Chapter 81

“Show leniency?” Yan Donghuang’s expression was icy. “Are you saying that despite knowing Minister Chu’s crimes warrant the execution of his entire family, you still want to plead for him?”

Yan Ming’s face showed a mix of guilt, self-reproach, and reluctance. “I… I just couldn’t bear to see Mother Consort sad…”

“In that case, I have a condition,” Yan Donghuang said coldly. “If you are willing to go before Father and admit your negligence in Minister Chu’s embezzlement, and request to be demoted to a Duke, I will plead for Minister Chu’s family to be exiled instead of executed.”

“Demoted… to a Duke?” Yan Ming’s face stiffened.

Yan Donghuang looked at him indifferently. “Do you find that unacceptable, Second Brother?”

Yan Ming was silent for a long time before he laughed bitterly. “So, this is what you were after all along.”

Yan Donghuang looked at him expressionlessly.

“Yan Donghuang, have you always coveted the throne?” Yan Ming’s eyes showed cold disappointment. “You targeted my uncle to target me. You used to be close to me to elevate your status and make people forget your origins… Now that you have achieved fame and military success, with power in your hands, you no longer need us, so you want to kick us aside?”

Yan Donghuang’s expression remained indifferent and calm.

“I misjudged you,” Yan Ming closed his eyes lightly, his voice filled with self-mockery. “I always thought… I thought…”

“What did you think?” Yan Donghuang asked calmly. “That I should cover up for corrupt officials or turn a blind eye to the treacherous ministers in the court, allowing them to wreak havoc and harm the country?”

Yan Ming said nothing, but his eyes were accusatory.

“Your skill in shifting blame is quite impressive,” Yan Donghuang stood up, looking down at him. “I thought you would sincerely plead for the Chu family, but instead, you twisted my good intentions and tried to pin false accusations on me. In that case, you may leave.”

Feng Yaoguang, holding the whip, frowned. “Should I continue the punishment?”

Yan Ming said nothing, and neither did Yan Donghuang.

He had said to whip him until Yan Donghuang’s anger was appeased, but clearly, the negotiation had broken down, and Yan Donghuang’s anger had not subsided at all.

The air was tense, and Yan Ming remained kneeling on one knee, unmoving. He looked down at the ground, his mind in turmoil.

The Emperor was ruthless, and tomorrow was the day of the Chu family’s execution. If he couldn’t save them, his mother’s lifelong sorrow was a minor issue compared to losing an ally. But even if they were exiled, he would lose the support of the Minister of Revenue. Trading a prince’s title for exile was not worth it. If he requested to be demoted to a Duke, he would cut off his own chance of inheriting the throne—though the Emperor had already named Yan Donghuang as the heir, the court officials were only temporarily subdued. What if something unexpected happened… what if?

If the Emperor suddenly died, and the court did not recognize Yan Donghuang’s position, or if the princes fought among themselves and needed to choose one…

A prince would certainly have more qualifications than a duke.

Losing the Chu family and then the prince’s title would mean he had no chance at the throne.

Thinking of this, Yan Ming closed his eyes lightly. “Yan Donghuang, let me think about it.”

Yan Donghuang said indifferently, “I won’t force you.”

Yan Ming stood up with difficulty, enduring the pain, took the cloak from a nearby servant, and walked out, forgetting to take the whip.

Feng Yaoguang frowned. “Are you really going to let the Chu family go?”

“Of course not,” Yan Donghuang returned to her seat and picked up her tea. “Send a message to the palace, saying Prince Jing came to the Grand Princess’s residence to accept punishment. I offered him a deal: I would plead for Minister Chu’s family if he admitted his negligence before the Emperor and requested to be demoted to a Duke. But Prince Jing refused.”

She paused and casually added, “Make sure Consort Gui, Consort Shu, and the other concubines know.”

Feng Yaoguang smiled and turned to leave.

It was difficult for the concubines to send messages out of the palace, but it was easy for Yan Donghuang to send messages into the palace. Within an hour, the entire harem knew about Prince Jing’s visit to the Grand Princess’s residence. Although it was said to be an apology, the concubines understood that Yan Ming wanted to find out what had happened and why Yan Donghuang’s attitude had changed so drastically—this was also the concubines’ curiosity. But more interesting than this curiosity was the result.

Soon, Consort Xian and several others arrived at Ganquan Palace, eager to share the news with Consort De.

“Consort De,” Consort Xian frowned, holding her hand with concern. “We are all saddened by the Chu family’s fate, but it is even more heartbreaking that in King Jing’s mind, a prince’s title is more important than the lives of dozens of people in the Chu family. Please take care of yourself…”

“What did you say?” Consort De looked up suddenly, her eyes narrowing. “What prince’s title?”

“Has Consort De not heard the news?” Consort Xian looked surprised, then sighed. “King Jing went to plead with the Grand Princess, but she said the evidence of Minister Chu’s embezzlement was conclusive and unforgivable. She would not plead for the Chu family unless Prince Jing admitted his negligence before the Emperor and requested to be demoted to a Duke. But… Prince Jing seemed unwilling…”

Consort De stood frozen, her face pale.
Her son was unwilling to plead for the Chu family?

“I can understand King Jing’s thoughts,” Consort Xian sighed softly. “After all, although both princes and dukes are nobles, their titles and powers are not comparable. And… a prince still has a chance to inherit the throne, but a duke has no chance at all. But then again, the Emperor has already named the Crown Princess, so it doesn’t matter whether one is a prince or a duke. Is it really more important than the lives of the Chu family?”

Consort De’s face was pale, her body trembling.

Consort Xian’s voice buzzed in her ears like a fly, but she only heard one sentence: Is a prince’s title really more important than the lives of the Chu family?

Yes.
Is a prince’s title more important than so many lives?
Did Yan Ming know… did he know they were her maternal family and closest relatives?!

Consort Xian suppressed a cold smile in her eyes and said softly, “Don’t be too sad. Maybe Prince Jing has other thoughts…”

“Get out!” Consort De suddenly swept the tea set off the table. “All of you, get out!”

Consort Xian was startled and quickly stood up. “I will take my leave.”

The other concubines, who had come to comfort her, hurriedly followed Consort Xian out.

Leaving Ganquan Palace, Consort Xian looked at the dark sky in the distance, a meaningful smile on her lips.

The Grand Princess’s strategy was indeed deep. With just a few words, she sowed discord between Consort De and her son. On one side was her son’s throne, and on the other was the life of the entire Chu family. With no hope for the throne, it was clear whom Consort De would choose. She would naturally choose to save her maternal family’s lives. As long as they were alive, there was always a glimmer of hope, no matter how far they were exiled. But once they were dead, it was truly over.

Consort Xian sighed. Let them fight; the more intense, the better, so her son could benefit from the chaos.

Chapter 82

In the Ganquan Palace, Noble Lady Wei patiently persuaded, “Your Highness, please don’t be anxious. Whether it’s the Grand Princess or Consort Xian, they all want to see you and Prince Jing become estranged. Please don’t fall into their trap!”

Consort De looked at her coldly, “Do you think Yan Donghuang would lie about this?”

“I…”

“Yan Ming must have visited the Grand Princess’s residence.” Consort De clenched her hands and paced anxiously, “He won’t give up the title of prince. The Chu family is my maternal family, but to him, it’s just a stepping stone to the throne…”

“Your Highness, please don’t think that way.” Seeing that she was really falling for it, Noble Lady Wei became extremely anxious, “At times like this, you and Prince Jing should be united. You must not fall for their scheme!”

“It’s easy for you to say!” Consort De kicked her, “That’s my elder brother and sister-in-law, my nieces and nephews! If the Emperor were to execute your entire Wei family, could you remain so calm?”

Noble Lady Wei, who was kicked to the ground, quickly got up, “But the urgent matter now is to calm down and think of a solution. Your Highness, the Grand Princess wants to use this to create a rift between you and King Jing, to make you fight among yourselves—”

“Prince Jing is outside the palace, and I am in the harem. How can we fight among ourselves?” Consort De looked at her coldly, “Fight through the air?”

Noble Lady Wei was at a loss for words, “I… I hope Your Highness can calm down a bit, and we can think of a solution…”

She suppressed her anxiety and sat back down on the couch, “Can Imperial Physician Feng do it?”

Noble Lady Wei nodded repeatedly, “The lotus is colorless and tasteless. No one will notice it. It will only cause the Emperor to pass away quietly in his sleep.”

Consort De closed her eyes. As long as the Emperor dies, no one will issue an order to deal with the Chu family tomorrow. After that, they will be busy with the Emperor’s funeral for a while, and hopefully, the princes will fight among themselves for the throne.

Fight until only one is left, and then let Yan Donghuang die suddenly as well. Poison is the best thing, making it impossible to guard against and causing a silent death.
…

After considering it, Yan Ming returned to the prince’s residence and remained silent.

Yan Donghuang didn’t want to know his thoughts either. Her goal was just to make Consort De and her son estranged. As for the result… it was already destined; no matter how they struggled, they had no chance of turning the tables.

Half an hour later, Xie Yunjian arrived at the Grand Princess’s residence, “Your Highness summoned me?”

Yan Donghuang looked up at him, “Yunjian, do you know a highly skilled physician?”

Xie Yunjian was puzzled, “Why does Your Highness ask this?”

Yan Donghuang said, “If he is willing to come out of seclusion, I want to invite him to the Imperial Medical Office.”

Xie Yunjian’s expression became strange: “The Imperial Medical Office?”

“Yes.” Yan Donghuang nodded, then frowned at him, “What’s wrong?”

Xie Yunjian hesitated for a moment as if he had something difficult to say, “She… is quite eccentric, not suitable for the Imperial Medical Office, and doesn’t like being bound by rules…”

“How are her medical skills?”

“She is a natural poison master, raised in a medicinal garden since childhood.” Xie Yunjian frowned, “She is proficient in various herbs and poisons, but her temperament is abnormal, like a madwoman.”

Yan Donghuang was silent for a moment, rarely hearing Xie Yunjian describe someone like this. It seemed that this person did not leave a good impression on him.

Xie Yunjian frowned, “Does Your Highness want to recruit her?”

Yan Donghuang slowly nodded, “If possible.”

Xie Yunjian nodded, “I will write her a letter and ask her to come to the capital.”

Yan Donghuang was silent for a moment, “If you have any difficulties, feel free to speak.”

Xie Yunjian smiled bitterly, “It’s not really a difficulty; it’s just that I have always disliked meeting her; she annoys me.”

Yan Donghuang was silent.

Annoys him?
How eccentric must a person be to make someone as composed as Xie Yunjian feel annoyed?

Xie Yunjian thought about Yan Donghuang’s unusual behavior today and found it strange, “Has Your Highness fallen out with the Second Prince?”

Yan Donghuang came back to her senses, “Yes.”

“What did he do?”

Yan Donghuang’s voice was indifferent, “He plans to eliminate me after ascending the throne, even to eliminate the seven generals under my command, because my military power makes him uneasy.”

Xie Yunjian’s face changed. Initially, he thought that the Second Prince had just been found to be unworthy of his name or had done something hypocritical, but he didn’t expect him to be so vicious. No wonder Her Highness acted so decisively today, directly putting the Chu family to death.

Xie Yunjian thought of the strict guards in the palace. Those were the elite Qingluan Army honed on the battlefield. It was impossible if Yan Ming wanted to eliminate the Grand Princess openly. The Qingluan Army would be the first to disagree. So what method would he use? Poison?

Xie Yunjian understood why Yan Donghuang wanted to find a skilled physician.

There is the Imperial Medical Office in the palace, military doctors in the army, and doctors among the people. But if someone is determined to harm, the poisoner will definitely use a poison that ordinary people cannot detect or cure. There is no way to guard against a thief for a thousand days. Having a poison expert by one’s side is indeed very important.

Xie Yunjian no longer hesitated, “I will write to her immediately and ask her to come.”

After saying that, he left.

Yan Donghuang did not waste time, instructing Chang Lan to order some light and nutritious dishes from the kitchen, then bathed and changed clothes in the residence and quickly brought the prepared dishes into the palace.

When she arrived at Chongming Hall, it was getting dark.

Emperor Wu Lie had rested for an hour in his bedchamber after talking with the princes in the afternoon, and he looked quite refreshed.

Yan Donghuang carried the food box into the bedchamber.

Imperial Physician Wen saw the Grand Princess arrive and quickly turned to salute, “Your Highness.”

“No need for formalities.” Yan Donghuang placed the food box on the table, “Has Father had dinner?”

“The Emperor has not eaten since drinking ginseng soup at noon.”
Imperial Physician Wen reported truthfully, “Eunuch Rong just ordered some food, but the Emperor didn’t eat it, and it was removed after it cooled.”

Emperor Wu Lie walked over with the help of a eunuch, “Wasn’t I resting in the afternoon?”

“I brought some food for Father.” Yan Donghuang opened the food box and placed the dishes on the table, “In the next few days, someone might act desperately. I will personally handle Father’s meals. Please do not eat anything brought by others.”

Emperor Wu Lie looked at her, “Good precaution.”

Yan Donghuang was slightly stunned.

“Sit down. Let’s have a meal together.” Emperor Wu Lie said calmly, “Did Yan Ming come to see you?”

“He did.” Yan Donghuang said, “He even brought a whip to apologize. Seeing his sincerity, I gladly granted his wish.”

Emperor Wu Lie lowered his head to eat. “I was busy dealing with matters today and didn’t have time to ask you. What. What did Yan Ming do to make you change your mind so suddenly?”

No one knows a daughter better than her father. They had fought on the battlefield together for years.

Emperor Wu Lie knew his daughter well, understanding that Yan Ming must have done something to cross Yan Donghuang’s bottom line. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have changed her attitude so quickly.