The Emperor decreed the abolition of Crown Prince Consort Lu Peishan's title and ordered her to take poisoned wine.
Though the Emperor was benevolent, his mercy had limits.
Lu Peishan had attempted to harm his son; how could he spare her life?
Lu Peishan, terrified, collapsed onto the ground.
General Zhou knelt to beg for mercy.
The Crown Prince pinched his own thigh, his eyes red, and pleaded as well.
Chen Zuo kowtowed repeatedly, "This subject is willing to die in place of the Crown Prince… Miss Lu. I beg Your Majesty to spare her life."
The Emperor roared, "Do you think you can escape? Guards! Chen Zuo colluded with the deposed Crown Prince Consort, attempted murder, a heinous crime! Exile him to Ningguta!"
Chen Zuo's life was spared.
Yet, for Chen Zuo, watching Lu Peishan die while he himself clung to a shameful existence was worse than death.
He battered his head bloody, begging the Emperor to grant him death as well.
The Crown Prince, unaware of his relationship with Lu Peishan, eyed him suspiciously several times.
Ninghui Hall was in an uproar: some pleaded, some kowtowed, some wept.
The Emperor remained silent, his decision seemingly made, yet he cast a subtle glance at Ling Yun.
Ling Yun understood; the Emperor wished for him to intercede for Lu Peishan, so that the Crown Prince, upon ascending the throne, would remember this favor.
But Ling Yun disdained to do so.
He glanced at the Seventh Prince, giving him a significant look.
The Seventh Prince, understanding immediately, stepped forward and bowed to the Emperor, "Father Emperor, Eldest Brother often taught me that saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story stupa. Although the deposed Crown Prince Consort wished to put me to death, I still wish to plead for her."
"In the past, when Eldest Brother's identity was unknown and he was plagued by curses, he often told me that life is precious, and even the life of a wicked person is only one. The deposed Crown Prince Consort has realized her error. I beg Father Emperor, for the sake of Eldest Brother and myself, to spare her life, thus accumulating merit for Eldest Brother."
This was being dragged back to Ling Yun?
Wang Qingyao pursed her lips, suppressing a smile, thinking that Consort Chen and her son were truly sparing no effort to elevate Ling Yun.
Ling Yun put on an embarrassed expression, "Hehehe, Father Emperor, please spare the deposed Crown Prince Consort's life. Imprisoning her in the dungeon for life or forcing her to become a nun are acceptable options."
The Emperor held no pity for Lu Peishan.
Had Ling Yun and the Seventh Prince not interceded, her death would have been inconsequential.
But since Ling Yun and the Seventh Prince had both spoken on her behalf, sparing her life would be seen as a blessing for the brotherhood of Ling Yun and the Seventh Prince. In any case, she had no future, and could not stir up any trouble.
The Emperor feigned anger, "You brothers are indeed kind-hearted! Very well, let us consider it a good deed for the day. Issue my decree: Lu shall be stripped of her title as Crown Prince Consort and confined to the Dali Temple dungeon."
This was effectively a life sentence.
General Zhou and Chen Zuo breathed a sigh of relief, repeatedly expressing their gratitude.
Lu Peishan, her face pale, her body trembling, kowtowed, "Thank Your Majesty for your grace."
As long as her life was spared, and she waited patiently for the Crown Prince's ascension, with her uncle's influence, she could still be released.
The Crown Prince, remembering her sacrifice and loyalty, would surely not treat her poorly.
However, the Crown Prince's thoughts were entirely different from Lu Peishan's.
Lu Peishan held no further value to him.
Just like Wei Yu back then, she was valueless, yet still held leverage over him.
It was all the fault of the Seventh Prince and Ling Yun, pretending to be such saints. Wasn't execution the better option?
The Crown Prince lowered his gaze, a look of resentment appearing.
Furthermore, Lu Peishan's confinement in the Dali Temple, unlike Wei Yu's situation, made it difficult to act.
Keeping Lu Peishan alive meant keeping a potential threat that could fall into others' hands.
The Crown Prince felt no trust.
He was as suspicious and ruthless as his grandfather.
In an instant, the Crown Prince made his decision.
Fortunately, he had been prepared.
"Father Emperor, this son and the deposed Crown Prince Consort were husband and wife. I wish to speak a few words with her. I beg Your Majesty's permission."
The Emperor waved his hand, agreeing.
In front of everyone, the Crown Prince walked up to Lu Peishan, clasped her hands with feigned affection, "Reflect well while you are inside. I will not forget you."
He then embraced Lu Peishan, and whispered a sentence in her ear.
While others believed he was reluctant to part with Lu Peishan, Wang Qingyao saw clearly that as he held Lu Peishan's hand, he had slipped her a pill, and the whispered words during the embrace were likely instructions.
What was this pill for?
Clearly, it was either to save her or to kill her.
Based on Wang Qingyao's understanding of the Crown Prince, he could ruthlessly kill his own flesh and blood, let alone a mere woman.
Heh, she sneered. The Crown Prince was truly walking into his own doom.
She had thought she wouldn't be able to bring down the Crown Prince this time, but he had delivered himself to her.
The Crown Prince released Lu Peishan.
Wang Qingyao acted decisively, rushing forward to grasp Lu Peishan's wrist. With a sharp twist, Lu Peishan cried out in pain and loosened her grip, and a brown pill rolled onto the ground.
The hall fell silent.
The Crown Prince's face turned deathly pale.
He glared at Wang Qingyao with murderous intent. Damn her!
"What is this?" the Emperor frowned.
Wang Qingyao, using a handkerchief, picked up the pill and said, "This is a question for His Highness the Crown Prince. He took the opportunity to slip the deposed Crown Prince Consort a pill. What was his intention?"
Cold sweat beaded on the Crown Prince's forehead.
"Crown Prince!" the Emperor roared.
He had thought this matter was concluded, only to find the Crown Prince daring to cause trouble right before his eyes!
The Crown Prince's mind raced. Caught red-handed, he had no defense. The only course of action now was to minimize the damage.