The news of Zhao Siyue being sent away to recuperate did not stir much in the capital. However, the fact that Zhao Yonghe was arrested by the Dali Temple and emerged five days later completely unharmed piqued the curiosity of many.
Emperor Changwu was no exception. As emperor, he was rather capricious. While others discreetly inquired, he summoned the principal party and directly asked his son what he was plotting.
Gu Yanchen, seething with anger, recounted the entire incident, seizing the opportunity to lodge a complaint against the Right Prime Minister's manor.
"He even dares to frame a Prince Consort; is Zhao Zong trying to rebel?"
Emperor Changwu's focus, however, was elsewhere: "So, you really sold that Zhao family girl to a brothel?"
"Naturally. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Let's see if she dares to harbor such malicious thoughts again."
Emperor Changwu paced the imperial study twice in his fury, then grabbed a paperweight and hurled it at Gu Yanchen: "Rebellious son, are you afraid you haven't made enough enemies?"
Such a golden opportunity to gain favor was squandered, turning into this mess. Did he perhaps think his path was too smooth?
Gu Yanchen, however, was unfazed: "If I can't even protect my own wife, what is there to fear about making enemies?"
"He who does not offend me, I shall not offend." For using such a venomous tactic against his wife, he considered destroying Zhao Siyue to be giving Zhao Zong enough face.
"You are simply, simply blinded by lust."
Gu Yanchen understood Emperor Changwu's meaning perfectly; it was simply that his father felt offending a court official for a woman was not worth it. However, Lu Nianfu, who was of low status in his father's eyes, was the wife he had painstakingly married.
What others saw as worthless, he cherished as a treasure.
If it weren't for the fact that his wife's experience in the brothel was not to be publicized, he would have announced his revenge to the world. Those who dared to lay a hand on his people must be prepared to face his wrath.
Even when he was merely a庶子 (son of a concubine) of a marquis's household, he could not bear to see his wife suffer. Now that he was a prince, how could he possibly let those who harmed his wife off lightly?
When conversations don't align, silence is best. He pursed his lips, his interest in chatting with Emperor Changwu gone.
Emperor Changwu, angered beyond words, could only wave him away, preferring not to see him and be annoyed.
Yet, he still had to clean up Gu Yanchen's mess afterwards.
He summoned an imperial guard and ordered him to investigate the situation of Zhao Siyue in the brothel. Upon hearing that she had been thoroughly ravaged in just a few days, he could only sigh.
Such a deep animosity could not possibly be resolved.
If Zhao Zong were sensible, he wouldn't mind offering some compensation. However, if they harbored any other ill intentions, he, as a father, would only help to eliminate the threat.
It was truly a pity that Zhao family's father and son were both easily manipulated and had served him well for years. He had originally planned to promote Zhao Yonghe, but now it seemed that was out of the question.
Pingning Marquis Manor
Zeng Guangyi lay on his bed, his complexion ashen.
He turned his head to look at Lu Nianfu, who was attending to him by the bedside. A flicker of clarity appeared in his cloudy eyes: "Xi Xi, why are you here?"
Lu Nianfu, seeing him so emaciated, felt a pang of distress: "Father, why did you suddenly fall so ill?"
Suxin, wiping away tears by the side, said: "The Marquis has been ill for several days. He refused to let us servants report to you, fearing you would worry. If it weren't for Second Miss, you might have..."
She spoke haltingly, but her meaning was clear.
Perhaps you wouldn't even have had the chance to see him one last time.
Lu Nianfu anxiously asked: "What did the imperial physicians say?"
"The imperial physicians advised rest. Eldest Miss, please spend more time with the Marquis. He will feel better seeing you."
Lu Nianfu nodded: "I understand."
Just then, Suyue brought the medicine. Lu Nianfu personally helped Zeng Guangyi drink the decoction. Perhaps due to the severity of his illness, Zeng Guangyi fell asleep again after taking the medicine.
Lu Nianfu beckoned Suxin and Suyue and inquired further about his condition. Upon learning that the imperial physicians had already examined him, she felt there was nothing more she could do. The most skilled physician she knew was Ji Jin, but he was merely an imperial physician in the Tai Hospital. As Zeng Guangyi was the head of the Tai Hospital, the physicians attending to him must be the most skilled in the entire institution.
As a daughter, even if they hadn't been very close before, she had to stay and care for her father when he was ill.
Moreover, Lu Nianfu felt that this father had treated her quite well. Therefore, without being prompted, she sent someone to inform Gu Yanchen herself.