Chapter 192

Chapter 192: Forgive Me, but I Cannot Obey

Censor Chen chose several poems written by the scholars and attached them to the memorial.

Sheng Yuan Hao listened quietly to the officials’ pleas, a soft sigh rising in his heart.

It seemed Du’s family and Yan Hai could no longer be saved.

[So be it…]

They could only blame themselves for their carelessness. Doing something that got spotted by Xian Yuan Zi was one thing; having it painted and displayed for all to see was quite another.

Sheng Yuan Hao did not believe Xian Yuan Zi was ordered by someone else. After all, who could command a man who had once declined a reward from the Emperor himself and refused three thousand gold pieces for a single painting?

The only possibility was that Xian Yuan Zi had indeed witnessed the scene himself—

If not, how could he paint it so vividly?

Besides, without Du’s family, there would always be the Zhangs or the Lis.

Without Yan Hai, the prefect’s position at Ji Prefecture would conveniently become vacant.

His only regret was that he could no longer profit from the winter calamity.

But that was a minor matter. Du’s family undoubtedly possessed vast wealth.

Weighing the pros and cons, Sheng Yuan Hao immediately stepped forward and requested Emperor Chong Sheng to investigate the incident thoroughly.

Emperor Chong Sheng sat silently atop his throne, eyes shifting slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Only after the morning court concluded did he summon Sheng Yuan Hao alone.

Inside Purple Radiance Hall, father and son faced each other in silence—

Sheng Yuan Hao knelt instantly, accepting blame without hesitation. “Imperial Father, this failure was entirely my fault.”

Emperor Chong Sheng tossed a pile of memorials at his feet. “Fault or not, the situation is already this grave. What do you intend to do?”

“This son begs Imperial Father’s permission to investigate the matter personally in Ji Prefecture.”

“Hmph!” Emperor Chong Sheng’s gaze sharpened.

Sheng Yuan Hao kept his head respectfully lowered. Royal Mother had once advised him this angle resembled his aunt most, pleasing his father best.

Sure enough, Emperor Chong Sheng’s tone softened soon after. “I know you meant well, to relieve my burdens. But always remember your status. Someday, you shall inherit my position. Your reputation must remain flawless. Understood?”

“This son will never forget!” Sheng Yuan Hao bowed again. “Please, Imperial Father, let me go investigate personally.”

Emperor Chong Sheng stood, waving dismissively. “A wise man never steps into unnecessary danger. Ji Prefecture is ravaged by disaster. Tomorrow, I shall appoint Wang Ye as Imperial Envoy to resolve this matter.”

“Yes, Imperial Father.”

Wang Ye appeared close to his second imperial brother publicly but was, in truth, Sheng Yuan Hao’s confidant. His father had informed him in advance, allowing him to plan accordingly.

Sheng Yuan Hao remained kneeling even after Emperor Chong Sheng departed.

From birth, he knew he was treated differently than his imperial brothers. If Emperor Chong Sheng treated them as ordinary sons, his feelings toward Sheng Yuan Hao were true paternal love.

As soon as Sheng Yuan Hao grew old enough, Emperor Chong Sheng personally told him this empire would one day be his.

The Crown Prince and the Second Imperial Brother might appear prominent and powerful now, but in truth, they were merely targets set up by his father.

The court saw Sheng Yuan Hao as indifferent to power, unaware that secretly he had long been entrusted with many critical matters.

Previously, everything he had undertaken went smoothly.

Yet this small scheme had somehow spiraled out of control.

Sheng Yuan Hao knelt on the icy stone floor, carefully reviewing his mistakes. Meng Yang’s plans and his own arrangements had no flaws.

They merely capitalized on a natural disaster, nothing unusual.

The only unforeseen element was Qing Ning. If she hadn’t intervened with her cotton donation, he wouldn’t have ordered Du’s family to burn the cotton, causing today’s uproar.

When news of Sheng Yuan Hao’s self-imposed punishment reached Emerald Splendor Palace, Noble Consort Qi wore a gentle, pale-colored gown. Graceful and serene, she was over thirty yet held her own even when standing beside younger beauties.

Her enduring favor in the palace was due firstly to her resemblance to her late elder sister, and secondly, to her seemingly indifferent and non-confrontational nature.

Yet no one entering the harem could truly remain uncompetitive.

The genuinely peaceful were already resting beneath the earth.

Palace maids urged her to plead with Emperor Chong Sheng, but Consort Qi merely smiled lightly and shook her head. “If Hao’er chose to kneel, he must have realized his mistakes. He’s grown now; I shouldn’t interfere in his decisions.”

“Besides, he indeed handled this poorly.” She sighed softly. “Even Qing Ning, merely a princess, thought of Ji Prefecture’s common folk. As an imperial prince, failing to anticipate this trouble for His Majesty is indeed his error.”

“She truly said this?” Emperor Chong Sheng paused, the red brush hovering midair.

The servant nodded quickly.

Emperor Chong Sheng resumed correcting memorials, casually asking, “Su De Yun, how long has Third Prince been kneeling?”

“Your Majesty, it’s already been three full hours,” replied Su De Yun respectfully.

Emperor Chong Sheng smiled faintly. “Enough. This matter wasn’t entirely his fault. Take the medicine Imperial Physician Song prepared for me, along with the cloak I wore last winter hunt, and give them to him.”

“The weather is freezing; tell him to return earlier. I wouldn’t want his Royal Mother to worry.”

“Yes, Your Majesty! The Third Prince will certainly feel your boundless affection.” Su De Yun bowed and left with a smile.

A gentle smile lingered on Emperor Chong Sheng’s lips. Yet when he reached the next memorial, his expression quickly soured.

A princess should obediently marry, live quietly, and raise her children.

Yet Qing Ning—

First requesting a marriage, then boldly seeking divorce, now meddling in the Northern Desert calamity and agitating scholars.

And there were even petitions seeking honors for her?

Emperor Chong Sheng irritably set the memorial aside.

In the next morning’s court, after repeated pleas, Emperor Chong Sheng officially appointed Censor Doctor Wang Ye as Imperial Envoy to Ji Prefecture.

Wang Ye accepted the duty respectfully, departing immediately for Ji Prefecture.

His son, Wang Huai Zhi, had also been very busy these days, distributing porridge in the slums.

Previously, during his bet with Sheng Zhi Wan, he’d received replies from three places. Only Governor Xu of the Northern Desert had ignored him, overwhelmed by the crisis.

Thus, Wang Huai Zhi stubbornly refused to concede.

But after Prosperous Hall’s discounted cotton and Xian Yuan Zi’s painting had stirred the capital, many revisited his wager with Sheng Zhi Wan.

Pressed repeatedly, Wang Huai Zhi finally grit his teeth and reluctantly paid two thousand silver taels to fulfill his promise.

Hearing about this, Sheng Zhi Wan sent Liu Shang to observe.

Liu Shang reported the porridge was thick and fragrant, cooked with premium white rice that could be smelled from far away.

Sheng Zhi Wan couldn’t help but smile.

The young were passionate yet naive, easily influenced by the crowd. This time, Wang Huai Zhi might again face disappointments from the slum-dwellers.

But seeing the porridge stall displayed the Princess Mansion’s banner, Sheng Zhi Wan considered carefully and had Liu Shang deliver some advice to Wang Huai Zhi.

Unexpectedly, Wang Huai Zhi reacted furiously—

“Impossible!”

He spoke with fierce pride. “Please relay clearly to Princess Qing Ning that I cannot obey her suggestion! These people might be poor and humble in status, but who says they don’t deserve premium rice? Perhaps they’ve never even tasted rice of such quality their entire lives!”

Wang Huai Zhi clenched his teeth, recalling an elderly woman who had eagerly licked her bowl clean. His anger grew, believing Sheng Zhi Wan utterly disregarded the dignity of these common people.