The Seventh Prince's Residence.
"...In the end, His Majesty didn't say a word and flicked his sleeves before leaving."
Ye Xiaoyuan relayed the events that occurred in the royal court today. "Your Highness, that is all."
After listening, Qu Dubian couldn't explain the mixed feelings in his heart.
This day had finally come.
The hidden mine between his Sixth Brother and Fifth Brother, which had lain dormant for nearly ten years, finally detonated after the external threats were cleared, and it exploded thoroughly.
A backstab in the royal court.
His Sixth Brother had relied heavily on his Fifth Brother all these years. He wondered what kind of expression was on his face at that moment.
Smuggling weapons... He had to write a letter to ask his uncle. If it were true, his Sixth Brother might be able to keep his life, but his maternal grandfather's family would probably face execution of the entire clan.
He pondered for a long while and noticed that Ye Xiaoyuan was unusually silent, so he asked, "Banban, is there anything else?"
Ye Xiaoyuan said in a low voice, "It's His Majesty. Since His Majesty could issue an edict to investigate the Sixth Prince and the Li family's weapon smuggling case, why didn't he issue an edict to thoroughly investigate the paper money grievance?"
Qu Dubian wasn't surprised. "With the weapon smuggling, Sixth Brother is practically ruined, and Fifth Brother is also involved. The balance in the royal court has been broken, and it's already chaotic enough. To investigate the paper money incident at the same time would not be a wise move for His Majesty."
On the surface, it was Fifth Brother who backstabbed Sixth Brother, but in reality, Second Brother was definitely involved.
All the princes being dragged into this mess was entirely different from the situation Emperor Chongzhao wanted.
Ye Xiaoyuan: "Then His Majesty should at least show his stance."
Qu Dubian shook his head. "He will probably have someone investigate it in secret."
Zichen Palace.
Emperor Chongzhao returned from the royal court and saw several people standing at the entrance of the palace.
He walked closer and saw that it was Consort Xuan, Noble Lady Guo, Zhiyi, Sihe, as well as the three surviving old dowager consorts from Cining Palace.
Emperor Chongzhao greeted Dowager Consort Liang and the other two. "Why are you here?"
Consort Xuan said, "Hearing about the paper money grievance, I have been unable to sleep at night. If the truth cannot be brought to light, how can I be worthy of being a mother?"
Noble Lady Guo: "Please issue an edict, Your Majesty, to thoroughly investigate."
Zhiyi, holding Sihe's hand, said, "Please issue an edict to investigate, Imperial Father."
Dowager Consort Liang said tremblingly, "We have lived deep in the palace for a long time, and only the Seventh Prince frequently visits us. In our hearts, we already treat him as half a grandson. If Your Majesty still considers us your elders, please investigate this."
"If it's just a rumor, we will definitely come to apologize. If it's true, that child shouldn't have to suffer such hardship."
"We implore Your Majesty!" The few of them bent down to kneel, making Emperor Chongzhao's eyelids twitch. He hurriedly stepped forward to support them. "Dowager Consorts, you must not."
Given their advanced ages, if something happened from kneeling, how could he keep his reputation for filial piety?
Emperor Chongzhao had no choice but to say, "Little Seven is a meritorious subject of the Great Zhou. I will definitely give everyone an explanation."
After finally persuading Consort Xuan, the dowager consorts, and the others to return, Emperor Chongzhao summoned Wen Xiaochun.
Inside the Western Warm Pavilion.
Emperor Chongzhao: "I called you here to entrust you with a task."
Wen Xiaochun: "Your Majesty, please give your orders."
"Regarding the matter of the Seventh Prince," Emperor Chongzhao paused for a long time before slowly saying, "Regardless of whether it is true or false, once you find out the truth, report to me immediately."
"Yes," Wen Xiaochun asked softly, "but why not hand it over to the Court of Judicature and Revision?"
Emperor Chongzhao: "The Court of Judicature and Revision is the main judge for Old Six's case; having the Eastern Depot oversee this is sufficient."
"Understood."
Wen Xiaochun left Zichen Palace, and on his way back to the Eastern Depot, he ran into Xi Zixing.
The two seemed to have met by chance and casually chatted for a bit.
Xi Zixing: "Did it succeed?"
Wen Xiaochun: "Yes, but there is no explicit edict yet."
Secret investigations were very restricted.
Since the paper money incident had already been exposed, it would be better to bring it all out into the open. He needed a completely trustworthy person to become a blade, to forcefully advocate for a thorough investigation of this matter in the royal court, and to bring it up from time to time thereafter.
With the Emperor's appointment, the Eastern Depot could act freely to investigate.
After Xi Zixing's impeachment, the Ministry of Justice, the Censorate, and the Court of Judicature and Revision all hurriedly submitted a memorial regarding the paper money grievance.
Emperor Chongzhao officially issued an explicit edict.
The matter was fully entrusted to the Eastern Depot for investigation, with the Ministry of Justice assisting, to strictly investigate whether the paper money grievance was true or if some despicable person was trying to confuse the public.
Hearing about Consort Xuan and the dowager consorts pleading at Zichen Palace, Qu Dubian made a special trip to the palace to visit them.
But when they asked if someone was framing him, he only said he didn't know.
When leaving, Qu Dubian ran into the Empress at the palace gates.
The Empress was with the twelve-year-old Princess Sihe, seemingly waiting for him.
When Qu Dubian approached, Princess Sihe looked up at the Empress. The Empress nodded at her, and Sihe stepped forward. She performed a formal bow, her voice still very childish.
"Sihe bows in gratitude to Seventh Imperial Brother."
Remembering his persona as a blind man, Qu Dubian suppressed the urge to help her up, turning his head to ask Ye Xiaoyuan, "What's going on?"
Ye Xiaoyuan: "Her Majesty the Empress and Princess Sihe are in front, and Princess Sihe has performed a kowtow."
Qu Dubian: "Banban, help her up."
"No need," the Empress said gently, "this bow is what she ought to do."
She also curtsied. "I should thank you as well."
Qu Dubian frowned and said, "Your Majesty the Empress, what are you doing?"
Sihe did not rise. She looked up and said earnestly, "Seventh Imperial Brother, you might not know how frightened Mother was when the news of the Northern Frontier seeking peace arrived."
"Dowager Consort Zhou and Noble Lady Guo have both experienced the agony of their flesh and blood being sent far away to the Northern Frontier. Mother said that if the Northern Frontier was not destroyed, the Great Zhou and the Northern Frontier would sooner or later walk the path of marriage alliances again, and the Great Zhou would still have daughters far away from their homeland. But Seventh Imperial Brother, Young General Xia, and the soldiers at the border completely defeated the Northern Frontier, so we are now safe."
"This bow of Sihe's is on behalf of the women of the imperial and royal clans, bowing to all the heroes who fought on the battlefield."
Qu Dubian was speechless, then he smiled and beckoned, "Come here."
Sihe finally got up, taking the initiative to place her head under her Seventh Imperial Brother's palm, letting him rub her head.
"Then Imperial Brother will accept it on behalf of the soldiers at the border," he pinched the little girl's cheek. "It feels like you've grown quite a bit taller."
The Empress said, "Yes, she has grown very fast this year."
She didn't delay Qu Dubian's time much longer. "It's cold outside, so we won't say much more. Just know that if there's anything I can help with, don't hesitate to ask."
Qu Dubian nodded. "Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress."
He really wasn't used to such serious scenes of gratitude in private. He only completely breathed a sigh of relief after exiting the imperial palace.
Over the next seven days.
The Court of Judicature and Revision verified one by one the incidents of the Sixth Prince and the Li family smuggling weapons at Zhennan Pass.
Except for a few minor discrepancies, the rest was entirely the truth.
The crime of treason during wartime was already a certainty.
The Fifth Prince's Residence.
The Second Prince brought a pot of fine wine and came to find him.
The Fifth Prince, confined to his residence, sat properly by the window all day. Seeing the Second Prince arrive, he wasn't surprised. "Have a seat."
"I fought for an opportunity for you to atone for your crimes by meritorious deeds. You will personally escort Concubine Lan into prison and oversee the execution of the Li clan," the Second Prince poured him some wine. "Although it's a bit tiring, I imagine you are willing."
The Fifth Prince: "Thank you, Second Brother."
"You're welcome."
The Second Prince: "I wonder what Little Five plans to do next? Among Sixth Brother's faction, many people listen to you. Why don't you absorb them to become your own people?"
The Fifth Prince smiled. "If I really did that, would Second Brother still let me off? You came up with the idea to hint and guide Li Fanyun into smuggling weapons to deal with Little Six, so you definitely have a backup plan to deal with me."
The Second Prince clicked his tongue lightly. "There is no need. Having spent so many years together, your Second Brother doesn't believe that Little Five doesn't hold any dirt on me."
"Are you referring to that time with Third Brother?" the Fifth Prince said. "What good would it do to bring that up? As things stand, I can still be an idle prince. If I drag Second Brother down with me, it's not even certain whether I would survive."
The Second Prince said, "Alright, let's not talk about such pointless things."
The Fifth Prince quietly drank two cups of wine and suddenly asked, "Second Brother, did you have a hand in Little Seven's affairs?"
"..." The Second Prince paused slightly. "The paper money drifting all over the city—was that your doing?"
The Fifth Prince replied, "No."
The Second Prince said, "Then my answer is no."
"It was a slip of the tongue on my part," the Fifth Prince raised his cup. "I will penalize myself with a cup."
Neither of them continued the topic. After the Second Prince left, the Fifth Prince sat quietly until dusk, when he finally received the official appointment to arrest the prisoner and supervise the execution.
He changed his clothes and headed to the inner prison of the imperial harem.
Concubine Lan was an imperial concubine. Before her crimes were finalized, she had to stay in the inner prison; she could not be locked up in the regular prison like outside officials.
The Fifth Prince stepped into the harem's inner prison for the second time.
This time, no one stopped him as they had when he was a child. Instead, everyone waited respectfully on both sides with their heads bowed.
The inner prison was deep and gloomy. It was the filthiest place in the entire harem, even worse than the Cold Palace. An unknown number of palace servants had died here.
Years ago, his mother had been carried out from this very place.
The Fifth Prince stopped in front of Concubine Lan's cell. "Lady Concubine Lan, I have come to send you to where you belong."
Concubine Lan was facing the wall, using her fingers to comb her hair. When she was arrested and brought here, she had been paying her respects at the Empress's palace, so she was still wearing luxurious garments.
She hummed a little tune, turning a deaf ear to the Fifth Prince's words.
The Fifth Prince raised his hand.
Immediately, the men behind him went in and seized Concubine Lan. They forced her to her feet and dragged her out of the inner prison.
Concubine Lan seemed to have no reaction whatsoever. Her exquisite makeup was ruined, and her eyes stared vacantly at a spot in the air.
"Fifth Prince, Concubine Lan seems to have... gone mad."
The Fifth Prince fell silent for a few seconds. "Gone mad?" He chuckled lightly. "That is fine too. Let us go to the Ministry of Justice together, so that Sixth Brother can also see his mother's mad state."
Concubine Lan was escorted to the Ministry of Justice. Along the way, an unknown number of palace maids and eunuchs saw her and pointed fingers at her crazed appearance.
Upon arriving inside the prison of the Ministry of Justice, the Sixth Prince heard the commotion and violently rushed over, gripping the wooden bars of his cell. His eyes were wide with fury. "Mother! Old Five, you ungrateful wretch, what have you done to my mother?!"
The Fifth Prince said, "Such deep affection between mother and son. Why don't we lock you up together?"
The jailer opened the cell door. The moment Concubine Lan was shoved inside, her mad demeanor completely vanished. With a ruthless look in her eyes, she viciously thrust the short hairpin she had been tightly clutching toward the Fifth Prince's neck!
"Vile wretch! I will kill you!"
The Fifth Prince dodged, but he was still stabbed in the shoulder. He narrowed his eyes and kicked the lunging Concubine Lan away.
"Fifth Prince!"
"What are you standing around for! Hurry up and lock her inside!"
The jailers hurriedly complied, subduing the frantic Concubine Lan, shoving her into the cell, and quickly locking the door.
Even so, Concubine Lan continued to shake the door lock frantically. "Vile wretch! Vile wretch! Ungrateful wolf! I raised you all these years, and yet you dare to backstab my Little Six! You will die a horrible death, a horrible death!"
The Fifth Prince pulled the hairpin from his shoulder and casually tossed it aside.
He took out a handkerchief and wiped the blood from his hand.
The Fifth Prince was not angry. He said calmly, "The one who will die a horrible death is you. Isn't this quite fitting? Before my mother died, what she wanted most was to be promoted to the rank of Concubine. You get to die as a Concubine, so you should be satisfied."
Concubine Lan's chest heaved violently. She looked at the Sixth Prince, whose eyes were filled with monstrous hatred, then suddenly paused and closed her eyes.
When she opened her eyes again, she put on a mad facade once more and burst into loud laughter.
"Back when you knelt before me like a dog, I wanted to say it. You and your mother really look alike when you shamelessly fawn over people."
"Actually, you already know, don't you? Your mother's death had something to do with me."
The Sixth Prince was stunned and abruptly raised his head. "Mother...?"
Concubine Lan gripped the bars, staring fixedly at the Fifth Prince's face. "However, it wasn't me who killed her. I merely had someone pass on a message that she would have to die sooner or later, and that as long as she died, your future would be infinitely bright. And guess what happened? She smashed her head against the wall the very next day, hahaha..."
She laughed so hard she rocked back and forth. "Even a foolish person greedy for vanity could make way for her own child. Qu Dushen, do you hate me to death?"
The Fifth Prince's eyes were as dark as ink, and his fists clenched tightly inside his sleeves.
After a long time, amidst Concubine Lan's laughter, he also gave a smile.
"I will personally supervise your execution. You will die, but Sixth Brother won't be dead yet. In the long days to come, I will take very good care of him."
Only Concubine Lan and the Sixth Prince were left in the cell.
The Sixth Prince murmured, "Mother, you were the one who killed Old Five's mother."
Concubine Lan slowly approached, cupped his face, and said softly, "If she didn't die, how could I clear myself of suspicion? Little Six, Mother is definitely going to die, but you can keep your life."
"Don't mind the harsh words he just said. In truth, as long as you don't seek revenge against him, he won't pay any attention to you. Do you understand?"
The Sixth Prince looked at Concubine Lan. The image of his occasionally strict mother in his mind was slowly crumbling.
He leaned against the wall and slowly crouched down. Concubine Lan also crouched down slowly, her voice dropping lower and lower until it was almost a whisper.
She wiped away her tears. With red eyes and careful calculation hidden in her gaze, she said, "However... however, it's best if you don't stay in the capital. Now that I have fallen, the things I did in the past might not remain hidden anymore. To prevent the Seventh Prince from taking revenge on you..."
The Sixth Prince's tone was strained. "Little Seven... taking revenge on me?"
Concubine Lan said, "I have harmed him."
The Sixth Prince's eyes suddenly widened.
Concubine Lan continued, "I ordered the Imperial Hospital to give him an overdose of medicine, and a high fever almost burned him to death. I also instigated Noble Lady Chu to feed him the Delusion Leaf Fruit... But that little wretch had good luck and managed to avoid it all. Mother is telling you these things so you can keep your guard up against him and not let him harm you."
She was still softly saying something, but the Sixth Prince could no longer hear a single word.
His ears were ringing, and his eyes were blank.
"Mother..."
