Taking a deep breath, Yin Gezhi lowered his eyes and walked before him. Instead of meeting his embrace, he slowly knelt and performed a formal greeting: “After more than a year’s separation, may I inquire about Father Emperor’s health?”
The extended hands were somewhat awkward, but hearing this greeting, Wei Emperor withdrew his hands and smiled, “All is well. This time, my son went to Wu Kingdom as a hostage and brought back their diplomatic letter expressing interest in an alliance – truly a great merit to Wei Kingdom.”
“Indeed,” Grand Scholar Hang Hanyi agreed. “However, Your Majesty should first let the Crown Prince complete his greeting ceremony, then move to the welcoming banquet before discussing details.”
“Good, good.” Wei Emperor nodded, returned to his dragon throne, and watched Yin Gezhi pay his respects. With a face full of smiles, he said, “Proceed to Fulu Palace. Officials of third rank and above, accompany Us.”
“We thank Your Majesty for this great honor—”
Yin Gezhi had imagined many times how lively his welcoming banquet would be upon his return, but actually sitting there now, watching those around him smiling cautiously, he suddenly felt it meaningless – not as good as going back for a bowl of noodles made by Feng Yue.
The newly appointed Wei Kingdom Crown Prince Yin Chengyue raised his cup to him: “Royal Brother has suffered. Now that you’ve returned, you should enjoy some good fortune.”
“Indeed.” Wei Emperor smiled benevolently from his seat: “As soon as I heard you were returning, I immediately had the Construction Ministry renovate the Prince’s mansion. After the banquet, Yue can take you to see it.”
Since the Eastern Palace had changed hands, he would naturally go live in the Prince’s mansion. Yin Gezhi looked up and calmly asked: “What prince title does Father Emperor plan to bestow on your son?”
“Prince Xiaojing!” Wei Emperor slapped his thigh in approval: “You are the most filial child, worthy of this title.”
What a mountain of pressure descending, Yin Gezhi sneered internally: “Thank you, Father Emperor.”
Seeing his poor expression, Wei Emperor felt somewhat awkward. He knew his actions must have been disheartening, but there was no choice. Someone like Chengbi, if he held the position of Crown Prince, who would still regard him as Emperor? He had tried it before, letting Yin Chengbi participate in government for seven days – just seven short days, yet the entire court praised him endlessly, even asking “What does the Crown Prince think?” when reporting matters. If he were truly Crown Prince with the legitimate ruling power, wouldn’t heaven be overturned?
Yin Chengyue was a reassuring Crown Prince – mediocre talent and no ambition. Appointing him gave the court an heir, reassured the ministers, and wouldn’t dilute his power. The world would still bow to him alone.
How perfect.
As for Chengbi, he had great military talent, so let him be a prince. Being a general, protecting the Wei Kingdom’s territory – he was making good use of his abilities.
His smile growing gentler, Wei Emperor looked at Yin Gezhi and asked kindly: “Previously when you dismissed those concubines, it was out of consideration for their welfare, but now that you’ve returned, several are still unmarried. Why not bring them back? It would prevent your Prince’s mansion from being empty.”
“Your son still has things to do and temporarily cannot attend to matters of the heart.” Yin Gezhi put down his wine cup expressionlessly and uttered these words.
“Oh?” Wei Emperor asked: “What must you do?”
“Yes.” Looking at his father’s emperor, Yin Gezhi said word by word: “Investigate Guan Canghai’s alleged treason and restore justice to the entire Guan family.”
The court musician’s guqin suddenly hit a wrong note, a sharp sound that silenced the entire Fulu Palace.
Yin Chengyue nearly dropped his cup in shock. Wei Emperor’s smile slowly faded as he glanced at the ministers below with their varying expressions. He pressed his lips together and said softly: “Your welcoming banquet is a happy occasion, why bring up such an unpleasant old case? The Guan family’s treason was proven with conclusive evidence, the case was settled, and the entire clan was executed. What benefit is there in reopening the case now?”
Benefit? Yin Gezhi clenched his hand: “In my childhood, Father Emperor taught me: that Heaven’s principles are clear – they will neither let a bad person go free nor wrong a good person. How is it that now when reopening the case, Father Emperor doesn’t ask about right and wrong, but asks about benefit?”
Slightly impatient, Wei Emperor thought, I taught you these things to use on others, why are you turning them back on me? Still, asking about right and wrong? I am right, and those who oppose me are wrong!
However, he really couldn’t afford to offend this prince, so he could only suppress his imperial anger and try to speak as gently as possible: “Even if we ask about right and wrong, my son, was Guan Canghai’s treason right?”
“Indeed!” General Wu Jingyuan spoke up: “The Guan family case back then was truly settled based on conclusive evidence. Now three years have passed, how many witnesses and physical evidence no longer exist? To reopen the case, on what grounds?”
The ministers below all nodded in agreement.
Yin Gezhi laughed softly, his laughter not reaching his eyes, his whole body’s aura cold and hard as he slowly stood up from his seat.
Those around him instinctively moved away.
“The evidence of General Guan’s treason back then was sent by me to Li Capital for Father Emperor’s review.” Yin Gezhi spoke, his deep voice echoing throughout the palace: “At that time, Father Emperor seemed to trust me very much – without even investigating, Great General Guan’s guilt was determined. Now, I bring words heard directly from General Yi’s mouth in Wu Kingdom, also delivered to Father Emperor’s hands, hoping Father Emperor’s trust in me remains unchanged.”
“Yi Guoru said he never had private dealings with General Guan, but rather bribed my then-deputy commander He Lanchengde, learning military deployments in advance, deducing my plans with General Guan, thus setting up an ambush to defeat me at Ghost Valley. Afterward, taking advantage of my extreme anger, he used counter-intelligence, having someone imitate General Guan’s handwriting to forge the so-called treasonous correspondence.”
The surroundings erupted in chaos. Wei Emperor’s expression was extremely unpleasant. Yin Gezhi stood tall, continuing unhurriedly: “Failing to see through such tricks was my foolishness. But determining the Guan family’s guilt without thorough investigation – whose wrong was that?!”
“How dare you!” These words pointed directly at him. Wei Emperor couldn’t hold back, slapping the table as he stood up: “Chengbi, these words are treasonous!”
“If Father Emperor’s conscience is clear, how would you feel my words treasonous?”
Yin Gezhi curled his lips, his eyes full of cold moisture that made Wei Emperor shiver slightly.
“Father Emperor!” Seeing conflict about to break out, Yin Chengyue hurriedly stood up: “Today is a joyous occasion, why argue over such matters? Royal Brother, you too – how can you believe just based on General Yi’s words? He was in league with Guan Canghai, of course, he would try to exonerate Guan Canghai. Only you would be foolish enough to believe it and come back to anger Father Emperor.”
“I could convey these words because I have ways to ensure they are true,” Yin Gezhi said indifferently. “However, Father Emperor appears very unwilling to believe.”
Even if iron-clad facts were presented before him, he probably wouldn’t believe anything he didn’t want to believe.
“The Guan family’s treason has been determined!” Wei Emperor thundered in anger: “Guards! Imperial decree! From today, anyone in court who mentions this matter shall be executed!”
That word “executed” chilled Yin Gezhi to his core.
This decree needed no one else to receive it – it was issued directly at him. Wei Emperor was furious with embarrassment, meaning if you want to investigate then go die, no one is allowed to mention this matter to irritate Me, I control life and death, I am supreme!
The court officials knelt. Storms surged in Yin Gezhi’s eyes, but finally, all was dead silent.
Brushing his robes, he turned to leave.
“How dare you!” Wei Emperor shouted: “The welcoming banquet isn’t over, where are you going!”
“The execution ground.” The cold voice drifted in with the wind but seemed to transform into a massive iron hammer, striking Wei Emperor’s head heavily.
Angrily slapping the table, Wei Emperor roared: “Unfilial son, come back here!”
The snow-white hem swept over the palace threshold, the light fabric floating ethereally in the wind. Yin Gezhi didn’t look back. The rebellion suppressed in his youth seemed to have all erupted now, shocking the entire court pale-faced.
“Your Majesty!” Prime Minister Shi Hongwei hurriedly came forward and knelt: “The Crown Prince carries Wu Kingdom’s diplomatic letter, he concerns the peace between two nations, Your Majesty! He cannot be executed! Must not be executed!”
Of course, he knew execution was impossible. But how had this child gone to Wu Kingdom and returned only to oppose him? Wei Emperor was furious. Previously he could still threaten and intimidate, but now such a serious imperial decree was issued and couldn’t even frighten him?
How to resolve this now? If he went to the execution ground, who would dare behead him?
The palace was in chaos. Yin Gezhi brought Guan Zhi and gracefully strode out the palace gates.
He wouldn’t be dramatic enough to go to the execution ground; naturally, he had somewhere to go.
Feng Yue had already settled in a large mansion and enjoyed a good meal made by Aunty Zheng.
“Ah, we’ve been traveling too long. It’s been so long since I’ve had such delicious food!” Falling into Aunty Zheng’s embrace and acting spoiled, Feng Yue smiled brightly: “Aunty Zheng’s cooking is still the best.”
Across from her, Madam Qiu shook her head: “Young Master, you clearly can cook well yourself. Look how happily the Crown Prince ate, the taste must have been good.”
At the mention of Yin Gezhi, Feng Yue paused, sat up, and waved her hand: “Let’s not talk about him for now.”
“Why?” Luo Hao stuck his head in to ask: “Young Master, don’t you quite like the Crown Prince?”
“…I like his grandmother’s leg!” Feng Yue glared: “You don’t know what kind of life I lived – Prince Yin was picky, troublesome, and loved to torment people, always ordering me around like a servant! If it wasn’t for us to return smoothly, I wouldn’t want to be with him! Ganjiang, isn’t that right?”
Ganjiang sat in the corner gnawing on bones, looking guilty as he nodded perfunctorily.
Madam Qiu raised an eyebrow: “I saw the Crown Prince treat you quite well, much better than us. Earlier when I wanted to wash his white robe, his look was so frightening – oh my, anyone would think I was trying to steal his clothes!”
Ling Shu, who was eating meat, looked up and asked: “Was it that very light white robe?”
“Yes.”
“Oh.” Ling Shu nodded and said very seriously: “That was sewn by the Master for him.”
Feng Yue wanted to cover this girl’s mouth, but her arm wasn’t long enough to reach in time.
In an instant, the room erupted in uniform teasing: “Oh— so that’s how it is—”
Blushing, Feng Yue slapped the table: “What’s that supposed to mean? Even if Yin Gezhi secretly admires me, I still wouldn’t be interested in him!”