Sickly Jade - Chapter 19

Qi Wei did not believe it, convinced that Qi Chu had secretly manipulated things. “Bluffing!”

The Emperor stroked his chin, also feeling suspicious, and asked Qi Chu, “What exactly is it?”

Qi Chu turned and scanned the vassal kings and courtiers behind him, finally advising the Emperor, “Imperial Father, this matter may damage the face of the royal family. I hope you will think thrice.”

Qi Wei knew deep down that there wouldn’t be many opportunities like today. If he couldn’t topple him today, he himself would be finished. He stood up hurriedly, pointing in Qi Chu’s direction. “The Crown Prince is equivocating!”

Watching this, Ye Shaoyun was completely lost. Was Qi Chu really holding onto something, or was he just bluffing? According to his understanding of the man, the latter possibility was higher. If there truly were something, how could he have heard not even a whisper of it, and why had Qi Chu never mentioned it to him?

Knowing this was a critical moment, Ye Shaoyun could not afford to gamble. He also rose to offer counsel, “Your Majesty, the matter is of great importance. I hope you will think thrice.”

The Emperor lowered his eyes, revealing hesitation. “Does the National Preceptor know as well?”

Ye Shaoyun had a thin layer of sweat on his forehead. “Your subject heard it from His Highness.”

There was no helping it now. He would help Qi Chu one last time and try to muddle through this.

The two were singing from the same hymn sheet, but Qi Wei didn’t believe a word of it. “Impossible! The National Preceptor and the Crown Prince have colluded; their relationship is known to everyone in the capital! His words do not count!”

Ye Shaoyun felt a sudden jolt in his heart and stayed silent.

Qi Chu looked over at where he had been looking. The fact that the National Preceptor’s relationship with him was known to everyone only filled his heart with pride. For so many years, ever since this person had first picked him up in the palace, he had given him unprecedented favoritism something no one else had. Among all the princes, he had chosen him; this was his pride for a lifetime.

Seeing him offer a guarantee on his behalf without even knowing the facts today, it seemed he still cared about him. He knew this person wouldn’t abandon him so easily.

“What is Your Majesty’s opinion, then?” the First Prince spoke up again. “In this son’s opinion, today’s events cannot be a coincidence. Should we not clarify everything in front of the vassal kings? To clear the Crown Prince’s name?”

Both men swept their gazes toward the First Prince. He appeared to be speaking for the Crown Prince, but in reality, he was acting as a disruptive force.

Ye Shaoyun then looked at Qi Chu. Seeing him remain in that same calm manner without speaking, he held his tongue as well.

Yan Feng, a subordinate of the Crown Prince, stood out at this moment: “The innocent are clear; your subject is willing to trust the Crown Prince.”

Once these words were out, a minority of other officials stood up to echo him: “We, your subjects, are willing to trust the Crown Prince.”

Those who stood up to remonstrate at this time were clever people; they were protecting the faces of the Crown Prince and the Emperor. Even if the Crown Prince really had done something, the Emperor would not punish them.

Another portion, having been bribed by the Third Prince, looked at each other in silence.

The Emperor’s gaze roamed among the crowd, finally landing on Qi Chu. He said in a deep voice: “Crown Prince, since this concerns the royal family… and is of such importance, I grant you the right to report secretly.”

Qi Chu nodded slightly, withdrawing a sealed letter from his sleeve and presenting it with both hands. The Chief Eunuch hurriedly took it and respectfully handed it to the Emperor.

A sudden silence fell over the hall; everyone’s eyes were focused on that sealed letter.

Qi Wei’s fingertips trembled slightly, an ominous premonition rising in his heart. The First Prince narrowed his eyes, glancing thoughtfully at Elder Chang Feng, who was slumped on the ground.

The Emperor unfolded the letter. As his eyes scanned the handwriting, his expression turned abruptly gloomy. He slammed the letter shut, struck the imperial desk in rage, and shouted sternly: “What a ‘Master Chang Feng’! My good Noble Consort! My good son! Qi Yongzhang!”

Hearing this, the First Prince’s expression changed drastically. He did not know what it had to do with him, but he hurried to kneel: “Imperial Father, please calm your anger! This son is innocent!”

Qi Chu laughed coldly, pulling another jade pendant from his bosom and holding it high above his head: “Imperial Father, this object belongs to the First Imperial Brother’s birth mother, Noble Consort Chun. Yet it was discovered on this Master Chang Feng. There is further correspondence to prove it; the two have colluded for many years.”

He spoke vaguely, but the Emperor’s face turned ghastly. The letter clearly detailed their illicit affair; his own consort and a Daoist… The Emperor could not help but recall when he had summoned this Daoist into the palace to perform rites years ago.

Qi Wei was struck by lightning, stumbling back two steps, looking at the First Prince in disbelief: “How can this be? How is it possible?”

The First Prince looked at Qi Chu in disbelief: “Nonsense! How could Mother…”

Qi Chu met his gaze, a proper smile on his face, though his eyes were filled with ice. He spoke one word at a time, “Whether it is true or not, Imperial Father will naturally know.”

He still remembered clearly who had caused the National Preceptor to end up in his current state. None of these people would escape.

The Emperor was enraged, his hands pressing against the desk, gasping for breath and nearly vomiting blood. The personal eunuch hurriedly knelt to advise: “Your Majesty, please calm your anger; your health is what matters.”

Ye Shaoyun looked on at this sudden turn of events, shocked. He looked toward Qi Chu, finding him calm and collected, as if everything were within his grasp. It turned out that Qi Chu had already seen through everything. Today’s setup was not only aimed at Qi Wei but had also trapped the First Prince.

It seemed that, without realizing it, some people had grown up.

The Emperor took a deep breath, suppressing his rage, and announced in a deep voice: “Drag this evil Daoist away! Execute him by slow slicing! The Third Prince, Qi Wei, has failed to discern people, has spoken recklessly and without restraint, and has publicly uttered nonsense. I fine him three years’ salary and confine him to his residence to reflect on his actions!”

Qi Wei lay limp on the ground, his face pale as paper. The look he cast toward Qi Chu was filled with reluctance and resentment, but he dared not say a word.

“First Prince, you are forbidden from entering the palace without an imperial decree!”

Qi Yongzhang knelt and crawled toward the steps: “Imperial Father! Imperial Father, you must trust Mother! She would never do such a thing! Do not listen to the slanders of others!”

“Shut your mouth!”

The Emperor rubbed his forehead wearily. After a long while, he looked at the silent crowd, his eyes somewhat vacant: “I am a little tired; I shall return to the palace first. The Crown Prince will handle the rest.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he rose, but stumbled and nearly fell backward. The personal eunuch was terrified, shouting in a shrill voice: “Quickly! Someone! Summon the Imperial Physician!”

The courtiers retreated one after another. Ye Shaoyun was about to leave when he was blocked by Qi Chu. Qi Chu whispered: “National Preceptor, please stay.”

When the crowd had dispersed, Qi Chu finally revealed a hint of a smile: “Many thanks to the National Preceptor for your help today.”

Ye Shaoyun looked at him with complex emotions: “You are too kind. So, Your Highness had already planned everything?”

Qi Chu said meaningfully: “Some people will never learn to be restrained unless they are taught a lesson.” He paused, then suddenly added, “Actually, the National Preceptor still cares about me, right?”

Ye Shaoyun turned slightly, avoiding his searing gaze: “Your subject merely did not wish for the court situation to be thrown into turmoil.”

Qi Chu leaned in slightly, his fingertips brushing against his lips, his voice husky: “Ye Shaoyun, you have me in your heart, why must you deceive yourself?”

Ye Shaoyun remained expressionless, his eyes filled with a warning: “Your Highness, be mindful of your words.”

There were still courtiers lingering in the vicinity; if they said such things here and were misunderstood, it would be a huge trouble.