Qiming Palace.
"What did you say?" A furious roar rang out, and the Third Prince knocked the teacup from his hand.
A eunuch knelt on the floor, not daring to lift his head. In a low voice, he repeated what had happened at Qionghua Palace.
"Eighty strokes in public, stripped of her title, and demoted to a commoner? How dare the Crown Prince? What gives him the right?" Third Prince Xiao Qianchen's face twisted, and he could not hide his terror.
He rose and kicked the tea table hard. Through clenched teeth, he spat out his resentment. "She is a princess of this realm, a precious daughter of Father Emperor. How could she be compared to those lowly commoners? The Crown Prince actually had Imperial Sister punished in public! Does he have any regard for Father Emperor, or any concern for the dignity of the imperial family? He slaughters his own kin and shows no mercy or loyalty. He doesn't deserve to be Crown Prince!"
"He's just using public office to settle a private score, wiping out anyone who opposes him!" Xiao Qianchen ground out, but he could not hide the fear in his heart.
Grand Princess Xiao Yuan had drawn Xiao Qianyu's attention only because she had laid hands on the eunuch who served at the Crown Prince's side.
What about him?
He had also killed Qiyu, the eunuch who served at Xiao Qianyu's side. Would Xiao Qianyu take revenge on him, too?
Would he punish him as well, and demote him to a commoner?
"Father Emperor—Father Emperor won't let him do this. This is an act of treason." Xiao Qianchen paced frantically around the hall. "That's right. I have to find Father Emperor at once."
He was not yet old enough to leave the palace and establish his own residence. Consort Xian lived in the inner palace and could not easily visit the princes' quarters, so she usually sent messages and gifts through palace attendants.
He had no one to consult just then. Fortunately, his young mind was quick, and he knew to cling to the biggest pillar in the palace.
Before Xiao Qianyu could come looking for him, the Third Prince took his people and bolted.
Where was Emperor Yongchang now?
He was in the Empress Dowager's chambers.
The Empress Dowager had fainted as soon as Xiao Qianyu left.
Even though Emperor Yongchang was eager to meet with his ministers and discuss how to handle the miraculous vision from heaven, he could not neglect his filial duty or the Empress Dowager's health.
He and the Empress had escorted the Empress Dowager back to her chambers and summoned the imperial physicians to treat her.
Fortunately, after the physicians treated her, the Empress Dowager regained consciousness. But her spirits were low, and she looked as if she had aged several years in an instant.
"Mother, please take care of yourself. If anything were to happen to you, wouldn't that make your son an unfilial one?" Emperor Yongchang stepped forward with concern.
The Empress Dowager sat up and managed a faint smile. Taking Emperor Yongchang's hand, she said, "I'm fine. It's just that Qianyu must resent me now. It pains me to think of it."
Emperor Yongchang breathed a sigh of relief. Before the True and False Crown Prince Case came to light, the Empress Dowager had doted on Xiao Qianyu deeply. It was only natural that she could not bear his coldness and rejection.
He was about to comfort her when a eunuch reported that Duke Chengen had come to pay his respects. His expression darkened for a moment.
Then Emperor Yongchang quickly put on a smile, so swiftly that his earlier scowl might have been imagined. "Quickly, invite my uncle in."
He turned to the Empress Dowager. "Uncle must have been worried about your health. He came as soon as he heard the news."
The Empress Dowager was already gazing impatiently at the curtain. A palace maid lifted the beaded curtain, and Duke Chengen strode in, his tall frame filling the doorway.
"Uncle has arrived!" Emperor Yongchang greeted him, rallying his spirits.
Duke Chengen was more than a mere imperial relative by marriage. He held a noble title of his own: Marquis Dingyuan.
The Marquis Dingyuan's family had served as generals for generations, guarding the border. Duke Chengen himself had once commanded three hundred thousand troops and struck fear along the frontier. Though he had since relinquished his military authority, he remained a trusted minister at court.
Emperor Yongchang held this uncle of his in great esteem.
Duke Chengen greeted them with every courtesy. As soon as he straightened, his gaze went straight to the Empress Dowager, his concern plain to see.
Because he had spent some time speaking with the Empress Dowager and Duke Chengen, Emperor Yongchang received the news a little late.
When Defu hurriedly reported what had happened at Qionghua Palace, Emperor Yongchang left without so much as an explanation, leaving the Empress to attend to the Empress Dowager as he strode away.
Duke Chengen furrowed his brow and comforted his younger sister. "Your Majesty, focus on resting and recovering. I will see to everything."
The Empress Dowager nodded wearily, worry in her eyes. She gave Duke Chengen a long look. "I know. Brother, go and take a look, too."
After Duke Chengen left, she glanced at the uneasy Empress. "I'm fine. I'm also worried about the Grand Princess. You should go as well. Don't let the Emperor get too upset."
The Empress was tempted. Seeing that the Empress Dowager was firm, she instructed the palace attendants to look after her, then set off for Qionghua Palace herself.
On the way, Emperor Yongchang ran into the Third Prince, and then into Consort Xian, who had hurried after her son out of concern. The whole group gathered together and made a grand rush toward Qionghua Palace.
By the time Emperor Yongchang arrived, Grand Princess Xiao Yuan had already received thirty strokes. Her once-lovely face was ashen, her nose running, and she had cried, cursed, and begged for help until her voice was hoarse.
The eunuchs carrying out the punishment had spared her because she was a precious daughter of the imperial family. They feared that if anything went wrong, they would lose their heads. So, instead of using their full strength, they had held back and used only a fraction of it. That was why the Grand Princess had not passed out.
"Xiao Qianyu, may you die a horrible death! I'm a princess! You've humiliated and trampled all over me like this. You might as well kill me outright! If you have the guts, beat me to death. I'll haunt you even as a ghost!" Xiao Yuan cursed Xiao Qianyu with the vilest words she could summon.
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