This damnable familiarity was almost laughable.
"Did you do this?"
"Indeed."
"Why?"
"Hahaha, Your Majesty, do you find it amusing to ask such a question? Do you think the two sons you kept by your side are any better? I have contended with my elder brother for years, only to be ambushed by our sixth brother from behind, employing such a drastic measure to destroy me. Is it not fitting that I return him a grand gift?"
Suddenly remembering something, he turned to the kneeling Sixth Prince.
"Oh, no, you are not my sixth brother. You are the bastard child of Consort Liu and this man! Before Consort Liu entered the palace, she had a childhood sweetheart in Qingzhou. However, her family was poor and could not afford the betrothal gifts. By chance, Consort Liu was selected to enter the palace as a maid, and by fortune, became favored by Your Majesty. After enduring for several years, you were born. You constantly claim your mother never left the palace, yet two months before she became pregnant, she visited the Fahua Temple to offer incense. She went with the Empress Dowager. Have you forgotten?"
Consort Liu had always been a figure of low presence in the harem, but due to her devotion to Buddhism, she received some favor from the Empress Dowager.
That year, she was brought along to Fahua Temple to broaden her horizons. Who knew this would present an opportunity for her and her lover to secretly meet at Fahua Temple.
As for how they managed it, it would likely require Consort Liu to explain herself when she awoke.
However, who would willingly reveal such a clandestine matter?
Emperor Qi was so enraged by the Ninth Prince's words that he could barely stand. He stumbled back two steps, and if not for the Empress and Crown Prince supporting him, he might have collapsed.
Feeling a metallic taste in his mouth, he almost fainted.
But his imperial dignity made him hold back. Pushing away the Empress and Crown Prince who were supporting him, he stepped forward and carefully examined the Sixth Prince and the man who had just breathed his last.
Then, he addressed Lin Wang.
"See if there are any signs of disguise on his face."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Lin Wang stepped forward and felt all over, finding no flaws. He then reported to Emperor Qi.
"Your Majesty, this humble servant found nothing."
This single sentence rendered all of the Sixth Prince's efforts to salvage the situation in vain.
"Father..."
With irrefutable evidence, he didn't know where to begin to defend himself.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Qi seemed to age considerably. Looking at the Sixth Prince again, his gaze was filled with confusion, disgust, and even a hint of pity.
For other matters, he might have found it within himself to forgive. But this was not even his blood. How could he forgive?
Dispelling his last shred of pity, Emperor Qi regained his imperial resolve.
He coldly uttered, "Grant him death."
The Sixth Prince was utterly stunned by these three words, collapsing to the ground.
For so many years, he had felt both respect and aversion towards Consort Liu. If only he had been Emperor Qi's son.
But now, the secret he had harbored for years had been exposed.
He wasn't even a traitor; after his death, he would only be branded a bastard and disappear silently from the imperial genealogy.
All traces of his existence would be erased.
This was more cruel than being caught for rebellion. At least the latter would leave behind a notorious name, but he would never be mentioned by anyone again.
Even after generations had passed, the faint memories of his existence would completely vanish.
He gave a bitter laugh, tears streaming down his face.
Looking up at the assembled crowd, for the first time, he did not bow his head in subservience.
Staggering to his feet, he addressed everyone.
"You think that by killing me, this court and this harem will be cleansed? Do not dream. The emperor has shown no mercy to his own father, brothers, and children. The Empress suppresses consorts, murders imperial heirs, and indulges her clan in oppressing the people. The Crown Prince schemes daily against his brothers and the throne. The ministers either fawn endlessly or feign righteousness as if no one else in the world is as virtuous as they are. It is truly laughable. I will wait below and see what kind of end awaits each of you!"
With that, he lunged violently towards the stone steps, his head smashing against them, his skull cracking open.
Before dying, he glared at Emperor Qi, his eyes filled with blood, turning them crimson. Then, the world plunged into infinite darkness.
Lin Wang stepped forward, felt his neck, and confirmed to Emperor Qi.
"Your Majesty, he is dead."
Now there were two corpses in the hall, but Consort Liu, who was deeply involved, was still unconscious.
The Empress could not let this opportunity pass and immediately said.
"Splash water on her to wake her up, and let her witness the sins she has committed!"
Soon, Consort Liu woke up with a dazed expression. Seeing that the two men she loved most had both met their demise, she could no longer contain herself. Blood erupted from her chest, and she immediately crawled over.
She looked at the Sixth Prince for a moment, then at her lover.
Then, she turned to look at Emperor Qi, the Empress, and the Crown Prince on the steps. Without a word, she pulled the hairpin from her head and plunged it fiercely into her chest.
Before dying, she tightly clasped the hands of the two men and said intermittently.
"In the next life... we... we will be family again."
And then she breathed her last.
A grand palace banquet was briefly concluded with the deaths of three people.
Although the Empress and the Crown Prince felt a sense of lament, they had also eliminated an obstacle, and were naturally pleased.
However, Emperor Qi was deeply shaken and remained in a daze for a long time.
He could not forget the looks in the eyes of the Sixth Prince and Consort Liu as they died, filled with resentment, unwillingness, and disgust.
Yes, disgust. In the end, those closest to him felt disgust towards him.
He looked at the Ninth Prince, whose eyes also held apprehension and hatred towards him.
His presence here clearly indicated he was prepared.
The Crown Prince and the others were still reveling in their joy, unaware that the imperial palace was now surrounded.
For the Ninth Prince, this was the place where he grew up. He knew which areas were heavily guarded and which were lax, and he found his way immediately.
Since he had entered, he would not leave easily.
Therefore, Emperor Qi understood that this was a genuine coup d'état.
Father and son remained silent, merely looking at each other, understanding everything in their gazes.
At this point, he no longer wished to say more.
He simply asked.
"How much of the palace have you surrounded?"
"Not much. After General Lin led his men in, those outside have already been controlled by me. I must thank Your Majesty for this. You have always detested others knowing the secrets of the imperial family, so everyone else kept their distance. Whatever happens here tonight will not interfere with our father-son heart-to-heart talk."