Daughter of aristocratic family

Chapter 498 Military Uniform
Prince Zuo was suspicious of Fang Feihong's pregnancy, so he ordered someone to investigate, "Secretly investigate Lipin's pregnancy, and make sure it's thorough. I want to know all the people she has come into contact with in the past two months, the food she has eaten, and... whether she has done anything unusual."

He didn't believe that Fang Feihong was pregnant, and he didn't believe that the emperor had the ability to make a woman pregnant. He had read the medical records in the Imperial Hospital and knew that the emperor's body had long been weak inside, so how could he make a woman pregnant?

When Prince Zuo sent people to investigate the matter, he was reprimanded by the emperor in the court because of a batch of military uniforms that were sent to the border.

This batch of military uniforms was personally supervised by Prince Zuo, with the aim of reassuring the hearts of soldiers on the border and ensuring national peace.

But when the military uniforms arrived at the border, they were found to be made of rough fabrics with loose threads, which could not withstand the severe cold and sandstorms at all.

For a time, soldiers on the frontier complained and morale was low. Yao Zhen filed a complaint against Prince Zuo. The news spread quickly and reached the capital, causing an uproar in the court.

The emperor was furious and severely rebuked him, "I entrusted you with the important task of maintaining peace on the border, but you were so perfunctory and ignored the lives of the soldiers! If these military uniforms were really used on the battlefield, wouldn't my soldiers have to fight the enemy wearing paper clothes?"

Prince Zuo knelt on the cold ground, his forehead pressed against the cold gold brick, "I know my crime, please punish me. But I am willing to investigate this matter immediately, find out the truth, and give an explanation to you and the soldiers on the frontier."

The emperor narrowed his eyes and looked at him for a long time without saying a word. At this time, a minister stepped out and pleaded for Prince Zuo, "Your Majesty, although Prince Zuo made mistakes in supervision, he was concerned about the border and his original intention was to stabilize the morale of the army. He is indeed a pillar of the country. In this military uniform incident, some corrupt officials may have taken the opportunity to cause chaos, embezzled and withheld, resulting in inferior supplies, which was beyond Prince Zuo's original intention. If you punish him severely for this, it may discourage loyal officials and let the real culprit go unpunished."

"I second the motion." Another old minister also stepped forward. "Prince Zuo has always been diligent and prudent, and has never slacked off in state affairs. The problem with the military uniforms this time was an unexpected mistake, not his fault. I beg Your Majesty to give Prince Zuo a chance to make amends.

Several ministers came out to plead for Prince Zuo. The emperor's eyes darkened slightly. Although he was not afraid, he knew that this son could not be punished easily.

"What you said makes sense, but the national law cannot be abolished, and military discipline must be enforced more strictly. Prince Zuo, since you have pleaded guilty, I will give you a chance. You must find out the truth within three months and severely punish the mastermind behind the scenes to serve as a warning to others. If you can do it, I will forgive you for your past mistakes; if you fail to do your duty again, I will punish you for both crimes and will not show any leniency!"

"I, your son, will obey your order and live up to your father's trust. I swear to get to the bottom of this matter, to give justice to the soldiers on the frontier, and to clear your name." Prince Zuo kowtowed.

"Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, I order you to allocate high-quality cloth and cotton to make new military uniforms to ensure that the soldiers on the border do not suffer from the cold."

"I have ordered this." The Minister of Revenue stepped out and said.

After the court was dismissed, Prince Zuo arranged for someone to investigate the military uniforms, and he went back to see Mr. Zeng, "Mr. Zeng, you have also seen that my father is pressing me step by step. He wants me to die. I can't just sit there and wait for death."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Zeng frowned, a trace of worry flashed across his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and said in a deep voice: "Your Highness, don't worry. His Majesty may be trying to suppress the prince, but this is also an opportunity for the prince."

"Opportunity?" Prince Zuo's eyes flashed with doubt, "I'd like to hear the details."

“Your Majesty, His Majesty is putting great pressure on you because he is wary of your reputation and strength. If you lose your composure because of this, it will be exactly what His Majesty wants. But if you can take this opportunity to show a calmer response and greater wisdom, you will not only be able to resolve the crisis, but also establish a more stable position in the court, and His Majesty will not dare to attack you at will again.” Mr. Zeng said.

Prince Zuo was thoughtful, and Mr. Zeng continued, "Your Majesty, the military uniform issue is a difficult problem given to you by His Majesty, but you can establish a relationship with the army by thoroughly investigating this matter. Rectifying the armaments and improving the morale of the army will definitely win the hearts of the people."

"Your Majesty, you can also take this opportunity to clean up the corruption in the army and place your trusted people in the army." "Also, Your Majesty needs to keep a calm mind and not be shaken by the changes in the outside world. No matter how His Majesty puts pressure on you, you must remain calm and rational."

Upon hearing this, Prince Zuo's eyes gradually brightened, "That being said, I am restricted in every way. How can I change things under the watchful eyes of my father?"

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. You can ask the Dali Temple for advice while investigating the case, you can also visit the Minister of War, and you can also interact more with General Yao." Mr. Zeng suggested.

Prince Zuo's frown gradually relaxed as he listened. "Mr. Zeng is absolutely right. I will let my father and the whole government see my ability and determination."

"Your Highness, your investigation this time is bound to affect the interests of certain people, and they may use any means to obstruct it. Your Highness needs to be careful and cautious, take every step carefully, strengthen the protection of the mansion, and ensure your safety." Mr. Zeng said.

"Thank you sir for your guidance. I will keep it in mind and do my best." Prince Zuo's eyes were full of ambition.

Although Prince Zuo was more concerned about the military uniforms, he did not give up on asking people to investigate Fang Feihong. However, before his people could find out anything, Fang Feihong had a miscarriage.

The person who caused her miscarriage was Concubine Jing.

Not only Prince Zuo felt something was amiss, even Zhao Wangshu, who was staying at home to take care of the baby and was said to be stupid for three years after pregnancy, felt that this matter was not simple.

In the evening, while having dinner with Yun Hao, he casually said, "I don't think she is pregnant. She faked the pregnancy to frame Concubine Jing."

Yun Hao looked at her with a smile, "Why do you feel that way?"

"Although Concubine Li has been favored since she entered the palace, she has always been a concubine and cannot surpass Concubine Jing. With her ambition, she is naturally unwilling to accept this. In addition, Concubine Jing has recently adopted the eleventh prince and is in the limelight. If Concubine Li wants to fight for a place in this harem, or to go further, toppling Concubine Jing is undoubtedly the fastest shortcut." Zhao Wangshu analyzed.

"She will be able to go further after giving birth to a child." Yun Hao picked up a piece of fish meat with the bones removed and put it into her bowl.

Zhao Wangshu ate the fish and said, "If she was really pregnant, she could give birth, but she is not pregnant, so she can only fake a miscarriage and frame Concubine Jing."

"What ma'am said makes a lot of sense." Yun Hao agreed.

"Of course what I said makes sense." Zhao Wangshu raised his eyebrows, "I'm very smart, don't think I'm stupid for three years after I get pregnant."

Yun Hao chuckled, his eyes full of doting and admiration for Zhao Wangshu: "Madam's intelligence, I have always believed in it. Lipin is indeed faking her pregnancy. Not only does she want to go one step further, she also wants to take the eleventh prince from Jing Guifei to raise him."

Zhao Wangshu's eyes widened in astonishment. "She has really big ambitions."