Feng Qishan uttered a low sound and looked toward Feng Suige. When he agreed to let Fu Yixiao reside in Shuihui Garden, he knew that before long, these old ministers would not be able to hold back and would voice their objections. So he had been holding his silence, waiting precisely for this moment.

Feng Suige gazed steadily at the crane-shaped incense burner before the hall, from which wisps of blue smoke curled upwards. He said coldly, “It seems Minister Lu has grown old and forgetful. It appears you are no longer fit to serve the court. You should return today and prepare your letter of resignation.”

Minister Lu was taken aback and hastily replied, “Your humble servant raises this matter again purely out of security concern. If this person is a spy planted by Jin Xiu…”

Feng Suige interrupted him with a cold laugh, “So, you are questioning Father?”

Feng Qishan raised an eyebrow. “Questioning me about what?”

Feng Suige stepped forward calmly, bowed, and said, “It was Father who requested her from the Prince of Zhennan. Minister Lu believes that Father has left a foreign spy by your son’s side.”

Minister Lu immediately turned pale and knelt. “Your Majesty, please discern clearly. Your humble servant had no such intention!”

Feng Qishan smiled slightly. “Minister Lu, the prince was merely jesting, yet you took it seriously. Your courage is somewhat lacking.”

With these words, the officials, who had been holding their breath, all heaved a sigh of relief. They began to laugh along appropriately, making light-hearted remarks. Minister Lu forced a smile and said, “The prince’s majesty is innate; your humble servant naturally feels apprehensive.”

Feng Qishan waited for the murmurs below to subside before asking, “Regarding this matter, how do you all think it should be appropriately handled?”

The two rows of civil and military officials in the hall immediately fell silent.

Minister Lu’s face had turned ashen. Originally, he had privately discussed with several censorial officials that he would present the matter, and the others would then step forward to echo his words. But with a single sentence from the prince, their courage had retreated. Yet to give up now was truly unsatisfactory. Now they found themselves in a dilemma. Steeling himself, Minister Lu kowtowed and said, “Your humble servant still believes that the woman should be placed under house arrest.”

“Sometimes, being too obstinate is not a good thing,” Feng Suige said, enunciating each word, his tone icy.

Feng Qishan frowned slightly. “What Minister Lu says is not entirely without reason. Suige, do not be willful. Minister Lu, you may rise.”

Only then did Minister Lu wipe the cold sweat from his forehead, stand up, and step back to one side.

Hearing the supportive tone in the monarch’s words, several ministers stepped forward one after another. Out of concern for Feng Suige’s attitude, they phrased their words very tactfully, but their meaning was the same—they supported placing Fu Yixiao under solitary supervision.

Feng Suige listened with suppressed patience. He understood that these ministers were not being unreasonable. If it were someone else, he might not have any objections; he might have even thought of this issue before them. But the person they were discussing was Yixiao—the Yixiao whose happiness had just been thwarted by his father and sister joining forces! And he had also been an accomplice.

“Father,” Feng Suige finally spoke. The surrounding clamor suddenly subsided, and everyone’s gaze, overtly or covertly, fell upon him—for he was the future monarch of this country, their future king. “Everyone is aware of how Fu Yixiao came to stay. Your son also understands Father’s intentions. But,” he raised his head and looked directly into Feng Qishan’s eyes, “Father, do you not feel ashamed to place her under house arrest now?”

A surge of anger shot straight to Feng Qishan’s forehead. He knew that his son’s thoughts had been on Fu Yixiao lately, and he had been speculating on what reasons his son might use to oppose the house arrest. But he never expected his son would say such words to him publicly in court.

“For the sake of a woman, you dare speak to me like this?” His gaze was as sharp as a blade.

Feng Suige’s expression was calm as he looked at each person in the hall who gazed at him with surprise, doubt, avoidance, or disapproval. “Regardless of whether she yielded under pressure, she has always conceded—even to the point of rejecting Xi Yang’s proposal and staying in Susha. Father once taught that in conducting oneself, the heart must be righteous and act upright. One cannot go against reason, nor deceive the heavens. In this matter, we were initially indebted to her. Why does Father refuse to let her go and continue to press her relentlessly?”

“Indebted?” Feng Qishan sneered. “Do you think she stayed behind for no reason? Xia Jingshi has already married Xi Yang. Even if she returns, she would at most be a concubine. What is a mere concubine of a marquis? How can that status compare with being the consort of Susha’s future monarch? Did you not see how, as soon as she left Xia Jingshi, she couldn’t wait to throw herself into your Shuihui Garden…”

“Father!” Feng Suige exclaimed in shock, scarcely able to believe that such vicious words could come from his always-respected father.

Perhaps realizing his loss of composure, Feng Qishan took a deep breath, his tone softening. “This is also why, throughout history, the royal family chooses consorts only among noble ladies of princely houses. You must understand that in this world, things cannot be seen from only one side. You may treat others wholeheartedly, but others may not necessarily repay you in kind!”

Feng Suige’s expression changed slightly. His furrowed brows and tightly pressed lips revealed an indescribable sorrow.

Seeing his son’s change of expression, Feng Qishan felt a bit of compassion and said gently, “Father tells you this not to embarrass you in front of everyone. Father only…”

His words suddenly stopped as he looked at Feng Suige in astonishment.

Feng Suige smiled. The arc of his lips lifted resolutely. “Truly embarrassing, indeed—very embarrassing.” He gracefully knelt, each word resonant and forceful. “Father, your son wishes to marry Fu Yixiao as his consort!”

With a rumbling crash, in a fit of rage, Feng Qishan overturned the dragon desk. The national seal, jade ornaments, and other items on the desk tumbled down the jade steps along with the overturned desk, scattering everywhere. The ministers in the hall were so shocked that they all knelt, kowtowing repeatedly, “Your Majesty, please quell your anger! Please quell your anger…”

Feng Qishan’s jade crown had become askew. Glaring, he pointed at the kneeling Feng Suige in the center. “Do you dare to repeat that for me to hear!”

Feng Suige instead remained calm. “Your son wishes to marry Fu Yixiao. Your son wants her to be Susha’s royal consort.”

Feng Qishan stumbled and hurriedly descended the jade steps. The anxious palace attendants trotted behind him, “Your Majesty, be careful! Your Majesty, be careful…”

In a few steps, he reached Feng Suige. Feng Qishan raised his hand and delivered a heavy slap to his face. With a crisp slap, several prominent red marks appeared on Feng Suige’s face, growing deeper. Apart from slightly tilting his head, he did not even move a brow.

“I am not yet dead,” Feng Qishan grasped his chin, bringing his face closer, his tone slow and gloomy. “And Susha does not have only you as a prince.”

Feng Suige smiled. “But they are not capable of bearing great responsibilities. That is why Father bestowed upon me the position of Regent Prince.”

This was a heavy blow. Feng Qishan involuntarily let go of his tight grip, stepping back two steps. After a long moment, he gritted his teeth unwillingly and said, “You insist on having her? She is merely a person from Jin Xiu with no status or position. She is unqualified to be a royal consort!”

Feng Suige lowered his gaze and replied calmly, “Everyone has their constraints, but what makes a person noble is only the heart.”

“Very well,” Feng Qishan laughed in extreme anger. “She is noble… I will let you choose. Do you want the position of Regent Prince, or do you want her!”

From among the ministers standing quietly by, an elderly, white-haired minister rushed out upon hearing this. He was Feng Suige’s Shao Fu—the Inner Prime Minister and Erudite Scholar. Trembling, he prostrated himself on the ground, pleading sorrowfully, “Your Majesty, please quell your anger. The prince has been stubborn since childhood. His defiance of Your Majesty was only in a moment of agitation. Please, Your Majesty, quell your anger.”

Feng Qishan’s expression eased slightly. He gave a cold snort, flicked his robe sleeve, and walked toward the dragon throne atop the jade steps.

Seeing this, the Erudite Scholar crawled closer and whispered to Feng Suige, “The monarch is furious right now. Besides, so many ministers are watching. Speak properly. Don’t be so willful. First, admit your mistake to the monarch. We can discuss matters slowly…”

Feng Suige also calmed down slightly, whispering with some remorse, “I was reckless and made Shao Fu worry.” Then he knelt and kowtowed to Feng Qishan, “Your son was impulsive and defied Father. Please, Father, forgive me.”

Feng Qishan paced a few steps atop the steps before waving his hand irritably. “Enough. But this matter is not yet settled. The inner Prime Minister and the prince, stay behind. The rest of you, my lords, may withdraw.”

The palace attendant standing by swallowed hard before raising his voice to announce, “Court is dismissed—”