Ye Liujin looked at the fallen Rong Chan, a flicker of amusement passing through the depths of her eyes, yet she acted terrified as she pulled at Consort Chen’s hand.
"It's not your fault; you were acting out of kindness."
Consort Chen comforted Ye Liujin while speaking to Emperor Liang, "Your Majesty, today's matter is already clear. The fault lies with Cong'er alone. If he can use Rong Chan as an excuse to humiliate Liujin today, he will find other reasons to humiliate her in the future. My brother and sister-in-law sacrificed their lives for the country; I cannot bear to see Liujin in an unhappy marriage. It would be better to sever this betrothal."
Emperor Liang's expression was grim. He did not answer Consort Chen, but instead raised his foot and kicked the ashen-faced Xiao Cong.
"You scoundrel! Your conduct is improper and your behavior is disgraceful. Is this how the masters at the Imperial Academy taught you to conduct yourself?"
Ye Liujin's heart chilled. For Emperor Liang to speak this way, it was clear he had no intention of calling off the engagement.
"Your Majesty, this is all Rong Chan's fault. I will take her back to her palace immediately to reflect behind closed doors. Please, Your Majesty, do not blame the Third Prince."
Looking at the soul-crushed Xiao Cong, Lady Rong felt as if a knife were twisting in her heart.
She could not help but feel resentful toward Consort Chen once more. As expected of someone who wasn't her own flesh and blood, Consort Chen didn't know how to feel distressed for him. Did she not even know how to restrain His Majesty a little?
"Someone, take Lady Rong and Miss Rong back, and summon an Imperial Physician to check on them."
Consort Chen felt a heavy weight in her chest. With a flick of her sleeve, she first ordered the two from the Rong family—who were an eyesore to her—to be sent away.
She didn't know why, but she couldn't stop thinking about Ye Liujin’s earlier remark: “Cousin looks more like Lady Rong’s son.”
And her own inexplicable words about him "recognizing Rong Shuiyue as his mother."
"Aunt, what is wrong?"
Ye Liujin looked at the pale-faced Consort Chen with concern, sighing inwardly.
In her past life, she had feared her aunt’s health would suffer from such fury, which was why she had used such a foolish method to hide the truth.
"Look at the mess you've made," Emperor Liang barked at Xiao Cong. "You've upset your Imperial Concubine Mother to this extent. Are you satisfied now?"
Xiao Cong snapped back to his senses. Seeing Consort Chen's deathly pale face, a sense of guilt rose in his heart. "Imperial Concubine Mother, I…"
"You are grown now, and you have become increasingly strong-willed," Consort Chen sighed deeply. "If you truly do not like Liujin, then speak clearly while your Father is here. Do not ruin Liujin's entire life."
Ye Liujin’s heart trembled and her nose stung. Her aunt always considered her first.
"I…"
Xiao Cong was in a difficult position. It wasn't that he was unwilling, but Emperor Liang's expression was truly terrifying. He didn't dare.
"There is no need to mention this matter again."
Emperor Liang glared at Xiao Cong, but when he turned to Ye Liujin, his face was replaced with a kind smile.
"Rest assured, this Emperor and your aunt will certainly see justice done for you."
He let out a long sigh. "Your Father and I were like brothers. What difference is there between you and my own daughter? In the future, if this brat dares to be even slightly insolent toward you again, just tell me, and see how I deal with him!"
"This subject's daughter thanks Your Majesty."
Ye Liujin’s sensible appearance made Emperor Liang nod with satisfaction.
He gave an order, "Someone, Miss Ye has suffered a fright today. Grant her the Bodhi Fruit offered as tribute from the foreign states to soothe her nerves."
"Your Majesty," Consort Chen said in surprise, "The Bodhi Fruit is rare and precious. How can it be given to her?"
"No matter," Emperor Liang said with a smile. "This item belongs to me. If I say it can be given, then it shall be given."
How could Ye Liujin not understand the subtext in Emperor Liang’s words?
Regarding this marriage, if he said it would not be retracted, then it could not be retracted.
"If that is the case," Consort Chen smiled, "Liujin, you should accept it."
Eunuch Cai, who served at Emperor Liang's side, entered with a troubled expression. He bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Prince Yu has sent word, saying…"
He glanced at Ye Liujin, hesitating.
"Saying what?"
Emperor Liang frowned, his voice deepening.
"He said he saw the Third Prince kick Miss Ye's maid, Nuanxiang, into Taiye Pond. Prince Yu hurried his men to rescue her. The person was saved, but by the time she was brought up, she was no longer breathing…"
"Is what you say true, Eunuch?"
Ye Liujin stood there, her eyes wide, swaying as if she might fall, her voice trembling.
"This servant would not dare to speak falsely. Prince Yu has also sent over Nuanxiang's corpse."
"Aunt!"
Ye Liujin bit her lower lip, the corners of her eyes reddening. She looked at Consort Chen with a sob in her voice.
Consort Chen pulled her into her arms, her expression extremely grim. Looking at the bowed head of Xiao Cong, she spoke with deep resentment and pain, "I can no longer discipline him. I ask Your Majesty to pass judgment."
Great Liang did not treat palace servants harshly. Usually, at most, they would be reprimanded. Unless a servant committed an unforgivable offense, the matter would first be investigated by the Palace Administration before a sentence was carried out.
During the reign of Emperor Taizu, a prominent Noble Consort had once ordered a servant to be caned in the palace over a trivial matter, and the frail servant had died. When word reached the inner court, the censors insisted on a severe punishment. Even Emperor Taizu could not protect her, and in the end, that Noble Consort was demoted by five ranks.
Today, Xiao Cong had killed Nuanxiang in broad daylight, and Prince Yu had witnessed it. It was impossible to say what kind of storm would be stirred up in the imperial court tomorrow.
"Did you do this?"
Emperor Liang's face was dark, the coldness erupting from his eyes making Xiao Cong shudder involuntarily.
"Father!" He crawled on his knees for two steps and grabbed Emperor Liang’s leg. "I didn't mean to. It was an accident…"
He had struggled with great difficulty to climb out of Taiye Pond, and his wretched state had been seen entirely by that lowly wench. His heart was already full of resentment toward Ye Liujin, so how could he not be furious when he saw her servant? In a fit of rage, he had thrown Nuanxiang into Taiye Pond to vent his anger.
But he hadn't intended to kill her!
Couldn't the wench have climbed out herself? Truly a useless thing—it was his fault she had died.
Emperor Liang felt a surge of fury go to his head. "You fool!"
To act so sloppily and allow others to catch him in the act—how could he ever be entrusted with great responsibility in the future?
The color drained from Xiao Cong’s face, and he blurted out, "Father, it was that lowly wench! Seeing that I was soaked through, she tried to take advantage of the situation and act improperly. When I pushed her away, she lost her footing and fell into Taiye Pond."
Since she was dead anyway, he would clear his name first.
He then looked at Ye Liujin with resentment. "I don't know how you usually teach your servants, but to think she actually harbored such delusions of social climbing!"
Ye Liujin had no intention of enduring this. Her expression was mocking as she retorted, "Now that she's dead, naturally, you can say whatever you want. Just like a moment ago, when you insisted that Sister Rong was having a private affair with you. Fortunately, Sister Rong has a voice to speak for herself; otherwise, you would have smeared her with filth as well."
"You!"
"Nuanxiang was sent from Longxi. My Ye family has been loyal for generations, guarding the borders and never harboring any treacherous intent. If the Third Prince thinks these casually spoken lies can malign the clean reputation of the Ye family, I'm afraid I cannot accept it!"
Xiao Cong looked stunned. He hadn't meant that. When had he maligned the Ye family? Weren't they talking about Nuanxiang's death?
"Your Majesty, Aunt," Ye Liujin curtsied gracefully, allowing a single tear to fall, her face proud and solitary. "Prince Yu witnessed it, did he not? Why not ask him to come forward and say whether Nuanxiang truly committed such a shameful act."
"Ye Liujin, don't push your luck…"
Xiao Cong’s face turned various shades of green and white. "Father…"
"Enough!"
Emperor Liang massaged his forehead, his sharp voice carrying a chilling coldness.
"This matter involves the reputation of both the Ye family and the Imperial family. It ends here."
He gave Ye Liujin a warning look.
"I am naturally aware of the Ye family’s character. There is no need to hear more from outsiders."
Consort Chen quickly moved to protect Ye Liujin. "I also carry the surname Ye. No one knows the Ye family better than I."
She didn't spare Xiao Cong a single glance. From now on, she would treat this vile creature as if he were dead.
Choked by Consort Chen’s words, Emperor Liang’s face darkened as he looked at Xiao Cong.
"From this day forward, you are confined to your palace for three months. You are not to leave without a summons. Furthermore, your stipend is docked for one year."
This was considered a light punishment.
Ye Liujin lowered her long lashes, hiding the coldness in her eyes.