Chapter 105
"What do you want?" Li Tianyou had initially intended to ignore Xu Heming, but the man had the audacity to make a scene right outside the palace gates. If he didn’t respond, who knew what rumors might spread about him by tomorrow?
At this thought, Li Tianyou shot Xu Heming an irritated glare. What good could possibly come from this man seeking him out?
Every time Li Zhiwei was by Xu Heming’s side, she ended up hurt. Li Tianyou couldn’t bring himself to like the man.
"Father-in-law, I’ve come to apologize. It’s my fault for failing to protect Zhiwei and letting her get hurt," Xu Heming said with deep remorse.
"Hmph!" Li Tianyou scoffed. What use was an apology? Could his words undo the suffering his daughter had endured?
No matter what, he was utterly unwilling to let his precious girl marry someone like this. It was clear Xu Heming didn’t cherish her the way she deserved.
"I’ve had the matter with Madam Liu investigated. It was entirely her own doing—I’ve never had any dealings with her. Still, I never imagined it would nearly cost Zhiwei her life. I failed to protect her properly, but I swear such a thing will never happen again. Please, Father-in-law, give me a chance," Xu Heming pleaded earnestly.
"Pretty words mean nothing!" Li Tianyou retorted dismissively. To him, Xu Heming was just spouting empty promises to appease him. He wouldn’t be fooled.
"Father-in-law, I swear to heaven, this truly was an accident. I will never let it happen again—if I do, may I die a wretched death!" Xu Heming hastily raised his hand in oath.
"Enough, enough! We’ll see how you do from now on," Li Tianyou cut him off, neither accepting nor outright rejecting his plea.
---
Ruyan Palace
"By the decree of the Emperor: After thorough investigation, Concubine Liu, in collusion with her father Liu Zongcheng, has embezzled disaster relief funds, conspired to harm imperial heirs, and murdered the wife of a loyal subject. The evidence is irrefutable, and her crimes defy the will of heaven. Henceforth, she is stripped of all titles and reduced to commoner status. This decree is final."
As Eunuch Liu finished reading the edict, Liu Ruyan collapsed to the floor.
Reduced to a commoner?
She had assumed the worst punishment would be confinement to the cold palace—a scenario that would have made faking her death and escaping far easier.
But there was a world of difference between her not wanting to be the Emperor’s consort and the Emperor casting her aside.
How could he degrade her like this?
Liu Ruyan’s mind reeled from the humiliation, barely registering the mention of Liu Zongcheng’s embezzlement.
"Impossible! The Emperor would never treat me this way—never!" she cried, staring at Eunuch Liu in disbelief.
All these years, Zhu Jingchen’s affection for her couldn’t have been fake. There had to be some misunderstanding.
"Madam Liu, you’d best gather your belongings and leave the palace at once," Eunuch Liu said coldly, his disdain evident.
The Emperor now loathed her—why would he grant her an audience?
Not only had she caused the deaths of two imperial heirs, but her father had stolen vast sums of silver. She had murdered the former Princess of An, nearly killed the future Princess and the heir to An Manor. Did she truly believe the Emperor would spare her?
What a delusion.
"I demand to see the Emperor!" Liu Ruyan insisted, her voice trembling with desperation.
"Madam Liu, I advise you to accept your fate and leave quietly," Eunuch Liu sneered. As the chief eunuch, he had once treated her with deference—but only because of the Emperor’s favor.
Now, she was less than a palace maid, soon to be sent to the army brothels. In his eyes, she was nothing.
"Once I see His Majesty, I’ll have you punished for this insolence!" she spat.
"That is, if you ever see the Emperor again—which you won’t. Give it up," Eunuch Liu replied, utterly unmoved by her haughty tone.
The edict hadn’t explicitly condemned her to the brothels, but all women of the Liu family were destined for that fate. Was she any exception?
"Guards! Escort Madam Liu to the Imperial Clan Court to reunite with her family," Eunuch Liu ordered, gesturing to the soldiers behind him.
"You can’t do this! I’m the Emperor’s consort!" Liu Ruyan shrieked, panic rising. The Imperial Clan Court was where disgraced nobles were imprisoned—what was she doing there?
Had the Emperor uncovered her schemes?
No, impossible!
"One more thing, Madam Liu," Eunuch Liu added with a smirk. "All women of the Liu family are to serve as army courtesans—including you."
With that, he motioned for the guards to drag her away.
"You wretched eunuch! You’re lying!" Liu Ruyan screeched, thrashing in their grip.
"Gag her. Her foul mouth is an offense to others," Eunuch Liu snapped, his face darkening.
He might be a castrated servant, but he wouldn’t tolerate her insults.
---
Once alone, Xu Heming and Li Tianyou exchanged a glance.
"Prince An, the capital may soon become unstable. I intend to send Zhiwei back to Li'an County," Li Tianyou said as they walked.
Li'an County?
Xu Heming’s first instinct was to refuse.
But then he recalled the Emperor’s demeanor in the study earlier. In the coming days, both Li Tianyou and he would be occupied—and if desperate enemies targeted Li Zhiwei as leverage, they’d be powerless to stop it.
Neither of them could bear that outcome.
"With Lady Yao alone in Li'an County, it’s only right for Zhiwei to return and keep her mother company," Xu Heming conceded reluctantly.
He wished he could escort her himself, but his duties made it impossible.
"Qing Shi is currently at the manor. Let him accompany her. As for The Old Princess..." Li Tianyou hesitated, unsure how to address her safety.
"My mother has ample protection. No one would dare touch her," Xu Heming assured him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to serve the Emperor with peace of mind all these years.
"Good." Li Tianyou nodded. The situation was precarious—one misstep could cost them their lives.
"Father-in-law, I’ll arrange escorts for Zhiwei’s journey and assign two men to guard you as well," Xu Heming said firmly.
Li Tianyou almost refused—Zhou Tong was no ordinary attendant and could handle himself.
But Xu Heming pressed on, "With Zhiwei gone, I’m not just your future son-in-law but as good as your own son. This decision is mine to make. Besides, it’s the Emperor’s wish—your safety is paramount."
Li Tianyou sighed. Fine. Extra protection couldn’t hurt.
---
Li'an County
"Heng'er!" Lady Yao exclaimed, her eyes brimming with tears as she embraced her nephew.
