“Hmm.” Nan Xuzong nodded, watching a high-ranking official leaning against Huangfu Yun, surrounded by many other people.
Nan Xuzong steadied himself, then flicked his finger at the official's leg. Instantly, the official lost his balance and stumbled forward!
"Ah!" the minister cried out, and several people involuntarily leaned forward. Then, a voice cried out, "Your Highness, be careful!" and then, with a "plop," someone fell into the lotus pond.
Huangfu Xuan turned around and immediately led Ma Ruyi away from the lotus pond to a safe area.
Everyone immediately looked towards the lotus pond, and to their surprise, the one who had fallen into the lotus pond was none other than Crown Prince Huangfu Yun!
Huangfu Ting was taken aback. Damn it, he hadn't expected this scene!
"Help me! Help me!" Huangfu Yun was in a terrible state, struggling in the lotus pond. He had swallowed an unknown amount of muddy water, and all that could be seen was that his face was covered in mud!
"Quickly, someone come here!" Huangfu Ting immediately called for the guards.
Those around them quickly stepped back. The ministers who had fallen were pale-faced, wondering what punishment they would face later! At this moment, Emperor Zhou and Empress Yao, who were walking from a distance, quickened their pace.
"What's going on?" Empress Yao's shrill voice rang out. Those around her knelt in reverence, while a guard jumped into the lotus pond and helped Huangfu Yun up onto the shore.
Emperor Zhou frowned, "How could such a thing happen out of nowhere!"
No one around made a sound.
Meanwhile, Crown Prince Huangfu Yun was trembling, probably from soaking in the lotus pond for too long. His body was shaking, and his princely robe was covered in mud. He looked nothing like a prince even in a "dragon robe"!
Emperor Zhou looked Huangfu Yun up and down carefully. "Yun'er, you... you've really woken up?"
"Father!" Upon hearing Emperor Zhou call for help, Huangfu Yun immediately turned around and knelt before him, crying out pitifully, "Father! Your son pays respects to Father and Mother!"
A hint of coldness flashed in Empress Yao's phoenix eyes. "Hurry up and bring the Crown Prince warm clothes! Do you want the Crown Prince to freeze?"
Everyone knows that Empress Yao holds absolute power in the palace, and Emperor Zhou listens to her opinions in everything! This time, Empress Yao issued an order before Emperor Zhou for two reasons: first, because this matter occurred in the Imperial Garden, which falls under the jurisdiction of the harem; and second, because Emperor Zhou has given Empress Yao sufficient power! She has every reason to be arrogant and issue commands!
"Yes." The waiting guards and maids immediately went to fetch the clothes.
"What happened? How did you fall into the lotus pond?" Emperor Zhou stepped forward, his withered hand reaching out to place on Huangfu Yun's shoulder. "Your Highness, get up! You are the Crown Prince. You finally woke up, you should rest more. How could such a thing happen! If anything happens, hmph!" His sharp eyes immediately turned to the kneeling people.
"You may all stand up and speak!" Empress Yao said at this moment.
"Yes." Only then did the people around stand up and bow to the side.
Huangfu Ting pushed through the crowd and stepped forward, asking, "Is the Crown Prince alright?"
"It's nothing, thank you for your concern, Second Brother!" Huangfu Yun thought to himself. He had to maintain his proper identity, otherwise, he would definitely be exposed! If he were exposed in front of Emperor Zhou, he probably wouldn't even be a corpse!
At this moment, Huangfu Xuan approached, holding Ma Ruyi's hand. "Father, Mother!" His eyes were slightly cold. "Just now, I brought Ruyi here to release lanterns, but I don't know why the Crown Prince suddenly fell into the water!"
Ma Ruyi bowed respectfully and stood beside Huangfu Xuan, listening to him speak. Only then did she realize that by standing beside him, without her needing to speak, while he spoke, he was protecting and cherishing her. She should be content.
Ji Wushang tightened her grip on Nan Xuzong's hand, and Nan Xuzong and she immediately stepped forward.
"Father, Mother!" The two bowed and looked at them. Nan Xuzong said, "Indeed, just as my third brother said, we released the glass palace lanterns, but some unpleasant things happened."
Huangfu Yun looked at them, wondering if he had been tricked by them. But it shouldn't be, because everything they did seemed so reasonable, and Nan Xuzong, Ji Wushang, Huangfu Xuan, and Ma Ruyi hadn't gotten close to him... If anyone had gotten close, it would be Huangfu Ting!
Huangfu Yun suddenly remembered something. Seeing that no one was paying attention, he immediately touched his face. Feeling that nothing was wrong, he pretended to put his hand down.
And naturally, some people noticed all this! If you don't want others to know, don't do it in the first place! He didn't even consider his own future!
"Who dared to offend the Crown Prince?" Upon hearing this, Empress Yao immediately turned her gaze to the large group of ministers, determined to drag out a few of them and punish them, otherwise, how could this situation be resolved? She could also use this opportunity to give them a warning!
With Huangfu Xuan and Nan Xu Cong joining forces, many ministers naturally sided with them, while Huangfu Ting gradually lost the support of the people!
Several ministers, feeling terrified, stepped forward with their heads bowed and knelt before them, each showing signs of panic.
"Your Majesty and Empress, spare our lives! Your Highness, spare our lives!" one minister cried out loudly. Several other ministers who were also unfortunate enough to suffer the same fate knelt down, begging for their lives.
At this moment, Ji Wushang said, "Mother, the punishment can be postponed for now. Why don't we have the imperial physician check on the Crown Prince's health first? Also, quickly prepare some hot water so that the Crown Prince can wash his face and hands."
Ji Wushang's intention was to shift everyone's attention to the Crown Prince. As for the ministers to be punished, they were just a minor matter! The real issue was Huangfu Yun!
Empress Yao's cold gaze then shifted to Ji Wushang. Ji Wushang's words were spoken from the Crown Prince's perspective, and he had distinguished between what was important and what was not, so Empress Yao had no chance to find fault with him!
Nan Xuzong stood beside Ji Wushang, like a trapped beast ready to pounce at any moment. When Empress Yao met his gaze, she was immediately overwhelmed by Nan Xuzong's aura.
Huangfu Yun then said, "Thank you for your concern, Fourth Sister-in-law!"
Ji Wushang said calmly, "The Crown Prince is important!"
"Hurry up and send someone to do as the Fourth Imperial Consort says!" Emperor Zhou coldly commanded.
Immediately, several people rushed to fetch water for Huangfu Yun to wash his face. However, Huangfu Yun realized the importance of the matter at this moment, and he immediately turned his eyes around. "Father, Mother, I feel a little cold, so I will go back to the palace to wash my face and change my clothes!"
"Go!" Empress Yao said first. Her phoenix eyes looked at Ji Wushang with a smug expression.
Emperor Zhou nodded, "Someone, summon the imperial physician to examine the Crown Prince!"
Ji Wushang sneered inwardly. This was merely a test! If it truly was a fake, the next step would be to expose and execute it! Empress Yao's tricks had managed to deceive so many people! If Emperor Zhou knew of this deception, what would his reaction be!
Huangfu Ting glanced coldly at Ji Wushang and stood aside.
"Alright, that's how it is! Today's event was meant to be a bit of fun, but who knew something like this would happen! Guards, take them away and let them go back to rest!" Emperor Zhou gave a gentle order at this point.
The ministers were all relieved, but hearing this, they were genuinely happy that they were still alive! Moreover, Emperor Zhou didn't intend to strip them of their official positions!
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The ministers bowed and knelt down one after another.
"Alright, everyone, continue enjoying the music!" Emperor Zhou glanced at Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong, then at Huangfu Xuan and Ma Ruyi. "You four, come and talk to me!"