Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne-Chapter 175 - 148: Revenge on the Kong Family

Because of Prince Dai’s plea, the Emperor not only issued a decree releasing the entire Kong Taichang family but also canceled the marriage agreement between Prince Dai and Kong Taichang’s youngest daughter.

Kong Taichang’s youngest daughter could decide on her own whether she wanted to return to secular life or continue her practice at the Bodhi Temple.

Not only did Prince Dai not resent the Kong family, he even pleaded for them, not minding the embarrassment and humiliation they caused him, which regained him favor among the public. As for the ministers, they were all wise and aware of Prince Dai’s real intentions behind such actions.

In just half a day, Prince Dai transformed in the capital from being seen as responding to injuries with kindness to being praised as a benevolent and magnanimous Prince. Some scholars even wrote poems to flatter Prince Dai, praising him as not only a valiant general but also a person with a generous spirit.

Before the morning court session today, many people in the capital were still mocking Prince Dai for marrying a nun as a consort. But now, everyone praised Prince Dai for his magnanimity and claimed that Kong Taichang’s youngest daughter missed her blessing. Clearly, just before, they were extolling Kong Taichang’s youngest daughter for her courage and integrity, refusing to marry Prince Dai by becoming a nun.

Moreover, people were also saying that the Kong family was short-sighted and unwise, missing out on such a good son-in-law in Prince Dai, and would surely regret it in the future.

Some even accused the Kong family of pretending to be nobly aloof, trying to gain a reputation for defying authority with this matter. Of course, there were also some who didn’t think the Kong family was wrong in their actions.

Ever since the issue of Kong Taichang’s youngest daughter becoming a nun came to light, the Kong family was criticized as unvirtuous and contemptuous of imperial authority. Now, with Prince Dai asking for their release, they were condemned as short-sighted once again.

The Kong family had become a joke.

Even though Kong Taichang’s youngest daughter became a nun to protect the family’s reputation, things turned out contrary to their wishes, and their reputation only plummeted.

"Father, Mother, I do not intend to return to secular life." In the prison, Kong Yao had already decided to return and marry Prince Dai, but now that the Emperor canceled the marriage, she no longer had to marry him. "If I return to secular life, it will only bring more ridicule to the Kong family. Besides, I truly do not wish to marry and have children."

"During the time I spent at the Bodhi Temple, I found it very suitable for me, and I did not find it difficult at all. Therefore, I wish to continue as a nun."

Kong Taichang and Mrs. Kong exchanged a glance, then asked, "Yao Er, have you thought it through?"

"Father, Mother, I have thought it through."

"Yao Er, we do not wish for you to sacrifice your lifelong happiness to preserve the family reputation." Kong Taichang’s expression was solemn but filled with love, "Consider carefully for yourself whether you truly want to continue as a nun?"

Kong Yao replied firmly, "Father, I decided to continue as a nun not for the family, but for myself. I do not wish to marry and have children; I only want to spend my life with books!"

Mrs. Kong nodded slightly to Kong Taichang, and he understood.

"Didn’t the Emperor say that if you want to continue as a nun, no one will disturb you anymore?" he said, gazing lovingly at his youngest daughter, "Father and Mother will not stop you, as long as you believe it’s right."

Kong Yuan hurriedly added, "I support you too, sister!"

Tears welled up in Kong Yao’s eyes as she said, "Father, Mother, Brother, thank you..." Upon finishing, she couldn’t help but cry.

Mrs. Kong hurriedly embraced her daughter, gently patting her back with soothing words, "It’s okay, it’s okay, it’s all in the past now."

Kong Taichang glanced at his son, and they both proceeded to the study.

"Father, Prince Dai pleaded with the Emperor for us for his reputation." Kong Yuan frowned, with a hint of worry on his face, "Prince Dai won’t do anything to us for now, but after some time, he will surely seek revenge."

"You’re right, we caused Prince Dai significant embarrassment this time, given his character, he will not just let it go."

"Father, we need to think of how to mitigate Prince Dai’s revenge."

"Prince Dai is a royal prince and dearly favored by the Emperor, it would be easy for him to seek revenge on us." Kong Taichang spoke in a heavy tone, "He won’t attack us openly, but will get back at us in secret. Open attacks are easy to guard against, but hidden ones are difficult."

"We don’t know Prince Dai’s methods." Kong Yuan said, "If we request reassignment, we might not escape his revenge. He might retaliate even more fiercely seeing us away. If we stay in the capital, his revenge might be more restrained."

"We cannot leave the capital; we must stay and continue participating in historical record compilation." Kong Taichang naturally thought of this, "Compiling history is a matter that benefits the country and its people. Since we’re involved, we cannot abandon it halfway." Whether considering the interest of the Kong family or the court and the citizens, the compilation must go on.

"As you said, if we stay in the capital, Prince Dai’s revenge won’t be too severe."

"Then our family will remain in the capital, and we will continue participating in historical record compilation."

Kong Taichang nodded, saying, "Yes. The Emperor pardoned us; the best way to repay this favor is to do an excellent job compiling history and not betray the Emperor’s trust in us."

The Emperor did not revoke Kong Taichang or Kong Yuan’s qualifications for compilation nor demote their positions, so they naturally could continue participating.

"Father, no matter what, our family escaped a disaster, though our reputation is still..." At this point, Kong Yuan did not continue.

Kong Taichang waved it off, saying, "This little bit of reputation is nothing." He smiled, "As long as our Kong family doesn’t get involved in the battle for the throne among the princes, we haven’t tarnished our name nor have we repeated the mistakes of the previous dynasty."

"Father, I thought you would..."

Kong Taichang laughed freely, "These things are nothing as long as we don’t break the rules set by our ancestors, we haven’t ruined the Kong family’s reputation, understand?"

Kong Yuan slightly nodded, "Understood."

"The Emperor is merciful, granting us three days to rest. Let’s rest well for these three days, so we have better energy for historical record compilation. Hurry back to your courtyard and rest."

"Father, you should rest well too." Kong Yuan saluted and withdrew.

At Hulong Temple, the Crown Prince was having tea and chatting with Duke Zhen.

"Win over Kong Taichang and his son?" The Crown Prince showed surprise, "Aren’t Kong Taichang and his son avoiding involvement in the rivalry between Prince Dai and me by not wanting his youngest daughter to marry Prince Dai? How could they agree to our overture?"

"Your Highness, you and Prince Dai have a significant difference."

The Crown Prince paused slightly, then responded, "Is it because I’m the Crown Prince?"

"Yes, you are appointed Crown Prince according to the hereditary rule established by Saint Kong." Duke Zhen replied, "By rights, Kong Taichang and others should support you in defending the ancestral rules set by their forebearers."

"That’s what you say, but they clearly don’t want to get involved."

"They have offended Prince Dai. While he won’t retaliate for now, he will definitely take action against them after a while." Duke Zhen laughed wryly, "Besides, Prince Dai is not truly magnanimous; his revenge will be a hundredfold."

The Crown Prince understood Duke Zhen’s meaning, "So we extend a helping hand to them at this time?"

"Not now, but when they are being troubled by Prince Dai."

"Well... cough... cough..." Before the Crown Prince could finish his words, he started coughing.

Duke Zhen, seeing the Crown Prince’s cough, asked with concern, "What’s wrong, caught a chill?"

"Caught a bit of a draft last night... cough... cough..."

"Have you seen the Imperial Physician?"

"Uncle, there’s no need to call the Imperial Physician; it fits perfectly with my plans right now."

"Fits perfectly with your plans?" Duke Zhen found the Crown Prince’s words puzzling.

The Crown Prince then told Duke Zhen about the suggestion the Eighth Prince had previously given him. After listening, Duke Zhen felt that the Eighth Prince’s plan was excellent.

"Eighth Prince indeed has your best interests at heart."

"Eighth Brother has always looked out for me... cough... cough..." The Crown Prince smiled, "This way, I don’t have to pretend to be ill purposefully."

"But you still need to take care of your health."

"Uncle, I am aware and wouldn’t joke with my health."

"After you finish your prayers and return to the palace, it will soon be the spring plowing season." Duke Zhen solemnly reminded, "You know the Emperor places great importance on the spring plowing. Since Prince Dai is back this year, you cannot miss this year’s spring plowing. Do you understand?"

"Uncle, I’ve never missed a spring plowing since I was a child!" As the Crown Prince, he knew better than anyone how important the annual spring plowing was.

"After spring plowing concludes, it’s spring hunting." Duke Zhen said, "With Prince Dai’s character, he’ll want to excel at spring hunting, there’s no need for you to compete for the limelight with him."

"Uncle, you mean?"

"I have arrangements for the spring hunt." Duke Zhen whispered, telling the Crown Prince about his plans for spring hunting.

The Crown Prince listened, first with shock, then with admiration.

"Ginger gets spicier with age; Uncle, you truly have the means."

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