flstandardbreds Chapter 916: Conferring the Title of Crown Prince!
Chapter 916: Conferring the Title of Crown Prince!
Mu Chang'an immediately stopped, bowed, and said, "Your humble servant is here."
"From this day forward, Mu Chang'an will be promoted to Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince. Zonghua's studies will be in your hands, Lord Mu."
"Your Majesty is too kind. This humble subject dares not accept such praise."
For a moment, no one realized that the Emperor's words actually had another meaning.
Li Gang, however, reacted quickly, "Your Majesty, what do you mean?"
"Guards, draft the decree."
The following morning at court, Duanmu Chuze announced the imperial edict, appointing Duanmu Zonghua as Crown Prince, Mu Chang'an as Crown Prince's Grand Tutor, and Li Gang as Crown Prince's Junior Tutor.
The establishment of a crown prince was a joyous occasion, and the retired emperor was naturally overjoyed upon learning of it.
When the news reached the Ming Prince's residence, it didn't cause much of a stir. After all, this was a major event for the court, but for the Ming Prince's residence, it didn't elicit much of a reaction.
As for the Luo family, something was definitely not right.
The Emperor could allow Prince Ming to remain a prince, or even hold an important position in the court.
However, the Emperor would not allow the Luo family to continue their reckless behavior.
In other words, even if the Luo family did nothing wrong, the Emperor might not tolerate them. Now, not only has the Emperor established a Crown Prince, but he has also greatly promoted the Mu and Li families. His intentions are quite obvious.
Among the tutors chosen by the Emperor for Duanmu Zonghua, there was another one, the son of the Sun family.
The wife of Prince Ming's heir, Duanmu Xing, was none other than Sun Ruomei. This put Prince Ming at ease, knowing that the Emperor had not distanced himself from him, and he felt much more at ease.
Everyone in the Luo family was cautious in their dealings, but Princess Zhaoyang's temperament became increasingly gloomy, and almost every day, maids in the Luo family died under Princess Zhaoyang's torture.
The Luo family naturally dared not make a fuss about this matter; they could only carefully protect and cover it up. If it were exposed, it would bring no benefit to the Luo family whatsoever.
Princess Zhaoyang is the Emperor's own sister. The Emperor might not make things too difficult for her, but the Luo family will certainly be implicated and blamed.
It's simply impossible to keep something like this completely hidden.
Soon, people arrived at the Luo family's door, crying and shouting for their family members.
Upon hearing the news, the Luo family immediately invited the person into their mansion, providing them with good food and drink, and giving them a silver ingot at the end.
What ordinary people want is nothing more than money to live a good life.
But things can't always be like this.
The various branches of the Luo family gathered together. They weren't particularly distressed about the lost silver, after all, the Luo family wasn't short of money. But the problem was, they were always afraid of being surrounded and complained about when they went out. Wasn't that a bit too unfair?
Soon, the eldest son's family members brought up the idea of dividing the family property.
The old lady of the mansion has long since passed away, so it is only natural for the family to separate now.
Left with no other choice, Prince Consort Luo had to agree.
As a result, the Luo family moved to a house next door. Princess Zhaoyang was initially unwilling, but she also understood that even as a princess, she could not participate in the men's division of the family property.
Moreover, the elders have already passed away, so it would be unreasonable to prevent the family from separating.
After the Luo family moved out, the place was naturally not as big as the original main house. Although there were fewer people, Princess Zhaoyang always felt that it was a bit of a humiliation for her to live in such a courtyard.
In addition, the two had not been getting along for a long time, so Princess Zhaoyang simply moved into the princess's residence that had been bestowed upon her by the retired emperor.
Even so, Prince Consort Luo did not stop him, and he was happy to be relaxed and carefree.
Anyway, he couldn't stand the princess's arrogant demeanor, and thinking about the mangled corpses that were carried out of her courtyard, he felt a chill run down his spine.
It's hard to imagine how the once incredibly gentle princess could have turned out like this.
However, considering that she had previously driven away several of his mistresses, the methods she used were probably no less ruthless than what she is doing now.
Princess Zhaoyang moved to the Princess Residence, and she did learn to be more restrained.
They no longer mistreat their servants as they used to.
However, her temperament became increasingly gloomy, and her moods were unpredictable. The maids and nannies who served her were all terrified.
"Your Highness, the Empress Dowager says she misses the young master and young lady. When would be a suitable time for them to enter the palace?"
Princess Zhaoyang raised her eyelids slightly. "Tomorrow then."
"Yes, princess."
"The princess is so lucky. The Empress Dowager and the Emperor both adore the young master and the young lady."
Princess Zhaoyang snorted coldly, "What's the use of liking someone? My son is already so grown up, and I've never seen the Emperor bestow a title upon him. Anyone can just say they like someone."
"Princess, please don't be in a hurry. The young master is still young. Even if a title is bestowed upon him, it can only be done after he has come of age."
"How can I not be anxious? How old is Duanmu Zonghua? Hasn't he already been named Crown Prince? I don't know what's so good about that Mu Xin Nuan that she can seduce the Emperor into favoring only her. I don't believe that he really looks down on other women."
"Princess, please calm down. We cannot decide who the Emperor favors."
Princess Zhaoyang's face darkened. "Hmph! What was Mu Xinnuan's background back then? How could she become the Empress, the mother of the nation? The Mu and Li families are where they are today only because of Mu Xinnuan's influence. It's truly a case of 'when one person attains enlightenment, all their relatives and friends benefit.' These petty people are the ones I can't stand the most."
"That's what the princess said."
"Alright, dress the young master and young lady up smartly tomorrow. The young lady is twelve this year, and it's time to start looking for a marriage partner. If the Empress Dowager takes note of this and arranges a good marriage for her, it would be a blessing for her."
"Look at what the princess is saying, the Empress Dowager dotes on our young lady the most."
Princess Zhaoyang smiled and said, "Tomorrow, I will mention it to my mother and ask her to grant me the title of Princess."
The old woman was taken aback, her face showing difficulty. Such a thing was extremely rare. Unless the princess or her husband had performed extraordinary feats, it was certainly impossible to bestow titles and honors upon the princess's sons and daughters.
Historically, after a princess gets married, her dowry can be inherited by her children. However, a princess's daughters are not granted the title of county princess like the daughters of princes.
Even those who have made extraordinary contributions will only be given a title, but not a fief or real power.
Now that the princess has said this, I'm afraid she'll have another falling out with the Empress Dowager once she enters the palace tomorrow.
Princess Zhaoyang was originally the Empress Dowager's biological daughter, but her personality, which she inherited from someone else, was never as pleasing as Princess Duanmu Jing.
The old woman secretly pondered that when she went to the palace tomorrow, she would probably have to offer some advice. If the princess quarreled with the Empress Dowager again, the princess's future days might not be so easy.