Chapter 256

Chapter 256: The Newly Empowered Song Shulan's face changed upon hearing this. "How long are you going to keep making a scene? Do you have to see us break with the Rong Prince Mansion before you're satisfied? Even if you won't think of yourself, at least think of the children. Yu-jie is about to have her marriage discussed—do you want her to be dragged down by a maidservant?" "The Marquis certainly has a way with words, turning black into white." Cui Lingrong sneered. "What fault did Caiyue have in today's matter? It was Zhao Zhongzhi who acted like a fool, and yet everyone here is threatening and blaming her, even dragging Yu-jie's marriage into it." Cui Lingrong took a deep breath and looked straight at the people from the Rong Prince Mansion. "Yes, I do want to break with the Rong Prince Mansion. And if that day ever comes, I'll beat gongs and set off firecrackers to celebrate!" Having spoken the words she'd held back for so long, Cui Lingrong actually felt much lighter inside. County Princess Rongjia immediately mocked her. "Without our Rong Prince Mansion, do you think the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion would be where it is today? Cui Lingrong, have you lost your mind? Do you think that just because that bastard Cui Zeyu has made something of himself, you can speak to the Rong Prince Mansion as an equal?" "County Princess Rongjia, you call me a bastard—would you dare say that to my father's face?" Cui Zeyu spoke up. "I think no matter what we say, it's useless. The Rong Prince Mansion shows no remorse, so we might as well let the Emperor decide. As it happens, I already sent someone to the palace before coming here—I imagine the Emperor already knows. The Emperor has always governed with benevolence and law. If he learns that a member of the imperial clan forcibly seized a common woman and committed such a heinous crime, I wonder how he'll deal with Zhao Zhongzhi?" Recently, the Emperor had been vigorously promoting new nobles. And the rise of new nobles was bound to affect the interests of old ministers and established families, so the two sides were locked in fierce conflict, each despising the other. If Zhao Zhongzhi's matter were to surface at this time, the new nobles would certainly seize upon it, and the Emperor might very well punish Zhao Zhongzhi severely. For Prince Rong, his second son was important. If he lost a son over a maidservant, wouldn't he be laughed at for being incompetent? There was another point—he didn't want to damage his image in the Emperor's eyes, since the Emperor still hadn't decided whose son would be adopted as Crown Prince. Prince Rong's hopes for glory and wealth had not yet been realized. Seeing that Cui Zeyu was impervious to reason, a flash of murderous intent crossed his eyes. "Little Lord Cui, I have some friendship with your father. As they say, harmony is most precious. I don't think we need to make this so ugly, do we?" Prince Rong gritted his teeth and offered a way out first. Song Shulan also chimed in, "Yes, if Caiyue doesn't want to marry, then she won't marry. We'll give her plenty of silver so she'll never have to worry about food or clothing for the rest of her life. That should be acceptable, right?" County Princess Rongjia was reluctant to hear about giving money. "Why should we? Give someone like her money? Being able to marry into the Prince's household is already her good fortune!" Cui Lingrong couldn't listen any longer. "So the County Princess insists on marrying into the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, and when you couldn't bear children yourself, you came to poison my child—was that also your good fortune? Some people simply don't know when they're being given face. They're base themselves, and assume everyone else is just as despicable." The Prefect of Jingzhao and the others present were all stunned by these words. The people from the Rong Prince Mansion looked at Cui Lingrong in shock and fear. There had been rumors in Bianjing before that County Princess Rongjia was barren, and now Cui Lingrong had said it outright—it was tantamount to confirming the rumors. They said family scandals shouldn't be aired in public, but at this point, Cui Lingrong no longer cared. "Cui Lingrong, you! What are you saying?" County Princess Rongjia pointed at Cui Lingrong. But Cui Lingrong showed no fear. "I'm saying what you know full well in your heart, County Princess. Or must I produce evidence? I've said it—today's matter will not end peacefully. The Rong Prince Mansion shows no attitude of admitting fault, and County Princess Rongjia can't open her mouth without looking down on others. We have no room for negotiation." Cui Lingrong grabbed Caiyue's hand to leave, but Song Shulan ran over to block her. Song Shulan said in confusion, "What are you doing? What good does breaking with the Rong Prince Mansion do you?" "The good it does me is plenty, but for you, Marquis, I imagine there's no benefit." Cui Lingrong took a deep breath. "If the Marquis thinks I'm handling this wrongly, you're welcome to divorce me. But as you said yourself, for the sake of the children, just bear with it. I can't always be the one considering the children while you do whatever you please." She pulled Caiyue's hand and turned to leave. Cui Zeyu blocked Song Shulan and the people from the Rong Prince Mansion from behind. "What my sister said is what I mean. Rather than lecturing us, the Prince and the Marquis should think about how to explain yourselves when you face the Emperor." Cui Zeyu led his people onto the carriage and headed straight for the palace. County Princess Rongjia was so furious she cursed at the doorway, "What do they think they are? You're not even the Duke of Dingguo's real son—why put on such an air? Do you really think you're so capable?" She turned back to look at her parents. "Father, Mother, Cui Lingrong and Cui Zeyu are being unreasonable. We can't just let them file a petition to the Emperor, can we?" Prince Rong wearily looked at his son. None of them were any relief. After a moment's thought—since the Cui siblings insisted on filing a petition—he would have to go and kneel in confession first. When County Princess Rongjia learned that her father was going to the palace to apologize to the Emperor, she was deeply puzzled. "Why? He's just a maidservant. Second Brother didn't even get any advantage, and he's the one who ended up like this. Why should we go and apologize?" Prince Rong shot her an impatient glance. "Because your Second Brother is a fool!" With that, Prince Rong ordered the carriage to be prepared, and he personally took his second son to the palace. Cui Zeyu's entry into the palace was not as convenient as Prince Rong's. By the time he arrived outside the main hall, Prince Rong had already kowtowed and expressed his remorse. When the Emperor saw Cui Zeyu, he spoke first. "I am already aware of what happened. Zhongzhi did go a bit too far in this matter. However, Prince Rong has sincerely come to apologize, and Zhongzhi has already ended up in such a state. Why not let the matter rest and minimize the trouble?" If word of this got out, it would ultimately affect the reputation of the imperial clan. The Emperor did not want to chill the hearts of his courtiers, nor did he wish to see the imperial clan disgraced. Hearing the Emperor say this, Prince Rong breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, he had been foresighted. With the Emperor saying this, there shouldn't be any major problems. But Cui Zeyu disagreed. "Your Majesty, although this matter has not spread widely, quite a number of people already know of it. Within a few days, everyone in Bianjing will hear about it. If court officials then submit memorials about it, would they not think that Your Majesty is intentionally shielding the guilty?" At these words, the Emperor's expression changed drastically. Everyone in the hall immediately held their breath. Cui Zeyu continued, "Your Majesty is a wise ruler, destined to leave a lasting name in history. You fear affecting the reputation of the imperial clan and do not wish to make a big fuss. But precisely because of this, you must make an example of him, lest other members of the imperial clan come to hold the law in contempt and commit more foolish acts. Can they all be covered up one by one then?" Making an example of one to warn a hundred—everyone present understood this principle. Cui Zeyu insisted that the Emperor punish Zhao Zhongzhi. Prince Rong hastily interjected, "My son has already been punished, and it was all a misunderstanding. 'A fair maiden is a gentleman's pursuit.' He merely invited Miss Caiyue for a cup of tea. How serious could that be?" "Your Highness says it's not serious. Then what if I invite Princess Consort Rong or County Princess Rongjia to my residence for a cup of tea behind closed doors? How would you feel about that?" Cui Zeyu mocked. "Lu Zeyu, what nonsense are you speaking?" Prince Rong was furious. "You see—you wouldn't agree either. So how can you say it's not serious?" Cui Zeyu kowtowed again and pleaded, "I beg Your Majesty to severely punish Zhao Zhongzhi, lest those with ulterior motives exploit this and chill the hearts of the common people. That would not be good." The Emperor looked at the people below with a troubled expression. On one side was his own younger brother pleading for his nephew, and on the other was the new official he had come to favor. How to choose, how to handle it—either way would reveal the Emperor's stance.