The palace maid holding the wine pitcher knelt trembling on the side, her face drained of color, nearly collapsing to the ground in terror.
When Zhang Fengtong heard from this trusted servant about what she had done and said in public that evening, her head buzzed violently. Darkness clouded her vision as blood suddenly gushed from her nostrils, dripping down to stain the golden phoenix embroidered on the front of her palace robes—yellow mingling with red, the spreading bloodstains creating a ghastly sight.
Her eyes widened almost to the point of bulging from their sockets. With a furious swing, she delivered a slap to the maid's face, just as she herself had received earlier, sending the maid sprawling to the floor.
But this was far from enough to quell her rage. Consumed by hatred that made her wish to tear flesh with her teeth, she yanked a hairpin from her head and began stabbing wildly at the maid, her voice hoarse with frenzied fury.
"You worthless wretch! You couldn't even handle such a simple task! You've ruined me!"
Thud after thud, bloodied holes appeared on the maid's neck and face as she curled into a ball, shielding her face with her hands while screaming pitifully, "Spare me, Crown Princess! How would this lowly servant dare harm you? I clearly remember the wine in your cup was clean—"
"Still lying! I'll beat you to death! If not you, then who else could have done it? Did you deliberately plot against me?"
Though Zhang Fengtong hadn't consumed the medicated wine, her face was deathly pale, eyes bloodshot, hair disheveled, nose and mouth smeared with blood—her appearance no different from complete madness. She lunged at the maid again, stabbing viciously at her arms as the maid's piercing screams cut through the night, chilling to the bone.
"Wretched slave! Not content with ruining me, you want to draw Li Yuangui's people here too?"
Xiao Yintang, burning with rage, strode forward and kicked Zhang Fengtong squarely in the shoulder. With a faint crack, she was sent flying several feet, collapsing to the ground as the bloodied hairpin slipped from her grasp.
The searing pain from her shoulder seemed to shock her back to her senses. After a few struggles, she scrambled up from the floor and crawled frantically to Xiao Yintang's side, clutching at his robe as she wept, "Crown Prince, I truly didn't mean to! How was I to know this wretch could mess up even pouring wine? I only intended to—"
She abruptly stopped, her teeth chattering audibly.
Xiao Yintang backhanded her across the face again, then crouched to yank her hair, his voice a venomous snarl. "You meant for Zhen to drink that wine and humiliate herself publicly, didn't you? You viper! Here I was thinking today would bring honor to your Zhang family, and you—not only did you dare meddle with my people behind my back, but you've brought this disaster upon us!"
He stood abruptly, snatched a sword from the nearby table, and unsheathed it, pointing the blade at Zhang Fengtong as he advanced.
Zhang Fengtong's face turned ashen. Inch by inch, she retreated under the sword's point until her back hit the wall with nowhere left to go.
"Crown Prince, you can't kill me like this... If you kill me, wouldn't that confirm everything I said..."
Zhang Fengtong pleaded between sobs.
Xiao Yintang halted. The sword tip froze mid-air—no longer advancing, yet refusing to withdraw.His once handsome face was now slightly contorted, his eyes fixed unwaveringly on Zhang Fengtong by the wall, flickering with uncertainty. After a moment, he slowly sheathed his sword and said coldly, "You wretch! My men are guarding the palace gates right now, and His Majesty hasn’t heard of this yet. I’ll go with your father to confess before the Emperor. If you’ve come to your senses, you know what to say when we face him, don’t you?"
Zhang Fengtong leaned against the wall as if hanging limply, motionless.
Xiao Yintang didn’t spare her another glance and turned to leave.
"Crown Prince!"
Just as he was about to exit, Zhang Fengtong called out. Propped against the wall, she slowly stood up. Her eyes, wide as coins, reflected the dim candlelight with a ghastly gleam.
"There’s only one way now that might still give us room to maneuver before His Majesty. I’ll go beg Her Majesty the Empress."
She explained her plan, her voice trembling uncontrollably.
"The matter with Zhen can be overlooked, but you killed Cao Shi. If this is confirmed, even if the Cao family dares not pursue it, the censors will surely not let it go. Even if His Majesty wishes to bury the matter, he’ll need a plausible excuse..."
Xiao Yintang narrowed his eyes. "Are you threatening me?"
Zhang Fengtong suppressed the pain in her shoulder and knelt. "Crown Prince, this matter did indeed start because of me. My fate is insignificant—even if His Majesty sentences me to death, it’s what I deserve. But we’re grasshoppers tied to the same string now. Clearing my name is the only way to clear yours. Surely, you understand this better than I do."
Xiao Yintang swept his loathing gaze over her pale, ghostly face and said coldly, "Then why aren’t you going?"
Zhang Fengtong murmured an acknowledgment. Xiao Yintang took a step forward, then paused and turned back. "You vile woman, if we somehow survive this, remember—if you dare lay a finger on Zhen again, if so much as a hair on her head is harmed, I will make sure you suffer for it!"
Zhang Fengtong’s face turned ashen, and she collapsed weakly to the ground. Xiao Yintang had already stormed out. Only then did her timid attendants hesitantly enter, glancing first at Zhang Fengtong, who looked like a drenched ghost, then fearfully at the moaning servant still writhing on the floor.
"What are you, corpses? Help me up!"
Zhang Fengtong snapped harshly. As she tried to rise, a sharp pain shot through her shoulder and arm—she realized he must have broken her bones when he kicked her earlier. Gritting her teeth against the agony, her face twisted in pain, she was slowly helped up and ordered to have her hair quickly styled and her clothes changed. As she passed the injured servant on the floor, she shot a meaningful glance at a eunuch.
Understanding, the eunuch stepped forward, covered the servant’s mouth, and dragged her like a dead dog into a dark corner. At first, muffled whimpers and struggles could be heard, but soon, the sounds grew faint before finally fading into silence.
...Since ascending the throne, Xiao Lie had never slackened his diligence, personally attending to every matter. The previous night, due to urgent reports of drought in the provinces requiring disaster relief funds, he summoned the officials from the Ministry of Revenue for discussions late into the night, barely sleeping. Today, he attended court without rest, and after reviewing several important memorials in the evening with Pei You'an, He Gongpu from the Ministry of Personnel, and Zhang Shiyong, he felt utterly exhausted and retired to the side hall to sleep. No sooner had he fallen asleep than Li Yuangui woke him, reporting that the Crown Princess had drunkenly caused a scene at her mother's birthday banquet that evening, behaving improperly in front of everyone. Startled, Xiao Lie frowned and said, "How could this happen? Never mind, just forbid her from drinking in the future!"
Li Yuangui replied, "Your Majesty, if it were only that, how would we dare disturb you? But the Crown Princess said some things that might cause a huge uproar. The Crown Prince and Old Zhang fear Your Majesty's wrath and have come to kneel outside the hall, begging for forgiveness."
"What did she say?"
Li Yuangui carefully repeated her words.
Xiao Lie froze, then suddenly flung the belt Cui Yinshui had just handed him to the ground in fury, exclaiming, "Outrageous! How could such a thing happen!" It was unclear whether he was angry at the Crown Princess's drunken ramblings or the content of her words.
Li Yuangui hurriedly picked up the belt, noticing a precious jade inlay had shattered, and signaled Cui Yinshui to fetch another. Bowing deeply, he said, "Indeed, indeed. It must have been the drunken nonsense of the Crown Princess. But with so many witnesses, it cannot be concealed. That is why the Crown Prince and Old Zhang have come to seek Your Majesty's mercy."
Xiao Lie snapped, "What use is their apology now that the words are out?"
Li Yuangui hesitated. "Shall this servant dismiss them, then?"
Xiao Lie was silent at first but suddenly said, "Summon the Crown Prince inside. Tell Old Zhang to leave."
Li Yuangui assented and hurried out to relay the order. Moments later, Xiao Yintang entered swiftly, his face filled with trepidation. He knelt and kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Father, the Crown Princess has disgraced herself with drunken words. Though I am aggrieved and angered by her actions, I am even more ashamed for failing your earnest teachings. I beg for your punishment!"
Xiao Lie fixed him with a stare. "Your wife claimed you strangled Cao Shi. Is this true?"
"How could drunken ravings be true? Cao Shi served me for years, and we were deeply attached. She never erred—why would I kill her? Even if I were heartless, I would never take her life! Physician Wang was present and personally diagnosed her illness. If you doubt me, Father, summon Physician Wang for questioning!"
Xiao Lie snorted coldly. "It is easy for me to believe you, but how will the court officials and censors be convinced?"
"Father! If even you do not believe me, then I might as well die from injustice!"
"Silence!"
Xiao Lie erupted in fury, grabbing a memorial from the desk and hurling it at Xiao Yintang's face.
"If you were truly blameless, how could she fabricate such slander against you, even in the depths of drunkenness?""Father Emperor! Your son is indeed guilty. Since matters have come to this, I shall speak without fear. I admit that I once harbored feelings for Zhen after she saved my life. But later, when you arranged her marriage to You'an, whom I've always regarded as an elder brother, I severed those improper thoughts completely. However, this Zhang woman appears magnanimous but is actually petty and narrow-minded. Resenting my neglect of her and jealous of my harmony with Cao Shi, she also knew of my past affection for Zhen. Normally she conceals it, but tonight, intoxicated and overcome by inner demons, she wished for my utter ruin and thus spewed such nonsense! I beg Your Majesty to investigate! Summon her for questioning and the truth will be clear!"
Xiao Yintang finished speaking and kowtowed repeatedly.
Xiao Lie watched him coldly.
At that moment, Li Yuangui's voice announced from outside: "Her Majesty the Empress arrives! The Crown Princess arrives!"
Xiao Lie looked up to see Zhou Shi hurrying in, followed by a pale and haggard Zhang Fengtong. Zhang Fengtong knelt beside Xiao Yintang, while Zhou Shi, visibly agitated, exclaimed: "Your Majesty! Disaster strikes the inner palace! I must reveal something now! Before the Crown Prince's wedding, I received secret reports that Cao Shi, out of jealousy toward the Crown Princess, sought sorcerers outside the palace to curse her with witchcraft that induces madness and erratic behavior. Blame my negligence—I dismissed it then, thinking Cao Shi seemed too meek for such deeds and must have been slandered. I had the informant beaten and driven away. But tonight's events made me realize the truth! I ordered a search of the Crown Princess's quarters in the Eastern Palace, and indeed found cursed objects beneath her bed—utterly horrifying!"
She called out, and Granny Lin entered, kneeling at the chamber's entrance with a tray held high. Li Yuangui retrieved it, revealing a white dough effigy inscribed with the Crown Princess's birth date and pierced with silver needles at the chest and back.
Zhou Shi also knelt, weeping. "Your Majesty, this is all my fault! My soft-heartedness led to this. Had I investigated Cao Shi thoroughly when first warned, tonight's disgrace could have been avoided! The Crown Princess was cursed—her outbursts cannot be taken seriously! It must be Cao Shi's evil sorcery at work! I beg Your Majesty's discernment!"
Zhang Fengtong prostrated herself, sobbing quietly.
The hall fell into oppressive silence, broken only by stifled weeping.
"Your Majesty!" Li Yuangui rushed in again. "Old Zhang, learning you refused his audience, has dashed his head against a pillar, swearing to atone with death! He now lies unconscious, bleeding profusely..."
Zhang Fengtong's sobs briefly intensified before she choked them back.
The chamber grew tomb-quiet, save for her muffled cries echoing in the candlelight's dim recesses.
Xiao Lie's expression darkened as his gaze swept over the three figures kneeling before him. Suddenly, he chuckled mirthlessly and murmured, as if to himself: "Splendid. The cast is complete."He stood up, walked to the window, pushed it open, and gazed at the night sky for a moment before speaking coldly, "The Empress and the Crown Princess may withdraw. The Crown Prince shall remain."
Zhou Shi and Zhang Fengtong rose from the floor and retreated, leaving only father and son in the vast hall.
The candlelight flickered as Xiao Lie's expression gradually softened. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Yintang, here and now, we are not ruler and subject but father and son. If a son is untaught, the father shares the blame. Tell me the truth—was Cao Shi truly killed by you? The Crown Princess has always been so composed, so why was she so wildly deranged tonight?"
Xiao Yintang lowered his head and replied, "Your Majesty, Cao Shi indeed died of a sudden illness. Your son was deeply grieved but powerless to reverse fate. As for why the Crown Princess suddenly behaved so strangely, I dare not speculate. Since Her Majesty the Empress found a curse of witchcraft beneath her bed, perhaps that is the reason. Your Majesty has always been wise—you may send someone to investigate."
With that, he kowtowed again.
Xiao Lie gazed at the figure prostrated before him, his eyes gradually filling with desolate disappointment.
"Enough. You may go," he said after a pause.
Xiao Yintang expressed his gratitude, rose from the floor, and respectfully retreated. Just as he was about to leave the hall, Xiao Lie suddenly called out to him.
"Kneel!"
Xiao Yintang's heart raced as he hastily knelt again.
"Listen well. I can make you Crown Prince, and I can also strip you of that title! Let this be the last time. If there is another lapse in your virtue, do not wait for the censors to impeach you—I will not spare you lightly!"
The emperor's voice was not loud, but each word pierced like a cold, sharp sword.
...
By the next day, the news had spread.
The reason for the Crown Princess's public derangement the previous night had been uncovered. It turned out that Cao Shi, who had previously died of a sudden illness, had harbored jealousy and hatred toward the Crown Princess and had cast a witchcraft curse on her before her death, leading to the previous night's spectacle. Witnesses and evidence were conclusive, and the truth had come to light.
Since the Crown Princess had been cursed with witchcraft, all her ravings that night were naturally the incoherent delusions of a deranged mind. Anyone caught spreading such rumors privately would be punished for sowing discord and confusion.
The emperor sent envoys to the Duke of Zhu's residence to console the elderly lady who had nearly been strangled to death the previous night. The entire Cao family walked on thin ice, trembling with fear. Cao Shi's father knelt outside the palace hall, weeping bitterly and kowtowing until his forehead bled, finally collapsing unconscious. The emperor ordered the imperial physician to attend to him and declared that, in consideration of the Cao family's distinguished service as loyal ministers from the Wuding era and their complete ignorance of the matter, only Cao Shi's posthumous titles would be revoked, and her coffin would be removed from the imperial mausoleum for the Cao family to bury privately. No further action would be taken. The Cao family expressed their gratitude and complied with the decree.
Afterward, the Crown Princess was not seen again. It was said that she had fallen seriously ill from the witchcraft curse and was now recuperating. She would resume her duties once she recovered.
At home, Jiafu heard these pieces of news one after another—exactly as Pei You'an had predicted.
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