Chapter 6: The Bloodshed Disaster

Half a month later, everyone who had served the Enlightened National Master inside the Mingjing Pagoda was executed. Two or three ministers who had been close to the master were also implicated. Empress Chen Zhao, adhering to the principle of “killing one to warn a hundred,” preferred wrongful executions over leniency.

The temple where the Enlightened Master had once resided was sealed, and further investigations revealed his previous exploitation of his position to extort wealth from the people. Infuriated, the empress not only fed his remains to dogs but also ordered all his followers to be hanged at the city gates as a warning.

The master’s misdeeds were exposed to the public, implicating everyone around him in his downfall. While some criticized the empress for her brutality, many supported her actions.

This verified an old saying: “Heaven’s justice is inevitable; those who commit wrongs will eventually be consumed by their own evil deeds.”

The turmoil caused by the Enlightened Master in the imperial court gradually subsided. One day, Wu Rui’an received an invitation from the Longsun Residence. It turned out that Miss Yuming had fully recovered, so she was hosting a small banquet to thank her saviors, Wu Rui’an and Di Jiang, hoping to express her gratitude in person.

Wu Rui’an gladly accompanied Di Jiang to the event.

In the evening, the Longsun Residence was brightly lit with dozens of palace lanterns placed in the backyard, illuminating the garden with dazzling brilliance.

Lady Longsun Yuming stood before the long table, wearing a water-red ceremonial dress and adorned with a delicate hairpin. Without any makeup, she still outshone all the elaborately dressed women present. Her every smile and gesture captivated everyone’s attention.

Even Di Jiang couldn’t help but praise her: “Her inner grace naturally shines through.”

Upon hearing this, Wen Yao rolled her eyes and muttered, “She’s dressed so beautifully just to seduce His Highness!”

“Cough cough—” Wu Rui’an heard this and immediately started coughing violently.

A moment later, however, Di Jiang remarked, “Not necessarily. Others might do so, but Miss Yuming wouldn’t.”

“Why?” Wen Yao asked, puzzled.

“There’s no desire in her eyes.”

“…” Wen Yao frowned, looking skeptical but feeling less hostile toward her after hearing Di Jiang’s words.

Meanwhile, Wu Rui’an felt a weight lift from his heart.

Before coming, he had feared Di Jiang might feel jealous, but it seemed he had worried too much…

The gathering proceeded smoothly. Di Jiang sat close to Wu Rui’an, while across from them sat Lord Longsun Qi and his wife. Also present were several young ladies from the Longsun family’s collateral branches, but none matched Lady Longsun Yuming’s elegance.

Her beauty was like dew illuminated by a thousand lanterns, her eyes shimmering like pearls.

Every movement and expression carried an air of dignity and serenity. Upon closer inspection, one could see that her heart was pure and untainted, her face as clear as a mirror—a rare gem of inner clarity.

Moreover, she treated everyone, even Di Jiang’s maid, with a warm smile. There was no fault to be found in her.

“She truly resembles a queen fit to mother the nation,” Di Jiang praised her again.

Hearing this, Wu Rui’an leaned over to Di Jiang and said, “The Longsun family once produced a queen. Empress Taizong’s first wife was the elder sister of Longsun Wugou. Since the founding of Xuanwu, their clan has enjoyed unparalleled advantages and can be considered the most noble lineage in our country.”

Di Jiang nodded. “No wonder Miss Yuming has such strict upbringing. Lord Longsun certainly knows how to raise his daughter well.”

Though Wu Rui’an heard Di Jiang’s praise, for some reason, he didn’t feel pleased but rather irritated.

He couldn’t help but think—was Di Jiang too otherworldly?

After the banquet ended that evening, Wu Rui’an escorted Di Jiang and her maid back to the medical clinic before taking his leave.

Watching Wu Rui’an’s retreating figure, Di Jiang reflected, “Miss Yuming is gentle, courteous, graceful, and incomparable. Compared to Princess Tianxiang, they are entirely different temperaments, yet she is extremely well-suited for Lord Wu.”

“You’re talking nonsense! I think you’re no worse than her!” Wen Yao pouted angrily, clearly upset.

“Do you think there’s anything about me that compares to her?” Di Jiang chuckled. “Is it her looks? Knowledge? Family background? Or her kind heart?”

“…”

Wen Yao fell silent, struggling to respond for a while before finally saying, “Although you may not match her in anything, the fact that His Highness likes you makes her forever inferior to you!”

“You’re really good at giving compliments.” Di Jiang didn’t want to continue the conversation and rolled her eyes before heading to bed.

________________________________________

The next morning at court, upon hearing that the Longsun family had hosted Wu Rui’an, Empress Chen Zhao took the opportunity to commend him. Besides bestowing rewards, she lavishly praised him.

“My son handled the case with remarkable acumen and insight. Not only did he cure Miss Yuming’s illness, but he also uncovered past injustices. I am deeply pleased.” Empress Chen Zhao radiated joy, her first genuine smile since the death of Jiang Qionglin.

This was also the first time Wu Rui’an had received such high praise since returning victorious to the capital, naturally swelling his pride.

The ministers present were delighted to see this.

After all, among the legitimate princes in the capital, only Wu Rui’an remained. Previously disinterested in state affairs, he was overlooked. Now, with his rising reputation, the position of crown prince seemed within his grasp. The ministers’ flattery became more focused and deliberate.

After court, Empress Chen Zhao invited Wu Rui’an to share lunch at the Qinzheng Hall.

The atmosphere during the meal was initially harmonious, but for some unknown reason, Chen Zhao suddenly flew into a rage.

Outside, the waiting eunuchs heard a loud slap on the table—”Slap!”—followed by Chen Zhao summoning the guards to drag Prince Wu out and beat him severely. They whipped him until his buttocks were bloody and torn, yet he endured without making a sound.

But Wu Rui’an was resilient. Throughout the ordeal, he gritted his teeth and remained silent. Despite multiple inquiries from An Su Yun, sent by the empress, he stubbornly refused to yield, declaring, “I’d rather live alone for the rest of my life than marry Lady Longsun Yuming!”

Empress Chen Zhao immediately suppressed the news, forbidding anyone from spreading word of his refusal. Officially, it was announced that Prince Wu had insulted the throne with his disrespectful remarks.

Even Empress Chen Zhao had to tread carefully around Longsun Wugou’s influence. If Wu Rui’an married Lady Yuming, securing the crown prince position would be inevitable. Who would have thought he’d refuse?

Such a golden opportunity—offering him the kingdom on a silver platter—and he rejected it?!

Furious beyond words, Chen Zhao lost her appetite for dinner, spending the night reviewing documents in the Qinzheng Hall and barely sleeping before attending the early morning court session.

After being sent back to his mansion, Wu Rui’an was immediately attended to by imperial physicians. Though the guards hadn’t struck too hard, his injuries were gruesome enough to look unpleasant but hadn’t damaged his bones.

Lying face-down on the bed, Wu Rui’an felt utterly unlucky. Every time the empress praised him, it was followed by a scolding. This time, it escalated to physical punishment.

Yet, as the saying goes, “a blessing in disguise.” The upside was that he now had three days to rest in bed and skip court.

Wu Rui’an was pondering when to visit the Jiansu Medical Clinic when he suddenly heard a familiar voice beside his bed.

“Your Highness, what happened to you?” Di Jiang covered her mouth and laughed.

Startled, Wu Rui’an turned to see Di Jiang and Wen Yao had somehow entered the room and were staring at his rear.

Di Jiang’s eyes sparkled with barely concealed amusement.

Wen Yao stood beside her, equally entertained.

“How did you get in?” Flustered, Wu Rui’an quickly grabbed a brocade blanket to cover himself. The movement aggravated his wounds, causing him to wince in pain.

Feeling even more embarrassed, Wu Rui’an snapped, “Where are the guards? Are they all mute? How dare they not announce visitors?”

“I told them not to announce us. I wanted to see how badly Your Highness had been beaten,” Di Jiang teased.

“How does everyone already know?” Wu Rui’an frowned.

“It’s all over town! Poor Your Highness!” Di Jiang feigned sympathy, though her expression showed no regret.

“You dare laugh at me now!” Wu Rui’an snorted, seething with anger. “I’m in this state because of you… and your cursed bird!”

Di Jiang burst out laughing. “I was worried before coming, but now that I see Your Highness’s robust energy and spirit, it seems these are just superficial wounds.”

“Of course! These minor injuries don’t bother me.” Wu Rui’an smirked smugly, revealing a hint of cunning.

“Is that so? That’s wonderful!” Di Jiang finished with a smile and slapped his lower back.

“Ouch—” Wu Rui’an cried out, tears instantly welling up. “What are you doing? You’re too cruel! Rubbing salt into my wounds!”

“How dare I? I’m treating Your Highness!” Di Jiang, catching him off guard, pulled back the blanket, exposing his bare body.

Fortunately, his buttocks were already devoid of intact skin, so he didn’t feel particularly awkward.

His back bore numerous scars, all old wounds likely acquired during his military training over the past three years.

Di Jiang took the wound-healing ointment handed by Wen Yao and applied it evenly to his injuries.

Wu Rui’an felt a cooling sensation wherever her hands touched, instantly relieving the burning pain. Reaching back, he discovered the torn skin had already formed scabs, and the wounds were rapidly healing under her care.

“What kind of medicine is this? It’s incredibly effective!” Wu Rui’an exclaimed in surprise, turning to face Di Jiang directly.

“Ah! Your Highness, please maintain decorum!” Di Jiang blushed and quickly averted her gaze.

But Wen Yao stared unabashedly, finding the sight quite pleasing and unconsciously licking her lips.

“…”

Only then did Wu Rui’an remember he was completely naked…

Panicking, Wu Rui’an hastily retreated under the covers, looking glumly at the two before him. “Can you both leave first? Let me get dressed!”

“Your Highness, I’ve already seen everything. What’s there to be shy about?” Wen Yao widened her eyes, genuinely puzzled.

“Cough—mind your manners,” Di Jiang interjected, clearing her throat. “We’ll step outside.” With that, she ushered Wen Yao out.

Once they were gone, Wu Rui’an finally exhaled in relief, quickly dressing and stepping off the bed.

“Not a trace of pain?” Wu Rui’an realized he hadn’t felt a thing despite moving around, marveling at the miraculous effects of Di Jiang’s medicine.

When Wu Rui’an reached the front hall, he couldn’t find Di Jiang or Wen Yao. Upon inquiry, he learned they had already left.

Wu Rui’an, who had hoped to chat with Di Jiang, felt foolish once again…

Utterly dejected, he undressed and returned to bed.