Listening to the people on the street discussing Prince Consort Liu’s affair, Yun Chu felt somewhat dazed.

In her previous life, it wasn’t until well into the ninth month that Prince Consort Liu’s matter was exposed. In this lifetime, it had been advanced by nearly half a month—her father and eldest brother must have done something to make it happen.

The common people all thought that Prince Consort Liu had committed a breach of etiquette before the Emperor, angering the dragon’s countenance, and was therefore beheaded.

In truth, after the morning court session, Prince Consort Liu had engaged in an illicit affair with one of the imperial consorts in the inner palace. The Emperor, who went there personally, caught them red-handed. No man could accept being cuckolded, let alone the sovereign of a nation. The Emperor immediately drew the long sword from his bodyguard’s hand and, without a word, hacked off Prince Consort Liu’s head.

The Emperor was advanced in years after all, and lacked sufficient strength. It was said that he had to hack many times before Prince Consort Liu’s neck was finally severed…

Imperial scandals could not be spread outside, so only a select few knew of this matter.

The Emperor didn’t trust anyone else to handle Prince Consort Liu’s affairs, and specifically entrusted it to her father to deal with. After establishing a series of charges, the first order of business was to raid the Prince Consort’s residence.

And the letter she had written in Marquis Xuanwu’s tone was placed right on the desk in Prince Consort Liu’s study.

The content of the letter was simple: “…Regarding the matter between the Prince Consort and Consort Tian, I know something about it. If you want me to keep my mouth sealed, prepare ten thousand taels of silver and send it to Marquis Xuanwu’s residence…”

Knowing about an imperial scandal and then using it to threaten and extort—this was something the Emperor would absolutely not tolerate. Marquis Xuanwu’s residence would soon disappear from the capital.

Yun Chu’s expression was cold and clear.

In her previous life, even until her death, she never knew that her wedding night had been with someone else.

Having ruined her life, he still wanted to live carefree as Marquis Xuanwu, wanted to have a virtuous wife at home and a delicate concubine outside—what a pipe dream!

Yun Chu had just finished discussing the specific details of the designs with the craftsman when she saw a large group of military officers walk past from the street, heading toward Marquis Xuanwu’s residence.

Before long, that group of soldiers escorted Marquis Xuanwu past on the street.

Countless common people discussed among themselves.

“What’s happening today? Prince Consort Liu had an incident, and now Marquis Xuanwu too?”

“Prince Consort Liu committed a breach of etiquette, but what crime did Marquis Xuanwu commit that the court would make such a grand show of arresting him?”

“Who knows what’s going on…”

Qin Mingheng was being escorted, equally confused.

Since divorcing Yun Shi, he had become the laughingstock of the capital’s tea and after-dinner conversations. To avoid being ridiculed, he hadn’t attended court for many days, staying home every day to keep Chu Niang company, reading the Four Books and Five Classics for the child in Chu Niang’s belly.

He had just heard from servants about Prince Consort Liu’s affair and was still shocked that a dignified prince consort would engage in an illicit relationship with an imperial consort when soldiers rushed into the marquis residence and arrested him.

Since inheriting his title, he had always followed the rules properly. He hadn’t done a single thing he shouldn’t have. He truly didn’t understand what crime he had committed to be detained in broad daylight before the public, paraded through the streets like a criminal on the way to the authorities—what would become of Marquis Xuanwu residence’s reputation!

He raised his head and, among the densely packed crowd, saw a face he had been thinking about day and night.

It was Yun Chu!

In that instant, he suddenly understood why he had fallen into such a predicament.

It was her… She used the Yun family’s power and influence to pin some trumped-up charge on him… all to take revenge for that wedding night!

She was the woman he had kept hidden in his heart since his youth. He had admired her for so many years. For her, he could sacrifice anything.

But she wished nothing more than for him to die.

He looked at Yun Chu. He saw the coldness in her eyes, saw her satisfaction and pleasure. His heart felt as if it were being slowly cut by a knife—the pain was severe.

That night, it clearly wasn’t him. Why should he bear her revenge?

Qin Mingheng suddenly began to struggle. The two soldiers could barely hold him down and nearly let him escape.

“Let me go!”

He roared furiously. The two soldiers ignored him and forcibly escorted him through this bustling street.

Qin Mingheng stared fixedly in Yun Chu’s direction.

He had committed no wrongdoing. A trumped-up charge would never convict him. He would certainly be released without guilt!

When that time came, he would definitely ask this woman face to face whether she had any heart at all!

Yun Chu watched as Qin Mingheng was escorted away, the expression on her face showing little change.

The next morning, she heard that Yun Shi, who had been divorced by Marquis Xuanwu, had beaten the drum of appeals and filed charges against her former husband for corresponding with remnant followers of criminal ministers, and had produced crucial evidence.

Originally, the court was still searching for evidence of Marquis Xuanwu’s crimes. Yun Shi’s action could be said to have delivered a fatal blow to Marquis Xuanwu.

The court directly issued an edict abolishing Marquis Xuanwu’s title, confiscating all private property of the marquis residence, and exiling all male descendants for three generations, including Qin Mingheng himself, three thousand li away.

The generation above the marquis residence had all passed away. The generation below only had Qin Mingheng and Yun Shi’s sole legitimate son.

Under current dynasty law, when a couple divorced, children invariably went to the male party. But because Yun Shi had merit in bringing charges, and the legitimate son was still young, the court made an exception, allowing Marquis Xuanwu’s legitimate son to change his surname to Luo and exempting him from exile.

Yun Chu couldn’t help but sigh. If Qin Mingheng hadn’t kept a mistress, Yun Shi would never have been so decisive in severing ties with the marquis residence.

Qin Mingheng was brought to court by his first wife—this was what he deserved, reaping what he had sown… Only pity for that mistress who had just entered the marquis residence. It was said she was so frightened that very day that she went into premature labor…

“Good, truly wonderful!” Xie Zhongcheng looked utterly satisfied. “Back then, Brother Wei merely caused the marquis residence’s young lord’s finger to break the skin, yet his leg was broken in return… Hahaha, let him, Marquis Xuanwu, abuse his power and position, let him act tyrannically—isn’t this his retribution coming?”

“Evil brings its own punishment; heaven will collect its due!” Yuan Shi said indignantly, then sighed. “I just don’t know where Brother Wei is now. At such a young age, alone outside—poor child…”

“Why bring him up?” Xie Zhongcheng changed the subject. “The ninth month is almost here. Brother An will soon enter the Imperial Academy. I heard the other day that he needs to go to the Imperial Academy early to register. I wonder if Jingyu can get up to see Brother An off.”

Xie Jingyu’s illness had improved slightly, but only slightly.

His left hand was completely immobile, and his left leg could barely support his body. Having lain in his room for too long, he also wanted to go out for some fresh air.

Furthermore, with the old matriarch deceased and one year of mourning required, he feared that if he stayed in his room any longer without going out, the people at court would forget there was even a Lord Xie.

The next day, he got up and personally saw Xie Shi’an off to the palace to register.

After the flowerpot incident, the atmosphere between father and son had become somewhat delicate. Riding in the carriage together, they remained silent the entire way.

Finally, the carriage stopped at the palace gate.

“Well, if it isn’t Lord Xie. What brings you to the palace?” Xie Jingyu’s arch-rival, Lord Yuan, approached from afar. “Lord Xie’s complexion looks rather poor. You really should take better care of yourself.”

Xie Jingyu’s voice was flat: “Thank you for Lord Yuan’s concern.”

“Lord Xie’s mourning period hasn’t passed yet. You shouldn’t have come to the palace gate. If you offend any noble personage in the palace, you’ll inevitably be charged with great disrespect.” Lord Yuan said in a low voice. “Prince Consort Liu and Marquis Xuanwu were punished precisely for great disrespect. Lord Xie should be careful.”

These words sounded like concern but were actually mockery.

Xie Jingyu’s expression was heavy. In the past, he would certainly have found a way to get even, but now he didn’t have that energy.

“Lord Yuan’s words are too severe.” Xie Shi’an beside him spoke up. “Your son’s academic skills are poor and he hasn’t passed the civil examinations. Naturally, Lord Yuan wouldn’t know that today is the Imperial Academy’s registration day. My father is seeing me into the palace to accompany the noble personages in study. How is there any offense?”

Lord Yuan’s expression stiffened.

His son’s studies were truly lacking. Whenever this matter was mentioned, it gave him a headache and made him feel unable to hold his head high.

He could only slink away dejectedly.

“I’ll see you off only to here,” Xie Jingyu said. “Be careful with your words and actions.”

He didn’t say much else. He knew this son understood how to handle things.