Chapter Twenty-Four: Aftermath
Before anyone in the hall could react, they were all astounded by Wei Baofu’s swift and decisive movements. Who would have thought that such a delicate and graceful young lady could act with such agility?
The emperor gazed at Wei Baofu with a look full of meaning, while the empress dowager, as if having just survived a brush with death, first made sure that Wei Baofu was unharmed, then flew into a rage. “Guards, drag this wretch out and beat her to death! She’s turned the world upside down!”
The empress dowager’s breaths came in sharp gasps, as though she might faint from lack of air at any moment. Her fury was obvious to everyone present. Madam Feng soothed her while urging her to calm down.
“Grandmother, your granddaughter is unharmed. We must clarify the matter before taking action. Can just anyone in this palace attempt an assassination so easily? If this becomes a precedent, won’t everyone live in fear? I ask Imperial Uncle to uphold justice for me.”
Wei Baofu knew she could not let this matter go easily today. If she showed any sign of weakness, the empress and her son would swallow her whole. As expected, before the emperor could speak, the empress was already voicing her opinion.
“Princess Kangping, your words are too harsh. Before you arrived, nothing like this had ever happened in the palace. That concubine, Lady Tang, said herself that you killed her father—she was only seeking vengeance. This is a private feud between you two; how can His Majesty take sides? If it’s known that the emperor uses his power to suppress others, what will happen to our royal reputation?”
Even the crown prince had not expected Lady Tang to act so desperately. He knew he would be embroiled in this scandal as well. He hurriedly knelt and said, “Mother is right. Lady Tang has always been gentle and respectful to both Father and Mother. This could only have been an act of desperation.”
Wei Baofu lightly brushed the wide sleeves of her palace robe, as if dusting off some disgusting filth. Facing the mother and son’s combined assault, she showed not a hint of fear. Her expression calm, she replied, “It’s not wrong for Your Highness to protect your beloved, but as the heir to the throne, your vision seems a bit narrow.”
She stood there, unafraid, as comfortably as if she were in her own chamber. Without waiting for the crown prince’s retort, she continued, “Even if I did kill her father, may I ask all present: as a titled princess, if I kill a servant who sold his entire family into my service, have I broken any law?”
Consort Shu, clutching her handkerchief, timely interjected with a supportive smile, “Indeed. Since when is it allowed for a servant’s family to seek revenge on their masters? If that were the case, none of us would sleep soundly.”
Wei Baofu hadn’t expected Consort Shu to speak up for her at this moment. She gave her a subtle nod of thanks but showed little emotion.
Lady Tang, restrained by the imperial guards, spat out, “My father may have been your servant, but he managed your shops diligently. Even if he had no great merits, he worked hard. How could you kill him at will? What justice is this?”
The emperor did not intervene; he was curious to see what other talents this girl would reveal. Wei Baofu smiled serenely. “You’re mistaken. His diligence was not for my benefit. Except for what he embezzled, all the profits went to the crown prince. Is that not so?”
Her final words pointed directly at the crown prince, whose expression turned awkward—profiting off his cousin’s property was indeed rather unscrupulous.
The empress’s face clouded as well. She truly had no idea such a thing had happened, believing her son was merely taken by Lady Tang’s beauty.
Lady Tang, still unwilling to give up, retorted, “What’s wrong with giving gifts to the crown prince? He’s the heir to the throne. My father was only fulfilling his duty. Besides, you and the crown prince are cousins—what difference does it make whether the money goes to him or to you?”
Wei Baofu shot her a glance, as if looking at a fool, but ignored her. She turned to the crown prince with a smile. “Cousin, is that how you see it as well? I used to think only ignorant commoners would seize the property of their distant kin. I didn’t expect that the royal family of the Great Zhao had the same custom. The shop was part of my mother’s dowry, meant to be my own. If even this cannot be kept, then I truly have nothing left.”
Her words dripped with irony. Wei Baozhen found the scene amusing and could not help but cover her mouth with her handkerchief. Beside her, Consort Yu gave her a light slap, urging her to mind her manners. The crown prince, unwilling to let the accusation of seizing his cousin’s property stand, hurried to defend himself.
“Cousin, your words are too sharp. So far, it’s only you who have said this. There’s no proof that I took the money. Though I am the crown prince and generally magnanimous, it wouldn’t do for you to accuse me of everything.”
The empress quickly added, “Indeed. Our crown prince is the most righteous of men. Seeing that Princess Kangping is orphaned, I had planned to care for her in the future. Who would have thought she’d be so ungrateful? It’s truly hurtful.”
Mother and son were not fools. Wei Baofu remained unfazed, replying with an impassive face, “What can I do? As an orphan with only my grandmother to care for me, even if I had the account books, there would be no one to stand up for me.”
Her voice caught, but she stubbornly refused to shed tears. Consort Shu, knowing she was putting on a show, still felt a pang of pity.
She too choked up. “Your Majesty, it was one thing when no one cared for her, but now that she’s being bullied like this, how can I, as her aunt, rest easy? How can I face our ancestors in the afterlife?”
The emperor was taken aback; he could never bear to see Consort Shu weep. He hastily replied, “Don’t cry. I will handle this. Take that concubine away and silence her—have her beaten to death.”
Lady Tang looked terrified. She had come prepared to die, but now, confronted with true death, she panicked. She looked desperately at the crown prince, hoping for rescue, but he lowered his head, avoiding her gaze.
Wei Baofu’s fist clenched unconsciously beneath her sleeve. She was still unaccustomed to taking another’s life so easily.
“Baofu, I know you’ve suffered. The crown prince is young and reckless, but he is your cousin. Family matters should be handled within the family. However you wish to punish the crown prince, I will support you.”
The emperor was, in the end, protecting his son. As heir to the throne, the crown prince’s actions reflected on the emperor himself. Treating this as a private family matter was merely a way to keep the peace. What else could Wei Baofu do?
Tears welled up in her eyes and trickled down her cheeks, evoking pity all around. The empress dowager was the first to wail, “Oh, my precious Baofu! What have we done to deserve such suffering? Returning home only to endure such grievances—how can we, grandmother and granddaughter, go on?”
With the empress dowager making a scene and all the imperial consorts and children watching, the emperor grew slightly awkward. He realized how blatant his actions seemed, but had no choice but to press on. “Baofu, you are the most understanding of all. You must know your uncle’s difficulties.”
Wei Baofu stubbornly raised her head, tears brimming but refusing to fall. She spoke with a sob in her voice: “I understand, Imperial Uncle. I do not ask for the crown prince to be punished. I only hope that from now on, I may return freely to my own residence. Only there can I feel as if I am with my parents again, cherished and safe from harm.”
Since things had come to this, Wei Baofu was determined to win herself greater freedom. The emperor could hardly refuse her at this point.
He replied solemnly, “I understand your feelings. I grant you this request. In a moment, I will bestow upon you a token, with which you may come and go as you please. But my mother cannot bear to be without you—you must visit her often.”
This was reasonable enough; Wei Baofu had never intended to live long-term at her own estate. She bowed in agreement.
The emperor continued, “And do not worry. The crown prince shall return double the amount he took from you. In addition, I will gift you a hot spring villa in the southern suburbs—consider it part of your dowry in advance. Do not grieve any longer; your grandmother’s heart will ache for you.”
What mattered to the emperor was his own reputation. Whether the crown prince could pay the money back was the empress’s concern, not his. The crown prince turned pale at these words and wished to object, but a stern look from the empress silenced him.
Wei Baofu was satisfied with this compensation. One should not be too greedy; it was wise to stop while ahead. She wiped away her tears and replied calmly, “Thank you, Imperial Uncle, for upholding justice. I am deeply grateful. If cousin is in difficulty, he need only tell me. I will help if I can. As for the shop that Manager Tang oversaw, it has already lost most of its capital. I hope my cousin can repay the loan soon, so I may keep my household running. After all, these are the roots of my livelihood.”
The emperor understood her meaning and turned to the crown prince. “You have ten days to prepare the money. If you have not paid her back by then, I will settle accounts with you myself. Do you understand?”
The crown prince could do nothing but bow in sullen agreement. Seeing that the matter was nearly resolved, Wei Baozhen laughed and walked over to Wei Baofu. “All right, all right, it’s settled. The hot spring villa Father is giving you—is it the one in the southern suburbs? We must visit together when you’re settled.”
The emperor nodded with a smile. “That’s the one. Whether you may visit depends on your cousin Baofu.”
Wei Baofu, taking the cue, smiled gently, “You’re always welcome. Once I’m settled in, I’ll invite all our brothers and sisters to come and play.”
The fourth prince, who had been watching quietly, finally seized his chance. With a grin, he said, “Don’t forget me, Baofu! I want to come, too.”
As she looked at Wei Qi, Wei Baofu couldn’t help feeling that his eyes were very like her late father’s—the one who used to carry her on his back everywhere. Whenever she saw the fourth prince, it was as if her father stood before her, though in truth their features were not that similar.
She felt an instinctive fondness for Wei Qi, a feeling she couldn’t quite explain. But mindful of the empress dowager’s presence, she said nothing more—just nodded with a faint smile.
Wei Qi, a little disappointed, could only accept her response. He truly admired this sister—so unflinching in crisis, able to contend with the crown prince without fear. Such a sister, he cherished from the bottom of his heart.