Although Jun Anche had never before entrusted the Crown Prince with regent duties, the sudden turn of events meant that the Crown Prince, backed by Empress Luo and supported by many court officials, dared to act without anyone objecting.
Jun Anche had been unconscious for five or six days with no signs of recovery, emboldening the Crown Prince to begin purging officials aligned with the Third Prince.
As soon as Qian Xingzhi returned from leave to attend court, the Crown Prince turned his attention to him.
Qian Xingzhi, while considered a confidant of the Third Prince, held no high official rank or title and was linked by marriage to the Liang Family, making him an ideal target to intimidate and set an example.
“Lord Qian, my third brother has met with disaster, and Father’s illness is grave. How did the Imperial Astronomical Bureau not foresee such omens?”
Qian Xingzhi replied, “Your Highness, this incident was sudden. His Majesty fell ill from emotional distress. The celestial signs are mutable and gave no clear warning.”
The Crown Prince’s voice rose sharply. “Unacceptable! Are the Imperial Astronomical Bureau nothing but frauds? Lord Qian, so incompetent, deserves punishment.”
What punishment? A fine? Qian Xingzhi thought, with Lu Yu’s wealth, would he lack silver? Even if not, Liang Luming managed the household accounts well; a year or two’s fine would be manageable.
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