Before the edict had finished being read, Princess Pingnan collapsed to the ground.

Prince Pingnan’s health had deteriorated steadily since the assassination attempt, making movement difficult, but he had to be present at such a time. When he heard that Crown Prince Qiang had been deposed, it was as if a fire ignited in his chest, burning until his expression twisted in agony, yet he could not utter a single word—only wheezing gasps emerged from his throat.

“Your Highness!”

“Princess—”

The manor’s servants could attend to one but not the other, and the scene descended into chaos.

Wei Wen felt as if she had fallen into an icy abyss. Under such an enormous blow, she even forgot to react to her parents collapsing.

Wei Feng watched all this, yet his heart remained the calmest.

From childhood, he had always lived in his elder brother’s shadow. Even after Wei Qiang became Crown Prince and treated Prince Pingnan’s manor with cold indifference, in their parents’ eyes he was still the best.

When his preference for men was exposed, in Mother Consort’s eyes he became even more worthless mud that could never be shaped.

Mother Consort had even said that as long as he fathered a son with Lady Wang, she would no longer concern herself with him.

What did she take him for? Did his existence serve only to continue Prince Pingnan Manor’s bloodline?

Ha! Because he could not bring himself to like women, in Mother Consort’s eyes he did not even count as a person—he was merely a tool for procreation.

Now it was perfect. The eldest son whom their parents regarded with such pride had been returned to the manor. He wanted to see what attitude Mother Consort would take toward Wei Qiang from now on.

In this moment, Wei Feng even felt vindicated.

Lady Wang, the Heir Consort, stood beside Wei Feng and observed his reaction, unable to stop herself from trembling all over.

The manor’s sky had collapsed, yet the Heir Apparent remained unmoved.

She had still hoped her husband might reform, but now it seemed there was no hope at all—something was fundamentally wrong with his mind.

With her husband unreliable and the manor’s stability uncertain after the Crown Prince’s deposition, how bitter was her fate!

Lady Wang pitied herself and wept with genuine grief.

When Wei Qiang returned to Prince Pingnan’s manor with his former Crown Princess—who could now only be called Lady Qiao—he was followed by just two carriages.

These two carriages contained what little could be taken from eight years of residing in the Eastern Palace. It could not be called anything but desolate.

Even at this point, Wei Qiang had not recovered his senses and nearly fell when disembarking from the carriage.

“Master, be careful!” Dou Ren supported Wei Qiang, unable to hide the dejection in his brows and eyes.

Beyond dejection was the fear and relief of having survived disaster.

Those palace servants who had attended His Highness in the Eastern Palace had either been executed or demoted to places like the Laundry Bureau where they would never see daylight—it would not be long before they perished as well. That he could return to Prince Pingnan’s manor with his master could be considered fortunate.

Prince Pingnan’s manor—Dou Ren supported Wei Qiang and glanced at the manor’s main gate.

Eight years ago, he had accompanied his master from here into the palace, bearing unlimited glory. Now they had returned in disgrace.

In this moment, Dou Ren wished he could cry aloud.

Being scalded by hotpot, being bitten by a goose—what were those things? Now was truly tragic.

Yet he did not even have the qualification to cry aloud.

So many masters needed to cry—when would it be the turn of a mere servant?

Receiving news of Wei Qiang’s return, Princess Pingnan still forced herself to rise. Upon seeing Wei Qiang, she could not help covering her face and weeping bitterly.

Wei Qiang stood numbly, showing no reaction.

Lady Qiao, holding her daughter’s hand, paid respects to Princess Pingnan.

Princess Pingnan wiped her tears with a handkerchief and said coldly, “Since you have returned, henceforth live here peacefully and take good care of your husband and Wan’er.”

Lady Qiao lowered her head slightly and responded, “Daughter-in-law understands.”

Princess Pingnan’s gaze moved downward to rest on the young girl Lady Qiao was holding.

This was Wei Qiang and Lady Qiao’s only daughter, whose pet name was Wan’er. She was now also Prince Pingnan Manor’s only grandchild.

Princess Pingnan forced out a trace of a smile: “It has been so long since I saw Wan’er. Does Wan’er still remember Grandmother?”

The young girl looked confused: “Aren’t you Third Grandmother?”

Mother Consort had once said this was Father Prince and Mother Consort’s third aunt. She had always called her Third Grandmother. Why was she now calling her Grandmother?

The child’s innocent question stabbed painfully at everyone present.

Princess Pingnan’s smile vanished, and the spirit she had forced herself to muster disappeared instantly.

Lady Qiao squeezed her daughter’s hand forcefully: “Wan’er, this is your grandmother. Do not speak carelessly in the future. Do you hear?”

Wan’er nodded as if she understood but did not, then asked, “Then where is Grandfather?”

If Third Grandmother had become Grandmother, then Third Grandfather must be Grandfather now, right?

“Are you ever going to stop!” Wei Qiang suddenly shouted at Wan’er.

Wan’er hid behind Lady Qiao and began sobbing quietly.

Lady Qiao bit her lip, suppressing her anger as she said, “Wan’er does not yet understand. If you feel wronged, take it out on me.”

Wei Qiang stared fixedly at Lady Qiao.

Princess Pingnan was about to speak when sounds came from the doorway.

“Princess, the Prince requests—” The servant delivering the message hesitated, “requests the First Young Master come over.”

Wei Feng was standing right there in the room. Hearing this address of “First Young Master,” he actually felt quite pleased.

The former Crown Prince had become First Young Master, inferior even to his status as Heir Apparent. He wondered if Wei Qiang had ever imagined such a day would come.

“Lady Wang.”

“Daughter-in-law is here.”

“Go arrange accommodations for your eldest brother and sister-in-law. Settle your sister-in-law and Wan’er first.”

Lady Wang acknowledged this.

Princess Pingnan went with Wei Qiang to Prince Pingnan’s quarters.

Wei Feng was too lazy to remain and speak with Lady Wang, so he lifted his feet and followed along.

Prince Pingnan had just suffered a severe mental shock. At this moment he looked like a candle flickering in the wind, as if he might expire at any moment.

Upon seeing Wei Qiang enter, Prince Pingnan raised his hand and pointed at him.

Wei Qiang numbly performed a bow.

Prince Pingnan opened his mouth and said a string of mumbled words.

Wei Qiang could not understand and had no mood to listen, standing in place without reaction.

A servant attending Prince Pingnan spoke up: “His Highness is asking… why you moved against Grand Commander Luo…”

In the edict deposing the Crown Prince, framing important court ministers was Wei Qiang’s primary crime.

This was something the entire court could not comprehend.

Had the Crown Prince eaten his fill with nothing better to do, so impatient to move against the Commander of the Jinlin Guard?

Now look—he had thrown away his position as heir.

Hiss—viewed this way, Grand Commander Luo truly could not be provoked!

Setting aside the impact the Crown Prince’s deposition had on the court, at present, having heard the servant relay Prince Pingnan’s words, Wei Qiang’s eyelids trembled slightly but he made no sound.

Why had he moved against Grand Commander Luo?

Because he wanted Grand Commander Luo’s daughter, Miss Luo. As long as Grand Commander Luo did not fall, he could never achieve his wish.

His luck had been too poor. He had failed.

“Speak!” Prince Pingnan was clearly enraged. The single word he spat out was actually quite clear.

Wei Qiang looked expressionlessly at Prince Pingnan, his heart full of hatred.

That he had come to this day was, at its root, because Father had killed Luo’er years ago without any consideration for his feelings.

If Luo’er were still alive, how could he have developed feelings for Miss Luo and thus come into conflict with Grand Commander Luo?

Prince Pingnan’s eyes widened as he stared fixedly at Wei Qiang. In those eyes he could find not a trace of remorse—only profound resentment.

This beast had ruined such a favorable situation and still blamed him?

As this thought arose, the fire in his chest surged upward.

Prince Pingnan’s mouth opened, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.