Chapter 258 The Emperor's Punishment
The morning court session today was unusually tense.
Ministers with well-informed sources had already learned about last night's incident, each cautiously guarding their words and not daring to make unnecessary reports.
When the morning court finally concluded, everyone quickly dispersed.
"Second Prince, you stay!"
The Emperor's cold voice cut through the air like icicles, directed straight at Prince Gongxi's forehead.
His fingers involuntarily tightened.
Last night's affair had been handled with utmost secrecy - no matter how thoroughly investigated, it could never be traced back to him.
Even if some irregularities were discovered, all clues would point toward the Gongsun family.
Thinking this, Prince Gongxi calmed somewhat.
He followed the Emperor to the Imperial Study.
The Empress and Crown Prince were already present, along with Chu Yi. Gao Gonggong closed the door and withdrew.
"You all know about last night's incident," the Emperor said from his dragon throne, his expression inscrutable. "There's no need for me to elaborate."
"Your Majesty, I just questioned my nephew," the Empress spoke softly. "He was merely passing by the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor on his way to the horse grounds last night and did nothing else. I wonder if Princess Guli learned of this girl's existence and decided to eliminate her before the wedding?"
The Crown Prince quickly shook his head. "Yesterday I was playing polo with Princess Guli's brother. The prince said his sister doesn't like Third Brother at all. Why would she kill someone in the capital of Great Jin for Third Brother's sake?"
The Empress shot her son a frustrated look.
With evidence pointing toward the Gongsun family, she had to suggest another suspect.
Otherwise, she and her son would fall into the trap of having to prove their innocence.
Prince Gongxi looked up and said, "I recall during the last palace banquet, Third Brother kicked Minister Gongsun to help Miss Yun out of trouble. Could Minister Gongsun be seeking revenge out of resentment?"
Hearing this, the Empress was momentarily stunned.
Her nephew was decent in other aspects, but he couldn't resist beautiful women. Since Chu Yi had prevented him from approaching Yun Chu, that reckless fellow might indeed seek revenge against Chu Yi without daring to confess to her, his aunt... Could it be...
Even if it were true, she couldn't admit it.
She countered, "I heard the place where Miss Liu was taken used to be the Gui family's ancestral land. Mo'er, is that true?"
Prince Gongxi Chu Mo looked incredulous. "That land might have belonged to the Gui family centuries ago, but it was sold long ago and has nothing to do with the Gui family."
If they went by that logic, at least half the land in the capital had once belonged to the Gui family, since they were famous major landowners in the capital a century ago. After entering officialdom, they gradually sold off those properties...
"Mother has the Gongsun family, Second Imperial Brother has the Gui family, while I have nothing." A bitter smile touched Chu Yi's lips. "The Yin family is incompetent, and so am I. I can't even protect my own woman. I don't blame Mother, nor Second Imperial Brother. It's my own uselessness. I've failed her..."
The Emperor's expression darkened.
He had ordered the Imperial Guards to investigate all night, yet no clear evidence had emerged.
But clearly, it was either the Empress or the Second Prince.
Even without conclusive evidence, he had to give Third Prince some justice.
It seemed Third Prince was indeed too powerless.
The Yin family, his maternal relatives, only held a minor fifth-rank official position, completely insignificant in court compared to the Empress's and Consort Hui's families - the gap was enormous.Moreover, the Crown Princess of the Eastern Palace and the two Side Princess Consorts all come from distinguished backgrounds, and the Princess Consort of Gong Xi Prince is also the daughter of a Grand Academician. In contrast, Chu Yi truly has nothing to offer.
“No more excuses.” The Emperor coldly slapped the table. “The Empress has neglected her duties and is hereby penalized with a six-month deduction of her monthly stipend.”
The Empress looked incredulous. “Your Majesty, I…”
“I ask you this: even if this matter was not your doing, is it not your failure that an innocent woman in the capital lost her life?” the Emperor demanded coldly.
The Empress pressed her lips together. “I accept the punishment.”
“And you, Second Prince.” The Emperor’s voice grew even colder. “You are temporarily relieved from your duties at the Ministry of Revenue and confined to your residence for three months of reflection. Do you accept this?”
Prince Gongxi lowered his head. “Your son accepts.”
All the scheming had come to nothing.
Chu Yi’s expression was grim.
Although that woman deserved to die.
From the Emperor’s perspective, she was an innocent woman, his son’s beloved.
A woman had died, and the punishment was merely a deduction of the monthly stipend and house arrest.
In the imperial city, human life was treated too lightly.
“Yin Pin has held her rank for many years now,” the Emperor mused after a moment’s thought. “By my decree, Yin Pin is hereby elevated to the rank of Fei.”
The Empress lowered her head. “Yes, I will see to it immediately.”
She cast a discreet glance at Chu Yi.
This incident had caused her, the dignified mother of the nation, to be penalized with a six-month deduction of her stipend. The money was not the issue; what mattered was the loss of dignity as the nation’s mother, making her a laughingstock.
Secondly, the Second Prince had been removed from the Ministry of Revenue and confined to his residence for three months—a significant punishment.
Meanwhile, the Third Prince had gained the Emperor’s sympathy and favor, and Yin Pin had been elevated to Fei.
She had every reason to suspect that the Third Prince had used his beloved to orchestrate this series of events…
After leaving the Imperial Study, the Empress summoned Gongsun Ning and berated him mercilessly.
“Aunt, I am truly wronged…” Gongsun Ning was on the verge of tears. “I did consider revenge, but that is Prince Pingxi, who commands the Yun Family Army and eight thousand elite troops for suppressing bandits. I may have had the desire, but not the courage—I truly did nothing!”
The Empress narrowed her eyes.
If the Gongsun family was not involved, then she had been dragged into this by the Second Prince, Chu Mo.
What audacity from Chu Mo, daring to scheme against the Eastern Palace.
Inside the Imperial Study, the Emperor descended from the dragon throne and placed a hand on Chu Yi’s shoulder. “Yi’er, she was just a woman…”
“She was my beloved, and I failed her.” Chu Yi hung his head. “Her death was entirely because I agreed to marry the Princess of Hongnan. The Empress and Second Imperial Brother could not tolerate this. Father, let this matter rest.”
The Emperor felt a headache coming on.
Fortunately, he had vaguely heard that Princess Guli was also dissatisfied with this marriage.
Since neither party was willing, why force them into an unhappy union?
Considering this, the Emperor nodded magnanimously. “Since that is the case, the marriage is canceled. But Yi’er, you are a man. A grown man should not wallow in sentimental attachments. You must pull yourself together soon.”
Chu Yi looked deeply sorrowful. “Yes, Father.”
He cupped his hands and prepared to leave.
“Wait.” The Emperor stopped him. “With all the turmoil tonight, I nearly forgot that today is Yu Ge’er and Changsheng’s birthday. This is a small token from their imperial grandfather. Take it back for them.”
Chu Yi nodded. “Thank you, Father.”
The Emperor had prepared gifts of fabric and scholarly treasures.
Not only had the Emperor bestowed gifts, but Yin Pin—now Yin Fei—had also arranged early to send birthday presents for the children.
Chu Hongyu was overjoyed.From now on, he and his younger sister would have two birthdays—the first day celebrated with their mother's maternal family, and the second day entering the palace to celebrate with the Empress Dowager.
Could anyone in this world be happier than him and his sister?
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