Su Xingyan heard this, and the veins on his clenched fist were protruding. He looked up and said, "Father, listen to me. This is all..."
"I have no time to listen to your excuses! You created this mess, and now you want me to clean it up for you! Do you think I have nothing better to do all day? The entire Imperial Family’s reputation has been ruined by you. If you can’t resolve this issue, pack your things and return to your fief!" The Emperor was truly furious this time, waving his hand to dismiss Su Xingyan.
Even if he really didn’t like Han Jing, he hadn’t decreed for them to marry immediately. As long as they weren’t married, there was room for maneuver. But he! Without the marriage being settled, he first got involved with his sister-in-law, shaming the Imperial Family to the extreme!
He used to be the most obedient and sensible child, but look at what he’s done this time!
It might have been somewhat unfair to make him marry Han Jing, but still, he couldn’t do something like this, causing a scandal everyone knows about. How could I, the Emperor, possibly issue an edict forbidding the people to discuss this matter?
As a Prince, it’s one thing not to lead by example, but to be so morally corrupt is simply unforgivable!
Su Xingyan walked out of the Imperial Study Room, his face drained of color, his entire demeanor gloomy.
Just because of Han Jing, his father had said he would send him back to his fief! If that really happened, what face would he have left?
The Princes who are crowned and given lands in Nanyao Country all have their own fiefs. But generally, unless they request it themselves, they are not required to leave the Capital City for their fiefs. Those who do go are usually sent there because they’ve made significant mistakes, completely losing imperial favor. What about him? What mistake did he make? It’s just because he didn’t want to marry Han Jing, and for that, his father would banish him from the Capital City?
If it weren’t for the Emperor bestowing marriage to him and Han Jing, given such favor, he’d even doubt if Han Jing or himself was the Emperor’s biological child!
Su Xingyan usually gets along well with the Crown Prince, so now he went to the Eastern Palace to seek his advice.
Su Xingyan’s eyes were bloodshot: "Brother, what is Father really thinking! He actually said if I don’t resolve this matter, he’ll send me back to the fief! I simply don’t understand, what’s there to resolve about this! I merely took a concubine, and I haven’t even married Han Jing yet. Why should I apologize to her!"
He wished he could kill her!
"Enough! Don’t forget, this woman is not just anyone; she happens to be the sister of your fiancée and also the granddaughter of Marquis Jingyang! The Marquis Jingyang’s heir holds a position in the Ministry of Revenue, and this incident has caused such a stir that the entire Capital City is talking about it. If not handled properly, the Jingyang Marquis Mansion might become estranged from our palace! Father’s health has been declining, and though I am the Crown Prince, aren’t you aware of the current dangerous situation? If I fall, and you are closely associated with me, you will inevitably be implicated. Therefore, we cannot make any mistakes at this time. Fourth Brother holds military power and has high prestige at the border, and he’s unwilling to return to the Capital City now. Who knows what he’s planning? If we can’t stabilize the situation in the Capital City, we won’t know who might take advantage of us! I understand your grievances, but they are temporary. Once I ascend the throne, you can marry whomever you wish, but for now, you absolutely must not act recklessly!"