"I... I didn't want to either."
Zhao Yi put on a flustered expression and stammered, "In the heat of the moment, I... I used too much force, and so... accidentally killed Grandpa Gao."
"I didn't want to either."
Pei Hong stood up and turned to look at Pei Tianlin.
A sharp glint flashed through Pei Tianlin's eyes, and he said, "Things have come to this; we can only return to the palace and let His Majesty decide."
With that, he looked at Pei Hong. "Read His Majesty's oral edict."
Pei Hong nodded, looked at Zhao Yi, and said in a loud voice, "By His Majesty's oral edict: Prince Qing is without fault. The decree ordering his execution is rescinded. Enter the palace immediately to pay respects to the Emperor."
Zhao Yi was momentarily dazed, then bowed and said, "This son obeys the decree."
At that moment, Pei Tianlin gave Pei Hong a meaningful look. "Take Grandpa Gao outside."
Understanding the hint, Pei Hong hoisted Grandpa Gao onto his shoulders and walked out.
Only Pei Tianlin and Zhao Yi remained in the hall.
Pei Tianlin gazed at Zhao Yi with a piercing look, bowed with cupped hands, and said, "Your Highness, this old subject's granddaughter regained consciousness today and has explained the truth about that day's imperial banquet."
"Your Highness and this old subject's granddaughter share a mutual affection; it was never harassment."
"This old subject has already clarified this to His Majesty."
"Your Highness suffered unjust grievances because of the Pei family, so this old subject has specially come to offer an apology to Your Highness."
With these words, Pei Tianlin bowed deeply to Zhao Yi.
Zhao Yi mulled over Pei Tianlin's words in his heart and instantly understood his meaning.
He had come to get their stories straight.
Zhao Yi did not know whether his previous incarnation and Pei Yiqiu had truly shared a mutual affection.
However, since Pei Tianlin had said so, he could only go along with it.
The Pei family knew that he had seen through the Emperor's intentions.
From Pei Tianlin's expression, it was also clear that he had guessed that Zhao Yi had killed Grandpa Gao on purpose.
Today, he and the Pei family had been forced into the exact same camp.
There was nothing to do now but walk this road to the very end.
Zhao Yi reached out to steady Pei Tianlin's arm and said meaningfully, "Duke Pei is too polite. If you hadn't stepped forward in time today to tell the truth, I fear I would have been in inescapable danger."
Pei Tianlin straightened up and gave Zhao Yi a long, deep look.
After exchanging a few more words, the two men walked out of the hall side by side.
...
The Imperial Palace of Dayong, Imperial Study.
Having sat for a long time, the Yongzhao Emperor stood up, put his hands behind his back, and paced back and forth inside the Imperial Study.
"Cao Yan," the Yongzhao Emperor called out casually. The old eunuch who had been following closely behind immediately answered, "This old servant is here."
The Yongzhao Emperor stopped pacing, turned to look at Eunuch Cao, and said, "Scouts report that the Eighth Prince held Gao Yong hostage, and after a secret discussion with Pei Hong in a room, Pei Hong rushed out of Prince Qing's Estate and rode back to Duke Xiang's Estate."
"What do you suppose the Eighth Prince said to Pei Hong?"
"This..." Eunuch Cao thought for a moment, then smiled ingratiatingly. "This old servant is dull-witted and cannot guess what they discussed."
A sharp gleam flickered in the Yongzhao Emperor's eyes. "I am truly curious about what they talked about."
Eunuch Cao smiled slightly and replied, "Your Majesty need not worry. Once Gao Yong returns, we can simply ask him."
"Hm!" The Yongzhao Emperor nodded.
At that moment, a young eunuch took rapid, dainty steps over to the two men, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, Duke Xiang, His Highness Prince Qing, and Left Thousand-House Commander Pei are outside requesting an audience."
"Send them in," the Yongzhao Emperor replied, and walked toward the imperial throne.
"This son greets Your Majesty!"
"This subject greets Your Majesty!"
Zhao Yi, Pei Tianlin, and Pei Hong stood before the imperial desk and bowed in unison to the Yongzhao Emperor.
"Rise." The Yongzhao Emperor swept his gaze over the three men, then frowned. "Where is Gao Yong?"
Pei Tianlin remained calm and collected, while Pei Hong instinctively glanced at Zhao Yi.
Zhao Yi immediately bowed with cupped hands, assuming a timid and terrified demeanor, and said in a trembling voice, "Father, this son is guilty."
The Yongzhao Emperor's tone unconsciously sharpened. "What have you done this time?"
The word "this time" aptly reflected the Yongzhao Emperor's impression of Zhao Yi.
Whenever news came regarding this regular visitor to the Imperial Clan Court, it was invariably about some disgraceful deed he had committed.
Lowering his head, Zhao Yi spoke with a shaky voice, "This son... this son just now accidentally... by mistake... accidentally killed Grandpa Gao."
Hearing this, the muscles at the corner of the Yongzhao Emperor's eyes involuntarily twitched.
"Bang!"
The Yongzhao Emperor slammed a hand onto the imperial desk, sprang to his feet, pointed a finger at Zhao Yi like a sword, and shouted, "Rebellious son! You actually dare to kill my man!"
"Have you completely lost your mind?"
Pretending to panic, Zhao Yi said, "Father, th-this son didn't mean to!"
"In the heat of the moment, this son lost control and accidentally killed Grandpa Gao."
"I beg Father to examine the facts!"
"You..." The Yongzhao Emperor pointed at Zhao Yi, the reprimand on the tip of his tongue suddenly getting stuck.
This son of his had caused trouble since childhood and was terrified of death.
Knowing he was ordered to be executed, it was entirely reasonable that he would be driven to desperation and commit some drastic act.
Moreover, having used his own son this time, the Emperor felt a certain amount of guilt in his heart.
It became difficult to utter further rebukes.
The Yongzhao Emperor lowered his hand and sighed helplessly.
After pondering for a moment, he swept a scrutinizing gaze across the three men before the imperial desk.
Finally, his eyes landed on Zhao Yi. "Eighth, do you know what crime it is to kill my imperial decree-bearing eunuch?"
Crouching his shoulders, Zhao Yi replied in a small voice, "Res... resisting the decree, a capital offense."
"You know well enough!" the Yongzhao Emperor shouted sternly, his gaze shifting to Pei Hong. "Pei Hong, I ordered you to oversee the execution, yet you let Gao Yong die at the Eighth Prince's hands. What crime do you deserve?"
Thud.
Pei Hong dropped directly to his knees, lowered his head, and said, "This subject failed in his duty and deserves a thousand deaths. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"
"Humph!" The Yongzhao Emperor put his hands behind his back and let out a heavy snort. "One is audacious and reckless! The other is derelict in his duty!"
"Minister Pei."
The Yongzhao Emperor looked at Pei Tianlin and asked coldly, "How do you think I should punish them?"
"Pei Hong failed in his duty and fell short of imperial favor. I leave him entirely to Your Majesty's disposition; this old subject has no objections whatsoever." Pei Hong cupped his hands in reply, then hesitated and added, "It's just..."
"Just what?" The Yongzhao Emperor stared at Pei Tianlin with a sharp gaze.
Pei Tianlin glanced at Zhao Yi and said earnestly, "It's just that His Highness Prince Qing accidentally killed Grandpa Gao because he suffered unjust grievances. There are extenuating circumstances. I hope Your Majesty will show leniency and refrain from punishing His Highness Prince Qing harshly."
The Yongzhao Emperor paced with his hands behind his back for a long moment, then turned to look at Zhao Yi and Pei Hong. "If you want me to deal with you leniently, it depends on which of you can seize the opportunity."
With that, the Yongzhao Emperor picked up a memorial from the imperial desk and shook it slightly. "I received a report today that last night the Xuanying Bureau located a Beiyi stronghold. While arresting Beiyi spies, one of them escaped."
Pausing slightly, the Yongzhao Emperor narrowed his eyes. "Eighth, Pei Hong, I am now giving the two of you a chance to redeem yourselves through meritorious service."
"Within seven days, whichever of you captures the spy will be exempted from punishment."
"As for the one who fails to catch him, I will show no mercy!"
Pei Hong was momentarily stunned, failing to understand why the Yongzhao Emperor would propose such a test.
Still, he nodded in assent: "This subject obeys the decree."
As for Zhao Yi, after silently pondering to himself, he put on a bitter face and probed tentatively, "Father, if this son fails to catch the spy, how do you... plan to punish me?"
"Humph!" A blast of air escaped the Yongzhao Emperor's nostrils, and he declared sternly, "If you fail to catch the man, you will go to the Imperial Clan Court to reflect on your mistakes for half a year!"