Chapter 29

Emperor Zhaoming knew she was right. This was the best solution to the current problem, but things didn’t go as planned. His brows furrowed, and his expression darkened: “I have already issued the decree, but Yan Donghuang is too cunning. She arranged heavy guards around the Sheng family in advance, and the people I sent couldn’t even see Sheng Jing’an and his mother.”

Qi Fangfei was stunned: “Your Majesty can send more people.”

“Yan Donghuang also arranged five thousand elite soldiers to guard three miles outside the Donghua Gate.” Emperor Zhaoming took a deep breath, “With so many people guarding there, if I send too many people, these five thousand elite soldiers will stop them from leaving the palace, and the Imperial Guards can’t get close to the Duke’s mansion.”

Qi Fangfei was shocked, realizing the severity of the situation: “Then… then what about issuing a decree to mobilize the Jingji Army into the city to protect the emperor?”

“Yan Donghuang also arranged the Qingluan army to guard the nine city gates, and the people delivering the decree can’t get out.” Emperor Zhaoming shook his head, “Even if they could get out, once the Jingji Army is mobilized, the two hundred thousand Qingluan army outside the city would likely press in immediately, leaving no room for maneuver.”

Qi Fangfei’s face changed dramatically: “This… this means there’s no way out?”

Emperor Zhaoming was at his wit’s end: “I can’t think of a solution for now. Yan Donghuang has already ordered someone to cut off the hand of the Chu family’s eldest son to force the Empress Dowager out of the palace. If the Empress Dowager really goes, she will only become her hostage… Empress, I don’t know what to do now.”

Qi Fangfei was panic-stricken and speechless.

In just one day, Yan Donghuang had made such meticulous arrangements, which didn’t seem like a spur-of-the-moment decision. But… but before the wedding, the Grand Princess showed no signs of planning a rebellion. Could this be the capability of a Grand Princess who has fought on the battlefield?

She stood up and slowly paced in the hall, trying to calm herself down before quickly devising a countermeasure.

Sheng Jing’an poisoning Yan Donghuang on the wedding night was the main cause of her mobilizing troops in anger. But Donghuang was not a foolish and impulsive person. If she only wanted to deal with the Duke’s mansion, she would just surround it and then enter the palace to report everything to the emperor. The emperor would naturally stand up for her – unless she was sure she couldn’t count on the emperor. Or even that the emperor was one of the culprits trying to harm her.

Qi Fangfei let out a soft breath, feeling a chill in her heart. She turned to look at Emperor Zhaoming, seeing his anxiety from his tightly furrowed brows and his anger from his dark eyes. But even with overwhelming anger, it was now replaced by fear and unease.

Qi Fangfei wanted to ask him if he would still be anxious and uneasy if Sheng Jing’an’s actions were not authorized by the emperor and had nothing to do with him.

Probably not.
He would think that everything Yan Donghuang did was due to a misunderstanding. He would be furious and strongly reprimand the Duke’s mansion’s actions, seeking justice for Yan Donghuang.

Because Yan Donghuang was a grand princess, regardless of her military achievements, her status alone couldn’t tolerate her husband humiliating and harming her.

Humiliating the Grand Princess was humiliating the royal family.
Would Sheng Jing’an have the guts to do this without the emperor’s authorization?

If his beloved sister encountered such a thing, the emperor would only worry about her poisoning and her safety and fully understand that her mobilizing troops was out of desperation.

He would let Yan Donghuang vent her anger, kill all those who deserved to be killed, and then wait for Yan Donghuang to enter the palace, or he would go out of the palace to meet her and explain all the misunderstandings face to face—if this happened to Qi Fangfei, she would quickly resolve the misunderstanding and do her best to compensate for all the harm caused by the wrong marriage.

But she was not the emperor and couldn’t make decisions for him.

“Your Majesty.” Qi Fangfei approached him and sat on the round stool, “How did you deal with the Shen family?”

Emperor Zhaoming was stunned: “The Shen family?”

Qi Fangfei nodded: “The illegitimate daughter of the Shen family, Shen Yun, had an affair with the Duke of Zhenguo, became pregnant before marriage, and lived in the Duke’s mansion without a name or status. For Sheng Jing’an, this is deceiving the emperor. For Shen Yun, it is a disgrace to the family and a loss of reputation. If strictly pursued, Shen Yun could be beaten to death with sticks.”

Emperor Zhaoming remained silent.

“On the Grand Princess’s wedding night, they poisoned her, trying to use the antidote to force her to accept a concubine. This is a crime of insubordination and deceiving the emperor. The Shen family failed to educate their daughter, allowing her to have an illicit relationship and disgracing the family. Humiliating the Grand Princess on her wedding night is unforgivable.”

Emperor Zhaoming frowned: “You mean to punish the Shen family?”

“Sheng Jing’an and Shen Yun humiliated the princess, so both families should bear the responsibility.” With some hesitation, the Empress said, “But the Shen family is the maternal family of Consort De. If we really pursue the Shen family’s crimes, it will inevitably make Consort De sad.”

“What right does she have to be sad?” Emperor Zhaoming said coldly, “Shen Yun is two months pregnant, proving she has been involved with Sheng Jing’an for at least three or four months. During this time, Consort De didn’t hear a single rumor? She must have deliberately condoned it, leading to such a scandal!”

Emperor Zhaoming completely forgot that he was the main culprit, the mastermind behind the scenes.

As the ruler of a country, he not only had to absolve himself of responsibility completely but also convince himself that it was all someone else’s fault and had nothing to do with him.

He was the Son of Heaven; how could he be wrong?

“Your Majesty.” Qi Fangfei thought for a moment, “If Your Majesty trusts me, why not let me leave the palace to clear up the misunderstanding with the Grand Princess and tell her that Your Majesty will deal with Sheng Jing’an and Shen Yun according to the law, and will not tolerate anyone who dares to harm the princess.”

Emperor Zhaoming was shocked: “You want to leave the palace?”

Qi Fangfei nodded: “I am a woman, and I used to have a good relationship with the Grand Princess. If I go to talk to her, she might find it more credible.”

Hearing this, Emperor Zhaoming suddenly thought of someone.

Princess Fengyang, Yan Yushu.

Emperor Zhaoming’s mind raced, and he said to the Empress: “You go and talk to Yan Donghuang, try to stall her. I will send someone to bring Princess Fengyang into the palace—”

“Your Majesty, Princess Fengyang is not in good health.” Qi Fangfei frowned, “Didn’t she just give birth last month? She hasn’t finished her confinement, and her mother-in-law is not easy to deal with. Is it appropriate to summon her to the palace at this time?”

“In special times, what is more important than the stability of the country?” Emperor Zhaoming said coldly, “I will arrange for you to leave the palace. Be careful, speak to the Grand Princess calmly, lower your stance, and prioritize your safety.”

Qi Fangfei lowered her eyes: “I obey.”

Emperor Zhaoming turned his head: “Li Dean, make the Empress’s departure from the palace as grand as possible. Make sure all the civil and military officials see my attitude in persuading the Grand Princess.”

“Your Majesty.” Li Dean hesitated for a moment, “Instead of making a big fuss about the Empress leaving the palace, I think it would be better to let Princess Fengyang persuade the Grand Princess. Princess Fengyang has a good relationship with the Grand Princess, and appealing to her emotions might be more effective than threats.”

Emperor Zhaoming turned to look at him, his gaze intimidating.

Li Dean’s face turned pale, and he quickly knelt to explain: “What I mean is, if Your Majesty brings Princess Fengyang into the palace as a hostage, it might backfire and make the Grand Princess even more rebellious, making the situation worse.”

“Li Gonggong’s consideration is reasonable.” Qi Fangfei pondered, “Your Majesty, Princess Fengyang has a special bond with the Grand Princess. Why not let her try to persuade her first? It might resolve the misunderstanding.”

Emperor Zhaoming was silent for a long time before nodding slowly: “Li Dean, personally deliver the decree: ordering Princess Fengyang to visit the Qingluan Princess’s residence. After meeting Donghuang, guide her on what to say and do.”

“I obey.” Li Dean accepted the order and respectfully asked, “What about the Chu family?”

The Grand Princess had said that if she didn’t see the Empress Dowager within two hours, she would send one of Chu Yuanxiao’s legs into the palace for the Empress Dowager to see.

Emperor Zhaoming’s face, which had just softened, darkened again: “Do not report any news related to the Chu family to the Empress Dowager.”

Li De’an felt a chill in his heart and quickly agreed: “Yes.”