The sun blazed high overhead, scorching hot.
Chongzheng Hall stood tall and imposing, its order pristine.
Led by the Crown Prince, the Emperor’s sons all knelt outside the hall.
Kang Wang, having heard the news, didn’t care about his twisted ankle. Limping and hobbling, he appeared and knelt not far from Duan Wang.
Kang Wang felt bitter—he knew nothing of what happened today. He’d thought his injury would keep him out of trouble, never imagining the palace would be thrown into such chaos.
When he got wind of it at his residence, he couldn’t sit or stand still. Luckily, Qi He had secretly delivered a message, prompting him to change clothes and rush to the palace.
He was the Emperor’s least favored son, the most forgettable. If all his brothers were being punished and he stayed hidden in his residence, how would the Emperor see him?
But he also hadn’t dared act on his own. Thank goodness Fourth Brother had Qi He send word.
Now, he dared not say a word, just knelt behind his brothers and exhaled a breath of relief. He didn’t expect their Royal Father to praise his brotherly loyalty—he only hoped the Emperor wouldn’t blame him in his anger.
Inside Chongzheng Hall, the Emperor sat upon the dragon throne, face grim.
Ding Zhao bowed nearby, not even daring to breathe loudly.
“Your Majesty, this is what happened. These are the testimonies from the palace staff,” Ding Zhao said as he handed over the statements. “Jin Wangfei’s account has changed multiple times. At first, she insisted on accusing Duan Wangfei, but now she’s admitted she acted on the Empress’s orders.”
He also handed over Jin Wangfei’s confession but said no more.
The Emperor didn’t take it, his gaze fixed on the doors. After a long pause, he finally asked, “Ding Zhao, what do you think really happened today?”
Ding Zhao looked troubled and gave a bitter smile. “Your Majesty, this servant did not see it firsthand and dares not speak recklessly.”
The Emperor snorted coldly. “You’ve served me for decades. Do you think I don’t know your nature? Speak plainly.”
Ding Zhao dropped to his knees with a thud. “Your Majesty, this servant truly doesn’t know what to say.”
“Speak your mind.”
Ding Zhao hesitated for a long time before finally speaking slowly, “Your Majesty, this servant feels there’s something strange about this matter. Jin Wangfei’s testimony contradicts itself—clearly, something’s hidden. And given her history of conflict with Duan Wangfei, I personally believe that the testimony of Yu Wangfei may be true.”
The Emperor glanced at him. “You believe Duan Wangfei is innocent?”
Ding Zhao broke into a cold sweat and looked up at the Emperor. “Your Majesty, I don’t know if Duan Wangfei is innocent. But I do know that if she hadn’t stepped in, Yu Wangfei might have been in real danger.”
“Your Majesty, Jin Wangfei has a younger sister who is a side consort in Yu Wang’s residence. She was recently moved to another courtyard by Consort Xian. It’s understandable that Jin Wangfei would want to bring her back.”
The emperor’s throat felt slightly scratchy. He let out a soft cough before feeling a bit more comfortable. “How could things be so coincidental?”
Ding Zhao didn’t dare respond.
In truth, he knew that the emperor had already come to a conclusion in his heart—he just didn’t want to accept it.
A flicker of sharpness flashed through the emperor’s now-clouded eyes but quickly faded. He spoke faintly, “The brothers are at odds—let them all kneel.”
Hearing that the emperor had not shown special leniency toward the crown prince, Ding Zhao wasn’t quite sure how to feel.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” he responded. Then, with some hesitation, he asked, “How many hours should they kneel?”
The emperor didn’t answer. He rose and entered the inner hall.
Ding Zhao understood—tsk, it seemed the emperor was truly angry this time.
But how would he deal with the others?
Just as Ding Zhao was debating whether or not to go in and ask, an eunuch hurried over. “ Steward Ding, Consort Gui requests an audience with His Majesty.”
Ding Zhao’s eyes lit up, and he immediately stepped into the inner hall.
Meanwhile, in Cuiwei Palace, upon hearing what Hu Momo said, Consort Shu frowned slightly and looked toward Duan Mingxi. “The crown prince and the others are all kneeling outside Chongzheng Hall.”
Duan Mingxi looked at her and said, “In the past, Royal Father would always show special mercy to the crown prince. But today, he hasn’t said a word.”
“Exactly,” Consort Shu let out a mocking laugh. “But who knows how long that’ll last?”
The emperor had always favored the crown prince. He certainly wouldn’t let him kneel for too long. But the length of time would give a subtle indication of how the emperor currently felt about him.
Duan Mingxi was about to speak when Nan Jiao came in briskly, bowed, and said urgently, “Niang Niang, Wangfei—Consort Gui sought audience with His Majesty, but something she said seems to have angered him.”
Consort Shu suddenly stood up. “What did you say? What’s her condition now?”
“Consort Gui was scolded by the emperor and has returned to Yuchen Palace,” Nan Jiao replied.
Consort Shu furrowed her brow tightly. “Did it not go through? Did His Majesty refuse? That shouldn’t be the case.”
Duan Mingxi was also surprised that Consort Gui had been so harshly rebuked. After all, with Jin Wangfei having caused such a disaster, asking for a divorce should’ve been reasonable.
For the sake of the royal family’s reputation, the emperor should have taken the opportunity to approve the request, especially since it came from Consort Gui—no one would blame him.
But judging by the outcome, it seemed the plan had failed.
Consort Shu looked at Nan Jiao and asked again, “Do you know what exactly Consort Gui requested?”
“I haven’t been able to find out,” Nan Jiao shook her head.
Consort Shu waved her away and turned to Duan Mingxi. “The emperor’s thoughts are difficult to read. Now that Consort Gui has been rejected, it might be very hard to remove Jin Wangfei in the future.”
If this wasn’t enough to get rid of her, what kind of chaos would it take next time to make the emperor agree?
Duan Mingxi couldn’t quite understand the emperor’s thinking either. But remembering her previous life, she had some idea.
“Mother, do you think Royal Father might be trying to test something?”
“Test?” Consort Shu asked.
“Yes.”
“What do you think he’s testing?” she asked curiously.
Duan Mingxi replied, “I wonder if His Majesty is using Jin Wangfei as a way to test the intentions of the princes.”
“And how would he test them?” Consort Shu smiled wryly. “You don’t quite understand His Majesty’s temperament. He’s never done such things.”
True, the emperor hadn’t before. But in her past life, later on, he had done it quite often to secure the crown prince’s position.
Duan Mingxi hadn’t left the palace much back then, so she hadn’t seen it firsthand—but she remembered the stories.
She gathered her thoughts and said slowly, “Royal Father reprimanded Consort Gui and refused to approve the divorce. According to what we know, what do you think she and Jin Wang would do next?”
Hearing this, Consort Shu seriously considered it. “If Consort Gui refuses to give up, she’ll surely try again. Jin Wang has long been disgusted with his wife and likely won’t want to waste this opportunity.”
“Exactly. That’s what I think too,” Duan Mingxi agreed. “Now think—if Consort Gui doesn’t give up and tries to push this matter again, what might she do?”
Consort Shu’s expression stiffened, and she stared intently at Duan Mingxi. “You mean…”
Duan Mingxi met her gaze without flinching and said, “I’m not sure if I’m right, but whoever Consort Gui turns to for help—and which prince is willing to help Jin Wang—might be exactly what Royal Father wants to see.”
