The Emperor looked at the Empress, whose expression bordered on madness, and set the finished edict of self-condemnation down on the desk.
“Empress, Chengyu died in Bingzhou, at the hands of Qi Yanzhou. Do you think you'll ever find his body whole?”
Zhao Chengyu was the Emperor's first child, born of the Empress herself. From the moment of his birth, he had been named Crown Prince, doted on by both his imperial parents.
But there was no true affection in the imperial household. Even between father and son, there were schemes and calculations.
As the boy grew older, the bond between father and son gradually frayed.
Later, when Zhao Chengyu set his sights on the throne, the Emperor severed the father-son bond entirely. Why else would he have chosen him as the scapegoat and stripped him of his position as Crown Prince?
Now that his son was dead, he felt no grief—only the relief that he himself had survived.
The Empress looked at the Emperor, who seemed utterly unconcerned, and felt nothing but bitter disappointment and surging hatred.
“Does Your Majesty intend to deny Chengyu entry into the imperial mausoleum?”
“Chengyu repeatedly harmed the Qi family and nearly caused the deaths of an entire city's populace. He was morally corrupt and malicious. How could he be worthy of entering the imperial mausoleum?”
“Your Majesty, don't you dare shift all the blame onto Chengyu!”
The Empress spat out these words viciously, then turned and left.
The Emperor watched her retreating figure and called out loudly, “Empress, the dead are gone. Don't let a small matter cost you everything!”
The Empress left the bedchamber in the blink of an eye, paying not the slightest heed to the Emperor's words.
Worried that the Empress might stir up trouble, the Emperor ordered his shadow guards to deliver an edict placing her under house arrest.
The Empress was furious, but powerless—after all, the imperial palace was the Emperor's domain.
She stared at Zhao Chengyu's severed head, tears falling like beads from a broken string, weeping in sorrow and despair.
She smashed everything in the Fengqi Palace.
“My son, just wait. Your mother will avenge you!”
By the time the Empress enshrined Zhao Chengyu's head in a side hall, the Emperor had already taken the edict of self-condemnation, been carried out of the palace by his shadow guards, and, protected by the imperial guards, ascended the city walls.
Along the way, the shadow guards spread word that the gravely ill Emperor had issued an edict of self-condemnation and was going to the city tower to apologize to the people of the realm.
By the time the Emperor, who could barely stand, reached the city walls, the streets were packed with commoners buzzing with discussion.
“Didn't they say the Emperor caught the plague and was locked in the palace, about to die?”
“With all those imperial physicians, plus Miss Ye's plague remedy, he won't die!”
“Why would the Emperor suddenly issue an edict of self-condemnation? And apologize to common folk at that?”
“I heard he was forced by Young Master Qi. If he didn't do it, Qi would raise an army and rebel.”
“The Emperor has repeatedly gone after the Qi family, yet Young Master Qi keeps giving the Emperor chances. Why? Just rebel already!”
“Because rebelling would throw the country into chaos. The neighboring kingdoms eyeing us hungrily would seize the chance to march in and destroy Beichen, dooming the people of the realm.”
“So that's why Young Master Qi keeps tolerating the Emperor—for that reason.”
The Emperor listened to the crowd's chatter, his festering face darkening with fury.
Qi Yanzhou, just you wait!
He forced himself to steady his breathing, refusing to lose his composure.
Otherwise, all he'd endured today would be for nothing.
A lavish carriage stopped at the city gate, and the Commander of the Imperial Guard pulled aside the curtain.
“Your Majesty, we have arrived.”
The Emperor had wasted away to skin and bone, his dragon robe hanging loosely on his frame.
The bright yellow fabric was soaked through with pus from his ulcerated sores, leaving patches of damp stains in various sizes.
Even the incense of ambergris couldn't mask the stench of rot emanating from him.
“Help me down.”
The servants waiting by the carriage immediately stepped forward, drawing open both carriage curtains to reveal the scene inside.
The commoners nearest to the carriage recoiled in fear at the sight of the Emperor—his face a mass of festering wounds, his body gaunt and skeletal.
They had heard many rumors, but nothing compared to seeing it with their own eyes.
“I kept thinking the Emperor was faking his illness to avoid the Son of Heaven's reprimands, but he really is this sick.”
“He trampled the people and harmed loyal ministers. This is exactly the retribution he deserves!”
At those words, Commander Hu's gaze locked onto the speaker, murder flickering in his eyes.
These ignorant masses could gossip all they wanted normally.
But today, gloating right in front of the Emperor? Were they tired of living?
“Your Majesty, shall I...”
Before he could finish, the Emperor waved a hand.
“I am here to apologize today. Whatever the people say, I will bear it.”
The Emperor wasn't stupid.
It was just that over the years, Eunuch De had always made decisions for him, so he'd never had to think for himself.
Now that he had chosen to cast aside his dignity and pride, he would maximize the gains from it.
Commander Hu acknowledged respectfully and helped the Emperor down from the carriage.
Outside the carriage sat a palanquin used to carry imperial members.
“Your Majesty, the city walls are too high. Given your current condition, you'll need to be carried up by palanquin.”
The Emperor ignored the palanquin and looked at the thronging crowd.
“I am here to apologize, not to indulge myself. Help me up.”
“As you command!”
Commander Hu and his trusted men supported the Emperor by his arms, taking on much of his weight to make the climb easier.
Even so, the Emperor's frail body made ascending the stairs a desperate struggle.
Just as he was about to pass out, Commander Hu fed him a golden pill, and only then did he manage to reach the top of the city walls.
Hanging on the wall was Eunuch De's prized possession.
After days of exposure to the sun, the red sandalwood box had faded somewhat, and the fluttering red cloth was stuck with dried, rotten egg stains—filthy and revolting.
The Emperor, having learned that Eunuch De's story about cultivating immortality was a fabricated lie, wanted nothing more than to dispose of him.
But due to his own physical condition and his fear of Eunuch De, he had dared not show it.
Now, with the chance for revenge right before him, he certainly wasn't going to let it slip.
“Commander Hu, cut this rope.”
Commander Hu knew that what hung beneath the rope was Eunuch De's most precious possession—his manhood.
Assuming the Emperor wanted to help Eunuch De retrieve it, he moved to pull the rope up.
But the Emperor barked, “Stop! Can't you understand my order? Cut the rope!”
“Your Majesty, if you cut it directly, the box will fall and break.”
The moment Commander Hu spoke, the Emperor's shadow guard appeared.
A flash of cold light, and the rope was severed. The red sandalwood box plummeted downward.
The onlookers below scrambled out of the way.
“Thud!”
The box hit the ground, and from it rolled out a shriveled object about the length of a thumb.
“Well, well, so a eunuch's 'treasure' is just a burnt stick!”
“Burnt stick? More like a piece of dog shit.”
“Now that you mention it, it really does look like what my little yellow dog dropped!”
“Hahahaha...”
Amid the crowd's mockery, a beggar suddenly rushed forward and crushed the thing under his foot, grinding it into the dirt.
The guards at the city gate went pale with fright.
Eunuch De had instructed them to watch over his 'treasure' and ensure nothing happened to it.
“You filthy beggar! Stop right now, unless you want to die!”
The guard tried to charge at the beggar, but the crowd was far too thick.
And they were deliberately blocking his way.
By the time he reached what was left of the crushed 'dog turd,' the beggar had long since vanished.
The crowd made a game of kicking the pieces around, scattering them beyond any recovery.
In other words, when Eunuch De finally died, he would have no intact body to be buried with.
Just then, Commander Hu's voice cut through, amplified by inner force.
“Silence!”
The eardrums of the crowd rang painfully as they immediately fell silent and looked up at the tower.
Standing in the center of the city wall was the Emperor—a ghastly sight to behold—while a eunuch held a massive umbrella over him, shielding him from the glaring, scorching sun.
The searing heat made him sweat profusely, and as the perspiration dripped into his festering wounds, the pain was so intense he could barely stand.
Commander Hu knew that defending Eunuch De earlier had angered the Emperor, so he immediately stepped forward to support him, trying to make amends for himself.
The Emperor needed help, so he didn't refuse.
He took out the edict of self-reproach he had written and read it aloud to the people.
But because his body was weak, his voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum.
In the end, he would read one line, and Commander Hu would repeat it to the crowd.
The edict of self-reproach was sincere and heartfelt—the Emperor even moved himself with his own words—yet the commoners remained indifferent.
After all, no matter how sweetly one speaks, it can never compare to actually doing something for the people.
But when the Emperor knelt down before the crowd of citizens filling the street, everyone was stunned.
"The Son of Heaven only ever kneels to heaven and earth—and now he's actually... actually..."
"An entire city of people nearly died because of him. If the plague had spread, no one would have escaped. What's a single kneel compared to that?"
"Exactly. The Son of Heaven's knees may be precious, but does that mean the lives of us common folk aren't?"
"I think the Emperor realizes he did wrong and is sincerely apologizing."
Seeing the tide of public opinion beginning to shift in his favor, the Emperor pressed on.
"It is the father's fault if the son is not taught well. The First Prince's actions fill me with deep sorrow and shame. On his behalf, I offer my apologies to the people of this realm. I thank Qi Yanzhou here today for ridding Northern Chen of a scourge. The First Prince is dead, without even a complete corpse to bury—he got exactly what he deserved. But I cannot escape my own blame. I know well the suffering of the people, and so I decree that taxes shall be halved for three years. Even if natural disasters strike, grain prices will not rise."
When Commander Hu relayed these final words on the Emperor's behalf, the crowd beneath the city walls erupted in cheers and jubilation.
To them, it didn't matter who sat on the throne.
Anyone who could bring them prosperity and stability was a good Emperor.
"The Emperor has finally seen the light—heaven above protects us!"
"Lower taxes, reduce grain prices, tear down the Taoist temples—our days of hardship are finally over!"
"Long live the Emperor!"
With Commander Hu's help, the Emperor rose to his feet and looked at the grateful citizens with a smug expression.
Qi Yanzhou, do you see this?
I too have won the hearts of the people!
He decided to temporarily spare the Qi family, planning to make his move when the heavy snows came to the north, blocking the roads and sealing off the cities.
As the Emperor returned to the palace in high spirits, the Empress, upon hearing the news, smashed the Fengqi Palace that the palace maids had just tidied up.
"Your Majesty, what a heartless man you are—using our son's tarnished name to buy the people's favor!"
She laughed maniacally, like a woman possessed.
Then she embraced Zhao Chengyu's severed head and wailed uncontrollably.
After crying, she tenderly arranged his features.
"Son, Mother will avenge you. No one who hurt you will escape!"
Qi Yanzhou, Zhao Cheng'an, Eunuch De, the Emperor—none of them will get away!
Just as the Emperor's carriage reached the palace gate, a major incident occurred within the palace.
The Eighth Prince's birth mother had tragically drowned.
Having just lost her own son, the Empress took pity on the young Eighth Prince, who was now motherless, and took him under her care.
The consorts all saw through what was really going on.
But the Empress's family held great power, so no one dared to speak up or investigate the truth.
In Dingzhou City.
As dusk fell, Qi Yanzhou and Ye Chutang returned to the courier station, their journey fruitful.
The stationmaster had already prepared a meal in the kitchen.
There was wine and meat—quite lavish fare.
"Eat and drink your fill, everyone. If it's not enough, just tell the attendants."
Wu Chenggang smiled and expressed his thanks.
To be safe, Ye Chutang inspected the dishes and wine as usual.
Only after confirming there was no poison did she allow everyone to eat.
Of course, the Chen and Ye families were not granted such treatment—they still ate black wheat buns with pickled vegetables.
After the escorts and the Qi family finished their meal, the two families pounced on the leftovers like starving dogs.
After Qi Yanzhou walked with Ye Chutang to help digest their food, he said, "Atang, I need to step out for a while. I'm not sure when I'll be back. Get some rest early and don't wait up for me."
Ye Chutang asked no questions and simply nodded. "Alright. Be careful in everything."
"I will."
No sooner had Qi Yanzhou left than Old Madam Qi came to sit with Ye Chutang and chat.
Ye Chutang sensed that Old Madam Qi had something to say, so she took the initiative: "Mother, if you have something to say, please say it."
Old Madam Qi hesitated for a moment, then swallowed the words she had been about to speak.
"The Lotus Viewing Festival is coming soon. I hear the Luoxia Lake in Dingzhou is filled with all kinds of lotuses, each more beautiful than the last. You and Qingyu could go and take a look together."
Ye Chutang knew that wasn't what Old Madam Qi truly wanted to say.
She figured it was a topic unsuitable for a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law to discuss directly, so it was being passed through the sister-in-law of the same generation instead.
"Alright, I'll visit Luoxia Lake with Elder Sister."
"I'll watch the children for Qingyu."
Old Madam Qi then pulled Qi Qingyu aside for a brief conversation.
After Qi Qingyu agreed, she and Ye Chutang left the station together.
Han Chong worried about their safety and said, "Madam Qi, let me send two men to discreetly protect you."
Ye Chutang wasn't familiar with Dingzhou's situation, so she didn't decline.
"Thank you for your trouble, Lord Han."
Luoxia Lake wasn't far from the station—about a quarter-hour's walk.
Dingzhou wasn't as bustling as the capital.
But since the days were too hot, everyone chose to come out at night, making the streets quite lively.
Whether in shops or stalls, all were hung with all sorts of lotus-shaped lanterns in preparation for the Lotus Viewing Festival.
Though Ye Chutang was already full, she bought small snacks whenever something caught her eye.
Every time, Qi Qingyu rushed to pay.
"Sister-in-law, don't argue with me about this. Throughout this entire exile journey, you've taken care of our family of four more than enough. Let me repay a bit of that kindness."
"Elder Sister, saying that makes it sound so formal."
"Then don't be formal either—stop fighting me over who pays."
Ye Chutang didn't refuse Qi Qingyu's goodwill and smiled as she nodded. "Fine."
All the way from the station to Luoxia Lake, Qi Qingyu kept buying treats for Ye Chutang.
The two chatted and laughed, and soon they reached the lakeshore.
Luoxia Lake was cool after nightfall, with many visitors enjoying the breeze, and liveliness was everywhere.
Lotus flowers bloomed in the morning; at other times, only buds could be seen.
The summer wind brushed across their faces, carrying the fresh scent of lotus leaves and dispelling the lingering heat of the day.
Lanterns floated on the lake's surface, bobbing with the ripples.
In the center of the lake was a large pleasure boat.
On its deck, dancers swayed and musicians played, the faint strains of zither music exuding elegance and charm.
Vendors sold lotus flowers and lotus seeds everywhere.
Ye Chutang bought some hulled lotus seeds and led Qi Qingyu to a quieter spot.
She leaned against the railing, eating the seeds, and asked, "Elder Sister, is there something you want to tell me?"
Qi Qingyu thought of her mother's words, and a blush spread across her cheeks.
She didn't dare meet Ye Chutang's eyes, instead gazing at the pleasure boat in the middle of the lake and giving a light cough.
"Sister-in-law, you and Azhou... have you two... consummated the marriage?"
