Seeing so many people speaking up for Sui, Yun Wan felt both relieved and somewhat at ease.
Emperor Jingxuan raised an eyebrow, his interest growing.
He had initially thought this young boy was merely arrogant at such a tender age, but it turned out he had the capital to back it up—no wonder he dared to make such bold claims.
Geniuses existed in the world, but those with a photographic memory were rare. Emperor Jingxuan was one such person.
Ever since he could remember, every book he had read could be recited flawlessly, word for word, leaving even his former tutors sighing in admiration.
If he wished, he could still recount in vivid detail how, at the age of three, his elder brother had tricked him into going to the Taiye Pool and nearly pushed him into the water.
Compared to the late emperor, Emperor Jingxuan had pitifully few children—only two sons and one daughter—and none of them could be called prodigies with a photographic memory.
He had never given it much thought before, but now, he felt a twinge of regret.
Tsk.
Lu San was truly fortunate.
Noticing Emperor Jingxuan glancing at Sui several times, Yun Wan’s eyelids twitched nervously.
Fortunately, her worries were unfounded. Emperor Jingxuan curled his lips slightly and said leisurely, "Since you have a photographic memory, tell us exactly what happened that day."
At these words, the expressions of those present shifted subtly.
Sui puffed his cheeks and spoke clearly, "After the Crown Prince finished speaking, the Third Prince remained silent and did not refute him. After a pause, the Crown Prince added, ‘Third Brother, do you know what it means to be worse than pigs and dogs, or as stupid as a pig? Ah, Third Brother, don’t take offense—I was just speaking casually. Why are you looking at me like that?’"
He imitated the Crown Prince’s tone with utmost seriousness, but lacking genuine emotion, his delivery came off slightly odd, evoking suppressed laughter from some.
Yun Wan looked exasperated.
Sui continued, "After that, the Third Prince pushed the Crown Prince, and the two began brawling. Others stepped in to break it up, but in the chaos, they ended up fighting as well..."
True to his word, he remembered every detail as if narrating a play, his round face solemn as he described the scene, including every word and action without omission.
For instance, during the scuffle, the sixth son of the Li Family and the Wu Family pointed at the second son of the Chen Family and shouted, "You’re nothing but a pile of dog dung!"
At this, an official scolded, "Such vulgarity!"
His reprimand was directed at Sui, and Yun Wan immediately flared up. "Sir, those words were not my son’s! He was merely repeating what was said!"
The official choked on his words and fell silent with a flick of his sleeve.
Wu Liu flushed red. "You’re lying! I never said such a thing!"
Hah.
Why did that sound so familiar?
Sui lifted his chin, his expression grave. "I swear to heaven, every word I’ve spoken is true."
Lu Yuanduo spoke up, "My child dares to swear on his honor. Minister Li, does yours dare?"
He glanced mockingly at the official who had spoken earlier.
The man avoided his gaze and nudged his son, Wu Liu.
Wu Liu lowered his head and stammered, "I... I don’t dare..."
"......"
Seeing the Crown Prince’s predicament worsening, Imperial Concubine Li shot a glance at her elder brother, who promptly interjected, "Your Majesty, this child is the Third Prince’s study companion. His words cannot be fully trusted..."
Before he could finish, Yun Wan cut in sharply, "What do you mean by that? Are you suggesting my son deliberately lied and fabricated this story? If his words can’t be trusted, then can your son’s?"
Her tone was icy, laced with suppressed anger.
Minister Li’s face darkened. "You’re just a woman—what right do you have to speak here? Step back at once!"
Lu Yuanduo’s expression hardened. "Minister Li, mind your words. His Majesty and the two consorts are present. Such insolence is unacceptable!"
The implication was clear—what right did a mere minister have to issue orders here?
He kept referring to "just a woman," but weren’t the two consorts also women?
Minister Li stiffened, his cheeks twitching in anger.
Consort Shu sneered inwardly before turning to Emperor Jingxuan with a pitiful expression. "Your Majesty, the truth is clear. The Crown Prince deliberately provoked and insulted my son, which is why he struck first. I beg Your Majesty to see the truth and clear my son’s name!"
Realizing the tide was turning against the Crown Prince, Imperial Concubine Li gritted her teeth and knelt. "Your Majesty, this matter is my fault. I was misled by slander and wrongly accused the Third Prince. It is also my failure in teaching the Crown Prince, allowing him to behave so disgracefully. I willingly accept punishment and will confine myself to the Xunfang Palace!"
What a clever retreat!
Consort Shu gnashed her teeth, her gaze filled with loathing as she glared at Imperial Concubine Li.
The latter ignored her and pulled the Crown Prince down to kneel. "Crown Prince, apologize to your father and your Third Brother at once!"
Having maintained her position as imperial concubine for years, second only to the empress, Imperial Concubine Li relied not just on her family’s influence but also on her wit—and what she believed was her understanding of Emperor Jingxuan.
In her haste to defend the Crown Prince earlier, she had failed to notice that the emperor’s demeanor had remained indifferent throughout—neither angered by the Third Prince’s violence nor incensed by the Crown Prince’s provocation.
This realization filled her with dread.
Had His Majesty known the truth from the start, treating this whole affair as mere entertainment?
Suddenly enlightened, Imperial Concubine Li chose to admit fault immediately.
The Crown Prince was resentful, but under his mother’s stern gaze, he muttered, "Father, I was wrong."
Then, to the Third Prince, he added, "Third Brother, today was my fault. I shouldn’t have said those things. I apologize!"
The Third Prince grunted reluctantly.
The Crown Prince clenched his jaw, only to wince as the movement tugged at the swelling on his face. Covering his cheek, he glared at the Third Prince and whined, "But what about Third Brother deliberately kicking me in the face?"
The Third Prince gaped. "I didn’t kick you! Second Brother, don’t slander me!"
"Who else would dare kick me?"
"How should I know? It wasn’t me!"
"......"
Emperor Jingxuan’s disappointment gave way to impatience. "Enough."
In an unnoticed corner, Sui guiltily rubbed his nose.
Imperial Concubine Li looked up. "Your Majesty..."
Emperor Jingxuan ignored her, his gaze sweeping over the Crown Prince as he chuckled coldly. "The Crown Prince’s ability to bend and adapt is truly eye-opening."
The laugh sent a chill down the Crown Prince’s spine. Trembling, he pleaded, "Father, I truly repent. Please forgive me..."
Emperor Jingxuan said, "You should be begging your Third Brother for forgiveness."
With that, he rose, his sleeves billowing, his expression stern and imposing, radiating the aura of an emperor.
His dark, penetrating eyes swept over the crowd as if seeing through every heart, making it impossible for anyone to meet his gaze.
"Jiang Fusheng," he commanded sharply.
"Your servant is here."
"By my decree, the Crown Prince is confined for three months, to kneel and copy texts in repentance. No one is to visit without my permission!"
"The Third Prince, for striking first, is confined for one month."
"All others involved in the brawl shall reflect at home and copy texts for half a month."
"If there is nothing else, you are dismissed."
The crowd bowed. "Your Majesty is wise—"
Aside from the two princes and the consorts, the others felt only relief.
At least it was just copying texts at home.
Knowing that any further reprimands for the princes would be a family matter beyond their involvement, the officials quickly rose and dragged their children away.
With everything settled, Yun Wan held Sui's hand, her face blooming with a smile. "Let's go. We can finally head back now!"
As they stepped out of the main hall of the Hongwen Institute, they overheard many elders scolding their own disappointing juniors.
Yun Wan covered Sui's ears and followed behind Lu Yuanduo and his son.
Passing by a corner pillar in the corridor, they were met by Jiang Fusheng, who held a horsetail whisk and smiled warmly. "Madam Lu, please wait a moment."
