Chapter Eleven: Confrontation

“Mother, my child is gone… wuwu…” Su Baizhi could not help but weep bitterly as she thought of the child she had carried. That child was the bond between her and Yun Fengxiao, and she could not bear to lose it so easily. But the child was already gone; no amount of tears could bring it back.

“Zhier, you will have other children in the future. Now you must rest during your confinement. It is forbidden to shed tears, or you will suffer illness and pain later…”

“It’s best that the child is gone. After such a disgraceful act, Su family cannot tolerate her.” Su Hong strode into the room, his anger unrestrained.

“Master, what are you doing? Zhier has only just recovered from her illness. If you frighten her now, it will worsen her condition.” Yao Ruoshui was not at all concerned about the Prince Yi breaking off the engagement. She had never thought that the fallen prince was a suitable match for Su Baizhi.

Su Hong saw Su Baizhi shedding endless tears, as if she had suffered a great injustice. Remembering the imperial decree, his heart hardened. “Zhier, speak clearly to your father—whose child was it in your belly?”

Su Hong’s stern gaze made Su Baizhi fearful. She pressed her lips tightly together, unable to utter a word for a long time, hesitating whether she should tell Su Hong about Yun Fengxiao.

Seeing her eyes closed and suspecting she meant to shield that man, Su Hong’s anger grew colder. “Zhier, if you do not speak today, I will send you to the nunnery tomorrow to reflect and recover.”

“Master, how can you bear to send our weak daughter to suffer in such a place?” Yao Ruoshui immediately protested; after all, Zhier was the child she carried for ten months.

Su Baizhi was terrified; Su Hong’s words rang true. If she revealed Yun Fengxiao’s name, perhaps she could move closer to the position of Crown Princess. Lowering her head, she sobbed, “Father, I will tell you—the child was His Highness the Crown Prince’s… wuwu…”

Su Hong was shocked. He had not expected Su Baizhi to be entangled with the Crown Prince. Quickly regaining his composure, he instructed Yao Ruoshui to take good care of Su Baizhi. His mind stirring with ambition, he changed clothes and ordered the carriage prepared to enter the palace.

...

“Your humble servant greets Your Majesty.”

“Rise. What urgent matter brings you here, Prime Minister Su?” The Emperor was about to visit the Noble Consort in the rear palace when Su Hong interrupted his plans. His tone was so mild that Su Hong could not guess his mood.

“Your Majesty, I beg you to uphold justice for your servant!” After bowing three times, the Emperor likely guessed why Su Hong had come.

“Your daughter is quite capable, Prime Minister. I cannot intervene. You should return home and discipline her first.” Su Hong knew the Emperor was angry, so he quickly apologized. “Your Majesty, please quell your anger. I truly come today for the matter of my youngest daughter. The child in her womb was His Highness the Crown Prince’s. I beseech you to summon the Crown Prince to confront this matter face to face.”

The Emperor frowned but did not become enraged. Instead, he suppressed his temper and ordered someone to summon the Crown Prince.

“Let the Crown Prince enter.” The eunuch quickly relayed the order. Yun Fengxiao entered respectfully, “Your son greets Father Emperor.”

Seeing Su Hong present, Yun Fengxiao had tried to learn the reason for the summons from the eunuchs but found nothing. He was now uneasy, striving to maintain a calm exterior.

“Prime Minister Su claims he has something to confront you with. Speak clearly to him.” The Emperor sipped his tea. Su Hong bowed to the Emperor, then asked in a grave tone, “Your Highness, my daughter suffered a miscarriage today. Do you have anything to say?”

“Such a thing happened? I and the eldest daughter of the Su family have already broken our engagement, and even when we were betrothed, nothing inappropriate ever occurred. What does her miscarriage have to do with me?” Yun Fengxiao appeared innocent, denying everything.

Su Hong mentioned Su Baizhi’s name, but Yun Fengxiao remained unmoved. Yet a shadow flickered in his gaze. He had thought Su Baizhi, beautiful as she was, would be a mere amusement. After every encounter, he made her drink contraceptive soup, but unexpectedly, she had schemed against him and conceived.

“I can only express regret. But for the Prime Minister to proclaim such matters, surely the Su family’s young lady will be ashamed to face the world.” Yun Fengxiao shook his head with a hint of pity.

...

“Your Highness, my daughter confessed that the child in her womb belonged to you…” Su Hong, seeing Yun Fengxiao’s stubborn denial, became furious.

“Prime Minister Su, you must not speak recklessly before Father Emperor. I have never known the Su family’s young lady—how could I have a child with her? Do not falsely accuse me.” Yun Fengxiao knelt, bowing his head to the Emperor. “Please believe me, Father Emperor. Your son would never commit such an act unworthy of a gentleman.”

“Prime Minister, the Crown Prince says he has never met her. How could he be involved with her? You should investigate thoroughly before reporting back to me.” The Emperor had no desire to meddle in the Su family’s affairs. Yun Fengxiao’s resolute denial was something Su Hong had not anticipated.

Su Hong apologized repeatedly to the Emperor and to Yun Fengxiao. Leaving the palace, he hurried back to his mansion and went straight to Su Baizhi’s chambers.

Entering the room, he saw Su Baizhi half-reclining on her bed, looking frail and sickly. His suppressed fury erupted. “You unfilial girl! After committing such a disgraceful act, you dare frame the Crown Prince? I’ll beat you to death for your shamelessness!”

He raised his hand, but Yao Ruoshui stopped him. “Master, what are you doing? Zhier spoke nothing untrue—the child was indeed the Crown Prince’s. Why punish her?” Seeing Su Baizhi cowering in fear, Yao Ruoshui gently comforted her.

“Zhier, don’t be afraid. Your father is only jesting. With your mother here, rest assured.” Yao Ruoshui, seeing Su Hong’s dark expression, helped him to the table and poured him tea. “Master, drink some water. Let’s calmly discuss things. Zhier will tell you everything she knows, won’t you, daughter?”

“Yes, Father, I am afraid. Please don’t be angry. I have told you all I know.” Su Baizhi’s face was pale; her body was already weakened and had not yet recovered. Every fright from Su Hong drained what little color she had left.

Su Hong drank a few sips of tea, his anger subsiding somewhat. Yet remembering Yun Fengxiao’s adamant denial and the humiliation he suffered before the Emperor, his rage flared anew. “Tell me—was the lost child truly the Crown Prince’s?”