When the junior palace attendant summoned them into the hall, Shao Shang had already regained her composure, wiping away all traces of tears. Apart from slightly reddened eyes, there was nothing unusual about her—though for a pitiful young woman whose betrothed had just committed an earth-shattering crime, this was hardly unexpected.
The Third Prince was astonished to find the girl transformed into a completely different person. As she bowed to the Emperor and the assembled ministers, her demeanor was reverent and humble, her voice even tinged with fear—as if the person who had smashed the jade pendant and cursed a prince outside the hall moments ago had never existed.
High above, oil-filled chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling, while towering twelve-branched conjoined lanterns stood every three paces, illuminating the grand hall as brightly as daylight. Below the imperial throne, about twenty officials sat in two rows according to their official rank. Most of them were familiar to Shao Shang, with a third being well-known faces. The Emperor sat sideways on his throne, seething with anger, while on his left, Cui Hou clung to his sleeve, still weeping and pleading.
Shao Shang thought to herself that the Emperor still held affection for Ling Buyi, summoning only this select group—several of whom were trusted confidants who could steer the narrative. Had it been a grand court assembly, with the officials roaring in unison, "Your Majesty, we implore you to punish Ling Buyi to uphold the law of the land," it would have been far harder to back down.
"Your Majesty, even if that wretched boy has committed an unforgivable crime, you must show mercy..." Shao Shang and the Third Prince entered just as Cui You, his face streaked with tears and snot, uttered these words.
Shao Shang sighed. People truly were different. Like her, Cui You had been deceived and kept in the dark—even now, he remained utterly clueless about the full truth. Yet without a second thought, he had dragged himself from his sickbed to plead for Ling Buyi.
Perhaps she really was born with a cold heart.
The Third Prince strode over and knelt beside Cui Hou. The Emperor ignored him, instead beckoning Shao Shang, who knelt to the right and below the throne. As she adjusted her sleeves, she stole a glance at the Emperor and froze.
Royal Uncle had always been gentle by nature, and even after ascending the throne, he had never changed. In the Everlasting Autumn Palace, he was often kind and cheerful; at Consort Yue's residence, he would frequently sigh in amused resignation; and in the Department of State Affairs, he merely added a touch of leisurely cunning—though his brilliance meant even that was usually enough to handle court affairs. For major state matters, he simply employed a bit more strategy.
But now, an aura of unyielding fury radiated from the Emperor. His thick brows were furrowed, his face dark with anger, his eyes burning with wrath—as if the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers had all rebelled and defected, and the Empress and Consort Yue had demanded divorces all at once.
Shao Shang sighed inwardly. Under normal circumstances, she would never dare provoke the Emperor in such a mood. But now, even if Royal Uncle was furious beyond measure, she still had to plead her case.
Cui Hou continued to sob pitifully, until Prince Ruyang (Heir) stood up and declared angrily, "Your Majesty, you know my younger brother—he has never associated with the Ling family. When the Marquis of Chengyang and his wife invited us to banquets, I forbade my household from attending. If not for that wretched business between Chunyu Shi and Ling Yi, my father and mother might never have reached such a state! But—"
He took a deep breath. "Disgust and contempt are one thing; murder and arson are another! No matter how grievously Madam Huo was wronged, Ling Buyi cannot justify killing his own father to avenge her! Patricide is an unforgivable crime against heaven! My mother was so distraught she refused to eat all day—she could scarcely believe such a monstrous act could exist in this world!"
His words were met with a murmur of agreement from those around him.The Emperor remained silent. Yuhou smiled and said, "Heir Apparent, there's no need for such agitation. Please, take a seat. Ah, by the way, how is Old Princess Ruyang's health? Half a month ago, I heard she could no longer eat or drink."
Prince Ruyang (Heir) hesitated before replying, "...My mother has shown some improvement these past few days. Her appetite... her appetite has returned to normal."
Yuhou gave a knowing smile. "Ah, I see. That's very good, very good indeed."
Prince Ruyang (Heir) frowned. "What do you mean by that, Yuhou?"
Yuhou merely smiled without answering. General Wu interjected, "What Lord Yu means is that to avoid accusations of deceiving His Majesty for rewards or cursing one's own kin to an early death, it would be better to report only when the illness is truly critical—don't glare at me, Heir Apparent. I say this for the good of Prince Ruyang's household."
Prince Ruyang (Heir)'s face flushed red.
In truth, he had no real connection with the Ling family. But after all, his mother was his own flesh and blood. When she lay on her sickbed, gasping for breath, begging him repeatedly to report her condition to the Emperor, how could he refuse?
"My mother's situation was not an intentional deception by Prince Ruyang's household. It was... it was simply unexpected..." Prince Ruyang (Heir) struggled to explain. "Your Majesty, my mother may be confused, but Princess Yuchang is innocent! She was widowed young and has always conducted herself with virtue and restraint, never once acting arrogantly. She finally found a new match, and now... now..."
His voice choked with emotion. "After the bloodshed, Chunyu Shi and her son fled to my mother's residence in the dead of night, terrified out of their wits! Fortunately, Chunyu Shi and my mother have been close friends for years, maintaining carrier pigeons for correspondence. Last night, upon receiving the message, my mother immediately dispatched our family generals to rescue them. And now... now Nuying is to be widowed again..."
A portly official with a crooked mustache suddenly stood up and declared loudly, "The Heir Apparent speaks the truth! Who among us has no family, no loved ones? Your Majesty, I won't mince words either—my sister is Ling the Second's second wife! In the chaotic years past, she lost two husbands in succession. Finally, she married Ling the Second, and they lived in harmony. Yet overnight, she's a widow again! Now she's at home threatening to take her own life—who can I turn to for justice? If Ling Buyi wanted to avenge his mother's grievances, he should have targeted Ling Yi alone. Why slaughter Ling the Second and Ling the Third as well? Has he gone mad with bloodlust?"
The Marquis of Da Yue frowned. "Don't exaggerate. If he were truly bloodthirsty and bent on extermination, how come your sister's children are still alive and well? Sit down at once!"
Another official, dark-faced and slightly shorter, retorted angrily, "But Ling Buyi has already killed plenty! Ling the Second and Ling the Third's eldest sons are either dead or severely wounded..."
The Marquis Zhongyue countered, "In the heat of battle, blades and arrows have no eyes. It's a matter of life and death—who has time to distinguish whose son or whose husband is who?"
The dark-faced official faltered, then sat back down in a huff—Shao Shang immediately realized this man's daughter must have married one of Ling Buyi's cousins.
A pale-faced, clean-shaven official straightened up and addressed Ji Zun across the room. "Lord Ji, as the head of the Court of Justice, won't you say something?"
Under the lamplight, the deep wrinkles on Ji Zun's face were especially pronounced. He spoke solemnly, "Last night, Ling Buyi committed multiple grave crimes—patricide, forging imperial decrees, mobilizing troops, deceiving the Eastern Palace, and disrupting court affairs. Regardless of the grievances between the Ling couple or between father and son, this old minister concerns himself today only with the laws of the land! If these charges are confirmed one by one, then Ling Buyi deserves death ten thousand times over!"Shao Shang inwardly cursed—the older the ginger, the spicier it was. Old Ji had struck right at the heart of the matter.
Cui Hou suddenly stood up, pointing at Ji Zun in agitation. "Old Ji, you—you… Zisheng grew up before your eyes! When he was fourteen, you were the one who taught him to study legal cases and statutes… Now he’s clinging to his last breath at the foot of a cliff, and you choose to kick him while he’s down?!" As he spoke, he choked back tears.
Ji Zun remained as unmovable as an ancient boulder, his expression dark and forbidding, not uttering a word.
The pale-faced, lightly bearded official straightened and bowed to the Emperor. "Your Majesty, it is human nature to shield one’s kin. The esteemed ministers are simply distraught with concern. Moreover, the state has its laws. No matter how many grievances Ling Buyi may have, he should never have resorted to military force and disrupted governance, nearly inciting unrest in six military camps. If Your Majesty does not punish him today, I fear future calamities will be endless!"
Grand Minister of Works Cai Yun slapped his thigh in approval. "Well said!"
The official with the crooked beard seemed inspired and suddenly burst into loud sobs. "Your Majesty, I know you cherish the old ties to the Huo family, but the three Ling brothers have also been our comrades for decades! Though Ling Yi was frail, he fought alongside us blade by blade from Feng County! Now his family has nearly been wiped out—you cannot fail to seek justice for them!"
"Your Majesty, Ling Buyi could even kill his own father—such cold-blooded cruelty is worse than that of beasts! You must not let your affection for him cloud your judgment!"
Then, over a dozen other ministers joined in, some pleading, others weeping…
"Have you all said enough?!"
A sharp rebuke rang out, and everyone turned to see the Third Prince suddenly rise in fury.
His face was icy, his gaze like frozen shards as it swept over the assembled ministers. "The same old arguments, no different from this morning! As officials of the court, instead of pondering the strangeness of last night’s events, all you care about is protecting your own relatives—whining and bickering, tangled in your petty concerns! What use are you?! Are you drawing the court’s official rank or the Ling family’s?!"
Under the Third Prince’s intimidation, the ministers fell silent all at once.
The Emperor turned slightly, giving his son a complicated look. The two Yue Marquises gazed at their nephew with both pride and concern. Yuhou smiled faintly, serene and unperturbed, while General Wu deftly moved the weak wine in front of Yuhou to his own side.
Shao Shang thought that if it came to sheer presence and authority, even a dozen Crown Princes tied together couldn’t match the Third Prince.
"Zisheng was raised in the Everlasting Autumn Palace since childhood, nurtured with care by Father, treated as a brother by us. Even a blind man could see his future was bright and boundless! Was he mad or stupid, to suddenly slaughter his own paternal clan and then let you lot—who are worse than blind—condemn him?! Why don’t you dust off those long-unused brains of yours and think: given Zisheng’s steady and mature character, what could have driven him to such an unthinkable act? That would be better than your endless, tiresome prattle!"
The Third Prince’s voice thundered, his imposing aura pressing down on Prince Ruyang (Heir) and the others until they couldn’t even lift their heads. Cui Hou wiped his tears and said, "The Third Highness speaks truly—there must be something strange at play here!"
After a long pause, the pale-faced, lightly bearded official ventured cautiously, "May I ask the Third Highness—what strangeness does Your Highness suspect?""I don't know, but I'm certain there must be hidden circumstances. As for what those circumstances are, shouldn't that be for you all to consider? Otherwise, what use are all these ministers?!" The Third Prince's unreasonable stance was almost justified in its arrogance.
Shao Shang continued to sigh inwardly.
Some great sage had once said that the relationship between ruler and ministers was like that between wives and concubines, while impractical scholars were like self-important men. Men always hoped their wives and concubines would live in harmony, happily united—but that was merely legend. In reality, either the ruler was strong and the ministers weak, or the ruler weak and the ministers strong, with few exceptions. However, compared to the Crown Prince who couldn't even handle mid-ranking officials, the Third Prince's domineering attitude was clearly more satisfying.
Grand Minister of Works Cai Yun glanced at Yuhou, who gave an almost imperceptible nod. Cai Yun then cupped his hands and said, "The matter arose suddenly with many conflicting accounts. Might the Third Prince share his views with Your Majesty and humble ministers?"
Shao Shang cursed inwardly: Old fox! You're truly a perfect match for your future nephew-in-law!
The Third Prince, satisfied with the current atmosphere, said impassively, "Lady Cheng, you speak. It was you who informed His Majesty last night about Zisheng going to the Ling family's Secluded Residence. How did you come by this information?"
At these words, all eyes turned to the delicate girl who had remained silent since entering the hall.
The pale-faced, barely bearded official said, "So it's the young Lady Cheng. Since Ling Buyi is your future son-in-law, have you come today to plead his case?"
The Third Prince cut in: "Just moments ago, Lord Ding spoke of how shielding one's kin is human nature. What if Lady Cheng does wish to plead for leniency?"
Lord Ding choked momentarily before responding, "Young Lady Cheng, though Ling Buyi has committed grave crimes, he is still bound to you by marriage alliance. How could you inform on his misdeeds last night?"
"That's because the marriage hasn't been formalized yet! What's wrong with Lady Cheng prioritizing her own father, brothers, and family?" the Third Prince retorted impatiently.
The ministers thought: ...You've already monopolized all reasonable arguments—naturally we dare not say "what's wrong" anymore.
Yuhou gave a light laugh and stepped in as peacemaker: "Lord Ding, remain calm and let us first hear what the young Lady Cheng has to say. Lady Cheng, if Zisheng confided the truth to you, you may recount it in full."
Cui Hou chimed in eagerly: "Exactly! Shao Shang, speak up, speak up!"
Shao Shang hung her head like any ordinary frightened young girl: "Before last night, Lord Zisheng had never spoken to me of these matters."
Yuhou questioned, "Then how did you know Zisheng would go outside the city walls last night? How did you know he intended harm to his paternal clan?"
"In truth, my doubts about Lord Zisheng have existed for a long time," the girl said slowly, raising her head with a vulnerable gaze that swept pleadingly over the assembled ministers. "Have none of you esteemed officials ever noticed anything unusual about Lord Zisheng?"
The ministers thought: Now that you've put it this way, how can we admit we noticed nothing?—prompting a scattered murmur of vague assent.
"I remember during that visit to Apricot Blossom Secluded Residence, A'ao who served Madam Huo told me that Madam Huo doted excessively on her son, never allowing him to climb even slightly high places. Yet I distinctly recall Lord Zisheng mentioning that his father often lifted him high and played catch with him as a child. Don't you find that strange, my lords?" Shao Shang said.
The ministers thought: What's strange about that? The real oddity is listening to some sheltered young girl gossip in the imperial hall!
Finally, General Wu spoke up: "What's strange about that? Two completely unrelated matters.""Not so," Shao Shang replied with some exasperation. "If Madam Huo wouldn’t even allow her son to climb to slightly higher places, how could she have permitted Ling Hou to 'frequently' toss him up in the air and catch him?"
The ministers were taken aback. Lord Ding spoke up, "Perhaps Madam Huo trusted her son-in-law not to drop the child, or perhaps Ling Hou played with the boy behind her back... These are trivial domestic matters, hardly worth dwelling on!"
The others nodded in agreement.
The Emperor suddenly interjected, "That’s incorrect. Jun Hua had struggled with infertility for years and cherished her son dearly. She kept a close watch over him—even at home, Ling Yi never dared to toss the child in the air. Shao Shang, continue."
The ministers stiffened.
Shao Shang bowed respectfully. "If this were the only incident, I wouldn’t be suspicious either... General Wu, do you know how Madam Huo and her son were reunited after they were separated?"
General Wu looked puzzled. "What do you mean? Didn’t Ling Yi remarry, and soon after, she showed up at his doorstep, causing an uproar? What’s the issue here?"
Shao Shang countered, "Yuhou, is that what you heard as well?"
Yuhou replied, "Isn’t that how it happened?"
"That’s not right!" Cui You exclaimed. "Jun Hua didn’t return on her own—I was the one who brought her back!"
The Emperor also looked surprised.
The minister with the crooked beard said, "How can that be? The women in my household also said Madam Huo found her way back herself and even berated Ling Yi, accusing him of forgetting about her and their son."
Cui You insisted, "No, no! For those two years, Jun Hua hid in the countryside. If I hadn’t overheard villagers talking about her and tracked her down, who knows when she would have returned? This... this is something His Majesty knows about!"
The ministers buzzed with discussion.
Yuhou, deep in thought, raised his voice. "Gentlemen, quiet! Let me speak... Back then, the war was intense, and few of Your Majesty’s generals and officials had any leisure. When Madam Huo returned, I was in Hexi persuading several scholars to join us. Old Wu and the other generals were also occupied with their own duties, so we only heard about it afterward."
The Emperor nodded. "Correct. At that time, Cui You was the only one by my side, training scouts. Ling Yi had just completed his wedding and hadn’t yet departed—it was indeed Cui You who found Jun Hua."
General Wu, less perceptive than Yuhou, pressed, "What does this prove?"
Shao Shang looked urgently at Cui You. "Uncle Cui, you grew up with Madam Huo. Don’t you find the events of that time strange? Ling Hou had taken concubines before—why would he and Chunyu Shi’s situation drive her to such extremes? Chunyu Shi was already pregnant. Madam Huo could have pretended to accept it and later found a way to expel her—she’d done it before."
The dark-faced minister declared loudly, "I’m from Rao County, but even I’ve heard Madam Huo was notoriously violent and erratic, with a fiery temper. While General Huo Chong was alive, she could take her time tormenting concubines. But after his death, she lost her support—no wonder she acted so desperately!"
Shao Shang countered, "No. At that time, Madam Huo’s rage was unlike before. It wasn’t just about keeping Chunyu Shi out of the Ling household—she wanted her dead! Heir Apparent, you must know about this."Prince Ruyang's Heir, noticing the gazes of the emperor and ministers upon him, hastily added, "Indeed! Mother often said Madam Huo was ruthless and vicious. At the time, seeing His Majesty's pity for the Huo family's loyal sacrifice, Mother had already decided to compromise—planning to find another suitable match for Chunyu Shi after she gave birth, which Chunyu Shi herself had agreed to. Yet Madam Huo refused to relent, insisting on Chunyu Shi's death, which ultimately led to the divorce!"
Whispers filled the hall. The pale-faced Lord Ding slowly remarked, "Still trivial matters. What difference does it make whether she returned on her own or was found? Forcing Ling Hou to abandon Chunyu Shi wasn't enough—Madam Huo wouldn't rest until she was dead. The divorce and her subsequent madness... one might say she was already mad by then..."
Just as Cui Hou was about to retort, Shao Shang interjected, "What if Madam Huo wasn't mad? What if she had been pretending all along?"
A sudden clap of spring thunder echoed outside, leaving the ministers and the Emperor stunned.
The sound of raindrops pattering outside signaled the arrival of a spring drizzle. The Third Prince exclaimed, "Oh no—Zisheng is still at the foot of the cliff, Father..." He looked pleadingly at the Emperor.
The Emperor fixed his gaze on Shao Shang. "Continue."
A dull ache throbbed in Shao Shang's chest as she pressed on, "After my betrothal to Lord Zisheng, my mother inquired about the past between the Huo and Ling families. What she heard was also that 'Madam Huo returned on her own.' Likely, most in the Capital City heard the same. No one paid it much mind, but I suspect that if someone investigated carefully, they'd find this claim originated from the Secluded Residence of Xinghua."
Cui You gaped. "You mean... Junhua spread it herself? But... why...?"
"Uncle Cui, think of Madam Huo's state before her death. Do you truly believe she was mad?" Tears welled in Shao Shang's eyes.
Cui You recalled that night—the heart-wrenching screams of Huo Junhua: "I was blind, a fool! If only I had married you..." A realization struck him like lightning, and a suspicion took root.
The Emperor turned fully toward Shao Shang. "Is there more?"
"Yes!" Shao Shang replied steadily.
"All these years, Zisheng has never been able to serve at Madam Huo's side. Your Majesty knows the reason."
The Emperor said, "Of course! Because every time Junhua saw Zisheng, she was reminded of Ling Yi, worsening her madness!"
"Your Majesty, think carefully—do Zisheng and Ling Hou truly resemble each other?" Shao Shang challenged boldly.
The Emperor's breathing grew uneven, his pupils dilating.
Shao Shang met his gaze directly. "I see no resemblance between Zisheng and Ling Hou. He resembles Madam Huo instead. And the Marquis of Da Yue once said Madam Huo bore a striking likeness to her brother, General Huo Chong. Therefore—"
"Therefore, Zisheng truly resembles... General Huo Chong?" the Third Prince blurted out.
Shao Shang turned to the assembled ministers. "I am young, but many of you have seen General Huo Chong. I dare ask you to recall—who does Zisheng truly resemble?"
Another peal of spring thunder resounded outside, striking like a hammer against their hearts. Expressions shifted dramatically among the crowd.
"Finish your words!" the Emperor demanded hoarsely, his hands gripping the armrests tightly."I had a vague suspicion in my heart, but dared not voice it. Until last night, when Lord Zisheng personally told me that he was not the son of Ling Hou, but the son of the late Marquis Huo. Years ago, when the heavily armed troops besieged the isolated city, Ling Hou colluded with the enemy and caused the death of the entire Huo family. What he did last night was to avenge their deaths!"
As these words were spoken, gasps of shock rose and fell throughout the hall. Even the usually composed Yuhou was visibly startled, straightening up from his seat, while General Wu overturned his wine cup with a clatter.
Marquis of Da Yue, amidst his surging emotions, cast an extra glance at Shao Shang, thinking to himself how clever and astute this young woman was. Had she bluntly stated the matter from the start, everyone would have likely denounced her as spouting nonsense. But she first showed vulnerability, then built her argument layer by layer, linking each point seamlessly, guiding the emotions of everyone in the hall to the critical moment before delivering a decisive blow—ultimately achieving an extraordinary effect.
After a moment of stunned silence, the atmosphere in the hall erupted like a lit fuse, bursting into chaos.
The official with the crooked beard angrily stood up: "Nonsense! I’ve never heard of this! Back then, Huo Chong defended a lone city with just a few thousand men against two hundred thousand Barbarian Armor Thieves. We all deeply admired and were grateful to him! But just because Ling Yi didn’t die in the siege doesn’t mean he colluded with the enemy!"
The dark-faced official shouted, "Exactly! General Huo Chong doted on Madam Huo, and Ling Yi was no warrior, so every time they went into battle, General Huo Chong placed Ling Yi in a safe position behind the lines to keep him out of danger—we all know this! That lone city was backed by Mount Xunyang, and the three Ling brothers were stationed there to guard the provisions. After the city fell, the Ling family naturally encountered the enemy forces last!"
Marquis Cui, his face twisted with fury, bellowed, "Every single defender in the city died—even the women and children of the Huo family perished! How is it that Ling Yi survived, and his entire family at that? What kind of coincidence is that?!"
Prince Ruyang’s Heir softly countered, "Wasn’t it because our reinforcements arrived in time? General Wu led his troops there just half a day after the city fell..."
General Wu interjected, "That’s not the point. When a city is under siege at its most desperate, there’s no distinction between front lines and rear guards, between charging forward or holding the rear—every soldier is needed on the walls! I found it strange even then. If the women and children were sheltered at the foot of Mount Xunyang behind the city, that would make sense. But the three Ling brothers and their private army were all strong and capable—why were they hiding there?"
Marquis Zhongyue smirked, "Could it be that Ling Yi was a coward, hiding to save his own skin?"
The crooked-bearded official roared, "How dare you slander him like this! Perhaps Ling Yi was protecting the women and children!"
Marquis Cui retorted furiously, "Wu, you’ve fought in countless battles yourself—you’ve defended cities! Stop playing the fool now! Once a city falls, no woman or child is spared. Why would anyone keep men back to protect them? They should be on the walls fighting! I know you and your sister relied on each other for years and share a deep bond, but that doesn’t mean you can ignore the truth!"
"What truth?! If Ling Yi truly colluded with the enemy, do you think I’d defend him?! But now, based solely on Ling Buyi’s vague accusations, you want to condemn the entire Ling clan to death?!"
"Exactly! This happened over a decade ago, and all three Ling brothers are dead. With no living witnesses, anyone can say anything!"
"Not necessarily. Even if the Ling brothers were alive, would they honestly admit to treason? Back then, His Majesty was in dire straits. If Ling Yi had truly stabbed him in the back, his crime would be far worse than Peng Zhen’s!"
"Enough of this pointless talk! If you have evidence, present it. Otherwise, stop rambling!"
...
"Enough!" The Third Prince could bear it no longer and shouted sharply, "His Majesty is still here! How dare you behave so disrespectfully before your sovereign!"
Reluctantly, the officials sat back down, all eyes turning to the figure on the throne.
To their surprise, the Emperor had at some point slumped against the armrest, one hand covering his face—beneath it, tears streamed down unchecked.The courtiers fell into stunned silence.
"Ah, so he was not A-Li, but A-Zheng." The Emperor slowly lowered his hand, revealing his aged face streaked with tears. "A-Zheng was two months older than A-Li. From birth, A-Zheng was lively and cheerful, smiling at everyone. But A-Li was frail and delicate, so Jun Hua insisted on taking A-Zheng's name for him. Ling Buyi, Huo Buyi... Heh, heh..."
Seeing this, Yuhou and others already understood the situation, while those ministers who had been speaking in Ling Yi's defense were shocked.
Shao Shang quietly wiped away her tears, thinking to herself: So his name was A-Zheng—Zheng being a mythical beast of antiquity, fearsome and valiant.
The pale-faced Lord Ding, sensing the turn of events, hastily interjected, "Your Majesty, let us not jump to conclusions! It's common for nephews to resemble their uncles. That Ling Buyi bears a striking resemblance to General Huo Chong is not so strange—"
"But what if he truly is Huo Chong's son?" Yuhou cut him off.
General Wu added, "Indeed. Should the son of a hero die in vain like this?"
Prince Ruyang (Heir) clutched his head and lamented weakly, "Both of you lords are connected to the Ling family by marriage. Why won't you speak for them?"
Yuhou rubbed his nose and smiled faintly. "I'm not close to that distant cousin of mine. I've never even met his daughter. Old Wu, you tell them—it was your own cousin who married a Ling daughter."
"Enough," General Wu said with a hint of mockery. "When I was young and poor, no relatives came to my aid. Back then, I thought they'd all died out. But once I made something of myself, relatives came swarming out of the woodwork. It makes me wonder—does success breed relatives?"
Grand Minister of Works Cai Yun and the two Marquis of Yue burst into laughter, while Lord Ding's expression darkened.
General Wu continued, "Though I also hail from Jingsheng County, I wasn't close to Huo Chong. I was hot-tempered, fond of killing and brawling, and he was always lecturing me about it, so I kept my distance."
Lord Ding and his companions began to look somewhat relieved.
"But..." General Wu went on, "Back then, everyone knew defending that isolated city was a suicide mission. It should have been me, but I hesitated for half a day, worrying about my elderly mother with no one to care for her. Then I heard Huo Chong had taken the assignment. Over the years, I've often wondered—if it had been me who went, would my colleagues have looked after my mother and children after my death, or would they have trampled them instead?"
The hall fell silent again, no one daring to respond.
Marquis of Da Yue frowned. "Nonsense. You're a vanguard by nature—you'd never have been suited for city defense."
General Wu retorted with a sardonic tone, "I may love charging ahead, you may be a scholar, and old Yu may only be good with words. But surely there were others capable of defending a city. Why didn't any of them volunteer then?"
The military officers who had spoken for the Ling family fell silent. Yuhou twitched his lips. "Seems you've improved—learning to speak indirectly now."
The pale-faced Lord Ding was beginning to falter, beads of sweat glistening on his forehead. He raised his voice to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, I beg you to hear me once more! This matter is of grave importance—we must not rashly determine whose son Ling Buyi is! Would Ling Hou not recognize his own child? All these years, we've never heard Ling Hou express the slightest doubt...""Didn't you just say, my lord, that 'nephews often resemble their uncles'? Perhaps Ling Hou's son A-Li also resembled General Huo Chong, making the two cousins born two months apart naturally share seven or eight parts of similarity?" Shao Shang said softly.
Lord Ding, caught off guard by her rebuttal, angrily retorted, "No matter how similar, Ling Hou wouldn't fail to recognize his own son!"
Cui Hou suddenly understood and added, "That's why Jun Hua hid in the countryside, unwilling to return. She wanted to wait a few more years until Zisheng's appearance changed enough before coming back. Who knew I'd find her after just over a year! She didn't truly intend to kill Chunyu Shi either—she wanted to escalate the situation beyond repair to force a divorce from Ling Yi, ensuring he'd never see his son again..."
Lord Ding sneered, "Don't be so presumptuous, Cui Hou. Given the bond between His Majesty and General Huo Chong, why would Madam Huo need to hide for years? She could have simply told His Majesty the truth—do you think His Majesty wouldn't have upheld justice for her?! If Ling Yi truly caused Huo Chong's death, a hundred Ling clans would have been exterminated!"
Cui You was momentarily speechless.
"Because... Madam Huo feared no one would believe her." For the first time that night, the Marquis of Da Yue spoke up, drawing everyone's attention.
He repeated, "Because Madam Huo thought no one would believe her—after my younger sister was endangered, Your Majesty once said you'd never trust Madam Huo's words again. So, she resolved to gather evidence of Ling Hou's treason herself."
Shao Shang closed her eyes in anguish.
—The world isn't filled with flawless foresight; more often, it's a series of misfortunes. Madam Huo wasn't a clever woman—she simply made what she believed was the best decision.
Lord Ding's eyes flashed coldly. "Though I was in Rao County, I'd heard Madam Huo had a habit of lying since childhood. The slander she spread against Consort Yue back then was far from trivial! When the Huo family perished defending the city, Ling Buyi was only five or six. What if Madam Huo, resentful of Ling Hou's infidelity, fed lies to the child daily until he believed them?"
The crowd considered this, realizing it was indeed possible.
Cui Hou erupted in fury, shouting, "Zisheng is clearly Huo Chong's son! Avenging his father is only right!"
Lord Ding stood his ground. "If Ling Buyi was deceived by Madam Huo into believing he was Huo Chong's son when he was actually Ling's, then he still committed patricide!"
Another official interjected, "If the Ling family was hiding in the Xunyang mountains, how were the children switched?"
"Regardless, this matter is fraught with doubts. I urge Your Majesty to investigate carefully!"
Shao Shang felt her limbs grow cold, her vision blurring as her senses dulled. Too exhausted to maintain pretenses, she raised her voice with effort. "Your Majesty!"
The Emperor, deep in thought, snapped out of his reverie at her call.
Tearfully, Shao Shang kowtowed before speaking. "Your Majesty, today I finally understand Lord Zisheng's plight." Her gaze swept across the hall.
"With time's passage, Lord Zisheng not only lacks evidence of Ling Hou's treason but cannot even prove whose son he is! If Ling Hou had died, it'd be a case of 'dead men tell no tales.' Yet if Ling Hou lived, he'd insist Zisheng was his son—how then could a son kill his father?"
"Now I understand—Lord Zisheng truly had no other choice when he took that desperate measure last night."Hearing this, the Third Prince finally understood the whole story and repeatedly pounded his legs in distress. Cui Hou wept bitterly, "Zisheng, my poor child...!"
After a long silence, Ji Zun suddenly stood up and said, "Your Majesty, we still cannot definitively say whose son Ling Buyi is. But even if there's the slightest chance—what if he is Huo..."
"I have a way to prove it."
Before Old Ji could finish, the Emperor abruptly interrupted. The ministers looked at him with expressions of shock, joy, or panic. The Emperor rubbed his temples with one hand and waved the other dismissively. "Don't speak yet. Let me think."
No one dared to make a sound, and the hall fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.
After what felt like an eternity, the Emperor raised his head and asked General Wu, "Do you remember if Huo Chong had a birthmark on his body?"
General Wu looked somewhat embarrassed. "Your Majesty, as I mentioned earlier, I wasn't close to General Huo."
The Emperor then turned to Cui Hou. Cui You also hesitated. "Huo Chong was several years older than me. By the time I was playing on the riverbanks, he was already getting married. Besides, Brother Huo was always so meticulous about his attire and propriety—he never exposed his chest or back. No one would know..."
The Emperor's gaze shifted again, and Yuhou and the two Yue Hou immediately chimed in, "We're from the neighboring county."
"Wait, wait!" Prince Ruyang (Heir) suddenly slapped his forehead as if struck by inspiration and exclaimed, "I remember now! Huo Chong did have a birthmark—right on his chest! That year, when he and Your Majesty came back covered in mud, I was the one who sneaked firewood to heat bathwater so Mother wouldn't scold them!"
"Exactly!" The Emperor clapped his hands emphatically. "The birthmark was as big as two palms! Huo Chong even made us swear not to tell anyone because an ancestor of his had once died from a curse after someone saw the shape and location of their birthmark!"
"Your Majesty's memory is truly remarkable!" Prince Ruyang (Heir) couldn't help but marvel. "We were barely ten years old then—over forty years ago! Yet Your Majesty still remembers such a trivial detail."
"...It was during A-Zheng's full moon banquet. We were all drunk." The Emperor had an excellent memory, but recalling drunken words from over twenty years ago still took effort. "While slumped over the wine table, Huo Chong suddenly mentioned that A-Zheng had a birthmark identical to his, though smaller and in a different location."
Ji Zun finally let out a long sigh of relief. "This is excellent. I'll dispatch men immediately to rescue Zisheng from the cliff and check for the birthmark. That will settle it!"
The ministers who had spoken in Ling Buyi's defense grew uneasy at this. If Ling Buyi truly bore the surname Huo, not only would he no longer be guilty of patricide, but the Emperor would undoubtedly protect his life—rendering any further debate pointless. If the Emperor refused to pursue the matter of military insubordination, no one could force him.
However, what they didn't know was that Cui Hou and the Third Prince were equally anxious.
For Cui You, if Ling Buyi was a Ling, he was Huo Junhua's son and thus someone he had to protect. If he was a Huo, he was Huo Chong's son and Junhua's nephew—still someone he had to protect.
Similarly, the Third Prince didn't care whose son Ling Buyi was. The person he had bonded with and cherished was the same regardless.
—But what if they pulled Ling Buyi up and found no birthmark?
Both men grew apprehensive at the thought.
"Is the birthmark on the left ankle?"Just as everyone was lost in their own thoughts, a soft female voice rang out in the hall—it was Shao Shang.
The Emperor slowly straightened up, fixing his gaze intently on the girl, while all eyes in the hall turned toward her.
Shao Shang tilted her head in recollection: "Hmm, it was a small tiger's head, but with three ears... only about two inches in size." She remembered that night beneath the Little Moon Mountain, with fine snow drifting outside and the warmth of the stove inside the tent, as she carefully washed his feet with warm water.
The Emperor staggered, nearly falling in his intense agitation, and the Third Prince hurried forward to steady him.
"Yes, yes! It was indeed a Three-eared Tiger Head!" the Emperor murmured, then began issuing rapid orders.
"Someone! Someone! Quickly bring that little beast up from the base of the cliff! Don’t let him injure his limbs or head—hurry!"
"Cui You, you go and oversee them. Bring that little beast back to me safely! Take a few of the best Imperial Physicians with you. That boy hasn’t had food or water for a day and night—go gently... Cui You, I entrust this to you..."
"I’ll drag him before his father’s spirit tablet, give him a good thrashing first, and ask if he’s lost his mind or been possessed by ghosts! Couldn’t he have spoken properly instead of taking such a reckless risk?"
By now, the Third Prince was finally at ease, while Lord Ding and his faction had turned ashen-faced. Only the muddle-headed official with the crooked beard continued to prattle: "Your Majesty, what about the crime of privately mobilizing troops?"
The Emperor’s response was to hurl a gilded wine vessel at him with such force that the man clutched his foot and howled in pain. Then the Emperor roared, "How about I atone for A-Zheng’s crimes instead—would that satisfy you?!"
With the matter settled, Cui You dragged Ji Zun away in urgent haste to rescue the man, while the other ministers filed out of the hall. The Third Prince lingered at the rear and, turning back, noticed Shao Shang had not left. Instead, she knelt before the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, please don’t be angry. Lord Zisheng may have a clever face, but he’s foolish at heart. You can teach him properly later."
"Teach him what? I think he’s stubborn, ruthless, and arrogant!"
"Your Majesty, that’s not true. Actually, I misspoke earlier—Lord Zisheng wasn’t truly desperate. To wipe out the entire Ling clan, he could have taken his time and plotted carefully. There was no need for such recklessness. Think about it, Your Majesty—Lord Zisheng will surely rise to the highest ranks of power someday. He’s so intelligent and resourceful. Once he holds great authority, he could have dealt with the Ling family slowly... There are countless ways to do so."
"But Lord Zisheng didn’t want that. In just a few years, Ling Yi has already formed so many marriage alliances. What about in a few more years, when even Princess Yuchang becomes a new bride of the Ling family? Lord Zisheng isn’t afraid of these connections—he just doesn’t want to drag more people into this."
"Your Majesty, don’t be angry. This is just the kind of person he is—either he gathers proper evidence to bring the Ling family to justice openly, or he seeks vengeance with blood, killing his enemies himself, even if it means paying with his own life. It’s not that he doesn’t know those underhanded, torturous methods—he simply refuses to use them. You raised him well. He isn’t a bad person..."
Tears streamed down the Emperor’s aged face, and for a moment, he seemed to see his righteous and heroic sworn brother standing before him. He whispered, "I understand what you mean. You may withdraw now—let me think alone."
The Third Prince stood silently by the hall’s entrance.
After knowing her for so long, this was the first time he had heard Cheng Shaoshang speak like this—her voice gentle, even carrying a touch of innocence.So when Shao Shang walked out of the grand hall, he silently followed her. Before he could decide what to say, Shao Shang turned and saw him, then exclaimed happily, "Third Prince? Don't sneak up on me like that, you scared me! By the way, did you hear what Prince Ruyang's Heir said earlier? Chunyu Shi keeps messenger pigeons and frequently corresponds with the Old Princess."
The Third Prince was momentarily stunned. "So what?" he asked blankly.
"Last night when the incident happened, Ling Hou escaped alone through a secret passage, while Chunyu Shi fled overnight to Prince Ruyang's residence without even collecting Ling Yi's body. And over a decade ago, Chunyu Shi promised the Old Princess she would bear children and remarry—does this look like the behavior of people deeply in love?"
"If that's not the case, then why was Ling Yi so determined to marry Chunyu Shi, who came from humble origins? I've heard the Old Princess wasn't particularly kind when Your Majesty was young. Rather than currying favor with an aunt Your Majesty wasn't close to, why not marry a noblewoman? Several times when I saw them together, Chunyu Shi seemed terrified of Ling Yi, while Ling Yi was always harsh with her."
The Third Prince's mind raced, and he blurted out, "Could it be that Chunyu Shi had some dirt on Ling Yi, forcing him to marry her?! Those messenger pigeons weren't just for correspondence—they were to intimidate Ling Yi and keep him in line!"
Shao Shang sighed again. Talking with intelligent people was so satisfying. Thinking of the Crown Prince... well, better not mention him now... But her joy lasted less than three seconds before the Third Prince added, "Only you women would notice such trivial details."
Shao Shang: "..."
After a moment's thought, the Third Prince said, "Chunyu Shi must have known about Ling Yi's treason and hidden evidence elsewhere. Otherwise, Ling Yi would have silenced her long ago. But where is it hidden?"
Shao Shang didn't know either. "Your Highness could try asking Chunyu Shi, though with such a grave crime as treason, she'd rather die than confess. Admitting it would doom her and her children."
With a grim expression, the Third Prince declared, "I'll go interrogate Chunyu Shi now!" As he turned to leave, he noticed Shao Shang swaying unsteadily and, for once, felt a pang of sympathy. "Don't walk. I'll have a sedan chair brought for you."
Too exhausted to move, Shao Shang leaned against a tree. "Alright, just take me to the Everlasting Autumn Palace."
The Third Prince looked surprised. "You're going to the Everlasting Autumn Palace?" He had assumed she would go home. "What will you say to the Empress?"
Shao Shang gave a faint hum before replying softly, "Her Majesty never asks. She only listens when I want to speak." She was utterly drained—she didn't want to talk, didn't want to explain, just wanted a warm place where all her actions would be accepted without question.
"After such a major incident, the Empress won't even ask you?" The Third Prince found it hard to believe. Last night, Ling Buyi had mobilized troops without authorization—essentially targeting the Crown Prince. How could the Empress remain so unbothered?!
Shao Shang smiled weakly. "Your Highness doesn't understand. You would question why I didn't stand by Zisheng's side through life and death. Zisheng would question whether he truly has a place in my heart. My family would question why I couldn't stay out of trouble and had to wade into this mess... Only Her Majesty—only she believes that whatever I do, I have my reasons."
The Third Prince fell silent.
In truth, he deeply respected and admired the Empress as well. But what he had to do would inevitably hurt that kind woman.The palanquin arrived, and Shao Shang shakily stepped onto it. The Third Prince instinctively reached out to steady her, only to find traces of blood on his palm when he withdrew his arm. He froze, immediately turning to the girl. "Why are you bleeding?"
Shao Shang weakly pressed a hand to her shoulder and back, shaking her head. "The wound probably reopened. Mother Fu didn't wrap it securely enough. Your Highness needn't worry—the Empress will take care of me."
The Third Prince's chest heaved as he took several deep breaths before declaring loudly, "Don't worry. When Zisheng returns, I'll make sure he kowtows to apologize properly. What was he thinking, hurting you like this! But since he's so fond of you, he'll surely obey your every word from now on."
As the palanquin was slowly lifted and began moving forward, Shao Shang turned back with a weak, pale smile. "Your Highness still doesn't understand. Between him and me... there is no 'from now on'..."
The night rain had stopped, but the evening wind felt even colder against the skin. The girl had already gone far into the distance, leaving only a bewildered Third Prince standing alone.
Author's note: Exhausted to death. See you the day after tomorrow.
OpenNovel