The Crown Prince, who had expected a grand reception in the capital, found himself thoroughly humiliated due to Situ Yan, forced to tread cautiously.
Adding to his woes, his Empress mother was stirring up trouble.
The Emperor summoned the Crown Prince to the imperial study for a reprimand, bypassing the Empress.
The Crown Prince was deeply wronged. His duties were neglected, and upon returning to the Eastern Palace, he smashed a room full of porcelain.
The Crown Prince, usually known for his gentle demeanor, had never thrown such a tantrum. The Crown Princess, steeling herself, approached him, "Your Highness, please speak calmly. Do not harm yourself with anger."
Seeing the Crown Princess only enraged him further. "You dare show yourself before me? If not for your foolish actions, why would Situ Yan be so intent on targeting me? Go kneel outside."
The Crown Princess was stunned. "Your Highness..."
"Do not make me repeat myself. Leave."
The Crown Prince's rare outburst of crude language brought tears to the Crown Princess's eyes. However, the Crown Prince's heart was like iron. She could only dejectedly kneel outside the study. After venting his fury, the Crown Prince calmed down and summoned his strategists. He needed to carefully consider his next steps.
The Eastern Palace housed numerous strategists, who usually held diverse opinions. It was rare for them to agree. However, this time, they all unanimously believed that it was best to win over Prince Rui. After all, a prince whose maternal clan was insignificant and whose paternal clan was non-existent had no chance of ascending the throne. Yet, he was capable. With his support, the Crown Prince would be like a tiger with wings, and he could also use Prince Rui to strike at his political rival, Situ Jue.
Alas, Prince Rui and Prince Ning already had a deep-seated enmity. The Crown Prince could simply wait to reap the benefits.
How could he have been so foolish as to offend Prince Rui?
Of course, the strategists did not express their opinions so bluntly, but the general sentiment was clear. The Crown Prince was agitated. "Even if I have offended him, we must think about the future. You should all consider what comes next."
"Your Highness, there are no eternal friends or enemies in this world. Your Highness might consider extending an olive branch to Prince Rui and gradually mend the relationship."
"You want me to humble myself before him?"
"Your Highness, a moment of forbearance can bring lasting peace. Taking a step back can open up a wider horizon. Prince Rui acts according to his whims; befriending him is the best course of action. I believe the Emperor feels the same way, otherwise, he would not have prevented the Empress from continuing her feud with Prince Rui's consort."
News traveled fast within the palace. In just this short time, the news of the Empress's failed summons of Prince Rui's consort had spread throughout the palace walls.
The Crown Prince understood the logic. But to bow down to someone after being slapped in the face was something the haughty Crown Prince found unacceptable. He paced the room irritably for two rounds, then waved his hand, "You may all withdraw for now. I need some quiet."
Unfortunately, before he could enjoy his quiet for even the duration of a meal, a maid attending the Crown Princess rushed in. "Bad news, Your Highness! The Crown Princess has fainted."
The Crown Prince: ...
Could kneeling for such a short time cause her to faint? Incapable of achieving anything, and good at ruining things. Could these women ever be still? The Crown Prince had no patience for her melodramatic behavior and coldly said, "If she fainted, carry her back and find an imperial physician. Why are you looking for me? I don't know how to treat illnesses."
Marrying a wife requires wisdom. The Crown Prince felt utterly deceived. Back then, Fu Yingxiao always appeared virtuous and magnanimous. Who would have thought she was such a fool when faced with trouble? If not for her, his maternal uncle would have surely resolved the mine issue. How could it have ended up like this, losing two mines and still offending Situ Yan?
The thought of his subordinates urging him to seek peace only fueled his anger.
He was the Crown Prince. Seeking peace with a prince who had no mother and had returned midway felt no different from having his dignity trampled upon.