This whole situation was set up for him. The Emperor let the Crown Prince go so easily, clearly intending to make the Wang family take the blame!
The empress was at a loss, torn between her own son and her maternal grandfather and uncle.
Meanwhile, at the Crown Prince's residence, the Crown Prince's advisors discussed the matter for a long time and also came up with this idea.
The Emperor released the Crown Prince so that the Crown Prince and the Empress could make a decision: who should be protected, the Crown Prince's position or the Wang family?
Without a doubt, the Crown Prince's choice is naturally his own. His father does not only have him as a son; the other princes are also very outstanding. Once he steps down from the position of Crown Prince, the other princes will certainly not let go of this opportunity.
The Crown Prince knew, of course, that he could not do this himself, so he sent a message to the Empress.
Looking at the message sent by the Crown Prince, the Empress felt somewhat dazed. Why? Why did this happen all of a sudden? Why would anyone be so audacious as to steal from the national treasury and then frame the Crown Prince?
When a wall falls, everyone pushes it down. The next morning at court, many people submitted memorials to the emperor, saying that the Wang family was audacious, corrupt, and allowed their subordinates to abduct women. They claimed that the Wang family had committed all sorts of evil deeds in the capital, relying on their status.
The Emperor was furious again. Later, he issued an edict that the Wang family had embezzled and failed to properly supervise their property. They should have been executed along with their entire clan, but considering that the Wang family was the Empress's maternal grandparents' family, he only executed three generations of their clan and confiscated their property.
Upon hearing this news, the Empress closed her eyes, tears welling in her eyes. She could no longer plead for them; this was already the best outcome. The Emperor had spared the others out of consideration for her. According to the law, failing to properly guard the national treasury was a capital offense punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family.
The Emperor has been soft-hearted enough.
Upon hearing this news, the Crown Prince breathed a sigh of relief. The matter was finally over. If the Wang family hadn't taken the blame, he probably would have lost his position as Crown Prince.
Upon hearing this news, Qu Qingxi felt slightly dissatisfied. If it weren't for the fact that her trip to the national treasury was just a spur-of-the-moment decision, Qu Qingxi would have almost thought that she had been made a fool of by the emperor.
He actually used this incident to weaken the power of the Empress and the Crown Prince. The Emperor is indeed cunning. But how did he manage to make the Crown Prince and the Empress willingly give up such a powerful ally as the Wang family?
It seems that only He Liufeng knows the truth about this matter.
In the afternoon, Qu Qingxi specifically told Qingdai that she had instructed the kitchen to prepare more of the prince's favorite dishes for dinner, as she wanted to wait for the prince to return so they could have dinner together.
Qingdai was overjoyed to hear the news. It was true that having a closer relationship made all the difference. Before, the two of them would never eat together unless there was something important to discuss.
Moreover, it was the princess who took the initiative this time.
Qingdai first sent a message to He Liufeng, and then went to the kitchen herself with great interest, instructing the chef to make more dishes that the prince and princess liked to eat, before she felt at ease.
After arranging everything, Qingdai returned to Qu Qingxi's room. Qu Qingxi was reading a book. Qingdai wanted to say something, but seeing Qu Qingxi's serious expression, she didn't dare to disturb her.
She simply waited quietly to the side, but Qingdai was not a calm person. After sitting on the chair for a while, she couldn't sit still anymore. She went to the window to look at the scenery outside, and after waiting for a while, she went to the table, poured herself a cup of tea, and kept glancing at Qu Qingxi.
Qu Qingxi wasn't a block of wood; of course she could sense what Qingdai wanted to say to her, but she was afraid of disturbing her, so she sighed softly, put down the book in her hand, and looked at Qingdai.
"What's wrong? Is there something you want to tell me?"
"Hehe, Your Highness, you're so clever! How did you know what I was going to say?" Qingdai chuckled and plopped down on the stool opposite Qu Qingxi.
"Alright, stop joking around, just say what's on your mind."
"Your Highness, are you free tomorrow?"
"What's wrong? Is there something you need?"
"No, Your Highness, if you don't have time tomorrow, could we go out shopping again and buy some things?" Qingdai asked cautiously.
"If you want to go out, then go out. I'll give you a day off. If you don't have any money, you can get it from me." Qu Qingxi thought Qingdai wanted her to give her a day off, so she generously offered.
"No, Your Highness, I think you have good taste and the things you choose are beautiful. I'm just a rough person, I don't know how to choose things at all, and I'm easily fooled." Qingdai quickly shook her head.
"Alright, just tell me your purpose." Since Qingdai had already said this much, Qu Qingxi naturally knew that Qingdai's purpose was definitely not as simple as just buying things.
"Your Highness, would you like to send a gift to the Prince?" Knowing that she couldn't hide it from Qu Qingxi, and since she was going to tell her anyway, Qingdai simply stated her purpose directly.
"Hmm? Give the prince a gift? Why?" Qu Qingxi frowned slightly, looking puzzled. Why did Qingdai suddenly want her to give He Liufeng a gift?
"It's nothing, it's just that you and the prince have been married for so long, and it seems that the princess hasn't given the prince any gifts yet. I've seen other wives buy gifts for their husbands, but I haven't seen the princess give the prince any, so I find it a bit strange," Qingdai said tentatively.
Silly girl, of course it's because they're a real couple, while she and He Liufeng are just a couple in name only, so why would she give a gift?
“Look, other people’s husbands also give gifts to their wives. So tell me, has the prince ever given me a gift?” Qu Qingxi raised an eyebrow at Qingdai.
That's right. She doesn't seem to have ever seen the prince give the princess any gifts. This is something that should be initiated by the man. Qingdai nodded as if she understood, and didn't bother Qu Qingxi anymore.
When the news spread that Qu Qingxi was going to have dinner with He Liufeng tonight, He Liufeng was somewhat surprised, but also a little delighted.
With the Emperor's decree issued, the rest of the arrangements should be made according to the rules. He Liufeng gave a few casual instructions and then left.
The others looked at the Prince of Nanqing in a hurry and exchanged glances. Although it wasn't anything major, there were still quite a few minor issues. Didn't the Emperor entrust this matter to the Prince? Was it appropriate for the Prince to just leave like this?
They complained inwardly, but dared not say anything openly. They could only continue working miserably, hoping to finish things here as soon as possible and go home to their wives, children, and warm beds.
As He Liufeng rode back in his carriage, he passed through a bustling street and caught a glimpse of a man standing in front of a jewelry vendor, helping a woman beside him choose a hairpin.
He Liufeng's heart stirred slightly. He lowered the curtain and said in a low voice, "Let's not go back to the manor first. Let's go to the most prosperous jewelry market in the capital."
Although Ling Mu, who was driving, had doubts about He Liufeng's words, he still followed He Liufeng's instructions and turned at the next intersection.
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