In the west room of Wang's Shanzhi Hall, Meng Qi looked at Song Chengze, who looked exhausted, and said distressedly, "You don't have to come today. After you finish your business, you can come tomorrow."
Then he asked, "Have you eaten yet? Have you eaten well in the palace these past few days? Has anyone given you any trouble?"
Song Chengze rubbed his forehead and thought about what had happened in the past two days. It was not until this moment that the tension in his heart relaxed.
"Don't worry, everything is fine in the palace. Father was very angry this time. He was originally holding on to a glimmer of hope and didn't want to think about it. But after hearing about Meng Hai's situation, he was so angry that he fainted."
"Ah? Is it serious?" Meng Qi said worriedly. The emperor must not fall down at this time.
"It's okay. Fortunately, the imperial doctors are here. The prince is temporarily handling important matters."
Meng Qi thought for a moment and said, "Did you report Meng Hai's matter to the Emperor?"
Song Chengze nodded. "If it was just the secret passage of Old Five, it wouldn't be impossible for Father to let it go easily, and the reasons are ready. However, I won't let that happen. Guarding the imperial mausoleum alone is already a helpless move, and it's not good to keep two people by my side and let them counterattack at any time."
"What about the prince? Does he know?"
Song Chengze snorted, "He didn't know. He was very surprised when Lord Lu brought up Meng Hai's case. He even expressed his dissatisfaction with Lord Lu when we left Chengtian Palace."
The Lord Lu that Song Chengze mentioned is the Minister of War.
"He doesn't suspect you?"
Song Chengze shook his head. "I don't know if he has doubts or not, but I can't care about that now. I can't always do what he wants. If I really give Lao Wu a chance to catch his breath, I will be the first one to suffer."
Meng Qi understood that since he had raised the knife, there was no reason not to put it down.
"When I came over, the eunuch who announced the decree had already gone to Prince Cheng's mansion." Song Chengze said softly.
"Did it take you some effort to issue this decree just now?"
Song Chengze was surprised, then smiled, "How did you come up with that?"
Meng Qi poured him some tea. "If the imperial decree had been issued in the morning, Meng Zhi wouldn't have been able to come out. Only before the imperial decree is issued can we secure a chance for Meng Zhi to pay her respects to her grandfather."
Song Chengze hummed, "Fortunately, it's done."
"Thank you, Your Highness. I thank you on behalf of Meng Zhi." Meng Qi bowed to Song Chengze.
Song Chengze waved his hand. "Meng Zhi has made great contributions to this matter. I never thought she would have such ability. With her intelligence, if she married into a good family, she would definitely be a qualified mistress of the house."
Meng Qi sighed. That's right, everything that happened to Meng Zhi today was thanks to Meng Hai, and Meng Changfeng was the biggest sinner.
"What was the ending of Prince Cheng?"
"Treason, exile." Song Chengze said softly.
"What about my third uncle?" Meng Qi asked carefully.
Song Chengze looked her in the eyes and said, "All those who follow Lao Wu, adult men will be executed immediately, young women will be sent to the Jiaofangsi, and the rest will be exiled. I want to ask you, what are your plans for your Third Aunt?"
Meng Qi slowly sat back in her chair. Executed immediately. Adult women, to serve as Jiaofangsi...
"If the prince doesn't mind, why not let Third Aunt take the children into exile? Whether or not they can leave a trace of bloodline for Third Uncle's branch depends entirely on their luck."
Song Chengze hummed, "I understand. Leave this matter to me."
"I'm afraid the plaque of the Huainan Marquis' Mansion can't be preserved?"
Song Chengze nodded, "The relevant imperial decree has not been issued yet. The best outcome is to be demoted to a baron's mansion, but if things go well, it's not impossible to be demoted to a viscount's mansion."
Meng Qi said quietly, "It's better than losing my life. The emperor has shown mercy by not punishing my entire clan."
"On the one hand, Father is probably thinking about the layers of relationships involved. On the other hand, when the Gao family helped Father ascend to the throne over the years, almost all of the adult men died."
Meng Qi understood that if the entire Gao family was really exterminated, even if it was just three clans, not to mention nine, there wouldn't be a single person left in the Gao family. As he always said, the Emperor was still thinking of their old friendship.
"Where's the Queen?"
Song Chengze rubbed his temples. "This is what the Queen got for kneeling at the gate of Chengtian Palace for a whole day and night, with her forehead bruised and bloody."
I see. "Then she could be..."
Song Chengze shook his head. "She wanted to ask to be deposed, but the Emperor didn't agree. But how to deal with her depends on what the Emperor decides. I think she'll probably find a palace in the palace."
Meng Qi nodded, "This is also the best ending for the Queen."
"uncertain."
"What do you mean?" Meng Qi was puzzled.
"Don't forget, there's Yong'an."
"Yong'an? What did the emperor say?"
Song Chengze smiled bitterly, "No, Yong'an accompanied the Queen to Chengtian Palace. The Emperor made the Queen kneel for a whole day and night, but had Yong'an forcibly taken back."
Meng Qi's eyes widened. "Could it be that the Emperor wants to use Yong'an to make the Empress…"
Song Chengze said, "This is just our guess. It's only when such a big thing happened that we can't take care of them."
Meng Qi sighed, "Your Highness, please go back. There are many things waiting for your decision, both in the palace and in the mansion. There is no need to waste time here."
Song Chengze had indeed taken time out to come. Although the person who died was his princess's grandfather, everyone who knew knew why Meng Changfeng died. It was enough to just give Meng Qi face at this time. If things continued for a long time, it would be bad if people with ulterior motives used it to gossip about him.
The Crown Prince, in particular, had a meaningful look on his face when he heard the news in the palace just now, "Sixth brother is really fast, isn't he?"
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