Chapter 7, The Birth of Calamity

As my gaze swept past the Crown Prince's side, Li Chengyi was leaning against the table behind him, also raising a cup to me with considerable significance

It has been one day

I do not know why I dare to say this, nor do I know what consequences it may bring

In a moment, it was as if a thunderclap had struck, leaving me at a loss for words. I had thought that my considerations were thorough enough, and that even Wan'er was unaware of that matter. It is only now that I truly understand that within the Great Ming Palace, there is nothing that the Empress Dowager cannot see or hear.

I merely knelt on the ground, not daring to raise my head or respond. What the Empress Dowager mentioned was actually Wan'er

The Emperor looked at the two of them, his expression unexpectedly calm

"You remind me of someone," the voice of the Empress Dowager echoed above, carrying a hint of fatigue. "Seven or eight years ago, she also knelt here to plead for my son. After all these years, she still falls ill every December, reminding me of the pain of losing my child back then"

I apologize, I said, this matter has also implicated you

Li Chengqi pondered for a moment and said, "The grandson has not yet seen the memorial, so I dare not speak recklessly." The Emperor picked up the memorial and said, "Take a close look." Li Chengqi bowed and took the memorial, examining it carefully, while the hall was as quiet as if no one were present, and no one dared to move even half a step.

Once the first month of the lunar year passes, you will be thirteen years old," Wan'er said, covering her teacup, "Let's find an opportunity for you to leave the palace. Although I am reluctant to part with you, I wish for you to be a little farther away.

I entered the hall with the two of them, but felt that the surrounding silence was somewhat strange. Logically, I had not arrived late, yet only the Crown Princess and the De Princess were present, with no other members of the palace coming to offer New Year greetings. After performing the customary greetings, my imperial grandmother gestured for me to come forward, and I hurriedly stepped up to stand beside Wan'er

The Emperor said lightly, "The Eastern Palace is the residence of the Crown Prince; there is no need to implicate him. Go and investigate." Wan'er hurriedly bowed and replied, "Yes." She accepted the decree and, after casting a glance at me, was about to leave the palace.

Before he finished speaking, Li Chengyi and Li Longji beside him had already knelt down with a thud, saying: "Please, Grandmother, investigate the matter; my elder brother has absolutely no intention of rebellion"

I bit my lip tightly, my vision blurred before me, yet I dared not make a sound. No one could know, not even Yiping, for the only outcome was a dead end. However, how could the two consorts of the Eastern Palace vanish without a trace from the Ming Palace without raising suspicion? Were they to act as if nothing had happened, just like the Crown Princess and Consort De who willingly accepted their fate? Would they allow their own mother to disappear into thin air?

I looked at the crown princess, who was resolutely facing death, and it was as if I saw the Prince of Yongping kneeling outside the Changsheng Hall last year. The same indifferent gaze, as if he had seen through his own fate, calm and composed.

I stared at her, my mind still recalling the gentle laughter and words from earlier in the hall. Little did I expect that upon entering the palace, she would walk into a dead end. At this moment, only her confession could revive the vitality of the Eastern Palace; she had no choice but to confess. Whether it was the slicing punishment or the terrifying tortures in Di Renjie's prison, she could only endure them. The crown princess, who had never left the Eastern Palace, had spent many years with the crown prince, and despite stepping down from the position of empress to that of crown princess, she still did not receive an ounce of compassion from her imperial aunt. In the end, it all led to death, dying under the most severe punishment.

The Crown Prince occasionally visits the Penglai Palace, where he merely engages in a few words with the Empress Dowager before taking his leave. In contrast, several princes linger for a longer duration, as the Empress Dowager, whether intentionally or unintentionally, discusses various political matters with them. Even young Li Longji responds quite appropriately.

She walked into the hall, still looking weary, and greeted Li Chengqi and the others, saying: "His Majesty is currently meeting with Di Renjie; the several princes may return to the East Palace first." After she finished speaking, she hurried towards me, said nothing, and reached out to help me up.

And now, as I looked at her face, which bore a resemblance of about fifty to sixty percent to that of Prince Yongping, I couldn't help but feel a bit flustered, and hurriedly bowed, saying: "Your Highness the Crown Princess." She lightly nodded and glanced at Wei Tuan'er, who quickly smiled and said: "This is Princess Yong'an."

Unexpectedly, after the Double Ninth Festival, the Daming Palace has been persistently filled with a mix of rain and snow, leaving everything damp all around

I hurriedly picked up the last memorial, opened it, and took a glance. Instantly, it felt as if all my strength had been drained away. It was a memorial accusing Di Renjie of treason! I held the memorial tightly in my hand, took a deep breath, wanting to speak, yet dared not utter a sound

That is his mother. I personally witnessed her mother being forced to confess, yet she could not utter a single word

On the jade plate lay a meticulously crafted wooden puppet. The crown princess did not dare to pick it up; she merely glanced at it and her face instantly turned pale. She exchanged a glance with the virtuous consort but did not dare to speak.

Wu Chengsi's voice continued, "A youth who is not romantic is a youth wasted. It seems I have disturbed the young prince's elegant mood." Li Chengyi laughed heartily and replied, "No worries, no worries. I have long intended to propose to Princess Yong'an, but since the princess refuses to marry, it would not be appropriate to marry a personal maid first." Wu Chengsi casually said a few more words, and from the sound, it seemed he had left.

Before tonight, I had never looked upon a person from birth to death in such a manner. I cannot imagine how the princess, who appears like an ink wash painting, could endure the agony of being subjected to the punishment of slicing, bound to a bamboo raft, having her flesh ground away until only her bare bones remain, and then being beaten to death. Just thinking of this leaves me breathless, as I repeatedly attempt to rise with my hands on the ground, yet it proves utterly futile.

The Emperor watched the two depart, then let out a deep sigh and said, "Since you are my daughter-in-law, why must you wish to bring about my demise?" The coldness in her eyes gradually dissipated, replaced by a hint of desolation. Rubbing her temples, she took the hot tea from Wei Tuan'er and said, "Yongan, since you are determined to marry into the Li family, I hope you will not harbor such resentment in the future."

I lowered my head and said, "Isn't Empress Dowager Huangguzumu wanting to hear the memorial? Yong'an will read it for you now."

As I listened to her speak about him sentence by sentence, I faintly guessed the identity of a person in my heart. Seven or eight years ago, I was merely a few years old, while Wan'er was only around sixteen or seventeen. Whether it was Li Hong or Li Xian that she protected, they ultimately became a dismal memory.

I held her hand tightly, drawing warmth from her, and only after a long time did I slowly let go: "It's nothing, just too cold."

The Emperor gazed deeply at the two of them for a moment before saying: "Tuan'er showed me some items yesterday, which I found quite interesting." As she spoke, Wei Tuan'er had already stepped forward a few paces, holding a jade plate for the two of them to examine closely

I rose in a daze, having fallen asleep fully clothed, with only my hair in disarray. Yiping helped me tidy it up and drew back the curtains. I stepped outside, fully aware that they were just beyond, yet I hesitated to take a single step. It was not until Yiping finished and came out that she noticed me still in a daze and called me in a low voice. I looked at her in confusion, then smiled absentmindedly as I walked towards the outer room.

Li Chengqi slightly furrowed his brow, and I also recognized that the speaker was indeed Li Chengyi

I do not believe that relying on the memories of Wan'er from back then, or that my kneeling now can change her mind. After all, it is not merely about breaking dishes, but rather about usurping the throne. The case of Di Renjie’s conspiracy must have reached a point unknown to us, and this is the true reason why the Emperor has not pursued the matter.

I remained in a daze for quite a while before suddenly coming to my senses. They have never come to see me before; today, without a doubt, is because of yesterday's events. It has already been more than thirty hours, and they must know that I was also at the Jiayu Hall last night. They probably deduce that I have met both the Crown Princess and the De Concubine, and ultimately, they could not afford to avoid suspicion and came to inquire.

I was chilled by this sentence and did not respond

The Empress Dowager said: "I do not wish for the Crown Prince to be aware of today's events"

Due to the unpredictable weather, Wan'er has contracted typhoid fever, and I have taken on the task of grinding for the Emperor. When Wan'er was present, most of the edicts were personally penned by her; now, they can only be initiated by the Empress Dowager herself, and I am called upon to read the memorials only when she is fatigued. Wei Tuan'er has always treated me with kindness, after all, I have never had any enmity with her. To her, I am merely an uncherished daughter of a prince, who is favored by the Emperor a little more than usual.

I quietly watched her as she casually poured a cup of tea and handed it to me, saying: "Your imperial aunt has always been suspicious. If she were to learn that those around her are also being drawn in, and even willing to risk their lives to protect her, wouldn't that make her even more wary?"

I felt somewhat at a loss, yet I did not dare to leave hastily. In the end, it was the Crown Princess who nodded, allowing me to depart

Wan'er poured herself a cup of tea, sat up, and said earnestly: "This is better. Who in this palace is not scheming? Only when the Emperor can see your schemes will she feel at ease; it is those that remain unseen that she fears the most." She took a sip of tea and sighed, "If the Prince of Yongping had one or two faults, it would be better; then he would not become the target of everyone's criticism."

I caught a faint scent of chrysanthemum wine on him and couldn't help but laugh, saying, "I didn't expect the prince to drink on a whim as well." He looked down at me and replied calmly, "The Empress Dowager has already had two cups; how could I possibly escape? Fortunately, my tolerance for alcohol is not too bad." It was rare for me to hear a hint of humor in his words, and I couldn't help but laugh out loud, saying, "The sound of the prince's voice hasn't changed." A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth as he said, "I am very clear-headed." After he finished speaking, he did not continue.

Have you finished reading the memorial from Lai Junchen

He was taken aback for a moment, gritting his teeth as he looked at me, and was so filled with rage that he could not utter a word

The Empress Dowager glanced at the three individuals and said to Li Chengqi, "Chengqi, what is your opinion on this matter?"

I bowed again and said: "Regarding the matter of Fengyang Gate, I humbly request the Empress Grandmother to impose punishment for the false imperial edict from Yong'an."

Wan'er smiled at me, waiting for me to understand everything clearly before saying: "However, your kneeling is not in vain, as it has revealed the Emperor's suspicions regarding the matter of Fengyang Gate. Otherwise, you would remain unaware of her thoughts, while I would always be kept in the dark, with only her harboring such suspicions and constantly observing your actions. Just thinking about it fills me with dread."

I heard them speaking of Confucius, and then mentioning the posthumous honors of the Duke of Zhou, and I couldn't help but become a bit distracted, recalling the words of my grand-aunt just now, which made my heart race. If it weren't for Wei Tuan'er suddenly interrupting, would he have immediately asked my grand-aunt to arrange a marriage for him? Several months have passed since the Double Ninth Festival; my uncle was dismissed from his position as prime minister, and the crown prince and his offspring have been summoned increasingly frequently, leading to subtle changes in both the court and the palace.

After this statement, I lowered my head to the ground, not daring to utter another word

The Crown Princess and the De Fei suddenly knelt down, their heads touching the ground as they trembled and said: "Your Majesty, please see clearly, there is absolutely no one in the Eastern Palace with such a malicious heart."

At the banquet, Li Chengqi was surrounded by many people, including my uncles. The Empress Dowager was watching with a smile, whispering something to Taiping, who was also nodding with a smile while looking at Li Chengqi. As I observed this scene, I felt that the Year of Longevity seemed to be a propitious year. It was the first time I had seen the Li royal family in such a harmonious atmosphere since entering the palace.

The palace maid in the hall saw me like this and wanted to come forward to help, but I pushed her away with a single motion and finally managed to prop myself up to stand. When I returned to the palace, Yiping originally came forward with a smile to greet me, but upon seeing me, her expression changed instantly, and she said: "What happened to the princess? Why is your face so pale?"

Your Majesty, I am overwhelmed by the words from the Lantern Festival, as well as those spoken by Li Chengqi and Di Renjie before the throne. I find the characters before me blurred, and I dare not continue reading. I hastily kneel and say: This memorial is of great importance, and I, Yong'an, do not dare to read it.

The hall fell into silence once again, with only the faint crackling sound of the brazier remaining. I kept my eyes tightly shut, awaiting the wrath of the Empress Dowager, bracing myself for all the punishments I could think of and those I could not.

I was initially speculating about what this was, but upon hearing these words, I suddenly realized that Wei Tuan'er had indeed taken action! Even with the Crown Princess personally extending goodwill, she still set up a trap!

However, in just a short period of time, I have already felt my back completely soaked, and even breathing feels laborious.

The shadow outside the account moved away, and I gradually felt drowsy, hazily collapsing onto the bed. In the vast, rich darkness, only the gentle smile and calm gaze of the Crown Princess remained. Gradually, this gaze added a touch of warmth. In the distance, Prince Yongping stood in the snow, looking at me, quietly smiling. He opened his mouth to say something, but I could not hear a single word clearly. I hurriedly took a step forward, asking him what he was saying, but he shook his head and did not continue. The more he remained silent, the more anxious I became. I tried to step closer to him, my feet feeling icy cold, as if my shoes were soaked in snow, just like that night in front of the Changsheng Palace. I stumbled in a panic, nearly falling to the ground. He opened his mouth to say something, but I could not hear a single word clearly. I hurriedly took a step forward, asking him what he was saying, but he shook his head and did not continue. The more he remained silent, the more anxious I became. I tried to step closer to him, my feet feeling icy cold, as if my shoes were soaked in snow, just like that night in front of the Changsheng Palace. I stumbled in a panic, nearly falling to the ground.

I did not respond, and we both fell silent.

I leaned against her, lost in thought as I rubbed my knee

Upon arriving at Jiayu Hall, I happened to encounter the Crown Princess and the De Princess, and I hurriedly bowed in greeting. The Crown Princess smiled at the De Princess and said, "This is Princess Yong'an; I was just thinking of finding an opportunity to ask Mother Empress for her hand in marriage one day." The De Princess narrowed her beautiful eyes and replied with a smile, "Sister is truly fortunate; Longji is still young, and if a marriage is to be arranged, we will have to wait another year or two."

The incense continues to waft, and I too am kneeling beside the dragon throne, not daring to look at the expressions of those few individuals

No wonder he instructed Di Renjie to confess that day; I never expected the Emperor to issue such a pardon

Chengqi has also turned seventeen this New Year," the Emperor nodded at Li Chengqi beside him and said, "Emperor Taizong married Empress Wende at the age of sixteen. In the blink of an eye, you have reached the age to take a wife. Have you considered this matter?

I suppressed the sorrow in my heart and replied with my head lowered: "No matter whom I marry in the future, Yong'an will always belong to the Wu family"

Yiping did not dare to say much and helped me sit on the bed. I had only a little composure left, and I waved my hand to let her lower the curtain. Trembling, I placed the curtain on the bed and curled up, hugging my knees. There were no outsiders here, only myself, but the palace maids outside were still moving back and forth, whispering about tomorrow's breakfast.

It was as if a giant stone had fallen, accompanied by a thunderous sound, leaving my mind completely blank as I abruptly looked up at him. He stood there calmly, his expression serene and unperturbed, with a tranquil indifference in his eyes

I faintly heard the two of them discussing matters regarding concubines, and just as I was about to leave from the other side, she heard the sound and turned around. To my surprise, it was the Crown Princess. I had only seen her once in the first month of the year I entered the palace, and after that, she had always claimed to be ill and did not make an appearance. It was evident that my royal grandmother did not pay much attention to this daughter-in-law, only occasionally mentioning her in passing when chatting with the Crown Prince.

My legs had long since lost all sensation from kneeling, and seeing Li Longji's intense gaze fixed on me, I hurriedly turned my head to avoid it. The words of the Empress Dowager were quite clear; Li Longji was favored among her grandchildren, and as he was neither the crown prince nor the eldest son, he was naturally a means of securing a safe haven for survival. But could it be that in her eyes, I truly schemed against a ten-year-old boy?

"Your Highness," Yiping called me from beside her, "Your Highness, Your Highness."

Whenever I hear her mention the coming year, I am reminded of Wan'er’s words: it is not difficult to leave the palace; as long as Father comes to plead with Grand Aunt, she would not insist on keeping me. However, I am reluctant to think any further.

The person behind me gently closed the wooden door first, then closed the door to the pavilion, quietly waiting outside the pavilion. Between the two doors, only the two of us remained.

The Emperor coldly gazed at the crowd, remaining silent for a long time before saying: "If you wish to prove your innocence—" She spoke half a sentence, paused slightly, seemingly hesitant. My heart was instantly pierced with unbearable pain, and in a moment of desperation, I knocked my head to the ground and interjected: "The Prince of Yong'an is a royal grandson; if he is subjected to the same trial as the traitors, it would be a disgrace to the dignity of the imperial family. I implore my imperial aunt to reconsider."

She nodded slightly, took a warm wet towel to wipe my face, and said softly, "The three princes are outside." My heart tightened, and after taking a few breaths, I finally calmed down and asked, "When did they arrive?" She replied softly, "They just arrived half an hour ago. The princess has been asleep for a day, and it is already past dinner time."

I awkwardly stood up, and the Crown Princess gently said, "Please enter the palace, do not keep Her Majesty waiting too long"

"Yongan, raise your head and look at me," commanded the Empress Dowager.

Wei Tuan'er, seeing this situation, hurriedly smiled and said: "Being young and having a thin skin, how can the prince respond when the Emperor asks so directly?" The Emperor smiled gently, nodded, and said: "What Tuan'er said is true." The Emperor chuckled, then suddenly turned his head to look at me and said, "I originally wanted to ask Yong'an, but it seems that a young lady would be even more reluctant to respond. You all should learn from Taiping; if you have intentions, just tell me privately."

In the days that followed, the Empress Dowager seemed to be unconcerned, only occasionally mentioning that Di Renjie had been demoted to the position of magistrate of Pengze, and she even discussed the banquet from over a year ago when he was appointed as a minister. I responded cautiously, and at times I could see a hint of regret in her eyes. My uncle, Wu Chengsi, repeatedly suggested executing him, but she resolutely refused without hesitation and explicitly stated that she would no longer speak of this case.

At a quarter past the hour of the Dog, Yi Ping thought for a moment and said, "Fortunately, I was not in a deep sleep." I was taken aback, puzzled as to why Wan Er had sent someone to deliver a message in the middle of the night: "Did she say anything else?" Yi Ping shook her head and replied, "No, just reminded the princess that today is the day for the people of each palace to pay their New Year greetings, and she must not be late."

The Emperor chuckled twice and did not continue on this topic

I hesitated for a moment before saying: "Why does the Empress Dowager not punish on the spot today?"

Finally, the Empress Dowager extended her hand to take the memorial and casually placed it on the table, saying: "Rise." I hurriedly stood up with my head bowed. Then I heard her say again: "The purpose of presenting this memorial today is to hear your thoughts. This is the memorial submitted by Lai Junchen regarding the conspiracy of Tong Pingzhang, Renjie, Pei Xingben, the Minister of Rites Cui Xuanli, the former Left Assistant Minister of Wen Chang Lu Xian, the Deputy Minister of the Censorate Wei Yuanzhong, and the Governor of Luzhou Li Sizhen."

I picked up the memorial from the table, selecting one after another to read. The Empress Dowager listened attentively while holding a teacup, occasionally nodding but remaining silent. Only after I finished reading would she take up the red brush to mark the edict and place it to the side. It was only when I reached the memorial for posthumously honoring Confucius as Duke of Longdao that she paused slightly to exchange a few words with Li Chengqi and Li Chengyi.

"Yongan, continue reading." The Emperor suddenly looked at me

I finally grasped something, opened my eyes, and from a blur to clarity, I saw her sitting in front of me, her wrist tightly gripped by me, leaving a mark of deep purple. I took a few deep breaths, released my grip, and propped myself up on the bed: "It's nothing, just a nightmare"

The fluttering in my heart before entering the palace still lingers. The Empress Dowager seems like a legend from my childhood, a woman who ascended to the throne and brought the Wu family to the unparalleled grandeur of the Ming Palace, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Li family. What an extraordinary person she is. Only now, by the side of the Empress Dowager, do I realize that this was achieved through countless hatreds and bloodshed. How many have borne the crime of plotting against the throne? It has always been the closest of kin. Only now, by the side of the Empress Dowager, do I realize that this was achieved through countless hatreds and bloodshed. How many have borne the crime of plotting against the throne? It has always been the closest of kin.

My hands had long been frozen and cold, and he was not much better off, yet he held my hand gently and said, "Since you are afraid of the cold, why come here to be blown by the wind?" I looked up and saw a slight smile on his face, which made me feel somewhat embarrassed. I wanted to withdraw my hand, but he gripped it tighter, and I couldn't help but say anxiously, "Your Highness, it would not be proper if someone were to see us." He replied, "It doesn't matter, what fortune is there to guard outside."

As I took the teacup handed to me by Wei Tuan'er, my heart skipped a beat, and my arm stiffened as I placed the teacup on the writing desk. Li Chengqi unexpectedly fell silent for a moment, not responding immediately.

Everyone in the hall was originally smiling, but upon seeing me like this, they all felt something was amiss, and could not help but change their expressions.

I turned my head to look at Qujiang, and just now my eyes were filled with clusters of yellow. Now, a faint fragrance of wine has been added, and the essence of the Double Ninth Festival is gradually becoming more pronounced. His hand, which was gradually warming in my grasp, made me feel a bit of perspiration. Instinctively, I lowered my head to take a look; his hand was clean and slender, with even the joints being exceptionally beautiful. Just by looking at it, I could imagine how he would hold a pen or play the flute.

Wan'er turned her head to look at me and said, "You want to ask me how the case of Di Renjie’s conspiracy is progressing, right?" I nodded, waiting for her to unveil this secret. Wan'er propped her head on her hand and continued, "I am not privy to this case either; it was personally handled by your uncle Wu Chengsi and Lai Junchen. However, since the Emperor has summoned Di Renjie into the palace, it is highly likely that he will be pardoned."

I cannot imagine how the Empress Dowager would speak or act; I can only lower my head with my eyes tightly shut, afraid to look again. Based solely on Wei Tuan'er’s words, could the Empress Dowager truly believe it? Without a shred of doubt? In the Eastern Palace reside not only the Crown Prince, but also various princes and princesses, not just the Crown Princess and the Virtuous Consort, but also numerous ladies of the court

"Yongan?" The Emperor called out to me with urgency.

I nodded slightly, always feeling that something was there. I glanced at the white expanse outside the window, yet could not quite grasp it clearly

The Emperor looked at me for a moment and said, "If I wished to punish you, I would not have kept you until today." After she finished speaking, she stood up and walked towards the palace exit, while Wei Tuan'er hurriedly followed her, leaving a crowd of people kneeling behind.

The two of them bowed their heads in unison, then rose to follow Wan'er. The gentle words they had just spoken in front of the Jiayu Hall still lingered, yet at this moment, it was already the final journey of their lives. The crown princess's eyes were unusually calm, as if what awaited her ahead was not a punishment of death, but rather the Crown Prince who had been waiting for her in the Eastern Palace, along with her son who was praised by all.

The Emperor looked at her coldly and said: "You and the De Fei are often together; could this matter be related to her?"

Suddenly, a voice was heard outside the pavilion asking, "Can you see the Prince of Yongping?" The young eunuch on guard, He Fu, replied, "In response to Duke Zhou, I am also searching for the prince." The voice continued, "If you are looking for him, do it quickly; what are you dawdling here for?"

I looked up to see Li Chengyi sitting with a grim expression, while Li Chengqi, who was originally facing away from me at the palace gate, turned his head back at this moment. His right hand was tightly gripping the palace gate, as if he wanted to embed it deeply within. His eyes were filled with an excruciating sorrow, so intense that it was suffocating.

The Crown Princess raised her head, a tragic streak of blood crossing her fair cheek, her voice as hoarse as if she had swallowed poison: "Everything was done solely by me, and has nothing to do with the Empress Dowager!" After she finished speaking, she bowed her head again, her back straight, kneeling in the hall. The Empress Dowager knelt to one side, never raising her head, her frail back deeply bent, her hands tightly gripping the ground, her ten fingers turning pale.

The Crown Princess smiled at me and said, "There is no need for so many formalities." She turned her head to Wei Tuan'er and asked, "I have always heard that the Empress Mother is very fond of this nephew. Has there been any intention to arrange a marriage?" Wei Tuan'er shook her head and replied, "It was mentioned again today, but the young princess is shy and managed to evade the topic.

"You need not take my casual complaints seriously," Wan'er said with a smile, blowing at the tea leaves in her cup. "Just now, the Emperor truly flew into a rage, saying that every year during the twelfth month, on his memorial day, I take leave, and that after all these years, I still cannot let go of my grievances. I cannot let go; what good would it do to let go? The Emperor would surely think, how could such a significant matter be easily dismissed? He would definitely still harbor resentment in secret."

By the time Wan'er arrived, several hours had already passed

I reached out, trying to grasp something, but I could catch nothing. With a sudden cry, I fell to the ground

The Empress Dowager said coldly: "Since you have confessed, you do not wish to implicate the Crown Prince and my grandson. " She looked at Consort De and said, "Consort De, raise your head." Consort De raised her head and looked at the Empress Dowager.

At this moment, I finally understood that Li Chengyi was actually in another part of this building with Yiping, yet I did not know why he suddenly appeared and resolved our predicament. Once there was no more sound outside the door, Li Chengqi signaled for me to stay here for a moment, then he opened the door, passed through the hall, and left with He Fu.

I dared not raise my head, holding the memorial above my head, and did not dare to speak again. The Empress Dowager knew the contents of this memorial and still had me read it aloud in public; what could this possibly mean? I had no time to think deeply, as cold sweat covered my body, and I had to exert effort to suppress my emotions just to keep my hands from trembling

The Crown Princess and the De Fei rose, yet they were not granted seats

The Emperor looked at him and said slowly, "Do you know that I have never been lenient regarding matters of conspiracy? At this point, do you still wish to speak on behalf of Di Renjie?" Li Chengqi gradually knelt down and replied uprightly, "Regardless of who it is, anyone involved in a conspiracy must be thoroughly interrogated. If Your Majesty believes that I must prove my innocence in this manner, I willingly request to be imprisoned for investigation. However, this memorial involves several individuals, yet Your Majesty only inquires about Di Renjie, and my remarks are solely directed at him."

The congratulations from upstairs have long been surging one wave higher than the last

The Emperor observed the expressions of the two and said: "This item was discovered by a palace maid in the Eastern Palace and handed over to Tuan'er. The birth date inscribed on it is indeed mine, yet I do not know who in the Eastern Palace harbors such hatred towards me that they resort to sorcery to dispel their grievances?" Her voice was indifferent and calm, yet it carried a hint of chilling coldness

Wan'er always covered her mouth with a handkerchief, coughing softly, until she brought me to her residence before she ceased.

I looked up at her, and in those extremely cold eyes, there was neither a hint of a smile nor a trace of anger: "Half a year ago, regarding the matter of Fengyang Gate, you risked your life to stop Longji. Today, you kneel to plead for his brother. Do you truly have an interest in one of my sons or grandsons, who is merely three years younger than you?"

When Yiping gently called out to me, I finally spoke up, saying, "I am very tired, let me sleep a little longer." My voice was hoarse and unrecognizable. Yiping seemed to have sensed something; after a moment's hesitation, she said, "Your Highness, should I call for the imperial physician? From the sound of your voice, it seems you caught a chill last night." I also felt a pain in my throat, but I did not want to see anyone. I simply replied, "I am just too tired; a little more sleep will do."

Just as I stepped out the door, a figure rushed up to me, tightly gripping my arm. Li Longji, with his eyes blazing red, stared at me and after a long time said: "Tell me, where have the Crown Princess and my mother gone!" I was in pain from his grip, yet I smiled dazedly and said: "Why does the prince look so haggard? Has something happened?"

The crown prince, being the eldest son, is indeed the target of public criticism; if he makes a mistake, he is doomed, and even if he does not err, he is still suspected of harboring ill intentions

I awkwardly smiled: "This kneel has tarnished my reputation for being schemed against, and the one being schemed against is still the ten-year-old Prince of Linzi."

Aunt Huang Gu remained silent for a moment before softly saying, "Yes, you are different from them; you are from a martial family." After she finished speaking, she set down her teacup and left in silence. It was only after I knelt on the ground and watched her depart that I realized my body had already gone limp, devoid of any strength.

In the Daming Palace, there was once a prince who conspired to rebel, and he was also exiled and executed. How much more so for a mere grandson. I knelt on the ground, unable to imagine that this matter could involve him, and even less daring to think of the consequences that would follow. I could only feel a sourness rising in my throat and nose, and before my eyes was a haze of white mist

But no matter which one it is, it will implicate the entire Eastern Palace

The Crown Princess looked at me gently, her eyes sparkling with a touch of warmth: "Get up, it has been almost three years since we last met in the palace, and you do look a bit different now." I stood up and said, "It was dark just now, and I didn't recognize you for a moment. Please forgive me, Crown Princess."

The Emperor fell silent for a moment and said to Wan'er: "Wan'er, order the Crown Princess and Consort De to take their leave. No one is to mention today's events again; otherwise, they will be punished by dismemberment." Wan'er hurriedly knelt down to receive the command

I heard the two of them exchanging words, seemingly very familiar with each other, yet not as subtly as Wan'er described. Upon reflection, the words I faintly heard before leaving—could it be that the Crown Prince has changed his mind, or perhaps the Crown Princess wishes to facilitate a union? The mention of taking a concubine must surely refer to Wei Tuan'er.

In an instant, the sounds of long live the emperor echoed across the river, as the worshippers paid their respects to the sovereign. With the rising tide of this congratulatory chorus, the Ziyun Pavilion also began to stir, and he and I stood quietly, savoring the tranquility amidst the clamor

A few cheers echoed by the banks of Qujiang, gradually spreading out, as if someone had already gone to convey the imperial decree of the Empress Dowager.

What she said is indeed true, and it is also very pointed. Just now, in my desperation, I thought that if I could make the Emperor hesitate for even a moment and remember that this is his own legitimate grandson, there might still be room for maneuver. However, I forgot that I am a person of the Wu surname

At this moment, the crown princess, who had long since collapsed on the ground, suddenly raised her head and said with a trembling voice, "Wait a moment." She bit her lip tightly, her eyes already a desolate void, "There is no need for Her Majesty to investigate; I, the humble daughter-in-law, confess to my crimes. This matter has nothing to do with anyone else; it was solely my doing." After she finished speaking, she heavily knocked her head against the ground, the sound echoing throughout the hall. In just a few strikes, blood began to seep from her forehead, sliding down from her eyes.

"Wan'er, how should this matter be handled?" the Emperor suddenly said

The braziers around the hall were burning brightly, dissipating the humidity that lingered in the vast Ming Palace, making the room as warm as spring

When I was seventeen, I knelt in the same place for the Li family, " Wan'er said softly, " Seeing you today, I truly feel how foolish I was back then. That was her own son, and she could harbor murderous intent; what would it matter if I were added to the list? I thought that kneeling might at least give the Emperor a moment's pause, providing a chance for a turnaround, but unexpectedly, it only added fuel to the fire.

The Emperor nodded and said: "Apart from the individuals I just mentioned, who else did Lai Junchen bring up?" Li Chengqi paused for a moment and replied in a calm voice: "In addition to the aforementioned individuals, Lai Junchen also suspects that Sun Er was involved in this matter."

The consort tightened her grip and bowed deeply, saying, "Please, Empress Mother, grant me a death. " After speaking, she did not appear as calm as the Crown Princess; instead, she fixed her piercing gaze on her imperial grandmother, her eyes filled with resentment, hatred, unwillingness, and sarcasm

Yiping, please carefully fasten my robe and put on my hood. By the way: "Miss Shangguan sent someone last night to convey a message, saying that she would arrive at Jiayu Hall earlier today, and that the princess can go there on her own." I responded with an "mm" and asked, "What time is she coming?" I had a very late night last night, did she come even later?

"Your kneeling has implicated me as well," Wan'er smiled, patted the couch, and said, "Come sit here, I want to have a few words with you." I walked over and sat down, involuntarily gasping as my knee throbbed with pain.

Wan'er lived next to Wei Tuan'er. I originally intended to avoid that place, but unexpectedly, as soon as I stepped outside, I encountered a woman speaking with Wei Tuan'er. She was wearing a light blue wide-sleeved jacket, with a pale yellow shawl draped diagonally over her arms, which accentuated her gentle and amiable features, resembling a figure emerging from an ink wash painting

It is indeed my uncle. I looked up at Li Chengqi and saw that although his expression was calm, there was already a hint of turmoil in his eyes. Outside, He Fu seemed unsure of how to respond. My heart was tightly clenched as I contemplated whether I should step out to ease the situation when I heard another familiar voice say: "He Fu was summoned by me. If Duke Zhou wishes to send him to find someone, he may do so without hesitation."

When my maternal grandmother is in a good mood, she will ask about the osmanthus fruits I collected two months ago, smiling as she says that if I can grow new seedlings next year, I should keep them in the imperial garden, dedicated to nurturing the osmanthus.

He put away the memorial, bowed, and respectfully said: "According to the previous edict of the Empress Dowager, those who conspire against the state and confess upon inquiry may be spared from death. Now that Di Renjie has confessed, I believe he can be granted leniency and spared from death. However, the crime of conspiracy is of great significance, and it is necessary to conduct a thorough investigation; no one should be spared, nor should anyone be wronged."

I pulled the quilt up and wrapped it around myself, and just like that, my mind went blank, sitting in a daze until dawn.

I suddenly opened my eyes, and a buzzing sound filled my ears. The trap set by Wei Tuan'er was definitely not aimed at just one or two subordinates; once this matter was investigated, the entire Eastern Palace would be implicated, and no one could escape responsibility. It felt as if someone was stabbing my heart with a knife, the pain was unbearable, yet I did not dare to move an inch.

I suddenly realized that the Empress Dowager was merely trying to probe the intentions of those several princes, as she had already made her decision in her heart. She was still testing the waters; the Yongping Prince had not made any progress during the night he knelt in the snow at Taichu Palace. Whether it was from the moment he entered the palace or from the time of Li Xian's death and Li Xian's exile, the Crown Prince and the various princes had already become the people she trusted the least.

In the Daming Palace, the rain and snow had never ceased, and finally, on the second day of the first month, a heavy snowfall arrived

Although he spoke with courtesy and decorum, he was actually trying to save Di Renjie’s life; this meaning was clear to anyone. I clenched my fists tightly and stole a glance at the expression on the Empress Dowager's face, unable to discern her emotions, her gaze was equally inscrutable.

Wan'er hurriedly replied, saying: "Send someone to thoroughly investigate the Eastern Palace and find the true culprit behind the sorcery, and conduct strict interrogations." The Emperor nodded and said: "If the curse is directed at me, what punishment should be imposed?" Wan'er paused for a moment and replied: "According to past precedents, the mastermind should be sentenced to death by slicing, while the accomplices should ideally face death by dismemberment or beheading. All those involved in the case should be held accountable as well."

The Crown Princess seemed unaware of the terrifying scene that had just unfolded in the Penglai Hall, and she chuckled twice, saying, "What a obedient child, I quite like it." Wei Tuan'er glanced at me and smiled, saying, "Several princes are of marriageable age now. If the Crown Princess likes it, why not mention it to the Emperor? He will surely grant your wish." The Crown Princess smiled at me but did not respond.

As the two of them knelt down, everyone in the hall hurriedly knelt as well, their heads touching the ground, not daring to make a sound

Li Chengqi respectfully replied: "The grandson has finished reading it."

The Empress Dowager cast a glance at me before turning her head to look at the Crown Princess and the Consort De, saying: "Please rise."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqi, Li Chengyi, and Li Longji immediately stood up in silence, their faces displaying an extraordinary shock

However, anyone who enters the prison of the renowned official, Junchen, would have already lost half their life upon seeing the torture instruments; how could they endure the interrogation?" Wan'er sighed and said, "If he were still alive, perhaps I would be like you, calm and composed. If a person were to have their hands and feet nailed down, and their brain smashed to extract the marrow, only a woman like the Emperor could remain unperturbed.

The Empress Dowager continued to smile at me and said, "I am already aware of this matter; you may speak freely."