FBC – Chapter 246 An Unexpected Turn

The filthiest, most unspeakable scandals are always the ones that spread the fastest.

Today’s grand event gathered everyone — from nobles to commoners.

The heir of the Jiang family, caught in an illicit affair with his own sister, daring to perform a lewd scene during the imperial banquet — clothes in disarray, the heir’s wife catching them in the act, and before even entering the palace, the Jiang family’s county princess had already cuckolded the emperor. Such a sensational scandal sprouted wings and spread across Jinming Pool and Qionglin Garden in an instant.

For a time, it became even more captivating than the princes’ dragon boat race.

Crowds buzzed and whispered. Storytellers, foaming at the mouth, embellished every detail, describing the scene so vividly it was as if they had witnessed it with their own eyes.

Prince Ping’an’s face was too dark to remain calm, but the First Prince’s dragon boat race was far more important — it had been planned meticulously for months.

The First Prince’s victory was nearly guaranteed.

He immediately ordered men to comfort the prince, telling him to focus on the competition and think of nothing else.

As long as the First Prince won, even if the Jiang family’s reputation was ruined because of their children’s disgrace — even if Jiang Ruoxi could no longer enter the palace as a consort — as long as the prince remained useful and Consort Jiang stayed in favor, the Jiang family’s future would not be lost.

At once, he mobilized all his forces to seal off the news, preventing the Empress Dowager and the Emperor from learning about it before the race began. If the Empress Dowager grew furious and lost her composure, and the Emperor became enraged enough to cancel the competition, it would spell disaster.

When the auspicious hour arrived, the Emperor and Empress Dowager arrived together.

Unfortunately for him, the Empress had no intention of letting him have his way.

Following Gu Hua’s suggestion, she secretly sent a sharp-tongued maid to report everything to the Empress Dowager — under the guise of asking for her judgment, but really just to infuriate her.

As for the Emperor, no one dared to say a word. On one side was the humiliation of a green hat; on the other, the might of the Grand Chancellor’s faction — no one wished to die for speaking too much.

The Empress Dowager and the Emperor arrived separately in two carriages and entered Jinming Pool without meeting Prince Ping’an. She had no idea what was happening, only a heavy feeling of dread that the Emperor might find out and explode in fury.

With that anxious heart, she entered the Waterside Hall.

Her expression was dark as thunder. When her gaze swept the room and found no sign of Jiang Jingchuan or Jiang Ruoxi, she knew they must have fled home.

Otherwise, she would have killed those two wretches herself.

A pair of useless sinners!

The Empress Dowager’s furious gaze fixed on Prince Ping’an — her eyes sharp enough to devour him whole.

Prince Ping’an didn’t dare look up.

The Emperor frowned. “Mother, what’s the matter? Has someone upset you?”

She felt like her heart and lungs were being blocked by stones.

Jiang Ruoxi’s entry into the palace should have been a perfect outcome — with both Jiang women surrounding the Emperor, Ruoxi’s favor could strengthen Consort Jiang’s position and support the First Prince.

Now it was all ruined — and might even enrage the Emperor.

Suppressing a mouthful of blood, the Empress Dowager forced her expression calm. Seeing the Emperor’s normal demeanor, she realized he must still be unaware.

Thank heavens. She softened her face and replied, “I felt a little unwell in the carriage earlier, but I’m fine now.”

The Emperor smiled. “Then shall we begin? The naval competition will surely cheer you up.”

The Empress Dowager nodded. “Very well.”

The eunuchs went to announce the start.

With a deafening bang, the dragon boats at Jinming Pool launched. Ten fireworks shot into the sky, exploding into brilliant colors that dazzled the spectators.

Crowds gathered along the banks, waving flowers in excitement, ready to toss them toward their favorite princes’ boats.

Inside the Waterside Hall, the nobles and ministers rose to the railings to watch.

“Shall you accompany me to see the excitement?”

The Empress smiled at Gu Hua, who nodded obediently.

The five dragon boats had already begun their race. Each prince stood at the prow, holding a banner embroidered with his name, shouting rhythmically with the rowers.

From the very start, the First Prince Zhao Yuze’s boat surged ahead.

The Second Prince Zhao Yuxuan’s boat stayed close behind, fiercely competitive, threatening to overtake him.

Following them were the Sixth Prince Zhao Yuwen and the Third Prince Zhao Yuchen, neck and neck.

In last place trailed the Fourth Prince Zhao Yufeng.

The leading two boats raced each other relentlessly, constantly trading positions.

The other three followed behind, also competing furiously.

As the dragon boats clashed oars and waves, the excitement onshore boiled over. Flowers flew through the air, cries and cheers filled the sky, and bold maidens shouted the names of their beloved princes.

The Emperor beamed with delight.

Consort Jiang smiled sweetly. “Your Majesty, our Zey’er has been training day and night. He says the ranking doesn’t matter — he only wishes to make his father happy. See how hard he’s working?”

The Emperor nodded approvingly. “Zey’er is the eldest, the oldest — he should set an example for his brothers.”

“Of course,” said Consort Jiang, her heart easing slightly.

The Empress leaned toward Gu Hua and whispered, “You may not yet be familiar with the princes’ maternal families.”

Gu Hua listened attentively. “This humble woman begs Your Majesty to enlighten me.”

Of course she already knew — but one must always let the Empress feel like she was the authority.

The Empress, pleased by Gu Hua’s deference, began, “The First Prince Zhao Yuze is twenty-one this year. You’ve met his consort, Zhao Chuyu. Her half-sister, Zhao Chufei, will be the future consort of my favored Yuxuan. Zhao Chufei is dearly loved by Marquis Jingwen — that is precisely why I’ve chosen her.”

“The Third Prince, Zhao Yuchen, is seventeen, born of Virtuous Consort, from the Yuan family.”

“The Fourth Prince, Zhao Yufeng, also seventeen, was born of Virtue Consort from the Li family. The Lis have always been close to my Sun family — and your husband as well.”

The two women exchanged knowing smiles. Their alliances were clear without words.

Suddenly —

“Ah! They’ve crashed!”

A cry of alarm erupted, followed by an uproar.

“Oh no! The Third Prince’s boat hit the Second Prince’s stern!”

“Look — the Second Prince’s boat is turning off course!”

“Wait, no — they’ve corrected it! The Second Prince is gaining speed again! He’s overtaken the First Prince! Go, Second Prince, go!”

“Ahhh! Why does the Third Prince’s boat keep veering off and ramming him again?”

“Quick! The Sixth Prince is catching up — he’s passing the Third Prince! Amazing!”

“Heavens! The Fourth Prince’s boat just collided too!”

“Wait — something’s wrong! The Second Prince’s stern is sinking!”

“Could the boat be leaking?”

“Ah! The Third Prince must be doing it on purpose!”

Bang! The two boats collided violently.

The Second Prince’s half-sunken boat couldn’t withstand the impact. It flipped, and the rowers fell into the water.

The Second Prince himself lost his footing and plunged in with a splash.

Then the Sixth Prince’s boat rammed into the Third Prince’s, knocking it sideways. The Fourth Prince’s boat, unable to stop, struck it broadside.

Three boats overturned at once — chaos on the water.

The March waters were icy cold; the princes thrashed about as waves churned around them.

Onlookers were stunned. Imperial guards dove in, swimming toward the princes, but the people in the water tangled together, splashing and shouting — total chaos.

The escort ships rowed furiously toward the struggling princes.

Meanwhile, the First Prince’s boat surged ahead alone, slicing toward the finish line.

Cries of alarm filled the air.

Everyone could see clearly — the Second and Sixth Princes, both strong swimmers, were trying to save the others. But in the confusion, someone deliberately interfered beneath the surface — the Sixth Prince was pulled under and didn’t resurface for a long while.

“Where’s the Sixth Prince? Find him!”

“Ah! The Second Prince’s been dragged under too! Someone’s trying to kill them!”

Soon, the Second Prince broke the surface again, and the Sixth Prince was hauled up moments later. The crowd exhaled in relief.

The rescue boats reached them. The guards tried to pull the Second Prince aboard, but he pushed them away, shouting, “I can swim! Go save the others!”

Still treading water, he called out, “Fourth Brother! Where are you?”

The Sixth Prince, shaking with cold, ignored his own shivering and kept searching for survivors.

Spotting the exhausted Third Prince, he yelled, “Third Brother! Come this way! I’ll pull you up!”

The Empress clutched the railing tightly, her hands white.

Even though Gu Hua knew this was all part of a scheme, seeing the chaos unfold — the struggling figures, the hidden saboteurs — still made her heart leap to her throat.

At the finish line, drums thundered and gongs roared — the First Prince had won.

Prince Ping’an and Consort Jiang broke into radiant smiles.

They laughed and accepted congratulations from the surrounding officials, completely oblivious to the Emperor’s face — dark and unreadable as a storm.