Chapter 3: Your Majesty, Calm Your Anger – Chaos in the Palace

Emperor Zhaoming: How are state affairs? And what of family matters?

Regarding state affairs, as several masters have stated, both the Cloud Sea Bandits and the refugees from Bozhou are critical matters. Your Majesty, out of consideration for Prince Chu, may choose either one to handle.

And family matters?

Old Prime Minister Yan looked up toward the emperor’s embrace: For family matters, we should ask the aggrieved party—the imperial eldest grandson.

The imperial eldest grandson?

All eyes converged on the small bundle in the emperor’s arms. That tiny form, seemingly no larger than a cat—could it truly be the three-year-old imperial eldest grandson?

Had Prince Chu and his wife not been feeding him?

Prince Chu and Chu Wangfei, subjected to numerous skeptical gazes, found it difficult to defend themselves.

This little rascal was indeed frail, genuinely eating without gaining weight, and truly black-hearted at that.

Letting the little rascal choose would likely exhaust them to death.

Chu Wangfei immediately burst into tears: Father Emperor! This daughter-in-law is guilty! Ji’er is weak and sickly, and it took three years of nursing in the princely residence before he could leave. The Hua family resides in Cangzhou, where the climate is warm and humid. The imperial physician said it would benefit Ji’er’s recovery. That is why this daughter-in-law considered sending Ji’er to Cangzhou. If Father Emperor must punish us, allow us to take Ji’er to Cangzhou. This daughter-in-law will surely assist the Hua family and other wealthy merchants in resettling the Bozhou refugees!

Chu Wangfei’s words perfectly aligned with the intentions of Chancellery Director Cui’s faction. Minister Xie, also from an influential noble family, nodded in agreement, feeling quite pleased.

With the involved party voluntarily taking responsibility, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the matter was as good as settled.

Wei Shizhong remained as refined and gentle as ever, as if his earlier proposal had never existed.

Old Prime Minister Yan resumed his previous posture, eyes half-closed, eating the vibrant green vegetables from his blue-and-white porcelain bowl, avoiding both alcohol and meat.

Prince Chu closed his eyes and bowed his head: I beg Father Emperor to punish me!

But Emperor Zhaoming looked down at the white bundle in his arms.

Murong Ji, where would you like your father and mother to go?

What a question.

He didn’t ask if she wanted to follow them to Cangzhou, but where she wanted the two of them to go.

This emperor truly lived up to being an emperor!

Emperor Zhaoming leaned toward resolving the Cloud Sea Bandits issue, while Prince Chu and his wife preferred handling the Bozhou refugees. As Prince Chu’s own child, if she truly followed the emperor’s inclination, he might inevitably feel she was ungrateful. But if she sided with Prince Chu and his wife, the emperor might feel isolated, and she feared she would struggle to get close to this Sugar Daddy again.

Murong Ji thought for a moment, then burrowed into Emperor Zhaoming’s embrace.

Ji’er doesn’t want to leave Grandfather, and Ji’er doesn’t want to leave Father and Mother either.

What a little flatterer!

Murong Zhan snorted coldly, but in such a setting, he only dared to grumble inwardly.

Yan Qing, who had taken a seat in the corner, kept glancing behind him. While almost everyone in the hall was focused on the imperial eldest grandson, he quietly slipped away from his seat.

Whether others noticed or not, Murong Ji didn’t know, but from her vantage point in the emperor’s arms, she saw it clearly. Of course, it was mainly because that face was too striking for her to miss.

The palace banquet was not large, attended mostly by imperial relatives, nobles, and military ministers, with even fewer children present.

That young Master Yan should have been seated beside Prime Minister Yan, but Murong Ji knew there had been no extra seat next to the prime minister earlier. Young Master Yan had arrived suddenly, even surprising Prime Minister Yan himself. Back in the Purple Star Hall, the prime minister had been stroking his smooth, beautiful beard so much it was nearly frayed.

So, what had this person been doing passing through such a remote place like Dragon Head Pond earlier?

And where had he gone now?

How curious!

And that legendary handsome and mighty Third Imperial Uncle, whom Emperor Zhaoming held in high esteem—he’d been gone so long just to change clothes, could he be meeting an old flame?

As for the others below, they all seemed rather uninteresting, mere walking corpses under this feudal dynasty.

Meeting her mother’s fierce gaze again, Murong Ji flashed a sweet smile.

Thanks to Father and Mother, she would make good use of her identity as the Imperial Granddaughter.

Grandfather is so warm, Ji’er is so sleepy—

The imperial relatives and nobles, along with the ministers, emitted good-natured laughter, awaiting Emperor Zhaoming’s final decision.

Emperor Zhaoming patted the white bundle dozing in his arms and looked toward the assembled ministers.

Murong Ji is still young, unsuitable for long journeys, and cannot be separated from familiar people. Chu Wangfei shall remain in the capital for now.Not expecting the Emperor to spare the Hua family, Chu Wangfei excitedly bowed and acknowledged the decree.

The officials present were equally puzzled. The Hua family had voluntarily taken responsibility—why would the Emperor let go of such a lucrative opportunity?

Old Prime Minister Yan’s wrinkled face showed a trace of warmth.

If wealthy merchants like the Hua family weren’t used, the aristocratic families and nobles would inevitably be targeted.

The new policy was imperative.

Chancellery Director Cui’s gaze turned cold. Minister Xie wanted to say something but was stopped by the Director’s look.

If Chu Wangfei remained in the capital, what about Prince Chu?

Could it be that the frail and sickly Prince Chu would go alone to Qingzhou to find Marquis Weiyuan?

Under the collective questioning gazes, Emperor Zhaoming spoke again.

The Hua family handled the refugees flowing to Cangzhou well, but distant water cannot quench immediate thirst. The refugees in Bozhou are my responsibility, your responsibility, the responsibility of all officials of Great Jin. As previously discussed, various regions shall first allocate grain supplies, increase personnel, and quickly restore production in Bozhou. Minister Yan,

Old Prime Minister Yan slowly rose: Your servant is here.

Bozhou’s Prefectural Governor Xu Wen is your student. Ensure he pacifies the refugees, reduces dispersal, and prepares for epidemic prevention.

Your humble servant obeys the decree.As for the refugees already dispersed to various regions, each region shall provide accommodation first. Once the Cloud Sea Bandits are eliminated, the national treasury will naturally be replenished. Prince Chu, I order you to go to Qingzhou to proclaim the decree to Marquis Weiyuan to clear the sea bandits. Are you confident?

Prince Chu looked troubled: Father’s command, your son shall spare no effort. However, Qingzhou is far, and your son is frail, fearing delays in official matters.

Your Majesty, perhaps order the Divine Feather Guards to first go to Qingzhou to find Marquis Weiyuan. By the time Prince Chu arrives, he can directly proclaim the decree.The Divine Feather Guards’ Commander-in-Chief, standing like a cold blade at Emperor Zhaoming’s side, sneered and retorted without any politeness.

Does Wei Shizhong know who Marquis Weiyuan studied under?Wei Shizhong’s expression remained gentle: Marquis Xiao is the direct disciple of Shangyong Academy’s Headmaster, peerless in martial prowess, especially skilled in naval warfare.

Then does the Shizhong know Marquis Weiyuan’s temperament?

Hates evil as if it were personal enemy, proud and awe-inspiring.

The Divine Feather Guards Commander smiled without warmth: After the case of the Marquis’s wife, Marquis Weiyuan resigned and retired. Do you think he would let us find him? Especially in Qingzhou.

Prince Chu needs assistance.

Your Majesty, the Divine Feather Guards once encountered Marquis Weiyuan in Qingzhou but couldn’t even touch the hem of his garment. This matter requires someone who can overpower him in status.

Wei Shizhong fell silent.

Murong Ji, resting with closed eyes, felt a stir in her heart, growing interested in this maternal uncle she had never met.

As the emperor’s personal guards, the Divine Feather Guards’ blades were stained with the blood of imperial relatives and high-ranking ministers. Their martial prowess was unparalleled. What kind of person could Marquis Weiyuan be, to render even the Divine Feather Guards helpless?

Most crucially, how could her father—Marquis Weiyuan’s own nephew—be so frail and weak?

Something was wrong. Very wrong.

In her three years at the princely residence, though Murong Ji spent most of her time recuperating with medicine, she utilized every remaining moment thoroughly. Her father’s gentle kindness and her mother’s fiery passion seemed genuine.

This was precisely why Murong Ji was eager to seek powerful backing.

Both her parents were too mild-tempered yet possessed too many assets. Perhaps recognizing this, her father and mother had risked altering her registered gender, hoping to secure some authority for a sheltered existence.

But Murong Ji’s idea of stability differed from theirs.

The Prince Chu’s residence and the imperial merchant Hua family supported each other—the Hua family used wealth to prolong her father’s life, while her father used his imperial authority to ensure the Hua family’s smooth operations in the capital, protecting them from being carved up by rival factions. If either side encountered trouble, this balance would shatter. Should disaster strike, her reclusive great-uncle would be unreliable, compounded by the emperor’s disdain and capital families seizing the opportunity to attack. The Prince Chu’s residence would exist in name only, making her desire for a peaceful life impossible.

For now, there was still time.

She needed to find a true protector.

Her thoughts drifted far away. When Murong Ji regained focus, she was no longer in Emperor Zhaoming’s embrace.

The early spring breeze carried a chill, yet the hall remained warm.

Those present now felt a cold dread down their spines.

Eunuch Gao’s coarse hand covered her face, but Murong Ji still caught a glimpse of the shocking scene that had drawn gasps from the crowd.

They stood in a side chamber—modest in size, furnished with tables, chairs, and a bed. The Ten Thousand Pear Blossom Screen lay overturned to one side, suggesting this was a temporary changing area. Now, near the bed, a woman in snow-white palace robes lay on the floor. Even covered by a pale blue curtain, her disheveled state was evident, with extensive bloodstains soaking through her abdomen. Her hands, fallen at her sides, clutched something desperately.

Kneeling beside the woman’s corpse was Prince Qi, who had been absent for a long time changing clothes.

Prince Qi held a sharp sword, its tip dripping blood, his own garments in disarray. His tall frame tensed into a rigid line, muscle contours starkly visible. His face was ghastly pale, eyes wide with disbelief as he stared at the palace-robed woman on the floor.

Murong! Ye!

Prince Qi hastily dropped his sword, prostrating himself in a kowtow, his voice hoarse.

Father—it wasn’t me—I didn’t kill anyone! I would never commit such a treasonous act! I beg Your Majesty to investigate!

Your Majesty, please calm your anger! Ye has always been filial—he must have been framed! Someone must be trying to set him up!

Your Majesty, this matter is suspicious.

Golden Crow Guards! Where are the Golden Crow Guards?

The Golden Crow Guard commander knelt to accept blame.

Emperor Zhaoming’s chest heaved violently. Go! Order the banquet at Chaoyang Hall to continue. No one leaves without my command!

As you wish!

General Li, if a single living creature escapes the palace, I will hold you accountable.

The imperial guard commander outside the side chamber knelt to accept the order.

Without needing the emperor’s instruction, the concealed Divine Feather Guards had already restrained everyone who entered the side chamber.

Now fully alert, Murong Ji deliberately trembled in Eunuch Gao’s arms. The eunuch had no choice but to carry her to a corner, away from the bloody corpse on the floor.

Emperor Zhaoming had long ceased to pay him any attention, allowing Murong Ji to boldly observe the several figures entering the side hall.

Behind the Emperor were two consorts in palace attire. One, adorned in resplendent and dazzling robes, had just spoken to plead for Prince Qi. Her face now showed shock and anger, her gaze fixed intently on Prince Qi—this must be Consort Shen Liang, whose father served as the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

The other, graceful and elegant with half-lowered eyes, carried herself with the poise of a noble lineage—she was Xie Defei, daughter of Minister Xie.

Behind the two consorts stood a beauty in crimson palace robes, her features bearing some resemblance to Emperor Zhaoming. With a kindly and amiable expression, she was currently comforting Consort Shen Liang—likely the Eldest Princess.

Wei Shizhong and Chancellery Director Cui were also present. After entering, they had stopped at a respectful distance, not yet seeing the corpse by the bed, but they could infer what had happened from the expressions of the others and Prince Qi’s demeanor.

Both were utterly astonished, and it was Wei Shizhong who spoke after Consort Shen Liang.

Before Murong Ji’s consciousness faded, the discussion had just reached the point where someone of status higher than Marquis Weiyuan was needed—none other than Prince Qi came to mind. At that time, during the palace banquet, both consorts and the Eldest Princess had been absent. That they could all witness this scene together suggested they had been deliberately led here simultaneously.

Disrupting the palace inner quarters.

Whether this matter was true or not, merely being associated with it would tarnish Prince Qi’s reputation.

The mastermind’s methods were simple and crude, yet effective.

But what puzzled Murong Ji most was the presence of Young Master Yan, who had left midway through the palace banquet.

That beautiful face showed little emotion, his eyes vacant as if lost in thought.

Suddenly, the other party glanced over.

Those narrow, profound phoenix eyes were like whirlpools in the deep sea, pulling Murong Ji in, sinking him deeper, beyond escape.

Murong Ji blinked.

Was he… trying to seduce him?

Author’s note:

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