This was his own grandson. The current evidence could not prove that Xiao Jingzhao had any involvement in this matter.
Emperor Yongchang could order the death of Zhou Wangfei and could demote Zhou Wang and Luochuan Commandery Princess, but he could not, without proof, punish his own grandson.
However, the Song family had to be eliminated.
They were merely the maternal family of one of the Crown Prince’s favored consorts. No matter what their intentions were, associating with the imperial clan was an unforgivable crime.
Eliminating the Song family was also a warning to the Crown Prince and Xiao Jingzhao, letting them know what could be done and what could not, so they would not step onto the wrong path and be unable to turn back later.
As for Lu Jintang’s matter, Emperor Yongchang directly said to the Eldest Princess: “Jintang is a good child. In my opinion, simply have the Imperial Household Department disregard family background and select candidates among the common people. When the time comes, choose a good match for Jintang.”
The Eldest Princess had already achieved her goal. Seeing Emperor Yongchang say this, she softly agreed.
After leaving the palace, the husband and wife exchanged a glance, both with relief in their eyes.
Truly fortunate, Zeng Wenxiu had been instigated by Luochuan Commandery Princess and chose to frame Qi Yuan.
Otherwise, with such a spy placed in their home, and still deeply favored by Lu Jintang…
If that child had been born smoothly, the Eldest Princess could hardly imagine whether her stance would still remain firm.
No…
The Eldest Princess asked herself honestly and knew that, when the time came, she would certainly have doted on Zeng Wenxiu even more because of the child.
Over time, under Zeng Wenxiu’s influence, and with Zhou Wangfei manipulating things behind the scenes, they would inevitably have leaned toward Xiao Jingzhao.
At that point, what they might have done, even she could not guarantee.
And by then, becoming Qi Yuan’s enemies…
The Eldest Princess pressed her wildly beating heart, still shaken with lingering fear: “It’s truly thanks to your clear eyes and sharp judgment…”
Lu Mingan gently patted the back of her hand in reassurance: “Who hasn’t been muddle-headed at times? You were only too worried about our son. Still, for this matter, we truly must thank Miss Qi.”
At this moment, Qi Yuan was brushing Little Yellow’s fur. Without even raising her head, she asked Liujin, “What did you say?”
Babao stood outside the window with an excited face: “Miss, if anything happens in the future, just call for us!”
Such a big matter, and they weren’t included, how was that appropriate?!
If they had been there at the time, they could have watched the show, oh no, they could have helped!
No matter what, they couldn’t let Miss Qi be bullied by others!
Qi Yuan lifted her head with a faint smile and looked at them: “What, you all really enjoy watching this kind of excitement?”
Of course they did, who doesn’t like excitement?
Babao had been about to nod immediately, but Liujin suddenly tugged him hard, making him instantly annoyed: “Why are you pulling me?”
Liujin rolled his eyes, but when facing Qi Yuan he remained respectful and said softly: “Miss, we already followed your instructions and reminded Lord Lai.”
Qi Yuan gave a quiet acknowledgment and said she knew.
But while she was calm, Third Madam Qi was far from calm.
She had been scared half to death, and now she couldn’t help describing the situation to Old Madam Qi again.
When she got to the part about Lu Jintang wanting to hit Qi Yuan, Old Madam Qi finally coughed: “Did he really strike?”
When Qi Zhen entered the room, he subconsciously glanced at the antique display shelf.
No way?
If Lu Jintang had really made a move, wouldn’t Yuan Jie’er have chopped off his hand?
Yuan Jie’er wouldn’t care who you were!
If anyone dared to touch her, even the King of Heaven himself would have to lose a piece of flesh.
Third Madam Qi patted her chest and shook her head: “No, he didn’t manage to hit her, Yuan Jie’er kicked him flying…”
Old Madam Qi let out a breath: “That’s good, that’s good.”
?
Third Madam Qi widened her eyes, feeling that she no longer quite understood the old madam.
This was good?
If it were any other granddaughter who dared to kick the Eldest Princess’s son flying, Old Madam Qi certainly wouldn’t have said this was good.
Qi Zhen also let out a breath of relief, good, good.
As long as he hadn’t managed to hit her, and Yuan Jie’er had vented her anger, plus considering the past relationship with the Eldest Princess, she wouldn’t do anything further to Lu Jintang.
He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and walked past the antique shelf.
Third Madam Qi stood up in confusion and bowed to Qi Zhen.
Qi Zhen quickly nodded: “No need for formalities, sister-in-law. What happened afterward?”
Afterward?
Third Madam Qi’s expression became even more vivid, and for a moment she didn’t know how to describe the scene of the Eldest Princess chasing and beating Zhou Wangfei.
She hesitated before saying: “Afterward… the Eldest Princess grabbed Zhou Wangfei by the hair and beat her until she had no strength to fight back. When Luochuan Commandery Princess tried to step forward to help, the Eldest Princess beat her until her face swelled. After that, people from the palace arrived.”
She truly had broadened her horizons.
Still shaken, she looked at Old Madam Qi: “Mother, in the future when Yuan Jie’er goes out, could Second Sister-in-law still accompany her?”
Her heart really couldn’t handle this kind of shock!
Old Madam Qi understood Third Madam Qi very well. After all, it was her first time going out with her and such a big incident had occurred, it would take some time to adjust.
Back then, Second Madam had also needed several times before gradually getting used to it.
She comforted her a few words and then let Third Madam Qi leave first.
Then she turned to look at the silent Old Marquis Qi: “Old Marquis, about this matter…”
Old Marquis Qi opened his eyes and gave a snort of laughter: “This matter, Yuan Jie’er handled it brilliantly! The child was ready-made; with one pulse check the imperial physician would know how many months along she was. And with the Embroidered Uniform Guard involved, could Zeng Wenxiu’s little tricks withstand their interrogation?”
He tapped the tabletop: “Zhou Wang’s residence has always been favored, but when it concerns imperial power, no matter how favored they are, they cannot escape. Zhou Wangfei is finished, and the Song family is finished too.”
He almost couldn’t help laughing out loud.
Of all people to offend, they came courting death by provoking his granddaughter.
Originally, Qi Yuan probably wouldn’t have discovered anything wrong with this marriage in the short term.
But with Luochuan Commandery Princess stirring things up like this, how clever was Qi Yuan? She immediately followed the clues and unraveled everything, seeing all their schemes clearly.
This time Yuan Jie’er didn’t personally kill anyone because she didn’t need to.
Those who would die would still die in groups.
Sure enough, that very afternoon, they heard the news: Zhou Wangfei had been stripped of her position as principal consort of a prince and had already been executed.
Not only that, Zhou Wang lost his title, and Luochuan Commandery Princess also lost hers.
As for the Song family…
Song Chang’s severed head was delivered that very day to Song Liangdi and Xiao Jingzhao.
It was said that Song Liangdi fainted on the spot from fright.
Upon hearing the news, Old Marquis Qi immediately went to Qi Yuan’s room and told her this matter.
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