#17: Suspension

After Wu Ruian’s dramatic outburst in court yesterday, Empress Chen had issued an edict prohibiting him from entering the Taiji Palace.

At the morning court the next day, Wu Ruian’s attempt to force his way in failed. He could only wait for Empress Chen to finish court at the Daming Palace. But he waited until noon and still didn’t see her return from the imperial study.

“Is the Mother Empress still busy?” Wu Ruian asked the eunuch at the door for the hundredth time.

The eunuch shook his head and bowed. “Begging your pardon, but Her Majesty is swamped with work. I’m afraid she won’t have time to see Your Highness these days. Your Highness should please return.”

“I’ll wait a little longer.” Wu Ruian picked up his teacup, only to find it was empty.

“Your servant will get you more tea,” the eunuch said when he saw this, immediately motioning for a maid to bring Wu Ruian a new cup of tea.

Throughout the morning, Wu Ruian drank a total of six cups of tea. During this long wait, he realized how difficult it was for him to even see his mother.

Empress Chen had returned to the days when she paid him no attention.

He hadn’t felt bad before because he had never been favored. He was not a beloved prince, so he didn’t think that Empress Chen treating him with more respect would be a good thing. But since his victorious return from the army, Empress Chen had given him important roles, and he had been sought after by various noble families, which gave him a moment of popularity.

This all depended on Empress Chen’s attitude toward him. Now that she was neglecting him, everything would vanish with the wind.

Did he regret it?

...No.

He was just angry.

Angry that he, a dignified prince, couldn’t deal with a mere Gongsun Qi.

The scene of Xu Ya’s body being burned was still vivid in his mind, and Gongsun Qi’s indifferent mockery was clearer than ever in his thoughts. Yet, all he could do was act like a child and lash out at him, unable to do anything substantial to prevent such incidents from happening again.

If he couldn’t make an example of Gongsun Qi this time, these hedonistic nobles would only become more lawless...

Wu Ruian decided not to waste any more time waiting with no results. He thought for a moment, left the side hall, and pretended to be leaving the palace. Then, when no one was looking, he snuck into the imperial garden.

In the imperial garden, Empress Chen was having lunch in her favorite lakeside pavilion. Across from her sat Grand Chancellor Changsun Qi.

The two of them looked amiable and were talking and laughing.

Wu Ruian walked right over without a second thought, bowed, and said, “Your son pays his respects to Mother Empress and Grand Chancellor Changsun.”

Empress Chen glanced at him and frowned with displeasure. “Why are you here?”

“Your son has an important matter to report.” Faced with Empress Chen’s clear anger, Wu Ruian chose to ignore it.

Empress Chen sighed and rubbed her forehead. “If it’s about Xu Ya again, you don’t have to say anything. This matter has been put under Wenli’s full authority. You can go find him.”

“Your son...”

“Oh, I just remembered something,” Empress Chen said, interrupting Wu Ruian again, as if she knew what he was about to say. “Wenli’s rank is six levels higher than yours. If you want to report a case to him, you must go through the ranks. This is the rule and cannot be broken. Do you understand?”

Wu Ruian flatly shook his head. “Wenli is a fence-sitter and has a character problem! Your son doesn’t trust his ability to handle this, and I refuse to communicate with him!”

“How dare you!” Empress Chen slammed the table, startling everyone around her.

“Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Prince Wu must have his reasons. Please hear him out,” Changsun Qi said, trying to soothe her.

Empress Chen frowned, looked at Wu Ruian again, and said in a low voice, “What exactly do you want to say?”

Wu Ruian was blunt. “The day before yesterday, only you and Wenli knew that Xu Ya’s body was buried in Huitou Forest. But yesterday, Gongsun Qi was just released, and this morning, his lackeys dug up Xu Ya and burned her body in front of her grandfather’s home.”

As Wu Ruian said this, Changsun Qi looked visibly surprised, but Empress Chen remained expressionless, showing no emotion.

Wu Ruian continued, “Not only did Xu Ya die tragically in a tiger’s mouth, but after her death, she was dug up and burned to ashes in front of her only relative! You tell me, how can an inhumane monster like Gongsun Qi be let off so easily!?”

Wu Ruian’s accusations made Empress Chen fall silent for a moment.

A moment later, Empress Chen laughed nonchalantly. “Is that all you have to say?”

“Is this not a serious matter?” Wu Ruian grew anxious, seeing that Empress Chen had no reaction. “When Xu Ya’s body was burned, the black smoke was billowing, and everyone in the surrounding area could see it. The people in the ward are all witnesses. Is this not enough to convict Gongsun Qi?”

“Did you catch the person?”

“What?” Wu Ruian was taken aback.

“The arsonist. Did you catch them?”

“Your son... your son was busy putting out the fire, so...”

“So you didn’t catch them.” Empress Chen waved her hand and sighed. “Why do you always fail to grow up?”

Empress Chen’s eyes were filled with deep weariness, and she looked at Wu Ruian with disappointment.

Wu Ruian stood in front of her, not knowing how to argue back.

He had indeed missed one opportunity to punish Gongsun Qi, and this second time, he had forgotten the most important thing.

Evidence.

He used to think that his words were absolute evidence. As long as he said someone was guilty, that person must be guilty.

But he had forgotten that he used to deal with petty criminals, and now he was facing Gongsun Miao, who stood behind Gongsun Qi.

Gongsun Miao was a veteran of three reigns, a senior official in the cabinet to whom even Empress Chen had to show some respect. He was not someone who could be dismissed with a few simple words.

Empress Chen rubbed her forehead and said, “You should leave before I get completely fed up with you.”

“Mother Empress...”

“Get out.”

Empress Chen’s use of the word “get out” had become more frequent recently, showing that the great hope she once had for Wu Ruian had now turned into deep disappointment.

Wu Ruian, however, was not giving up. He said bluntly, “If you don’t agree to severely punish Gongsun Qi, your son will not leave today.”

“You...” Empress Chen frowned and looked at Wu Ruian. “Are you going or not?”

“Your son is not leaving.” Wu Ruian was firm.

Empress Chen’s anger had reached its breaking point. As soon as Wu Ruian finished speaking, she stood up and slapped him across the face.

“You’re incorrigible! You are truly a disappointment to me!” Empress Chen said. Suddenly, her body stiffened, and she swayed backward.

“Mother Empress!”

“Your Majesty!”

Although Wu Ruian was still stunned from the slap, he subconsciously caught Empress Chen, preventing her from fainting to the ground.

The maids, eunuchs, and imperial physicians rushed over, feeding her medicine and taking her pulse. After a while, Empress Chen finally caught her breath.

When she woke up, she trembled as she pointed at Wu Ruian. “Get out of my sight.”

Seeing her still sick, Wu Ruian’s heart ached, but he was also unable to let go of what happened to Xu Ya.

Before he left, he couldn’t help but say, “Mother Empress, are powerless people just completely insignificant in your heart? Are people like Xu Ya and Old Man Xu so worthless compared to Gongsun Qi? Are their lives not lives, and their feelings not feelings? You have a heart of stone and probably will never understand the feelings of those beneath you, will you? Just like three years ago with Jiang Qionglin, they are all insignificant beings, people who can be cast aside like old clothes, right?”

Empress Chen’s eyes widened. “Get out! Get out of my sight! I never want to see you again!” She wanted to slap him again but was too angry to stand.

Empress Chen breathed heavily, and between gasps, she said, “I issue an edict! The Sixth Prince, Wu Ruian, has been insubordinate and disrespectful to his superior! His title as Prince Wu is hereby stripped, and his official position is revoked! He is never to enter the palace without a summons!”

“Your Majesty...” Changsun Qi said with a pained expression.

Empress Chen was enraged again. “No one is to beg for mercy!”

At her command, Changsun Qi dared not say another word.

Wu Ruian smiled nonchalantly and said, “If being an official means I cannot speak for the people and seek welfare for them, then I will not be a prince or an official. Your son thanks the Mother Empress for her grace. Long live the Mother Empress!”

With that, Wu Ruian turned and walked away without looking back.

“Your Majesty—Your Majesty—”

Behind him, a crowd of people cried out in surprise. Wu Ruian turned back and saw Empress Chen fainting in An Suyun’s arms.

Wu Ruian’s heart sank, and he was very worried about Empress Chen’s safety. But seeing the people surrounding her, three layers deep, and thinking that she would probably get even angrier if she saw him when she woke up, he could only watch them from a distance. He didn’t leave until Empress Chen was taken back to her palace.

After losing his title and official position, Wu Ruian went straight to the Jiansu Clinic.

He knew that the news of his demotion would eventually spread from the palace, so he no longer hid anything from Di Jiang and told her everything that had happened over the past few days.

In the end, he asked her, “Am I a very unfilial son?”

Di Jiang hummed in affirmation and nodded.

“Sigh, but I couldn’t help it!” Wu Ruian frowned. “When I think of Gongsun Qi’s disgusting face, I want to tear his skin off! But Mother Empress is protecting him. I... I really don’t know what to do.”

“You...” Di Jiang was about to speak, but Wu Ruian interrupted her again.

He slapped his hand on his thigh and said, “How about we secretly kill him? Do you sell poison here? We can secretly poison him? Or maybe I can sneak into his mansion at night and slit his throat?”

“...”

Di Jiang’s mouth was wide open as she stared at him in astonishment.

After his passionate outburst, Wu Ruian deflated. “I know that’s not right. I was just thinking out loud, don’t take it seriously.”

Di Jiang knew Wu Ruian was frustrated, so she didn’t take his words to heart. She thought for a moment and said, “Would Your Highness like to take a walk to clear your head?”

“Where to?” Wu Ruian looked up at Di Jiang listlessly.

Di Jiang gave a mysterious smile. “You’ll know when we get there.”

Wu Ruian nodded and followed Di Jiang out the door.

As they reached the entrance, they saw Changsheng rushing over.

He handed Wu Ruian a brocade pouch and said, “Your Highness, this is a protective talisman from my master. Today is the fifteenth day of the seventh month, the Ghost Festival, when the gates of hell open. Remember not to linger outside after dark. Come back early.”

“Why is there only one?” Wu Ruian asked, pointing to Di Jiang. “Why doesn’t she have one?”

Changsheng looked troubled. “My master only gave me one... he said it was for you.”

Di Jiang smiled. “Zhong Xu meant for you to protect me! What do I have to be afraid of when you’re here? Right?”

“I guess that makes sense, but...” Wu Ruian still found it a little strange.

“Alright, let’s go. As long as we get back before dark, we’ll be fine.”

With that, Di Jiang took Wu Ruian’s hand and left.

Zhong Xu was still sitting in his shop, folding paper into ingots. His eyes were filled with deep sorrow, but he wasn’t worried about Di Jiang and Wu Ruian. Instead, he was worried about the people in the imperial city.

He looked up, staring intently in the direction of the Daming Palace. In the air above the Daming Palace was something ordinary people couldn’t see.

It was something more terrifying than ghosts—the evil in people’s hearts.