Today’s morning court session was destined to be turbulent.

The current Prince Regent had abducted Prince Yan, had his manor surrounded by the Empress Dowager, was defeated in his escape and had gone missing.

This matter caused an enormous uproar at court.

The Prince Regent had controlled court affairs for a long time, promoting many people from the Feng and Lin families, which had long caused dissatisfaction.

Now, just as the vast majority of people at court, under Chief Minister Li’s leadership, were planning to jointly memorialize for the removal of the Prince Regent, they learned that the Prince Regent had gone missing.

With the Prince Regent himself absent, this matter naturally proceeded more smoothly.

“Prince Yan is not yet two years old, yet he was abducted by the Prince Regent to be used as a pawn to coerce the Empress Dowager. His heart deserves execution!”

“The Prince Regent’s duty is to assist the young Emperor and help govern the nation, but when Prince Cheng rebelled, the Prince Regent accomplished nothing. He is unfit to be a prince.”

“This minister proposes removing the Prince Regent!”

“This minister seconds the motion!”

Countless people at court stepped forward.

Chu Hongyu raised his hand: “Then let it be as you beloved ministers have said—remove the Prince Regent. The specific details will be discussed later. Court is dismissed!”

Having spoken, he stood up from the dragon throne and hurriedly left the great hall.

He quickly removed the dragon robe from his body and changed into ordinary eunuch attire.

Mother hadn’t returned all last night and didn’t come to morning court this morning either—she must have encountered major trouble.

He had once said he would make Mother the most noble woman in the world, but at the same time, Mother had also become the busiest woman in the world, always having to handle various matters for him. He, as Emperor, was truly too useless.

But even more useless was Father—who knew where he’d gone? He still hadn’t returned after all this time.

He had just finished changing clothes when a servant came to report: “Your Majesty, Elder Ouyang and the study companions are already waiting in the Imperial Study.”

He sighed and could only go find Ouyang Ye first.

Seeing his outfit, Ouyang Ye paused: “Your Majesty, what is this?”

The eight study companions sitting in the classroom instantly became excited. Whenever they saw the Emperor about to slip out of the palace, they knew they were going to handle important business.

“Teacher, I have urgent business and must leave the palace.” Chu Hongyu spoke. “I ask that Teacher be accommodating.”

Ouyang Ye stroked his beard: “If Your Majesty wishes to leave the palace, this minister has no reason to obstruct. However, since Your Majesty has come before this minister to ask, this minister will pose a question to test Your Majesty. If Your Majesty answers correctly, you may leave the palace.”

Though Chu Hongyu was anxious, he still restrained himself and said: “Teacher, please pose your question.”

“Your Majesty is traveling by carriage. At this time, three children are playing on the road ahead. Because they are too absorbed in playing, they haven’t heard the sound of horse hooves, and it’s too late for Your Majesty to stop the carriage.” Ouyang Ye spoke unhurriedly. “At this time, the carriage could take an alternate route, but on that other road there is a craftsman repairing the road. May I ask Your Majesty, should the carriage take the alternate route or continue on?”

Chu Hongyu cupped his chin.

If the carriage continued on, the three children would certainly die.

If the carriage took the alternate route, then the craftsman repairing the road would have only a dead end.

The group of children beside them chattered in discussion.

“On one side are three lives, on the other one life—definitely take the alternate route.”

“But those three children were playing on the main road. They made the mistake. Why should an ordinary person repairing the road bear the consequences of their error?”

“Exactly, exactly. Whoever makes the mistake should bear the consequences.”

“But those are three human lives, and they’re still young and don’t understand. They shouldn’t lose their lives over such a small mistake.”

“…”

Ouyang Ye watched Chu Hongyu with calm composure.

In his view, for this question, any answer was correct, but the answer could reveal a person’s character.

Chu Hongyu paced in place.

If he were an ordinary person, he would choose to have the carriage continue straight. Whoever made the mistake should bear the consequences.

But his current self was the Emperor. Every person was his subject.

He had the responsibility and obligation to protect every citizen.

“If I were in the carriage, I would kill that horse.” Chu Hongyu stated his considered answer. “The craftsman repairing the road shouldn’t die, nor should the children who made a mistake.”

Ouyang Ye nodded: “Then if you kill the horse, the carriage will go out of control, and you might die.”

“To die protecting one’s subjects is the destiny of being a monarch.” Chu Hongyu spoke slowly. “If such a day came in reality, I would also step forward.”

“No, Your Majesty.” Lin Dongdong hastily said. “If there comes a time requiring someone to step forward, let me do it in Your Majesty’s place.”

Chen San pushed him aside: “The Prince Regent has already been removed, your father will soon fall too, and you won’t be able to remain a study companion. In the future, I’ll be the first study companion at His Majesty’s side. Leave the stepping forward business to me!”

“And me, me too!”

A group of study companions crowded forward one after another.

“Good, very good!” Ouyang Ye’s face was full of gratification. “Doesn’t Your Majesty need to leave the palace? While there’s still time, go quickly.”

Chu Hongyu immediately walked out. After several steps, he realized Lin Dongdong, who loved to cling to him most, hadn’t followed. He turned back: “What are you doing?”

Lin Dongdong’s face fell: “Can I—can I no longer be Your Majesty’s study companion?”

“What nonsense are you talking?” Chu Hongyu frowned. “Hurry up, keep up.”

A smile immediately appeared on Lin Dongdong’s face.

Wonderful.

His Majesty hadn’t disdained him.

The group of children, dressed in eunuch clothing, successfully left the palace just like every time before.

At this moment, in the eastern suburbs of the capital, Yun Chu led her people before the Ciguang Hall she had previously devoted her efforts to building.

This was a building she had constructed with several tens of thousands of taels of silver when she was still Lady Xie, to accumulate merit for her two children and provide a safe haven for homeless children.

Initially there were only about a hundred children. Later, as more and more children came, Ciguang Hall continued expanding.

After she became Crown Princess, many merchants, wanting to curry favor with her, voluntarily donated silver and grain to Ciguang Hall. Gradually, the merchants’ donations alone could sustain Ciguang Hall’s daily needs. Now, the number of children at Ciguang Hall approached a thousand.

A place that should have been lively and bustling was now shrouded in dark clouds.

After Chu Rui escaped through the tunnel, shadow guards responded to him, and then he took control of Ciguang Hall.

“Yun Chu.” Chu Rui sat on a soft couch at the entrance of Ciguang Hall and spoke slowly. “This place is one of the reasons why you, as Empress Dowager, have won the people’s hearts. If I destroyed this place, you would surely be heartbroken.”

Yun Chu’s face was somber and she said nothing.

But her eyes signaled the people behind her to surround Ciguang Hall.

“You couldn’t bear to let your son Chu Hongjue fall into my hands, so I’ll have to trouble the children here instead.”

After finishing this sentence, Chu Rui coughed with difficulty.

He had suffered quite a bit yesterday. Below both collarbones were sword wounds, and his thigh had been stabbed by Yun Chu—he couldn’t even stand up.

His body was already frail, and he had lost twenty years of his lifespan due to the poison insects. Now, having suffered such grievous injuries, he felt his life would not last much longer.

How had things come to this point?

He looked toward the woman standing at the very front in the distance and slowly spoke: “Yun Chu, how about this—you agree to one thing for me, and I’ll release these innocent children.”