On the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, the first Grand Court Assembly of the new year was held.
At this assembly, the Emperor issued two imperial edicts of tremendous significance.
The first edict ordered the extermination of three generations of the Chen clan. Chen fuma, as the principal offender, was sentenced to death by waist-cutting and public execution.
The second edict demoted Princess Huyang from the rank of gongzhu to that of junzhu and suspended her stipend for three years.
When the two edicts were announced, the officials fell silent.
Chen fuma had privately minted currency and robbed tombs. The Chen clan had all been implicated in the case. Yet exterminating three generations seemed excessively harsh.
Moreover, Chen fuma was the Emperor’s own son-in-law. If even a son-in-law was sentenced to death by waist-cutting and public exposure, then what fate awaited ordinary people? Would they be torn apart by five horses?
The officials were horrified.
Even more shocking was the fact that Princess Huyang, the Emperor’s own daughter, had not escaped punishment.
Demotion in rank and suspension of her stipend, given the Emperor’s stinginess when it came to granting noble titles to the imperial clan, unless a new Emperor ascended the throne, Princess Huyang would never regain her rank while the current Emperor lived.
The two edicts struck fear into the hearts of the officials.
The Emperor was becoming increasingly severe and increasingly irritable.
Furthermore, he could not even wait until the autumn executions.
Three days after the edicts were issued, the eastern suburban marketplace was packed with people.
On this day, over a hundred members of the Chen family would be executed there.
Many people arrived in disguise to witness the executions.
Gu Jiu went nowhere.
The weather was unusually warm, and the sun had come out.
She sat at her desk, writing a personal essay.
A thread of cold wind drifted through the window, stirring the pages and carrying away the gloom between her brows.
Xiao Cui returned from outside, her face deathly pale.
The eunuch Bai Zhong said, “I told you not to watch, but you insisted.”
Xiao Cui waved her hand impatiently, unwilling to speak to him.
Gu Jiu put down her brush and asked, “What’s wrong? You and Bai Zhong went out together. Have you finished watching the excitement?”
Xiao Cui’s expression was terrible.
“Furen, the Chen family met a terrible fate.”
Early that morning, Xiao Cui had accompanied Bai Zhong to watch the execution. She had not expected to be so shaken by it that every part of her, inside and out, felt sick.
“The first person executed was Chen fuma. His Majesty sentenced him to death by waist-cutting and public exposure. He should have died quickly, but the executioner was clumsy and the blade was dull. It took three strikes to sever his body at the waist.
“Chen fuma did not die immediately. Dragging his upper body, he crawled forward three steps.
“He looked toward the west, toward the direction of the junzhu fu. Then, unwilling to accept his fate, he finally breathed his last.”
“The rest of the Chen family died more cleanly. The men were beheaded, and the women were given poison. But the children… the youngest was not even two years old and was also…”
Xiao Cui could not continue.
The sight of Chen fuma being cut in half would remain a shadow over her entire life.
It had been too horrifying.
Too bloody.
Too cruel.
“This was a fuma, and even he ended up like that. If it had been an ordinary official, I can’t imagine what the outcome would have been.”
After listening, Gu Jiu’s expression also turned grim.
She told Xiao Cui to take several days off and recover properly. It would be best not to dwell on the bloody scene.
Afterward, she summoned Bai Zhong.
“What did you see?”
Bai Zhong bowed and said, “The supervising officials were a Vice Minister of Justice and a prison administrator from the Court of Imperial Manufactories. Several other fuma, disguised, appeared at the execution ground. The steward of the former Princess Huyang fu was also present, saying he had come to collect the bodies of the Chen family. There were also a number of officials watching the execution.”
Gu Jiu nodded and asked, “Did His Majesty send any palace eunuchs to observe?”
Bai Zhong shook his head.
“No one from the palace appeared at the eastern marketplace.”
Gu Jiu sighed, rose to her feet, and said, “Come with me to visit Huyang junzhu.”
The former Huyang gongzhu fu had now become the Huyang junzhu fu.
The Imperial Guards had also withdrawn.
However, Huyang junzhu had not moved back there. She was still living in the wang fu.
Gu Jiu brought her people to the guest courtyard.
Huyang junzhu sat upright in the seat of honor, dressed in formal court robes.
Her two children both bore tear stains on their faces, and their eyes were full of fear.
When Gu Jiu entered, the stiffness in Princess Huyang’s face finally showed some reaction.
Opening her mouth, she softly asked, “Has the execution ended?”
Gu Jiu nodded.
“It has ended.”
“He… was he really cut at the waist and executed publicly?”
“Yes. Chen fuma was executed by waist-cutting and public exposure. His body may only be collected for burial after three days.”
“Was his death painful?”
Princess Huyang stared at Gu Jiu expectantly.
At this moment, her eyes contained too many emotions, regret, perhaps, or hatred.
After a moment’s hesitation, Gu Jiu replied in a somewhat heavy tone,
“He died with his eyes open.”
Princess Huyang let out a wail and burst into tears.
“I killed him. It was all my fault. Why wasn’t I the one who died?”
She cried so hard she could barely catch her breath.
Chen Min and Chen Lü also began crying.
The siblings were no longer little children, yet not quite adults either. They had grown up in luxury and privilege.
After enduring this succession of disasters, however, they had matured rapidly in a very short time and had become far more sensible than before.
Even while weeping, neither uttered a single word of resentment.
According to the law, the two of them should also have been included among those executed with the three generations of the Chen clan.
They should have died as well.
Just like their little cousin, who was not yet two years old and had not even had the chance to properly see the world before dying beneath an executioner’s blade.
Yet because their mother was a princess and their maternal grandfather was the Emperor, their lives had been spared.
Gu Jiu sighed softly.
“Please restrain your grief, gumu.”
Princess Huyang cried uncontrollably.
“I never imagined it would end like this. I never imagined fuhuang could be so ruthless.”
Gu Jiu remained expressionless as she listened to Princess Huyang’s lament.
She was complaining, but she was also seeking comfort.
Deep down, she was afraid as well.
For the first time, she personally experienced the cruelty of imperial power, and it made her whole body tremble.
These past few days, she had lived in constant fear. More than anything, she feared that one day a cup of poisoned wine would be delivered to her as well.
After instructing the servants to take good care of the mother and her two children, Gu Jiu left the guest courtyard.
The sky was a clear, brilliant blue, yet her mood remained gloomy.
Qing Mei said, “Furen, don’t think too much. Everything will get better.”
Gu Jiu shook her head.
She did not even know where Ning wang and Liu Zhao were being held.
The Crown Prince’s poisoning case was shrouded in mystery.
And while investigating the case, the Deputy Warden of the shaofu’s court seemed intent on muddying the waters further and further.
No one could tell how many people would ultimately be implicated in the Crown Prince’s poisoning.
Still, there was some good news.
The Imperial Guards stationed outside the wang fu had withdrawn early that morning.
The residents of the wang fu were no longer restricted from entering or leaving.
Walking through the residence, Gu Jiu found the atmosphere strangely contradictory.
On one hand, everyone was cautious and anxious.
On the other hand, they were secretly excited by Chen fuma‘s execution by waist-cutting and gathered together whispering about it.
Whenever they saw Gu Jiu approaching, they scattered like startled birds.
Qing Mei said, “These people are outrageous. They’ll talk about anything.”
Gu Jiu replied, “Ignore them. Come with me to Chunhe Hall.”
After all, Pei shi was still the one managing the household.
It was just that recently she had been in no state to handle affairs.
Throughout the New Year period, she had remained gloomy and depressed, taking medicine for many days.
When Gu Jiu arrived at Chunhe Hall, Xiao Qin’er and Ouyang Fu were attending to Pei shi.
Pei shi reclined on a couch, looking listless.
“Erxi greets mufei. Are you feeling any better today?”
Pei shi first gave a soft grunt.
“You’ve been thoughtful. Sit down and speak.”
Gu Jiu nodded and sat cross-legged before a low table.
Pei shi got straight to the point.
“Did you send someone to look into it?”
Gu Jiu nodded.
“I did. The execution has been carried out. The steward of the junzhu fu is currently leading people to collect the Chen family’s bodies.”
Pei shi sighed.
“Chen fuma died terribly.”
To be cut in half at the waist and abandoned in the marketplace, with the corpse exposed for three days, this was probably among the harshest punishments of the dynasty.
“At least it’s all over now.”
The atmosphere in the hall changed instantly.
A falling needle could have been heard.
Xiao Qin’er looked innocent and confused.
Uneasily, she asked, “Did I say something wrong?”
Gu Jiu replied indifferently, “Have you forgotten the safety of fuwang and da gongzi, si dimei?”
Xiao Qin’er looked toward Pei *shi.
“Mufei, I was speaking only about the Chen family’s case. I meant nothing else.”
Pei shi waved her hand.
“Enough. You don’t need to explain. I understand.”
After speaking, she sighed again.
From the initial panic and anxiety to her present calmness, Pei shi had undergone quite a journey herself.
Gu Jiu thought that perhaps she should do something.
She could not allow Liu Zhao to become entangled in the Crown Prince’s poisoning case for no reason.
The problem was how to act.
The balance was extremely difficult to maintain.
The Emperor was suspicious by nature and quick-tempered, killing at the slightest provocation.
If she stepped forward, she might not save anyone and instead end up sacrificing herself.
“Your Highness, wangye has returned.”
At that moment, a servant rushed in with news.
Ning wang had returned.
Pei shi suddenly sat upright.
“What did you say? Wangye has truly returned?”
The servant nodded emphatically.
“Wangye has really returned. He has already entered the main gate.”
Pei shi hurriedly rose and walked outside.
Falling behind for a moment, Gu Jiu stopped the servant who had delivered the news.
“Has da gongzi returned as well?”
The servant shook his head.
“I didn’t see da gongzi.”
Gu Jiu frowned and hurried after Pei shi.
Ning wang had indeed returned.
His complexion looked good.
He had not lost weight either.
Clearly, he had not suffered during these past days.
“Wangye!”
The moment Pei shi saw Ning wang, she burst into tears.
Ning wang personally helped her up.
“Why are you crying? Haven’t I returned?”
Tears streamed down Pei shi‘s face as she gazed at him affectionately.
“Wangye has suffered.”
Ning wang said carelessly, “I didn’t suffer much. I simply wasn’t free. Fortunately, I’ve finally returned. The wang fu is far more comfortable.”
Ning wang took Pei shi‘s hand and seated her beside him in the place of honor.
When Shen cefei and the others heard of Ning wang‘s return, they all rushed to Bixi Pavilion.
For a time, the hall was filled with scenes of Ning wang and his wives and concubines exchanging tears, complaints, and words of comfort.
Gu Jiu cleared her throat lightly, drawing everyone’s attention.
Without wasting words, she asked directly,
“Fuwang, where is gongzi? Why didn’t he return with you?”
“Him…”
Ning wang‘s expression darkened slightly.
“He took the blame on my behalf. He is currently being held in the Imperial Clan Prison.”
Pei shi immediately became tense.
“What happened? If wangye has returned, why is Zhao’er still imprisoned? The Crown Prince’s affair cannot possibly have anything to do with Zhao’er. How can His Majesty be so muddle-headed?”
“Watch your words.”
Ning wang rarely cautioned Pei shi to be careful with her speech.
Pei shi‘s face turned pale, and the muscles in her cheeks twitched.
“Wangye, are you hiding something from me? Tell me, why has Zhao’er been imprisoned?”
Ning wang frowned.
“He is imprisoned because there is a reason for it. Do not ask further.”
Pei shi looked embarrassed, but she truly did not press the matter.
Gu Jiu, however, could not accept such a vague answer.
“Fuwang, was the order to imprison da gongzi given by His Majesty?”
Ning wang nodded. “Naturally. It was the old man’s decision.”
Gu Jiu continued, “Was it because of Chen fuma‘s case, or because of the Crown Prince’s poisoning case?”
Ning wang stared at Gu Jiu.
“Your information network is quite impressive.”
Gu Jiu’s expression remained blank. “I ask that fuwang tell me the truth.”
Ning wang brushed her off. “A bit of everything.”
Gu Jiu frowned. “Then does that mean da gongzi is taking the blame for fuwang?”
“How presumptuous! Mind your words.”
Ning wang was displeased and, for once, openly rebuked Gu Jiu.
Keeping a straight face, Gu Jiu replied, “Erxi is still a newlywed. I have no desire to become a widow. Therefore, I ask fuwang to speak truthfully.”
Ning wang snorted.
“Don’t worry. Zhao’er is an imperial grandson. He won’t die. You won’t become a widow. Stay in the fu and patiently wait for his return.”
“May I ask fuwang when da gongzi will return?”
Ning wang bared his teeth.
How was he supposed to answer that question?
All he could say was, “I don’t know.”
Dark clouds gathered across Gu Jiu’s face.
“May I ask fuwang, besides gongzi, who else has been detained?”
Ning wang replied, “The Thirteenth Prince and the Fifteenth Prince as well.”
“So among the imperial grandsons, gongzi is the only one?”
“That’s right.”
Gu Jiu gave a cold laugh.
“Erxi has often heard people say that His Majesty is exceptionally affectionate toward his grandsons and rarely treats them harshly. Yet da gongzi, despite being an imperial grandson, has been imprisoned. That is truly suspicious. Thinking it over carefully, could it really be that he is taking the blame for fuwang?”
Ning wang stared at Gu Jiu.
“Dalang’s wife, consider the consequences of your words.”
Gu Jiu lowered her head and smiled.
She remembered her er jiujiu‘s warning.
He had reminded her that while living in Ning wang fu, she must never offend Ning wang.
Ning wang was ruthless toward himself and even more ruthless toward others.
Offending the wangfei might only earn one a period of discomfort.
Angering Ning wang, however, could cost a person their life.
The suddenly deceased Wu meiren was living proof.
Gu Jiu had already obtained the answer she wanted, so she did not continue pressing the issue.
She bowed slightly.
“Fuwang should rest well. Erxi takes her leave.”
With that, Gu Jiu departed with her attendants.
No one stopped her.
Ning wang said nothing either.
He merely narrowed his eyes slightly and watched her retreating figure with a complicated expression.
The hall fell into an eerie silence.
Pei shi looked at Ning wang.
“Wangye, Zhao’er won’t come to harm, will he?”
Ning wang angrily replied,
“What could possibly happen to him? Are you also suspecting benwang?”
Pei shi immediately backed down.
“Qieshen is not suspecting the prince.”
Ning wang snorted.
“Do not mention this matter again.”
With that, he flicked his sleeve and left.
Wearing a dark expression, Gu Jiu returned to the Eastern Courtyard.
Qing Mei and Fang mama both tried to comfort her.
“Furen, don’t be angry. Anger harms the liver.”
“Fortunately furen left in time. Nubi felt that if furen had continued pressing him, wangye would have punished furen on the spot.”
Gu Jiu’s face remained cold.
“Of course wangye could punish me. He is both a prince of the first rank and my father-in-law. Either identity alone is enough to leave me with no escape. The rational thing was to avoid confronting him directly, which is why I left immediately.
“Go summon Shiqin, Shiqi, and the others. I have questions for them.”
Before long, the eight senior maids had gathered in the main room.
Although Gu Jiu was angry with Ning wang, she had not lost her head.
Instead, she calmly and rationally began arranging various matters.
Her gaze swept across every face before she spoke.
“You have all heard by now that fuwang has returned, but gongzi has not. Fuwang says gongzi is currently being held at the Imperial Clan Prison by His Majesty’s personal order.
“No one knows how long he will be imprisoned. It could be three to five months. It could be three to five years. It could even be ten years or more. I ask you now, which of you is willing to go to the Imperial Clan Prison and attend gongzi?”
The eight maids looked at one another.
Every face changed color.
Shiqin cautiously asked, “Furen, has gongzi truly been imprisoned?”
Gu Jiu’s expression was solemn. “This is a matter of great importance. Why would I joke with you? If any of you wish to serve gongzi, speak now. Tomorrow morning I will arrange for someone to escort you there.”
The eight maids all lowered their heads.
No one spoke.
Gu Jiu let out a mocking laugh.
“It appears none of you are willing to go and serve gongzi at the Imperial Clan Prison.”
“Please forgive us, furen. A place like the Imperial Clan Prison may be more suitable for pages and eunuchs.”
What excuse was that?
They simply did not want to go.
As maids, every one of them avoided hardship and sought comfort, carrying themselves with more dignity than the daughters of ordinary official families.
Yet they never stopped to consider who had given them that dignity in the first place.
The luxurious life of the wang fu had clearly caused them to forget their proper place.
Gu Jiu smiled mockingly.
Liu Zhao had failed in this regard as well.
The moment disaster struck, not a single maid at his side was willing to follow him and serve him.
Yet Gu Jiu did not take the opportunity to punish them.
Instead, she instructed, “Prepare gongzi‘s bedding and clothing. Someone will take them over tomorrow. You may all leave.”
“Thank you, furen.”
The maids filed out one after another.
“Tch!”
Qing Mei said disdainfully,
“Not one of them is any good. Gongzi falls into trouble and none of them are willing to serve him. Furen is far too kind. How could you let them off so easily?”
Gu Jiu replied, “Now is not the time to concern ourselves with such matters. Prepare several sets of books, writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, and gongzi’s usual belongings. Tomorrow morning, accompany me to the Imperial Clan Prison.”
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