The Hehuan Poisonous Gu, as the name suggests, would remain dormant if there was no marital intimacy.
Shengge pondered for a long time and decided to seek medicine from the Ghost Doctor again. Although she was happy to see Situ Jue become a eunuch, could she not act first?
Not much, just once would suffice.
Unfortunately, she waited for three consecutive nights, but the Ghost Doctor never showed up.
Meanwhile, Situ Jue tried many times with people in his manor, exhausting all sorts of methods, but the area that should have been erect remained limp and utterly lacking in spirit.
How could he dare let the imperial physicians know about such a matter? He could only secretly seek out folk doctors, and for a time, he couldn't even bother with the succession struggle.
At the end of November, the Crown Prince returned to the capital triumphantly.
Although the bandit suppression was unsuccessful, not only were all the copper ingots recovered, but twelve new copper mines were also acquired. The Crown Prince was in a good mood, eagerly awaiting praise from Emperor Changwu to further advance his career. Duke Xie, Fu Lingyun, had already drafted a memorial: "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has rendered such great service that he should be welcomed by all officials lining the road upon his return."
Emperor Changwu frowned, about to refuse, when he saw his youngest son, who usually kept out of such matters, step forward and ask with a look of confusion, "Duke Xie, what great service has the Crown Prince rendered?"
Never had he seen someone so lacking in discernment. Fu Lingyun's beard bristled. "Does Prince Rui not know? The Crown Prince successfully raised a colossal sum in copper ingots and acquired twelve copper mines. Is this not a great achievement?"
"Heh, may I ask Duke Xie, how did these copper mines and ingots come about?"
"Naturally, it was led by the Crown Princess setting an example, with donations from various benevolent individuals."
"But if my memory serves me correctly, the Crown Prince's expedition was to suppress bandits and recover the lost copper. Since when did failing to confront bandits and soliciting donations from the populace become a meritorious deed? And a grand welcome? Aren't you afraid of being drowned in the people's spittle?"
The faction supporting the Crown Prince turned pale, while others had their own thoughts. Was Prince Rui about to confront the Crown Prince?
As expected, a prince who doesn't aspire to be emperor is not a good prince.
Duke Xie gnashed his teeth in anger, "Prince Rui, mind your words."
"I am merely stating facts. It is no secret that the Crown Prince did not deploy a single soldier in Shanxi and only busied himself with soliciting copper from the people." Situ Yan paid no mind to his anger, then knelt before Emperor Changwu again. "Father, your son requests an imperial decree to go to Shanxi and suppress the bandits."
Emperor Changwu was also grinding his teeth. This brat, he had already agreed to let him suppress the bandits. Why was he still making such a scene in the imperial court? Wasn't this a direct slap in the face to the Crown Prince?
He said with a cold face, "This matter is of great importance and will be discussed later. Court is dismissed."
The morning court ended hastily, and Situ Yan was summoned to the imperial study. He felt no guilt whatsoever. After performing the proper courtesies, and before Emperor Changwu could ask anything, he began to complain indignantly, "Father, why are you going back on your word? Didn't you agree to let your son suppress the bandits?"
"Since you know I have already agreed, why then did you badger the Crown Prince and stir up sibling discord? Does it sound good if this spreads?"
"Does Father also believe the Crown Prince deserves praise for this? Then I shall go to the Ministry of Rites immediately and have the minister prepare the relevant matters. Tomorrow, I will lead all the officials to welcome him at the city gate. However, let me be clear, I will not be going. A mere few groups of bandits, and they gave up without even a fight. Those bandits must be laughing at the imperial court as cowards behind our backs."
Emperor Changwu wanted to hit him but had to admit that Situ Yan was right. He snorted, "Your words sound good, but do you think I don't know you are standing up for your wife's copper mine?"
"If a mine is lost for no reason, am I not allowed to say a few words?"
"How is it for no reason? The officials remember all that was donated to the court."
"Remember what? Didn't you hear Duke Xie? It was led by the Crown Princess setting an example, with donations from benevolent individuals. Listen, what part does my wife play in this?"
Emperor Changwu: ...
Having interacted with Situ Yan for a long time, Emperor Changwu had figured out his son's personality and asked with narrowed eyes, "Then what do you want?"
"Father, you are always so straightforward. Father, if my son successfully suppresses the bandits and recovers the lost copper this time, you must bestow that mine upon me."
In short, his wife could not suffer a loss.
Emperor Changwu became even angrier, "In your eyes, can't you think of anything besides your wife's mine?"
Day after day, he revolves around his wife. Can't he have any ambition?
Situ Yan refused to back down this time. "Father, my son's bandit suppression is entirely for the sake of the court. If they can rob the court and escape unharmed, where does the court's dignity lie?"
Emperor Changwu waved his hand, "Stop spouting grand theories at me here. Go back and prepare. You will assemble your troops and depart in three days."
"What about the mine?"
"Once you return victorious, you will not be shortchanged."