourth brother was the younger brother, but upon closer reflection, it was the fourth brother who had been secretly helping him all these years.
The Prince Ming is no longer young, and naturally he is no longer as infatuated with beauty as he was in his youth. On the contrary, most of the time he just wants to find a quiet place to sit. And in this backyard of the Prince's mansion, perhaps only the Princess's place can still give him a semblance of peace.
“Your Highness, in my opinion, the Crown Prince’s feelings for the Crown Princess are indeed extraordinary. Now that even the Empress Dowager doesn’t interfere in their affairs, there’s really no need for us to meddle. Just like now, we’ve only angered the Crown Prince’s Palace.”
"Yes, but Consort Luo's commotion has revealed the Fourth Prince's intentions. Do you think I don't know what the Luo family is up to?"
King Ming snorted coldly. To put it bluntly, wasn't he still thinking of sending the Luo family's daughter to the Eastern Palace?
"Your Highness, I may say something that is not pleasant to hear, but please don't be offended."
"Go ahead and speak," King Ming said, slightly raising his arm, his expression somewhat uncomfortable.
Princess Ming quickly stood behind him and gently massaged his hands.
"Your Highness, it's understandable that Consort Luo wants to help the Luo family. But to dare to interfere in such matters is incredibly audacious. Fortunately, His Highness the Crown Prince has a deep bond with you and hasn't overthought it. If the Crown Prince had thought too much about it, I'm afraid..."
King Ming stiffened, his expression darkening slightly.
The princess is right. Under normal circumstances, no matter what Consort Luo says, it's fine; it's just the talk of a woman!
However, almost everyone in the capital knew that Consort Luo held a special position in the Prince Ming's residence, and at the same time, she was a daughter of the Luo family. To bring this up in front of the Crown Princess would likely be interpreted by Duanmu Chuze as an attempt to manipulate things between them and the Luo family.
"You reminded me that this woman almost dug another pit for me."
"Your Highness, if you merely confine Consort Luo to her quarters, I'm afraid it won't be enough to quell the Crown Prince's doubts."
“I understand. This time, I am truly grateful for the Princess’s reminder. It seems I must make a trip to the Luo family. If they dare to use Consort Luo to do anything again, don’t blame me for turning ruthless.”
King Ming had also figured it out. In any case, he didn't plan to compete for the throne anymore. In the end, he couldn't possibly win against Duanmu Chuze. Therefore, he would no longer tolerate the Luo family.
The Luo family had indeed provided him with a lot of convenience and information before.
However, the power gained from him should not be underestimated.
Therefore, in Prince Ming's view, he did not owe the Luo family anything; on the contrary, the Luo family had repeatedly used Consort Luo to cause trouble, which he found quite annoying.
The Luo family has clearly been neglected by the Emperor lately.
Even Princess Zhaoyang's husband was assigned to a sinecure, which meant he only received a salary but had no real power.
The Luo family was in a bit of a hurry because of this, which is why they thought of using women to open the gates of the Eastern Palace.
How ridiculous! Who is Duanmu Chuze?
He was more ruthless than his eldest brother, more shrewd than his third brother, and far more composed than himself.
Is a prince like this someone they can easily scheme against?
The next day, Ming Wang went to the Luo family. No one knows what they talked about, but after Ming Wang left, the old lady of the Luo family cried her eyes out.
Immediately afterwards, King Ming saw Duanmu Chuze in the Hall of Diligent Governance.
"What happened? Where is Father?"
"Father said that Anuan's position is now stable, so he forbids me from being lazy anymore. He accompanied Mother to the royal garden outside the city, saying that he would take Mother to see if they could catch a white fox."
"Father seems to be in the mood!"
Duanmu Chuze looked up from the pile of memorials and glanced at him. "Alright, stop nagging. That pile over there is for you. It's even higher than mine. You should pray that there won't be any other urgent reports today, otherwise, hmph, you'll be staying in the palace tonight."
The Ming King glanced at the pile of memorials as high as a small mountain and was visibly stunned. "What's going on? It's just the Ministry of Personnel, when did it accumulate so many memorials?"
Duanmu Chuze chuckled, "Oh, right, I forgot to tell you, starting today, the Ministry of Works will also be under your jurisdiction."
The Prince Ming paused for a moment, then thought of his father's intention to build a public school in the east of the city, and he was so angry that he almost gritted his teeth.
"Duanmu Chuze, are you out of your mind? Father wants to build a public school, isn't it to emulate Yanzhou? You were the one who built that public school, so why should I be the one to deal with it now?"
"Well, I'm just too busy. To be honest, you're not good at fighting, so the Ministry of War can't be put in your hands. And what about the Ministry of Revenue?"
Duanmu Chuze suddenly lowered his body and smiled mischievously, "I was thinking of using the Ministry of Revenue's power for personal gain. Recently, Yan is short of silver, so I can't hand over the Ministry of Revenue to you. So, that leaves only the Ministry of Works."