After leaving Yong’an Wangfu, Yi Zichuan brought Song Taifei into the palace.
The Emperor had received news the previous night about Song Taifei’s assassination attempt and had barely slept. He anxiously waited for Song Taifei and Yi Zichuan to arrive, having cleared his schedule to receive them in the palace.
No sooner had Song Taifei stepped into the Empress Dowager’s quarters than the Emperor hurriedly arrived.
“Aunt, aunt, are you alright? Were you hurt?” The Emperor pushed aside Yi Zichuan, who was standing nearby, and rushed to Song Taifei’s side, taking her hands and examining her carefully.
The Empress Dowager cast a disdainful glance at the Emperor. “His Majesty has been sending people to inquire about you all night, terrified something might happen. Now that he knows you’re here, he rushed over in a frenzy!”
“His Majesty cares for me,” Song Taifei smiled, then turned to the Emperor. “Thanks to the young lady of the Xia family, who risked her life to save mine!”
“Truly, the daughter of the Protectorate General is worthy of her father!” The Emperor had already heard the story, but hearing it from Song Taifei herself moved him deeply. “She must be rewarded—generously rewarded!”
“We must thank her properly,” Song Taifei continued. “But I’ve already asked Zichuan to prepare gifts, which will be sent tomorrow. Your Majesty needn’t trouble yourself with such trivial matters.”
“What trouble is this?” the Empress Dowager interjected. “It’s just a matter of giving an order—the Imperial Household Department will handle it. I’ve heard that even before Miss Xia returned home, rumors were already spreading everywhere. Your Majesty must make an effort to clear her name.”
The Emperor nodded repeatedly. “Of course!”
As the Emperor was about to say more, Yi Zichuan couldn’t stand it any longer. “Your Majesty, I have matters to report. Perhaps we should let Mother and Her Majesty the Empress Dowager speak privately.”
The Emperor left reluctantly, and Yi Zichuan finally lost his patience, giving the Emperor a kick on the backside. “Enough already!”
“Imperial Uncle!” The Emperor jumped up from the kick.
The eunuch in charge quickly closed the door, afraid that witnessing any more might cost him his life.
“I’ve obtained some information during my trip to Jiangnan. Doesn’t Your Majesty want to hear it?” Yi Zichuan sat down before the Emperor, frowning at him.
“Didn’t Imperial Uncle already mention it in your letter?” The Emperor straightened his sleeves and spoke seriously. “These people are connected to the Late Emperor’s old subordinates—many are former senior officials. They won’t be easily caught. Imperial Uncle, this matter cannot be rushed.”
“I know it can’t be rushed!” Yi Zichuan’s expression darkened. “Many of the Late Emperor’s old ministers are maternal relatives of the Grand Empress Dowager. Now these senior officials are advocating for Your Majesty to select consorts. Don’t you understand what they’re planning? The Late Emperor long wished to eliminate these old factions, but the Grand Empress Dowager never relented, so he never succeeded. Does Your Majesty wish to be bound hand and foot by these old ministers as well?”
“I understand your meaning, Imperial Uncle!” the Emperor sighed. “But their roots run deep—they cannot be easily eradicated. You’ve suffered multiple assassination attempts on your journey back, and last night, my aunt nearly fell victim to this matter. I fear that if you continue investigating, these people will eventually succeed, and then I…”
“That should not be Your Majesty’s concern!” Yi Zichuan spoke calmly. “Your Majesty must prioritize the realm!”
The Emperor looked deeply at Yi Zichuan for a long moment before suddenly saying, “Imperial Uncle, are you so certain that Lord Song is truly wronged?”
Yi Zichuan cast a profound glance his way.
The Emperor immediately felt the pressure emanating from Yi Zichuan. He straightened his expression and said in a low voice, “Lord Song is your maternal uncle—I understand your reluctance to believe it. But the evidence in this matter has long been conclusive. For you to make such great efforts…”
“Embezzling disaster relief funds is a crime punishable by extermination of nine clans!” Yi Zichuan looked at the Emperor before him, his gaze gradually turning cold. “Does Your Majesty wish to send this humble subject to the execution ground?”
The Emperor’s face changed. “Imperial Uncle knows perfectly well that’s not what I meant!”
“Before the Late Emperor passed away, this humble subject promised him I would support Your Majesty until you firmly secured this position!” Yi Zichuan stood up and bowed respectfully to the Emperor. “I understand Your Majesty’s concerns, but if Lord Song is truly guilty of corruption, I will personally convict him!”
“Imperial Uncle!” The Emperor quickly stood and reached out to support Yi Zichuan. “Imperial Uncle, that’s not what I meant…”
“Regarding the case of the missing official silver in Jiangnan, regardless of Your Majesty’s plans, this humble subject will continue investigating. Lord Song is not only my maternal uncle but also my mentor. He has maintained integrity throughout his life—I cannot bear to see him bear this stain. As for my mother…” Yi Zichuan suddenly said, “I plan to have her return to the palace for a brief stay!”
The Emperor’s expression shifted as he understood—Yi Zichuan was worried about Song Taifei’s safety and intended to place her directly under the Grand Empress Dowager’s watchful eyes. After all, if anything happened in the palace, the Grand Empress Dowager, their sole opponent, would be the first suspect.
The Grand Empress Dowager, who cherished her reputation above all, would never commit such a foolish act. Thus, the most dangerous place became the safest.
“Imperial Uncle clearly knows I only wish for you to stop taking risks!” The Emperor helped Yi Zichuan up, then looked into his eyes and asked word by word, “Was it very dangerous yesterday?”
Yi Zichuan’s mind suddenly flashed with the image of Xia Jianxi covered in blood, and his constantly tense heart relaxed momentarily: “That person nearly died!”
“You mean the young lady from the Xia family?” The Emperor slightly frowned.
Yi Zichuan unconsciously fingered the golden hairpin tucked in his sleeve, paused briefly, then looked at the Emperor: “I request that Your Majesty have the Imperial Household Department make thorough preparations. My private treasury also contains many rare treasures that can be added. Please send abundant gifts of gratitude to the General’s Residence—best to let the whole world know that she saved my mother!”Actually, I could bestow upon her the title of princess!”” The Emperor looked at Yi Zichuan and said.
“As the daughter of the Protectorate General’s Manor, she has already endured numerous schemes. Adding the title of princess to her—is Your Majesty afraid she might live too long?” Yi Zichuan’s lips curved slightly upward before he continued, “However, we could send her a decree of annulment. The heir of Prince Yong’an’s mansion, with his disgraceful conduct, is unworthy of her!”
“Would merely sending gold, jewels, and the decree seem too perfunctory?” The Emperor frowned slightly, feeling uneasy about the arrangement.
As the Emperor prepared to say more, Yi Zichuan had already risen to leave. Before departing, he reminded, “If it seems lacking, you could include more criticisms of the Yong’an Wangfu in the decree—that would likely better suit her preferences!”
“Then why not summon Yong’an Wang to the palace and reprimand him directly?” The Emperor raised his voice at Yi Zichuan’s retreating figure, adding, “Consider it compensation for the Late Emperor’s rash decision in arranging this marriage!”
Yi Zichuan raised a thumb in approval: “The student has learned well!”