Princess Changping was struck senseless.

Her face burned fiercely, and it was very painful.

But that pain was nothing compared to the grievance and shock in her heart. And a panic she could not suppress.

She finally understood. Imperial Father was genuinely enraged.

If she still refused to admit her fault and continued to argue and make excuses, she was not going to come out of today’s affairs well.

“Imperial Father,” Princess Changping knelt and wept bitterly, “It is your daughter who was wrong. Your daughter knows she was wrong. Please do not let anger over your daughter’s failings harm your imperial health…”

“Changping, you are Our eldest daughter, and We have always showered you with love and indulgence.” The Emperor’s voice was filled entirely with cold disappointment. “We were aware that you and the Prince Consort had little warmth between you, and We were not without some knowledge of your daily conduct. We always turned a blind eye. We never expected that this kind of indulgence would make you what you are today.”

“You are a princess of the Dazhou dynasty. You ought to be a model for all the daughters of noble families across Dazhou. But look at yourself — what have you done? You showed no respect to your parents-in-law, no respect to your husband, and now you have committed the terrible act of killing your husband. We failed in educating Our daughter, and now the imperial family is dragged into shame along with you.”

“If We do not punish you severely, what face would We have to show to the Xu family, or to the officials, or to the people of the realm?”

The Emperor grew more agitated as he spoke, and an unnatural flush spread across his pale face.

Prince Yan’s heart sank straight down.

It was over.

The matter of his mother the Empress had not yet subsided. Imperial Father had already been suppressing a rage impossible to articulate. Now Princess Changping had stirred up this chaos and wrung dry the last trace of tenderness within him.

“Elder Sister was only foolish for a moment,” Prince Yan tried to plead, though he knew there was little hope left. “I beg Imperial Father to show leniency and give her the chance to reform herself.”

“Reform herself?” The Emperor pulled his lips into a contemptuous curve, his eyes all cold. “If she reforms herself, can that bring the Prince Consort back to life?”

Princess Changping felt a chill in her heart as well. She knocked her head against the floor again and again. “Imperial Father have mercy, your daughter will never dare to do such things again. I beg Imperial Father’s mercy!”

The Emperor had made up his mind. His expression was icy. “If We pardon you today, there will be no stopping the wagging tongues of the world. Changping, We will have you sent to the Ciyun Convent, where you will fast and recite prayers for the Prince Consort who has died, and wash away your own sins.”

Princess Changping’s face went deathly pale.

The Ciyun Convent.

This was the place where female members of the imperial family and its relatives were sent when they had committed grave transgressions. It was called a convent, but in reality it differed little from a prison cell. The life within was exceedingly harsh, and guards were posted outside. Once one entered the Ciyun Convent, there was no hope of ever leaving.

“Imperial Father, how can you do this to me!” In her shock, Princess Changping lost all control of her words. “The Prince Consort is just one dead man. I am a princess of the imperial family. Mourning him for three years is more than enough to do right by him. At worst, I will later take on another Prince Consort, and the child born of it will take the Xu surname. That should be sufficient…”

Not a shred of remorse.

Utterly unrepentant until death.

Whatever last trace of mercy the Emperor had left was consumed entirely by Princess Changping’s tirade.

The Emperor breathed deeply and said coldly, “Someone, take Princess Changping away first. After today has passed, send her to the Ciyun Convent.”

Then he added, “Take Princess Changping to the Pepper Chamber. Let her see Empress Xu before she departs.”

Princess Changping was escorted away toward the Pepper Chamber.

The sounds of crying and pleading grew gradually more distant.

Duke Xu trembled as he kowtowed in gratitude. “This old subject thanks Your Majesty for upholding justice.”

From this day forward, the Xu family and the Empress and her children were severed from one another. Having come to this point, Duke Xu could no longer look back with regret.

The Emperor’s mood was unstable. He managed to say, “It was Our failure to educate Our daughter that resulted in harm to the Prince Consort. What a pity that the Prince Consort died so young. No matter how much anguish and remorse We feel, it will avail nothing. Return to your residence and make proper funeral arrangements so that the Prince Consort may be buried with full honors.”

Duke Xu expressed his thanks and gratitude through tears. Having knelt for so long, his knees had gone entirely numb. He rose unsteadily and turned to leave with trembling steps.

His departing figure was full of desolation.

The Emperor’s gaze settled on Prince Yan’s face. “You need not keep kneeling here either. Changping is the one who did wrong. We have punished Changping and will not hold this against you or lay any blame on you. Return to your residence with an easy heart.”

Prince Yan would not rise, however, and remained kneeling where he was, weeping. “It is only right that Imperial Father punishes Elder Sister for the grave wrong she has committed. This subject-son has not a single word of resentment. I only hope that Imperial Father may calm your heart and not allow this matter to injure your imperial health through anger.”

One wretched matter piled on top of another — how could he possibly be calm?

The Emperor let out a self-mocking tug at the corners of his lips. “Your filial heart is noted. Now withdraw.”

Prince Yan knocked his head against the floor with force and pleaded, “Elder Sister and I are born of the same mother. She is about to be sent to the Ciyun Convent. I beg Imperial Father to allow me to enter the Pepper Chamber and share one final moment with Elder Sister.”

Entering the Pepper Chamber would mean Prince Yan could see Empress Xu.

The Emperor frowned, on the verge of refusing — and then, for reasons he could not quite explain, he relented. “Very well. We permit you one visit.”

Prince Yan breathed out in relief and respectfully took his leave.

The Emperor watched Prince Yan’s figure until it disappeared from sight. The fury he had been suppressing so forcibly all this time surged up into his chest once more. He felt something sweet rise in his throat, and then his mouth was full of the taste of blood.

Director Ding cried out in horror. “Your Majesty!”

The Emperor had actually been so enraged that he vomited blood.

Wei Yan too tensed in alarm. The Emperor’s constitution was already weak. He had spent several months recovering just to regain a fraction of his former vitality. Being roiled and troubled by these repeated events — how could it withstand such strain?

“Director Ding, quickly have someone carry His Majesty back to bed.” Wei Yan commanded without hesitation. “I will administer the needles. Send word to Noble Consort Li and Lady Wei at once. Also send word immediately to the Crown Prince’s residence.”

Imperial Concubine Wei, upon receiving the message, was stunned. She immediately led Princess An’ya to the Zichen Hall.

At the entrance, they encountered Noble Consort Li. Neither was in any mood for pleasantries, and they entered the bedchamber together.

The Emperor lay on the bed with no color at all in his face, his breathing faint and barely perceptible, lost in unconsciousness. Wei Yan’s expression was grave as he administered the needles.

Imperial Concubine Wei took one look at the Emperor in that state and tears immediately welled in her eyes. Noble Consort Li beside her was also overcome with sorrow and began to sob softly.

Princess An’ya asked with reddened eyes, “Director Ding, what on earth happened? Imperial Father was perfectly fine yesterday. How did he suddenly fall unconscious and vomit blood today?”

Director Ding smiled with bitter helplessness and in a low voice relayed the matter of Duke Xu’s accusation against Princess Changping.

Imperial Concubine Wei and Noble Consort Li listened with growing astonishment. They forgot even to wipe their tears and stared with wide eyes, both of them utterly speechless.

This Princess Changping — she was truly too… audacious beyond all reckoning.

“Both of you, Noble Consort and Lady Wei — the Emperor was genuinely overcome with rage this time. Come tomorrow, Princess Changping is to be sent to the Ciyun Convent. Even now, Princess Changping should be in the Pepper Chamber saying her farewell to Her Majesty the Empress.” Director Ding let out a long sigh. “The Emperor’s heart was heavy with grief. After vomiting a mouthful of fresh blood, he lost consciousness.”

Imperial Concubine Wei and Noble Consort Li exchanged a glance and both saw in each other’s eyes the same deep worry.

The Emperor was advanced in age. His imperial constitution could not withstand such relentless turmoil.