Chapter 186: Administering an Eye Remedy

Chapter 186: Administering an Eye Remedy

The Emperor looked down at the tear-stained but still beautiful face of Noble Consort Liang. How long had it been since he had seen her? Thinking about it, it seemed like ages. It was not that he had ceased to favor her, but recently, the palace had welcomed some young girls in their teens.

The more he felt his body aging, the more he yearned to be in the company of vibrant life, as if by doing so, he would somehow regain his youth.

Recently, whenever he called for someone to serve him in his bedchamber, he chose those fresh beauties who had just entered the palace. He felt as if he had shed years, as if he could live for decades more. If his current sons were incompetent, then so be it – he would have more.

But at this moment, looking at Noble Consort Liang and her son kneeling before him, he was overwhelmed by a sense of powerlessness and bitterness. He knew his true physical condition better than anyone; previously, he was merely deceiving himself.

The truth was, he was no longer young, his health was failing, yet none of his sons were capable of shouldering the responsibility. That was the reason behind the drastic decision he had made in the past.

Noble Consort Liang continued to cling to his robes, weeping. The emperor looked down and said, "He has become what he is now not because of you, nor me, but his own folly."

"Your Majesty, Jingming was just confused for a moment! You know about his grudge with the House of Yongning. He was bewitched!" Noble Consort Liang cried almost inconsolably. "Your Majesty, Jingming meant no harm; he only wanted to stir up some trouble for the House of Yongning."

"Let it be," the Emperor strode behind his desk and took a seat, "Have him return and reflect thoroughly on how he should live his days henceforth."

Being so foolish, he should give up any thoughts of vying for the throne.

Consort Liang shuffled her knees, knelt in front of the desk, and, lifting her tear-streaked face, implored, "Please spare him this time, Your Majesty. Jingming truly did it unwittingly. You say he's foolish, and I concede this time. What he thought was foolproof, others had already prepared for, setting a trap, just waiting for him to leap into it."

"Your Majesty," Consort Liang prostrated on the ground, wailing, "I shall speak the truth to you today. Not only does Jingming detest the House of Yongning Marquis, but so do I. My brother died because of them! How can I not harbor hatred? But the Duke of Tang and the Lady of Yongning Marquis are far more cunning and strategic than our foolish son, wu wu wu..."

The Emperor sat with a stern face, silent. Consort Liang, while crying, stealthily glanced at his expression and continued, "Your Majesty, no parent doesn't show bias towards their child, but the House of Yongning Marquis has gone too far in their favoritism. Last time, my brother wrongfully spoke in front of Princess Changping about taking the heir of Yongning Marquis as a courtesan, which was his fault. But the House of Yongning Marquis made such a grand display in retaliation."

"Your Majesty, Jingming is resentful! And so am I! We are all parents, the Lady of Yongning Marquis thinks her child is perfect in every way, and so do I! Your Majesty, Jingming is your son too! Wu wu wu wu..."

If Tang Shuyi had heard Consort Liang's words, he would have surely admired the artistry in her speech. She not only cast a veil over the eyes of the Emperor regarding the House of Yongning Marquis and the Duke of Tang but also attempted to awaken the Emperor's paternal affection.

The Emperor's expression indeed softened considerably. He sighed deeply and said, "Consort, you may return. He must reflect earnestly this time, or else what he loses next won't be his dignity, but his life!"

Consort Liang breathed a sigh of relief; she had passed this hurdle. She knelt and kowtowed, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for sparing his life."

The Emperor also sighed, stood up, walked around the desk, and helped Consort Liang to her feet, "My love, as you said, he is also my son. Let him reflect on his actions thoroughly within the residence."

Consort Liang nodded in agreement, "Indeed, Jingming must reflect on why he is always being outmaneuvered."

The Emperor lowered his gaze, his eyes inscrutable, and let go of Consort Liang's hand, saying, "Return."

Understanding the principle of moderation, Consort Liang bowed to the Emperor, cast a glance at the Second Prince, and then turned to leave. Once she was gone, the Emperor turned to the still kneeling Second Prince and said, "Recite the sequence of events."

The Second Prince wiped the sweat and tears from his face and said, "Recently, I received information that Xiao Yiyuan, a student at Shanglin Academy, is the biological grandson of the former wife of Old Marquis Yongning. I thought to incite Xiao Yiyuan to dispute the title with the House of Yongning Marquis, stirring up turmoil within their ranks, and thus, I... I could watch a good show unfold. The words I had relayed to Xiao Yiyuan were deceptive; I truly harbored no other intentions."

The Emperor's face crumpled into a deep frown as he said, "The saying 'harm to others, no benefit to oneself' describes you perfectly. Even if the House of Yongning Marquis was in chaos, what does it have to do with you? Besides, do you think everyone is as foolish as you? Even if that person is the grandson of Xiao Chengkun, Xiao Chengkun is dead, and Xiao Huai is gone. The Lady of Yongning Marquis could just dismiss him with some silver, and no one would be the wiser. That grandson of Xiao Chengkun, powerless and without influence, would dare to cause a stir against the House of Yongning Marquis?"

The Second Prince knelt silently, yet thought to himself, with his support and the lure of a title, how many could resist the temptation?

The Emperor gazed down at him, squinting his eyes. Having lived to this age, having vied for the throne with his brothers in his youth, and contended with court officials as Emperor, how could he not discern the Second Prince's thoughts?

The human heart is never content. This time he used his princely status, falsely promising a title. What about next time? And the time after that? Desires accumulate bit by bit.

Suppressing his inner thoughts, he asked, "Who gave you this information?"

The Second Prince hesitated for a moment before responding, "Wu Guoliang."

"How did Wu Guoliang come to know of this?" the Emperor inquired.

The Second Prince replied, "Wu Guoliang said that it was his daughter, Miss Wu the Second, who mentioned it. She was once betrothed to the Marquis of Yongning's heir and knew some affairs of the Yongning Marquisate."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor truly wished to rid himself of this son, out of sight, out of mind.

He said, "So Miss Wu the Second got the news from the Yongning Marquisate. How could the Marquisate be unaware of...”

The Second Prince interjected, "Xiao Yi Yuan."

The Emperor continued, "How could the Yongning Marquisate be unaware of Xiao Yi Yuan's identity? They haven't acknowledged the kinship immediately, which must be due to their own considerations. Yet you blundered in, who else would they target if not you?"

"But at the time, Wu Guoliang was adamant that the people of the Yongning Marquisate didn't know," the Second Prince said.

The Emperor was speechless.

He didn't even want to look anymore; what sins had he committed in his past life?

"Roll back to your mansion and reflect behind closed doors. Without my decree, you're not allowed to step out," the Emperor waved his hand and ordered.

The Second Prince, somewhat reluctant to accept house arrest, got up but didn't leave immediately, hoping to plead further. The Emperor, however, didn't even want to cast a glance at him. He picked up a cup from beside him and hurled it at the Prince's feet, "Get out!"

The Second Prince hurriedly scurried out.