Volume 4: Gathering of Sages Chapter 578: Furious
"Zhang Shou!"
The second prince was almost mad at Zhang Shou's sophistry, but what made him even more furious was that Zhang Shou didn't forget to ridicule him at the end! He suppressed the urge to rush over and fight Zhang Shou, and shouted angrily, "Don't think that so many people in Wenhua Palace will be deceived by your sweet words! You used these unknown knowledge to bribe the old Grand Tutor Ge, and bewitched my father..."
Bang--
This time, after hearing the dull sound, the people sitting in the front row with good eyesight only saw a golden light flying past their eyes, followed by another miserable groan. Looking in the direction of the sound, they saw that the second prince, who had just been indignantly accusing Zhang Shou and Ge Yong, was half-kneeling on the ground, covering his mouth with one hand, and drops of blood were dripping from between his fingers.
In front of him, there was a small teacup spinning on the ground. Perhaps it had just encountered a violent collision, the edge of the teacup had been broken, and there were even spots of blood everywhere. It was obvious that it was this small thing that hit the Second Prince who was talking nonstop, and it hit him right in the mouth. As for who hit him... is there any need to ask?
At this moment in the Wenhua Hall, only the emperor could be unrestrained when disciplining his son... Moreover, apart from a few top generals among the nobles such as Zhu Jing, only the emperor who was skilled in archery and horsemanship since childhood and had good martial arts could have such skills!
If the ministers were just surprised, then the second prince was truly terrified by the pain. Although he still had two broken teeth in his mouth and dared not spit them out, he was sure that if his father had added a little more force at that time, then he would definitely have lost more than just these two teeth. Maybe all the teeth in his mouth would have fallen out, and he might even faint from the pain!
However, he definitely did not think that his father really showed mercy. If he really showed mercy, he would not have interrupted him in this way. He only needed to shout. He knew without thinking that his predicament at this moment was like a mad dog that fought desperately but was beaten all over by others.
The person who had instigated him to attend the imperial lecture did not let him do this. Even after he quietly showed up at the other courtyard where he was imprisoned, he did not even mention why he was asked to attend the imperial lecture in Wenhua Hall. It seemed that just coming was enough and they did not care what he did. However, he was unwilling to show repentance, and then he was driven out of the capital with his tail between his legs before the third prince could appoint the crown prince.
He didn't want to be a puppet like the eldest prince. Just look at what the eldest prince said after him just now. It was not something that his elder brother, who seemed smart and steady but was actually greedy and stupid, could think of. It was obvious that someone taught him that.
The second prince tried his best to forget the pain in his face and mouth, and raised his head with all his strength, looking at his father on the throne. Seeing the other's eyes as cold as ice, he remembered that his mother had told him and his brothers since they were young that their father was not only cruel, but also did not like them, so they had to fight for everything. At that time, he did not believe it, but now, he finally believed it.
He laughed bitterly and said in a trembling voice, "Father, you dislike your son's nonsense, so you interrupted me like this, right? I used to have selfish motives and I have always disliked Zhang Shou. Most of what I said just now was just speculation... But so what! Zhang Shou is so young, but he knows so much. How is this possible? There can't be anyone in the world who knows everything at birth, unless he is a monster!"
"What's more, if he doesn't seek fame or profit, then what does he seek? Where can a saint be found in this world? Besides, he has a suspicious background! How did Concubine Yu and Lady Zhao meet her mother by chance when they were in danger at the Buddhist temple? How could her mother save two pregnant women so smoothly under the eyes of the army, and then die in childbirth?"
This time, Zhang Shou flew into a rage without waiting for the emperor to stop him.
"Whether I am born with knowledge or not, whether I am a saint or not, that is another matter. But it is absurd for the Second Prince to speculate and doubt my mother's intentions without any reason! When the Buddhist temple encountered a war, three weak women worked together to fight their way out. This is a heroine worthy of praise and a legend worthy of praise. But in your mouth, you said that she had other intentions. I want to ask, what was her intention?"
The second prince immediately shouted at the top of his lungs: "God knows she didn't exchange her children with the two families when she was in trouble!"
Even if I die, I will not let you and the Third Prince be a peaceful teacher and student! I don't believe that after saying this, you can still get along like before, you will definitely be suspicious of each other!
"Bullshit!" Zhang Shou finally couldn't bear it this time. He rushed up without thinking and kicked the man hard. When he saw the smug smile on the second prince's face, he knew that this guy was deliberately provoking him. But since he had already kicked him, he didn't care that this was the lecture in Wenhua Hall. He was already a lecturer in the Eastern Palace, and the second prince's biological father was behind him.
Although he had never seen the deceased widow Zhang, this did not prevent him from respecting the kind-hearted, wise and brave woman who had allowed him to live a new life in another sense. So, he didn't care and kicked the eldest prince a few more times, venting his anger without any scruples.
But in a place where he couldn't see, when Zhu Ying heard Zhang Shou's clear swear words, saw him kicking someone in anger, and saw many girls subconsciously turning their heads to look at her, she broke into a smile.
What does it matter if Zhang Shou curses? What does it matter if he kicks someone in the palace? The second prince, this idiot, has already cursed his mother, widow Zhang. Does Zhang Shou still have to use all kinds of words to reason with others? When she heard people slandering widow Zhang just now, she wanted to go up and slap the second prince in the face!
He didn't want to look back to see what the emperor's expression was at this moment - according to the emperor's usual temper, he could discipline his son himself, but he would not tolerate others bullying him - Zhang Shou couldn't help it at this moment, and didn't want to. Although he always appeared to be a good-tempered person outside, it was just a disguise.
With his handsome and elegant appearance, he should have a gentle and elegant personality, right? But at this moment, even if his personality was completely destroyed because of his words and actions just now, he couldn't care less!
After kicking the Second Prince hard, he finally let go of the hem of his official uniform that he had lifted up when kicking him, slowly stepped back a few steps, and then cursed coldly: "A wise man sees wisdom, a benevolent man sees benevolence, a lewd man sees lewdness, and an evil man sees evil!"
"The Emperor is a man of integrity and generosity. He keeps his word, knows how to appoint the right people to the right posts, and is very observant. That is why the Third Prince is gentle and honest, and the Fourth Prince is bright and straightforward. I have always been puzzled as to how there could be sons like you and the First Prince who are so ignorant and bring shame to the Emperor!"
"Now I understand. You think my late mother has evil intentions, but that's because you have evil intentions yourself, so you judge others by yourself! The saying "not afraid to assume the worst of others" refers to such a bad fool like you! It makes sense that people who do evil things will see everyone as the same as themselves!"
Before the Second Prince could react, he sneered, "A year ago in Rongshui Village, you sent assassins to murder me for no reason, and leaked the news that Yingying and many noble children were in Rongshui Village to the rebels, luring them to attack. Is there a more vicious plot in the world than this?"
"Just because you heard a few words from others, you insulted Minister Liu's daughter in public on the street. Is there anything more arrogant than this in the world? Not to mention the farce you and your son have concocted, which is simply a joke!"
"My late mother's past actions were kindhearted, and her entrusting my son to me before her death was also upright. She was a native of the capital, and her background was clean and innocent, and she could withstand any investigation. You are so conscienceless to accuse the deceased based on your conjecture that you are infuriating to the gods and the people! My kicks won't kill you, so get out of here! If I can't seek justice for my late mother today, I will be ashamed of you!"
Seeing Zhang Shou angrily tearing off the jade pendant from his waist and throwing it to the ground viciously, Zhu Ying couldn't help but take a breath. The eldest prince, who had just watched Zhang Shou kicking the second prince in public without saying a word, finally changed his expression.
"Zhang Shou, how dare you destroy the gift given by our father in public!"
As soon as these words came out, the faces of the people in Wenhua Hall suddenly changed. However, Zhang Shou calmly turned around and faced the eldest prince who had suddenly attacked him. He raised the corner of his mouth and asked calmly, "So the eldest prince is so well-informed that he even knows where my jade pendant came from? If I remember correctly, you have been in Zongzheng Temple for the past few months, right?"
Don't hit someone in the face, don't expose someone's shortcomings, but Zhang Shou exposed his shortcomings and hit him in the face. At this moment, the fourth prince laughed loudly again . When he found someone looking at him, he smiled and said, "Brother may not be well-informed. Maybe he has 'eyes as sharp as lightning' and knows exactly what good things are hidden in father's treasure house."
"At least I don't know where the teacher got this jade pendant!"
The eldest prince used to look down on the second prince, his brother from the same mother, not to mention the third and fourth princes. In his eyes, the two brothers were insignificant little things who should always be silent in front of him.
Now the Third Prince was about to enter the East Palace, and the Fourth Prince even dared to ridicule him in public. He had been trying hard to hide his resentment and dissatisfaction in his heart, but he immediately exploded.
"All the jade ornaments in my father's storehouse are exquisite Khotan mutton-fat jade. You can't recognize them because you are short-sighted! Zhang Shou is making excuses. You are a prince but you are devoted to him. Do you still have the laws of the country and the rules of the family in your eyes?"
Before the eldest prince could finish his words of lecturing his younger brother, Zhang Shou interrupted him coldly: "The emperor has always been simple and frugal. He only wears fine mutton-fat jade occasionally, and even uses a jade ring for archery. But in your words, all the jade ornaments in the storehouse are made of top-notch Khotan mutton-fat jade? As a son of a man, raise your eyes and take a good look. What is the emperor wearing now?"
The eldest prince wanted to angrily scold Zhang Shou for confusing the audience and change the subject, but he couldn't help but raise his head. Although he was quite far away from the emperor, from his position, he could still see his father, who had just stood up when he smashed the cup and threw it at the second prince. Just by looking at him, he couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
Because on my father's thumb, there is a jade ring that he wears for practicing archery. Just looking at its dull color, it is undoubtedly made of cheap green jade!
But before the eldest prince could organize his words to fight back, the third prince beside the emperor suddenly said, "Brother, you just said that everything in father's treasury is made of fine Khotan jade. That's because father knew that Concubine Jing liked Khotan jade, so all the fine Khotan jade materials in the tribute were given to her, and Concubine Jing must have given them to you and second brother."
He smiled frankly as he spoke: "My fourth brother and I have never seen any Khotan jade since we were young. Moreover, because we have not yet reached adulthood and have been conferred the title, there are no regulations on the jade ornaments on our crowns and robes."
At this point, everyone's eyes fell on him and the fourth prince. As princes, even if they did not have the official crown and clothes, they would always have corresponding accessories. The third prince had a green jade ring hanging on his waist, and the fourth prince had a white jade fish on his waist. Although the texture of the jade could not be seen closely, there were always people with good eyesight who knew its value.
Lu Wan, who was a wealthy man, took the opportunity to take a look at the eldest prince and the second prince. He saw that the jade ornaments worn by these two princes on trial were of unparalleled beautiful jade... At this moment, he, who had been a little worried about Zhang Shou just now, immediately put his heart back in his stomach.
The fourth prince wanted to speak when he got the chance, but the queen mother grabbed his hand and squeezed it hard. He was so painful that his face wrinkled up. He almost cried. How could he dare to continue to confront the eldest prince? Zhu Ying wanted to argue for Zhang Shou, but she had to shut up under the queen mother's sharp eyes. She was very dissatisfied.
Even if it was really a jade ornament from the palace, she asked for it from the emperor. It cannot be considered a reward from the emperor to Zhang Shou, and the emperor did not officially issue an edict to bestow it!
When the hall fell silent again, the emperor asked coldly, "Even if it was the jade pendant I gave to Zhang Shou, how could you, who is imprisoned in Zongzheng Temple, know about it? There are indeed countless good things in my inner treasury, but how can you recognize them all? Unless you treat my inner treasury as your own home and check it all the time, or... someone else secretly gives you information!"
The second prince, who had just been kicked hard by Zhang Shou, wanted to curse the eldest prince for his stupidity. If you want to find fault, please be smart. If this kind of thing leaks that you are colluding with outsiders, are you looking for death by saying it out loud?
Most importantly, how can you be sure that Zhang Shou will smash the accessories given by my father today? How will I attack Zhang Shou, but I have never told anyone. Is there someone who is a locust in my stomach?
The second prince was suspicious, but the emperor was furious: "I thought you two brothers wrote to request to attend the first day of the imperial lecture because you were truly repentant and wanted to listen to the lectures. Now it seems that I really overestimated you! You are still as arrogant and stubborn as before, and you have even become worse! In this case, there is no need for you to continue to embarrass yourself here!"
"Come here, gag these two and drag them out!" Seeing the eldest and second princes' faces suddenly turned pale, but before they could say anything, the eunuchs behind them rushed over and twisted their mouths. The emperor then said word by word, "I can say one thing clearly, both I and the Duke of Zhao have always valued our children the most. If any of our children are lost outside, we will bring them back at all costs!"
