Murong Jin stiffened, and Chu Huaishan also looked up in shock.
They saw Empress Dowager Su nod at Eunuch Xu, who then declared, "Your Highness, Lord Duke, to ensure no mishaps, this young lady must undergo the same purification ritual as the palace maids."
Purification?!
Everyone knew the purification of palace maids was scarcely less brutal than that of eunuchs.
Either a sterilized iron hook was inserted, or heavy objects were repeatedly pounded against the lower abdomen. During Emperor Yunning's reign in the previous dynasty, many maids had died from this ordeal, which was why the current dynasty had adopted more lenient measures.
"Mother! This method is too cruel! I can have her take medicine instead—"
"Medicine? Can you guarantee she’ll never conceive?" Empress Dowager Su sneered. "My son, you’re still too naive. How much do you truly know about the schemes in the inner palace? A few contraceptive decoctions are no match for those with ill intentions! Only by severing the root from the start can this old one rest easy!"
Murong Jin fell silent, while Chu Huaishan said gravely, "Your Highness! My daughter is frail—she cannot endure this purification!"
He then turned and kowtowed. "Your Majesty, in consideration of this old servant’s lifelong loyalty to the state and having no son to carry on my name, I beg you to spare her life! I will publicly declare that the broken engagement is due to her devotion to Buddhism, having already taken vows. This will not tarnish the imperial family’s dignity!"
Empress Dowager Su’s expression softened slightly. "That is indeed an alternative... Jin’er, what do you think?"
Murong Jin clenched his fists.
He didn’t love her—he only felt responsibility...
So why did his heart wrench so painfully at the thought of cutting ties?
"Mother... this son has no objections."
As the words left his lips, the memories of their harmonious moments and shared laughter faded into the past.
For no reason, Murong Jin felt an emptiness in his chest.
"Good. In that case, this old one shall show mercy!" Empress Dowager Su declared. "Duke Chu, out of respect for your advanced age, I shall spare your daughter’s life. However, you must send her to a small temple outside the capital, shave her head, brand her with monastic scars, and ensure she never returns to the capital. As for you—given such a grave oversight, you know what must be done, correct?"
Chu Huaishan closed his eyes. "This old servant understands. Tomorrow, I shall petition His Majesty to retire and return to my hometown..."
Empress Dowager Su nodded in satisfaction.
Though she couldn’t punish his two daughters, she could still punish him.
And without his official rank, how could the Chu family remain in the capital?
The thought brought her immense pleasure. "Eunuch Xu, draft this old one’s decree. The engagement between Prince Qin and Chu—"
Before she could finish, a young eunuch rushed into the hall.
Empress Dowager Su’s face darkened, but the eunuch gasped, "Your Majesty, the Emperor and Empress have arrived—and they’re accompanied by Chief Minister Yan and County Princess Changle!"
Yan Zheng and Chu Ruoyan?!
At their names, Empress Dowager Su’s face twisted with rage, recalling her deceased nephew.
The moment she saw the pair stride in side by side, a perfect match, her fury surged to her throat.
"Outrageous! Who allowed you to barge in unannounced?"
The Emperor and Empress, leading the group, froze. The Emperor coughed awkwardly. "Mother, why such anger?"
Only then did Empress Dowager Su notice them. She reined in her temper but remained icy. "Son, what brings you and the Empress here?"
The Emperor glanced at the kneeling Prince Qin and Chu Huaishan. "Mother, the Ninth Prince and Duke Chu are pivotal court officials. Hearing you summoned them, this son and the Empress came to see if we could assist."
He nudged Empress Pei, who smiled warmly. "Mother, His Majesty is concerned about Prince Qin’s betrothal and the Chu family’s predicament. We’re here to help resolve the matter..."
"Help? Or plead for leniency?" Empress Dowager Su scoffed.
Chu Ruoyan stepped forward and curtsied. "Greetings, Your Majesty. May the Empress Dowager live a thousand years!"
Empress Dowager Su averted her gaze, but Chu Ruoyan continued, "This humble one knows my family’s scandal brings shame, yet for the imperial family’s reputation, I dare propose a solution that satisfies all..."
"Oh?" Empress Dowager Su’s interest was piqued.
She had nearly clashed with her son and Chu Huaishan without finding a compromise.
Yet this little wretch claimed she had one?
Chu Ruoyan inclined her head. "Indeed. This method avoids both the gossip of a broken engagement and the risk to the imperial bloodline. If Your Majesty permits, I shall elaborate."
Murong Jin’s eyes lit up. "Mother, let County Princess Changle speak!"
Empress Dowager Su reluctantly relented. "Very well. Rise and explain."
Chu Ruoyan complied, swaying slightly as she stood—only for a steady hand to brace her.
Her heart warmed, and she met Yan Zheng’s gaze before addressing the Empress Dowager. "Your Majesty’s concern lies in Second Sister’s unclear lineage. But what if I said I could uncover the truth within seven days?"
"Seven days? Bold claim!"
"Precisely seven days. If her father is proven to be of respectable or official background, the engagement need not dissolve. If not, the imperial family can justify the annulment without blame. Either way, the court’s dignity remains intact."
The Emperor nodded. "Mother, this seems reasonable."
Empress Pei added, "With Chief Minister Yan’s aid, the task will be effortless. Why not grant the Chu family this chance?"
Empress Dowager Su’s gaze sharpened on Chu Ruoyan. "This old one may agree, but if you fail in seven days..."
Before Chu Ruoyan could respond, Yan Zheng cut in, firm as steel, "If we fail, I shall resign as Chief Minister."
"Chief Minister!"
"Yan Zheng!"
The Emperor and Chu Ruoyan exclaimed simultaneously, while Empress Dowager Su brightened. "Sworn before the heavens!"
Yan Zheng squeezed Chu Ruoyan’s hand and assured the Emperor, "Your Majesty, rest assured. This case concerns not only the Duke’s household but also my own. I will not fail."
With matters settled, the Emperor dismissed them.
Outside the palace, Chu Huaishan finally spoke. "You’ve acted recklessly! I had already secured Her Majesty’s mercy—"
"Father’s 'mercy' would have shaved Second Sister’s head and cost you your position!" Chu Ruoyan frowned. "Can’t you see? The Empress Dowager is exploiting this to punish our family!"
Chu Huaishan sighed. "Of course I see. But now, you and the Chief Minister are entangled—"
Yan Zheng clasped his hands. "Father-in-law, we are family. Ruoyan’s troubles are mine. Trust me—I will uncover the truth."
"But how? The case is over a decade old..."
As they spoke, Meng Yang approached, his expression grim. He knelt on one knee. "My lord, I’ve failed. By the time we reached the Qiao residence, Midwife Qiao had hanged herself. Her grandson was also found dead, leaving only her son, Qiao Dali, who’s now threatening to sue the Chu family at the Ministry of Justice!"
