The Crown Prince, whose conduct was improper, was reprimanded and confined to his residence for contemplation.
The Crown Princess, struck by the blow, fell ill and miscarried two days later, losing her chance at motherhood.
Li Yi, having failed to discipline his daughter, became the laughingstock of the capital. Emperor Chenghua summarily dismissed him from the Hanlin Academy and ordered him to leave.
All blessings and hardships are from the Emperor. Li Yi dared not defy Emperor Chenghua in any way, and upon returning home, he unleashed his fury. He and Bai Shi had been married for many years. While their affection wasn't profound, they had several children, and their occasional arguments never escalated to violence.
However, this time Li Yi flew into a rage, slapping Bai Shi twice, and not feeling appeased, he violently pushed her to the ground. By sheer misfortune, Bai Shi's ribs fractured. She lay on the ground for a long time, unable to move.
Fractures were a serious matter in this era. A slight misstep could be fatal. Although Bai Shi's injuries weren't critical, she would have to remain bedridden for at least six months. She hated Li Man'er with all her being, cursing her daily and wishing she could strike Li Man'er down with a single blow.
If it weren't for her, how could their household have ended up in such a state?
Even more pitiable was Tian'er. So young, delicate as a flower, she was forced by imperial decree to become a nun, her head shaven bald.
Upon hearing this, Li Man'er was overjoyed. She thought that the next time she saw her, she would have to address her as 'Reverend Mother.'
As a result of this incident, the Crown Prince's faction was implicated. Within a few days, new storms brewed. Censor Wang Weizhu submitted a memorial to the throne, accusing the Crown Prince of three grave offenses.
Firstly, embezzlement. It was confirmed that the Crown Prince's influence had infiltrated the military, not only manipulating military supplies but also misappropriating funds designated for river management.
Secondly, extravagant and dissolute living, engaging in inappropriate relationships with both men and women.
This charge, by itself, was not a major issue for the Crown Prince. However, it came on the heels of Li Tian'er's affair, exacerbating his predicament.
Thirdly, treason and colluding with the enemy.
This charge sent shockwaves through the imperial court.
The Crown Prince naturally cried foul. As the Crown Prince, what nation would he betray, what enemy would he collude with? Wasn't that tantamount to digging his own grave?
Yet, Wang Weizhu's memorial clearly stated that the Crown Prince had frequent contact with envoys from Xizhou. Not only had he accepted tribute from them, but he had also privately received beautiful women sent as tribute by Xizhou.
Who knew if among these women there were Xizhou spies? Moreover, tribute was meant for the imperial court. What was the meaning of the Crown Prince appropriating it for his private treasury?
While the preceding evidence might have seemed somewhat lacking in substance, the final piece of evidence could be said to have nailed the Crown Prince to the pillar of dishonor for treason.
Yelü Hongge, the ruler of Xizhou, had adopted a name from the Zun Kingdom, using the alias Zhang Ruoshui, befriended the Crown Prince, and even became sworn brothers.
The Crown Prince believed Zhang Ruoshui to be a reclusive master, possessing profound knowledge, and having once saved him. Therefore, he treated Zhang Ruoshui as an honored guest, divulging many matters without reservation, which subsequently allowed Xizhou to obtain a significant amount of intelligence.
"Although Xizhou is not as warlike as the barbarians, in recent years, they have been constantly infiltrating the Zun Kingdom," Qi Yihan patiently explained the situation to Li Man'er. "Yelü Zhangge has only been in power for a few years, and he is quite audacious."
Li Man'er suddenly understood. "So, you were the one who exposed the Crown Prince's affairs!"
"If you strike, strike to kill, a fatal blow. Matters of personal conduct and relationships are too difficult to bring down a Crown Prince with," Qi Yihan replied. Only when it escalated to colluding with the enemy and treason would Emperor Chenghua refrain from showing leniency or mercy.
Li Man'er gave him a thumbs-up and then asked curiously, "Isn't Yelü something a king? Why would he have the time to come to our Zun Kingdom and stir up trouble?"
"Xizhou's national strength is still weak. In earlier years, they were a nomadic people, and Yelü Hongge was not the first in line for succession. The current Empress Dowager of Xizhou, Abao Min, disregarding the late king's will, appointed Yelü Hongge. She was originally the Great Consort and had no offspring. The late king's will designated Yelü Hongge's elder brother."
"So that's how it is," Li Man'er said, understanding. "This Empress Dowager thought he would be easy to manipulate, so she appointed him as the new king?"
Qi Yihan nodded. "But I don't think Yelü Hongge is such a weak person. Some individuals are born at the wrong time, preferring to bide their time and make a powerful debut."
"Understood, you mean he's pretending to be a pig to eat the tiger."
Qi Yihan smiled faintly. "Something like that."
"Then this affair will likely drag on for some time," Li Man'er said. "Anyway, Li Tian'er is now a nun, Li Zha'er is like a quail, and I'm free of all worries."
After the Crown Princess discovered Li Tian'er's affair with the Crown Prince, Li Zha'er fell gravely ill. She was terrified. She knew that no matter was trivial in the royal court, especially concerning the Eastern Palace. She feared that everyone present that day would not escape unscathed.
While it might not have led to murder, she was certainly marked for hatred. Li Tian'er belonged to the second branch of the family, while she was from the eldest. The Li family had not yet divided, and it was possible she would be targeted. Furthermore, the Liang family already treated her poorly; knowing she was involved would undoubtedly lead to further suffering.
Li Zha'er was both scared and resentful. She knew everything was Li Man'er's doing. Li Tian'er should have been in the nunnery, so how did she return to the manor and end up in bed with the Crown Prince? Given the gravity of the situation, and knowing all this, how could she have acted so recklessly?
The only explanation was that Li Man'er had seen through their scheme, made arrangements in advance, brought Li Tian'er back to the capital, and, without anyone noticing, placed her in the Marquis's manor.
That woman…
Li Zha'er's guess was correct. The Liang family indeed feared being implicated because of her. As a result, her illness never truly abated.
As the treason case against the Crown Prince concluded with great fanfare, Li Zha'er also died in the Liang family's residence in the capital. Madam Guo was dead, Li Shu was paralyzed, and Li Qingyun had always been selfish. No one cared whether she died of illness or was murdered.
The Crown Prince fell, reduced to common status. The Crown Princess, already in poor health, suffering a miscarriage, and imprisoned, passed away a few years later. The fate of the Crown Prince's lineage remained unknown, scattered to the winds.
Li Man'er mused that Emperor Chenghua would likely not be so deranged as to eradicate this entire lineage, as they were his own blood kin.
What surprised Li Man'er the most was the Empress. She had shown no interest in the Crown Prince's case from beginning to end, let alone pleaded for him. Why was that? Wasn't the Crown Prince her son? Or was there some hidden reason behind it?
Li Man'er did not know. Of course, all this was a story for later.
Her enemies were falling one by one. Nothing in the world brought her more happiness.
With her wedding approaching, Li Man'er wanted to explore more, so she chose a good day to visit Huang Yuzhu.
With Li Man'er's strong protection, Huang Yuzhu and Zhang Shi's lives had improved considerably. It was now difficult for overbearing concubines to lord over the legitimate wife and act imperiously.
"Man'er, where are we going today?" Huang Yuzhu had never treated Li Man'er as a County Princess. She felt that true friends should call each other by their names, preferably their childhood nicknames, to foster intimacy.
If Li Man'er cared deeply about the title of County Princess and insisted on being called by it, Huang Yuzhu would think that this friendship was not genuine.
Fortunately, Li Man'er had never paid much attention to such matters.