Chapter 71: Confrontation

All gazes fell on Liu Zihe.

Jiang Changbai narrowed her eyes, as if having guessed what they wanted to do; she feigned an expression of astonishment. "Oh? Where do these words of Liu-daren's come from?"

Liu Zihe remained kneeling, his head lowered. Yet when he spoke, it was powerful and resonating. "Everyone knows that each member of the imperial family has a jade pendant from birth that can prove their identity; the jade's quality is particular, and others have no way of obtaining it. Though this minister comes from humble beginnings, I've had friendly relations with many princes, and so had the luck to see the jade pendants before, and therefore know whether they are genuine. And the Shizi happens to have such a jade pendant, which this minister determined to be genuine."

Jiang Changbai scoffed coldly. "Is it real just because you said so? When did imperial blood become yours to determine! Take them all away!"

The imperial guard was startled by this explosive shout; once she reacted, she immediately grabbed Liu Zihe's arms, about to head out. Liu Zihe didn't put up any resistance, merely calling out loudly, "Bixia, please think carefully".

But in the next moment, the court fell into chaos, some ministers rushing to stand out first and fall to their knees. "Liu-daren has been an official for many years, diligent to his duties, loyal and devoted, working hard day and night for the state and the people, not turning from hardships. Today's events were merely to allow the Shizi to regain his identity. More than that, a single tree struggles to stand alone—the sooner the Shizi can regain his position, the sooner he can help Bixia share in the tribulations."

The others called out in echo, the momentum growing greater and greater. The guard who was dragging Liu Zihe away was obstructed by some ministers at the doorway, unable to leave. She could only turn her head, gazing at Jiang Changbai as if looking for help.

Jiang Changbai was so angry she laughed. "A single tree struggles to stand alone? You mean to say, everyone standing here in this hall, yourself included, are all useless? Since when have the great matters of the state required a minor Shizi to deal with them? As for the others, do they think the same? Since that's the case, you may as well all retire and return to your hometowns, which would save on salaries—two birds with one stone."

Since she'd spoken, everyone held their breath, paying rapt attention. The imposing mannerisms in Jiang Changbai's speech were far too excessive; no one dared to make a sound. Those who harboured sinister designs trembled the most, not daring to let out a deep breath. They had agreed to Yang Zhuofei prior to speak a few positive words for Jiang Mingyou in today's morning court so as to encourage her majesty to recognise his status. After all, in others' eyes, Yang Zhuofei had made a solemn vow in approving Jiang Mingyou's identity, so the matter of his status receiving the Emperor's acknowledgement was but a matter of time.

Times when Princes fell into dire straits weren't often, and everyone was grasping at this opportunity. Being able to earn some gratitude from a Prince through a few words was a deal that couldn't be compared to. But now, Jiang Changbai had brought things to this state, and things were no longer that simple. Even if one were to gain a Prince's repayment, that was a future matter. But at this moment, if they continued to be at odds with her majesty's views, who knew whether they could retain the black gauze official's hats. Which was trifling and which was significant, all these ministers were well aware.

Xie Qianbing strode out. "This minister is willing to share Bixia's tribulations, to bend to the task and spare no efforts until my dying day, to offer my life in sacrifice, and to pay any cost!" Her words were earnest, powerful and resonating. Of those standing here now, there weren't any fools. With someone taking the lead, naturally they knew how they ought to act. So, one after the other, they fell to their knees, and loudly echoed Xie Qianbing's words.

Jiang Changbai gazed at Jiang Mingyou with a cold expression. "Impersonating a Shizi, and deluding the public with lies. Even if Princess Yu wishes to retain you, it's no longer possible. Guards, come and escort him to prison to wait for his fate!"

This time, no one obstructed them. The imperial guards could see that her majesty was angry, and the two hurriedly came to Jiang Mingyou, one on either side as they hauled him up and away.

At first, Jiang Mingyou was dazed; after all, what had occurred at court today was entirely different from what Yang Zhuofei had told him the night before. According to Yang Zhuofei, the greater half of the court would stand by him, and more than that, he'd have Liu-daren and Wu-daren's assistance. As long as he didn't let the cat out entirely, after court today, he'd be the genuine Prince Yu's Shizi.

Only once he'd been hauled up by the guards did he realise what a dangerous situation he was in at this moment. His expression grew panicked, and he couldn't pay mind to speaking as little as possible as Yang Zhuofei had instructed him; with a loud voice, he called out, "You're all bullying me! My dad died young, and he never supported me!"

He only realised the mistake in his words once he'd already spoken. His current nominal dad was Prince Yu, and he ought to refer to him as his Royal Father. It was said that, in times of emergency, one's mind would grow sharp; now, with even his life under threat, Jiang Mingyou's mind grew quick-witted. He called out loudly once more, "Who said I died? I never died! I've been alive the entire time! I have a jade pendant, I have a jade pendant! Why won't you recognise my identity! I only want to live legitimately!"

Jiang Mingyou's panicked words, unexpectedly, aroused Liu Zihe, and he shook off the imperial guards dragging him along. "Bixia, please judge clearly! What's heard can't always be trusted, but seeing is believing. His highness the Shizi is standing perfectly well here now—please don't blindly listen to the words of scoundrels!"

He'd just finished speaking when Wu Dongmu echoed him. "It's exactly as Liu-daren says. Though in the past all members of the imperial family died in the chaos of war, his highness the Shizi's body was never seen. More than that, Bixia, before, you lived a long while in the rear wings, and rarely even participated in the imperial city's poetry societies, so how could you have personally seen the Shizi in death, and how can you be so certain? You must have been deceived by some scoundrel! Bixia, please be as perceptive as to see the down feathers of autumn, and exonerate his highness the Shizi!"

At this, the crowd of ministers came back to themselves, and began to call out in agreement as well. More than that, there was someone who said, "Wu Dongmu's right! Your majesty, please reconsider—don't believe in slander!"

Hearing this, Jiang Changbai raised a brow. In the past, she'd taken Liu Zihe and Wu Dongmu for fools, but unexpectedly, today she found they were quite intelligent. Relying on the power and influence they'd previously gathered, in a few words, they were able to corner her, the Emperor, into a dilemma. At this moment, she either had to recognise Jiang Mingyou's identity as Shizi, or admit that Song Juguang had killed Jiang Mingyou.

Actually, Jiang Changbai herself didn't know how Jiang Mingyou had died either; she'd only heard Song Juguang swear to her solemnly that Jiang Mingyou had already died beneath her blade. But a jade pendant could be lost in the chaos, and Song Juguang was skilled with magic—perhaps forging a jade pendant wasn't a difficult matter. More than that, Song Juguang's identity was now a mystery, and, as for Jiang Changbai, she didn't dare to trust in her entirely either.

Adding on Yang Zhuofei's solemn vow, Jiang Changbai indistinctly felt that this Jiang Mingyou before her was genuine as well. But she knew as well that, even if this Jiang Mingyou before her was genuine, she couldn't recognise his identity.

Without Jiang Mingyou, the only person remaining in the world with the imperial blood was her. Even if her reforms were even more bold and decisive, if there were those unwilling to implement them, then it would be a revolt. But if Prince Yu's Shizi were alive, perhaps there would be those who would have thoughts that they ought not to be.

Jiang Changbai's gaze couldn't help but fall on the empty space at the very front of the crowd of ministers, where Song Juguang ought to be standing.

How come it was today that she wasn't here?

---

Shen Yanyi looked at the letter on the desk, dazed; after a while longer, she looked at the servant from her own residence, as if not daring to believe it. "This really came from Prince Yu's manor?"

"Daren, it absolutely did."

Prince Yu's Shizi had only just, during the day, along with the ministers, made a scene, forcing Jiang Changbai to be unable to avoid recognising his identity. Some ministers who had, in the past, had friendly dealings with Prince Yu, or those who had stood firmly by Prince Yu's Shizi's side this morning, were naturally jubilant, itching to break the threshold of Prince Yu's manor by their treading.

How was Princess Yu able to make time to send her a letter? And what were its contents? They'd clearly never even had the slightest interaction before.

Shen Yanyi looked at the maid standing by her side. "Did you see anyone else when this letter arrived?"

The maid lowered her head, sinking into thought for a moment, and then, as if having made a great effort to remember, said, "At the time, it was just midday; everyone was napping, and there weren't really any people on the streets. The person who delivered the letter wasn't ostentatious, either; probably no one took note of them."

Shen Yanyi, hearing this, breathed out, and nodded pensively. Even if Prince Yu's manor were more busy, it didn't have any relation to her; she was someone who'd been at Jiang Changbai's side for many years, and, more than that, having been promoted so many times, naturally she couldn't cut contact with them. She merely took this as a minor hassle.

She waved the maid away, and pulled out a bamboo torch, intending to burn the letter. But it had only caught fire by a spark on one edge when she, by curious coincidence, shook the flame away. Inexplicably, Shen Yanyi was a bit curious as to the letter's contents.

I'll just take a look, she told herself. Take a look, and then burn it.

So, the damaged letter was laid out, and Shen Yanyi's expression gradually grew grave. Her trembling hand slowly stroked the unadulterated name on the letter. Shen Wenlan—it was her mother's name. Her gaze followed over the handwriting to no avail; half of the contents had already been burnt away.

How about going in secret to take a look?

Shen Yanyi's mind began to waver. Though she'd been plucked out of a crowd of refugees by Jiang Changbai, before she'd become a refugee, she had had her own family. Her father had disappeared who knew where, and since childhood, she'd lived with her mother. Afterwards, her hometown had fallen into draught, and so her mother had had no choice but to leave with her, and look for a new way to survive.

The phrase "fleeing calamity" towards the Shen Yanyi of now was far too profound, and far too unfamiliar. With her mother, how could it be leaving her hometown against her will? But when they'd been just about at the capital, her mother had fallen and broken her leg, and couldn't walk any further. With no alternative, she'd entrusted Shen Yanyi to another woman she'd been familiar with, and so Shen Yanyi had been able to enter the capital, and so been able to be seen by Jiang Changbai.

In all these years, Shen Yanyi would often think in the night that the place she and her mother had parted ways truly wasn't that far from the capital—could it be that some kind-hearted person had rescued her mother? Could it be that her mother was still alive?

She suddenly regretted that she'd just burnt the letter without hesitation; she needed to find time to go to Prince Yu's manor.

The heavens gradually darkened, and the setting sun painted the horizon in purples and reds. The Regent's manor was still silent, as if no one lived there. The small number of servants had long since gained a tacit understanding, and hid in places Song Juguang couldn't see to laze and idle about. As a result, when Xun Zhu knocked with the door knocker, there wasn't a single person who answered. Xun Zhu was somewhat astonished, but she knocked the knocker again, and still no one replied.

"Xiaojie, this…" she turned her head, doubtful, and waited for Jiang Changbai to say something.

Jiang Changbai was a bit shocked as well; she knew that the Regent's residence didn't have many servants, but she hadn't known that now, there wouldn't even be anyone to answer the door. Refusing to be swayed by the thought of failure, she advanced, knocking on the door, but all that answered her was silence. Jiang Changbai retreated a few steps, staring at the name plate of the Regent's manor for a long while. Today, not only had she not seen any trace of Song Juguang during morning court, she hadn't seen her enter the Palace during the day either. It had to be known that, since she'd ascended the throne, as long as Song Juguang was in the capital, she'd enter the Palace and stay a while every day.

Before, Jiang Changbai had assumed she was monitoring her, making it so she was helpless when handling matters, and when she wanted to summon someone, she had to hide in a side hall. But today, Song Juguang hadn't appeared, and Jiang Changbai had unexpectedly been at ill ease; when the people she sent to take a look didn't have a reply, it was even more like sitting on a felt pincushion. Having simply set down her memorials and come over herself, she hadn't imagined she'd be faced with a closed.

After a long while, Jiang Changbai said lowly, "Let's go."

She felt that she'd really gone mad; without the person monitoring her, she couldn't even manage to be happy. How come she'd come to this state of unease and rushed over? Where was there someone in this world who could beat her Song Juguang?

But Jiang Changbai had just turned around, not even having taken a step, when she heard the door behind her creak open. A familiar voice came from behind her: "How come you're so eager to leave?"

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