Everyone raised their glasses to congratulate the Thirteenth and Seventeenth Princes, who were overwhelmed with toasts and drank several glasses of baijiu, their faces flushed. The Fourth Prince, concerned that the two might not be able to hold their liquor, signaled for everyone to stop. He paused, then said solemnly, "There's something I've always wanted to tell you all, but it concerns the White Lotus Sect, so I haven't had the opportunity or the ability to speak of it. Now that the White Lotus Sect no longer exists, there's no need for me to hide the Fourteenth Prince's matter from you any longer!"

Those present had varying expressions, some surprised, some puzzled, all staring blankly at the Fourth Prince. The Fourth Prince frowned and said in a low voice, "The Fourteenth Prince is neither at the Changping Villa nor in the capital..." A murmur rippled through the audience. The Fourth Prince raised his hand and slowly said, "You all guessed correctly, he was kidnapped by the White Lotus Sect long ago! It happened before at the Fourteenth Prince's residence. Although I intended to conceal it from you, I know you've all heard about it..." Everyone fell silent. The Fourth Prince sighed and continued, "There was another reason for this campaign against the White Lotus Sect: to bring the Fourteenth Prince back to the capital. But... the Fourteenth Prince made his own choice. He willingly gave up his identity as a Qing Dynasty prince and decided to live in seclusion with the White Lotus Sect leader..."

For a prince of the Qing Dynasty to be with a sorceress from a cult was already a heinous act. The fact that the Fourteenth Prince had abandoned his noble lineage and status to wander the world with this sorceress was utterly appalling. The imperial relatives immediately showed expressions of contempt and disgust, secretly spitting at him.

The Third Prince, being quick-tempered, stood up first and angrily said to the Fourth Prince, "Your Majesty, the Fourteenth Prince's behavior is an insult to the dignity of our Great Qing. This evil sorceress is a remnant of the Ming Dynasty and has been a constant source of trouble for the Great Qing. How can you abandon your wife for such a sorceress?"

The Seventeenth Prince, already tipsy, became agitated upon hearing the Third Prince's words. The Thirteenth Prince pressed down firmly on the Seventeenth Prince, signaling him to calm down. The Fourth Prince listened expressionlessly, seemingly lost in thought. Seeing the others secretly nodding in agreement with his statement, the Third Prince became even more indignant, saying, "Your Majesty, you cannot let them go like this! These vixens should be captured and beheaded as a warning to the world, to demonstrate the majesty of the Qing Dynasty..."

Fifth Prince then stood up as well, clasped his hands in a fist and said to Fourth Prince, “Your Majesty, I think Third Brother is right! What Fourteenth Brother did is disrespectful to the late Emperor and even more disrespectful to our ancestors of the Great Qing Dynasty. Your Majesty cannot forgive him so easily!”

Seventh Prince and Tenth Prince, not to be outdone, stood up together and said to Fourth Prince, "Your Majesty, what my brothers have said is exactly what we think. We hope Your Majesty will severely punish Fourteenth Prince to prevent future troubles..." Fourth Prince picked up his wine cup, his expression unreadable, and took a sip of wine by himself.

The Seventeenth Prince, after enduring it for a while, finally shook off the Thirteenth Prince's hand and stood up unsteadily. He slurred, "Fourth Brother... I don't think they're entirely right!" The Thirteenth Prince stood up in a panic, helped the Seventeenth Prince up, and apologized, "Your Majesty, the Seventeenth Prince is drunk; he's talking nonsense!"

The Seventeenth Prince glanced at the Thirteenth Prince with an unquestionable look, pushed aside the Thirteenth Prince, walked to the center of the hall, knelt down and cried out, "Fourth Brother, you can't punish the Fourteenth Brother... He also sacrificed his own happiness for the Qing Dynasty!" The Seventeenth Prince's words drew everyone's attention.

Fourth Master gestured for Seventeenth Master to continue. Seventeenth Master stood up unsteadily, his eyes somewhat unfocused, but he forced himself to stand firm and said excitedly, "Fourteenth Brother, he has his reasons!" Third Master glanced at Seventeenth Master with disdain and muttered, "What reasons? Betraying the Qing Dynasty and betraying the Emperor, what excuse could he possibly have?"

Seventeenth Master hurriedly said, "It's all thanks to Fourteenth Master's initiative in offering to leave with Zhu Wanqing that Zhu Wanqing was willing to give up, which gave us the opportunity to disband the White Lotus Sect. Also... if it weren't for Fourteenth Brother, I might have already lost my life!"