As Ma Qi spoke loudly, not only Longkodo but also his father Tong Guowei, his uncle Tong Guogang, and the entire Tongjia clan turned pale, their hearts sinking with dread.
Tong Guowei seemed to have aged decades in an instant, his face a mix of panic, fury, and bitter regret. He knew that no secret could stay hidden forever—Longkodo’s actions had been outrageous, and though he had believed they could keep it tightly under wraps, with every servant in the household sternly warned, less than half a month had passed before the Censorate caught wind of it. And now, to his shock, the Left Censor-in-Chief himself had stepped forward.
Unbidden, his thoughts turned to recent events, and he nearly wept in despair. What a calamity… what a cursed calamity.
On the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, Longkodo had brought Li Si'er into the mansion with great fanfare, even ordering the main gates to be opened wide. His tender, protective demeanor had startled the gatekeepers and drawn the attention of every master in the household.
Li Si'er was a stunning beauty, with bewitching cat-like eyes and an alluring charm, yet her demeanor carried an unmistakable air of vulgarity. Arrogance brimmed in her gaze as she clung to the man beside her, dressed in the purest shade of red, her belly slightly rounded. Glancing at the towering grandeur of the ducal residence, a flash of triumph crossed her face before she nestled even closer to Longkodo.
Lady Tong trembled in disbelief at her second son’s brazen defiance. Keeping a mistress was one thing, but to flaunt her so openly—letting her enter through the main gates, dressed in the color reserved for a lawful wife—did he no longer care for propriety?
Tong Guowei was livid, his fury so intense he nearly reached for the family discipline rod to break his son’s legs. "Have you lost your mind?" he roared. "Bringing such filth into our home!" She was clearly no decent woman—was he deliberately handing the censors a scandal to exploit?
But then came Longkodo’s calm reply: "Si'er is carrying your grandson."
The scolding stopped dead. No matter how enraged he was, the thought of Longkodo’s pitifully sparse lineage—only Yuexing'a, his sole heir—and his estrangement from Mrs. Hesheli gave him pause.
Elundai was hopeless, and the Tongjia clan’s prestige now rested entirely on Longkodo’s shoulders. If their daughters were barred from marrying into the imperial family because of his disgrace, what future did they have? Swallowing his anger, Tong Guowei had no choice but to shield his son.
And so it went again—the father could never truly oppose the son. He could only warn him to keep his madness within limits before turning a blind eye, already calculating how to clean up the mess and bury the scandal.
They still didn’t know Li Si'er’s true identity, assuming Longkodo was merely infatuated. Clutching Little Hesheri’s hand, Lady Tong tearfully murmured, "My poor niece," urging her to endure with grace, promising that Yuexing'a would one day inherit the family and that she would never let them suffer.
Mrs. Hesheli’s heart turned to ice. Watching the scene with a bitter smile, she recalled the steward’s hesitant revelation about the mistress’s shocking background. A wave of nausea rose in her throat.
This is beyond absurd.
That woman—she had seen her before, during her own bridal return visit, fawning over her father. And now she had seduced her husband. And her dear aunt, who had doted on her since childhood, was now siding with Longkodo, shielding that woman simply because she carried a child, demanding that she, the lawful wife, yield again and again with "proper dignity."
A chill ran down Mrs. Hesheli’s spine. Is this still a home?
They’ve all gone mad.
Rage and hatred fueled her courage. She resolved to seek an audience with the imperial consorts, to beg them for justice. If the entire Tong family was a den of corruption, why should she endure it?
With the household now aware that the second madam had the favor of the palace, no one dared stop her. Lady Tong, though displeased, could only let her go. But then Li Si'er, with feigned innocence, cooed, "Is madam going to tattle on my lord?"
The words struck a nerve in Longkodo.
Before Mrs. Hesheli could take a single step, she suddenly fell gravely ill.
The Tong family disliked Consort Yi and resented the Niohuru clan, Consort Wen’s maternal family, for their deep-rooted influence. Agui, Consort Wen’s younger brother, had grown into a man of promise, and the Emperor seemed inclined to favor him. But the Guwalgiya clan—now they were a true threat. Sanguanbao was an imperial relative by the Emperor’s own acknowledgment, and Tuyue had spent years in the Ministry of War before rising to become Deputy Commander of the Bordered Yellow Banner, a high-ranking military official with troops under his command.
With Consort Yi’s influence, the Guwalgiya family had risen to prominence.
But the Tongjia clan was in decline, a far cry from their former glory during the late Imperial Noble Consort’s time. Nursing this resentment, Tong Guowei, though suspicious of his daughter-in-law’s sudden illness, did not investigate—after all, it was not his place to meddle in the inner household. He could only sigh and order a physician, instructing Lady Tong to keep a closer eye on her.
Days later, Li Si'er’s past was laid bare before Tong Guowei.
A courtesan from a pleasure house, she had become his son’s father-in-law’s concubine—before Longkodo forced the man to hand her over.
Had all decency vanished?
He nearly spat blood. For the first time, he seized a cane and lashed out at the son he had always been too proud to discipline.
Lady Tong grabbed his arm, weeping. "Do you want me to die? Ru Ying is gone, Ru Yue is gone—Longkodo is just being willful! It’s that vile Li Si'er who seduced him! He’s only indulging in a passing fancy!"
Tong Guowei was helpless. His wife would shield their son at all costs, and his son would shield that woman at all costs—what could he do?
As the saying went, family shame must not be aired in public. He could only order silence, hoping to discipline Longkodo behind closed doors and steer him back to reason. But Longkodo declared that once he climbed high enough, once he commanded troops, no one would dare attack Si'er or expose the scandal to the Emperor.
His eyes burned with ruthless ambition, and after his fury subsided, Tong Guowei found himself perversely… impressed.
Yet neither father nor son had anticipated that before Longkodo could rise to power, the Censorate would expose everything.
Ma Qi outlined Longkodo’s crimes, followed by a flood of censors—the Right Censor-in-Chief, Vice Censor-in-Chief, and Assistant Censor-in-Chief—stepping forward to denounce him.
Their accusations varied: one condemned him for indulging a concubine and persecuting his lawful wife; another for seizing his father-in-law’s woman, defying all propriety; yet another dredged up past offenses, accusing him of bullying commoners and maintaining suspicious ties to Chengqian Palace. The censors were indignant, decrying his depravity.
Every minor transgression was dragged into the light, leaving the entire court stunned. Had Longkodo dug up the censors’ ancestral graves?
Shock gave way to uproar. The famed Second Master Tong—was this the kind of man he was? Even they found it excessive.
The Emperor cherished the Crown Prince, and so the nobility followed suit, grooming their own heirs meticulously and upholding the dignity of lawful wives. But as evidence mounted—testimony from Longkodo’s father-in-law, a physician’s account of Mrs. Hesheli’s poisoning, of Li Si'er’s daily taunts and torment—they could only gasp. Had Longkodo gone utterly mad?
Finally, Ma Qi turned to Tong Guowei, clasped his hands respectfully toward the throne, and said coolly, "Lord Tong, your concealment and shielding of these crimes are also offenses in themselves."
Li Si'er had been living comfortably in the mansion, and Little Hesheri's illness was undeniable—any investigation by the Emperor would reveal the truth. How could they possibly argue against it?
And that unfilial son! How heartless he was, to stoop so low as to poison his own wife!
Tong Guowei opened his mouth but found no words to speak. Waves of dizziness overwhelmed him, leaving him utterly distraught. Meanwhile, Longkodo stood accused by all, his composure shattered in an instant, replaced by sheer panic.
His panic lasted only moments. Gazing at the backs of the censors gathered before the throne, he clenched his fists, his eyes darkening with a flash of ruthlessness. Li Si'er had been exposed to the public eye. Even if he managed to escape punishment, they would never spare her.
No, he couldn’t confess. If he did, Li Si'er would be doomed. What should he do?
Seated high upon the dragon throne, Kangxi flipped through the testimonies presented by Liang Jiugong, his face darkening beyond measure.
The Tong family’s reputation had been utterly disgraced by Longkodo.
After suppressing his rage for a long moment, the Emperor finally spoke in a measured tone, "Strip him of his command and confine him to his residence. All charges shall be thoroughly investigated by the Imperial Clan Court. The impeachment matters will be deliberated once the facts are clear."
Longkodo was still young, not yet the formidable power he would later become. At this stage, his influence was insufficient to warrant repeated imperial leniency. Hearing the verdict, Tong Guowei paled, despair washing over him—yet a sliver of relief emerged. At least the case hadn’t been handed to the Ministry of Justice or the Supreme Court.
Ma Qi frowned almost imperceptibly. The Imperial Clan Court handled matters concerning the imperial clan, and strictly speaking, royal relatives fell under its jurisdiction. Longkodo was the Emperor’s cousin, the nephew of Empress Dowager Xiaokang. Clearly, Kangxi had shown mercy. And Tong Guowei still stood unharmed in court.
Then again, Ma Qi relaxed his expression. Regardless, this scandal had ruined Longkodo’s reputation and career. Unless the Emperor chose to overlook his crimes, his future was bleak. For an official, both ability and virtue were essential—yet Longkodo had shown no hesitation in harming his lawful wife, revealing a cruelty beyond measure. Even if the Emperor wished to employ him, how could he do so with peace of mind?
There were countless capable officials in the empire—why cling to a blade that might turn against its wielder?
After the court session, the ministers dispersed. Longkodo was swiftly escorted back to his residence under armed guard. Outside the Qianqing Gate, the two brothers walked unsteadily from the hall. Tong Guogang looked at Tong Guowei and sighed deeply.
Elundai, the deputy commander of Guangxi’s garrison (though he spent most of his time in the capital), sauntered over with a mocking grin. "Uncle, you always scolded me for being unruly—but look at how well your own son turned out!"
He clicked his tongue and shook his head. "At least I never laid a hand on my wife."
Tong Guowei trembled, unable to speak. Tong Guogang pointed at Elundai and roared, "You unfilial wretch! Get out of my sight!"
Elundai sneered. What, now that their golden boy had fallen, was the old man throwing a tantrum? He wasn’t bothered. Humming a tune, he strolled away leisurely. Tong Guogang clutched his chest, struggling to catch his breath—only to turn and gasp in alarm. "Second Brother!"
Tong Guowei murmured "cursed fate" before collapsing, unconscious. Coincidentally, Liang Jiugong arrived with palace attendants, intending to deliver an edict. Seeing the scene, he exclaimed, "What’s happened to Lord Tong? His Majesty was just about to summon him! Fetch the imperial physicians, quickly!"
"Fainted from rage?" In Cining Palace, Kangxi’s lips curled downward.
Earlier, the Grand Empress Dowager had denounced Longkodo’s actions as outrageous, and even the usually cheerful Empress Dowager had slammed the table in fury.
Kangxi twisted his jade thumb ring. He had intended to summon Tong Guowei to the study, leaving him to stew as a warning before relaying the Empress Dowagers’ decrees—ordering him to clean up the mess in his household.
He had planned to spare the Tong family some dignity, dealing with that audacious concubine privately. But now, seeing Tong Guowei incapacitated, the Emperor’s expression cooled. Very well. If Tong Guowei was incapable, the matter of the women would be left to the imperial consorts.
The Empress Dowager strongly agreed. The Grand Empress Dowager nodded slowly, her brow furrowed with distaste. "Emperor, the Tong family is your maternal clan—precisely why fairness must be upheld. Poor Mrs. Hesheli has suffered terribly. Order the imperial consorts to send physicians to treat her and offer comfort. As for the future, whether she chooses divorce or otherwise..."
She paused, as if recalling something, and narrowed her eyes. "If I remember correctly, Mrs. Hesheli is Longkodo’s cousin—your aunt’s niece, isn’t she?"
Kangxi nodded grimly.
The Grand Empress Dowager sighed but refrained from further judgment. "That child deserves no more pity."
A flush of shame crept up Kangxi’s face. In the end, this disaster stemmed from his excessive leniency and failure to rein in his subordinates.
The last traces of familial affection faded, replaced by cold resolve. After speaking with the two Empress Dowagers, Kangxi departed for Yongshou Palace and Yikun Palace.
Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager returned to Ningshou Palace and declared icily, "Inform the two imperial consorts—Li Si'er must not be spared. What does it matter if she’s from the Tong family? I care not for their resentment. Let me be the one to bear their hatred!"
The upheaval of the grand court session sent ripples through the inner palace as well. Following the Emperor’s decree, Consort Wen visited Yikun Palace at noon to discuss the matter with Yunxiu. Together, they settled on a course of action.
With Longkodo already imprisoned, the priority was dispatching imperial physicians to treat Mrs. Hesheli. Only once she recovered could her future be decided.
After all, she had Yuexing'a—the sole heir of the second branch. As Consort Wen put it, Longkodo was finished. If Mrs. Hesheli secured her son’s future, she could live out her days in comfort as a respected matriarch.
Yunxiu smiled faintly. Whether she chose divorce or not, the path ahead was hers to decide.
As for Li Si'er—her life could not be spared.
At the Tong residence, before sunset, palace envoys arrived. Among them were burly maids, stern governesses, and imperial physicians hurrying with medicine chests. Ignoring the protesting servants, they marched straight to the inner courtyard and flung open the door to Mrs. Hesheli’s chamber.
A shrill voice cried, "Who are you?!"
Nanny Dong’s brows knitted as she took in the scene—a beautiful woman in red, exuding arrogance, holding a bowl of dark medicine to the lips of a frail, bedridden figure.
Relieved to see no signs of physical abuse on Mrs. Hesheli, Nanny Dong cast a calm glance at the woman—undoubtedly the despised Li Si'er.
She scoffed. How had Lady Tong, as the mistress of the household, allowed this? Even with Longkodo imprisoned, Li Si'er still dared to act so brazenly.
With a wave of her hand, she ordered, "Take her away."
In an instant, the maids surged forward, seizing the medicine bowl. Li Si'er wailed as Lady Tong rushed in, crying, "Stop! Don’t harm my grandson!"
But the palace attendants did not relent. Nanny Dong chuckled. "By His Majesty’s decree, the two imperial consorts hold full authority in this matter. Do you dare defy the Emperor’s order, my lady?"
With that, she stepped aside, revealing the scene on the bed to Lady Tong.
At the sight of her emaciated daughter-in-law, whom she hadn’t seen in days, Lady Tong’s expression froze.
Nanny Dong, who served Noble Consort Yi, was present, as was Nanny Qian from the Empress Dowager’s retinue. Seizing the moment of Lady Tong’s shock, Nanny Qian stepped forward, glanced at the medicine bowl on the table, and said slowly, "By the Empress Dowager’s decree, pour it down her throat."
No sooner had the words left her mouth than Li Si'er’s jaw was seized, her mouth forced open. The bitter, foul-tasting medicine gurgled down her throat, filling her stomach.
Lady Tong’s face turned deathly pale as her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the floor.
When the rough-handed maidservant released her grip, Li Si'er let out a piercing scream. Her face twisted in agony as she clawed at the nearest palace maid, shrieking, "My lord! My lord, save me! You vile creatures—how dare you! I swear my lord will have your entire clans exterminated!"
Nanny Qian didn’t even spare her a glance, barking sharply, "Bind her with ropes and take her away!"
