“Li Xian, this palace wants your dog life!”

Princess Yongning suddenly stood up and said, “This palace will go find him right now. This palace wants to ask him what justification there is for plotting to harm an imperial heir, who gave him such audacity to dare lay hands on this palace?”

“Your Highness,” Meixiang still hesitated somewhat, “right now we’re at the Right Chancellor’s residence, not the Princess Manor. After all, this is someone else’s territory. Even though you have guards by your side, but… I’m afraid we still can’t tear off all pretenses with them.”

Upon hearing this, Princess Yongning let out a cold laugh: “This palace has never feared anyone. According to your words, this palace should just hide in the room right now, pretend to know nothing here, act as if I didn’t hear what those people said? Li Xian will next just casually find some scapegoat to brush this palace off. I’m afraid he’s hiding in the shadows, waiting all along to watch this palace’s humiliation. Just thinking about this makes this palace grind my teeth in hatred.”

If one were to ask who Princess Yongning hated most right now, it would naturally be Li Xian without doubt. Li Xian had caused the death of her and Shen Yurong’s child, yet still put on an innocent appearance, hypocritically showing false concern, keeping even her, a princess, in the dark. Both publicly and privately, Princess Yongning was determined not to let this matter rest. Before Meixiang could continue speaking, Princess Yongning added: “You needn’t fear this and that. The Li family is just a dog raised by my imperial brother. If a dog dares bite its master, it should be beaten to death. If the Li family isn’t afraid of trouble, naturally they can come at this palace. Unfortunately, this time, this palace doesn’t intend to let them off!”

Having said this, she forcefully pushed open the door and immediately walked out, full of imposing fury, going to settle accounts with Li Xian.

Seeing this situation, Meixiang could only follow along.

Li Xian usually spent his evenings in his side courtyard, which was that courtyard where he kept many mute servants. Princess Yongning now knew the way and walked directly toward his side courtyard. Because after her miscarriage, the Li residence had been thoroughly searched and was quite safe. Therefore, walking this path at night, Princess Yongning was not as afraid as last time.

What replaced it was deep, deep anger.

She walked very quickly, so that originally somewhat tiring long path seemed much shorter today. When they arrived at that side courtyard, the surroundings immediately became quiet. Princess Yongning spat and said: “What a freak, even the place he lives is so eerie.”

Some people simply prefer peace and quiet, but they wouldn’t make their courtyard unable to produce a single sound. Perhaps because it was nighttime and the wind blew cold and chilly, Princess Yongning’s rage was also slightly extinguished by the wind, and belatedly she began to feel somewhat afraid.

Meixiang looked at the tightly closed study door and asked softly: “Your Highness.”

Princess Yongning stared fixedly at the study. On the study’s window reflected flickering lamplight, and shadows seemed to sway, but it wasn’t clear. Even so, there still wasn’t the slightest trace of sound—silent to the point of causing panic, giving an overall ghostly and eerie feeling.

Princess Yongning took a deep breath, signaling Meixiang to step forward. She herself walked to the door, paused for a moment, then suddenly called out loudly: “Li Xian, you bastard!”

Meixiang pushed the door open in one motion. Inside, the lamplight blazed bright, and everything was exposed with nowhere to hide. On that wide desk, Li Xian was half-prostrate, and beneath him was that young man Princess Yongning and Meixiang had seen last time. That young man’s clothing was stripped to his waist, his face flushed red, and hearing the commotion, he looked this way.

Both Meixiang and Princess Yongning were greatly shocked.

They saw that in this room, several young men were all in such a state, their clothing disheveled. The others who were properly dressed knelt to one side, seemingly turning a blind eye to the scene before them. Among those who were disheveled was the eight or nine-year-old child they’d seen last time, his body showing some ambiguous marks.

In an instant, many things became crystal clear.

Why this courtyard had to be so remote, why these servants were all fair-featured young boys and children, why they were all mutes. What benevolence in rescuing orphans and letting them serve as servants in the Li residence—it was nothing but a fig leaf for his filthy behavior! And the reason these children were poisoned mute wasn’t to keep some Li family secret, but to allow Li Xian to freely vent his bestial desires without being discovered!

How disgusting!

Even Princess Yongning, ruthless and vicious as she was, couldn’t help but step back upon seeing this scene and understanding it, her face showing revulsion. This Young Master Li had an excellent reputation outside—people said he possessed both virtue and talent, said he was a rare outstanding talent, yet who knew that beneath this gentle and upright exterior lay such filth and corruption.

Li Xian apparently hadn’t expected anyone would suddenly barge in at this moment. His gaze instantly became violent, but after seeing clearly that it was Princess Yongning, he also paused. He released his grip, and that young man straightened up as well. Princess Yongning saw clearly—that young man’s body had bruises everywhere, blue here and purple there, and around his neck were even bloody tooth marks.

This Li Xian was truly not as easy to get along with as he appeared on the surface.

Li Xian stood up and began methodically fastening the buttons on his clothing one by one, while looking at Princess Yongning. He showed no panic; instead, he even wore a slight smile as he said: “How did the Princess come here?”

Princess Yongning was also startled by his attitude, but very quickly, her original nature took the upper hand. Princess Yongning laughed coldly and said: “No wonder you don’t share a chamber with this palace daily, yet don’t feel displeased. Last time this palace came here, I thought you were hiding some beauty here, but found nothing. I thought you truly were an upright gentleman of pure heart and few desires. I never expected Young Master Li’s preferences to be different from ordinary people.”

Precisely because Li Xian only liked beautiful young boys, he naturally had no love for Princess Yongning. Naturally, when Princess Yongning used pregnancy as an excuse not to share a chamber with Li Xian, Li Xian didn’t think anything of it and even felt it was exactly what he wanted.

Li Xian smiled and said: “Everyone has some special hobbies. The Princess has them, and I naturally have them too. As long as these hobbies don’t interfere with others, it’s all fine, isn’t it? Or,” he glanced at those children kneeling and trembling in the corner, “does the Princess truly dislike my hobby and need me to change?”

“Who cares about your shameful hobbies?” Princess Yongning said disdainfully. “This palace doesn’t have that much thought to spare on you. But Li Xian, you murdered this palace’s child, and this palace will make you pay the price!”

“Murder?” Li Xian was startled and said: “The Princess must be mistaken. How could I kill my own child?”

Princess Yongning looked at him. Li Xian wore an expression of complete bewilderment. Princess Yongning almost believed that Li Xian truly hadn’t done those things. But she quickly said: “Who knows why you would do such a thing? The medicinal dregs from the decoctions you ordered the kitchen to prepare daily contained ingredients that cause miscarriage. If this palace hadn’t been careful, I would have fallen into your trap without knowing why. When you saw your scheme wasn’t working, you had someone push this palace on the road! This palace’s miscarriage was entirely caused by your hand!”

“Princess,” upon hearing this, Li Xian remained completely unmoved and only said: “The ingredients in the pregnancy-preserving medicine could naturally have been tampered with by whoever prepared the medicine. How can you blame me? I can understand the Princess’s grief at losing a child, but I cannot understand why the Princess attributes all these matters to me. That was my own child. Even a vicious tiger doesn’t eat its cubs—what reason would I have to plot against my own child? Unless,” Li Xian smiled slightly, “unless this wasn’t my child—that would make more sense.”

Upon hearing this, Princess Yongning’s heart filled with alarm and uncertainty. She didn’t know whether Li Xian knew this child wasn’t his or not. If it wasn’t his, why would he make her miscarry? If he did know, then even knowing it, she couldn’t admit it now. She could only insist to the death that Li Xian was the culprit.

She laughed coldly: “Stop your nonsense. Though this palace doesn’t know why you would kill your own biological child, this matter was originally done by you. Li Xian, you ate the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard—you even dared harm this palace’s child!”

“The Princess keeps saying it’s her own child, yet doesn’t mention me at all,” Li Xian said lightly. “To others listening, they’d think the Princess’s child wasn’t my child, given how confrontational this is.”

No matter what, he refused to admit this matter was his doing. Princess Yongning was filled with hatred, yet she couldn’t admit here that this child originally wasn’t Li Xian’s. Unable to find Li Xian’s motive for killing the child, and moreover, with Li Xian appearing completely unworried, what could Princess Yongning do to him?

Most of her guards remained at the Princess Manor. The small portion of guards left at the Li residence probably couldn’t do much to Li Xian either. What else could she do? Right now she couldn’t rush over and kill Li Xian—not because she didn’t dare, but because she temporarily couldn’t do it.

“In any case, this matter was your doing!” In the end, Princess Yongning could only throw out one line in exasperation: “Just you wait, Li Xian! This palace will never let you off!” Then she hurried away.

After Princess Yongning left, the smile on Li Xian’s face gradually faded. He glanced at the young men in the room, frowned, and said: “Get out.”

Those young men then clutched their thin garments and withdrew outside. Li Xian sat down alone at the desk. On the desk there were even some inexplicable marks, and the room emitted a thought-provoking odor. He sat there, pressing his brow, only feeling inexplicably irritated.

Princess Yongning was simply a madwoman.

He didn’t know how she had discovered the matter of those medicinal dregs. Li Xian believed he had done this flawlessly—aside from his trusted confidants, no one knew. And his confidants would absolutely never leak this matter. With Princess Yongning’s brain, how could she suspect him?

Originally, if she hadn’t suspected him, this matter would have been extremely easy to brush off. But now that Princess Yongning knew this layer, things became difficult. Who knew what Princess Yongning would do next? She was arrogant and domineering, didn’t understand consequences, and fundamentally wouldn’t think too much. If she was set on revenge against the Li family, she might very well do something shocking.

When that time came, nine times out of ten it would be mutual destruction.

Li Xian pulled out a sheet of paper from under the desk. The brush set aside still had some unused ink remaining. He wrote down a few characters—rough, the ink not full enough—three characters: Shen Yurong.

Perhaps this name could make Princess Yongning restrain herself somewhat.

Hopefully she could think things through and calm down.

……

On the other side, Princess Yongning, having returned to her room, was absolutely furious. She sat on the couch, her chest heaving violently—clearly she’d been angered severely. She said: “Li Xian, that bastard!”

Meixiang opened her mouth to console her: “Your Highness, don’t rush to be angry. At least today we can roughly confirm that Young Master Li’s attitude—it does indeed look like he’s the culprit. If he weren’t, he would naturally be anxious to clear his name. But today Young Master Li’s attitude, though he denied it, showed no urgency at all to prove his innocence. As if… as if he knew Your Highness couldn’t do anything to him.”

“This palace can’t do anything to him?” Princess Yongning suddenly swept the teapot and cups from the table. The teapot and cups clattered to the floor in pieces, particularly jarring to hear in the night. Princess Yongning said angrily: “This palace will make him unable to escape the consequences!”

“But he won’t admit it,” Meixiang said. “He refuses to admit he plotted against the young master. Moreover, in others’ eyes, he truly has no reason to kill his own child.”

“So if he won’t admit it, that’s the end of it?” Princess Yongning said. “Isn’t he keeping male lovers in his own residence? And under the pretense of rescuing orphans no less, even poisoning them mute. It’s time for the world to see the true face of this Young Master Li. Even if this palace cannot accuse him of murdering this palace’s child, at least I can choose divorce. Moreover, I can let the world see—the Emperor betrothed this palace to such a beast in human form, what was his intention?”

If so, by exposing Li Xian’s true face, she could divorce Li Xian with full justification and push all the fault onto Li Xian. The Emperor was so poor at judging character—the common people would also consider it the Emperor’s fault. This would create an opportunity for Prince Cheng.

Meixiang thought about it and said: “This could work too. But how does Your Highness plan to expose Young Master Li’s true face?”

For quite a while, there was no movement in the room. Just when Meixiang could barely stand the wait any longer, Princess Yongning finally spoke.

She said: “In for a penny, in for a pound. Since Li Xian is so unworried, I’ll speak out all his disgraceful deeds before the civil and military officials. That way, there will be no more room for reconciliation, and their Li family will have no choice but to accept their fate obediently.”

“This is the consequence of provoking this palace! I want their Li family to have people pointing at their backs wherever they walk, to become the greatest laughingstock under heaven!”

……

That night, the events that occurred at the Li residence seemed unknown to anyone else. Yanjing City, in its silence, welcomed the next spring rain. The spring rain pattered down, and winter’s chill receded day by day. In its place came gradual warmth.

But spring came particularly slowly.

On the streets, pedestrians walked hurriedly past carrying oil-paper umbrellas. Farmers, however, were grateful for this spring rain, already beginning from spring to anticipate autumn’s harvest.

Amid this peace and harmony, the court recently also seemed very harmonious. Yet no one saw the undercurrents surging beneath the calm surface, just waiting for one day when wind and rain would come together, and floodwaters would reach the sky.

When Emperor Hongxiao attended morning court, he was punctual as always. Unlike the late Emperor, who in his old age loved pleasure and wasn’t enthusiastic about holding court—even going only once every few days, not many times a month—Emperor Hongxiao differed from the late Emperor in that since his enthronement, he held court daily, never late, never delayed.

He appeared to be a diligent ruler who loved his people. From when he first ascended the throne as a young emperor, initially trembling with fear sitting there during court while the ministers paid him no mind—just a young man with little power—to now, though some still thought this way, a portion of people no longer dared underestimate him.

Every day it was the same matters: constructing water conservation projects, the disaster relief silver allocated some time ago, replenishing the national treasury. In short, it was a peaceful and prosperous age with no major disturbances. Those speaking weren’t very enthusiastic, and those listening appeared to be going through the motions.

In a year there were countless days like this, and such days had already passed for many years.

Court was about to adjourn, and none of the colleagues had anything more to memorialize. Just at this moment, suddenly, a woman’s voice inappropriately interjected: “Your Majesty!”

How could a woman be allowed to make noise in the great hall? Everyone looked and saw it was actually Princess Yongning. She hadn’t come from the front of the hall, but from behind—she’d pushed past the obstructing eunuchs and run over. She’d apparently exerted force struggling, as her clothing was somewhat disheveled. Her makeup today also looked particularly miserable—perhaps because of her reddened eyes, perhaps because of her pallid complexion. In any case, it was the first time the court ministers had seen this princess, who was always exquisite and delicate, unwilling to yield to anyone even a fraction—this was the first time she appeared in such a fragile, pitiful state.

“What’s going on?” Emperor Hongxiao said angrily. “Who let her in?”

This was inappropriate.

“Your Majesty!” But Princess Yongning prostrated herself on the ground and kowtowed several times to Emperor Hongxiao, crying: “This subject begs Your Majesty, for the sake of blood relations, to save Yongning! If Your Majesty won’t save me, Yongning will lose her life!”

Had anyone seen a high and mighty princess kowtow? It seemed no one had. Even to Emperor Hongxiao, this was Yongning’s first time. Previously she’d relied on the late Emperor’s favor toward Consort Liu and hadn’t taken even the Crown Prince seriously. Even after Emperor Hongxiao ascended the throne, Yongning only gave Emperor Hongxiao superficial compliance.

In such a state, she truly seemed driven to desperation, a desperate measure.

Standing in front, Li Zhongnan and his son’s eyelids twitched violently. No one had anticipated Princess Yongning would suddenly burst out like this. This princess, relying on her status, had always acted willfully as she pleased. She even dared casually barge into the Golden Palace. This was a fact Li Xian hadn’t anticipated. He’d thought that even if Princess Yongning was arrogant, she would still have to consider the Li family’s status somewhat, would at least have to consider Prince Cheng. They were Prince Cheng’s people. Even if Princess Yongning wanted to deal with the Li family, wanted to weaken Prince Cheng’s power, if she had any brains, she absolutely wouldn’t dare do this.

But on matters Princess Yongning had decided upon, she would never think an extra minute. If she wanted someone dead, they had to die—this was her consistent principle.

Li Xian couldn’t help but look toward Prince Cheng.

Prince Cheng was also stunned. He fundamentally didn’t know what had happened. These days, he’d been busy with his own grand affairs and hadn’t concerned himself with Yongning’s matters. He’d thought that given his face, the Li family absolutely wouldn’t dare mistreat Yongning. Though Yongning was somewhat willful, as long as there was no major conflict with the Li family, nothing would go wrong.

But today Yongning rashly burst out, greatly shocking the Li family while also catching Prince Cheng completely off guard. On one side was his younger sister, on the other his trusted confidant. To be fair, at this juncture, he’d rather protect the Li family than offend them. The Li family was an important element in his uprising. If something went wrong because of Yongning, his great enterprise would be ruined!

“Yongning, stop this nonsense and go back immediately!” Prince Cheng’s words carried a warning. “This isn’t a place for you to speak.”

Yongning paid no attention. She knew the opportunity came only once. She hated the Li family—the Li family had murdered her child, yet she could do nothing. If she didn’t divorce Li Xian this time, for Prince Cheng, appeasing the Li family was most important, and she definitely wouldn’t be able to divorce. Moreover, to protect this secret, the Li family would make her remain as Madam Li for a very long time, never giving her freedom.

She absolutely didn’t want such a future, even if it was for—Shen Yurong! Yongning’s gaze swept across Shen Yurong in the hall. He stood among the court ministers, his expression calm, without the slightest ripple, not looking at her either. As if a completely unrelated stranger had suddenly barged into the Golden Palace, and he would have no opinion about it whatsoever.

Princess Yongning’s heart ached, and her hatred for the Li family deepened another level. Before anyone else could speak, she said to Emperor Hongxiao: “This subject’s wife… wishes to divorce Li Xian. This subject begs Your Majesty’s gracious permission!”

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar all around. Everyone’s gazes shifted between Li Xian and Princess Yongning. All knew that some days ago Princess Yongning had miscarried. Could it be that because of the miscarriage the couple had a dispute? But what could be disputed about this matter? It was said there had been an assassin. Could there be other inside information? Young Master Li had always had a good temperament. How could he be unable to console Princess Yongning, even to the point of divorce?

Li Xian desperately tried to signal Princess Yongning with his eyes. He truly hadn’t anticipated Princess Yongning would be so bold. Prince Cheng was still trying to persuade: “Yongning, how can household matters be discussed at court? Go back! Someone come!”

Before someone could drag Princess Yongning out, Princess Yongning had already quickly spoken. She said: “Your Majesty, Li Xian is duplicitous—he dallies with male children in his residence! Under the pretense of caring for orphans, he brings them into the residence, even feeds them muteness drugs, all to turn them into male lovers! Such a beast in human form—I cannot marry him. I cannot stay with him even one moment longer. Your Majesty’s bestowed marriage cannot be violated. This subject begs Your Majesty to permit this subject’s wife to divorce him!”

The entire court was in an uproar!

Dallying with male children? Poisoning them mute? These were all things Young Master Li had done? It was simply too shocking—one must know this Young Master Li was known throughout the court as a benevolent man!

Everyone’s gazes made the Li family father and son feel as if they had thorns in their backs. They wished for nothing more than to tear the speaking Princess Yongning to shreds.

Both Prince Cheng and Shen Yurong were also astonished—they didn’t know about this matter either. But Prince Cheng quickly frowned. Even so, to speak of this matter before all the civil and military officials—had Princess Yongning gone mad? Even if Li Xian had a great conflict with her, it wouldn’t reach this extent, would it?

“There’s probably a misunderstanding here,” Prince Cheng had no choice but to step forward and speak for Li Xian. “Li Xian isn’t that kind of person.”

“What reason would I have to frame my own husband?” Princess Yongning laughed bitterly. “If you don’t believe me, by all means investigate. I believe there’s no wall that doesn’t let wind through. What he’s done will certainly leave traces behind.”

The court officials discussed among themselves. Li Xian’s heart suddenly gave birth to a nameless fury. If he just admitted to this matter, the Li family would truly have people pointing at their backs from now on. Taking ten thousand steps back, even if Prince Cheng’s uprising succeeded and he ascended to that position, even if he wanted to promote the Li family, with the Li family’s laughingstock, they’d be ridiculed for a lifetime, and it might even affect future generations of the Li family.

The more prominent the family, the more they cherished reputation. A bad reputation directly meant how far one could go in the future. Prince Cheng also wouldn’t use a minister with a bad reputation—he’d only gradually be replaced.

Therefore, Li Xian looked at Princess Yongning and said: “Even if this official learned of the Princess’s secret, the Princess shouldn’t frame this official like this. You should know that if the Princess would properly discuss divorce with this official, this official would also agree.”

“Secret? What secret?” Some court official who loved watching excitement immediately became interested upon hearing this and asked.

Princess Yongning’s heart jumped, but she said stubbornly: “What nonsense are you spouting? When has this palace ever had any secret? What this palace said about your affairs is entirely factual, not framing at all. Stop trying to use your glib tongue to fabricate some reason to deceive the world!”

“Princess Your Highness was already carrying a child when she married into the Li family. This official originally didn’t want to say anything. I also acted as if I hadn’t seen it. Everyone has their own unspeakable difficulties, and moreover, Princess Your Highness is absolutely not someone of corrupt character—she must have encountered something unfortunate. This official learned of this secret only by chance. Actually, if the Princess hadn’t spoken up, this official would never have spoken of it in my lifetime. The Princess forced me to this—this official is quite helpless.”

What kind of situation was this? What did it mean to be carrying a child when marrying into the Li family?

Prince Cheng was shocked. He’d never known that Yongning had been pregnant before this. He’d thought Yongning had the child after being with Li Xian. Naturally, he knew that though this matter was shocking and scandalous, Li Xian wouldn’t speak recklessly about such things. It must be true!

Shen Yurong’s complexion also changed slightly. Li Xian actually knew about this matter? Hadn’t Princess Yongning concealed it well? What was going on?

Princess Yongning hadn’t expected Li Xian would also go for mutual destruction. She laughed coldly: “That’s slander against this palace. This palace had the child after marrying you. I never expected that after this palace miscarried, you would actually use this matter to throw dirty water on this palace!”

“Is that so?” Li Xian sighed, as if very regretful. “This official has evidence. For instance, the imperial physician, for instance the pregnancy-preserving medicine. Most importantly, on our wedding night, this official was drunk and slept in the study. The servants all know—I didn’t share a chamber with the Princess. Afterward, the Princess fell ill, and this official had no choice but to go to a side room. Having never touched Princess Your Highness, yet the Princess became pregnant—isn’t that very strange?”

He said: “Or perhaps? The child was indeed conceived after entering the Li family?”

The implication of these words—Princess Yongning married into the Li family and then had an affair with someone, which was why there was talk of having a child after entering the Li family!

“You!” Princess Yongning was furious. “You’re making malicious accusations!” She absolutely hadn’t expected that Li Xian not only knew but had evidence. This couldn’t help but make her feel guilty.

“Whether this official is making malicious accusations or not, there’s one person who knows most clearly,” Li Xian looked toward a certain person standing among the assembled officials and said calmly: “Assistant Director of the Secretariat, Lord Shen, wouldn’t you say so?”

Shen Yurong frowned.

Li Xian said: “You are the child’s father. You know most clearly.”

───Outside the Text───

Melon-eating masses: Tear into each other, tear more loudly [applause]