114 Father and Daughter (Part 1 of the Finale)

Rumors about the Righteous King resurfaced in the capital, but the accusation of rebellion was no longer just a rumor.

Everyone was talking about it, praising the Empress for her foresight and Sima Hong for his strategic planning, saying that they had obtained evidence of Prince Yi's collusion with the Xiongnu long ago.

The people felt honored, after all, rumors of King Yi's rebellion had been rampant before, and although people discussed it in private, many still felt that there was no basis for the rumors.

Who knew that as the story spread, it became clear that King Yi had actually rebelled!

Fortunately, the Empress, together with the Sima family, the Zhang family, and the Imperial Censor, minimized the impact of the execution of Prince Yi, and the people were not greatly harmed.

The people talked about it with increasing gusto, without any restraint. What happened that night, though thrilling, was also exciting. The storyteller said his brother could talk about it for three days and three nights without stopping.

First, let's not even talk about how the Queen caught Prince Yi in a trap; there are more than a dozen versions of that story circulating.

Secondly, the Marquis of Quzhou's act of killing her husband in anger, placing the fate of the nation above the love between husband and wife, is commendable and praiseworthy.

Then it is said that the Southern Army almost mutinied that day because of the killing of the Prince Yi. Sima Hong and Zhang Jun, carrying the Prince Yi's head and the soldiers of the Northern Army, suppressed the mutiny in time.

The Guo family wanted to take advantage of the chaos, but their plan was nipped in the bud. However, the eldest princess was almost killed, and it is said that her adoptive father saved her.

"Whether this Marquis Zhou is truly selfless or is merely venting his resentment over Marquis Guangshun taking a concubine, who knows?" a man in the tavern murmured.

The woman sitting behind him said, "Marquis Quzhou is a woman who is just as capable as any man. Marquis Guangshun colluded with traitors like Prince Yi, and deserves to die. If you ask me, Marquis Quzhou's actions are very gratifying!"

“That’s right, that’s right. Besides, even if the Marquis of Quzhou did kill his husband out of spite, so what? It was just a convenient thing. If it were you, you probably would not only kill him, but also cut him hundreds of times.”

"That's right. Marquis Quzhou even released Marquis Guangshun's concubine and his son and daughter, and even asked the Empress to say that he would continue to support Marquis Guangshun's parents. If it were me, I wouldn't be so magnanimous."

"Oh dear, I heard that the concubine and the child were coerced and lured."

"Hehe, who knows whose child that is?" one person laughed with an ambiguous tone.

...

The common people love stories that are intertwined with love, hate, and passion. There are dozens of versions of the story between Marquis Quzhou and Marquis Guangshun.

"I heard that the eldest princess also contributed a lot this time. This princess who grew up in the countryside is really tough."

“I have a relative who works in the palace. The eldest princess is very approachable and kind. Moreover, she is skilled in agriculture and has grown a new millet variety in Shanglin Garden that yields twice as much as ordinary millet. This year, the people outside the city are all planting the new variety.”

"Really?"

"The autumn harvest is just around the corner, then we'll know if it's true or not."

"Speaking of which, the Emperor should be back by now, with such a major event happening in the capital."

"It should be soon."

That year, the scorching summer finally passed, but the land scorched by the sun left a deep and indelible mark.

It's as if you can still smell the burnt smell of excruciating pain, a smell that won't go away.

In September, after the rebellion of King Yi Jiang Shi, the capital finally welcomed the emperor's grand return.

The Jade Flower Palace stood in stark contrast to the bustling scene outside. Hongyan looked at her princess, who was lost in thought again, and felt a pang of pity in her eyes.

Since the princess woke up, she has spoken less than before, and she has become melancholy, often staring blankly out the window.

Her only hobby was standing on the city wall to feel the breeze. When Sima Langjun didn't come to fetch her, she would stand there for a long time, gazing into the distance, like a stone statue.

Hongyan's eyes were red; the princess must be missing Mr. Li.

Mr. Li, the adoptive father, treated the princess even better than her biological father, and was even willing to give his life for her. How could the princess not be heartbroken?

She had once heard a rumor that when His Majesty was being pursued by the Yan army, he abandoned his wife and daughter.

It is said to the outside world that Her Highness the Princess was separated from His Majesty and the Empress during the war.

However, in recent days, she has suspected that the princess was abandoned by His Majesty and the Empress.

"Ever since... Mr. Li's unfortunate passing, the princess has never been as cheerful as before," Fu Lian whispered from the side. She respected and thanked Mr. Li; without him, the princess would likely have met a terrible end, and all of them would probably have perished with him.

“Oh, Mr. Li is such a good person, how could he…” Hongyan said with red eyes.

At this moment, Huang Bing quietly came in to announce, "Sima Langjun has come to fetch the princess, saying that His Majesty summons Her Highness."

Qi Gu turned her gaze away from the window. In just over ten days, she had become emaciated. Her once round face, like a full flower bud, had withered and turned ashen.

With pale lips, Qi Gu gave a faint reply: "I understand."

Hongyan and Fulian helped Qigu change her clothes. Hongyan specially chose an elegant moon-white straight-hemmed dress and wore the simplest jewelry.

After she finished washing and dressing, she walked out of the Jade Flower Palace, and Sima Hong stepped forward and took Qi Gu's hand.

Now, it is common knowledge in Changyang Palace that Sima Hong wants to marry the eldest princess.

The Empress had long since tacitly approved, and Sima Hong made no attempt to hide it.

Qi Gu allowed Sima Hong to hold her hand.

Sima Hong felt that Qi Gu was too thin, and her soft hands were icy cold. He wrapped his large hand around hers.

"Why are your hands so cold?"

"Father summoned me, is it because the Second Prince and the Second Princess wanted to assassinate me and Ayan?"

"His Majesty has some reservations about the Empress's unauthorized handling of Prince Yi." As the two walked along the veranda, Sima Hong said, "But there's no need to worry. The evidence of Prince Yi's rebellion is conclusive. Besides... His Majesty has long been dissatisfied with Prince Yi's overstepping his bounds and arrogance."

Sima Hong looked at the sorrow on Qi Gu's face. In recent days, no one had dared to mention Mr. Li to Qi Gu.

Mr. Li is gone. Ms. Qi can be sad and grieving, but she also needs to slowly move on.

He will stay with her until she can get used to life without Mr. Li, and one day, he will become someone that Aunt Qi can trust and rely on, just like Mr. Li.

Qi Gu sneered, "Father doesn't want to deal with the Second Prince yet?"

"No conclusion has been reached yet, but today I'm afraid you'll have to consider our brotherly bond and let him off this time."

Sima Hong gripped Qi Gu's hand tightly, "Don't be afraid. No matter what the Emperor asks, the Guo family will definitely pay the price."

Qi Gu asked, "Who are there today?"

"Everyone who was supposed to be here has arrived."

Qi Gu stood beside the vermilion pillar, gazing into the distance, her eyes gradually hardening: "It's time for me to settle accounts with my good father, the Emperor."

Sima Hong and Qi Gu entered Chengming Hall. Qi Gu looked up and saw that almost all the founding heroes who could be there had arrived.

The Guo family members, along with Madam Guo, the Second Prince, and the Second Princess, were all present.

It's time to settle things all at once.

Seeing that Qi Gu was obviously thin, the Empress quickly had a chair brought over, "Please give the princess a seat."

The eldest prince, standing to the side, cast a concerned glance at his elder sister, who looked even weaker and paler than he did, and felt a pang of pain in his heart.

Sima Hong helped Qi Gu sit down and stood beside her protectively.

Wei Xin had already heard that the princess's adoptive father, Li Shi, had shielded her from an arrow with his own body, saving her life.

He glanced at the emperor on the dragon throne, thinking to himself that there was quite a difference between a father and a father.

He personally experienced how His Majesty abandoned the Empress and their two children to save his own life.

He had met Mr. Li before. He seemed like a magnanimous person, but he never expected that Mr. Li would treat the princess like his own daughter.

Mr. Li is a more competent father than His Majesty, his own biological father.

Wei Xin glanced at Qi Gu. Before they left the capital, the eldest princess was as bright and flamboyant as a blooming flower. Now, her body had collapsed and she had lost her spirit.

Holy crap, what kind of mess is this?!

As for Zhang Tian, ​​seeing his beloved niece turned into this state, he wished he had been in the capital back then and torn the Prince of Yi and the Guo family to pieces.

He glared fiercely at the Second Prince and Guo Yun. He would never let these two go. Did they think the Zhang family was a pushover?

"Is Yuan Chu feeling any better?" Emperor Yuan of Jin asked with concern.

"Your Majesty, I am much better."

“You were frightened this time, and your father will reward you handsomely.”

Emperor Yuan of Jin inquired about your well-being for a while, then asked indirectly, "Were the people who assassinated you that day men of the Prince of Yi?"

"no."

Emperor Yuan of Jin said, "Who else could it be but Prince Yi? It's good that Prince Yi, such a heartless and insane person, died. I even wanted to tear him to pieces!"

Qi Gu looked up at the Emperor sitting high on the dragon throne, "Father, are the people of the Court of Justice so incompetent that even Prince Yi can't find out?"

Qi Gu raised her head sharply, looking at the emperor sitting high above her, "Or is it that Father Emperor wants me to give some answer?"

"Are you saying I don't know, or that you haven't investigated clearly all these days, or that you have investigated clearly but are unwilling to believe it and want to find an excuse from me to absolve your beloved children?"

"How dare you speak to me like that!"

Qi Gu called out loudly, "Father!" and said without backing down, "The Second Prince and the Second Princess are your children, but aren't my brother and I your children too?"

"I think you've lost your mind." Emperor Jin Yuan, somewhat guilty, avoided Qi Gu's gaze and said to the eunuch beside him, "Someone, escort the princess back to the palace to rest!"

He did indeed have ulterior motives today, thinking that Qi Gu knew nothing and would be easy to fool.

If he asks a few more biased questions, he will surely find a flaw in the argument and be able to exonerate Cheng'er.

Then, out of consideration for their sibling bond, Qi Gu will handle it leniently, and he can make it up to her later. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?

Even if Cheng'er is to be punished, it shouldn't be reduced to a commoner as the Empress suggested.

The Empress looked coldly at the Emperor. "Your Majesty, didn't you say you wanted to have the victim, Qi Gu, investigated thoroughly? What? Now you're not going to investigate? Not asking anymore? Are you going to do as I said and demote the Second Prince to a commoner?"

The statue of Emperor Yuan of Jin was roasted over a fire.

Seeing the tearful eyes of his favored concubine and the expectant look in his son's eyes, he whispered to the Empress, "Empress, can't we discuss this in private? I have already decided to give the position of Crown Prince to Yan'er."

Chu Pei believed that this sincerity was enough to make the Empress give in.

The Empress gave Chu Pei a cold glare. By now, the position of Crown Prince already belonged to Yan'er. He wanted to use it for social interaction. What a good father the Second Prince was!

He was planning for the Second Prince, and she was also planning for her son and daughter!

[Author's Note]

Originally, it was supposed to be one chapter, but due to revisions, it's now two chapters. I'll release another chapter after midnight. [shy]