Chapter 404: Chapter 237: Arrogant in the Favor of Love
At the fourth quarter of the Mao hour, the palace gates opened punctually, and the ministers standing at the entrance filed into the palace in order.
The supporters of the Crown Prince’s faction mocked the followers of Prince Dai’s faction as they walked.
Lately, due to Princess Consort Ying’s favor and Noble Princess Consort Rong’s loss of favor, coupled with the Emperor’s recent reprimand of Prince Dai, the arrogance of the ministers in Prince Dai’s faction was no longer as rampant as before.
Many ministers backing Prince Dai were deeply worried about the current situation, fearing that Noble Princess Consort Rong might indeed completely lose favor. Princess Consort Ying had entered the palace for one or two months, and during this period, the Emperor basically stayed overnight in Changle Palace, not visiting the palaces of other concubines. Not only Noble Princess Consort Rong, but the Emperor hadn’t even been to Empress Xie’s Zhao Yang Palace.
The Emperor rarely visited Zhao Yang Palace, only going on the first and fifteenth of each month. However, since Princess Consort Ying entered the palace, the Emperor seemed to forget about going to Zhao Yang Palace on these days, which made Empress Xie both jealous and furious.
Now, the Emperor only favored Princess Consort Ying alone.
Duke Zhen was quite pleased with this outcome. He believed that in due time, Noble Princess Consort Rong would completely lose favor, and then Prince Dai would also fall out of favor.
Marquis Xuanping glared at the jubilant Duke Zhen, grinding his teeth in hatred.
He thought resentfully in his heart: This won’t do, Princess Consort Ying must be eliminated, or else Noble Princess Consort Rong and Prince Dai will...
Before the early court session began, the ministers first went to rest in the side hall next to Chengguang Hall.
The Crown Prince’s faction once again clashed with Prince Dai’s faction. This time, the Crown Prince’s supporters directly mocked Prince Dai for his inability to have children, and subtly suggested that Prince Dai had killed too many people and was being punished, thus unable to have children.
Since that celebration banquet, Prince Dai had been doubted in his capabilities, resulting in plenty of jokes. This matter also became a topic for the common people in the capital during their idle chats after meals.
Over the past six months, not only ministers but also the common folk showed great concern over Prince Dai’s issue of offspring. However, up to now, no good news had been heard from the Prince Mansion.
The rumor that Prince Dai was incapable once again swept through the capital, infuriating Prince Dai greatly.
For the past six months, Prince Dai himself had been very anxious. Seeing that neither Princess Consort Dai nor the concubines had any news, he even specially invited a divine doctor from the civilian population.
The divine doctor carefully checked the pulse of Prince Dai, Princess Consort Dai, and the concubines, stating that their bodies had no problems. As for why there was no pregnancy, it could only be said that fate had not arrived yet.
In hopes of becoming pregnant, Princess Consort Dai secretly sought various folk remedies for childbearing and consumed many, but none took effect. She even worshipped at every temple and Daoist shrine in the capital, and asked for blessings from the Fertility Guanyin, but still, it was of no use.
Noble Princess Consort Rong inside the palace was also anxious. Her son had no offspring for a long time, being laughed at by the entire court of ministers and the commoners, which no one could tolerate.
Prince Dai was already angry due to Noble Princess Consort Rong losing favor and being reprimanded himself, and now, being mocked for being incapable, he fell "ill" from anger.
During this period, Prince Dai did not attend court.
Prince Dai, being a martial artist and having fought battles outside for many years, was very healthy. This time he was not really sick, but honestly upset.
He was reluctant to attend court, being laughed at by the ministers. He simply feigned illness, stayed at home to rest, and thought about how to have children. Of course, the main reason was that he was sulking at the Emperor.
When Prince Dai feigned illness to skip court, the Emperor, upon hearing, specially sent Sun Kui with the Imperial Physician to the Prince Mansion to check on Prince Dai.
The Imperial Physician said Prince Dai had no major problems, just that his mood caused poor sleep and appetite. Prince Dai needed to relax his mind in order to get better.
For Prince Dai to relax his mind was tough, given the many recent troubles he faced. Since the Imperial Physician advised him to recover peacefully, he obediently stayed at the mansion to rest, going nowhere.
How could the Emperor not know that Prince Dai was sulking at him and that he intended to gain attention through his feigned illness.
"Did Prince Dai still not come to court today?" The Emperor finished his tea, set down the cup, and picked up a handkerchief to wipe his mouth.
Sun Kui had just gone to the side hall of the Chengguang Hall to serve tea to the ministers, naturally noting who was absent.
"No."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor slightly frowned, then said with some disdain, "Really hasn’t made any progress."
Sun Kui kept his head down, not daring to speak.
The Emperor sneered, "He’s throwing a tantrum with me."
Sun Kui, noticing the Emperor’s anger, cautiously said, "Your Majesty, His Highness Prince Dai merely wants you to care for him."