EMHTC -Chapter 15 Humph! You almost lost one of my generals!

Madam Du remained silent.

Claiming a noble title fraudulently was considered defiance of the hierarchy, a crime punishable by beheading. However, adultery carried a much lighter penalty—only a year and a half of hard labor for both involved parties. This was even less severe than the punishment for forced intercourse, by six months. Anyone with common sense knew which option to choose.

And besides…

—— She was the one cuckolding others; what did she have to fear?

The Marquis of Kuaiji dismissed the astonishment of the court officials.

As long as he could save his life, what did a mere “green hat” matter?

Two hundred years ago, when a foreign regime ruled over the Central Plains, a fractured empire saw the rise of numerous kingdoms. One emperor of a particular dynasty trusted only eunuchs. To become an official in his court, men had to castrate themselves. Yet, despite such humiliation, countless people willingly mutilated themselves to secure a position.

It’s said that at the time, that kingdom gained over twenty thousand eunuchs.

Compared to that, wearing a “green hat” was nothing. As long as he knew the truth, it didn’t matter what others thought.

But his sense of triumph was abruptly shattered by two sentences from Xu Yanmiao.

【Huh? Was there really such a thing?】

The student, oblivious to the tangled web behind the drama, scratched his face in confusion.

【Didn’t the baby-swapping incident happen because the late Marquis of Kuaiji had been delaying appointing a legitimate heir? Wasn’t it due to him being over thirty years old without a son, and the pressure to name his second brother—who had already fathered seven sons—as the heir? That’s why Madam Du had to ensure her child was a boy, right?】

A peculiar gleam flashed through the Emperor’s eyes.

Panic began to rise in the Marquis of Kuaiji’s heart.

Then, the Emperor broke into a hearty laugh: “Marquis of Kuaiji, ha-ha-ha!”

The Marquis’ face turned ashen.

“I deeply sympathize with your situation.” The Emperor’s attempt at sincerity would have been more convincing if not for the smile still on his face. “If that’s the case, how about I give you a son? You can raise him to take care of you in your old age. How about your second brother’s youngest son? He’s still a child and easy to mold. I’ll appoint him as your heir…”

“NO!!!”

The Marquis’ scream pierced the court, disregarding the setting and his precarious position. His refusal was nearly a shriek of desperation.

The Minister of Public Works, who had been quietly observing, was dumbfounded.

He could hardly believe what he was seeing. At such a critical moment, rather than grovel and feign submission, the Marquis was loudly defying the Emperor’s will.

The Minister of Rites muttered under his breath, “Could it be… has he been driven mad by shock?”

A new voice, filled with excitement, cut in: “What kind of shock? If it’s Xu Yanmiao… could he share the details?”

The Minister of Public Works froze. The voice was disturbingly familiar.

He turned his head, and his heart nearly stopped. “Your Highness! Why are you here?”

The words slipped out before he could stop himself. Realizing his mistake, he clamped his mouth shut, mortified.

Even if the Crown Prince attended court only two or three days every ten days, as a minister, he should never speak so casually.

The Crown Prince smiled leisurely, hands clasped behind his back. “The court has been particularly interesting lately…”

Behind him, three or five frazzled attendants looked as if they were on the verge of tears, clearly desperate to drag him back but too afraid to act.

The Crown Prince seemed utterly unaware of their distress. He leaned between the Minister of Public Works and the Minister of Rites, whispering:

“There is no Crown Prince here today. I’m just here to discuss this intriguing case with you all.”

He spoke with unrestrained enthusiasm: “Do you think he resents his brother? Resents him for nearly stealing his position as heir? And that’s why, even after inheriting the title, he refused to kill the fake heir or adopt his nephew as his own?”

The Minister of Public Works hesitated, but the Minister of Rites, drawn in by the gossip, nodded in agreement: “I think that’s exactly the case. Otherwise, why let an illegitimate child claim the heir’s position?”

“Exactly! He doesn’t strike me as the type who’d hesitate to kill.”

The Crown Prince sighed theatrically. “I regret not paying more attention to the Marquis of Kuaiji’s affairs in my youth. Back then, the late Marquis hadn’t even named an heir!”

The Minister of Rites lamented deeply: “Ah, a missed golden opportunity for a juicy scandal!”

The Crown Prince clicked his tongue in sympathy. “When I was stationed in the military, I wasn’t familiar with the late Marquis either…” Then, as if stoking the flames of chaos, he brightened: “But! Xu Yanmiao definitely knows!”

Indeed, Xu Yanmiao knew everything.

Though he had no interest in the Emperor’s motives for pressuring the Marquis of Kuaiji, Xu Yanmiao was here for the drama.

【Woohoo! He’s losing it! He’s losing it!】 【Ohhh! No wonder he’s breaking down—it’s because he’s been overshadowed by his twin brother since childhood!】 【—— In ancient times, having many children was seen as a blessing. Twins or multiples were considered signs of great fortune, proof of divine favor on the family.】 【—— Moreover, the birth of twins often earned the parents government rewards in rice and silver.】 【While one studied tirelessly from dawn until late at night, he wasted time worrying about which outfit would make him look like the most refined gentleman.】 【While one mastered the Six Arts of a nobleman, enduring harsh winters and scorching summers, he was busy hosting banquets to flatter and elevate his social status.】

The gossipers couldn’t hold back their whispers:

“He’s gone from pale to green!”

“His chest is heaving—will he collapse from rage?”

“What’s Xu Yanmiao’s phrase again? Break…?”

【Even in having children, he fell short. The only thing he could claim superiority in was inheriting the title of Marquis because he was born moments before his twin brother.】 【Under such circumstances, how could he ever consider adopting his nephew? In his eyes, that was the child of an enemy. Even if the boy called him ‘father’ one day, he wouldn’t want him to inherit the title. That resentment probably extended to all the children of his relatives as well.】

The court murmured in astonishment:

“Wow!”

“So that’s the truth!”

“Enough!!!” the Marquis of Kuaiji roared.

The Crown Prince clapped his hands in delight. “He’s breaking down! He’s breaking down!”

The Emperor rubbed his temples, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

“Your Majesty,” a eunuch whispered cautiously, “the Crown Prince…”

The Emperor sighed and waved him off. “Let him be.”

Suddenly, the Emperor snapped his head up, his instincts sharp. Xu Yanmiao had found something.

The other officials noticed too, barely restraining their smirks.

While unkind, there was undeniable satisfaction in witnessing the Marquis’ downfall.

The Marquis of Kuaiji was trembling, every inch of his flesh quivering in rage.

【Woohoo!】 Xu Yanmiao thought gleefully. 【I just remembered something juicy! When skimming old records of gossip, there was a note about ‘someone born with six toes.’ I didn’t think much of it at the time, but now it’s clear!】 【The late Marquis, the current Marquis, his two brothers, several nieces and nephews, and even Xie Luoshui—they all have six toes! Only the fake heir’s feet are perfectly normal.】 【Polydactyly is an autosomal dominant genetic condition. Whether it’s a boy or a girl, the chances of inheriting it are 50-50. This family has been incredibly consistent in hitting the genetic jackpot!】

The Marquis instinctively glanced at his own feet, his pupils shrinking in shock.

The biggest flaw lay within himself.

The court didn’t understand the scientific terms, but they grasped the gist:

The Wei family was known for having six toes.

Alone, this trait wasn’t definitive proof that Xie Luoshui was the legitimate daughter of the Marquis. But combined with her resemblance to the family and the existence of the basin Madam Du had used, it was enough to convince the world.

It would also dispel suspicions that the Emperor was acting as a tyrant, framing his officials unjustly.

The Emperor decided to take back his earlier complaint about Xu Yanmiao’s “sharp tongue.”

This man was a gem! A model subject who knew how to ease the burden of rulership!

“Wei Jin.” The Emperor didn’t even bother addressing him by title anymore. “The Jinyiwei have already uncovered…”

He proceeded to reveal all the conclusive evidence, just as Xu Yanmiao had pieced together.

Turning to Xie Luoshui, he asked, “Lady Xie, would you consent to step into the side chamber to remove your shoes and socks for verification?”

Xie Luoshui, overwhelmed by the flood of revelations, stood frozen, her mind blank and unable to respond.

The fake heir, however, broke down completely. “Impossible! How could I not be a Wei family member? How could Xie Luoshui be the legitimate daughter of the Marquis? Impossible!”

She was no powerless commoner, left defenseless against his oppression.

“It’s not up to him to decide how things go!”

The fake heir suddenly rushed toward Madam Du, grabbing her shoulders and shaking her. “Mother! Say something, Mother! I am the real one! I am!”

Madam Du slapped him sharply—smack—the sound crisp and loud.

The onlooking officials gasped, “Whoa!”

What a solid slap! His face swelled red, scratched by her nails, with blood seeping out—disfigured beyond repair. There was no doubt now—he wasn’t her biological son!

Madam Du hurried over to Xie Luoshui and coughed lightly. “Luoshui… what a lovely name. Luoshui, I am your mother! That scoundrel Wei Jin swapped you at birth just for a title. You must have suffered so much over the years. My heart aches like a knife twisting in it…”

Xie Luoshui snapped back to reality amidst the cacophony. She gazed up at Madam Du, her face pale as death. “When I was tricked into returning to the family by the heir—no, by Wei Min—you were furious, accusing me of seducing him. You only changed your attitude after barging into my room during my bath despite the servants’ protests. That was when you saw my feet. Afterward, you were so kind to me, often saying you thought of me as a daughter…”

Xie Luoshui stared at Madam Du, her tearful eyes blazing with fury. “Was it because you thought of me as a daughter, or because I am your daughter?”

A cold wind swept through. Madam Du shivered, clutching her arms, unable to utter a word under Xie Luoshui’s interrogation.

Xie Luoshui raised her voice. “Later, when you arranged my engagement to the prince, you feared the imperial family would discover the truth, so you locked me away. That brute you raised—when drunk—violated me!”

She had no intention of avoiding the topic or preserving her dignity. To her, such considerations were luxuries only the privileged could afford.

As a girl who had run barefoot in the fields, unbound by societal norms, her resilience was like a hardy tree growing freely and defiantly, glaring at anyone who wronged her.

“Madam Du, when I became pregnant, you were overjoyed, weren’t you? Hoping the marquisate would pass back into your bloodline. But you also sought the princess’ hand—if the emperor had truly favored you, would you have swapped my child with hers again?”

Her thoughts spiraled wildly, and Xie Luoshui barely noticed the emperor awaiting her answer.

The emperor didn’t press her. His focus was elsewhere—“This wretched family dared dream of marrying into my royal house? Am I so desperate?”

Xie Luoshui’s revelations were like a bombshell among the officials.

“They really have a death wish,” someone muttered.

Prime Minister Dou remarked, “Young people these days grow bolder and bolder…”

“Last time I saw such audacity was when Princess Wanshou’s consort demanded she be executed.”

Meanwhile, the crown prince strolled lazily, stopping by Prime Minister Dou. “Executed? What’s this about?”

The conversation shifted, but the Minister of Works whispered to his friend, “How could you casually chat with the crown prince about such trivial matters? Your duty is to guide him towards diligence!”

His friend, the temple minister, shrugged. “If the prince enjoys these anecdotes, let him. It’s harmless chatter.”

He glanced at Xie Luoshui, startled. “She’s gone to have her foot inspected? I thought she wanted answers.”

“Really?” The minister spun around and found she’d indeed stepped out.

Moments later, Xie Luoshui returned. She’d guessed the officials would object to her baring her foot in court, so she went to a private chamber.

The palace servants confirmed, “She has six toes.”

The evidence was indisputable. The Marquis of Kuaiji’s downfall was sealed.

Xie Luoshui confronted him. “Why didn’t you announce at my birth that I was a twin?”

The marquis sneered. “Twins must look identical. If they don’t, it arouses suspicion, making people question the heir’s legitimacy. Why risk that?”

“You’d rather kill me?!”

“What else? Had that foolish maid not hesitated and pushed you into the Luoshui River along with the basin, none of this would’ve happened!”

His cold indifference chilled her to the core.

Guards dragged the marquis and his family out. Execution awaited.

From a distance, Xu Yanmiao observed Xie Luoshui. The girl stood amidst the fading sunlight and dust, her face expressionless, her lips tight. Her eyes betrayed a confusion about her future.

【Poor thing.】

【In just a short time, she’s suffered a miscarriage, imprisonment, and the shock of learning her parents are scum. Now she’s left adrift…】

The emperor stifled a laugh, amused by Xu Yanmiao’s unexpected sentimentality.

【If only the emperor recognized how extraordinary Xie Luoshui is—】

【A woman who miscarried one day and rode forty miles the next. Who, despite severe injuries, spoke before the court without faltering. She’s unyielding, the perfect candidate for overseas exploration!】

【America awaits, with crops like corn—high yield, low cost, drought-resistant. One acre produces twice as much as millet.】

The officials were stunned.

“Such a crop exists?!”

The minister of works grabbed his friend’s arm. “I don’t believe it…”

But the temple minister ordered, “Bring paper and write this down immediately!”

【There’s also the potato—perfect for highlands, yielding ten times as much grain per acre!】

The crown prince grew serious. “How many treasure ships are seaworthy? How soon can we gather experienced sailors? Do we need to transfer food supplies from other regions for this expedition? Draft a report immediately!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

【And sweet potatoes—not affected by locusts, capable of re-sprouting after plagues, yielding ten bushels per acre!】

The room erupted.

The emperor, enraged at the marquis’ earlier mistreatment of Xie Luoshui, slapped him so hard he spat blood.

“Foolish wretches!” he bellowed. “You almost cost me a national treasure!”

Turning to Xie Luoshui, he grasped her hands. His gaze was fervent, almost reverent.

“Xie Luoshui,” he said, his voice thick with emotion, “have you ever considered becoming a marquis?”