This chapter has been brought to you by me, Adnana, and Vivie.
Chapter Fifty-Two: Everyone Is A Good Actor
“What did you say?” When Qilong Emperor heard the guard’s report, he was so angry he almost fainted. But he still remembered what the setting was, so he stood up and bowed to the master of the Three Pure Monastery. “Spiritual Master, I probably cannot continue our match.”
The monastery master smiled as he stood up and said, “Playing weiqi is a pastime. Your Majesty, please act at your leisure.”
Qilong Emperor was not in the mood to converse with the monastery master. He hurriedly left the inner room and walked towards the Western Yard. When he arrived, all the women present had drawn back into the rooms. The Crown Prince had dressed. Li meiren had been pulled down, and the only eye-catching mark that remained was the blood on the wall.
Li meiren was one of the women whom the Emperor had been favoring recently. Otherwise, she would not have been included among the people coming on this trip. But now his own son had slept with his concubine, and his concubine had committed suicide in front of the womenfolk of the Imperial House. No matter how much power he had, he would not be able to stop the mouths from talking. Kill all the womenfolk present? If he really did that, then tomorrow, it would be someone else ruling the Great Zhao Dynasty.
The people who came after him included Ning Wang, Xian Wang, Sheng Junwang, Xu Wang Shizi and others. Ning Wang was in the Crown Prince’s camp, but he was filled with regret about this matter that had just occurred. Why had he been bewitched at the beginning and joined the Crown Prince’s camp?
As a son, forcing the death of a shu mother implied that his conduct was lacking. He was also seen by so many womenfolk, not to mention the many guards who were present at the scene. This matter would be impossible to conceal, unless everyone present was on the Crown Prince’s side.
But was that possible? Because the Crown Prince had been too arrogant these past years, he had offended many members of the imperial clan, not to mention that there were people outside who said that the miscarriage of Sheng Junwang Fei was related to the Crown Prince Fu. With Sheng Junwang’s status in court, how could he let this matter pass?
“How are the women—have they been frightened?” Ning Wang saw the situation and could only avoid the serious matter. He asked about the womenfolk who had been at the scene.
“Ning Wang Ye, a few of the noble ones were frightened and fainted. The Grand Doctors have come to take their pulse,” a guard replied.
Yan Jin Qiu who heard this asked in a natural manner, “How is Xian Wang Fei?”
Because Xian Wang’s love for Xian Wang Fei was known in Jing, the guard was not surprised. He immediately responded, “Xian Wang Fei fainted in fright and has been helped into the room to rest.”
“En.” Yan Jin Qiu’s brow furrowed. His feet shifted a few times and then he stood still.
The guards saw Xian Wang appear as though he wanted to enter the room and couldn’t help but think, if it wasn’t that there were other women in the room, Xian Wang would have probably entered the room now. As expected, hearing was not as good as seeing. Xian Wang really was in deep love with his wang fei.
“You bastard!”
The shout from the Emperor frightened the guard into bowing his head and holding his breath.
Hearing this, Yan Jin Qiu looked over and saw that the Emperor had kicked the Crown Prince, who stumbled back a few steps. If it wasn’t that two young taijian were supporting him, he probably would have fallen to the floor.
“You do not need to hold this bastard. Zhen will end him today.” The Emperor was extremely enraged. He took out a blade from the waist of the guard behind him and went to chop at the Crown Prince. Ning Wang saw that the situation was far from good, and hurriedly knelt in front of the Emperor, grabbing onto the other’s legs with his two hands. “Emperor, do not be angry…”
Before he could finish speaking, the Emperor kicked at his face. As he fell to the floor, he heard the angry shout of the Emperor, “Why should zhen keep this bastard? It is better for him to die cleanly.”
Ning Wang lay on the ground and did not get up. He touched his face and thought dejectedly, Kill him if you want. It wasn’t his son, and the one who would not have any grandchildren would not be him. If the other was killed, this would all end, and he would not have to clean up after this foolish Crown Prince.
Hearing the wails and sobbing in the surroundings, Ning Wang who was near fifty appeared as though he was going to lie on the ground and sink through it. He had tried. If the Emperor regretted killing his son, then the blame could not be laid on his head.
After he listened for a while and the Emperor still hadn’t killed the Crown Prince, Ning Wang suddenly felt slightly disappointed. It would be very good if the Emperor really killed the Crown Prince; then, he would not have to face such a stupid person.
It was fated that Ning Wang’s wish could not be fulfilled, because as the Emperor had kicked aside a dozen or so people as he held the blade and neared the Crown Prince, the Empress appeared.
The Empress knelt with a bang in front of the Emperor and said with a tear-filled face, “Emperor, qie knows that the Crown Prince has committed a great mistake this time, but can you spare him from death as he is your son? Qie only has this one son, and he is qie’s life.”
Your son is your life, then isn’t Li meiren the life of her parents? Ning Wang felt the ground was slightly hard and changed into a slightly more comfortable position as he moaned and grunted. He needed to let the people in the surroundings see that it was not that he was not going to restrain the Emperor, but that he was too old and could not get up after falling.
Yan Jin Qiu silently looked at Ning Wang who was groaning in pain but had a red face. He smiled coldly. This was really an old fox. He looked down and saw the footprint of the Emperor on the bottom of his own robe from where the Emperor had kicked him, and he sat down on the ground with an expression of pain. Then he covered his leg and inhaled sharply.
The Emperor was in the prime of his life, and was strong and vigorous. After this kick, he felt great pain when he tried to walk.
Ning Wang and Yan Jin Qiu’s gazes met in the air, and then both moved their eyes away in mutual understanding.
“Emperor, please, spare the Crown Prince’s life based on the love between us for so many years.” The Empress’ makeup was ruined, her hairpins a mess. She had lost her composure in front of these people, but for her, what was most important was her son who was behind her.
The Crown Prince was dizzy from being kicked by the Emperor. Seeing the Empress kneeling in front of him, his mind gradually cleared and he knelt down beside the Empress. He sobbed out, “Father-Emperor, this son is innocent. This is someone else’s plan. How could this son ever commit such an outrageous action? Father-Emperor, please investigate thoroughly!”
The Empress also knew that the matter was fishy. If Li meiren was alive, this matter would not be so troublesome but Li meiren had died, and moreover, by committing suicide in front of so many people.
Even if the investigation revealed that the Crown Prince had not done this, how many of the public would believe this? Most people would say that they were trying to protect the Crown Prince, and Li meiren was pitiful for losing her life at such a young age.
If the Crown Prince’s conduct had been orderly and if he was a hard-working person, then even if such a matter occurred, as long as the matter was cleared up, no one would suspect him. Even if the mystery was not solved, people would unconsciously think that this was the result of scheming.
But the Crown Prince… Regardless of whether he was connected to this matter, in the eyes of other people, he was definitely involved in this matter.
The Empress could think of this, and the Emperor could as well. He turned to look at the people behind him. Which one was the person who did this?
Was this person forcing him to abolish the Crown Prince?
But if the Crown Prince was deposed, who could he give his throne to? Those nephews who were prowling about?
It would not be so simple!
“Investigate! Any person who has come to the Three Pure Monastery cannot leave—all of them have to stay for zhen.”
The Emperor’s words meant that everyone present was a suspect. But the Crown Prince who was on the bed with Li meiren did not have any problem?
All those present were part of the Imperial House. When they heard the Emperor’s words, their expressions became strange. So the culprit did not have any problems, but they, the innocent passersby, were guilty?
After Qilong Emperor said this, he regretted it. When he turned and saw that the expressions of the Imperial House members were not good, he sighed dispiritedly. “Someone come and take the Crown Prince into the Heavenly Prison. Before the matter is investigated, he cannot be released.”
“Father-Emperor?!” The Crown Prince looked in disbelief at the Emperor. What kind of place was the Heavenly Prison? He, the Crown Prince, was being imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison. Would he have any face after this?
However, the Empress knew that the Emperor’s actions were protecting the Crown Prince. Otherwise, the Imperial House members would feel discontent. She could only watch as the guards took the Crown Prince away.
“It is late now. Everyone, return with zhen to Jing.” Qilong Emperor did not mention the “cannot leave.” He then sighed emotionally. “This bastard is so, zhen feels very unhappy inside.”
What could the people say? They could only comfort him, ease his mind, and say that the matter would be clarified.
It was unknown what these people really thought.
In any case, the news that the Crown Prince had raped his shu mother spread through Jing. In these rumors, the Crown Prince had an image as a lusty and useless person. He saw Li meiren’s beauty and had evil intentions. He took Li meiren and caused Li meiren to commit suicide.
Li meiren’s death caused the Crown Prince to appear as a “rapist.” No matter what the truth was, this was the Crown Prince’s image.
But even if the Crown Prince was so absurd, the common people could only accept it. The Emperor only had this one son, and in the end, the only person who could succeed the throne was the Crown Prince.
##
Because the Xian couple was wounded and frightened, they were carefully ushered back to the wang fu. An hour later, the Emperor sent over replenishing medicines.
Hua Xi Wan looked at the bruise on Yan Jin Qiu’s shin. She sighed and said, “The Emperor really kicked hard.”
“He is also just acting. If he really wanted to kill the Crown Prince, who would dare to stop him? He is just acting for all of us.” Yan Jin Qiu put down his pants and said, “I hear that you think that Sheng Junwang Fei was acting strangely?”
Hua Xi Wan called a servant to get a basin of hot water for Yan Jin Qiu to wash his wound before she said, “After the event occurred, Tang Sao had intentions of leading us to see what happened in the room. However, the guards got there first, so she did not do it.”
“So something like this happened.” Yan Jin Qiu’s brow creased. Was it the Sheng Junwang couple who did it? But with Yan Bo Yi’s moves, it should not be so crude and brutal.
He glanced at Hua Xi Wan, saying, “Rest early. We do not have to think about this matter now.”
In any case, this did not have anything to do with them at this time.
Translator Ramblings: The Oscar goes to … … the entire Imperial Family!
It seems that is wasn’t the doing of the ML this time. Thanks for the chapter.
Oohhh, I wonder who it was! If this is Hou shi’s doing, then I’ll be damned, as they say, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. If this was the Crown Prince’s doing all by himself, then I pity the Emperor and Empress for having such a son -_-
On another note, Oscars for everyone!!!
I honestly feel like it’s Hou shi. She has probably dreamt of snapping the crowned prince’s neck 100 times by now
Seriously tho, the crown prince got so many bad deeds placed on his name thats known to pretty much everyone in the capital, leaving him as the future emperor, who would be able to feel safe? Where are the loyal ministers whos heart beat for the country?
Most of them have probably died already – heart attacks, aneurisms, a little light poisoning…
The emperor ist the one keeping the problem from going south. As long as the emperor is healthy and just in his middle age these ministers are hoping for another kid or a kid from the crown prince. No need to bother trying to depose the crown prince without a replacement if you can still wait for said replacement to appear.
After all, he isn’t a bad emperor, he’s smart enough and the government itself is running just fine. Not without problems or great, but fine. And everyone knows the emperor is just as unhappy about the crown prince as most others.
If the emperor was old and the crown prince still didn’t have any brothers or sons that’s when things would get messy.
***After Qilong Emperor said this, he regretted it.***
Idiot. What an idiot. Not only is the Crown Prince in dire straits, now the other imperial members don’t have much faith in the Emperor. Idiot.
***“So something like this happened.” Yan Jin Qiu’s brow creased. Was it the Sheng Junwang couple who did it? But with Yan Bo Yi’s moves, it should not be so crude and brutal.***
Hou Shi perhaps?
Thank you for this! What a ridiculous imperial family. Sad, sad relations.
The Emperor is so incensed over this matter, whether the Crown Prince is guilty of any intent, or even action, or not. How could he (CP) be so stupid?! Do not allow father to lose face. Do not be a disgrace. Do not endanger my dynasty!!! And so, he accidentally allowed others to see his intentions so clearly, when he was meant to be at least in control of himself, and take control of the situation. He may be powerful, but he isn’t immortal or indestructible, and he knows better than to imply he will hold everyone except his own son accountable for this.
Yan Jin Qiu is perhaps dismayed, confused, or disappointed. YJQ is playing chess (generally against Yan Bo Yi). Whoever did this is swinging with a sledgehammer; there’s no art, no subtlety, no real craft. There’s a very very very small chance it was actually just the prince’s stupidity. The lack of three moves ahead thinking in this definitely makes him ponder a moment.
Wait, when did Yan Jin Qiu get hurt?
“It was fated that Ning Wang’s wish could not be fulfilled, because as the Emperor had kicked aside a dozen or so people as he held the blade and neared the Crown Prince, the Empress appeared.”
^ there maybe ? (kicked aside a dozen or so people)
Oh you’re right! Thanks! I just thought only Ning wang that had gotten kicked
I’m kinda lost, when did Yan Jin Qiu get kicked by the Emperor? It says he had a footprint on his robe from when the Emperor kicked him, and later that he had a bruise on his leg, but the Emperor only kicked Ning Wang (in the face).
I don’t think it’s ever said, but just imagine the Emperor going around and kicking everyone in the front row to vent his anger. So after Ning Wang got kicked, Yan Jin Qiu also got kicked. Then they both came to the mutual agreement to be fellow fox brothers and fake it. :3
“It was fated that Ning Wang’s wish could not be fulfilled, because as the Emperor had kicked aside a dozen or so people as he held the blade and neared the Crown Prince, the Empress appeared.”
^ there maybe ? (kicked aside a dozen or so people)
Well, living in that kind of life and environment everyone in the imperial family and subordinates has to have a good brain to survives. Thanks for this update.
Lol!! Got to give up to the imperial family for their acting. I totally understand them. Living in such a time, acting is part of their daily routine, their life saver.
I so want to see how this gets handled.
Thanks for the chapters!!
Fake fake fakers. Hahahaha
Thank you for the new chapter!
I think it’s Hou Shi and perhaps some other who help her. I mean, I could understand how angry she was for the Crown Prince and Crown Princess so it’s reasonable for her to do it. But I wonder how.
This is good luck for YJQ, he could just watch them eat each other but I see no hope for the Crown Prince.
I think it was her, too, but I also want to know how. Unless the emperor is a beast, the concubine had a good life. Was it a certain thing she’d commit suicide after being at up? The emperor would obviously jump at the chance to say they were framed. I doubt she’d be in on it. Maybe the prince is such a jerk, she assumed he was the one who arranged it, and the act was definitely consummated.
The emperor would need very very clear evidence that they were framed before he could claim it. Otherwise, there’d be a new emperor. People do not keep for very long the type of ruler who would seek to exonerate the schmuck jerk son for a capital crime without proving the goon was innocent. (If this schmuck jerk does inherit the throne, he won’t be on it for long, anyhow as he’s offended far too many of the important and powerful families, and the regular people know he is a lithesome toad.)
The concubine would either commit suicide or be used a scapegoat for this mess when they couldn’t find evidence quickly enough – so yeah, suicide was almost 100% certain.
If it was Hou shi who arranged this fiasco, then she has likely some family, some family of servants, some servant who hired a guy… someone who got paid well in any case, and who was pretty skilled, so that the evidence would stay lacking. Using a concubine from the emperor’s house not only makes this a major offense, but also decreases the chances this emperor will officially reproduce.
I don’t know from the translation whether or not there was actual sexual contact, but there did not need to be so long as they could be found together, and the concubine would believe she’d be in danger of worse than death if she didn’t kill herself now.
“He is also just acting. If he really wanted to kill the Crown Prince, who would dare to stop him? He is just acting for all of us.”
– Yeah he could’ve just said ‘don’t stop me’ and no one would -,-
Wow, if I could travel back into the ancient time, some of the things I would bring are a bunch of popcorns and m&m’s.
I find Ning Wang so cute…..adorable old fox :3 He seems to be perfectly willing to jump ship and back someone else….maybe YJQ?
How are the Ning related to all this again?
I recall Ning Wang has 2 sons, one by his wife and the second by his concubine. The second son is on the Crown Prince’s side and Ning Wang went to the Emperor to give the title Ning Junwang to the second son, shocking many people because the first son is by the proper wife, and the first son is also capable.
I think he had two wives, the son of the second wife became the heir
@ wyhcwe The most important thing is that the eldest son is a capable, useful man, but skipped over in favor of the son who toadies up to the crown prince (and thus the emperor).
Thank you for the chapter..
Seriously… Pretty sure Hou Shi is the schemer for this incident.
You know… I think we’re all agreed on ‘why the heck the crown prince still the crown prince at all?’
I mean, his reputation is already as muddy as hell… who wants him to be on the throne? His incompetence is off the chart!
I read a lot of novel and it says something if I think he is the most worthless character I have ever seen.
The empress has some favor in this. If the concubine is dead no more imperial babies. and of course her son would be ridiculed but not killed because there is no heir.
I considered her. The fact there are other women in the palace upon whom the emperor could potentially get heirs does not speak heavily enough against her involvement. She is a cornered swine, after all. But this would tarnish her son no matter who the ultimate culprit is deemed to be, and his stay on any throne he inherited would be short and turbulent; the nation does not want someone this obviously corrupt, or someone this publicly inept. Coup city.
So, definitely not the empress – she thinks ahead. While she hasn’t and can’t really put a good check on her idiot son, she certainly wouldn’t add to the chances of him being deposed or killed.
Thank you for the chapter! I find it funny how both HXW and YJQ looked at the people from the Ning family before acting their part XD they would probably have gotten along well if they were on the same side…
the emperor is the best actor o/
and the entire imperial family members are the best supporting actors \o
..well excluding the newbie crown prince *sigh* poor her mother /o\
YJQ and HXW are the best bystanders this time 😋
Thank you for dramatic chapter ~(≧◇≦)/ﾞﾞﾞﾞ fuu
What i wonder is, is that really CP sleeps with his shu mother? Because i know that CP really love beauty but he’s not crazy enough to sleep with his fathers’s concubine right?
Poor YJQ, he’s get the bruise too because of the emperor kick.
Wow, wasn’t expecting it nit to be YJQ’s work….. then again, his plans are a lot more elegant than this. I wonder eho it could be….the only one that seems strange is Hou shi but she had to have been acting with someone else. As a woman in those times, idk if she would have enough manpower to get this done alone. And I don’t think her helper was her husband….maybe after losing her baby and seeing how cold he was, she betrayed him?
Either way, can’t wait to see what happens next!!! Poor Li meiren tho….sigh.
Thank you for the chapter 💖💖💖
Is YJQ strong at martial arts, average, or is he actually weak? At first I thought he was strong but pretending to be weak, but now I’m confused.
Thank you for the chapter~
Thank you sooo much for the chapter. Gosh, it feels like the imperial family is one huge live movie. Srsly, who did what now? 😂
LOL~ thank you for the chapter~
really..the imperial family is no joke in acting
Haha the only supportive role that left the great memory is Ning Wang
What a bunch of comedians, the lot of them!
Aye.. My vote goes to NING WANG.. aside from that spectacular acting.. his self monologue is quite hilarious too. 🤭
This is very late but after reading this 5 I’ve decided to put my two cents in.
I think the Dowager Empress is the most suspicious. The way she goes about things has been described as “crude” a couple times (giving the palace pass, the swallows nest soup). Also I wonder if Li Meirin could possibly be the concubine who was crying to the Dowager when HXW, Ning Shizi Fei, and the Crown Princess visited her.