Duke Chu scolded coldly, “Useless fool!”
Among the sons of noble families, Liu Jinghong had always been considered outstanding, whether in his official career or in his conduct. Being so harshly scolded was a first for him.
Startled by the sudden rebuke, Liu Jinghong was momentarily dumbfounded. “Father, don’t you know what happened to Mingzhu… The imperial physician said her fall was so severe that she injured her vital energy and blood. In the future, she may not be able to bear children! How can you expect me to swallow this humiliation?”
He had been fully intent on arranging a marriage between his daughter and Qi Wang.
Noble Consort Liu in the palace had also been supportive. After all, it would strengthen ties between the two families.
But now, with Liu Mingzhu’s injury and her likely fragile health in the future, this cast a shadow over everything.
It could be said her entire future had been ruined.
“That’s because she wasn’t as skilled. Who can she blame?” Duke Chu’s expression was cold and his words were blunt. “She’s been raised like a precious jewel all these years. In terms of education, she had private tutors. In terms of etiquette, she had palace-trained nannies. Yet did she ever show the poise and bearing of a noble daughter?”
Liu Jinghong took a deep breath. “Even so, she’s still one of our own…”
Can they really just let someone from their family be bullied and act like nothing happened?
Duke Chu snorted. “She was able to lose her head like this because you all indulged her and let her forget her place! If she’d had even a shred of sense, she would have accepted her defeat and apologized right then. That would’ve at least salvaged some dignity and minimized the loss.”
But what did Liu Mingzhu do?
Utter foolishness.
As far as Duke Chu was concerned, it was Liu Jinghong’s indulgence that led to Liu Mingzhu’s current situation.
“Besides, what’s the use of fixating on a young girl?” Duke Chu stared at him meaningfully. “What matters now is figuring out where His Highness went.”
Their family’s interests were tied to Qi Wang’s.
In fact, the shadow guards under Qi Wang’s command were being sheltered by the Liu family, which was why they had been able to track his troop movements.
Now, during his house arrest, Qi Wang was suddenly traveling far from the capital—this was what the Liu family truly needed to worry about.
If something happened to Qi Wang, the Liu family would not be spared either.
Liu Jinghong took a deep breath, feeling both frustrated and powerless.
He could not openly defy his father.
Liu Mingzhu’s fall from the horse was indeed a delicate matter.
It happened in front of many witnesses, and all Qi Yuan did was return blow for blow.
If the Liu family openly sought revenge against Qi Yuan now, it would only invite ridicule.
The Qi family’s attitude was also infuriating—they were willing to offend the Liu family just to protect that troublemaking girl.
But after his initial rage cooled, Liu Jinghong suddenly slapped the table and stood up, his eyes widening. “Father! Qi Yuan also left the city!”
Duke Chu was surprised. “You think the two matters are connected?”
“Yes!” Liu Jinghong still felt a chill when he recalled Qi Wang’s words. “I’ve never believed in coincidences.”
That day, at Zhou Wang’s mansion, Qi Yuan was ambushed by assassins.
That same day, Qi Wang had mobilized his shadow guards and disappeared for a time.
Now Qi Yuan had left the city, and Qi Wang had also deployed his guards and gone in the same direction—was that really just coincidence?
“Besides, what His Highness said to me was too strange.” Liu Jinghong stared at his father. “He said Qi Yuan’s life or death is his to decide and warned me not to act on my own.”
Duke Chu immediately decided, “We can find out quickly enough.”
He summoned a trusted aide and whispered a few instructions.
About half an hour later, the man returned and reported, “That young lady from the Qi family did not head toward Mount Baiyun after leaving the city, but instead took the official road heading toward Henan. We just confirmed that His Highness went in the same direction.”
It matched.
Liu Jinghong looked at Duke Chu. “Father!”
“I’m not deaf!” Duke Chu snapped, then after a brief pause said, “I’ll have your mother go to the palace to speak with the consort and ask about His Highness’s true intentions before we make our next move.”
Liu Jinghong had no choice but to suppress his impatience and agree.
Meanwhile, in the Qi household, Qi Zhen had also entered the palace.
When Emperor Yongchang heard Qi Zhen requested an audience, he set down Princess Mingcheng and smiled as he spoke to Noble Consort Liu, “Baorong will be fifteen after the New Year and will reach the age of maturity. I plan to have the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Household Department arrange a grand coming-of-age ceremony. You should start considering suitable marriage prospects for her.”
Whenever Emperor Yongchang spoke of Princess Baorong, his tone was always gentle.
Noble Consort Xiao Liu softly smiled. “It’s hard to believe. I still remember her as a chubby little girl with a constant smile. In the blink of an eye, she’s already of age.”
As she spoke, her eyes reddened slightly. “Among all the children, Baorong is the most obedient and sensible, and she resembles my older sister the most… If my sister’s spirit is watching from the heavens, Baorong would surely be her favorite.”
Emperor Yongchang’s mood darkened slightly. He sighed. “It’s been so many years. Let’s not talk about that anymore.”
He handed Princess Mingcheng over to Noble Consort Liu and went to Taiji Hall.
Noble Consort Liu personally escorted him to the palace gates before returning.
She had just sat down when a palace servant came to report that the Madam of Duke Chu’s household was requesting an audience.
Upon hearing that her mother had come, Noble Consort Liu immediately sent her own personal attendants to receive her, saying, “Mother’s legs are not well. His Majesty has personally allowed her to ride a palanquin within the palace. Tell her there’s no need to stand on ceremony.”
Although the emperor had granted Old Madam Liu the privilege to ride within the palace, she had never actually used it, always walking on foot instead.
The palace servants complied and went to escort her.
After quite some time, Old Madam Liu finally entered, supported by her attendants, trembling slightly as she bowed to Noble Consort Liu.
Noble Consort Liu quickly stepped forward to support her. Noticing the fine sweat on her mother’s forehead, she chided her gently, “Mother, you are too cautious! It’s so cold today, your legs and back aren’t well—why must you make things so hard on yourself?”
“Niang Niang, being cautious is never wrong.” Old Madam Liu patted her daughter’s hand meaningfully. “Look at Mingzhu—she paid the price for not being cautious enough.”
Noble Consort Liu was not fully aware of what had happened to Liu Mingzhu.
After all, she was deep within the palace and had limited access to outside information.
Hearing her mother mention it now, she immediately asked, “Mother, what exactly happened? I only heard that Mingzhu was injured during a polo match and that she had an imperial physician treat her, but I don’t know the full story.”
Old Madam Liu calmly recounted the entire incident.
She told it plainly, without embellishment.
But Noble Consort Liu was still furious. “Utterly brazen! Who gave her the nerve?!”
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