FBC – Chapter 229 The Abolished Princess

Zhao Luoxuan, the youngest princess born to the emperor and empress, had always been pampered and spoiled, treasured like a pearl in the palm of their hand.

All her life, she had never seen much scheming or shamelessness, for no one dared to act presumptuously before her.

If anyone made her feel even the slightest discomfort, with just a glance from her, someone would immediately step forward to put them in their place.

Yet ever since she was sent away for a political marriage, the tears she shed along the way seemed to exhaust all the tears of her fifteen years.

Her doting father and mother only persuaded her to shoulder the duty of a princess, letting her go alone, far from Bianjing, to face a terrifying husband and an uncertain future.

From that moment on, she finally understood—affection came with conditions.

She had thought being sent for marriage was already pitiful enough, but then she saw common people living in misery and soldiers enduring hardship with bravery. It opened her eyes to another world.

And in these past two days, everything she had witnessed completely overturned her entire outlook on life.

How could there be people who, for their own selfish gain, would twist truth into lies, and ruthlessly murder loyal generals who shed blood and sacrificed their lives for the nation?

She had shed so many tears yesterday that there were none left—not now, not ever again.

All she wanted was justice for Qi Jun!

Prince of Ping’an looked at her with utter disdain, not even sparing her a glance. “Ignorant child, spouting nonsense. This old official will not stoop to argue with you…”

“Is it that Prince Ping’an doesn’t dare to answer me?”

Zhao Luoxuan cut him off again, locking her bloodshot eyes onto him, as if she could devour him whole.

She was not afraid of him!

The gathered officials stared at the petite princess, who seemed possessed like a demon. Some faces changed, realizing this matter would not end peacefully.

Zhao Luoxuan sneered coldly. “The only foreign-titled prince of Great Liang—you enjoy the wealth and glory bestowed upon you by the royal family, you live off the offerings of the people. You should restrain yourself, uphold the law, and serve the people. Yet you shrink from answering the rightful question of a mere ‘child.’ That is shameless! That is concealment!”

Prince Ping’an’s anger surged, and he smashed the jade tablet in his hand onto the floor, pointing furiously at Zhao Luoxuan. “Presumptuous! You slander us with vile words!”

Even the emperor had never spoken to him like this. A mere girl dared insult him in open court?

Two insignificant princes dared openly accuse him?

Courting death!

Prince Ping’an had risen from the military. He had helped the Empress Dowager seize power, supporting the emperor onto the throne. His current authority placed him second only to the emperor himself.

In court, when he spoke, no one dared refute him.

But now, this little Zhao Luoxuan dared provoke his authority, time and again defying him. It was intolerable!

Young Lord Jiang’s face darkened as he rebuked: “Princess Shu He, do not think you can behave recklessly and rant wildly just because you are a princess. You killed a court official—by law, you should already be executed. My father is only sparing your life out of respect for His Majesty. At most, your first-rank princess title would be stripped, yet you would still retain royal honor. But if you continue to push our limits, we will not tolerate you!”

The faces of the courtiers all changed.

Those words implied the Jiang clan stood above even the emperor.

The emperor’s expression indeed darkened.

But this was not the time for him to step in—there were always others to speak on his behalf.

Unable to endure further, Grand Master Yan, the Left Remonstrator, stepped out and berated:  “Prince Ping’an, Young Lord Jiang—you go too far! Are you here to decide the fate of the princess in place of His Majesty? Even if the princess did kill, we must first investigate right from wrong. And now she cries injustice—yet without inquiry, you rush to impose guilt? It is you two who are excessive! Where does that leave His Majesty?”

Other officials quickly echoed him, criticizing the Ping’an father and son for their arrogance, while their supporters countered.

The court erupted into a noisy quarrel.

Prince Ping’an, consumed by fury, lost control of his temper. “Shut your mouth, you old fool!”

Grand Master Yan roared back, “This is the imperial court, not your back garden!”

Then, the long-silent Duke of Jing stepped forward and bowed to the emperor. “Your Majesty, this humble servant believes Prince Ping’an should answer the princess’s question.

“If Prince Ping’an knew of this and indulged Jiang Duo’s defiance, the matter is grave. If we keep bickering like this, no clarity will be found—better to hand it to the Three Judicial Offices for strict investigation. Prince Ping’an’s merits are great; interrogation must be cautious. But if it was only Jiang Duo acting alone, it will be easily uncovered.”

He cast a cool glance at Young Lord Jiang. “And if it was only a brother’s overprotectiveness, ignorance can be excused. But if it was willful indulgence, that is another matter entirely.”

Duke of Jing was surnamed Sun—the empress’s own father.

His eldest son, Sun Chongyang, was a sworn brother of Zhao Yuwen.

With three of the empress’s children now embroiled in this fiasco, if he did not stand up, would they not all be crushed by Ping’an’s clan?

Once he spoke, the opponents of Ping’an found their backbone, and voices of support rose.

It nearly sounded as if Prince Ping’an’s power overshadowed the throne.

His face turned iron-blue. He quickly glanced at the emperor, who wore a meaningful expression, and realized his words had indeed gone too far.

Zhao Yuxuan knew that today, coming with his siblings, was an opportunity to fight for the crown prince’s position.

He immediately followed Zhao Luoxuan’s lead, bowing: “Father Emperor, in these two days, this son has checked the Ministry of War’s records. The five generals brought to the capital—without trial, without verdict—were thrown into prison by Jiang Duo under the pretext of ministry orders. With no evidence whatsoever, they were brutally tortured to force them to falsely accuse Duke Yong of treason. They were beaten until near death. Such actions violate our laws.”

Zhao Yuwen quickly added: “Father Emperor, when my sister went with Lady Mu under your command to release them, Jiang Duo seized General Qi ahead of them. If General Qi were truly guilty, why not leave him in the Ministry of Justice for questioning? Why take him away for private punishment?”

“Father Emperor, esteemed ministers—you did not see. Jiang Duo tortured General Qi so viciously his bones were shattered. When we found him, he was no longer human, only a mangled lump of flesh…”

Zhao Yuxuan could not continue, choking with sobs.

Everyone present was deeply moved.

Zhao Luoxuan bit her lip hard.

It was her first time seeing the sharp clash of court arguments. The old her would have been afraid.

But now, her mind was full of Gu Hua’s words from last night:

“Qi Jun actually liked you.”

“Really?”

“Really. He died for you.”

Because of her, Qi Jun had been captured by Jiang Duo as leverage. To protect her, Qi Jun had taken his own life…

Her chest felt crushed by a thousand-pound weight, unbearably suffocating.

So love could cost a life.

Zhao Luoxuan suddenly straightened her back, surging with strength, blood pounding through her veins.

She was not alone—Qi Jun was with her. Together, they were two people’s strength.

She spoke rapidly, recounting everything Jiang Duo had done in Juzhou.

“He posed as an imperial envoy, harmed the people, stirred public outrage. He seized Qi Jun only to exact personal vengeance! In Juzhou, he disregarded my safety and Great Liang’s dignity, forcing me to leave the city and offer myself to the defeated enemy king’s bed. Such a man deserves death a thousand times over!”

Every word was an accusation, every sentence like blood, leaving the court in shocked silence.

Prince Ping’an glanced quickly at his son; his son also looked back.

Their eyes met, silently reaching an agreement.

Prince Ping’an feigned surprise: “He did such treasonous things? Then he must indeed be punished…”

“No!”

Zhao Luoxuan could no longer contain herself. She shot to her feet, rushing before Prince Ping’an, and shouted furiously:

“He deserves to die! A thousand cuts are not enough to appease the people’s rage!”

Her spittle sprayed across Prince Ping’an’s face, making him stagger back in fury.

Young Lord Jiang quickly stepped forward to shield his father, scowling. “Princess, please mind yourself.”

“Bah!”

Zhao Luoxuan spat right into his face.

Smeared with saliva, the proud young lord was utterly humiliated. When had he ever suffered such indignity?

Father and son both fumbled to wipe their faces clean.

But Zhao Luoxuan’s fury was far from spent.

“Shameless men like you have no right to lecture me!”

Prince Ping’an, unable to endure, roared with rage and lunged to strike.

But Zhao Luoxuan spun and knelt before the emperor once more—his kick landed on empty air.

“Prince Ping’an! You go too far!”

Duke of Jing and several ministers rushed forward, blocking the Jiang father and son from harming the princess and princes.

Zhao Luoxuan ignored them, her voice ringing loud:

“Father Emperor, though this daughter mistakenly slew a criminal official to uphold your imperial dignity, it was still a crime. I beg you to strip me of my princess title and demote me to a commoner. Please grant me permission to marry Qi Jun, and let me escort his coffin back to Juzhou.”

The grand hall fell silent.

All eyes turned, stunned, to the young girl kneeling upright in the center of the court.