Chapter 487: Chapter 266: It’s Easy to Fall Hard When Climbing High_2
The Emperor looked again at the Crown Prince and asked, "Crown Prince, what do you think?"
Before the Crown Prince could reply, Duke Zhen quietly gave him a look. He immediately understood.
"Father Emperor, this son also believes that Mr. Li should be worshiped by scholars across the land, but Mr. Kong Kangda should also be worshiped. They are both great scholars and should be respected by students across the land. So, this son thinks that we can first worship Mr. Li and then worship Mr. Kong Kangda."
"Prince Dai, what do you think?"
"Father Emperor, this son believes that the person most worthy of being worshiped by scholars across the land is Mr. Li, not Kong Kangda." Prince Dai was well aware of the Crown Prince’s faction’s intentions and absolutely would not let the Crown Prince have his way. "This son thinks several ministers were right just now..."
After listening to Prince Dai, the Emperor turned to the Fourth Prince and asked, "Fourth son, what do you think?"
The Fourth Prince spoke in a mild tone, "Father Emperor, Mr. Li merely did what he was supposed to do; there is no need for scholars across the land to worship him." His tone suggested that it was not an important matter, not worth bringing up.
Kong Yuan, upon hearing the Fourth Prince, felt as though he had been slapped, his face burning painfully.
Kong Kangda kept his head down, but his expression was somewhat unpleasant.
The Emperor then asked the Minister of the Ministry of Rites and the Junior Minister, both members of the Li Family.
The Minister of the Ministry of Rites and others echoed the Fourth Prince, adding that Mr. Li was no Saint and thus unworthy of worship by scholars across the land.
Marquis Xuanping commended the Li Family’s humility and virtue, contrasting them with others who, having done nothing, sought to be worshiped by all.
Concerning the Kong Family, Marquis Xuanping had long abandoned attempts to win them over. Since Kong Kangda’s youngest daughter committed suicide, Marquis Xuanping knew the Kong Family harbored deep hatred for Prince Dai and would never support him. Hence, there was no need to try to win over Kong Kangda.
The Emperor turned his gaze to the ever-silent Duke Zhen. Duke Zhen remained calm, showing no involvement with the matter at hand.
Marquis Xuanping again spoke in favor of scholars worshiping Mr. Li.
Duke Zhen still remained silent, his expression unchanged.
The Emperor curled his lips into a faint, ambiguous smile. "Do all you ministers agree to let scholars across the land worship Mr. Li?"
"Your Majesty is wise." The minister who initially proposed worshiping Mr. Li first knelt and said.
Subsequently, ministers from Prince Dai’s faction also knelt. Then, Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu and others knelt as well.
The Crown Prince’s faction’s ministers dared not remain standing and hurriedly knelt, saying, "Your Majesty is wise."
"Although I know Mr. Li does not care for this, since you ministers believe he should be worshiped, then let the Crown Prince represent me to worship Mr. Li."
The Crown Prince was startled by this and looked up at the Emperor in surprise.
"Crown Prince."
"This son is here." Just as the Crown Prince intended to refuse, the Emperor said, "You are responsible for the matter of worshiping Mr. Li."
"Father Emperor..."
The Emperor interrupted, somewhat displeased, "You are unwilling?"
The Crown Prince’s heart tightened, and he quickly said, "This son is not unwilling; it is an honor for this son. It’s just that this son thinks the fourth brother is more suitable for this responsibility."
"The fourth son is not the Crown Prince. How is he more suitable for this duty?" The Emperor squinted slightly, "If you are unwilling, then..."
Hearing this, the Crown Prince became anxious and hastily replied, "Father Emperor, this son is willing and will certainly handle this matter well."
"If you are unwilling, I will not force you."
"Father Emperor, this son is not unwilling. This son is most willing."
"In that case, you will represent me to worship Mr. Li."
"Yes, Father Emperor."
"Do the ministers have any objections?"
"We ministers have no objections."
"Duke Zhen."
"This minister is here."
The Emperor ordered, "You are to assist the Crown Prince."
Duke Zhen’s demeanor remained as calm and unchanged as ever.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Emperor nodded in satisfaction, then asked, "Do any of you have further matters?"
"We ministers have no further matters."
"Then court is adjourned." The Emperor stood and stretched, then left Chengguang Hall.
Sun Kui loudly announced, "Court is adjourned!"
The ministers knelt and sent the Emperor off: "Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor."
Prince Dai was the first to stand, his gaze disdainfully directed at the Crown Prince. Unabashedly mocking, he said, "Elder brother, if you are unwilling to represent the Father Emperor to worship Mr. Li, I could do it on your behalf."
The Crown Prince stood up, glared at Prince Dai, and coldly replied, "There is no need for you, my second brother, to trouble yourself."
Prince Dai stepped forward, coming very close to the Crown Prince.