Chapter 56: Who Spread the Rumors This is a red envelope chapter—don’t forget to grab yours.

"Who is the woman the Crown Prince spoke of? If you dare to breathe a word, I will not spare you," Jiang Ye lowered his voice, tightening his grip until my wrist throbbed with pain.

I hadn’t expected Jiang Ye to be so impatient, seizing the moment to press for information about Jiang Yun. The rivalry between princes is born with them; such is their innate helplessness.

"Fourth Prince, I truly don’t know what the Crown Prince meant," I replied.

"You dare lie to me?" Jiang Ye increased the pressure, and cold sweat broke out from the pain.

At this moment, Jiang Ye couldn’t do much to me. He was merely warning me; if I cooperated now, I might save myself. If I refused, his intimidation would serve its purpose, and he certainly wouldn’t let me off.

Yet, to safeguard myself by betraying Xiao Ruo—I could not do it.

Just as the pain became unbearable, Jiang Xuan called from outside, "Little Xiao, let’s return to the palace."

"Yes, I’m coming," I answered, turning to Jiang Ye, "Fourth Prince, I really know nothing. I’ve only visited the Crown Prince’s palace twice."

Jiang Ye studied me, a cold sneer flickering across his face before he released my wrist and let me go.

"Many thanks, Fourth Prince. Please, after you!"

Jiang Ye cast me a frosty glance, lifted the curtain, and strode out.

Jiang Chen instructed those stationed in the Eastern Palace to take good care of Jiang Yun, then left with us.

"Ah, our third brother—such a pitiful figure," Jiang Chen sighed.

"What’s pitiful about it? Born into the imperial family, one must endure these things. Matters of the heart can hardly be compared with the fate of the realm," Jiang Ye replied, adjusting his sleeves.

Curious, Jiang Chen asked, "So, Fourth Brother, do you like Miss Ruo Qing?"

Jiang Ye glanced at him indifferently, "Does it matter whether I like her? Do I have a choice? Besides, Du Ruo Qing is indeed a fine lady."

Jiang Chen, puzzled, looked to Jiang Xuan. "Ninth Brother, if Father one day commands you to marry a woman you don’t love, would you do it?"

Intrigued by the question, I too looked at Jiang Xuan. Even Jiang Ye turned his attention toward him—they all wanted to hear how the ninth prince, disliked by the emperor and usually silent, would respond.

Jiang Xuan pressed his lips together, his expression as calm as ever.

"I still have two elder brothers who are unmarried. I dare not overstep."

Jiang Ye’s gaze flicked away, "Sixth Brother, let’s visit Mother Consort."

"Good. Let’s prepare some snacks for her first," Jiang Chen suggested.

"Mm."

"Ninth Brother, we’ll go ahead," Jiang Chen said to Jiang Xuan.

"Mm."

With Jiang Ye and Jiang Chen gone, I recalled what Lan Yan had told me: the mother consort of the Fourth and Sixth Princes, Consort Xian, had taken up religious practice early in life.

"Let’s go," Jiang Xuan said, striding ahead.

Upon returning to Cuiwei Palace, I thought the matter regarding Jiang Yun was settled.

Yet the next day, palace attendants hurried past the gates of Cuiwei Palace, as if something grave had happened.

Zhang Bitong was inside, preparing for the New Year’s banquet. Hearing the commotion, she opened the door and asked, "What’s happened? Xiao Lu, go find out."

"Yes!"

Xiao Lu dashed out and soon returned, addressing Zhang Bitong, "Your Highness, something’s happened in the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace. The emperor is furious, and the empress and the other consorts have all gone there."

Zhang Bitong hurriedly asked, "What’s happened now?"

Xiao Lu stammered, "The palace maid said..."

"Said what?"

"The Crown Prince declared he no longer wishes to be Crown Prince and has been drinking and causing a scene in the Eastern Palace."

Zhang Bitong could not suppress her delight, turning to Yun Qing, "Yun Qing, come with me. How could I miss such a spectacle? I must see how the empress handles her precious son."

"Your Highness," I called after her, "Someone is expected to arrive soon."

Zhang Bitong had arranged for the palace musicians to accompany her. If she left now, the musicians would find no one upon arrival.

She replied, "It’s still early. We can visit the Eastern Palace and return before they arrive. Little Xiao, you come with me."

Though worried, I saw no harm in it. I followed Zhang Bitong to the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace, eager to see what had transpired.

Jiang Yun had indeed spoken such words, but they were drunken ramblings. Yet, the rumor had swept through the palace, stirring a storm.

In this palace, one must be exceedingly cautious with words to preserve oneself.

Arriving at the Eastern Palace, I found crowds gathered inside and out.

Within, Jiang Yun and his followers knelt on the ground.

Before them stood the still-angry emperor and the empress at his side.

"Your Majesty, my respects," Zhang Bitong stepped forward and curtsied.

The emperor, still irate, asked, "Why are you here?"

Zhang Bitong replied, "I just heard about this matter and knew Your Majesty was upset, so I came to see for myself. Please take care of your health!"

She gently touched his chest as she spoke.

The emperor’s expression softened slightly, taking her hand, "My beloved consort always cares for me. Look, your hand is cold."

"Your Majesty, I am fine. Your health is what matters most."

Uncomfortable with their intimacy, the empress stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince must have been manipulated into saying such things. He is still young and perhaps fell in with bad company. Please judge wisely."

The emperor looked at Jiang Yun, "Yun’er, tell me—did someone instigate you to say these words?"

Jiang Yun abruptly raised his head, glancing at the emperor and then the empress, unable to respond.

"Speak!"

The emperor suddenly shouted, startling both Zhang Bitong and Jiang Yun, who trembled on the floor.

"Your son... your son..."

The empress soothed him gently, "Yun’er, whoever influenced you, you may tell us. Your father and I will support you."

After a moment's hesitation, Jiang Yun bit his lip and said, "It was entirely my own idea. My heart was troubled, so I drank, and after drinking, I said those things."

"So you truly don’t wish to be Crown Prince?" The emperor pushed Zhang Bitong aside and strode to Jiang Yun. "Do you know how many desire this title? And you don’t? All because I asked you to marry two women?"

Jiang Yun knelt and bowed. "I don’t wish to marry those two."

"Then tell me, whom do you wish to marry?"

"I wish to marry..."

As Jiang Yun began to speak, I grew anxious, fearing he would utter Xiao Ruo’s name. If he did, his punishment would worsen, and Xiao Ruo would be implicated.

But instead, Jiang Yun said, "I wish to marry no one. Father, I do not wish to take a consort yet."

The empress stepped forward to soothe, "Your Majesty, Yun’er is still young and impetuous. He likely hasn’t come to terms with marriage yet. Let me counsel him—he will come around."

"Han Feiyue and Gong Wu’e are both fine women, yet you complain? You even dare speak of not being Crown Prince! How can you act as heir?"

"Your Majesty," Zhang Bitong interjected softly, "The empress is right. Perhaps she has neglected to guide the Crown Prince, leading to his confusion. Your Majesty, you have many state affairs; the Crown Prince requires more attention. How could you let him trouble you so?"

"The education of the Crown Prince is none of your concern," the empress snapped.

"Empress!" the emperor said, "Consort Tong is right. Yun’er’s actions reflect your guidance. If you lack the ability, I’ll have the Crown Prince acknowledge a different consort as his mother."

The empress paled at once, kneeling in panic, "Yes, I am at fault. Please punish me. But after years of mother and son, how can that bond be severed?"

"Yun’er, what do you say?"

Jiang Yun, still upset, said, "Father is unfair to Mother. My refusal to marry those two is my fault, but Father should not blame Mother. I know I’ve erred; Father may punish me as he sees fit."

"Yun’er, do not say anything more to anger your father," the empress urged.

The emperor’s expression softened, "At least you’re willing to accept responsibility. If I punish you, will you submit?"

"I submit!"

"If I require you to marry those two, will you do so willingly?"

"My son..."

"I never insisted you marry me; I myself do not wish to wed you." A figure in scarlet appeared at the palace gates—it was Han Feiyue.

Her arrival meant the matter had reached Lu Ning as well.

"Do not be angry, Miss Feiyue," the empress urged, needing to calm her first. If Han Feiyue and Jiang Yun quarreled further, and Jiang Yun said something else, it would be irreparable.

Han Feiyue ignored the empress, walking directly to the emperor. "Your Majesty, I am unworthy and incapable, undeserving of the Crown Princess title. Whoever desires it may have it; I am willing to yield."

The emperor did not comfort Han Feiyue, but looked at Jiang Yun, "Look at what you’ve done—apologize to Feiyue. If you anger her further, you truly are unfit to be Crown Prince."

"My son..."

The emperor interrupted, "Yun’er, apologize to Miss Feiyue. You only spoke so because of drink. Hurry!"

Jiang Yun had no choice but to compromise. "I spoke in error; please don’t be angry."

Han Feiyue sneered, "You dare not own up to your actions—hardly the mark of a true man."

Stung, Jiang Yun stood and retorted, "You rely on Grandmother’s favor, and if displeased, you can come to my palace and act as you please. If I am unhappy, can I not drink to ease my sorrow? If you can cancel this marriage, I would thank you—will you?"

Han Feiyue was taken aback, unable to find words to refute him.

But in the next moment, the emperor slapped Jiang Yun. "How dare you speak so!"

No one expected the emperor to strike him—not even the empress or Zhang Bitong.

"Your Majesty—Your Majesty!" The empress knelt, begging for mercy.

The emperor tried to strike Jiang Yun again, but Han Feiyue intervened, "Your Majesty!"

Han Feiyue’s voice was cold as she met the emperor’s gaze. "The Crown Prince is right. We are rebelling, expressing ourselves in our own way. But both of us know we cannot escape fate. Please, Your Majesty, allow us harmless ways to vent our frustrations."

"Feiyue..." The emperor turned to her, his hand raised but ultimately not falling.

"Your Majesty, I take my leave."

Han Feiyue turned toward the palace gates. As she departed, her gaze met mine unexpectedly. She looked away and left the Eastern Palace.

"You are to remain in the Eastern Palace and reflect on your actions. Do not step beyond its gates," the emperor ordered, then strode out in anger.

"Empress, the Crown Prince is young, but you are not. You must guide him better. Look at how you’ve angered the emperor. I believe this is the first time he has struck the Crown Prince, is it not? Ah..."

"I will properly instruct the Crown Prince. There’s no need for Consort Tong to worry. Jiang Xuan causes no trouble—so much so the emperor nearly forgets he exists."

"That’s better than—" Zhang Bitong stopped herself, realizing it would be inappropriate to openly criticize Jiang Yun, the heir.

"Consort Tong, you’d best return; there’s nothing more to see here."

Zhang Bitong smiled, curtsied, "Yes, I take my leave."

As she passed, I heard the empress ordering, "Ming He, find out who started this rumor. I will see them punished severely."

Indeed, who spread the rumor?

Yesterday, Jiang Yun was drinking, but only Xiao De informed us. The words spoken in the room were heard only by Jiang Ye, Jiang Chen, Jiang Xuan, and myself—so it must have been one of us.

Who could it be?

Was it Jiang Ye?