Prologue
In the Falling Plum Residence of the Prince of England's Mansion, upon hearing the final punishment result from the court, someone exclaimed in surprise, "Old Li actually suggested that the Emperor send Qin Yu to Wuming Mountain? Isn't that the place where the little girl from the Loyal and Brave Marquis's residence went?"
The capital was shrouded in thick clouds at one time
There are two sayings that circulate in the world: "Wealth and nobility are in heaven, while the gates of hell are on earth"
Lu Yongyan stated: "The Fourth Prince, as the legitimate son of the Empress, fails to conduct himself properly, lacking in virtue. It is a disgrace to the teachings of the Emperor and the affection of the Empress. Today, under the influence of alcohol, he has lost his moral compass and dared to set fire to the palace; tomorrow, in a similar state, he may dare to undermine the governance of the state. With such a child in the royal family, the ancestors are shamed. If he is not severely punished, the offspring of the royal family will follow suit, leading to even greater calamities in the future, leaving a legacy of misfortune for generations to come, and it will be too late for regret."
"The younger sister never speaks falsely." The man handed the note to the elder.
The discussions in the court swiftly turned overwhelmingly against him, and no one dared to step forward to plead for the Fourth Prince.
The window of Zhi Lan Yuan is open, and the voices of an old man and a young person can be heard from inside, occasionally accompanied by intermittent coughing sounds
Please, Your Majesty, issue a decree promptly to punish the Fourth Prince, as a warning to others! The Left Chancellor has observed that Your Majesty has not made a decision for a long time and is once again requesting an audience.
Immediately, a eunuch approached the queen to assist her in descending
The Right Minister closed his eyes, and beneath his aged visage, a hint of helplessness subtly emerged
That person fell silent for a moment, "My sister said she destroyed the Nameless Mountain a month ago, and from now on, there will be no more Nameless Mountain in the world."
The person looked at the letter, first feeling joy, then immediately worry. After a moment, with a calm expression, he said, "My sister said she would return to Beijing in two months."
Your Majesty, I believe that demoting the Fourth Prince to a commoner and exiling him to the northern desert as a severe punishment, while it may serve as a warning, is nonetheless excessively harsh. The other princes and members of the royal family may henceforth restrain their personalities, becoming overly cautious and fearful, no longer daring to step out of line. Over time, it is likely that everyone will become mere puppets under the constraints of propriety, and the Southern Qin will no longer produce exceptional talents. The future of the dynasty may be in jeopardy.
What is she here for? Let her go back! The emperor was taken aback and angrily waved his sleeve
When the name of Wuming Mountain is mentioned, everyone feels a chill run down their spine
Upon hearing this, the Queen's eyes immediately filled with tears, and she exclaimed, "No one is perfect, and who is without fault? Even the Left Chancellor had a situation in the past where his own son caused a death, and at that time, it was only lightly dealt with! Among all the civil and military officials in this court, who can guarantee that their own children have never made mistakes from childhood to adulthood? Although my son, in a drunken stupor, burned down a palace, there were no casualties. If the Emperor wishes to impose a heavy punishment, I have nothing to say; if he demotes Yu'er to a commoner, I will accept it. I can only blame his youthful recklessness and excessive drinking for his loss of control. However, why must he be exiled to the desolate and bitterly cold land of the northern desert? How is this different from killing him? Your Majesty, he is my only son!"
The emperor's expression darkened
The queen threw the teacup, pushed aside the lady-in-waiting, stood up abruptly, and gritted her teeth in anger, saying, "They are trying to drive Qin Yu to death!" After speaking, she took a deep breath and coldly commanded, "Prepare the carriage! Proceed to the Golden Hall!"
The elderly man sitting in the room looked at the letter and immediately asked, "What does the letter say?"
"Your Majesty, please do not! Your Majesty, calm your anger!" The ministers were alarmed, all in a state of panic
The emperor was greatly enraged, and the officials were astonished
"Come here, assist the Empress back to the palace!" The Emperor would not allow the Empress to speak further and waved his hand to those around him
The queen's heart trembled, and her hand holding the hairpin shook slightly. Although it was also the Northern Desert, if her son were exiled there, he would surely be secretly killed before reaching the Northern Desert. However, if he were sent to the Nameless Mountain, with the emperor's men escorting him along the way, no one would dare to act against him. If by chance, she might still be able to retrieve her son. This was a glimmer of hope that she must seize. With this thought, she suddenly threw the hairpin and said, "I, your servant, agree with what the Right Chancellor has said." If by chance, she might still be able to retrieve her son. This was a glimmer of hope that she must seize. With this thought, she suddenly threw the hairpin and said, "I, your servant, agree with what the Right Chancellor has said."
That is a desolate and harsh land, teeming with insects and beasts, located two thousand miles away from the capital.
The minister believes that what the Right Chancellor has said is acceptable. The Left Chancellor glanced at the Right Chancellor and spoke in agreement
The Imperial Medical Institute was instantly thrown into chaos
The emperor suddenly struck the armrest of the golden chair and said angrily, "Enough of this! The Fourth Prince has lost his virtue and is unworthy of the guidance I once provided him. From today onward, I demote the Fourth Prince to commoner status and exile him to the northern desert. Without a decree, he shall never set foot in the capital again for all eternity"
The Emperor and several officials from the Grand Council witnessed it with their own eyes; the arsonist was none other than the Fourth Prince himself, how could there be any doubt? Are you suggesting that the Emperor and the esteemed officials were mistaken? A drunken person, having lost their moral compass under the influence of alcohol, would have no recollection of their actions once sober. Even if he attempts to defend himself, he cannot escape the fact that he committed arson.
Returning to Beijing? After eight years, she can finally... come back?" The old man became agitated, "What else did she say?"
The words resonate powerfully, met with sharp criticism, leaving one with no room for defense
Who are the common people
In stark contrast, the nameless mountains in the northern desert serve as the origin of the royal family's training ground for the dark guards. Those selected to enter the nameless mountains have three paths to choose from. One path leads to being killed by their peers during training due to incompetence; another involves engaging in fierce competition and ultimately becoming qualified royal bodyguards; the third path is for those who lack the ability to kill but cannot be killed by others, thus they remain to guard the nameless mountains for life, never permitted to leave the mountain gates.
The imperial physicians of the Imperial Medical Institute received a batch of assignments from the Emperor and Empress to the Duke of Loyal and Brave's residence, resulting in a temporary shortage of physicians.
After the morning court, the fourth prince, still intoxicated and not yet sober, was immediately dispatched by the emperor with a guard of 5,000 men to the unnamed mountain in the northern desert
It is not an exaggeration to say that Wuming Mountain is a mountain of white bones formed by the accumulation of skeletal remains
The ministers held their breath, and no one spoke a word; even the upright censors did not stand up to hold the queen accountable at this moment
The female official immediately fell silent
"Qin Yu is the legitimate son of both you and me; how can he be treated like the children of ordinary families? Other people's children can make mistakes, but when my son makes a mistake, it is a matter of the heart, a matter that strikes at my heart and the hearts of my ancestors!" The emperor's expression was solemn, and his voice was harsh. "I have spoken; how can it be changed? Today, considering your beloved son, I will not pursue the offense of your intrusion into the Golden Hall. You may leave now!"
The old man took the letter, read it, and suddenly felt darkness before his eyes, collapsing to the ground, unconscious.
Nonsense! The emperor barged in despite the queen's attempts to stop him and scolded her angrily
The "Noble Street" referred to in the heavens is the affluent street of the Southern Qin capital, while the "Gates of Hell" in the human realm pertains to the nameless mountains in the northern desert
That is the lowest of the low, a mere peddler.
The great hall fell into a momentary silence.
Even if this empress is deposed, and those two wretches from Ren Yicui Palace and Yu Fup Palace succeed, they cannot simply kill my son. Although the empress's voice trembled, it carried a determination of no turning back. Qin Yu is my only son
What is the region of Mo Bei?
"What?" The old man stood up abruptly, unable to believe it, trembling as he said, "That is from the royal family... How could she destroy Wuming Mountain? How... how dare she?"
The imperial decree has been issued, and there is no room for maneuver. Everyone knows that the Fourth Prince's life is over!
The emperor's expression suddenly changed several times, and he abruptly stood up, angrily saying, "You are the mother of the Fourth Prince, and I am his biological father. By coming to the court like this, do you wish for me to grant you death? Are you also asking for me to commit suicide? After all, I have also failed in my duty as a father!"
Upon the utterance of these words, the courtiers were in an uproar
The Emperor's face turned ashen, and he crushed a piece of the golden armrest with his bare hands
Although no official decree has been issued yet, many people are aware that the punishment will certainly not be lenient; even if the Fourth Prince survives, he will still face severe consequences
Upon the utterance of these words, all those serving in the Phoenix and Dragon Palace turned pale in unison
The eagle silently flew in through the window and landed on the shoulder of the person half-reclining on the bed inside. Upon seeing the eagle, the person's cough immediately ceased, and he quickly removed the letter from its leg and opened it.
The person who spoke first fell silent for a moment, then cleared his throat and said, "Oh, I misspoke. It is the maternal uncle of the Lady of Zhongyong Marquis who is stationed at the border in the northern desert. A few days ago, I heard that the delicate young lady, who has always been kept in seclusion, wanted to go to the northern desert to visit her uncle. However, before she could leave, she contracted typhoid fever and became as weak as a sickly person. Where could she possibly go?"
The ministers bowed their heads and loudly proclaimed the emperor's wisdom
It is settled then! Starting today, someone will be sent to escort the Fourth Prince to the Nameless Mountain in the Northern Desert. If he can pass through the Nine Halls of Hell by his own abilities and emerge from the Nameless Mountain, I shall restore his noble status, and he will still be my Fourth Prince. If he cannot make it out, he can only blame himself.
Long live our Emperor
As soon as he spoke, another person exclaimed in surprise, "When did the young lady of the Loyal and Brave Marquis's residence go to the Northern Desert?"
The eunuch stepped back in fear, taking two steps back
The emperor, upon hearing this, looked at the empress and asked in a deep voice, "Empress, what do you think of the words of the Right Chancellor?"
Your Majesty, I believe that the Fourth Prince should be sent to the Nameless Mountain. If the Fourth Prince can correct his temperament and successfully pass through the Nine Halls of Purgatory in the Nameless Mountain, it would indicate that Heaven intends to bestow great responsibilities upon him, and the transgressions of today may be overlooked. However, if the Fourth Prince cannot emerge from the Nameless Mountain, it would signify his incompetence, and he will undoubtedly be of no use in the future. Thus, Your Majesty and the Empress need not worry about him any longer. The Right Chancellor waited for a moment, seeing that no one spoke, and spoke again. Your Majesty and the Empress need not worry about him any longer. The Right Chancellor waited for a moment, seeing that no one spoke, and spoke again.
At the same time, a hawk flew into the residence of the loyal and brave marquis, circling around the marquis's estate before entering the Zhilanyuan.
The atmosphere in the grand hall suddenly became tense and stagnant
Upon the utterance of these words, the entire hall was taken aback
"Left Chancellor? Esteemed ministers, what do you think of the Right Chancellor's words?" The emperor's expression revealed no discernible emotion
The attending maidservants were all in a state of panic, and the female officials hurriedly stepped forward to stop the bleeding for the Empress
Upon hearing this, the Emperor's expression slightly cleared, and he slowly sat down, looking at the Right Chancellor, "According to your words, should my imperial decree be rendered null and void?"
The ministers were taken aback and simultaneously raised their heads
In the court, there was a palpable tension as all the ministers awaited the Emperor's decision on how to punish the Fourth Prince
The Right Chancellor proposed the unnamed mountain, causing even the Emperor's body to tremble slightly, leaving him speechless for a while
The lady-in-waiting lost her voice and reminded, "Your Highness, the harem must not interfere in politics. If you were to barge into the court like this, then you would..."
The prosperous streets of the Southern Qin capital need not be elaborated upon; beneath the feet of the Son of Heaven, the grand residences of the prominent families are interconnected, showcasing a glimpse of the flourishing scene.
The Supervisory Court submitted a report, and the Censorate impeached, led by the Left Chancellor Lu Yong, requesting the Emperor to severely punish the Fourth Prince Qin Yu
The Right Chancellor frowned, just about to retort
Although the punishment is severe, considering that the fire in the palace nearly led to the collapse of the imperial palace, this crime is indeed warranted. Since the Emperor has spoken, there is no reason to change it. The Right Chancellor glanced at the Left Chancellor and noticed the Empress pushing her hairpin in an inch deeper. He then changed his tone, saying, "However, I have a suggestion. Since the punishment is exile to the northern desert, why not send the Fourth Prince to Wuming Mountain?"
These three points, regardless of which one, all indicate that Wuming Mountain is not a good choice
After the queen returned to the Phoenix Luan Palace, she coughed up blood and was confined to bed. The emperor, who had always favored the fourth prince, also fell ill on that day.
"Your Majesty, I have come to request your decree!" Before the eunuch could intervene, the Empress, dressed in a full red ceremonial outfit, hurriedly burst into the main hall
The queen cast a cold glance at the courtiers, her gaze shifting from the right chancellor to the left chancellor. After a moment of contemplation, she knelt upright in the great hall and spoke clearly, "I, your servant, have failed in my duty to educate my child, leading to a grave mistake. I beseech Your Majesty to grant me the mercy of death."
Lu Yong, what are you in such a hurry for? The Fourth Prince is guilty, but he has also rendered meritorious service in the past. He has never acted out of line before. Yesterday, he was drunk and set fire to the palace; perhaps there were reasons behind his actions. Today, the Fourth Prince has not yet sobered up, and to take action without allowing him to defend himself, is that not too hasty?
Naturally, no one opposes it.
Is there a problem with the feng shui? The person who spoke earlier scoffed, curled their lips, and dismissed it with indifference
The queen flicked her sleeves and swiftly exited the Phoenix and Luan Palace
The Left Chancellor led the ministers in bowing their heads and kneeling in high praise
Upon hearing this, the man felt relieved and said, "Ah, it has been many days since I last saw Brother Zigui. I wonder if his health has improved? It is truly strange that Brother Zigui and his sister from this direct line are often entangled in illness, while on the contrary, the cousins from the collateral line are all lively and vigorous. Could it be that there is an issue with the feng shui of the main branch of the loyal and brave marquis's residence?"
Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress requests your presence in the hall
The developments in the court quickly reached the imperial harem. The Empress, seated in the Fengluan Palace, turned pale, her hand gripping the teacup tightened involuntarily, shattering the cup. Her slender fingers were cut, and blood immediately flowed profusely.
The queen stood up abruptly, reached up to remove the nine-tailed phoenix hairpin from her head, and pointed it at her own neck, looking at the emperor with a chilling despair. "If Your Majesty does not retract the imperial decree today, I shall die right here in this golden hall! After all, my son is also doomed to die in the northern desert; it would be better to avoid the situation where a white-haired person sends off a black-haired one. I might as well die first to atone for my sins!"
Your Majesty! The Empress's expression turned pale.
"Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable; how can your golden words be disregarded?" The Left Chancellor immediately retorted
The Right Chancellor was just about to speak when he suddenly noticed the Emperor's bleeding hand, his body trembled slightly, and he took a step back
Your Majesty's expression suddenly turned a shade of dark purple.
In the winter of 278 AD during the Southern Qin dynasty, the fourth prince Qin Yu, after drinking, set fire to the palace, nearly causing the collapse of the imperial palace