At the same time, on the bustling Zhuque Street, white papers were scattered from the pavilions, bearing a notice that the current Crown Prince Liang Xinran had violated heavenly punishment by burning people alive.
For a time, the capital was abuzz.
From the highest princes and nobles, through officials and doctors, down to the common people, everyone was whispering about the matter.
"Oh my, this is too terrifying. Rounding up those infected with the plague and burning them along with their relatives and the bodies of those who died from the illness is truly horrific."
"Alas, I heard that contracting that disease doesn't kill people. Didn't Minister Shen, Minister Wang, and Director Lu all save the people of Tongzhou?"
"Yes, they were even promoted for it."
"Exactly. If they don't die, why burn them? Heavens, is there no justice?"
"Alas, these are truly troubled times," someone sighed.
"I don't think so," someone retorted.
"Natural disasters are unavoidable, but man-made disasters can be prevented. If not for that immoral person doing such wicked deeds, how would such upheaval have occurred?"
"Right, right, right."
As a few people spoke, their voices suddenly quieted: "First drought, then plague, and I heard there's already a locust plague in the Gan Jin region. With so many calamities, it must be that the Crown Prince lacks virtue, and heaven cannot tolerate it."
"Indeed, indeed. The current Emperor is unwell, this is a sign from heaven, it must be that the Crown Prince is without virtue..."
"I also heard some things. This Crown Prince is a debaucher who frequents pleasure quarters. I have a confidante who told me her good friend once served the Crown Prince. But not long after, she contracted that disease."
"What disease?"
"Oh, come on, all of you who frequent those places, why pretend to be pure? Isn't it venereal disease?"
"Ah... the Crown Prince has it?"
"Shush, shush, shush, who knows? Don't speak nonsense. No matter how lively our discussion, it's the Emperor who makes the final decision."
Too many people were discussing it, scattered and widespread, whether in the imperial court or within the inner palace. Outside, the talk was even more heated.
The Eastern Palace of the Crown Prince.
"Slam..." Liang Xinran smashed a Jingtai blue porcelain vase made in a official kiln. This was no longer the first decorative piece he had smashed. A pile of broken vase shards lay scattered on the ground. Liang Xinran's handsome face was covered in a layer of white powder, making him appear dazzlingly pale. Coupled with his hawk-like eyes, he was a terrifying sight.
"Useless! I ordered you to investigate, to investigate thoroughly! Who leaked this matter?"
"Your subordinate does not know. Your subordinates are still investigating carefully."
"Investigate, investigate, investigate! Everyone is investigating me, and you are still investigating? Until when will you investigate?" Liang Xinran was furious. If he hadn't been afraid that causing a death would make the situation even harder to resolve, he would have already resorted to killing.
The guards and maids were as silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to speak. They could only go and investigate further. However, the person who accused the Crown Prince had already been dragged to the Dali Temple prison and locked up. They couldn't even touch a corner of his clothes, let alone question him or silence him. They were also extremely helpless.
Just then, the Crown Princess Huang entered and said that someone had told her they could help the Crown Prince. Liang Xinran was completely flustered by now. After this matter broke out, Emperor Xingzhao had summoned him to the palace and scolded him severely. He said that regardless of whether he did it or not, he had disgraced the royal family and brought disaster upon himself. In short, he had to resolve this matter within three days, otherwise, the Emperor himself would personally intervene.
Only one day remained until the three-day deadline. To be precise, today was the third day, and it was noon, with only half a day left. If he hadn't thought of a solution by this afternoon, he would be in grave danger. Liang Xinran clenched his fists tightly, as if gripping his position as Crown Prince. In the past, he relied on the fact that his father, the Emperor, had no other princes who could contend with him. Therefore, he didn't have much attachment to the easily obtained position of Crown Prince. After all, his maternal concubine had told him that his father's most favored consort was her, and his most beloved prince was him. His position as Crown Prince was stable. Furthermore, his maternal grandfather, Duke Huang, controlled the military power, making his position even more secure. Thus, he had specially kept a group of guards to find all sorts of delicious and fun places for him, enjoying food and drink, visiting brothels, composing poetry, and day after day wasting his time as Crown Prince. To his surprise, his elder brother, who had been deposed, had somehow managed to clear himself of the treason charges and was summoned back to the capital by the Emperor. Fifteen years of exile had not made his elder brother, now middle-aged, decadent. Instead, he had become more steady, more benevolent, and more convincing. Liang Xinran immediately felt a sense of crisis and had considered making a move against him again. However, Liang Xinye was no longer the person he used to be. Despite repeated secret plots by the Eastern Palace officials, they had not been able to get rid of him. Even the meticulously designed assassination attempt on the Duan Yang Festival had completely bypassed him. Although it had dragged him into trouble, even if he hadn't been implicated in the murder of the Crown Prince, he had successfully been stabbed and fallen to the ground. His injuries were quite serious, and he had bribed the Imperial Hospital to tamper with his wound medicine, causing his wounds to never heal and even worsen. Who knew... Who knew, that's right, it was that woman. Liang Xinran suddenly thought of the woman he had seen at Prince Duan's mansion that day. She was said to be a doctor, very capable in treating illnesses and saving people. He was very curious to find out who she was and how capable she truly was! As he was thinking this, the person brought by the Crown Princess had entered. Liang Xinran looked up and saw that it was also a woman. She wore a garish rose-red dress, with a gold hairpin and pearl earrings, dressed very luxuriously. However, her appearance was truly not good. She was worlds apart from the beauties he had seen. He turned to his Crown Princess and said unhappily, "I am already troubled, do not bring such irrelevant people to bother me." Crown Princess Huang's exceptionally beautiful face turned a shade paler at the Crown Prince's reprimand. She lowered her eyes somewhat aggrievedly, on the verge of tears. Zhao Xiaohua, however, could not stand it. She took a step forward and respectfully bowed, saying, "This commoner knows what troubles Your Highness the Crown Prince, perhaps this commoner can help Your Highness resolve your worries." Liang Xinran's heart was already burning with anger at this woman's audacity. But upon hearing her speak, he immediately suppressed himself and stared at her intently, "Oh, you, a mere woman, know of my affairs. Are you seeking attention and deliberately mocking me?" As Liang Xinran spoke, he forcefully swept a potted red coral from the low table to the ground. The loud noise startled the Crown Princess Huang, who clutched her handkerchief, covered her face, her jade shoulders trembling, and actually burst into tears. Zhao Xiaohua, however, stood before Liang Xinran, her expression calm and unafraid. Liang Xinran couldn't help but look at her more closely. This seemingly delicate woman possessed such composure. Had he misjudged her? Thinking this, he tentatively asked Zhao Xiaohua to explain what worries he currently had.