The Emperor nodded, naturally understanding why Song Chaoyu spoke as she did. "Get up quickly, Princess Chang! I do not doubt you, the Empress does not doubt you, and all those who seek the truth will not doubt your heart for Prince Chang!"
He looked at "Prince Chang" with some pain. "Otherwise, you would not have been able to care for Prince Chang so well these past days. I have failed Prince Chang!"
He sighed deeply, then gestured to everyone around him. "It is we, all of us, who have failed Prince Chang!"
Mu Hansu knelt on the ground, not daring to rise.
Minister Qiu also closed his eyes, as if knowing that things had reached this point, there was no room for any further turning back.
His gaze, involuntarily, turned towards the true
When they all returned to the Southern Kingdom, how could their King there truly punish his capable subordinate for the sake of the Great Yue Dynasty?
Song Chaoyu closed her eyes and couldn't help but look at Mu Changxi.
He merely sat on the ground with his head bowed, as if he had no particular thoughts about the Emperor's actions.
Perhaps... in his heart, he was already accustomed to it?
From the time the Emperor sent him to the Southern Kingdom, he must have known this day would come, right?
After dealing with Minister Qiu, the Emperor also looked at Mu Changxi, who was sitting on the ground. "As for this person... he is to be beaten to death immediately, and his body is to be dragged to the mass grave! I do not wish to see this face, which is identical to Prince Chang's, ever again!"
He reprimanded sternly, and naturally, eunuchs dragged Mu Changxi away.
However, neither Song Chaoyu nor the Consort felt any unease.
They had made arrangements long ago and had informed the Crown Prince.
Someone's face would be burned and they would die, but that person would certainly not be Mu Changxi.
Afterward, the Emperor looked at Qifeng. "As for this child..."
Everyone looked at Song Chaoyu. Song Yanjiao, in particular, could not believe what Song Chaoyu had just said.
She did not believe that someone could truly be so magnanimous, so tolerant of a child born to her husband and another woman, especially when that child was the eldest in the household!
Yet, Song Chaoyu and Mu Changxi had already discussed this matter.
Her expression did not change. She simply took Qifeng's hand and said to the Emperor, "Father Emperor, the child is innocent. If this child could choose, he would likely not wish to be born into such a complicated family."
She lowered her head and smiled slightly at Qifeng. "However, no matter what, he is still the Prince's blood. I am willing to take him back to Prince Chang's manor and raise him well. I beg Father Emperor's approval."
Her magnanimity brought a hint of relief to the Emperor's eyes, and his eyes even reddened. "Good! Excellent! I never knew, in the past, that you, child, possessed such a generous heart."
He nodded and assured Song Chaoyu, "I can also guarantee you. No matter what, no matter when it is, Qifeng will absolutely not threaten the status of you and the child in your womb! If you give birth to a son, I will immediately enfeoff him as the heir apparent of Prince Chang's manor. So, you rest assured, take good care of these two naughty children, and have no worries, do you understand?"
These were not actually what Song Chaoyu wanted.
Qifeng was Qian Shan's child. Qian Shan had helped Mi Cu Xingxi block so many blades and spears in the Southern Kingdom.
Let alone raising Qifeng, even if Qifeng were truly to become the heir apparent of Prince Chang's manor in the future, Song Chaoyu and Mu Changxi would have no objections. The future of their children and grandchildren would naturally be for them to forge themselves.
Thus, Song Chaoyu lowered her head and gently patted Qifeng's small head. "Little Qifeng, from now on, I will be your mother. Shall we guard Prince Chang's manor together?"
Little Qifeng did not truly understand what the adults were saying.
But he liked Song Chaoyu very much and realized that Song Chaoyu was probably going to give him a home.
So, Qifeng nodded, and actually looked up and called Song Chaoyu "Mother!"
—
With Qifeng having found a good "home," the next was Haisha.
Everyone guessed that the Emperor would certainly not let Haisha live.
But no one knew what Song Yanjiao was thinking. She suddenly stepped forward and looked up at the Emperor. "Father Emperor, as an observer, I was not involved in this matter. But at this moment, I also wish to say a word to Father Emperor."
In fact, the Emperor was already somewhat annoyed, but considering she was also pregnant, he nodded. "What do you want to say?"
Song Yanjiao sighed. "I am about to become a mother, and I can best understand a mother's feelings. I imagine that Haisha's life of hiding and fleeing with her child all these years must have been extremely difficult. If it is possible, I hope Father Emperor can spare Haisha's life. Let Haisha live in this world, so that Qifeng does not lose his mother!"
"Hmph! Nonsense!"
The Emperor probably least wanted to hear these words now.
He glared at Song Yanjiao impatiently. "Mother? Qifeng's mother is standing right before you, she is Princess Chang! What foolishness are you speaking? You are about to become a mother, you should know that that poisonous woman has done so many unforgivable things to Qifeng, and you still speak for her?! Is this how you intend to be a mother in the future?"
Everyone could see that the Emperor was angry.
Mu Hansu closed his eyes, feeling that Song Yanjiao had gone mad and was only making things worse.
He glared at the standing Song Yanjiao. "Stop talking nonsense! Quickly kneel and admit your mistake to Father Emperor!"
"No need."
The Emperor waved his hand, his expression cold. "I see that you two, husband and wife, do not sincerely wish to admit your mistakes, nor do you know to whom you should admit them."
"From today onwards!"
The Emperor seemed to have made up his mind. "Prince Ning shall remain in his manor to reflect! Without my command, no one in Prince Ning's manor, from top to bottom, is allowed to go out!"
"Father Emperor!"
This time, Mu Hansu was truly panicked. "Father Emperor, are you abandoning your son?! I did all this for Father Emperor, for the future of our Great Yue Dynasty!"
"Hmph!"
How could the Emperor not know? "Are you doing it for yourself, for your useless mother, or for the future of the Great Yue Dynasty? Do not speak so prettily! You have already made up your mind to harm your brother, is it that next time you plan to harm me?!"
The Emperor's words were severe, making Mu Hansu extremely fearful, yet he dared not argue further.