"The commoner intentionally bought identical clothing," Wang Mei said frankly, her eyes clear.
"Oh?" Lu Jing’an grew interested, awaiting her explanation.
"This commoner heard His Majesty would be hosting a family banquet and had specifically invited Hua Yao from the Hua manor. I feared the night patrol guards would see me, so I wore the same clothes as her, like a fool trying to fool oneself," Wang Mei stated.
"A fine example of fooling oneself. Whether my guards were deceived, I know not, but my son, however, was fooled by you."
"This commoner knows her mistake, knows her mistake. Please, Your Majesty, punish me." Wang Mei reacted quickly, prostrating herself before Lu Jing’an and repeatedly kowtowing.
Lu Jing’an waved his hand and asked Wang Mei, "Where is your child?"
Wang Mei pursed her lips, remaining silent.
Lu Jing’an softened his tone, "Rest assured, since you carry Hong’er’s child, it is my grandchild. How could I kill my own bloodline? Speak freely."
"My maid is taking care of him, outside the palace," Wang Mei answered truthfully.
"Outside the palace? You left him outside? Have you considered what would happen if you had died today and I hadn't discovered this by chance?" Lu Jing’an inquired.
Wang Mei replied, "My death would also be a path to a better life for the child. I instructed my maid that if this commoner did not return by the next day, she would take the child and disappear forever."
Hearing this, Lu Jing’an rubbed his aching temples.
Wang Mei remained silent, her head bowed low.
A moment later.
Lu Jing’an shifted his gaze from Wang Mei and said, "You may withdraw for now. Regarding your affairs, I will discuss them with Minister Wang tomorrow. As for your worries, as long as I am here and the empire remains under the Lu surname, no one will dare to harm you or your Wang family. Do you understand?"
His words carried a certain sternness, and his gaze subtly fell upon Shen Nong.
Shen Nong narrowed her eyes, gritting her teeth in suppressed anger.
"This commoner understands. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace." Wang Mei finished, quickly rising and leaving Yue Ming Pavilion, led by a palace maid.
With two people gone, Yue Ming Pavilion felt a little more spacious.
Lu Jing’an walked forward a few steps and sat on the bed. Whether from exhaustion, anger, or some other issue, faint beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
Zhong Li observed all this, her eyes cast down, lost in thought.
Lu Jing’an rested for a moment, and when he opened his eyes again, they were filled with coldness.
"Guards!" he commanded with a sweep of his hand. Several guards entered from outside. "The Crown Prince is without virtue. Effective immediately, he is stripped of his title as Crown Prince and confined to Shaohua Palace for three months of reflection!"
As soon as Lu Jing’an spoke, Lu Yuanhong collapsed to the ground like a soft persimmon.
His gaze was fixed on the man seated on the bed. He saw no trace of pity in his eyes.
"Heh heh!" Lu Yuanhong chuckled lightly. Dragged up by the guards, he was about to be led out of Yue Ming Pavilion. "Let go of me!"
He swung with all his might, shaking off the people beside him.
The guards, wary of him still being a prince, dared not pull him forcefully.
"Father actually intended to depose me long ago, didn't he?" Lu Yuanhong walked step by step towards Lu Jing’an.
Eunuch Hua, seeing this, anxiously stepped forward. "Presumptuous!"
"Get out of the way!" Lu Yuanhong pushed Eunuch Hua aside.
"Oh!" Eunuch Hua fell to the ground.
Lu Yuanfeng, seeing this, quickly stepped forward to block again.
Lu Yuanhong moved to strike again, but catching sight of the murderous gaze of the man opposite, his action paused, and he instinctively took a step back.
"You... you were faking?" Lu Yuanhong pointed at Lu Yuanfeng, stammering.
Lu Yuanfeng remained silent. Lu Jing’an stood up and asked, "Hong’er, what were you about to do just now?"
Lu Yuanhong regained his composure, his eyes turning fierce again. "I am saying, Father actually intended to depose me long ago, didn't he?"
"On what grounds?" Lu Jing’an asked.
Lu Yuanhong scoffed, "When I was young, I remember Father doted on me greatly. He taught me calligraphy hand-in-hand, and personally selected my tutors. I thought Father would always love me this way.
At some point, I began to be neglected. Whenever I presented my memorials, you either didn't read them or delegated the matters to others.
This marriage with the Hua family was something I first approached you about. What did Father say? He told me to wait patiently. But what was the outcome?
It was today, on the Laba Festival, that you told everyone you had betrothed Hua Yao to my sixth brother? You humiliated me publicly? Why? I ask you, why? I am the Crown Prince, and I do not even have a proper consort yet. Why should my sixth brother get Hua Yao? Huh? Why?"
Lu Yuanhong's questioning grew louder and louder, finally erupting into a shout.
"You... *cough*..." Lu Jing’an, angered, reached out as if to slap Lu Yuanhong. Suddenly, his hand stopped in mid-air, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Your Majesty," everyone exclaimed in shock.
Lu Jing’an coughed violently, staggering backward.
Lu Yuanfeng reacted quickly, catching Lu Jing’an to prevent him from falling.
Zhong Li hurried to Lu Jing’an’s side, felt his pulse, and her expression darkened. "Summon the imperial physician, quickly!"
"Summon the imperial physician, the physician!" Lu Yuanfeng shouted to the guards outside.
The guards quickly rushed towards the Imperial Hospital.
Lu Jing’an waved his hand, propping himself up to sit halfway.
"Father..."
He interrupted Lu Yuanfeng’s subsequent words of concern, his gaze fixed on Lu Yuanhong. "The Crown Prince shows no respect for hierarchy. He is to be expelled from the palace immediately... *cough cough*... Youjing will reside... at Changting Garden, ten li outside the palace."
"Your Majesty!" Upon hearing this, Shen Nong became agitated. She crawled forward to Lu Jing’an, kowtowing repeatedly and pleading, "No, please, Your Majesty, no."
"What is there to say no to? *cough cough*..." Lu Jing’an asked through gritted teeth.
Shen Nong said, "Changting Garden is north of Jincheng. It has long been abandoned, and it is damp and cold... It is winter now. If Hong’er is sent there, he will not last long, Your Majesty..."
Lu Jing’an remained silent.
Shen Nong pondered for a moment. "Your Majesty, no matter what, Hong’er is your flesh and blood. To treat him like this..."
"Flesh and blood?" Lu Jing’an cast a leisurely glance at her.
Shen Nong closed her mouth.
"What good is flesh and blood if he doesn't even respect his own father? If he shows no respect for hierarchy, how will he govern the nation, how will he honor the ancestors?"
"It's not..."
"Not what?" Lu Jing’an roared at Shen Nong.
Shen Nong dared not speak.
"I have made my decision. Empress, do not speak further." Lu Jing’an slowly stood up with Lu Yuanfeng's support. After taking only a couple of steps, he suddenly remembered something and turned back. "The Empress has failed in raising her son and has committed such a shameful and indecent act. Hand over the phoenix seal and return to Feng Luan Palace for three months of reflection."
With that, Lu Jing’an glanced at the imperial physicians who had arrived and quickly exited Yue Ming Pavilion.
The moon hung high in the sky, and through the gaps in the window, it crept into the room, making Yue Ming Pavilion even more desolate.
Shen Nong slumped dejectedly onto the ground, not even having the will to cry.
"Your Ladyship!" Zipei approached her, intending to help her up.
Shen Nong pounded the ground with force and roared, "Zhong Li!"