Chapter 13: Cease Your Reckless Words — Ji Feels So Miserable

Murong Ji blinked his eyes, his tone innocent and naive: Fifth Imperial Uncle, why have you come out?

The Shu Consort had always advocated for frugality, with only a dozen or so palace attendants in her hall. Due to her poor health, she remained in her bedchamber year-round, always keeping five or six attendants by her side to serve her. Meanwhile, Murong Jun’s Still Water Pavilion was even more desolate, with only two or three attendants to care for him. At this moment, he had already sent someone to notify the Waterside Palace.

Murong Jun pulled Murong Ji up from where he sat on the ground, brushed the fallen leaves off his clothes, and sighed helplessly as he looked toward Murong Zhan and Murong Wan, who were locked in a fierce fight.

The house arrest order had no effect on Murong Zhan, yet he was forced to comply. But with these two fighting so violently outside his Still Water Pavilion, it would be unreasonable for him not to show himself.

I hope it’s not too late…

Murong Jun took a deep breath, and as he stepped forward, he glanced sideways at Murong Ji and said gently, Ji, step back so you don’t get hurt.

Then, he turned to the several petrified eunuchs and snapped sharply, You there, hurry and report to the Virtuous Consort!

The eunuchs snapped out of their daze, scrambling to their feet and rushing out in a panic.

Watching Murong Jun’s resolute, almost sacrificial back, Murong Ji thoughtfully stroked his chin.

Intelligent and quick-witted, swift to react, brave and decisive, capable of weighing pros and cons, yet still gentle and kind-hearted. Truly a promising candidate for a Sugar Daddy.

So,

What exactly did Yan Qing promise him, that he would risk offending the Virtuous Consort Xie, who came from a powerful family?

Murong Ji pondered this silently.

At that moment, Murong Jun walked toward the two who were fighting fiercely, attempting to stop the chaos.

Murong Zhan and Murong Wan were both fighting and cursing, and when they noticed someone intervening, they paused briefly. Immediately after, Murong Zhan’s eyes turned bloodshot, and he violently tackled Murong Jun to the ground, raining down punches on him.

You bastard! How dare you show your face! This is all your fault!

Seeing this, Murong Wan rushed over in a panic: You scoundrel! Stop it!

Enduring the pain, Murong Jun shouted with difficulty, Wan, don’t come over! Go find Consort Liang quickly!

Bastard! Don’t think Consort Shen Liang can save you! As long as you live, you’ll never escape me! Fight back!

Murong Wan tried her hardest to stop him, but Murong Zhan seemed completely indifferent to the blows she landed on him, focusing solely on attacking Murong Jun on the ground. Murong Jun was pinned heavily to the ground, his hands gripping the fallen leaves tightly as bruises gradually appeared on his face.

In the end, Que’er and Ziyun arrived with a group of palace attendants, finally putting a stop to the royal scuffle.

Inside the Waterside Palace, the atmosphere was oppressive. Only a few rays of sunlight filtered through the carved window lattices, casting mottled patterns on the floor.

Consort Shen Liang sat upright in the main seat, her face as dark as frost. She swept her gaze over the three kneeling below, her breathing quick with anger.

The Emperor ordered house arrest, and you all treat it as empty words, don’t you!

Murong Wan raised her head defiantly: It was Murong Zhan who started—

Murong Wan! Qi Wangfei scolded angrily, Fighting in the palace, disrespecting your elders! What more do you have to say? Confined to your quarters for three months!

Mother! I… A flicker of grievance passed through Murong Wan’s eyes, but under her mother’s stern gaze, she could only sulk and fall silent.

Murong Ji, held tightly in Chu Wangfei’s embrace, stood beside Consort Shen Liang, watching the situation below without blinking.

Although Murong Wan had instigated the conflict, she sustained only minor injuries—nothing more than a bruised corner of her lip. Murong Zhan’s face was covered in scratches that looked severe but were merely superficial. Meanwhile, Murong Jun, caught in the middle, bore the worst of it among the three. His face was bruised and swollen, blood staining the corner of his mouth, yet he stubbornly maintained a deferential posture.

Ahem… My apologies, Consort. It was all Jun’er’s fault, he murmured, his tone laden with self-reproach.

Murong Zhan snorted coldly. Of course it’s your fault! If you hadn’t lied, we wouldn’t have been placed under confinement.

Murong Jun lifted his head, his voice soft but resolute. I did not lie.

Murong Zhan sneered. Is that so? Did Prince Qi truly not have any contact with Xue Consort?

Murong Jun’s breath hitched. He opened his mouth but found no words to respond.

Consort Shen Liang flew into a rage. Murong Zhan! How dare you speak recklessly! His Majesty has already settled this matter. What ulterior motive do you have by bringing it up again?

Murong Zhan met her gaze fearlessly. You know very well, Consort, that Third Brother deserved severe punishment.

Consort Shen Liang shot to her feet. Outrageous! Truly outrageous! Guards! Summon—

What is Sister Liang Consort planning to do?

A cool voice from outside the hall interrupted her.

Immediately, Xie Defei entered, surrounded by a retinue of palace attendants. Her demeanor was dignified, her steps steady, and her elegant face wore a perfectly measured smile. As she stepped into the hall, her gaze fixed directly on Consort Shen Liang.

With a slight wave of her hand, Xie Defei signaled the attendants behind her to place a rosewood chair behind Murong Zhan.

She settled gracefully into the seat and spoke leisurely, Sister Liang Consort, excessive anger harms the body. You must take care of yourself.

Consort Shen Liang suppressed her fury, enunciating each word deliberately. Virtuous Consort, His Majesty ordered confinement, yet you allowed the Sixth Prince to go to Still Water Pavilion and bully the Fifth Prince. What is your intention?

Xie Defei smiled faintly. Since both princes are under confinement, how did Sister Liang Consort learn of their altercation?

Que’er and others witnessed it with their own eyes! How could it be false?

Is that so?

Murong Zhan suddenly looked up. Your son only went out for some fresh air. It was Murong Wan who attacked me without any justification! Then Murong Jun seized the chance to help her assault me! They must have plotted this together!

Murong Wan glared at him furiously. Nonsense! It was you who bullied Fifth Imperial Uncle and Ji’er first!

When did I ever bully them?

Murong Jun hung his head in silence.

At just the right moment, Murong Ji tugged gently on Chu Wangfei’s hand and spoke in a soft, childish voice, Ji’er accidentally fell. Little Imperial Uncle tried to help Ji’er up, but Wanwan Elder Sister thought Ji’er was being bullied. Ji’er tried to explain, but no one heard.

The Crown Prince’s eldest son spoke simply and clearly, yet his words precisely reconstructed the incident. In summary, it had all been a misunderstanding.

Xie Defei lifted her eyes and gave Murong Ji a meaningful glance. How… coincidental.

Murong Ji nodded obediently, but a chill ran through him under her sharp gaze.

Truly, she was a noble lady raised within a powerful aristocratic family—every gesture and movement exuded an intimidating authority.

Consort Shen Liang, with her rage left unvented, grew livid with suppressed anger. In the end, she could only sit back down and fall silent.

Xie Defei rose gracefully, smoothing her sleeves with a tone both gentle and unyielding: Since this is but a misunderstanding, let it end here. His Majesty is currently burdened with state affairs—surely elder sister wouldn’t wish to trouble him further.

Consort Shen Liang snorted coldly, offering no reply.

As for the Fifth Prince, with Shu Consort still unwell and unable to attend to him, perhaps—

Jun’er shall remain at the Waterside Palace. There’s no need for your concern, younger sister, Consort Shen Liang interjected.

What a blessing for the Fifth Prince indeed.

Murong Jun kept his head lowered, his voice faint: Thank you for your concern, esteemed consorts. Jun’er can take care of himself.

Consort Shen Liang met Xie Defei’s gaze directly: As the Emperor’s son, Jun’er is naturally blessed. A livelier Waterside Palace will surely please His Majesty.

Xie Defei’s lips curved slightly: Then I shall trouble elder sister with the effort.

Not as much trouble as you bear, preparing the Flower Viewing Banquet in a few days.

Merely my duty. I shall take my leave now.

Farewell.

Witnessing this confrontation, Murong Ji deeply understood how much confidence came from having a powerful maternal clan.

Behind Xie Defei stood not just the Xie family, but all six great noble clans and everyone connected to them.

In the current Jinyang Dynasty, most officials hailed from Shangyong Academy, whose students were predominantly scions of these noble families—meaning the dynasty was largely governed by aristocratic influence. With Empress Dowager Cui in the palace, even without Emperor Zhaoming’s favor, Xie Defei held sufficient power to suppress certain matters.

Such as today’s brawl.

Though it appeared serious, only some palace attendants knew of it. As long as Consort Shen Liang didn’t report it to Emperor Zhaoming, no other servant would dare speak of it.

But what surprised Murong Ji most was the Fifth Prince, Murong Jun.

He actually sought Consort Shen Liang’s protection, knowingly offending Xie Defei once again.

Could he withstand the consequences of her displeasure?

In Cloud Gazing Hall,

Xie Defei rested with closed eyes as a palace attendant gently massaged her temples. Murong Zhan knelt on the floor, cheeks swollen and flushed with shame.

Mother Consort, your son was wrong.

Where did you err?

Murong Zhan murmured: I shouldn’t have provoked Murong Jun. I acted too impulsively and deserve punishment.

Incorrect. Think again.

Murong Zhan looked up, confusion in his eyes: Mother Consort isn’t angry that I confronted Murong Jun?

Xie Defei remained silent, eyes still shut.

After a long pause, Murong Zhan ventured: Was it wrong to fight with Murong Wan?

Still, Xie Defei said nothing.

Murong Zhan grew perplexed: Your son is dull-witted. Please instruct me.

Xie Defei slowly opened her eyes, her calm tone carrying authority: You are indeed dull-witted—and impulsive, quick to anger, utterly unlike a child of the Xie family.

Murong Zhan’s face reddened with humiliation.

Xie Defei continued: You may trouble Murong Jun. You may even fight. But you must never be outmaneuvered, nor remain unaware that you’ve been outmaneuvered.

Murong Zhan’s eyes widened: You mean Murong Jun manipulated me? But I was the one who struck him! He never fought back!

He didn’t fight back, yet he gained exactly what he wanted.

What?

Consort Shen Liang’s protection.

Murong Zhan frowned deeply: He did endure everything silently. I thought it was cowardice, but it was actually…

And the Crown Grandson.

Murong Zhan looked puzzled: What of Ji’er? He had nothing to do with this.

Xie Defei waved her hand, signaling the palace attendants to withdraw.

She stood up and walked over to Murong Zhan, comparing Murong Ji’s height.

A three-year-old growing like this does make it easy to let one’s guard down. But don’t forget, he has endured illness since childhood. He wasn’t even frightened when Xue Consort died, so how could he be hurt by a stone today?

That was Murong Wan…

Murong Wan doesn’t have that capability.

Thinking about it, it made sense. In the past, Murong Wan had been as impulsive as him. The two would clash whenever they met, but actual fights were rare. After all, with the strict palace rules, they both had to restrain themselves to avoid punishment.

Today’s incident truly began the moment Murong Ji appeared.

Xie Defei said calmly, The imperial eldest grandson has already won the Emperor’s favor. Though young, he knows how to use his advantages. You’d better keep your distance from him and avoid becoming someone else’s entertainment.

After piecing together the earlier events, Murong Zhan’s expression turned grim. Hearing his mother’s words, he nodded solemnly.

Murong Ji—

He would be very careful.

In the side hall of the Waterside Palace.

Achoo—

Murong Ji rubbed his nose, took another big gulp of medicine, and made a bitter face at Chu Wangfei.

Mother—Ji’er feels awful—

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