Kapitel 15: Why is everyone quiet now?
The next morning, the Crown Princess got ready in the dress which her Grandmother had sent for her. She decided to make Cao Jun wait and left for the imperial court despite Court Lady Xuan's insistence of not leaving the manor.
As she walked toward the imperial court, she encountered the Four Princes, who were surprised to see her.
"We thought the Crown Princess would not attend the court today since she has to see the State Minister's son today," said Prince Zhao Yue, the son of Jia Li's second uncle.
"That doesn't mean I will skip the court session. After what happened last night, I must attend the court," Jia Li asserted and told her cousins she would see them in the court later.
"Doesn't she suddenly look different?" Liuhao, the Third Prince and younger brother of Wangjie asked.
"She does seem different since the last day. I saw her with the Empress's bodyguard in the day. It seemed as if she was looking for someone," said the Fourth Prince, Wu Feng, the son of Jia Li's third uncle.
Wangjie told them they should head to the court first. "Today, we will see a drama. The court ministers will throw a fit because the Crown Princess of the Empire couldn't give any kind of help in finding the shooter," he stated with a smirk and walked ahead of them.
"Does Brother Wangjie think this time the Crown Princess may lose the title?" Liuhao asked.
"That depends on the ministers present in the court. If the Emperor is pressured, then Sister Jia Li has to leave the position," Wangjie stated.
"However, if she succeeds in marrying a man who can help her in strengthening her position, then that may be a problem for everyone," Zhao Yue affirmed.
"Because Sister Jia Li is the Crown Princess, many want to marry her. Till now, she has shown no interest. But after today, she may start thinking about it and may go for the son of the most powerful minister in the Empire," Liuhao stated and knitted his brows together.
"The Prime Minister's son?" Wu Feng suggested. "I heard he is a popular choice among young ladies after us princes," he said.
"The General's son can be her choice," Zhao Yue muttered.
"He has three sons. I heard the eldest one doesn't work at all. He is known for failing the exam thrice and dwelling on his father's money. I don't think Sister Jia Li will ever consider him as her choice," Liuhao affirmed.
"You three are forgetting that our grandmother will decide the groom for Sister Jia Li. So, stop talking about such possibilities which will never work," Wangjie proclaimed and told them they should not get late for the court.
As they entered, they saw almost every minister was present. They bowed to see the princes, who went ahead and stood near the Crown Princess.
"The Emperor is late today. Is His Majesty's health good?" Jia Li heard one of the ministers.
"If only we had a Crown Prince, things would be better I believe," another minister added.
"Women look good doing household chores, taking care of their children, and looking after their husbands. Today, the Emperor has to think of this Empire's future."
Jia Li kept hearing numerous remarks from almost every minister in the court. She clenched her fists and turned around to look at them when the noises died down.
"Why is everyone quiet now?" Jia Li asked in her stern tone. "Why doesn't every minister say it to my face? Shouldn't the Generals be questioned since they handle the security of the Emperor?" She questioned them. "Ahh, they all are men. How can I forget that?" She chuckled.
"The Crown Princess is taking the wrong meaning of our words," said the Minister of Justice, Minister Jin Liang.
"Wrong meaning?" Jia Li snickered. "Minister Jin, I am not dumb not to understand words. If you all care for my father, then go and question Chief General Lee Shimin who was responsible for security the previous night," Jia Li pronounced.
The Prime Minister cleared his throat since the Emperor had entered the Imperial Court. Jia Li turned around while the ministers bowed their heads. Jia Li and the other Four Princes also lowered their heads as they all greeted the Emperor in unison.
"Majority of you have started doubting the Crown Princess' capabilities. That's why it is important to know that the Crown Princess was the one who alerted the Empress's bodyguard to keep an eye on the food, the wine I would be provided," Emperor Xiangwei asserted and told Jia Li to speak up about it.
"I did what the security around my father should have done. Such a big event had been organized after many years. That's why I decided to employ the Empress's bodyguard and asked him to personally check the food or wine brought," Jia Li explained to everyone present in the court.
"I hope this has cleared the ministers how capable the Crown Princess is despite being a woman! The next time, I don't want to hear such remarks toward the Crown Princess. Soon, the culprit will be caught, so we will find who did this," Emperor Xiangwei proclaimed, showing optimism.
"Forgive us, Your Royal Highness," the Prime Minister was the one, who apologized first. The other ministers apologized after that to the Crown Princess.
Wangjie didn't like the way ministers stopped rebelling against Jia Li. It was the best chance for him to rise as the perfect person to be the next Crown Prince.
The Court session resumed and a few important matters were discussed before it ended. Jia Li thanked her father after the ministers and princes left the imperial court.
"The Crown Princess needs to be more vocal about her vision, her thoughts, and suggestions. She should not fear the men around her. I want to advise her one thing," Emperor Xiangwei said to her daughter.
"I am listening, Your Majesty," Jia Li said with her gaze at the floor.
"The Crown Princess needs to bring the ministers to her side. She has less time to do it. A marriage with a good minister's son can surely ease it for her. I hope she has realized this by now," Emperor Xiangwei pronounced.
"I understand, Father. I will work on it," Jia Li stated.
"I have faith in my daughter. She has never disappointed me," Emperor Xiangwei said with a smile. "The Crown Princess should leave since she has to see Cao Jun," he affirmed.
Jia Li nodded and bowed before leaving the court to meet Cao Jun.
Geschenke
-- Geschenk
erhalten Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein