MCSCPM -Chapter 228 The Emperor Takes Charge

While Mei’er tidied up, she listened to Yin Qingyue’s words and grew worried.

“Miss, what should we do now? Do you want to go see her?”

“I want to, but I can’t. You know my current position isn’t suitable. I was only brought here by Prince Jing. Going to the Ding residence myself isn’t allowed,” Yin Qingyue replied.

“Miss is right. I’ll go ask around,” Mei’er offered.

“You don’t need to. I think Leng Feng will come. He knows I’m worried. He’ll probably come by tomorrow to tell me what’s happened.”

That night, however, the Ding residence was far from quiet. Ding Ying’s fever refused to subside, and the household staff rushed back and forth, carrying hot water and attending to her.

Ding Heng stayed up all night outside, while Leng Feng returned to Prince Jing’s residence—his duties wouldn’t allow him to remain at the Ding residence all the time.

Ding Ying didn’t regain consciousness until the next day.

Ding Heng ordered the medicine brought in, but Ding Ying was too weak to take it, and she coughed violently, her chest aching with each breath.

“Ying’er, what’s wrong? Are you feeling pain anywhere?” Ding Heng asked anxiously.

Ding Ying couldn’t answer, her face pale, her breathing heavy.

“Father, I’m fine. Don’t worry,” she whispered.

“How can you be fine? Tell me where it hurts. Don’t worry—Father is here. You’ll be fine,” he said, patting her hand. Though he worried deeply, he tried not to show it and called urgently for the doctor.

The doctors hurried in to examine Ding Ying.

After a short time, one came out. “Lord Ding, to be honest, the wound has become infected and triggered an old condition—her asthma has relapsed. If untreated, this may leave lasting complications. A new illness on top of the old—it’s serious.”

“Serious? Doctor, no matter what, spare no effort to cure my daughter! Money is no object.”

“Lord Ding, rest assured—we will do everything we can.”

The doctors returned inside. Ding Heng paced, unable to calm himself. Finally, he changed into his court robes and headed to the palace.

At the palace, the Emperor was walking through the imperial gardens when he saw Lord Ding waiting, having been briefed by Eunuch Sun.

“Lord Ding, what brings you here all of a sudden?” the Emperor asked.

The moment Ding Heng saw him, he knelt, tears streaming down his face. “Your Majesty, you must take action for my daughter!”

Emperor Chu Helian furrowed his brows in concern. “Lord Ding, what has happened? Why do you kneel upon seeing me?”

“Your Majesty, over the years I’ve devoted myself entirely to you and to Beihai. I know I cannot match General Shangguan, but when the Son of Heaven’s law is violated, it must be addressed. Even if General Shangguan is powerful, I believe Your Majesty will handle this fairly,” Ding Heng said, his voice calm despite the anger simmering beneath.

Chu Helian had never seen Ding Heng like this—he was surprised and slightly puzzled.

“Lord Ding, rise. I promise, I will take care of this.”

Only then did Ding Heng rise, eyes wet with tears. The night’s worry had aged him; his hair had streaks of white.

“Your Majesty, I know this should be resolved privately, but since it involves the Shangguan family, I had no choice but to come. My daughter, Ding Ying, somehow offended Shangguan Jiaoran and was struck by her whip. Her wound is now severe, life-threatening. My daughter is normally obedient and gentle; being harmed by General Shangguan’s daughter is intolerable. I beg Your Majesty to act for us.”

“Shangguan Jiaoran?”

Chu Helian grew increasingly surprised. Jiaoran could be willful, but she normally understood etiquette and behaved appropriately. How could she suddenly harm someone?

“Your Majesty, Shangguan Jiaoran is usually arrogant, causing trouble and abusing her father’s status. But this time, she injured my daughter—I cannot forgive this. I beg Your Majesty to act for us.” Ding Heng knelt again.

“Lord Ding, I suspect a misunderstanding. We cannot make a hasty judgment, but rest assured, I will investigate thoroughly. If true, I will give you a proper resolution. After all, it is a matter between children,” Chu Helian said, showing slight impartiality.

Ding Heng understood the hint of favoritism in the Emperor’s tone. “Your Majesty, I would never falsely accuse anyone or deliberately target General Shangguan. My daughter’s condition has worsened—I have no one else to turn to but Your Majesty.”

“Very well, Lord Ding. I understand. I will send imperial physicians with you to your residence to treat your daughter immediately.”

Chu Helian, ever strategic, understood that Ding Heng’s visit was not only about his daughter. If the matter proved true, dealing with Shangguan Jiaoran had to be weighed carefully against General Shangguan’s status. For now, he would proceed cautiously.

Though furious, Ding Heng had no choice but to comply. He was keen to see how the Emperor would handle the situation.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. I take my leave now.”

After Ding Heng departed, Chu Helian found it difficult to digest the sudden incident. Previously, he had considered recommending Jiaoran as Prince Jing’s wife, seeing it as a way to gain favor with Shangguan Qingyun. Now, since this involved the Ding family, his opinion of Jiaoran shifted. Whether she remained suitable as a wife required careful consideration.

“Eunuch Sun, investigate thoroughly, but do not alarm General Shangguan,” Chu Helian ordered.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” A moment later, Sun asked, “If it is confirmed, how will Your Majesty handle it?”

Chu Helian rubbed his beard, sighing. “First, we must ascertain the facts. This matter involves many parties. I will consider carefully.”

At the Shangguan residence, Jiaoran locked herself in her room upon returning. She was aware she had caused trouble.

If the whip had struck Yin Qingyue, she would have been thrilled. But hitting Ding Ying, who fainted, was another matter. She felt guilty and worried—if the incident escalated, she couldn’t escape responsibility.

Yun’er knocked repeatedly, bringing food.

“Miss, open the door and eat something.”

Jiaoran remained silent, sitting on the bed, clutching her blanket, sweating profusely.

“Miss, you haven’t eaten all day. I made your favorite dishes—please open the door.”

“No! I won’t eat! Go away!”

She buried herself in the blanket, refusing to hear anyone. Yun’er had no choice; telling her father might escalate matters further.

Soon, Shangguan Qingyun learned of the situation and rushed over, discovering Jiaoran hadn’t eaten all day.

“Someone open the door!”

“Yes, sir!” Several guards forced the door open. Shangguan Qingyun hurried inside and saw his daughter on the bed, fearing she was ill.

“Ran’er, what’s wrong? Are you unwell?”

Hearing her father’s voice, Jiaoran sat up, tears streaming, clinging to him. “Father, I’ll listen to you from now on. I won’t cause trouble again. I won’t make you angry anymore.”

Shangguan Qingyun, relieved but also feeling for her, patted her back. “Good, you’ve learned. Father is relieved.”

“I know my mistake. I won’t make you angry again,” she sobbed harder.

Only then did Shangguan Qingyun realize something. Pulling her gently aside, he asked, “What really happened?”

Through tears, she said quietly, “Yesterday… I went to that witch’s place. Ding Ying was there. I meant to strike the witch with my whip, but it hit Ding Ying instead. She fainted. I don’t know how she is now. Father… did I cause a problem? What should I do?”

“What? You went there again? Ran’er, why must you stir trouble every time?”

“Father, I really understand my mistake. I won’t do it again. Please help me!”

“All right, stop crying. One whip strike won’t harm her seriously. Father will send someone to check. Don’t worry. You haven’t eaten all day—eat something.”

“Really… she’ll be okay?”

“With Father here, you need not worry. It’s just one whip. It’s not life-threatening.” Shangguan Qingyun’s arrogance was evident. With his title as General, he could intimidate others, even Ding Heng.

Although Jiaoran felt secure with her father, seeing Ding Ying’s wound made her anxious. She worried both for herself and for Ding Ying—but also thought Ding Ying deserved it. She had fainted protecting the “witch,” so the whip was her own consequence. Jiaoran pounded the table in frustration.

“Ding Ying, you’ve been tricked by that witch. That whip was your punishment. You shouldn’t have blocked it for her,” she muttered.

“Miss, should I go check on Ding Ying?” Yun’er asked.

“Didn’t you hear Father? He’ll handle it. I don’t need to worry.”

“But—”

“But what? You just want me to get hurt, don’t you?” Jiaoran snapped.

“No, Miss, I only wish for your safety,” Yun’er replied.

“Then shut up!” Jiaoran glared fiercely.

With her father’s support, she felt everything would pass. Even if the Ding family came after her, she was General Shangguan Qingyun’s daughter—who could touch her? Even the Emperor would consider her status.