【So, that’s why you told the Empress Dowager that Xie Zhiyao keeps a man outside—if they take your words seriously and follow this lead, they might uncover the women Prince Qi’s household has been secretly placing in the inner circles of high-ranking officials over the years.
Digging deeper, they might even discover Prince Qi’s close ties with court ministers and connections to officials stationed outside the capital.
Even the Zhou, Fan, Zhao, and Bai families are intricately linked to him.
Prince Qi’s household has profited greatly from these families over the years.
Prince Qi Xie Qi has converted these ill-gotten gains into provisions and weapons for rebellion.
Don’t let Xie Zhiyao’s youth and gender fool you—Prince Qi dotes on this clever and ambitious daughter of his, trusting her implicitly.
Xie Zhiyao has been involved in more than half of Prince Qi’s schemes.
One could say she is the third most eager in the Prince Qi household to seize the throne, after Prince Qi himself and his heir.
Her current favorite lover, nicknamed the Jade-Faced Gentleman, was a gift from the Bai Family—a bastard son of Bai Yu named Bai Yu.
Together, they make a ‘perfect pair,’ with countless lives lost at their hands.
Especially Bai Yu—he is Xie Zhiyao’s brain, masterminding most of her later misdeeds.】
Emperor Mingxi: "Why are these families involved again? Colluding with foreign tribes wasn’t enough—now they’re scheming with a prince? Are they placing bets on multiple fronts? How splendid!"
"Clever. That’s exactly what I meant. I just wonder if the Empress Dowager and the Emperor’s people are capable enough to uncover such deep layers."
Emperor Mingxi and the Empress Dowager exchanged glances. That day, after learning about the Zhou Family and the other three major merchant clans’ misdeeds from Yue Fuguang and the system, the Emperor had immediately reported everything to his mother.
The Empress Dowager was more than just a champion of palace intrigue—she was a politically astute mother, the Emperor’s most trusted advisor.
Though she lived in the inner palace, the Emperor often discussed state affairs with her, so she was well aware of the four families’ dealings. As political creatures, their thoughts ran deeper.
If Prince Qi’s household was closely tied to these families, even sharing profits with them—and if those families were also linked to foreign tribes—could Prince Qi himself have connections with outsiders?
Emperor Mingxi noted this silently. He would need to assign more spies to monitor Prince Qi’s household. His birthday celebration was approaching, and envoys from multiple nations had gathered in the capital.
He would watch closely to see if Prince Qi made any secret contact with them!
The Empress Dowager gasped in shock. "What? Are you saying that sweet, well-behaved Zhiyao keeps male consorts before even marrying?"
She slammed the table in fury and turned to Emperor Mingxi. "Your Majesty, you must address this properly. Summon the clan elders to discuss this and ensure the younger generation behaves. We cannot let such scandals tarnish the imperial family’s dignity!"
"Fuguang, don’t worry. Grandmother and the Emperor will surely uphold justice for you. Yuqiu, go see if Prince Qi, Princess Consort Qi, and Princess Taikang have arrived yet.
If they haven’t, tell them they need not come at all!"
The imperial family had already finished their midday meal, yet these people still hadn’t arrived. The Empress Dowager’s temper flared.
Aunt Yuqiu hurried out and soon returned, bowing as she reported, "Your Majesty, Prince Qi, Princess Consort Qi, and Princess Taikang are waiting outside."
The Empress Dowager’s face darkened. "Summon them in!"
Soon, Yuqiu led three people inside. At the forefront was a man in his thirties with a pale complexion, a short beard, and a faint resemblance to Emperor Mingxi—likely inherited from their late father, the previous emperor who had favored concubines over his empress.
This must be Prince Qi. He wore a dark princely robe, a jade crown, and ornaments of gold and jade at his waist. Standing around 1.75 meters tall, he was of average height in the Great Yan Dynasty.
Behind him were two noblewomen, one in pale pink and the other in purple.
Both appeared to be of similar age. The one in purple palace attire wore luxurious but outdated clothing—Yue Fuguang didn’t recognize the style, but it was clearly from a few years prior.
Despite being in her thirties, she was strikingly beautiful and bore some resemblance to Emperor Mingxi—likely Princess Taikang, Xu Wei’s mother.
The woman in pale pink, with a faintly sorrowful expression, must be Princess Consort Qi—Xie Zhiyao’s mother, Lady Feng.
Her fair skin had a sickly pallor, and though her face carried sorrow, her eyes were clear and bright. Yue Fuguang found herself favorably impressed at first glance.
Upon entering the hall, the three noticed not only the imperial family’s four most powerful figures but also a young girl with a strikingly divine lotus mark on her forehead.
There was no need to guess—this was the recently prominent new Imperial Preceptor, Yue Fuguang.
They had glimpsed her briefly at the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet. Yet in just over a month, the girl had transformed, now resembling a celestial attendant at the feet of Guanyin even more.
The three knelt respectfully, performing a grand salute. But after a long moment, no familiar command to rise came from above.
Unease crept into their hearts—especially Princess Taikang and Prince Qi, who had guilty consciences. They wondered which misstep had angered the Empress Dowager and Emperor.
Just as their knees began to ache, the Empress Dowager’s cold voice finally rang out. "Rise. You may stand to answer."
So, they had truly offended her this time—even their usual seating privilege was revoked!
Prince Qi was the first to speak, forcing an ingratiating smile. "Mother, if this son has erred in any way, please tell me. We will correct it immediately."
Princess Taikang also mustered her courage, offering a similarly placating smile. "Yes, Mother. Whatever the fault, your daughter promises not to repeat it."
Emperor Mingxi glanced at Princess Taikang. "Taikang, why are you alone? Where is Xu Wei?"
Princess Taikang replied nervously, "Your Majesty, my husband and our eldest son went to the estate outside the city yesterday. It would take them too long to return, so I came ahead alone."
She stole a cautious look at the imperial figures above and ventured, "Might Mother and Your Majesty enlighten us as to our offense?"
The Empress Dowager’s gaze was icy. "You haven’t offended me. You’ve offended our Fuguang."
Fuguang? Imperial Preceptor Yue Fuguang?
When had they ever offended her? This newly favored figure of the imperial household was someone they had been eager to befriend—why would they antagonize her?
Prince Qi protested, "Mother, there must be some misunderstanding. Apart from Your Majesty’s birthday banquet, this is our first time meeting the Imperial Preceptor. How could we have wronged her?
Could the Imperial Preceptor have mistaken us for someone else?"
Princess Taikang added, "Indeed, Mother. Other than the banquet, this is my first encounter with the Imperial Preceptor. I’m certain I’ve never offended her!"
Emperor Mingxi took a slow sip of tea before speaking deliberately. "Xie Qi, Taikang—were you planning to arrange a marriage with the Eldest Son of the Yu Family?"
