Chapter 117: King Song Loses Influence! (2/2)

Lu Ting looked at King Song in worry.

No one could have imagined that the Consort Taizhen incident would develop to this point. Initially, everyone thought that their greatest opponent was King Qi and the Yao Clan, who supported Consort Taizhen. As long as they could triumph over them in the royal court, they would be able to change the mind of His Majesty.

However, at this moment, everyone realized that from the start to the end, there had only been one ‘opponent’, the Sage Emperor.

King Qi and the Yao Clan were simply obeying imperial orders.

“I couldn’t have expected it, I truly couldn’t have expected it! …”

King Song slumped onto his chair at the top of the main hall, seemingly taken a heavy blow from this matter.

Being excluded from the royal court and losing his influence wasn’t what that got King Song down. What that got King Song down was that the valiant and astute emperor, also known as the wisest emperor in the long history of Great Tang, would actually exclude him from the royal court over a mere woman.

This was what that King Song couldn’t accept.

Even though losing influence in the royal court was unbearable, he still couldn’t turn around to support Consort Taizhen. This was the responsibility of a subordinate, and the emperor’s reputation was at stake. King Song would never support Consort Taizhen!

“… Looks like that lad was right!”

A long sigh suddenly sounded in the hall. King Song heard Lu Ting’s familiar voice.

“Academic Lu, what do you mean?”

King Song lifted his head in surprise.

Lu Ting’s words were abrupt and it came from nowhere. King Song had no idea what the other party was driving at.

“Does His Highness still remember Wang Yan’s third son, Wang Chong?”

Lu Ting shook his head slowly. There was a peculiar tone to his words.

“Of course I do, didn’t I meet him at the Four Quarters Embassy? Why is Academic Lu suddenly bringing him up?”

King Song was surprised. He couldn’t understand why Lu Ting would mention the child at this moment.

“When we left that day, I paid close attention that child’s expressions, and I have a feeling that he knew that we would fail.”

Lu Ting spoke frankly.

“How could that be?”

King Song abruptly stood upright. A look of disbelief appeared on his face.

The royal court was complicated and many factors could influence the result of even a seemingly simple matter. Until the last moment, not even veteran officials like them, who had immersed themselves in politics for more than several decades, could know the result.

How could a teenage child like him be so certain?

Lu Ting simply smiled silently.

Lu Ting liked promoting talented juniors, and the capability that Wang Chong displayed didn’t seem to just stop at the level of ‘talented’.

The attention that Lu Ting paid to Wang Chong was much more than the latter could have ever imagined.

“His Highness, do you remember him asking you about the Consort Taizhen incident? Thinking about it now, it seems that he intended to persuade us, but in the end, perhaps knowing that he wouldn’t succeed, he chose to use another method instead.”

Lu Ting spoke.

King Song was taken aback. A grim expression slowly crept onto his face. If that child was really as Lu Ting described him to be, then he was indeed extraordinary.

Thinking about it now, it did seem like Wang Chong intended to persuade him.

But back then, regardless of whether it was him or Lu Ting, it was impossible for them to truly listen to his words.

“Academic Lu, what do you mean? Do you expect me to turn around and support Consort Taizhen?”

King Song’s face darkened.

“Your Highness, I have no intentions of changing your mind. However, don’t you think that there is a deeper meaning to that child’s words? He seemed to be hinting us to pay King Shou a visit.”

“I have a feeling that he knows something. His Majesty’s attitude toward the Consort Taizhen incident is bizarre, and it is completely different from how he is before. I feel that we should look for King Shou. Perhaps, we might find something unexpected there.”

Lu Ting said.

King Song fell silent. Graveness warped his face.

If it was before, he would have immediately disregarded Lu Ting’s words. However, after so many affairs, especially after receiving five imperial edicts, King Song’s attitude toward this matter changed greatly.

King Song had never thought about the reason behind the bizarre attitude of the Sage Emperor. He had never considered why the latter was willing to go this far for a woman. He also didn’t know much about Consort Taizhen either.

All he knew was that she was King Shou’s wife.

In the past, he wouldn’t have spared this woman an additional glance. But suddenly, King Song felt extremely curious about her.

He wanted to know what kind of lady it was that could induce such a change in the Sage Emperor.

Time slowly passed and the silence in the main hall continued.

Instead of urging him, Lu Ting stood by the side, waiting patiently for King Song’s verdict.

Sigh! ——

After an unknown period of time, a long sigh echoed in the main hall.

“Make preparations. I will go to King Shou Residence to visit Mao-er!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Delighted, Lu Ting hurriedly got up and walked outside.

A moment later, King Song left his residence in a carriage, headed for King Shou Residence.

Every morning, the officials and the emperor would gather at Hanyuan Hall (also the main hall) of the Daming Palace to report on the issues of the empire to converse and settle them.

This is the center of the politics and governance of the empire.