Emperor Xiaochang knew that completely eradicating the Ji family would not be an easy task, which was why he had made thorough preparations beforehand, even sending people to the Ji family to deliver the decree quietly.
Unexpectedly, it had ultimately caused a tremendous uproar, known throughout the entire city.
Looking at the eunuch kneeling on the ground, sobbing like a puddle of mud, Emperor Xiaochang was so enraged that he smashed the dragon-patterned porcelain cup in his hand to pieces.
"What a bold and presumptuous Ji family!"
The eunuchs and palace maids serving in the imperial study all scrambled to their knees.
The Son of Heaven's fury was immense, and no one dared to bear its brunt.
The palace staff kneeling on the ground trembled like sieves, not daring to let out a sigh.
Even Feng Gu, who personally served by the Emperor's side, wished he could burrow into the ground and disappear.
Had the Ji family's eldest daughter gone mad to dare question the Emperor's imperial decree?
However, with the current fervor in the imperial city, even if Emperor Xiaochang was restless with anger, he still had to force himself to calm his mind.
He who wins the people's hearts wins the world; he who loses the people's hearts loses the world.
The populace is like water; it can carry a boat, or it can capsize it.
Therefore, the art of rulership has always been the art of controlling people.
Emperor Xiaochang lowered his gaze to the blood-stained military dispatch on his desk, wishing he could obliterate the Ji family in one fell swoop.
But in the end, he could only grit his teeth and command Feng Gu beside him, "Go and summon the Second Prince to me."
Feng Gu dared not delay and quickly took his leave, boarding a carriage bound for outside the palace.
It was a family rule of the Yu Lin imperial clan that adult princes were not allowed to stay overnight in the palace without other cause.
However, as no crown prince had yet been established, the princes, though adults, had not been enfeoffed as kings or granted land. Thus, all the princes currently resided temporarily on Lion Street, east of the main city of Yu Lin.
Lion Street was not large, stretching from east to west, secluded and quiet.
As all adult princes not yet granted noble titles resided there, soldiers guarded the street from end to end.
At this moment, the Second Prince was not at his own residence but was instead at the Fifth Prince's mansion, drinking tea and chatting.
In the main hall, the Second Prince Xie Jingxi sat in the principal seat, while the Fifth Prince Xie Jingzhou stood respectfully to the side, smiling cautiously.
The Second Prince was long accustomed to his fifth brother's timid and cowardly nature, so when Luo Hong entered to serve tea, he completely disregarded Xie Jingzhou's presence and, as Luo Hong handed him the tea, seized her slender white hand.
"It's been a while, Luo Hong. You've truly become more and more beautiful."
All princes of suitable age had not yet been granted marriage by the Emperor. Although the Second Prince's household already had seven or eight concubines, his affection for Luo Hong had never wavered over the years.
Luo Hong was full of grievance, with nowhere to express it. Enduring the humiliation, she softly reminded, "When Consort Xi bestowed me upon His Highness the Fifth Prince, she intended for me to remain devoted to him until death."
Xie Jingxi let out a cold snort, his lips and teeth filled with sour, mocking words. "Even the best thousand-mile steed needs a discerning patron to recognize its worth. Luo Hong, you are a smart woman; you should understand whose side you can better display your talents by following."
Luo Hong was clever, beautiful, capable, and steady. It was truly a waste for her to be by the Fifth Prince's side. It was a pity his mother died early and he had no one to rely on in the palace, making him worse than even a coward.
Luo Hong knelt on the ground, feeling deeply wronged.
Did the Second Prince dare to speak so frankly, yet he still didn't place the Fifth Prince in his eyes at all?
Of course not.
Xie Jingxi didn't even regard Xie Jingzhou as a person.
If not for Xie Jingzhou having a formidable mother, and the fact that Xie Jingzhou himself was timid, cowardly, and easy to control, how could he possibly associate with a coward?
"Fifth Brother, what do you think about giving Luo Hong to me?" Xie Jingxi smiled at Xie Jingzhou beside him, his teasing smile filled with a threatening undertone.
When Xie Jingzhou heard this, his eyes reddened, and he began to cry. "Second Brother, please take pity on me. Your side is surrounded by beauties, but I only have Luo Hong left by my side."
"Didn't you personally beg Father Emperor to marry the Ji family's eldest daughter?"
"Fifth Brother, you are unaware. The Ji family's eldest daughter does not like me at all and has even threatened to divorce me."
Upon hearing this and seeing Xie Jingzhou's dejected expression, Xie Jingxi burst into laughter. He truly never expected his cowardly brother to be rejected by a renowned good-for-nothing in the imperial city. It was truly a colossal joke.
Just then, Feng Gu arrived, sweating profusely.
The situation was urgent, and the Emperor was still waiting in the palace. Feng Gu couldn't afford to be polite. "The Ji family insists that the Second Prince personally read the military dispatch before they will confess guilt. This matter has already caused a huge stir in the city. The Emperor summons His Highness the Second Prince to the palace immediately."
Xie Jingxi, who had been laughing heartily moments ago, could no longer do so.
He never imagined the Ji family possessed such audacity. "A fine Ji family! Daring to defy the imperial decree! Since that Ji family desires a certain death, I shall let them die with clear understanding!"
Xie Jingxi slowly rose and glanced at Xie Jingzhou beside him. "Fifth Brother, do not worry. For the sake of your cherishing the Ji family's eldest daughter so much, I am willing to beg Father Emperor to spare her life. At that time, Fifth Brother, you must not forget to thank me with Luo Hong."
Luo Hong couldn't help but shudder at these words.
She looked at Xie Jingzhou beside her, tears streaming down her face. "Your Highness, do you truly intend to give me away?"
Xie Jingzhou gazed at Xie Jingxi's retreating back for a long moment before slowly straightening up. His handsome face no longer held the look of subservience and timidity from before. "What are you panicking about? If Ji Zizhao were truly that easy to fool, the Second Prince wouldn't be mocking me today."
Luo Hong was stunned. "Your Highness means...?"
"You go out quickly and personally monitor the situation at the palace gates. If there is any slightest sign of trouble, return and report to me immediately."
It was understandable that the Ji family refused to confess guilt. Everyone fears death in this life.
Yet, the Ji family was now able to make Father Emperor retreat and summon the Second Brother to the palace...
This was the Ji family's capability.
Looking at the entire Ji family, Xie Jingzhou could not think of anyone with such great ability, except...
That Ji Zizhao!
Recalling how Ji Zizhao, outside his mansion, had changed the hearts of the populace with just a few words, Xie Jingzhou felt a surge of resentment in his chest.
Xie Jingzhou's gaze gradually became dark and inscrutable. For the first time, his usually confident heart felt a flicker of unease.
He hoped that the recent signs were merely coincidences.
Rather than him underestimating Ji Zizhao.
An hour later, the Second Prince boarded the carriage to the palace, accompanied by Feng Gu.
At the same time, the members of the Ji family received news from the Emperor's envoy. The Emperor, in his grace and remembering the Ji family's centuries of service to Yu Lin, specially decreed that the Second Prince would publicly read the military dispatch before the palace gates.
In plain terms, this meant allowing the Ji family to die with clear understanding.