SGEIRS -Chapter 557 Reduced to a Commoner

With the marriage between the Third Prince of Zhao and the Seventh Princess of An State settled, the An State envoys did not linger in Zhao. They soon set off for home to make preparations for the Seventh Princess’s marriage.

Only a few days after the An State envoys departed, a shocking event rocked the Zhao court.

The Xiao family was found guilty of plotting to murder Crown Prince Huizhao, accepting bribes, abusing power, and forming factions for personal gain. The verdict was extermination of the entire clan. Officials who had been closely associated with the Xiao family were punished according to the severity of their crimes. For example, Madam Xiao’s natal family, having been deeply involved in corruption, was stripped of office and exiled to Lingnan, with all descendants barred from participating in the imperial examinations.

As for the Second Prince, Emperor Jingwen ultimately spared his life out of consideration for their father–son bond. He was sentenced to eighty strokes of the cane, stripped of his status and reduced to a commoner, and confined to the Court of the Imperial Clan for life, forbidden from taking a single step outside. His birth mother, Consort Xiao, was stripped of her consort title and sent to the Cold Palace.

After Crown Prince Huizhao was assassinated, many officials had believed that the Second Prince—then at the height of his power—would most likely become the next emperor. Who would have thought that he was, in fact, the mastermind behind the Crown Prince’s murder?

The Xiao faction was either confiscated and exiled or demoted, and the Second Prince’s power base collapsed almost overnight.

Those officials who had originally supported Crown Prince Huizhao, then switched to the Second Prince after the Crown Prince’s death, but were not caught with evidence and thus escaped punishment, were drenched in cold sweat. At the same time, they secretly rejoiced that the Second Prince had been deposed now, rather than after they had taken further action—otherwise, they surely would have suffered alongside him.

The court had always been a place of shifting currents and sudden storms. Veteran officials were long accustomed to such turbulence, yet today’s events still sent shockwaves through their hearts.

With the Second Prince—once seen by many as a strong contender for the throne—reduced to a commoner, attention turned once more to the remaining princes.

The Third Prince was about to marry an An State princess. Coupled with his mediocre abilities and a weak maternal family, he could be ruled out.

The Fourth Prince was exceptionally intelligent but frail and sickly. He fell ill frequently, and once bedridden, it would be for ten days to half a month at a time. The future ruler of a nation could not be a sickly man, so he too was excluded.

As for the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Princes, they were all still young—especially the Seventh Prince, who was only three years old.

Thus, many speculated that the Sixth Prince would become the next Crown Prince. After all, he was born of the Empress. Those who had once supported Crown Prince Huizhao, then the Second Prince, now found their thoughts stirring again.

After court was dismissed, each official left the Golden Hall with different thoughts in mind.

Minister Yu of the Ministry of Revenue walked out alongside Gu Jingxi. He raised a hand to wipe the thin sheen of sweat from his brow and said in a low voice, “Lord Gu, this case has finally been completely concluded. These days of living in constant anxiety are finally over.”

Gu Jingxi nodded lightly. “Indeed. Though I do wonder which kind soul provided the evidence.”

Minister Yu replied, “Who it was doesn’t matter. What matters is that the case is closed.” These days, because of Crown Prince Huizhao’s case, even his meals had lost their taste. Now that it was over, he would finally be able to sleep well tonight.

Gu Jingxi agreed. “That’s true.”

Minister Yu added, “Lord Gu, your earlier guess was correct. His Majesty refrained from dealing with the Second Prince back then to preserve appearances. Now that the An State envoys have left, he moved against the Second Prince and all those connected to him.”

Gu Jingxi said calmly, “Minister Yu, let us not speak of this again. The case is closed, and the matter has passed.”

Minister Yu nodded, changed the subject, and chatted idly with him for a few more words before they parted ways, each returning to their respective offices.

—

The next day.

News came from the Cold Palace: Xiao, who had been stripped of her consort title, had hanged herself there the previous night. It was only discovered that morning when palace attendants went to deliver her meal. However, the matter caused little stir. With the Xiao family fallen and the Second Prince reduced to a commoner, whether Xiao lived or died was of no importance.

That said, since the events of the previous day, Emperor Jingwen had been in low spirits—likely because of Crown Prince Huizhao’s case. The palace servants attended him with utmost care, and the officials conducted themselves with extreme caution, fearing they might accidentally incur the emperor’s displeasure. A light offense meant a pay cut; a serious one meant demotion. Everyone had climbed to their current position with great difficulty, and once demoted, rising again would depend on rare opportunity.

Dark clouds loomed over the court, but they did not affect life beyond it.

Changxing Marquis Estate.

Ningdong entered with a card in hand and presented it to Meng Jinyao. “Madam, this is a visiting card sent from the Yongchang Marquis’s Estate.”

Her natal family?

Meng Jinyao paused slightly, then took the card and glanced at its contents. It had been sent by her stepmother, Madam Zhao, asking whether she would be free the next day. If she had time, Madam Zhao would come to pay a visit.

Meng Jinyao was somewhat curious as to why her stepmother suddenly wished to visit. Since Madam Zhao married into the Meng family, Meng Jinyao had only seen her once on the wedding day. She had not returned to her natal home since, nor had Madam Zhao come to the Gu family to see her.

Ningdong asked softly, “Madam, do you wish to see her? The maid who delivered the card is still waiting.”

Meng Jinyao nodded. “Go back and tell her that I’m free all day tomorrow. Mother may come at any hour.”

Ningdong acknowledged and withdrew to reply to Madam Zhao’s maid.

Not long after, Ningdong returned, curiosity written on her face. “Madam, why do you think she suddenly wants to see you? From what we know, she hasn’t been bullied in the Meng household. The Old Madam is on her side—the only one suffering is the Marquis.”

Meng Jinyao replied, “Perhaps she’s simply coming to see me.”

Ningdong shook her head slightly. “I don’t think it’s that simple. People don’t visit the Temple of Three Treasures without reason. She must have something in mind.”

Meng Jinyao said indifferently, “Whatever it is, we’ll deal with it when it comes. But if she intends to stir up trouble for my father or grandmother, then I won’t let it slide.”

Seeing the sly, slightly wicked smile on Meng Jinyao’s face, Ningdong giggled. “Madam, if the Marquis and the Old Madam knew what you were thinking, they’d probably be so angry smoke would come out of their seven orifices.”

Meng Jinyao chuckled softly. “What thoughts? Haven’t they known me for a long time? After all, I’ve never let them have things their way.”

Hearing this, Ningdong fell silent, her smile fading. “They don’t deserve to ever have things go their way.”

Meng Jinyao paused, lifting her gaze to Ningdong. Seeing the pain and anger in Ningdong’s eyes, she softened her tone. “Ningdong, those days of being at others’ mercy are long past. From now on, they won’t be able to stir up any real trouble.”

Ningdong remained silent. The matter was over, yes—but the harm had already been done. Her mistress had survived only through painstaking effort, barely making it to marriage and escaping the Meng household. So many times, she had come perilously close to falling into their hands.

Meng Jinyao added, “Alright, let’s not dwell on unhappy things.”

Ningdong nodded and obediently changed the subject. “Madam, Chunliu and I have learned a new pastry. I’ll go make some for you.”

Meng Jinyao smiled and asked, “Little glutton, are you making it for me, or for yourself?”

Ningdong grinned. “Of course it’s for you, Madam. If you can’t finish it, I’ll help you.”

Meng Jinyao shot her an indulgent glance. “Alright, go on then.”