Inside the Imperial Study, Xiao Chengjing quietly gazed at Prince Qi kneeling on the floor, his voice as calm as a placid lake.
"Do you know your wrongs?"
Xiao Rongche slowly raised his head, the black cloth binding his right eye looking exceptionally conspicuous.
Stripped of his luxurious and expensive royal attire, he looked just like a bandit or a pirate who had taken to the woods.
With a bit of a beard and a darker face, he could have grabbed a knife and gone robbing.
"Your son knows his wrongs, but your son had no other choice."
He rested one hand on his chest, tears falling like rain, looking as if he could faint at any moment.
"Even from this close, your son can already barely see Imperial Father's face clearly."
"Gong Linjue told your son that the imperial physicians of Shuobei could save my left eye. I just do not want to become a blind man, I do not want to lose my sight completely."
Speaking of his pain, Xiao Rongche's heart twitched; neither his tears nor his expression were fake.
On the throne, Xiao Chengjing looked at his bitterly weeping eldest son, unable to help but think of his high-spirited appearance from before.
A trace of doubt appeared between his brows. "Even Song Jinzhao said there was no way. Can the imperial physicians of Shuobei really save your left eye?"
Hearing this, Xiao Rongche nodded frantically as if grasping at a lifesaver.
"Gong Linjue said there was someone in Shuobei exactly like your son. He went blind in his left eye, but his right eye was saved."
Xiao Chengjing furrowed his brows tightly and sighed.
"You could not even do this cleanly, letting others find out."
"Since there is a reason behind this incident, Imperial Father will help you cover it up this time. If there is a next time, even I will not be able to protect you."
Xiao Rongche's eyes filled with hope as he kowtowed in gratitude. "Thank you, Imperial Father. Your son promises there will not be a next time. If it were not for my eyes, I would not have wanted to do this either."
Xiao Chengjing waved his hand, irritated and not wanting to look anymore.
"You may withdraw. When the imperial physician of Shuobei arrives, if he really can save your left eye, there is no need to send the person back."
A flash of surprise crossed Xiao Rongche's blurry eyes. After a moment of thought, he nodded in agreement.
"Your son understands. When the time comes, the person will be sent into the palace."
After Xiao Rongche left the Imperial Study, the Emperor frowned and instructed Zhao Yande. "Summon the Minister of Justice, Sui Zhuangling, for an audience."
"Yes." Eunuch Zhao answered in a low voice and immediately walked out of the Imperial Study.
In less than half an hour, Sui Zhuangling hurried over with an uneasy heart.
He had just entered the room and knelt down when Xiao Chengjing spoke straightforwardly. "Beloved Subject Sui, I am putting you in charge of the stolen potato case."
He threw three letters and a confession on the table. "This is the physical evidence forged by Earl Zhongqin, and the confession of the person who delivered the letters. They are all Earl Zhongqin's people."
"The person is currently locked in the prison of the Jingzhao Prefecture. After you take custody of the prisoner, interrogate him again and close this case as soon as possible. The imperial court needs a result."
Holding the letters and confession handed over by Eunuch Zhao, Sui Zhuangling already had the answer in his heart.
The Emperor's every sentence revolved around Earl Zhongqin, indicating that all the charges could only be borne by Earl Zhongqin.
The Li family could have their home raided and their clan exterminated, but Prince Qi had to be cleanly extracted from this.
He kowtowed solemnly and replied. "This humble official obeys the decree."
After leaving the Imperial Study, Sui Zhuangling immediately went to the Jingzhao Prefecture and transferred the prisoner to the Ministry of Justice's prison.
Two hours later, he walked out of the dungeon holding a brand new confession.
That very night, Earl Zhongqin's estate was raided.
Fifty-six people were thrown into prison. The memorial was submitted overnight, and Xiao Chengjing approved it overnight.
They were to be beheaded and displayed to the public; not a single one was to be spared.
Ye Liangyu and Fei Yanzhang woke up early the next morning.
At this moment, the sky was not yet fully bright, and with the rain outside, it was dark and gloomy.
The moment they opened their eyes, the two of them felt a sharp pain. The bones in their entire lower bodies ached and trembled.
The maid guarding the pharmacy saw that the two had woken up, and one of them hurriedly ran out to call for people.
"Eldest Young Master, the two lords are awake."
Song Qiming, who was having breakfast, put down his spoon and ran towards the pharmacy.
By the time he arrived, Young Master Fei, who had stayed overnight at the County Princess's estate, was already standing beside Fei Yanzhang's sickbed.
"Father, how do you feel? Does it hurt badly?"
Just as Fei Yanzhang was about to speak, a spasm of pain shot through his lower body. He bared his teeth in agony, and the words that reached his throat could only be swallowed back down.
He shook his head without speaking. After resting for a good while, he answered softly in a hoarse voice. "It hurts a little when I don't move, but it hurts terribly when I do."
Young Master Fei bent down and gently supported Fei Yanzhang's arm. "The County Princess said you injured your bones and cannot move. You must rest well, otherwise it will leave lasting effects."
