Don't Know

Consort Guo caught the killing intent in the emperor's eyes, and her hair stood on end.

The emperor was likely planning not to let the Grand Princess live.

In a panic, she shoved her daughter. "Quick, Yuan'er, beg your Father Emperor for mercy. Say you were wrong, say you'll never dare do it again. Ask your Father Emperor to spare you."

Xiao Yuan could not accept this.

She did not understand why Emperor Yongchang had come only to make her admit fault. Shouldn't Father Emperor be standing up for her?

"I did nothing wrong. I only killed a few lowly servants. Which master of the various palace halls doesn't have a few lives on their hands? Who dares claim to be innocent? Why should I be punished and made to admit fault? Why should I be stripped of my status and reduced to a commoner?" Xiao Yuan shrieked hoarsely. "Father Emperor, uphold justice for me! Is it right for the Crown Prince to brutalize his own brothers and sisters? What right does he have to order me about and strip me of my title as princess? He is guilty—guilty of disrespect toward Father Emperor!"

Terror drove Xiao Yuan to cry and throw a tantrum like a child, hoping to get her way just as she had done before.

Duke Chengen sighed. The Grand Princess truly was foolish—publicly laying bare her own crimes and dragging the other palace masters down with her.

"Did Father Emperor hear that? This is your fine daughter, I's fine younger sister, a princess of the imperial court. She is worshipped by the people under Heaven and lives off the people's hard-earned wealth, yet she treats common lives as worthless grass. Such a person, without virtue or character, spurned by the Heavenly Dao—I am ashamed to keep her company and no longer dare acknowledge her as my sister. From this day forward, even if I must bear the charge of harming my own kin, I am resolved to seek justice for the wrongly dead and sweep the foul rot and corruption from the palace. Father Emperor, this son requests that the Punishment Department finish administering the remaining strokes, then strike her name from the imperial clan. Let her no longer stain the names of our ancestral forebears."

As though answering his words, another muffled peal of thunder rumbled overhead.

Those kneeling in the courtyard bowed even more devoutly. Their earlier kneeling had stemmed only from awe of imperial authority, but now that awe had shifted to Xiao Qianyu.

Beyond their reverence and longing for Heaven's manifestation, they felt even greater gratitude toward Xiao Qianyu.

Born human, no one liked bowing and scraping before others, living beneath them, placing their own life and death in the hands of those above to be manipulated as they pleased.

Whether Xiao Qianyu's words were sincere or not, he truly was defending them—the people whom the nobles regarded as lowly servants.

He was protecting the future living conditions and safety of all palace servants. How could that not stir gratitude in their hearts, even loyalty to him?

Emperor Yongchang's face turned from green to white. Xiao Qianyu was far too skilled at winning people's hearts. How many in the palace would remain loyal to him after this?

And how could he trust that they would not secretly turn to the Crown Prince?

With a complicated gaze, even tinged with fear, he looked at Xiao Qianyu. Since when had the Crown Prince become so eloquent, so adept at calculating people's hearts?

The Crown Prince had truly changed too much.

At that moment, Emperor Yongchang had already decided not to spare Xiao Yuan's life. This daughter who had utterly disgraced him was no daughter he wanted anymore.

But if he followed right behind Xiao Qianyu and pronounced Xiao Yuan's crimes, would it not seem as if he were acting on Xiao Qianyu's orders? Where then would imperial dignity remain?

Duke Chengen spoke at the right moment. He believed that even the emperor could not defy Heaven's will to protect the Grand Princess when the tide of events was so overwhelming, but Xiao Qianyu could not be allowed to monopolize the people's hearts alone.

Emperor Yongchang was the emperor.

He said, "The Grand Princess has defied Heaven's will and lacks both virtue and character. Naturally, she should receive punishment. I trust His Majesty thinks the same."

Emperor Yongchang said nothing, which counted as tacit consent.

The Grand Princess still tried to howl, but Defu swiftly covered her mouth.

Duke Chengen then changed the thrust of his words. "But is His Highness the Crown Prince without fault?" His expression turned stern. "You could have informed His Majesty privately. With His Majesty's wisdom, he would certainly have handled the matter impartially. Once the facts had been verified, an edict could have been issued to transfer her to the Imperial Clan Court. Whether stripping her rank, imprisoning her, or executing her, only His Majesty has the authority to issue such an edict and make that decision—only His Majesty."

He stared at Xiao Qianyu. You are not the Son of Heaven yet. You have no right whatsoever to dispose of an imperial princess.

You have offended imperial authority and overstepped your bounds.

The emperor could utterly rebuke you in court, or even depose the Crown Prince.

Xiao Qianyu, you were too impatient.

A flicker of satisfaction passed through Emperor Yongchang's eyes. Fortunately, Duke Chengen was still on his side.

Crown Prince, do not imagine that because Heaven protects you, you may act with reckless abandon.

If he brought this matter before the court, would a Xiao Qianyu with a blemish on his reputation still be so admired and revered?

The air fell silent. Xiao Qianyu gave Duke Chengen a dark look, a fierce glint flashing through his narrow phoenix eyes.

Anyone who opposed me was bound to be on the protagonist's side. I'll deal with him later, no question about it.

Xiao Qianyu let out a faint sigh. "It was this son's fault. I was single-mindedly focused on clearing the grievances of the innocent dead, and in my indignation, I lost my composure and spoke and acted improperly. I am deeply terrified and ashamed beyond measure. I ask Father Emperor to depose me from the Position of Crown Prince." He raised his face to the sky and sighed desolately. "It turns out this son is unworthy!"

The moment his words fell, thunder exploded in the heavens, dense as pounding drums, as if voicing its fury. It seemed that lightning would pour down at any moment.