When thе lаtе Еmрress was still alivе, Еmperоr Wen of Wеi dоtеd оn hеr еxcеptionally, and by ехtensiоn, he fаvоrеd Yin Gеzhi and Nаn Рing mоrе thаn the оther princеs аnd prinсesses. At thаt time, Ladу Shi was merеlу а соnsоrt. Shе could еndurе being nеglесted hеrself, but whо wоuld have thоught thаt her оwn son would alsо fail to gain thе еmрerоr’s favor? Thе First Рrinсe hаd livеd in thе Еаstеrn Pаlаcе sincе childhoоd, yеt Juе’еr had rеmаinеd with hеr until adulthood, еven his tutors were the оnes the emрeror hаd discаrdеd aftеr selecting them for the First Prince!
Lady Shi was unwilling to accept this situation and had long been scheming behind the scenes. As soon as the late Empress passed away, she devised ways to have her brother help her ascend to the position of empress. Through immense effort, she finally managed to install Jue’er as the Crown Prince. She employed every method necessary, never showing mercy. Having struggled to reach this point, if the emperor still harbored thoughts of deposing the Crown Prince, she would have no choice but to take desperate risks!
Women in the imperial harem were pitiable, spending their entire lives striving for the honor of their families and their own status. This was especially true for those who were not favored—they had long lost the youthful dreams of love, replaced only by deep resentment and a thirst for power.
Emperor Wen of Wei remained oblivious, still lost in thought, angered by the Crown Prince’s incompetence yet wary of Yin Gezhi’s abilities.
Guan Qingyue was still at large, and the truth behind the Guan family’s wrongful case was gradually coming to light. Although, at the same time, the envoys from the Wu Kingdom had become much more accommodating, Emperor Wen was deeply worried. He constantly felt as though someone was lurking beside his dragon throne, coveting it, leaving him unable to eat or sleep well. His health suffered, and recovery seemed difficult.
"Imperial Father."
In the imperial study, Yin Gezhi stood tall and poised, holding a memorial in both hands, his expression calm as he said, "Regarding the old case of the Guan family, a total of sixty-eight officials were implicated, thirty of whom are still serving in the court. Based on their actions, I have determined their appropriate punishments and recorded them along with their crimes. Please review them, Imperial Father."
Staring at him, Emperor Wen’s expression turned unpleasant. "Too many people are implicated, Chenbi. Have you ever heard the phrase ‘punishment does not extend to the masses’?"
"I have never acknowledged that phrase," Yin Gezhi replied, lifting his gaze upward with a stubborn look in his eyes. "Crimes must be punished. One person’s crime, punish one person; a hundred people’s crimes, punish a hundred people. Since Imperial Father once massacred over a hundred members of the Guan family for the crime of one person, why should it be difficult to determine the punishment for these sixty-eight people now?"
Choking slightly, Emperor Wen coughed again, his face weary. Slapping the table, he said angrily, "Why must you oppose me like this, child?"
"I do not wish to make things difficult for Imperial Father," Yin Gezhi said, bowing slightly. "I only seek justice. The Guan family was innocent, with countless merits, yet they suffered wrongful accusations for three years, and their entire family was wiped out. How can Imperial Father still believe that Guan Qingyue’s escape from prison is a crime? If she had not survived, Imperial Father would not even have the chance to atone."
"Outrageous!" Emperor Wen rebuked in a low voice, his face turning extremely grim. "Atone for what? I have committed no crime!"
"The imperial ancestral ceremony of the Yin royal family is approaching," Yin Gezhi continued, ignoring his words. "I have already discussed with the Minister of Rites that, to express remorse to the Guan family, I hope Imperial Father will publicly declare to the world during the ancestral ceremony that the Guan family was innocent."
"What?!" Emperor Wen slapped the armrest and stood up, trembling with rage. "You want me to admit my mistakes before our ancestors?!""Shouldn't have?" Yin Gezhi's expression turned cold and grave as he looked at him. "When Father Emperor first ascended the throne, Prince Ming rebelled, and half the court officials defected. It was General Guan who led a hundred thousand soldiers to rescue the throne in Lidu, securing Father Emperor's position! When the Wu Kingdom repeatedly invaded our borders, and all the serving generals preferred comfort over battle, it was General Guan who went to the front lines without hesitation, defending our Wei Kingdom's borders for years of peace! In the Southern Qi campaign, when provisions were insufficient and troops were lacking, it was the Guan family who refused to retreat, holding the city at all costs, preventing the Wu Kingdom from capturing Southern Qi City and threatening our heartland in Lidu!"
Emperor Wen of Wei nervously averted his gaze and slowly sat back down on the dragon throne.
Yin Gezhi's cool voice trembled slightly. "He was a man worthy of respect. In the Pingchang battle, I was at fault. I should have been more humane, trusted him a little more, and not sent the letter back to Lidu. Perhaps then Father Emperor wouldn't have had an excuse to kill him so quickly."
But at that time, he had shown no leniency in handling matters. Whether it was Guan Canghai, whose achievements overshadowed the sovereign, or anyone else, as long as they committed wrongdoing and evidence fell into his hands, he would handle it impartially. Yet he never imagined that while he acted justly, others would not. Beneath this filthy imperial power lay a murderous intent toward loyal ministers!
"I am willing to join Father Emperor in seeking forgiveness from our ancestors and apologizing to the Guan family." His Adam's apple bobbed as Yin Gezhi looked at Emperor Wen of Wei. "I only ask Father Emperor to no longer cling to the royal family's dignity."
Emperor Wen of Wei fell silent, his eyes shifting slowly from side to side. After a long while, he finally asked, "What if I refuse?"
"What Father Emperor cherishes most is the power in your hands, isn't it?" Yin Gezhi had anticipated this response. He chuckled, his expression growing even colder. "Whether it's military authority or other great powers, you have always held them tightly, never delegating them to others."
Emperor Wen of Wei snorted softly, glancing at the imperial seal on the table, tacitly acknowledging this.
"In that case, forgive my audacity." Yin Gezhi bowed slightly. "Ever since learning of the Guan family's wrongful case, I have been prepared. If Father Emperor persists in your ways, then I have no choice but to confront you."
"Oh?" Emperor Wen of Wei sneered, narrowing his eyes. "You are merely a prince, while I am the Son of Heaven. What do you intend to use to confront me?"
"Simple." Yin Gezhi lowered his gaze. "Before coming here, I discussed with the Crown Prince of Wu. If I am allowed to return to the Wei Kingdom, I can lead troops into battle. Together with Wu, we will resist Song. His only condition for allying with Wei is for me to take command."
Emperor Wen of Wei's heart tightened, and he frowned. He had personally negotiated with the Wu envoy, and this was indeed the condition.
"Father Emperor must wonder why I was able to return after only a year." Yin Gezhi chuckled softly. "If I weren't confident, I wouldn't dare challenge you. If the alliance between Wu and Wei collapses, Father Emperor knows full well what fate awaits the Wei Kingdom."
The Qi Kingdom had long coveted Wei. If they were to provoke Wu as well, Wu and Qi could join forces, first devouring Wei and then resisting Song, achieving multiple goals with one move. Wu had more than one option to begin with; allying with Wei was already a testament to Wei's enduring fortune.
Somewhat angered, Emperor Wen of Wei said, "Aren't you afraid you might die here first?"
Even a tiger does not devour its own cubs, but he was human, and the human heart could be far more terrifying than a tiger's.Yin Gezhi's expression dimmed slightly, but his back straightened even more. "Does Father intend to rely on the palace guards to kill your son?"
Recalling his own son's terrifying martial skills, Emperor Wen of Wei felt somewhat guilty but maintained a calm expression to keep up appearances. Inwardly, however, he was calculating.
If he were to strike first against Yin Gezhi, it would give him a reason to rebel. Not to mention the many officials in the court who already supported him, even the palace guards—Commander Chen had come from the Eastern Palace. Although he was loyal to the emperor, if the opponent were Yin Chenbi, whether he would obey orders was another matter altogether.
Feeling somewhat flustered, Emperor Wen softened his tone. "Blood is thicker than water. After all, you are my own son—how could I bear to harm you? But Chenbi, you cannot force your father like this just because he is soft-hearted."
"Five years ago, the Wei Kingdom's strength could still rival that of the Wu Kingdom, even slightly surpassing it." Frowning slightly, Yin Gezhi spoke with a heavy tone. "In just five short years, the Wei Kingdom has made enemies on all sides, engaged in constant warfare, plunged the people into misery, driven citizens to flee, left the land barren, and weakened the nation day by day. Has Father never considered the reason?"
"How could I not have considered it?" Emperor Wen retorted somewhat indignantly. "I have always held the court officials accountable, but there are fewer and fewer capable people to use. I spend five hours every day reviewing memorials, but what good does it do?"
"Is it truly the fault of the ministers being useless?" Yin Gezhi shook his head. "It is because Father acts arbitrarily, refuses to delegate power, rewards and punishes without measure, fails to distinguish right from wrong, and promotes officials based on personal preferences. This has led to the loss of talent in the court, leaving only incompetent people!"
Emperor Wen bristled. "How could I be as foolish as you say?"
"Is that not the case?" Yin Gezhi sighed. "Take Zhao Xu as an example. He was originally just a scholar from Lidu, somewhat famous for his calligraphy and paintings. Father, who loves calligraphy and painting, exceptionally promoted him to the position of internal secretary. Because he was skilled at flattery, within just two years, he was promoted to Grand Commandant! Father, the Grand Commandant is one of the Three Excellencies—can such a high-ranking position be given away so casually?"
Feeling somewhat guilty, Emperor Wen coughed lightly twice and did not respond.
"Later, when corpses were discovered in his mansion, what did Father do? You told me not to interfere and even said he was wronged! May I ask, Father, were the female corpses in the backyard of the Grand Commandant's Mansion related to you?"
"Audacious!" The emperor slammed the table and stood up angrily. "What could they have to do with me? When I visited his mansion, we only discussed calligraphy and painting, nothing else!"
"Then why did Father show such favoritism toward him?" Yin Gezhi's eyes held mockery. "Just because his calligraphy pleased you?"
"You don't understand!" Emperor Wen said anxiously. "There are few people nowadays who can settle their hearts to practice calligraphy, let alone someone who has achieved so much in the Yan style. He is destined to be recorded in history!"
Yin Gezhi laughed out loud and shook his head. "Because of this, Father can shield him from the crime of murder. Does this not count as failing to distinguish right from wrong?"
Emperor Wen was left speechless. Stiff for a long moment, he finally lowered his head in reflection.
"I insist on reopening the case and having Father confess his faults before our ancestors not to humiliate you, but to make one final effort to save the Wei Kingdom. To restore integrity to the Wei court, rekindle the loyalty of its ministers, and retain their devotion. Only in this way does our great Wei have hope of becoming strong again!"
This was the second time Yin Gezhi had said these words. The first time, Emperor Wen did not believe him; the second time, he had no choice but to listen.The imperial study remained silent for a long time. The hourglass was nearly empty. Just as Yin Gezhi was beginning to despair, thinking Emperor Wen of Wei would stubbornly refuse to change his ways, the emperor finally spoke, his voice tinged with weariness.
"Enough," said Emperor Wen of Wei. "If I must admit my mistakes, then I shall. If I must publicly confess my faults, then so be it. For the sake of Wei Kingdom's future, I am willing to listen to your counsel."
A surge of joy filled Yin Gezhi's heart. He looked at the emperor in surprise. "Does Your Majesty truly mean that, Father?"
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