Expel who from the clan?
Second Granduncle was the first to shout, “Big Brother, it’s not that I want to speak ill of our own kin, but this matter is simply too humiliating! Our family’s reputation has been completely ruined by Old Two!”
He was so furious that he stomped his feet repeatedly. “If you’re going to commit disgraceful acts, can’t you at least choose a secluded place to do them?”
How could someone even manage to do such disgraceful things in such a high-profile way?
Was this something to be proud of?
He just had to do this at someone’s birthday banquet!
Even Third Granduncle, seeing his elder brother’s grim face, still nodded and said, “Old Two truly went too far! How is that behavior befitting someone from our Liu family? Not to mention, he’s now dragging down the reputations of the Noble Consort and the young prince!”
Duke Chu’s mood, which had just barely calmed, immediately soured again.
His son was clearly innocent, yet now he was being condemned by everyone.
And as his father, he couldn’t even speak a word in defense!
How could he? By telling the truth?
Even if someone believed it—which they probably wouldn’t—he couldn’t say it!
Inciting Cheng Wang to assault a noblewoman from a marquis’ household—such a vile act was no better than the scandal now, where his son had supposedly been Cheng Wang’s male lover.
Either way, their Liu family’s reputation was utterly destroyed.
Clutching his mouth, Duke Chu coughed violently for a long while before forcing out, “Enough! Aren’t we discussing expelling Old Two from the clan?”
Then he turned to the resident scholars in the house. “Gentlemen, do you have any suggestions?”
The scholars all looked miserable.
Mr. Wang stroked his beard and said, “Your Grace, His Majesty’s intention is already clear. At this point, the only option is to expel Second Young Master from the family register.”
Only by doing so could public outrage be quelled, and the endless gossip silenced.
Duke Chu closed his eyes and said in a low voice, “Then I’ll trouble you all to help me draft the memorial to the throne.”
The scholars finally sighed in relief.
If nothing else, writing a memorial of guilt was at least their area of expertise—it really wasn’t that hard for them.
Duke Chu wasn’t the only one suffering.
Emperor Yongchang was also in agony.
Imperial Censor Tie had hounded him all day, nearly banging his head against the pillars of Taiji Hall. He relentlessly accused the emperor of indulging unruly members of the royal family, claiming Cheng Wang was a national disgrace who had shamed both the dynasty and the late emperor, and that he didn’t deserve to be part of the imperial clan.
The man had practically spit all over his face!
Really…
Even when facing the Empress Dowager, Emperor Yongchang maintained a stern expression. “Royal Mother, it’s not that I disregard family ties, but Cheng Wang has gone too far this time!”
The Empress Dowager had brought him soup today, but as soon as she opened her mouth, she started pleading on Cheng Wang’s behalf.
The emperor had no appetite. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Imperial Censor Tie’s severe and accusing face.
If he dared to agree to the Empress Dowager’s plea and try to downplay the matter, Imperial Censor Tie would probably really bash his head against the pillars tomorrow.
That old man didn’t care about wealth or rank—he only wanted to leave a name in history.
This was a perfect opportunity for him; he probably dreamed of becoming the man who took down Cheng Wang.
But while Imperial Censor Tie wanted to be a famed minister of the ages, Emperor Yongchang certainly didn’t want to go down in history as a foolish monarch!
The Empress Dowager sighed, “I know you are in a difficult position, but after all, I raised Cheng Wang myself. And there’s also Imperial Concubine Duan—she has always looked after you…”
Imperial Concubine Duan was Cheng Wang’s birth mother and the Empress Dowager’s own maternal aunt.
Back then, Cheng Wang was just a child, and with the northern tribes eyeing the borders, the ministers unanimously insisted that the country needed an adult emperor. Otherwise, Emperor Yongchang would never have ascended the throne.
Even so, Emperor Yongchang had always remembered the kindness of both the Empress Dowager and Imperial Concubine Duan.
Otherwise, given all the outrageous things Cheng Wang had done over the years—like using servant girls as archery targets—the emperor wouldn’t have looked the other way for so long.
But some things had to be prioritized.
Back then, there had been no evidence for Cheng Wang’s misdeeds.
Everyone knew he was despicable, but no one could specify exactly how.
This time was different.
Emperor Yongchang gestured outside. “Royal Mother, before you came in, you must have seen Imperial Censor Tie kneeling there with the other censors from the Court of Judicial Review. I don’t want to be remembered as a foolish emperor, nor do I want you to be remembered as a wicked empress dowager. Please understand me.”
After all, they weren’t mother and son by blood—the Empress Dowager had always known her limits.
Especially now that the emperor had said so much.
Her face changed, but in the end, she still nodded. “I understand. Do what you must.”
Emperor Yongchang rose and bowed. “Thank you for understanding, Royal Mother.”
He was no longer the prince who needed his stepmother’s approval to claim the throne.
After so many years in power, now he only cared about what was morally right.
And at this moment, righteousness was on his side.
Once the Empress Dowager left, he called out, “Summon Hanlin Scholar Wang Tongxuan!”
Wang Tongxuan had been waiting in the side hall and hurried in at once.
Emperor Yongchang said, “Draft an edict. Strip Cheng Wang of his title, demote him to commoner status. He is not to be buried with the rites of a prince. He is not allowed to use the imperial surname. Confiscate Cheng Wang’s residence and all previous rewards. All his descendants are to be demoted to commoners and exiled to Lingnan.”
Wang Tongxuan quickly knelt to receive the order.
After the morning court session, Old Marquis Qi rushed home, his beard trembling.
Seeing him in such a hurry, the old madam frowned. “Why are you rushing around like your pants are on fire?”
Old Marquis Qi didn’t have time to explain. He urgently asked, “Where’s Ah Yuan?!”
At that moment, Qi Yuan was at Mingyue Pavilion, watching Xiao Yunting.
Xiao Yunting took a bite of the pastry and immediately put it down. “How insincere. You really only remember me when you need something!”
Qi Yuan frowned. “What do you mean, Your Highness?”
“When you asked me to help you arrange a meeting with the Eldest Princess, you personally cooked taro buns for me. Now that you’ve gotten what you wanted, you’re offering me these common pastries to brush me off?” Xiao Yunting raised his eyebrows. “I really helped you out this time, didn’t I?”
Qi Yuan didn’t know how to respond.
She hadn’t expected Xiao Yunting to handle things so… spectacularly.
Of course, she had asked Xiao Yunting to help clean up the loose ends.
But who would have thought Xiao Yunting would be even more ruthless than her, directly pinning Cheng Wang’s death on Second Master Liu in such a scandalous way?
With a scandal of this magnitude, who would bother investigating the real cause of death between Cheng Wang and Second Master Liu?
Wasn’t this disgrace enough?
At this point, it was said that no one in the Liu family even dared to leave their home.
She coughed lightly. “If Your Highness likes them, I’ll make more taro buns for you next time.”
When you’ve received a favor, you should show gratitude.
Qi Yuan raised an eyebrow. “But, Your Highness, isn’t this tactic a bit too sinister?”
Xiao Yunting chuckled. “Miss Qi, is that really your line to say?”
Between the two of them, who really had the right to make that accusation?
