Chapter 236: The Disgraced Crown Prince

Yan Shuangxu's arm stretched through the prison bars, frantic and desperate as she lunged for Ye Jiao. Ye Jiao deftly dodged, leaving her grasp empty. Yan Shuangxu pressed herself firmly against the bars, struggling until her strength waned. In the end, she could only fix her gaze on Ye Jiao, her thin lips parting to speak. This time, her voice was a mere whisper, audible only to the three of them.

"Ye Jiao, today I shall die—why not do a good deed?"

Her voice gradually steadied, hoarse and faint.

"I tell you, Hu Jia, who followed Prince Chu to Jinzhou, was originally ordered by the Crown Prince to kill Prince Chu on the return journey. It was only because Hu Jia was grievously wounded that Prince Chu escaped death."

A look of bitter resentment shadowed Yan Shuangxu's face. What a pity—it was all due to King Wei's rash rebellion, and the Gesang Meiduo faction even wounded Hu Jia. Had they waited longer, until the Crown Prince betrayed Li Ce and defiled his brother's wife, and until Li Ce struck back in humiliation, they could have reaped the rewards. Yan Shuangxu sighed deeply.

"If Prince Chu wants to live, the Crown Prince must die. Why is the Crown Prince born noble? Why must we kneel before him and shout 'Long live the Emperor'?"

With those words, Yan Shuangxu slumped against the prison bars and sat down wearily on the floor. Ye Jiao's heart was like a violent storm sweeping across a barren desert, desolate and chaotic in every corner. Yet she suppressed her tumultuous thoughts, adopting a solemn expression as she spoke to Yan Shuangxu.

"Princess Consort of Wei," Ye Jiao no longer addressed her as sister, her tone sharp and detached, "I once thought you were merely implicated by King Wei. Now I see you are no different—greedy, selfish, even foolish. There is nothing wrong with vying for power and profit, but you have lost your sanity and reason. Even at this desperate hour, you seek to sow discord and pit the Crown Prince against Prince Chu? We shall never let you succeed!"

Her voice rang clear and bright, intended not only for Yan Shuangxu but also for the stunned prisoners within the cell. Within half a day, rumors concerning the Crown Prince and Ye Jiao would seep into the palace. All she could do was clarify her stance and guide the narrative. How could the Crown Prince possibly fancy Ye Jiao? It was nothing but the Princess Consort of Wei's malicious slander. After all, it was the Crown Prince and Prince Chu who had quelled the rebellion, saved His Majesty, and imprisoned King Wei.

As Ye Jiao left the cell, she heard Yan Shuangxu's desperate cry:

"I'll wait for you underground! When you come, we'll go see the peach blossoms together!"

Half an hour later, in response to the emperor's pensive inquiry, Chief Eunuch Gao Fu asserted confidently,

"I, your humble servant, believe this is slander."

The emperor, painting by the Taiye Pool, dipped his brush in white porcelain and lightly outlined the pool's contours on the canvas. Having been bedridden for some time, the imperial physician had recommended calligraphy and painting to exercise his limbs and joints. Today, his mood was unusually good, and only after repeated urging from Gao Fu did he agree to the outing.

"I know that child Ye Jiao is..." The emperor examined the canvas but hesitated to make a mark.

"Xiao Jiu likes her, Yan Congzheng likes her, and one more—the Crown Prince's affection—is no cause for alarm. But—"

His voice remained low, though veins bulged on his forehead as he spoke each word deliberately,

"He may like whomever he pleases, desire whomever he wishes, but he must not harm Xiao Jiu!"

With a sharp slap, the brush struck the canvas, scattering a blot of gray paint that marred the entire picture.

"Your Majesty, please restrain your anger." Gao Fu knelt swiftly, beseeching, "Your health is precious; do not let sorrow and anger harm your body. Whether the prince angers you by words or blows, please spare your strength."

"I cannot feign ignorance now that I know this," the emperor's voice abruptly sharpened, "Go summon the Crown Prince—I want to ask him directly if he still wishes to remain Crown Prince."

The moment the emperor's words fell, Gao Fu sprang up and hurried toward the Eastern Palace. This matter must not become public knowledge.

At the Council Hall, the Crown Prince Li Zhang was holding court when Gao Fu arrived with the summons. Somewhat surprised, Li Zhang emerged, still holding a red ink brush.

"Why come in person?" Li Zhang asked mildly.

"Your Highness, please follow me," Gao Fu, flushed and embarrassed by the presence of Li Ce at the hall, stepped back and led Li Zhang down the steps before speaking, "The Princess Consort of Wei has spoken nonsense in prison, inciting His Majesty's wrath."

"What did she say?" Li Zhang remained composed and unruffled.

Gao Fu hesitated, struggling to speak.

"Speak freely," Li Zhang urged.

"She accused Your Highness of favoring Lady Ye, Prince Chu's consort," Gao Fu whispered.

The Crown Prince did not respond. Several ministers anxiously waited near the door, glancing over. Li Zhang seemed frozen, until a red brush slipped from his hand, leaving a conspicuous crimson stain across his dragon-embroidered robe—resembling blood spilled from a wound.

"Your Highness?" Gao Fu gripped his whisk, bowing his head, unwilling to meet Li Zhang's expression but urging that there be no delay.

Li Zhang took a hesitant first step forward, then regained his composure. Apart from a tense expression, there was little difference.

Before the emperor, Li Zhang even smiled lightly, saying,

"The lotus leaves in the Taiye Pool have already turned so green? Your son was careless not to notice."

The papers and brushes on the desk had been put away. The emperor sat on a stone bench beside the pool like a wealthy nobleman enjoying the scenery. Hearing Li Zhang's voice, his anger seemed to subside somewhat.

"Crown Prince, have you heard the story of Lady Xi?"

Li Zhang knelt respectfully, answering formally,

"Lady Xi was the wife of the ruler of the State of Xi during the Spring and Autumn period. When the King of Chu conquered Xi, he took her for himself. Though favored, she refused to speak to the King of Chu. Poet Wang Wei wrote 'Lady Xi' praising her loyalty and remembrance of old debts."

The answer was accurate, but the emperor cared little for Lady Xi's virtues.

"Then tell me," the emperor said, "why did the State of Xi perish?"

Li Zhang hesitated slightly before the emperor answered for him:

"Because King Wen of Chu desired Lady Xi."

That a kingdom fell for the sake of a woman—this was the lesson a crown prince must heed and vigilantly guard against. Fourteen years ago, beside this very pool, the emperor had warned Li Zhang. Perhaps due to the lapse of time, Li Zhang had forgotten.

Li Zhang stared blankly for a moment, then kowtowed deeply,

"Your son does not understand; please enlighten him, Father."

"This is my enlightenment!" The emperor's tone was grave. After coughing, he continued,

"The tongues of the masses are as sharp as swords, but I shall not allow petty intrigues to damage the harmony between you and me. Whether it be my women or other royal ladies, if you dare lay a hand on them, I will not hesitate to depose the Crown Prince!"

Li Zhang's head remained bowed, trembling as he vowed,

"Your son would never betray virtue or ingratitude to disappoint you."

Ye Jiao was Li Zhang's sister-in-law and a member of the royal family; Li Ce had uncovered the truth in Jinzhou and cleared the Crown Prince's name. To harm Ye Jiao was to betray virtue; to injure Li Ce was to be ungrateful. They never uttered Ye Jiao's name, yet said everything.

The emperor waved his hand,

"On your way back, visit your mother at the Political Hall."

Li Zhang rose after bowing, a faint red mark marring his forehead, as if swollen. The emperor sighed as he watched him go,

"Have Du Xiaoran apply some ointment."

Du Xiaoran, a palace attendant under the empress, was summoned discreetly so as not to alarm the imperial physicians.

"Do you think I am partial?" The moment the Crown Prince left, the emperor turned to Gao Fu.

"I only marvel at Your Majesty's wisdom. Though you spoke indirectly, the Crown Prince, being astute, surely understood," Gao Fu explained.

The emperor's gaze darkened as he stared at the lotus leaves for a long moment before speaking coldly,

"When did this begin? I recall Ye Jiao once stabbed the Crown Prince deeply; it took over a month for the physicians to confirm his wound had healed."

Concerned for the Crown Prince's health, the emperor frequently inquired of the physicians. Gao Fu lowered his head in silence.

"Later!" Suddenly remembering something, the emperor exclaimed,

"After Li's treason, when the Eastern Palace's eaves collapsed, did Li Zhang go to protect Ye Jiao?"

"At that time, Your humble servant was focused solely on Your Majesty's safety and did not notice," Gao Fu replied.

"It must be so!" The emperor declared. "He was struck on the head."

The situation had suddenly become complicated. If Li Zhang merely harbored feelings for Ye Jiao, Yan Shuangxu's warnings might keep him cautious. But if the Crown Prince was willing to risk his life to protect Ye Jiao... The emperor's fleeting thought was immediately dismissed. No—it must not be. Among all these children, he had given least to Xiao Jiu, yet received the most in return. If the Crown Prince sacrificed himself for Ye Jiao, his foolish son Xiao Jiu would willingly die for her a thousand times over.

"Gao Fu," the emperor grasped his arm to stand firmly, resolute, "hasten the investigation into Li's treason at the Council Hall. Make sure Prince Chu makes a swift decision. I will send him and Ye Jiao out of the capital."

They would depart northward after resolving the Gesang Meiduo affair, establishing their fiefdom there.

That night, the empress sent a poisoned cup to the dungeon, granting death to Yan Shuangxu.

Before retiring, the emperor heard the news, uttered only a faint "hm," and raised his arms for Consort Xian to help him change his nightclothes...