Tears fell from Crown Prince’s Grandson Zhao Yishi’s eyes.

His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down several times before he choked out: “Imperial Grandfather, foolish filial piety is still filial piety. How the Eastern Palace is, this subject dares not comment recklessly, but as for how Father is, a son must speak up for him.”

“You still want to defend him?”

“Yes!”

“I’d like to hear how you’ll defend him.”

Zhao Yishi knelt forward two steps and raised his head. “The reason Ji Lingchuan dared to be corrupt is because of the Zhang family. The reason the Zhang family dared to act presumptuously is because they produced a Crown Princess.”

A cold light flashed through the Emperor’s eyes, and he snorted coldly.

“Mother lives in seclusion in the inner quarters, spending her days doing needlework and admiring flowers in the residence. She never asks about court matters, nor dares to ask. In the Zhang family and Ji family matters, she is the most innocent.”

Zhao Yishi: “Father controls the Ministry of Revenue. In appointing Ji Lingchuan, first he trusted this person’s abilities to govern water transport well; second, he also did it out of consideration for Mother’s sake. But unexpectedly…”

He paused, then continued:

“Poor use of personnel and failure to investigate—these are Father’s derelictions of duty. By rights, he should memorialize Your Majesty requesting severe punishment. Neither the Ji family nor the Zhang family should be spared—only then would he not fail the imperial grace.

But if he did so, Mother’s world would collapse. They’ve been husband and wife for over twenty years, supporting each other through thick and thin. If Father submitted such a memorial, he would be worthy of the imperial grace and worthy of the realm, but he alone would not be worthy of Mother.

The ancients said loyalty and filial piety cannot both be fulfilled. In Ji Lingchuan’s matter, Father faces a choice between imperial grace and his marriage vows where he cannot have both.”

Having said this, Zhao Yishi sighed deeply.

“Imperial Grandfather always says Father has too much scholarly temperament. Grandson didn’t believe it before, but now I do. For a sovereign, romantic sentiments are minor matters—the family and realm are what’s important.

Grandson also tried to persuade him once. After listening, Father only said one thing to grandson—

Whether the Zhang family or the Ji family, in the end it was my failure to properly vet personnel. I am the one who deserves punishment most. What face do I have to memorialize Your Majesty requesting leniency?

Imperial Grandfather, Father isn’t concerned about his reputation for worthiness, but is waiting for Your punishment.”

Having finished, Zhao Yishi bent deeply in a bow.

The Emperor watched him coldly. After a long while, he shook his head and said: “Go kneel outside!”

Zhao Yishi didn’t move. “Grandson has one more thing to say.”

“Speak.”

“In today’s matter, whether Mingting or Cai Si, ultimately it was grandson relying on Imperial Grandfather’s favor to act boldly. The one who deserves punishment most is grandson. Please Your Majesty spare them.”

“Get out!”

The Emperor slapped the bed frame, his voice suddenly furious.

Zhao Yishi wiped away tears, bowed, and withdrew. At the threshold of the outer hall, he knelt down again.

Yan Ruxian glanced at him hastily before hurrying into the inner hall to attend.

The Emperor’s face still showed anger, his tiger eyes staring fiercely at that threshold, dark currents surging in his gaze.

Yan Ruxian steeled himself and came forward: “Your Majesty, it’s late. Please rest!”

The Emperor snorted coldly.

Yan Ruxian emptied the cold tea and added some warm water to the cup. “Your Majesty, moisten your throat. Don’t let anger harm your health.”

The Emperor suddenly reached out and forcefully pointed several times toward the threshold.

“How did I raise such a person—his intentions are truly detestable!”

Yan Ruxian couldn’t utter half a word.

Isn’t it detestable—going straight for Your Majesty’s vital point.

When the Late Emperor was alive, he was most respectful toward his first Empress. When the first Empress died, the Late Emperor was grief-stricken and didn’t attend court for seven consecutive days.

Your Majesty, having inherited the throne, emulates the Late Emperor in all matters. No matter how many women fill the rear palace, you absolutely never neglect the Empress. On the first and fifteenth of each month, you always rest in the Empress’s palace.

In earlier years, when the Empress’s natal family also committed offenses, Your Majesty personally protected them with all your power.

The Crown Prince’s Grandson’s words are reminding Your Majesty that the Crown Prince is also emulating you.

“Go summon Cai Si.”

Yan Ruxian quickly regained his composure: “Yes!”

…

Cai Si straightened his robes and followed behind Yan Ruxian into the inner hall.

He didn’t dare look around. Walking to the couch, he knelt and paid respects. “This subject greets Your Majesty.”

The Emperor didn’t let him rise. “The matter of releasing Ji Lingchuan—you agreed to it?”

Cai Si had long prepared his explanation and hastily said: “Reporting to Your Majesty, this subject, considering Master Pei’s filial devotion… this subject erred. Please Your Majesty punish this subject.”

“Hmph!” The Emperor snorted coldly.

“This subject deserves death!”

Cai Si prostrated on the ground and pulled several banknotes from his sleeve. “This is the bribe Master Pei gave this subject. This subject shouldn’t have accepted it. This subject is guilty.”

The corner of the Emperor’s mouth twitched, and the anger on his face actually dissipated somewhat.

Nine out of ten officials are corrupt. Corruption isn’t frightening—what’s frightening is harboring disloyal intentions.

In Ji Lingchuan’s position, whoever took it wouldn’t remain clean—it’s just a matter of degree. His move against Ji Lingchuan was meant to warn the Crown Prince.

“I heard that these past days your Northern Bureau has had people coming and going—quite lively!”

Cai Si quickly straightened and pulled out a piece of paper from his robe, presenting it with both hands.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, everyone who came and went, the times they came and went, how long they stayed in the prison… it’s all on this paper.”

Emperor Yonghe took the paper and scanned it lightly, his brow furrowing slightly.

On this paper, his grandson had been in and out three times: once the day the Ji family was imprisoned; once the day Ji family’s Ninth Miss hanged herself; and today.

The one who came and went most was Ministry of Justice Vice Minister Xu Lai.

“Xu Lai is quite concerned about this case!”

Cai Si dared to glance at the Emperor’s expression and said softly: “Because this case is led by Censor Lu with the Three Judicial Offices assisting, Vice Minister Xu is very diligent. These three months he’s become quite familiar with us.”

The Emperor snorted coldly again. Cai Si was so frightened he quickly prostrated again.

Yan Ruxian at the side also bent his waist lower to hide the cold smile at the corner of his mouth.

The Imperial Guard was divided into Northern and Southern Bureaus, but they had only one master—the imposing, naturally dignified Son of Heaven before them.

Xu Lai served in the Ministry of Justice yet reached his hand into the Northern Bureau—wasn’t this equivalent to Xu Lai’s master behind him making a play for the Northern Bureau?

Yan Ruxian shook his head in his heart and sighed.

Still too impatient!

…

In the carriage, as dawn gradually broke, even the usually composed Third Master Xie became restless.

An entire night had passed, and neither the Crown Prince’s Grandson nor Cai Si had emerged from the palace.

What exactly was happening inside the palace?

Third Master yawned and kicked Pei Xiao: “Take out all those Five Emperor Coins and Diamond Sutras you’ve got on you.”

“What for?” Pei Xiao’s eyes were ringed with dark circles, looking like he’d overindulged.

“To pray to Buddha for Huairen.”

“Won’t work.”

“Why not?”

Pei Xiao steeled himself and told the hard truth: “Actually… none of them have been blessed yet.”

Xie Zhifei gritted his teeth.

Can I kill this bastard right now and still make it in time?

Just as he was thinking this, he heard the sound of the heavy vermilion gates opening. Lifting the curtain, he saw someone walking out.

Yan Ruxian?

Why is it him?

Xie Zhifei’s heart raced as his gaze shot toward Pei Xiao.

Pei Xiao patted him. “You stay in the carriage. Shen Chong and I will shamelessly go ask.”

The two jumped down from the carriage and quickly ran over.

Seeing these two, Yan Ruxian tilted both nostrils skyward as if he couldn’t see them.

Pei Xiao smiled ingratiatingly. “Eunuch Yan, leaving the palace so early—you must be exhausted. By the way, where is His Highness the Crown Prince’s Grandson?”