The Emperor, enraged, turned to Feng Jin Xu. "My loyal minister, what other discoveries have you made? Speak them all!"
"It's about illicit salt fields, Your Majesty. A salt field in Qingzhou has been occupied by Concubine Liu and the Sixth Prince for many years. While I haven't ascertained the exact profits, judging by the duration and the size of the field, the illicit gains would not be less than ten million taels."
The revelation sent a collective gasp through the hall. Compared to the wealth of the Wei family and the Ninth Prince, this sum might seem insignificant. However, for ordinary households, it was a terrifying, ocean-like fortune. Illicit salt, like illicit iron and private armies, was a matter that deeply concerned emperors. The Great Jin Dynasty had always maintained a dedicated Salt Affairs Bureau to oversee this matter. While seemingly not a lucrative position, the indispensable nature of salt made it more vital than grain. The market price was strictly controlled by the government. The emergence of illicit salt, at its lightest, was mere profiteering, but at its worst, it was an act of treason that harmed the nation and its people.
The Emperor's gaze towards Concubine Liu and the Sixth Prince became even colder. The Empress feigned surprise, but inwardly, she wished the Emperor would deal with the mother and son immediately, thus securing her own peace of mind.
"Speak! Is this true?" The Emperor's thunderous voice echoed. The Sixth Prince and Concubine Liu knelt, sweat beading on their foreheads. Normally, he would have protested, even with the slightest chance of muddying the waters to escape. But now, the very person in charge of the illicit salt field had been presented as a "gift." Who knew what else might be uncovered? He reasoned that if the matter could be contained here, at most, they would lose their current wealth and status. As long as they survived, there would be future opportunities. Thus, he quickly confessed, weeping.
"Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty! This son was momentarily blinded by greed and harbored such foolish thoughts. As for the illicit salt field, this son knew nothing!" He glanced at Concubine Liu, clearly intending to sacrifice his mother to save himself. Concubine Liu, though a flicker of despair crossed her eyes, quickly understood. She took all the blame upon herself.
"Your Majesty, everything was done by this concubine. The Sixth Prince was indeed unaware. In these years, while the palace has its allowances for food and clothing, they are always insufficient, especially compared to the late Noble Consort Wei. This concubine... this concubine has been too impoverished. You know that this concubine has no family support in the court. If I had no financial backing in the inner palace, I fear I would not have survived until now. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!" She then kowtowed heavily, her expression filled with sorrow as she looked at the Emperor.
Having shared marital affection with her in the past, the Emperor, though angered by their clandestine actions, was not yet ready to deal them a fatal blow. The memory of the Ninth Prince's suicide by poison was still vivid, and now, facing the prospect of killing another son, the Emperor admitted to his soft heart.
The Sixth Prince, adept at reading expressions, immediately cried out, "Father, Mother has always been indifferent to fame and fortune in the palace. Everything she did was for this son to live a better life. If Your Majesty must blame someone, blame this son."
"No, no, no, it is this concubine's fault, it is this concubine's fault! Your Majesty, if you must blame someone, blame this concubine. This concubine is willing to atone with her life!" With that, she lunged towards the stone steps. Had it not been for the quick hands of the palace maids beside her, she would have already met her end.
The Emperor felt a pang of sympathy. Indeed, he had not paid much attention to the mother and son over the years. In the palace, where people curried favor, it was difficult to get by without financial means. He sighed deeply, about to speak, when a man inside a chest suddenly sat up. Lin Wang, reacting instinctively, kicked the man out of the chest. He rolled to the foot of the steps. Su Cheng, who was closest, immediately pinned him down, and his face was clearly revealed. Even in the moonlight, everyone could see that this man bore an uncanny resemblance to the Sixth Prince.
The Empress cried out in alarm and then accused, "Who is this man! Why does he look exactly like Sixth Prince! Could it be... I recall Concubine Liu gave birth to the Sixth Prince prematurely! You... are you attempting to confuse the imperial bloodline!" Her words, though disjointed, were punctuated with perfect pauses. Anyone present with a modicum of intelligence understood: the Sixth Prince was likely not the Emperor's son, but this man's. Who was the mastermind behind this revelation, exposing such a secret in the imperial court? This was not only a crime of deceiving the emperor but also a public humiliation of the Emperor's dignity and honor.
The Crown Prince felt a complex mix of relief and regret. His Sixth Brother had assisted him in many matters before. To think that they were not even blood relatives! If the illicit salt fields and embezzlement of resources had offered a sliver of hope for survival, the exposure of his identity now meant that everyone in Qingzhou, or anyone involved in this matter back then, would likely face severe punishment.
The man, realizing his identity had been exposed, glanced at Concubine Liu and, with a determined heart, bit his tongue and committed suicide. If he died, everything could be blamed on him. For Concubine Liu and the Sixth Prince, he was willing to do this. Su Cheng, unprepared for his swift action, failed to restrain him. By the time he caught him, the man's veins were bulging, and he was dead.
A grand palace banquet had now seen several deaths. The rapid succession of events left them no time to cover their ears or close their eyes and pretend ignorance. They could only tremble and kneel in a corner, hoping the Emperor would forget their existence. The man's death was so swift that Concubine Liu and the Sixth Prince hadn't even reacted. Concubine Liu instinctively wanted to cry out, but the Sixth Prince held her tightly. Unable to bear the shock, she fainted. With one dead and one unconscious, the situation might still offer a chance for the Sixth Prince. He immediately began to argue, "Your Majesty, someone must be framing us! Who is this man? This son has never seen him! Why does he look so much like me? Mother entered the palace and never left, how could she have an affair with an outsider! Empress, your words are venomous, seeking to end the lives of my mother and me! Are you afraid I will expose the Pang family's encroachment on fertile land and their oppression of farmers in Xuzhou? Is that why you are striking first!"
"Don't spout nonsense! The Pang clan is known for its upright conduct. When did they ever encroach on fertile land or oppress farmers!" The Empress, suddenly counter-attacked, raised her voice. The Sixth Prince was indeed formidable, deflecting the blame with a single sentence. Even the Emperor frowned, beginning to ponder the unfolding events.