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Chapter 113.2
Jin Wang Dotes on His Concubine Ch 113 Pt. 2
Translated by gingercat
Edited by gingercat
Emperor Hongjing prided himself with having the vigour of dragons. But in the end, time waited for no one, and after drinking some wine he was a little uncomfortable.
He went back to the Qianqing Palace to clean himself up. He drank a cup of tea and took a half an hour nap before changing into a dragon robe and returning to the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
At this time, the banquet was nearing its end. Emperor Hongjing sat there for a while and chatted with several of his close ministers before leaving for Changyin Pavilion.
With so many people going towards the same place, the path was very crowded. While they were walking on the road, Emperor Hongjing asked Li Dequan, “Where’s the crown prince?”
Li Dequan, who was following at his side, whispered back, “This old servant heard people say that the crown prince seemed to have drunk too much and went out.”
Emperor Hongjing snorted without speaking.
At Changyin Pavilion, Empress Wei was already waiting with the many imperial concubines.
Amidst an overwhelming ‘Long live the emperor’, Emperor Hongjing sat down beside Empress Wei. In the middle position on the second floor of Yueshi Building, besides Empress Wei, were several high-ranking concubines, the eldest imperial grandson, An Wang, Jin Wang, Yong Wang and the others.
As for the dukes, ministers, chief officials, foreign envoys, and women bestowed titles by the emperor, they were all in the surrounding buildings.
Emperor Hongjing said a few words, then the play began.
This play was ‘Peace in the World’, a recently compiled play. The play was novel and had a lot of originality. Even with a vision as broad as Emperor Hongjing, he still couldn’t help but praise it a couple of times.
During the first break, Emperor Hongjing frowned upon noticing that the crown prince had yet to arrive. “The crown prince isn’t here yet?”
Hearing this, Empress Wei couldn’t help but look towards the eldest imperial grandson.
Zhao Zuo was already burning with fire from anxiety, yet he had to pretend to be calm. “Grandson has already ordered for someone to look for him. Father probably drank too much.”
“Useless thing!” muttered Emperor Hongjing under his breath.
Empress Wei sighed in her heart and was about to coax him when she heard a soft female voice from next to her. “Not only is His Highness Crown Prince absent, Her Highness Crown Princess isn’t here either. Perhaps something happened.”
The person speaking was Consort Shu.
This Consort Shu was one of the four consorts in the palace and gave birth to Yong Wang. She could be seen as one of Emperor Hongjing’s old people and was well regarded in the palace.
Empress Wei didn’t like to compete with these consorts and concubines. But today was different. It was Emperor Hongjing’s birthday, and the crown prince was also her son. With Consort Shu saying these words, weren’t they simply cursing her?
With a cold face, she said, “Consort Shu, if you can’t speak properly, keep your mouth shut.”
Empress Wei was the empress of this era and Emperor Hongjing had always respected her. All the concubines and consorts from the six palaces look up to her. As soon as she uttered her words, Consort Shu repeatedly confessed her mistake. “It was chenqie who misspoke. But chenqie is indeed a little worried.”
Worried? Worried about what? All these consorts who have sons of their own couldn’t wait for something to happen to the crown prince. Empress Wei understood this in her heart. If it weren’t for the many years of husband and wife relationship between her and Emperor Hongjing and if it weren’t for the eldest imperial grandson, this position of the crown prince would have long been passed to someone else
“Go and find the crown prince!” Empress Wei ordered.
Her main eunuch, Hong Rang, who was standing next to her, accepted her order and left.
She softly explained to Emperor Hongjing, “This child likes to show off his strength, and was toasted by many courtiers. He’s likely drunk then fell asleep accidentally. When he comes, Your Majesty must punish him.”
Emperor Hongjing did not speak.
About two-quarters of an hour later, the crown prince, flocked by a few eunuchs, arrived.
The crown prince was pale and panicking. He even staggered a bit as he walked. Not far away, followed Lu Wang whose face couldn’t hide his excitement.
Jin Wang looked over. His gaze sharpened. He looked at Lu Wang then at Yong Wang.
Yong Wang seemed to sense the meaning in Jin Wang’s eyes and smiled at him without any unusualness.
The crown prince stumbled then knelt down at Emperor Hongjing’s feet. Emperor Hongjing became even angrier when he saw his son’s uselessness. He was only a bit late, so why the need to kneel down with so many courtiers and envoys present? This was simply throwing away the face of the Dagan Dynasty.
He glanced at him, Li Dequan went to help the prince up, and said, “Your Highness, you really drank too much. Careful with your steps.”
The crown prince was forcibly supported up by him, and his fat body couldn’t stop shaking. Before he could stand upright, Lu Wang suddenly spoke, and he immediately slipped to the ground again.
“Just now, eldest brother, with the vigour of a dragon and the might of a horse, was going at it nonstop with a concubine, making her cry and beg for mercy. Perhaps that’s why he is unable to stand steadily now?” After saying this, Lu Wang leaned towards Emperor Hongjing and continued, “Father, guess what erchen saw? The woman that eldest brother was having an affair with, was actually your new favourite.”
Despite the noisy gongs and drums coming from the stage and cheers from the surrounding buildings, their place was as quiet as a ghost town.
No one dared to speak, knowing that the sky was about to fall.
The eldest imperial grandson stood up and was about to say something when suddenly a rush of footsteps sounded from behind him.
Following the sound of footsteps, two palace maids ran over with weeping faces.
They went straight to the eldest imperial grandson, and said incoherently, “Your Highness, it’s not good, it’s not good
”
The eldest imperial grandson was agitated and was about to yell at them.
Before any words could be spoken, a female voice prompted him, “Don’t scold them, they are all good servants who are loyal to their master. It’s
”
She didn’t finish her words. Choked up, she hesitated to speak, then sighed.
She seemed to have finally made up her mind. She looked at Empress Wei hesitantly, and said, “Mother Empress, you should go and take a look.”
“What happened?”
“It’s the crown princess
”
Consort Yong’s appearance was really surprising. First, something happened to the crown prince, already causing Empress Wei to feel uneasy. Now that something had also happened to the crown princess, she couldn’t be bothered to care about other things.
“If you have something to say, then say it! Stop hesitating!”
“The crown princess was discovered having a tryst with a guard.”