The following days were utterly exasperating for both Jun Hui and Consort Yun.
Ministers noticed that the atmosphere in court meetings had been rather peculiar lately.
In court, Minister Su, who was usually amiable, seemed like a different person. No matter what the Sixth Prince said, Minister Su would retort, leaving him speechless.
Even if the Sixth Prince merely remarked that the weather was fine today, Minister Su would use his eloquent tongue to twist it into a criticism of the Sixth Prince for not preparing for danger and only indulging in pleasure.
Anyone could tell that His Royal Highness the Sixth Prince had offended Minister Su.
This wasn't even the most terrifying part. What was terrifying was that once Minister Su took the lead in attacking, the Crown Prince, Prince Jing, Marquis Zhongyong, and other powerful nobles,
along with civil officials like the Left Prime Minister and Minister Lin of the Ministry of Justice, all chimed in. Even military generals like Duke Weiguo and Marquis Wuyang jumped in to declare that the Sixth Prince was incompetent.
From above, the Emperor looked at his poor, helpless Sixth Son. Although he wanted to say a few words on his behalf, with the entire court saying the same, he didn't dare incur public wrath. In the end, even he began to doubt: was his Sixth Son truly this incapable?
"Sixth Son, speak a little less." Finally, the Emperor sighed helplessly. Speaking less would at least mean fewer rebukes.
Jun Hui knew why Minister Su was targeting him. He shut his mouth, retreated to the side, and tried his best to lower his presence.
But when someone takes a disliking to you, even your breathing is wrong.
As the ministers discussed state affairs, every time Minister Su proposed a suggestion, he would always follow it with, "How does the Sixth Prince think it should be?"
If he didn't answer, the ministers would deem him incompetent.
If he answered, no matter what he said, it would be wrong, and he would be seized upon and rebuked.
Yet, Minister Su would still ask, time and again, "How does the Sixth Prince think it should be?"
Jun Hui was utterly miserable.
How does this prince think? Every time this prince thinks something, you, Minister Su, think this prince shouldn't think it!
The various ministers had never enjoyed attending court as much as they did during this period.
Every day's morning court was a drama between Minister Su and the Sixth Prince. No, it should be described as Minister Su's one-sided psychological torment of the Sixth Prince.
Do not think that Minister Su's verbal assaults caused no harm to Jun Hui. When one is consistently unapproved of, regardless of what they do or say, for an extended period, the ministers began to truly believe that the Sixth Prince was nothing but a useless embroidered pillow—all show and no substance.
Finally, Jun Hui couldn't bear it anymore and chose to feign illness, ceasing his attendance at morning court.
This was also Minister Su's objective.
The imperial court changes rapidly. If you are absent for a day, there might be no change, but after many consecutive days, you will gradually drift away from the center of power.
Speculation ran rampant in court: what exactly had the Sixth Prince done to anger the normally mild-mannered Minister Su?
Minister Su was someone who would simply smile and dismiss things unless they went too far.
From this incident onward, everyone understood: provoke anyone but Minister Su.
Aside from Jun Hui's predicament, Consort Yun wasn't having an easy time in the imperial harem either.
The status of imperial concubines was linked to the affairs of the imperial court.
Previously, when the Sixth Prince saved the Emperor and gained favor for a period, all the palaces were perceptive, and Consort Yun naturally enjoyed a comfortable life.
Now that the Sixth Prince was in such a state, her own status plummeted.
Several times, when the Emperor saw her, he would recall the ministers' words about Jun Hui's extravagance, indulgence, and lack of achievement. He would then conclude that Consort Yun, indeed, came from humble origins and was incompetent in raising a son.
The Emperor's attitude toward Consort Yun was noted by all the palaces.
The Empress already found Consort Yun and the Sixth Prince cunning, lurking in the shadows, coveting her own son the Crown Prince's position and her esteemed place as Empress. Now that Consort Yun was out of favor, she was delighted to add insult to injury.
After suffering several silent setbacks, Consort Yun also confined herself to her palace.
"This consort is utterly furious! One day, I will make those wretched women pay!" Consort Yun raged in her palace.
"Your Ladyship, let us endure a little longer. This situation will pass soon."
"Endure, endure, endure! How can this consort endure! I used to think Hui'er's plan was dangerous, but now I feel this plan must be implemented!" Consort Yun's face contorted as she shrieked.
Her Nanny stepped forward and said, "Your Ladyship, His Highness said this is the consequence of your actions against Changning County Princess."
Consort Yun scoffed. "A mere Su Li, where would she get such great power? Hui'er is truly overthinking it."
The Nanny's lips moved, but she ultimately said nothing.
Speaking of Su Li, Consort Yun felt a surge of anger.
The people she sent to assassinate Su Li were stopped by her own son, who even went into the palace to admonish her, his own mother.
Then I'll temporarily leave this woman alone. Given Su Yi's relationship with Hui'er, once he ascends the throne, he will also eliminate the Su family.
By then, Su Li will be a toothless rabbit, left to be molded and crushed by anyone.
Su Li only heard bits and pieces of the court affairs from Minister Su. When she learned that Jun Hui had feigned illness and stopped attending court, she burst out laughing, feeling a warmth in her heart.
Her father was still so adorable, getting revenge for her in his own way.
Though her father was a civil official, he was truly capable. In her previous life, if not for her being a burden and Su Yue's schemes, with his abilities, he would undoubtedly have gone down in history, becoming a celebrated figure praised by later generations.
"Is my daughter, Su Yi's daughter, so easily bullied? If he weren't a prince, how could he still be alive!"
Madam Su said in a low voice, "What nonsense are you talking about? Are those words that can be spoken aloud?"
Su Li inwardly chuckled. Her mother meant that some things should only be done covertly, not spoken aloud.
Su Li smiled. "Mother, it's just our family in the room. Father has a sense of propriety."
Minister Su nodded. "As expected, Li'er understands me best. Oh, right, Li'er, do you also owe a debt of gratitude to Grand Master of Ceremonies, Minister Yu?"
Su Li looked puzzled. "Grand Master of Ceremonies?"
"That's the former Salt Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner Yu. He was promoted a while ago and is now the Grand Master of Ceremonies."
This was expected. Yu Qiao had rendered meritorious service in the private salt case. She just hadn't expected him to jump two ranks, from a fourth-grade official directly to a third-grade official.
"Why does Father think I owe him a debt of gratitude?"
Minister Su said, "A few days ago, besides me, he was the most vehement in his attitude towards the Sixth Prince."
Su Li thought of Jun Hui being chased and scolded by two civil officials in court and felt like laughing.
Of course, Minister Yu would be vehement; his hatred for Jun Hui certainly wouldn't be less than her father's.
Yu Banxia's imprisonment and ruined reputation were inextricably linked to Jun Hui.
It was clearly Jun Hui who was behind Yu's Shop, yet when trouble arose, he pushed a young woman forward to take the blame.
Just as her father said, if Jun Hui weren't a prince, Minister Yu might have even laid hands on him.
With Minister Yu's promotion, Jun Hui had inadvertently created another enemy for himself.
"Father, Minister Yu is a good official. You can befriend him."
Minister Su nodded. "Indeed. Just his courage to expose his former superior shows that he is not one to collude with others."
One should know that when he came forward to expose his superior, he would certainly be investigated himself, yet he was not only unaffected but also promoted, which indicates that he is an honest person who fears no investigation.
"This Minister Yu's eloquence is no less than mine," Minister Su mused. "I think he shouldn't be the Grand Master of Ceremonies; he should go to the Censorate and become a Censor."
Su Li chuckled. "Father, since Minister Yu is so eloquent, if he became a Censor, wouldn't His Majesty be troubled?"
An honest Censor with excellent eloquence was the biggest headache for an emperor.
Minister Su laughed heartily. "True, true."
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