The Emperor has arrived? Why is he here so suddenly? Is it a coincidence? Or has he heard about Hongli's visit to the palace despite his illness?

Consort Xi immediately tensed up, fearing that the Emperor would be disappointed in his son Hongli because of his impulsive actions.

Having been here for two years, this was the first time Su Yushan had ever seen the legendary Emperor Yongzheng. Dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, he exuded an imposing aura without being angry. His features were not fierce, but his presence was awe-inspiring. She glanced at him once and immediately lowered her eyes, not daring to look directly at his face.

Consort Xi rose from her seat and curtsied to the Emperor. Su Yushan helped Hongli to his feet before kneeling to pay her respects.

Suppressing the urge to cough, Hongli said in a deep voice, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

After glancing at the fourth prince, Yongzheng walked slowly with his hands behind his back to the gilded bench, sat down, and his gaze fell on Hongli below.

"I ordered the imperial physicians to treat you, yet you dragged your ailing body into the palace. How can I be at ease?"

Hongli, with a heavy heart, cupped his hands and said, "Your subject knows his mistake and hopes that Father Emperor will forgive him."

"Oh?" A palace servant presented a teacup. Emperor Yongzheng held the celadon-glazed tea lid, gently stirring the dripping tea, and asked, "Tell me, where did you go wrong?"

In reality, Hongli did not think he had done anything wrong, but his father insisted on asking, so he could only give a standard answer according to the rules: "The mistake was that he should not have ignored his illness and entered the palace without permission."

His expression was so obviously perfunctory; there wasn't a trace of remorse in it. "But you came anyway, just for this woman?"

Looking at the beautiful-faced, downcast-eyelid Lady Su kneeling on the ground, Yongzheng stroked the thumb ring on his thumb and asked curiously:

"What is it about her that makes you cherish her so much that you'd risk your own life for her?"

This question seems simple, yet it is quite profound. "In the eyes of others, she may just be an ordinary woman from Jiangnan, without a family background, only beautiful. But in my eyes, physical appearance can only be alluring for a moment, while an interesting soul can attract the other person for a long time."

"I can't quite put my finger on what's so special about her, but perhaps it's just that our souls are perfectly aligned! And it has to be her, and only her."

Consort Xi's heart was pounding in her throat, fearing the Emperor's anger. Just as she was about to speak up to remind him, she heard the Emperor ask again, "When you shielded her from the arrow, did you think of your own parents?"

Hongli argued forcefully, "When the soldiers were fighting bloody battles, did they ever think of their families? They only thought about protecting their country and giving their all, sacrificing personal interests for the greater good."

Emperor Yongzheng's expression darkened, and his voice rose slightly, "You're comparing a woman to the greater good of the nation? How can the two be compared?"

First she contradicted Consort Xi, then she contradicted the Emperor. She witnessed Hongli repeatedly defying his parents for her sake. While moved, Su Yushan also hated herself for causing so much trouble.

He offended Consort Xi, but out of consideration for their mother-son relationship, she wouldn't really hold it against him. However, if he offended the Emperor, given Yongzheng's cold-hearted nature, he would likely become disgusted with Hongli.

Unable to bear seeing the father and son turn against each other, Su Yushan took the initiative to apologize.

"The fault lies with me, and I am willing to accept the punishment. Fourth Prince acted impulsively and will sincerely repent. I hope Your Majesty will not blame him."

She only hoped not to drag him down any further; even if she were truly divorced, she would accept it. However, Hongli refused to back down and insisted on his explanation.

“Father, if a man witnesses his woman in danger but still considers the consequences and watches coldly for fear of getting hurt, how can such a rational person, who is almost heartless, be expected to love his country and people and devote himself to the country and its people?”

Consort Xi was both terrified and furious, and couldn't help but rebuke him: "Hongli! The Emperor is questioning you now, how dare you disobey him?"

Yongzheng raised an eyebrow in displeasure. "What's wrong with me asking a question? Since I asked, I want to hear the truth. Do you think I'm a stubborn, headstrong, and incompetent ruler?"

Consort Xi, who had been retorted, immediately lowered her head, her previous arrogance gone, replaced by respect. "Your Majesty, I dare not. I only wish that Hongli would not contradict Your Majesty."

"This is a discussion between father and son, not an order between ruler and subject."

Regardless, as long as the Emperor wasn't angry, Consort Xi secretly rejoiced and softly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, I am foolish and hope that Your Majesty will forgive me."

With a long sigh, Yongzheng did not ask Hongli any further questions, but instead turned to Consort Xi, "Consort Xi, what were the results of your questioning?"

Glancing at Su Yushan, Consort Xi said truthfully, "Your Majesty, I already know the cause and effect. It was all Su's fault. If she hadn't gone out to play and stirred up trouble, Hongli would not have had this accident. She is the culprit, a woman who brings misfortune to her husband. She should be divorced to find peace."

Hongli was about to explain when he heard the emperor say, "If the fourth prince doesn't agree, how could a mere maid leave the mansion?"

Emperor Yongzheng's rhetorical question left Consort Xi speechless. The hall was silent; no one dared to utter a sound, and everyone was waiting for the emperor to make his statement.

Yongzheng's gaze was somewhat unfocused, as if he were recalling past events. After a long silence, he finally spoke.

"How useless and pathetic it is for a man to blame all his sins on women! The real culprits are those assassins. This is not the first time that Lao Si has been assassinated. Someone has been plotting to kill him all along. The most urgent task is to find out who is behind it all."

Su Yushan thought that Yongzheng would blame her, but to her surprise, he did not pursue her responsibility and even scoffed at Consort Xi's point of view. So, Yongzheng probably won't punish Hongli anymore, right?

She had just breathed a sigh of relief when she suddenly heard Yongzheng say again:

"Hongli, life is about gains and losses. You saved someone you considered important according to your own will, so you should bear the consequences!"

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