Seeing so many people speaking up for A Sui, Yun Wan felt both relieved and somewhat comforted.
The Jing Xuan Emperor raised an eyebrow, his interest growing.
He had initially thought this young boy was arrogant at such a tender age, but it turned out he indeed had the capital to be arrogant—no wonder he dared to make such bold claims.
Though geniuses existed in the world, those with photographic memory were rare, and the Jing Xuan Emperor was one of them.
Since he could remember, every book he had read could be recited flawlessly from memory, allowing him to answer questions with ease, leaving his former tutors sighing in admiration and feeling inadequate.
If he wished, the Jing Xuan Emperor could still recount in vivid detail how, at the age of three, his elder brother had tricked him into going to Taiye Pond and nearly pushed him into the water.
Compared to the previous emperor, the Jing Xuan Emperor had pitifully few children—only two sons and one daughter—and none of them could be considered prodigies with photographic memory.
He had never given it much thought before, but now the Jing Xuan Emperor felt a tinge of regret.
Tsk.
Lu San was truly fortunate.
Noticing the Jing Xuan Emperor glancing at A Sui several times, Yun Wan’s eyelids twitched nervously.
Fortunately, her worries were unfounded. The Jing Xuan Emperor curled his lips slightly and said leisurely, “Since you have a photographic memory, tell us exactly what happened at that time?”
His words elicited varied expressions from the crowd.
A Sui puffed his cheeks and spoke clearly, “After the Crown Prince finished speaking, the Third Prince remained silent and did not refute him. After a moment, the Crown Prince said, ‘Third Brother, do you know what it means to be worse than a pig or dog, or as foolish as a pig? Ah, Third Brother, don’t blame me—I was just speaking offhand. Why are you looking at me like that?'”
He earnestly mimicked the Crown Prince’s tone at the time, but lacking genuine emotion, his delivery came off slightly awkward, making it hard for others to suppress their laughter.
Yun Wan wore a helpless expression.
A Sui continued, “After that, the Third Prince pushed the Crown Prince, and the two began to wrestle. Everyone rushed to break up the fight, but in the chaos of pushing and shoving, they ended up fighting as well…”
He truly remembered every detail, recounting the scene of the dispute like a storyteller reciting lines, his round face serious as he described what each person had said and done, leaving nothing out.
For instance, during the brawl, the sixth son of the Wu family pointed at the second son of the Chen family and cursed, “You are XU Fu Mi!” (You’re a piece of dog shit!)
As soon as these words were spoken, an official rebuked, “How vulgar!”
His remark was directed at A Sui, and Yun Wan immediately flared up, “Sir, it was not my son who said those words! My son was merely repeating them!”
The official choked on his words, flicked his sleeve, and fell silent.
Wu Liu’s face flushed bright red, “You’re lying! I never said such a thing!”
Hah.
Why did that sound so familiar?
A Sui lifted his head, his expression solemn, “I swear to heaven, every word I’ve said is true.”
Lu Yuanduo spoke up, “My child has a clear conscience and dares to swear. Sir Wu, does yours dare?”
He looked at the official who had spoken earlier, his eyes mocking.
The other man avoided his question and nudged his son, Wu Liu, beside him.
Wu Liu lowered his head and stammered, “I… I don’t dare…”
“……”
Seeing the Crown Prince’s predicament worsening, Consort Li glanced at her elder brother, who immediately spoke up, “Your Majesty, this child is the Third Prince’s Study Companion. His words may not be entirely trustworthy…”
Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted: “What do you mean, my lord? Are you suggesting my son deliberately lied and fabricated facts? If his words cannot be trusted, then can your son’s words be believed?”
Yun Wan’s tone was cold, carrying a hint of suppressed anger.
Lord Li’s expression shifted slightly. “You are but a woman—what right do you have to speak here? Step back at once!”
Lu Yuanduo’s face tightened as he retorted coldly, “Lord Li, choose your words carefully. His Majesty and the two consorts are present. Your words are far too presumptuous!”
The implication was clear: what right did a mere official have to speak so boldly here?
He kept referring to “a mere woman,” but were the two consorts not also women?
Lord Li’s face stiffened, his cheeks twitching with anger.
Shu Fei inwardly sneered before turning to the Jing Xuan Emperor with a wounded expression. “Your Majesty, the matter is clear. It was the Crown Prince who deliberately provoked and humiliated my son, which is why my son struck first. I implore Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly and clear my son’s name!”
Seeing the situation turning against the Crown Prince, Consort Li gritted her teeth and knelt. “Your Majesty, this matter is due to my negligence. I mistakenly believed slanderous words and misunderstood the Third Prince. It is also my failure in properly guiding the Crown Prince, leading him to commit such an act. I willingly accept punishment and request confinement in Xunfang Palace!”
What a clever move—retreating to advance!
Shu Fei was so furious she could grind her teeth, her gaze toward the Noble Consort filled with disgust.
Consort Li pretended not to notice, rising and pulling the Crown Prince down to kneel with her. “Crown Prince, apologize to your father and your third brother at once!”
Having maintained her position as Noble Consort for years, akin to a deputy empress, Consort Li relied not only on her family background but also on her wisdom and her understanding of the Jing Xuan Emperor.
Earlier, in her haste to exonerate the Crown Prince, she had failed to notice that the Emperor’s demeanor had remained indifferent from start to finish.
He had shown no anger over the Third Prince’s actions, nor any displeasure at the Crown Prince’s deliberate provocation. This realization filled Consort Li with dread and unease.
Could it be that His Majesty had known the truth all along and was now watching the proceedings as if observing a play, devoid of emotion?
Suddenly, Consort Li understood and chose to admit her fault immediately.
The Crown Prince was resentful, but under his mother’s insistent gaze, he muttered, “Father, your son admits his mistake.”
Then, turning to the Third Prince, he said, “Third Brother, today’s incident was my fault. I should not have spoken to you that way. I apologize!”
The Third Prince gave a reluctant grunt in response.
The Crown Prince clenched his jaw, the movement tugging at the swelling on his face. Covering his cheek, he glared at the Third Prince and said indignantly, “But what about Third Brother deliberately kicking me in the left cheek? How do you explain that?”
The Third Prince stared wide-eyed. “I did not kick you! Second Brother, do not falsely accuse me!”
“Who else would dare to kick me?”
“How should I know? It certainly wasn’t me!”
“………”
The Jing Xuan Emperor, disappointed and growing impatient, interjected, “Enough.”
In an unnoticed corner, A Sui guiltily rubbed his nose.
Consort Li looked up. “Your Majesty……..”
The Jing Xuan Emperor ignored her, his gaze sweeping over the Crown Prince as he let out a light laugh. “The Crown Prince is adaptable—bending without breaking. Truly, you have broadened my horizons.”
That laugh made the Crown Prince’s knees go weak, and he pleaded in terror, “Father, your son truly admits his mistake. I beg for your forgiveness……..”
The Jing Xuan Emperor said, “The one you should be begging for forgiveness is your third brother.”
With that, he rose, his wide sleeves billowing, his expression cold and resolute, exuding an aura of imperial authority.
His gaze swept over the assembly, his dark, profound phoenix eyes seeming to see into their very souls, making it impossible for anyone to meet his gaze.
“Jiang Fusheng,” he commanded sternly.
“Your servant is here.”
“Issue the decree: The Crown Prince is confined to his quarters for three months, to kneel and copy texts in reflection of his wrongdoings. No one is permitted to visit without my permission!”
“The Third Prince, having struck first, is confined for one month.”
“All others involved in the brawl shall reflect on their mistakes at home by copying texts for half a month.”
“If there are no further matters, you may all withdraw.”
The assembly bowed: “The Emperor is wise—”
Except for the two princes and their consorts, everyone else felt relieved.
Fortunately, it was only copying texts at home in reflection.
Knowing that the upcoming reprimand of the two princes was a family matter of His Majesty and not something they could partake in, everyone quickly rose and hurriedly pulled their younger family members away.
With the matter settled, Yun Wan held A Sui’s hand, her face breaking into a smile: “Let’s go, we can finally return!”
As they stepped out of the main hall of Hongwen Academy, they overheard many elders scolding their disappointing younger family members.
Yun Wan covered A Sui’s ears and followed behind Lu Yuanduo and his son.
Passing by a corner pillar, they encountered Jiang Fusheng, who held a horsetail whisk and smiled amiably: “Madam Lu, please stay a moment.”