"Your Majesty, I am terrified!" The Duke of Zhuang immediately knelt down again.
"And what does the驸马 think?" The Emperor looked at the bruised and swollen驸马.
The beating had been some time ago, and though the wounds on his face had been treated, they had now swelled up, making the Duke's face a rather ghastly sight.
The Emperor couldn't help but feel that such a Duke was an eyesore, wondering how he had ever thought this man was worthy of his daughter.
"Your M-Majesty, it is my fault. I should not have wronged the Princess." The Duke felt very panicked at this moment.
Since the Third Prince had discovered this matter and helped him conceal it, he had become even more reckless.
After all, the Eldest Princess was very strong-willed and overly dominant, unlike the gentle and demure Lady Liu.
Of course, he had never considered marrying Lady Liu; her status was simply too low to be acknowledged. Thus, even though they had a child, he had never thought of giving her a formal title.
As for the child, he had planned to have him adopted by another member of the family, and then, once he entered officialdom through the imperial examinations, he would help him considerably.
But he had not expected this matter to escalate so dramatically, with all the adult princes and princesses joining forces. Even with his self-importance, he did not believe he could contend with these royal siblings.
Now it had even reached the Emperor's ears. Seeing the relaxed expressions of the princes and princesses as they left the hall, and the eunuchs refusing even the bribes offered by him and his son, he understood the Emperor's stance.
The only one who could save him now was the Eldest Princess. A night of marital bliss implies a hundred days of gratitude; as long as the Eldest Princess could put in a good word for him, as long as she could forgive him, this matter would surely pass.
At most, he would suffer some physical pain. As long as the Eldest Princess could forgive him, it would be a matter between husband and wife, as long as...
He shifted his gaze to the Eldest Princess, who was sitting on the other side and had not spoken a word.
The Eldest Princess also noticed the Duke's gaze and could discern his pleading from it.
At that moment, she couldn't help but sigh. She truly understood that man. After so many years, a single look was enough for her to grasp his meaning, yet she had not expected him to deceive her for so long.
"I know I was wrong, Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. I will surely treat the Princess well from now on and will never fail her again.
Princess, Princess. I will absolutely never see that woman again. No, I will only be devoted to you from now on. For the sake of Cong'er, Princess, forgive me. Lady Liu was just a momentary lapse in judgment. I will absolutely not have any other women in the future."
The Duke wept with great emotion, but the Eldest Princess found it utterly laughable.
Lady Liu had been with him for so many years; he must have loved her. Moreover, she had a child.
This might be the difference between men and women. It had taken her several years of marriage to have Cong'er, whom she cherished as a treasure, and no one could ever surpass him.
Yet, he had had a child with another woman before her. Therefore, he didn't consider the child that important. Now that his affair was exposed, he was still using Cong'er as a reason. How dare he!
She dared not tell Cong'er what his father had done, fearing it would hurt him.
"What do you think, Ting'er? After all, he is your husband, and it is your life that will be affected." The Emperor's tone was neither happy nor angry, as calm as if he were asking what was for lunch today.
"Princess?" Hearing these words, the Duke felt as if he had heard a gospel, and looked at the Eldest Princess with full of anticipation.
The Emperor's gaze towards him further diminished. Just endure a little longer, wait until...
"Your daughter wishes to ask the Duke a few questions before making a decision."
"Ask away." The Emperor turned his gaze to the Duke, "I doubt he would dare to conceal anything."
The implied threat sent a chill down the Duke's spine. He repeatedly agreed.
"May I ask how long the Duke has been with that woman?"
"Ten, twelve years." The Duke dared not lie, as the Emperor above was watching him intently, and this matter could not be hidden anyway.
"Twelve years? That was before I even married him." The Eldest Princess felt her heart had become numb with pain. "Did Duke Zhuang and his wife know of her existence?"
So, all the initial affection and devotion were fake? They had been together before they were married, and instead of sending her away, they kept her outside. They must have truly loved her.
"At f-first they didn't know, but later they did."
"So, she was always concerned about my health at first, discreetly sending me many tonics. Later, she stopped sending them as often, was it because she became pregnant and gave birth to a son?"
"This, this..." The Duke's gaze flickered, avoiding the Eldest Princess's face.
The Eldest Princess had always shown great respect for his parents. In the beginning, after they were married and had no children, his mother had sent many tonics and medicinal herbs. Although the Princess did not wish to consume them, she had never said anything to his mother.
Now that she thought about it, although the Princess had a strong personality, she had been truly good to him.
"What does Duke Zhuang say? Having an illegitimate son before a legitimate heir is how your family is raised?" The Eldest Princess slowly walked in front of Duke Zhuang.
"I never asked you to dismiss your concubines, nor did I ask you to be faithful only to me, but how did you view me? Were you keeping Lady Liu outside because you were afraid I would do something to her?"
The Eldest Princess did not wait for the Duke's reply. Instead, she knelt not far from the Duke.
"Your Majesty, I beg you to grant me a divorce from the Duke, so that we may part ways and each live happily ever after!" The Princess bowed deeply.
"Princess?" The Duke had never expected to hear such a result from the Princess. "Don't be so rash. I truly know I was wrong, Princess, I truly know I was wrong."
Duke Zhuang, at this moment, looked at the Emperor's face and found no surprise there. He immediately lowered his head again.
It seemed the Emperor also agreed with this matter. However, divorcing a princess of the imperial family would mean the end of his son's official career. Not to mention his son, even he himself would likely not fare well.
"Have you thought it through? The Duke has promised you that he will never fail you again. A prodigal son returning is worth more than gold, and his promise to me should not be violated."
"Yes, yes, Princess, I can swear to the heavens. I will absolutely not fail you again."
"Father, your daughter has thought very clearly. Even if it is worth more than gold, so what? Does your daughter lack gold? Your daughter only wishes for a divorce now. If a divorce is not granted, then letting your daughter become a widow is also acceptable."
The phrase "become a widow" stunned the Duke. He truly couldn't imagine why the Princess, who had been so respectful and harmonious with him just a few days ago, would suddenly make such a decision and say such things.
"Good, good! This is the domineering spirit our daughter should possess!" The Emperor laughed heartily, his eyes filled with satisfaction as he looked at the Eldest Princess.
"Do not worry, Father will find you a suitable Duke." The Emperor said grandly.