Empress Feng was equally surprised by this outcome, but what she felt even more was mixed emotions.
Xiao Yunting’s decisiveness and boldness exceeded her expectations, and Emperor Yongchang’s fondness for Xiao Yunting far exceeded her expectations as well.
Emperor Yongchang had actually suppressed everything that happened in the Eastern Palace that night. Zhang Bin and all the eunuchs under him had disappeared without a trace, as though they had never existed.
This was clearly protecting Xiao Yunting!
It was obvious that Emperor Yongchang was unmistakably standing on Xiao Yunting’s side.
Empress Feng understood better than the Crown Prince why this was so.
Xiao Yunting respected his mother and trusted his maternal family, even going so far as to clash with the Crown Prince for their sake.
Within the imperial family, that was simply too rare.
So rare that he seemed like an anomaly.
In Emperor Yongchang’s eyes, compared to the Crown Prince’s timidity and cowardice, this grandson seemed far more loyal and righteous.
Who would not like a frank and open-hearted youth with a pure heart?
Her gaze darkened as she stared at the flickering candle flame. After a while, she suddenly asked, “Has the Crown Princess awakened?”
Shi Gonggong, who was serving nearby, hurriedly bent over. “Replying to Your Majesty, she has not yet regained consciousness. After Imperial Physician Hu examined her, he said it was not because of the suicide attempt itself, but because the Crown Princess had been excessively worried and mentally exhausted for too long, overtaxing herself to the point that both her qi and blood are depleted, and her vitality severely damaged…”
The vein at Empress Feng’s right brow throbbed violently several times.
Excessively worried, why she had been excessively worried was plainly obvious.
The Crown Prince was truly far too cold-blooded and heartless.
Especially this time, in his confrontation with Xiao Yunting, the Crown Prince had lost far too thoroughly.
Xiao Yunting appeared reckless, but in reality every single step had been calculated with exquisite precision.
So although the Crown Prince really had fallen ill, not even the slightest ripple had been stirred because of it.
She rubbed her temples. “Take proper care of her. If the Crown Princess wakes up, report to this Empress immediately!”
This son of hers was cold-hearted, selfish, and heedless of the bigger picture. Relying on him was likely hopeless.
Rather than counting on him, it would be better to spend more effort on Xiao Yunting instead.
Xiao Yunting covered his chest and sat on the bed looking dejected. “Imperial Grandfather, are you no longer going to let me investigate my maternal grandfather’s case?”
Emperor Yongchang asked mildly, “You trust that your maternal grandfather was wrongly accused that much?”
He said gravely, “Ren Zhong has always been praised as an upright and solitary minister. I have a deep impression of him. He remonstrated unto death, which shows he truly believed Lu Ting colluded with the Oirat. Do you know…”
Xiao Yunting raised his eyes seriously. “Imperial Grandfather, this grandson merely wants to uncover the truth clearly. Colluding with the Oirat is an enormous crime punishable by extermination of the clan. This grandson wants to investigate thoroughly and understand the matter clearly. Even if, in the end, it truly turns out to be my maternal grandfather, this grandson will personally bring the Lu family to justice!”
His words rang out forcefully. “At that time, this grandson would also have no face to remain Imperial Grandson!”
The youth stood firm and unyielding.
The youth had not yet had his edges worn away.
He dared to act and dared to take responsibility. He feared nothing.
Through him, Emperor Yongchang saw his own younger self.
He had fathered so many children and had so many grandsons, yet only Xiao Yunting resembled the young him the most.
After a long silence, he asked, “After the disturbance you caused with your father, your relationship can never return to what it once was. Aren’t you at all anxious?”
Xiao Yunting smiled. “He does not like me. No matter what I do, it is useless. I did not grow up by Father’s side, perhaps there truly is no father-son fate between us. As long as Imperial Grandfather remains here for a day, I will stay in the palace for a day. If one day…”
He pursed his lips. “If Royal Father does not like me, then I will go to my own fief. Just like Imperial Grandfather, I can build something from nothing and govern my territory well. That too would mean I have not wasted this life.”
Emperor Yongchang suddenly seemed to see himself back when he had gone to Min Territory.
Likewise, the late emperor had not favored him. The late emperor had sent him away and had not even given him a decent fief.
Thinking of this, he said gravely, “Nonsense! You are the Imperial Grandson, the legitimate eldest grandson. One day this entire realm will be yours, yet all you think about is a mere fief!”
After snorting coldly, Emperor Yongchang said mildly, “Recover from your injuries. I am entrusting this case to you.”
Xiao Yunting was overjoyed and immediately choked up as he thanked Emperor Yongchang for his grace.
When the news reached the Qi family, Old Madam Qi immediately let out a sigh of relief.
These past few nights, she had not dared close her eyes.
Palace struggles had always been wars without smoke; people could be killed without blood ever being shed.
The Crown Princess’s sudden suicide attempt sounded full of conspiracy no matter how she thought about it.
Now that she heard Xiao Yunting was still allowed to investigate the Lu family case, she could not help clasping her hands together and chanting the Buddha’s name.
Old Marquis Qi thought even further ahead. He said to Qi Yuan, “Something else must have happened in the palace. Otherwise, originally this matter…”
It should not have gone so smoothly.
Ren Zhong’s reputation in both court and among the common people was quite good.
For such a person to remonstrate unto death was an extremely serious matter.
Otherwise, the Crown Princess would not have been driven into utter despair and attempted suicide.
In just a few short days, what exactly had happened in the palace for Emperor Yongchang to override all objections, suppress public opinion, and allow Xiao Yunting to investigate this case?
Qi Yuan tapped her fingers lightly on the table.
Although she had not personally witnessed it, she still had a guess.
She raised her brows and said gravely, “If it were me, since things had already come to this and there was no longer any father-son affection left anyway, then there would be even less need to maintain the appearance of father-son affection.”
This matter was clearly the Crown Prince’s doing, so if it were her, she would make the Crown Prince suffer a massive loss.
But what counted as a massive loss?
Qi Yuan’s heart stirred slightly.
Old Marquis Qi also looked at her. “Yuan Jie’er, you mean?”
“I guess His Highness the Imperial Grandson probably used a self-inflicted injury scheme,” Qi Yuan guessed with complete confidence.
Because if it were her, she felt this was the best method.
Wasn’t the Crown Prince trying to force the Crown Princess into suicide?
Then this was the perfect opportunity to let Emperor Yongchang see exactly what kind of situation the mother and son had already been forced into before the charges were even finalized.
If the Lu family were truly convicted, the outcome for this mother and son, already disliked by the Crown Prince, would only be even worse.
As they were speaking, the window was knocked on. Immediately afterward, Liujin pushed open the window and jumped inside.
Old Marquis Qi’s face twitched.
Did their Yongping Marquis Manor not have a front gate?!
No doors at all?!
Why was everyone climbing walls and crawling through windows every single time?
Qi Yuan merely raised her brows faintly and glanced at Liujin. “How are things?”
Liujin hurriedly recounted everything that had happened in the palace to Qi Yuan. Then he could not help but add, “Miss, His Highness was afraid you would worry, so he specifically told me I must let you know he is fine.”
Old Marquis Qi’s pupils shrank as he listened.
What a ruthless person.
Stabbing himself and framing his own father, Xiao Yunting truly was worthy of being the man Qi Yuan had taken a liking to.
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