area51novel Page 185
Page 185
"That's right. The court assembly is all about decorum, it's not like a private royal family banquet."
……
The two walked all the way to the foot of the throne, saw the Crown Prince chuckle, and suddenly jumped down two steps, giving up their seats.
“Uncle Yong, stand here with me.”
The voice wasn't loud, but it attracted almost everyone's attention!
The Crown Prince wants to give up his position to Prince Yong!
The hall, which had been buzzing a moment ago, fell silent instantly!
Lin Ruofu stared blankly at the two men. Qin Ye, who was snoring, actually had his eyes half-open, looking at the uncle and nephew under the throne.
In the past six months, rumors about Li Chang'an have been rampant.
Li Chang'an's actions at the city gate and the palace banquet were already common knowledge in official circles.
Everyone knows that Li Chang'an doesn't respect the Crown Prince and has even revealed his ambition to seize the throne.
This is a court assembly, the highest power in the Great Qing Dynasty. Can anyone else just stand on the position of Crown Prince?
In the past, when attending court, the order of standing was Crown Prince, Prince Yong, and the Second Prince.
Today, the order should be: Crown Prince, Prince Yong, First Prince, Second Prince.
The crown prince is the heir apparent, holding a higher position than other princes and other princes.
The seemingly cheerful crown prince is actually harboring wicked intentions.
If Li Chang'an dared to stand in the position of Crown Prince, it would be an absolute act of usurpation.
If Li Chang'an doesn't dare to step forward, then the Crown Prince can be said to have won back some ground for Li Chang'an's recent disregard for the Crown Prince.
No matter how reckless you, Prince Yong, are, it's all talk. If you were really put in the position of Crown Prince, you wouldn't dare.
Therefore, the Crown Prince wanted to curb Li Chang'an's recent arrogance.
Many ministers knew perfectly well that the Second Prince's power was waning, and now the Crown Prince and Prince Yong were locked in a fierce confrontation.
Li Chang'an has indeed been acting as he pleases lately, because now that he has become a Grandmaster, he doesn't want to be restrained and is too lazy to give face to others.
However, this does not mean that Li Chang'an is deliberately making himself uncomfortable in order to show off.
It doesn't mean that if someone digs a pit for you, you'll just jump in with your eyes wide open.
Imperial societies are most concerned with rules, and court assemblies are the places where rules are most strictly enforced.
Xin Qiwu of the Court of State Ceremonial was still reminding officials everywhere to pay attention to their appearance and behavior.
Li Chang'an's face was ashen as he pointed to the spot the Crown Prince had vacated.
"Where did you make me stand?"
The crown prince wore a fake smile. "Of course, it's where the crown prince is standing..."
Before Li Chengqian could finish speaking, his vision blurred and he was struck on the face as if on fire!
By the time he realized what was happening, Li Chang'an had already sent him flying!
Immediately afterwards, Li Chang'an's angry rebuke suddenly rang out in the quiet court!
"You ignorant brat who doesn't know the rules!"
"This is the imperial court. The position of Crown Prince is appointed by His Majesty! How dare you bestow it upon someone else privately!"
"Today is a court assembly, how can we arrange seating according to seniority like a family banquet? As members of the royal family, the country comes before the family, do you understand!"
"Li Chengqian, you have been taught manners since childhood, yet your words and actions are so inappropriate. Today, I, on behalf of my elder brother, will teach you a lesson!"
The sudden turn of events left all the ministers in the court frozen in shock, unable to utter a single word!
Chen Pingping, who had just entered the room, smiled slightly, as if she had seen something to be happy about.
Lin Ruofu's pupils dilated, and Qin Ye was so shocked that he sat up straight.
What's going on? How did the world become like this?!
Someone dared to slap the crown prince in public before the court assembly!
Fan Xian was dumbfounded, his heart pounding. He could clearly sense that Prince Yong had gone on a killing spree ever since the start of the World's Number One Poetry Gathering!
He has an attitude of being completely fearless!
Li Chengqian covered his swollen cheek with his hand, looking at Li Chang'an in disbelief!
Uncle Yong is not playing by the rules!
Who would dare to directly strike the Crown Prince? Compared to him, the Second Prince is simply gentle and considerate!
Li Chengze's lips twitched in shock, and a glimmer of light suddenly returned to his numb eyes.
Li Chengqian, oh Li Chengqian, your days ahead are probably going to be tough!
I used to dislike your hypocritical performances, at most I would blow my beard and flick my hair, but Uncle Yongwang would actually take action!
The eldest prince reacted quickly and rushed forward to grab Li Chang'an's raised foot.
“Uncle Yong, please calm down. The Crown Prince only gave up his position out of respect for you, and he forgot the rules for a moment.”
If Li Chengru hadn't reacted quickly enough, Li Chang'an would have already kicked the Crown Prince in the butt.
As Li Chengru stopped Li Chang'an, the officials in the hall finally reacted, with the Crown Prince's faction reacting most vehemently.
"Your Highness Prince Yong, how dare you beat the Crown Prince in public!"
"Prince Yong, how dare you be so insolent! The Crown Prince is the heir apparent; how can you insult him like this!"
"Prince Yong is arrogant and reckless! Even His Majesty has never beaten the Crown Prince!"
A dozen or so mid-level officials stepped forward and began to criticize Li Chang'an for his rudeness.
Li Chang'an was pulled back by Li Chengru, then turned around and stood still, as if nothing had happened.
He certainly wouldn't fall into the trap Li Chengqian had dug, but he couldn't possibly ignore Li Chengqian's provocation.
What a hypocritical and despicable little drama queen! Who is she trying to fool? She's asking for it!
If this kid isn't taught a lesson, these disgusting little tricks will keep popping up everywhere.
A grandmaster like him has no interest in playing games with the crown prince.
Just then, a bell rang out from outside the main hall.
The ministers who had been yelling at Li Chang'an immediately shut their mouths.
All the officials began to tidy their appearance, and the crown prince also stood up instantly and returned to his seat.
Fan Xian, who had just greeted Fan Jian, craned his neck and stared out the door.
"How many times should I knock?"
Xin Qiwu was shocked and quickly went up to pull Fan Xian to his seat.
The ministers were all well aware of Fan Xian's true identity; he was the emperor's illegitimate son, no wonder he didn't follow the rules.
Emperor Qing, dressed in a black robe, entered the main hall and walked toward the throne with an imposing air.
When he passed by Li Chengqian, he saw the red handprint on the Crown Prince's face and stopped in his tracks.
"Your Highness, what happened to your face?"
Grandmaster Emperor Qing had already heard the protests of the ministers in the palace from just a dozen feet away.
Li Chengqian said, trembling, "Just now, I wanted Prince Yong to stand at the front, but he hit me..."
"Humph!"
Emperor Qing suddenly snorted angrily, then quickly took two steps and sat on the throne.
"Well done!"
Emperor Qing's angry voice echoed in the main hall.
His Majesty actually said that Li Chang'an fought well, which immediately made the officials of the Crown Prince's faction feel indignant.
Even Lai Mingcheng is eager to try, but we can't encourage or condone a court official's attack on the crown prince.
However, Emperor Qing then declared firmly, "The position of Crown Prince cannot be easily changed!"
"Li Chengqian gave it away without permission, and he deserved to be reprimanded by your Uncle Wang!"
The ministers who had been ready to die for their cause were immediately relieved.
This statement, seemingly criticizing Li Chengqian, is actually a warning to Li Chang'an!
These words reassured the Crown Prince's supporters and also served as a show of solidarity with him.
Li Chang'an knew that Emperor Qing had begun to give him a warning.
When one of the parties vying for the throne becomes too powerful, Emperor Qing has to step in to balance them out.
This tactic is nothing new!
"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"
“My brother has no interest in the position of Crown Prince, but he insists on giving it to me.”