Emperor Jingming was momentarily stunned. After a while, he looked at Pan Hai in bewilderment, “What did he say?”

Pan Hai repeated with a bitter expression, “General Cui killed the Princess Imperial and then took his own life…”

Emperor Jingming raised his hand to support his forehead, his vision darkening.

Cui Yi’s cries echoed in his ears, making his headache worsen.

Chaos, utter chaos, the world had truly descended into chaos.

He had merely punished Rongyang justly, how did it result in loss of life? Was there no respect for him as the Emperor anymore?

Emperor Jingming still had some sibling affection for Princess Imperial Rongyang. Although it had been worn thin by her repeated willful behavior, he still felt saddened.

Cui Yi’s cries disturbed his peace of mind.

“Uncle, what should we do?”

Looking at his nephew crying foolishly, Emperor Jingming suddenly thought of Jiang Zhan, who had volunteered to guard the border.

Two similar children, yet such different behaviors…

However, he couldn’t be harsh on his nephew at this moment. He sighed, “Stop crying. I will order a proper burial for your parents and make suitable arrangements for you…”

Cui Yi cried even louder, wiping his nose as he spoke, “Uncle, I have a request—”

“Speak,” Emperor Jingming’s temples throbbed.

He now dreaded hearing the word “request.” His seventh brother’s wife had made a request, and immediately two people died, his sister and brother-in-law no less…

“Please don’t bury my parents together.”

“Hmm?” Emperor Jingming was slightly startled, not expecting such a request from Cui Yi.

It was customary for husband and wife to share a tomb. There were many unhappy couples in this world, but once dead and buried, all was forgiven, and they would receive ancestral worship from their descendants. It was rare for someone to actively request that their parents not be buried together.

Cui Yi’s eyes were red, as was the tip of his nose, but his expression was resolute. “Don’t bury them together. I don’t want my parents to continue like this in the underworld.”

Emperor Jingming remained silent for a long while, then nodded slightly. “Very well, they won’t be buried together.”

Pan Hai silently sighed.

From heaven to earth, sometimes things could change in the blink of an eye.

Princess Imperial Rongyang had become a commoner and could not enter the imperial mausoleum, or the Cui family’s ancestral tomb. Her fate was truly lamentable.

“Pan Hai, send someone to help with Rongyang and Cui Xu’s funeral arrangements,” Emperor Jingming ordered, then looked at Cui Yi.

Cui Yi spoke again, “Uncle, your nephew has one more request.”

Emperor Jingming’s eyelids trembled.

Another request?

“Speak.”

“I beg Uncle to help me find my sister. She’s the only family I have left now.”

Emperor Jingming could only nod, “I will keep this in mind. Don’t worry.”

“Thank you, Uncle.”

“You should go back now. Your parents’ matters will require your attention.”

After Cui Yi left, wiping his tears, Emperor Jingming heaved a heavy sigh.

“Your Majesty, regarding the Empress Dowager—”

Emperor Jingming’s expression turned serious, “Keep this from her for now. If the Empress Dowager hears even a whisper of this, there will be severe consequences!”

For the time being, he lacked the courage to face the Empress Dowager again. Better to delay as long as possible.

The news of Cui Xu and Princess Imperial Rongyang’s deaths spread quickly, shocking countless people.

In the Yining Marquis Manor, the Old Madam wept, but her expression was joyful, “Old man, Princess Imperial Rongyang, who caused Ake’s death, has received her retribution. She truly has!”

The Old Marquis of Yining patted the Old Madam’s arm, “Why are you crying again? You just cried earlier. Be careful not to hurt your eyes.”

The Old Madam smiled as she wiped her tears, “These are tears of joy. I was already happy hearing that Princess Imperial Rongyang had been demoted to a commoner, but I didn’t expect even better news to come. Old man, do you think heaven has opened its eyes?”

The Old Marquis’s gaze fell on the cotton curtain embroidered with magpies on plum blossoms, and he smiled, “It’s not heaven opening its eyes, but our good granddaughter…”

“You mean Si’er?” The Old Madam wiped away her tears, smiling even more freely. “Yes, our Si’er is a good one, avenging her mother.”

The Old Marquis frowned slightly, “I’m only worried that Princess Imperial Rongyang’s death might affect Si’er’s standing in the Emperor’s heart.”

The Old Madam’s expression turned serious, and she said calmly, “It’s worth it. If one fears for oneself and doesn’t dare to avenge one’s mother, what kind of child would that be?”

The Old Marquis’s white eyebrows relaxed, “You’re right. There’s a time to act and a time to refrain. Si’er has done well.”

Ever since learning that Princess Imperial Rongyang was the true culprit behind their daughter’s death, but unable to act due to concern for the family’s future generations, the old couple had been troubled.

Frustrated and angry, they had spent countless sleepless nights. Now, their granddaughter had finally avenged them.

Su Dajiu’s feelings were somewhat different from his parents’.

His wife had poisoned his mother and sister, and now his wife was dead. Princess Imperial Rongyang was the mastermind, and she was dead too. And all of this was because of his niece…

Su Dajiu’s emotions were extremely complex: his niece was quite formidable.

At the East Peace Earl Manor, Jiang Yi desperately held back Jiang Zhan, “Second Brother, you can’t set off firecrackers!”

Jiang Zhan laughed, “I was just joking. Big Sister, you took me seriously.”

He wasn’t as impulsive as before. Even if he had set off ten thousand fireworks in his heart, he wouldn’t go outside to set off firecrackers. His big sister was so frightened.

“Just joking?” Jiang Yi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She pinched Jiang Zhan, “Then why did you scare me? I thought you were going to celebrate in the streets.”

Even though Princess Imperial Rongyang had lost imperial favor, she was still the Empress Dowager’s adopted daughter. Now that she was dead, showing joy would surely invite the Emperor’s displeasure.

The curtain lifted, and Jiang Ancheng strode in.

“Father—” the siblings called out in unison.

Jiang Ancheng’s reddened eyes locked onto his two children, “Princess Imperial Rongyang killed your mother!”

Jiang Yi and Jiang Zhan exchanged a glance, unsure of what to say.

“Did you already know?” Jiang Ancheng asked, leaning against the wall.

Jiang Zhan spoke up first, “We found out when we visited Grandmother. Son was afraid Father couldn’t bear it, so I convinced Big Sister and Fourth Sister not to tell you.”

Seeing Jiang Zhan take responsibility, Jiang Yi said softly, “Father, it wasn’t just Second Brother’s decision. I was the one who told them to keep it from you.”

Jiang Ancheng pounded the wall hard and asked, “Si’er didn’t attend your eldest aunt’s funeral. Was it related to this?”

With Yu Shi and Princess Imperial Rongyang dead, there was no burden in telling Jiang Ancheng the truth. Jiang Yi hesitated briefly before saying, “Princess Imperial Rongyang used Yu Shi to harm Mother…”

“You kept it from me!” Jiang Ancheng sighed, his lips trembling.

At this point, how could he blame his children? Of course, he couldn’t.

His heart churned like boiling oil. Thinking of his wife’s death brought him to the depths of sorrow. He wanted nothing more than to rush to the Princess’s manor and slay that vicious woman Rongyang with his own hands, but Cui Xu had done it for him.

And all of this was Si’er’s doing.

Jiang Ancheng wiped his face, suddenly missing his youngest daughter terribly.