Given Emperor Jingxi’s experienced and steady way of handling things, he always advanced step by step, waiting patiently for the most favorable moment.
According to his calculations, that moment should have been more than ten years away.
But no one could have predicted—Emperor Jingxi himself least of all—that in the twenty-seventh year of Jingxi, not long after his fortieth birthday, something happened.
The Crown Princess, for reasons unknown, quarreled with the Imperial Son one evening.
During their argument, she flew into a rage, stomping her feet.
The next day, it just so happened that the Imperial Son was to take the Second Prince, the Little Princess, and the Imperial Grandson to the Taizi Mansion to study.
Staring at the Second Prince and Little Princess, the Crown Princess suddenly developed a wicked intention.
After the children and the Imperial Grandson played together, the two sat down for tea and snacks.
Incredibly, she intended to murder both children with a pair of scissors!
It was almost impossible to comprehend.
After all, both children were surrounded by Attendants, Palace Ladies, Nursemaids, and nursemaids—so many people, it was unimaginable for them to be harmed in a moment of inattention.
Even if—just to take an extreme step back—even if she succeeded in harming or injuring them, she herself would not escape death, and might even implicate her husband, her own son.
Her husband was the heir, the Imperial Son!
Everyone was dumbfounded, unable to understand.
Yet the Crown Princess had truly done it.
One can only say that when a person truly goes mad, reason flees.
The course of a dynasty is not strict arithmetic, but more like a rolling stone, which might rest anywhere by pure chance.
The cautious deliberations of an emperor, advancing steadily, can be thrown forward by a madwoman’s unpredictable act within the inner palace.
When Emperor Jingxi first heard the news, he was incredulous, unable to believe it, then his expression darkened, and he fell silent.
A wu’s eyes widened in shock—how could the Crown Princess be so ruthless!
Though the two children were now safe, with only a minor scratch on their shoulders and having been well protected and cared for, still, how infuriating!
The Imperial Son had always doted on the twins.
The Imperial Grandson often played and stayed at the palace, so the twins occasionally stayed at the Taizi Mansion as well.
True, everyone was wary of each other, but those were battles of principle, of court politics.
Even if a struggle had to happen one day, it would be fought with memorials and petitions, and the sharp tongues of the court.
Who could have imagined someone would act so brazenly—trying to kill, and in such a clumsy way, stabbing with scissors right in the open!
Had she even hired assassins to plot, A wu wouldn’t have been so stunned!
This not only harmed others, but herself as well.
Was she truly insane?!
She looked at Emperor Jingxi by her side and saw his brows slightly knit as he gazed out the window, deep in thought.
Seeing him like this, A wu could hardly believe it: “These are your son and daughter-in-law—how capable they are. Haven’t you always trusted them? Aren’t you all family? And they could do such a thing? You’re still so calm?”
Emperor Jingxi gently took her hand, soothingly: “A wu, calm yourself. I will handle it properly.”
But A wu couldn’t listen, tears brimming in her eyes: “Calm? My children almost lost their lives, and you want me to be calm? Can you be calm?”
Emperor Jingxi hurried to comfort her: “The Dragon Guard reports that they are unharmed. The Imperial Physician has already checked them and will bring them back safely. As for the Imperial Son and Crown Princess, I need to get to the bottom of this before making any decisions.”
A wu was furious: “Yong Tianze, let me tell you—I’ve never liked her. She’s always provoking me, and I’ve tolerated her only because she’s younger. But today she tried to harm my children—your own flesh and blood! If you shield or excuse her, I will never forgive you, not in this lifetime.”
At this thought, she simply couldn’t forgive.
Her children could forsake the struggle for the heir’s position, could live without titles, but no one should threaten their lives.
This was far too vicious.
Emperor Jingxi lifted a hand, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his voice gentle: “I understand. Trust me, I will take care of it.”
A wu tilted her head, watching him.
Emperor Jingxi: “Hm?”
A wu bit her lip and grumbled, “If you show favoritism, I won’t let this go.”
Though the harem should not meddle in politics, as the honored Empress, with her father and brothers dominating the Eastern Sea, now that the Crown Prince and his wife had tried to harm her children, if Emperor Jingxi dared shield them, she absolutely wouldn’t let it rest.
Emperor Jingxi: “When have I ever shown favoritism? Who have I favored?”
A wu snorted, her tone cold: “Of course you favor your son. He’s the Imperial Son; of course you’ll protect his reputation. Just don’t go so far as to shield the Crown Princess as well.”
Emperor Jingxi raised his eyebrows: “What do you mean? You think the Imperial Son wants to harm Moxi?”
A wu naturally understood.
Even if Emperor Jingxi had once felt some bitterness or jealousy toward his own son, or held subtle emotions, in the end, he was still a father.
The Imperial Son was his carefully cultivated heir, his only son for nearly seventeen years.
He cared deeply for him and trusted him, believing him kind, filial, and respectful.
Thus, he was certain his son would treat his own children well and never turn against his siblings.
To this, A wu could only think: ‘men and their self-satisfied pride and assumptions.
After more than twenty years as emperor, used to holding all things in his grasp, he still believed he had everything under control.
But the Imperial Son was no longer the sincere, enthusiastic youth of old.
Who knew what he truly thought these days?
Even if he didn’t plot, what about the Crown Princess?
Anyone could guess what they argued about: the Crown Princess surely saying, even if you don’t want to be emperor, shouldn’t you think of your children and grandchildren?
If you retreat, they must fall back ten thousand steps!
Today, it’s the difference between emperor and prince; in a few generations, it becomes the difference between emperor and some distant, minor royal relative.
In a few more generations, perhaps others enjoy endless wealth and glory, while your descendants end up destitute on the streets, selling straw sandals and crying out, “I am a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan!”
So, she believed, the Imperial Son had every reason to harm his own youngest son.
Maybe this time the Imperial Son truly didn’t know, but that only made things more worrisome.
Who’s to say it wasn’t a scheme between husband and wife, playing good cop and bad cop?
A wu sighed: “You are the emperor—kind and benevolent. You believe your sons live in harmony, that no one would take extreme measures or turn on each other. But the problem is, Mo and Moxi, your beloved twins, were attacked in your eldest son’s mansion. Who could be so heartless?”
She glanced at him sideways, repeating his own words: “Your Majesty, you should at least be vigilant.”
Emperor Jingxi’s expression tensed slightly, his gaze toward A wu growing strange.
Years ago, when she entered the palace as a Noble Lady and he first spent the night with her, she’d mentioned the Crown Princess’s fierce ambition.
He’d told her much the same thing.
Now, after so much time, it was still the Crown Princess, still the same words—but this time she said them to him.
After a long silence, Emperor Jingxi gave a soft, ironic laugh, nodding at his empress: “A child who can be taught.”
A wu was still fuming: “Don’t think I don’t see through you. After you heard the news, weren’t you thinking about covering it up for him?”
Emperor Jingxi looked at A wu with meaning: “You’ve been by my side for so many years—you really can see through my thoughts.”
A wu: “So I was right!”
Emperor Jingxi’s gaze softened: “Then tell me, if I did want to cover up for him, why would that be?”
A wu, seeing his unhurried look, wished she could scratch him: “How should I know? You should ask yourself!”
Emperor Jingxi smiled, lips pressed together: “A wu, don’t worry. Let me handle it. If I do it poorly, you can be angry then.”
***
After Emperor Jingxi left, A wu immediately summoned Sun Chief Palace Lady—Sun Chief Palace Lady was none other than Concubine Hui, now the most trusted Shanggong in A wu’s employ.
She quickly ordered her to arrange everything: first, to fetch the Little Princess and Prince back to her own quarters, then send people to investigate the matter.
Since it happened in the Taizi Mansion, there must have been many guards and officers present, and news would surely spread.
Once it did, the next day all the civil and military officials would know.
By then, even if Emperor Jingxi wanted to cover for his son, it would be impossible.
To attempt assassination of a princess and prince was a crime beyond comparison—the Crown Princess must die, and the Duke Ying’s Manor must be implicated.
Of course, to A wu, it would be best if the Imperial Son was implicated as well.
As to how much, she couldn’t decide just yet.
There was some frustration: her own father was far away at the Eastern Sea and couldn’t help her make decisions.
It was Sun Chief Palace Lady who reminded her about Futai.
Thinking it over, A wu agreed.
But summoning Futai now would draw suspicion, so she sent Sun Chief Palace Lady to Futai’s place to seek information.
Soon, a eunuch brought word: the Little Princess and Prince were unharmed, checked by the Imperial Physician, and already being returned to the palace.
As for the attempted murder, the dust had settled.
The Crown Princess had tried to harm the twins.
The emperor, in a thunderous rage, immediately issued an edict: the Crown Princess was deposed, and the Dragon Guard was ordered to investigate thoroughly, all those involved to be punished without mercy, to uphold the law of the court.
As the case concerned the safety of the imperial heirs, its impact was wide, shocking the entire court.
The Crown Princess’s family, the Duke Ying’s Manor, were all arrested and thrown into prison for strict interrogation.
Once, the Duke of England had exhorted his granddaughter, urging her to bide her time, to endure repeatedly.
Who could have imagined the grand dam would break because of an ant’s nest—a single quarrel with the Imperial Son, and she lost control of her hatred, acting in self-destruction, dragging down the Imperial Son and squandering all the shelter the Duke of England had won through military merit.
Upon hearing the final outcome, A wu finally relaxed—at least Emperor Jingxi had given the twins justice.
But… the Imperial Son was unaffected!
At this moment, the twins were brought to Langhua Hall.
A wu, who’d been tense all this time, finally let go, hugging her two children tightly: “Are you alright? Were you frightened?”
The eight-year-old Little Princess, sweet and lovely, quickly said, “Mother, don’t worry, we weren’t hurt at all! The moment I saw Sister-in-law’s expression turn strange, I covered my head and ran!”
The Second Prince, a sturdy boy, chimed in, comforting A wu: “When my sister shouted, it brought the guards running. They protected us, so we were never really in danger.”
He sighed, and in fact, what troubled him most was being examined by the Imperial Physicians from head to toe.
It was actually rather exhausting.
A wu finally felt relieved and asked about the details.
The Little Princess, lively as always, gestured animatedly as she recounted the scene, while the Second Prince listened quietly, occasionally adding a word.
Listening, A wu was still afraid—she couldn’t help but imagine: what if, what if something really had happened?
The Little Princess saw her mother’s worry and reassured her: “Mother, don’t worry. Last time my imperial sister came to the palace, she said she’d teach me to wield a sword! Once I learn, I won’t need to fear bad people. I can even protect you!”
Such childish words moved A wu deeply.
Her heart softened, and she thought, ‘maybe the children really should learn more riding and archery—perhaps Dening or her consort could help teach them.’
With these thoughts, her heart gradually settled.
Just then, word came from the Hall of the Empress Dowager that she was worried about the children.
So A wu took the twins to visit.
The Empress Dowager was deeply distressed, hugging the children and sighing: “How could she do this? Has she gone mad, trying to murder the prince and princess? Had I known she was so deranged, I would have dismissed her long ago.”
A wu said, “Empress Dowager, let’s wait for His Majesty’s decision.”
Hearing this, and seeing the chill in A wu’s face, the Empress Dowager knew she was displeased.
She’d always known her young daughter-in-law was proud and hard to cross.
But in this matter, it truly was her granddaughter-in-law who was at fault, even affecting her grandson.
She could only comfort her: “Don’t overthink it. Mo Yao must be regretting and ashamed over this—you know his temperament—”
She stopped halfway, swallowing her words.
After all, her daughter-in-law and grandson had once had issues—some things were better left unsaid.
A wu didn’t notice the Empress Dowager’s aborted words, simply saying, “Mother, I wouldn’t dare speak ill of His Highness the Imperial Son, but surely there must be some explanation as to why the Crown Princess bore such hatred toward the children. The whole court must know by now?”
She refused to believe the Imperial Son could walk away blameless when it was his wife who tried to harm her children!
The Empress Dowager could only comfort her again: “Yes, yes, let’s wait for His Majesty’s decision.”
Since she loved the children, the Empress Dowager wanted to keep them.
Seeing her disappointment, A wu promised to send them over to pay respects tomorrow.
—After all, she was Emperor Jingxi’s mother, and she truly did love the twins.
That night, A wu slept with the children, reading books together.
Now as the honored Empress, she also had to read regularly, and though only passably versed in mathematics and classics, she showed off before the children, who were full of admiration.