With each sentence he spoke, Noble Consort Liu’s face grew a shade paler, until by the end, her complexion was nearly ashen, like gold paper.
She began coughing incessantly, her breathing growing labored. “It’s all my fault—it’s my fault I spoiled the Old Three too much! I let him become lawless, thinking himself to be someone of importance…”
Her tears streamed down like rain, her choking sobs nearly uncontrollable. “If my elder sister’s spirit knows in heaven that I raised him into this, she would surely blame me as well. How could I possibly have the face to see her in the afterlife?”
When she mentioned Liu Wangfei, her weeping became even more intense. At first, she tried to restrain herself, sobbing quietly, but soon she could no longer hold back.
Emperor Yongchang’s expression darkened. He closed his eyes and rebuked her, “What’s the use of saying this now? What does it have to do with her?”
But their conversation still woke Princess Mingcheng, who was lying nearby.
As soon as Princess Mingcheng opened her eyes, she heard her parents speaking, her father’s tone harsh, and immediately burst into tears again. “Royal Father, Royal Mother, don’t argue, don’t argue!”
The little child had cried so much that her eyes were red like a rabbit’s.
Noble Consort Liu turned her head away, unable to speak through her sobs, tears falling silently.
Emperor Yongchang reached out to hold Princess Mingcheng, who immediately clung tightly to his neck. He sighed, “Royal Father isn’t angry. Royal Father isn’t arguing with your Royal mother. Don’t worry.”
He patted her back and offered Noble Consort Liu a few words of comfort. “Don’t be too upset. This matter is still just that woman’s side of the story. Everyone else has testified that the real boss behind the scenes is only Zhan Wenhui, and there’s never been any talk of it being connected to Qi Wang.”
Hong Xiao’s bold act of striking the drum at the palace gates had caused an enormous scene.
It happened just as the court officials were dispersing after morning assembly. Everyone had heard her accuse Qi Wang of silencing witnesses, operating a brothel, forcing good women into prostitution, and even causing deaths.
When this news reached his ears, if he claimed he wasn’t the slightest bit angry—that would be a lie.
How could he not be furious?
A dignified prince involved in such disgraceful matters, and now it had become such a public spectacle, as if they feared the whole world wouldn’t know a royal prince was running a brothel and forcing people to their deaths!
It was utterly shameful—unprecedented.
But he absolutely could not hand this case over to the Three Bureaus.
The Three Bureaus were filled with upright officials known for their integrity, and they were never short of hot-headed scholars just waiting to make a name for themselves by targeting the imperial clan.
If the case fell into their hands, there would be no peace. Their relentless accusations would drown you, and you couldn’t even punish them, because these scholars were eager to be beaten or scolded—it was their ticket to eternal fame.
Thinking of this, Emperor Yongchang let out a heavy sigh.
It was precisely for this reason that the case was given to the Embroidered Uniform Guards. The Embroidered Uniform Guard reported directly to the emperor and weren’t part of any other governing body.
How the case would be investigated and how it would be concluded—no one outside would ever know.
In other words, the final judgment rested with Emperor Yongchang alone.
The emperor didn’t have many sons to begin with, and of those, only Qi Wang was favored.
Before Qi Wang was born, he dreamed of Liu Wangfei every night.
When they first went to their fief in Zhangzhou, they didn’t even have a proper princely residence and lived in the governor’s office.
It took three years before the palace was finally built.
They were truly a couple who endured hardship together—building their home, civilizing the people, constructing the harbor from scratch in that desolate, godforsaken place.
Eventually, when he rose to become emperor, Liu Wangfei remained just that—a Wangfei.
Even now, this thought still tore at Emperor Yongchang’s heart.
After Qi Wang was born, those dreams of Liu Wangfei gradually became less frequent.
Perhaps that’s why he saw Qi Wang as the reincarnation of the child he and Liu Wangfei had lost.
Qi Wang was the child he held the most, showered with the most affection.
All his unspoken guilt transformed into doting indulgence.
Noble Consort Liu understood his heart completely.
All her years of effort had borne fruit now.
This was why she had gone to such lengths to involve the emperor in raising Qi Wang—because emotions are built over time. He had invested so much in this child that letting go was no longer an option.
She patted Princess Mingcheng’s back and took her into her arms, sobbing, “Even so, he can’t be let off so easily! His behavior is utterly disgraceful—just thinking about it makes me ashamed!”
Princess Mingcheng whined in protest, “Don’t hit Third Brother, don’t hit Third Brother!”
Noble Consort Liu hurriedly tried to quiet her, but seeing her struggle so fiercely, she couldn’t help but spank her a few times. “You’re just a little child—what do you know? All you know is to be biased toward Third Brother!”
Princess Mingcheng let out a wail, wanting to cry, but when Noble Consort Liu pointed at her, she didn’t dare cry aloud. She could only reach out her little hands, asking Emperor Yongchang to carry her. “Royal Mother is so mean!”
The emperor took her again, and she lay in his arms, refusing to budge no matter how much Noble Consort Liu called her.
Noble Consort Liu was so exasperated. “This little ungrateful thing—why is she so attached to you!”
The emperor was quite pleased, stroking his daughter’s little head. “What’s wrong with her being attached to me?”
Then he quietly said to Noble Consort Liu, “This matter has caused such a stir—Third must be taught a lesson. The entire court is watching. I plan to revoke his title of Prince and demote him to a County Prince.”
The difference in status and privilege between a Prince of the First Rank and a County Prince was vast.
Normally, sons of the emperor are Princes of the First Rank. Only when their sons are born do those become County Princes.
Now, demoting Qi Wang to a County Prince was already a severe punishment.
Noble Consort Liu’s heart tightened, her hands instinctively clenching, but she didn’t show any objection. She simply said, “He brought this on himself! Your Majesty has already shown mercy. I only hope this fool will understand the weight of this and learn to restrain himself in the future.”
Emperor Yongchang was pleased with her understanding and lack of complaint. “If this incident can correct his bad habits, it will be his good fortune.”
Over the years, Qi Wang had grown increasingly reckless, emboldened by the emperor’s favoritism—even daring to show open disregard for the Crown Prince.
Emperor Yongchang was well aware of all this. In the past, since Qi Wang hadn’t caused any serious trouble, he had turned a blind eye.
But now, seeing the path Qi Wang was heading down, as his father, he had to make him understand the proper road he must walk.
Qi Wang was no fool—he would surely understand the emperor’s intent.
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