Chapter 282: Indecorous
The Duke of Zheng’s Mansion.
The bronze rings on the vermilion gate were covered in dust, and a cloud of gloom hung over the mansion.
The Duke’s Mansion, once bustling with visitors, now felt so desolate that even a fly buzzing past seemed to carry a sense of panic and alarm.
After his eldest grandson was imprisoned and the manor gate was sealed, Guo Pi was so enraged that he vomited a mouthful of blood and collapsed, unable to utter a coherent word.
The desolation of a century-old noble family on the verge of collapse permeated every corner.
The servants were as silent as cicadas in winter, and the disciples and former officials who depended on the Duke of Zheng’s Mansion were all in a state of panic.
Some were busy distancing themselves, burning correspondence overnight. Others were secretly transferring property and businesses, preparing to withdraw. The entire circle of dignitaries in Shangjing City was in turmoil due to this case…
In the quiet rear courtyard…
Guo Yunrong stepped on the torn fragments of letters, her steps unsteady as she walked towards the stable, her skirt hem stained with mud, oblivious.
“Third Miss, the stable is dirty and wet. Be careful not to soil your shoes…”
The maid Chun Tao rushed forward to hold her, almost crying with anxiety.
“The Duke strictly ordered before sealing the mansion that no one in the household is allowed to step outside the gate! Miss…”
“I’m going anyway.” Guo Yunrong’s voice was soft. She forcefully broke free from Chun Tao’s hand, looking up at the plaque that symbolized the family’s honor, her eyes red.
“I’ll go to Shui Yue Nunnery and ask Sister Xue to find a way. She won’t stand by and watch.”
“My dear Miss!”
Chun Tao’s tears fell like raindrops, her voice choked with sobs.
“This servant… this servant secretly inquired through someone. Master Miaozhen hasn’t returned to Shui Yue Nunnery since the Crown Prince’s triumphant return. Where will you find her…”
“Not here? Where would she go?” Guo Yunrong’s body stiffened, and she suddenly turned to look at Chun Tao.
“Doesn’t Miss understand? She’s avoiding you.” Chun Tao tugged at her sleeve, her voice sharp with anxiety. “Now that the Duke’s Mansion is in trouble, everyone is kicking it while it’s down… Those who were close to us before, calling us sisters, are now avoiding us like the plague, afraid of getting into trouble. Master Miaozhen probably doesn’t want to get involved in this mess either…”
Guo Yunrong’s face instantly lost all color.
She stood there in silence.
After a moment, her fingers tightly clenched the silk handkerchief.
“Then I will go to the Eastern Palace and beg the Crown Prince…”
–
Zichen Hall.
Emperor Chong Zhao sat behind the large imperial desk, his fingertips toying with a vermilion brush, suspended in mid-air for a long time.
Spread before him was the memorial detailing the Duke of Zheng’s corruption in military supplies and the illegal sale of grain and fodder.
Incense wafted through the hall, but it could not dispel the invisible gloom on his face.
“This old tree, the Guo family… it’s hollowed out and now tries to shake my Golden Palace.”
He suddenly looked up at Wang Chengxi, who was standing by his side.
“Tell me truthfully, are there any criticisms inside or outside the Imperial Court?”
Wang Chengxi bowed even lower, his reply respectful and cautious.
“Your Majesty is wise. The Crown Prince publicly condemned them and executed them according to law. Everyone inside and outside the Imperial Court applauded, saying that it is a wise ruler on the throne and a virtuous heir assisting the nation… This is a blessing for Daliang and good fortune for the state…”
“Virtuous heir assisting the nation?” Emperor Chong Zhao revealed an inscrutable smile, heavily circling “Guo Pi” with his brush, the ink penetrating the paper.
“My good son, on his first day back in the capital, he cut off one of my arms. Truly filial.”
Wang Chengxi remained silent.
Emperor Chong Zhao suddenly threw the vermilion brush onto the imperial platform, splattering ink.
“He got his way. How many officials in this court can sleep soundly? My old ministers, praising me openly, secretly communicating with each other, all waiting to see how I will resolve this. Hmph, each one is as cunning as a monkey, not one is easy to deal with. I don’t know how many more days my frail body can keep them in check.”
Wang Chengxi lowered his head even further, holding his breath.
“Your Majesty… this old servant is foolish and truly dare not… dare not speak rashly…”
“Hmph, you old fool, you’re getting better at playing dumb.”
Emperor Chong Zhao glared at him. “The Empress Dowager claims illness and did not attend the welcoming banquet, the Grand Princess has closed her doors to visitors, and Xiao Song has been waiting at Xuanzheng Hall since early morning to submit a memorial of self-incrimination—”
“Aren’t they all using me as a stage? If I weren’t too old to wield a sword, this Daliang Empire would have been gnawed to the bone by these jackals…”
Wang Chengxi was greatly alarmed.
He fell to his knees with a thud, his forehead touching the gold bricks, cold sweat trickling down his face, not daring to utter a word.
The night wind blew past the iron chimes at the eaves, tinkling.
Emperor Chong Zhao closed his eyes wearily, leaning back on the Dragon Throne, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the armrest.
After a long while, he opened his eyes.
“Prince Duan supervised the military supplies and facilitated the grain routes, making significant contributions to the war in the Western Frontier… Let’s give him the task of overseeing the Ministry of Justice’s military supplies case as well. I want to see which of my sons is forming factions and which is trying to seize power…”
–
Prince Duan’s Mansion.
Xue Yuechen sat alone on a soft couch by the window, wearing only a thin apricot-red nightgown. Her long black hair cascaded down, making her pale and haggard complexion even more pronounced.
“The Prince advised the Crown Prince in the Golden Hall to rescue him, and then he has to take on the Guo family’s hot potato. Everyone praises him for being righteous, loyal to the emperor and the nation, a good man who values relationships, but why doesn’t he understand my difficulties…”
Fei Cui held a cup of warm calming tea and gently advised, “Princess Consort, please relax and have some tea to warm your body.”
Xue Yuechen took a sip and sighed, shaking her head.
“If the Guo family falls, the Xue family will be next…”
Fei Cui frowned. “Princess Consort, don’t overthink things. Ning Jie’er is already asleep. Princess Consort should also rest early and not wear herself out…”
Xue Yuechen glanced at her young daughter sleeping beside her, with no hint of sleepiness.
During the day, her mother had secretly sent a message saying that her maternal grandfather’s family had dealings with the Duke of Zheng’s Mansion through hidden accounts, and she feared they would be targeted by the Crown Prince. She asked Xue Yuechen to ask Prince Duan for help and see if he could mediate…
Although the Xue family was not directly involved in the case, due to their marital ties with the Guo family and their professional connections, and Xue Qingzhi’s position in the Ministry of Justice, they were in a precarious situation and might be implicated and questioned…
Which noble family could withstand repeated investigations?
A powerful and influential great family could fall overnight…
She lowered her head, as if she could still hear the heart-wrenching cries of the Duchess of Zheng, and see the despairing faces of her relatives.
The seemingly magnificent pavilion was crumbling inch by inch beneath her feet…
And her husband was her only hope…
“Creak—”
The room door was gently pushed open.
Li Huan walked in.
He had changed out of his court robes, wearing only a casual brocade robe. His eyes were clear, his black hair loosely tied in a jade crown, and his face showed obvious fatigue.
“Has A Ning gone to sleep? Is she resting well?”
When he saw Xue Yuechen, his tone was calm, but his gaze softened unconsciously as it fell on their child.
Little A Ning had just finished crying and was now fast asleep, her long eyelashes still holding glistening tear drops, her small mouth slightly pouting, her breathing soft and even.
Li Huan sat by the couch, his gaze fixed on his daughter’s sleeping face. Just as he was about to reach out…
Xue Yuechen suddenly turned and hugged the child, her arms tightening as if the child were her only lifeline. Her body leaned forward slightly with emotion, and as she stared at Li Huan, her grievances were so overwhelming that tears were about to fall.
“Your Highness is busy with state affairs, you should go back and rest early. Ning Jie’er cried for a long time before falling asleep. Don’t disturb her…”
Li Huan’s fingertips paused at his daughter’s temple, and after a long while, he slowly withdrew his hand.
“Reporting to Your Highness…” The wet nurse looked at Xue Yuechen with concern, hesitating to speak.
“Miss might have… might have been frightened on the Imperial Street. She hasn’t slept well for the past two days, and the Princess Consort had to coax her for a long time before she could close her eyes…”
“You may go.” Li Huan interrupted calmly, his voice betraying no emotion.
Fei Cui gave the wet nurse a look, carefully tucked the child in, and quietly withdrew, closing the door.
Only the husband and wife remained in the room.
Li Huan walked to the table, poured himself a cup of cold tea, and drank it down.
The icy liquid helped to calm his agitated heart slightly.
He put down the teacup, his gaze falling on Xue Yuechen’s pale face, his tone deliberately suppressed with calmness.
“A Ning is naturally mischievous and likes to fuss. You should control your emotions and take good care of her. Crying all day long, what kind of reputation would that bring?”
Xue Yuechen’s tear-filled eyes suddenly lifted.
Like the wail of the night wind through the window, it sounded particularly jarring in the silent night.
“Your Highness, the court is in chaos. My maternal grandfather’s family is being targeted by the censors, and my maternal home is in imminent danger. How can I pretend to be calm?”
Li Huan frowned.
Xue Yuechen said mournfully, “Your Highness, tell me, if the Duke of Zheng’s Mansion falls, who will be next? Will it be our Xue family?”
Her voice grew louder, with a sob, “The Crown Prince already has a disagreement with Your Highness, will he take this opportunity…”
“Princess Consort.” Li Huan suddenly let out a low roar, the deliberately maintained calm on his face finally shattered, revealing the deep-seated irritation, gloom, and a trace of… imperceptible helplessness beneath.
“Look at what you’ve become? Hysterical and blaming everyone. Besides holding the child and crying, what else have you done?”
He pointed at A Ning in her arms.
“If you are so undignified, how can you be a mother, how can you teach A Ning to be polite and proper, and uphold the dignity of a Prince’s daughter?”
