Chapter 20: The Best in the World

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A shiver ran through Prince Qi’s heart. Why did His Majesty ask him that question? Could it be that the emperor knew something? No, it couldn’t be. Consort Shu would never betray him, even unto death.

“Such disgraceful acts that disrupt the imperial harem must be severely punished. To set an example, it is best to behead all the male members of Consort Shu’s family, banish the women and children. Only then can others be deterred, and no one will dare commit such treason against the sovereign again,” Duke Dugu Jin said, lowering his gaze to fix it coldly on Prince Qi, his eyes full of biting sarcasm.

Abandoning the carriage to save the commander—Prince Qi was indeed ruthless.

“Very well, we shall proceed as Prince Qi suggests. Execute the sentence immediately. Since this punishment was proposed by Prince Qi himself, you shall oversee the execution,” the emperor declared.

Prince Qi suddenly felt a chill, a coldness rushing from his feet to his head. The emperor must have sensed something; otherwise, he wouldn’t have pressed him in this manner. Once he supervised the execution, no one would want to conspire with him again; even those close to him would grow distant. Quite the cunning method.

“As you command, Your Majesty,” said Wu, Consort Shu’s father and a deputy general of the Ministry of War, who had once been a staunch supporter of Prince Qi. But when Prince Qi led men to storm his residence—arresting and sealing it—he realized he had been gravely mistaken.

“Deputy General, please proceed. This is Prince Qi’s special proposal to the emperor: all the males in your household shall be beheaded publicly, while the women and children are to be exiled,” a guard suddenly announced.

Wu’s eyes burned with hatred as they fixed upon Prince Qi. “Ha ha ha ha… I was blind to trust you in the beginning!”

At the vegetable market, a crowd of onlookers gathered in a circle. Dozens of males from Wu’s household knelt bound in chains, while the executioners prepared their blades.

“I heard Consort Shu was caught in an affair by the emperor, and now her entire family suffers,” one bystander murmured.

“I heard Prince Qi proposed that all the males in General Wu’s family be beheaded and the females exiled,” another added.

“Weren’t Prince Qi and General Wu once on good terms? How could he be so cruel now?”

“Not only cruel, but he’s personally overseeing the execution. He looks like he won’t rest until the whole family is wiped out.”

“Shh, lower your voice. If Prince Qi hears you, he has ways to make you disappear.”

These whispers spread rapidly throughout the capital. Prince Qi was powerless even to stop them.

He steeled his heart and commanded, “Execute!”

The executioners raised their blades in unison, and heads rolled one by one. Coincidentally, General Wu’s head rolled right before Prince Qi, eyes wide open in eternal accusation.

The news reached the palace.

“Your Majesty, the execution has been completed. The confiscated silver and land deeds have been accounted for,” the commander of the imperial guards reported, presenting the records.

Duke Dugu Jin casually flipped through a few pages, his expression darkening. “Heh, who would have thought a mere deputy general was so wealthy—his assets rival half the imperial treasury.”

With Wu’s death, his position was vacant, and Duke Dugu Jin immediately appointed his own men to it. Gradual erosion—was he afraid he wouldn’t reclaim military power?

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At dinner, Duke Dugu Jin visited the Palace of Rainbow Garments.

“Your Majesty, come quickly!” Yuan Peipei tugged him to the table. “Look, this is my latest painting.”

Dugu Jin was momentarily stunned. In the painting, he appeared so gentle, unlike himself at all.

“Is this how you see me, Peipei?”

“Yes,” Yuan Peipei nodded. “Actually, you’re even more handsome, but my skills are limited; I couldn’t fully capture your true spirit.”

Dugu Jin pinched her cheek. “You’re being modest today?”

Yuan Peipei smiled shyly. “I actually have a request for Your Majesty.”

Dugu Jin settled down. “Speak. What is it?”

Peipei laced her fingers together, twirling them nervously. “I haven’t been out shopping for a long time, and I crave the marinated duck from the Drunken Fragrance Restaurant. May I leave the palace tomorrow?”

Her large, watery eyes looked up at him, clear and trusting, making it feel as if denying her would be a sin.

Dugu Jin suppressed a smile. “That depends on your behavior, my dear.”

“What behavior?”

“Please me. If I’m pleased, I’ll grant your wish.”

Please him?

[Peipei darling, don’t be fooled. He just wants to trick you into all sorts of closeness.]

[You don’t even have to do anything; he’ll agree anyway. Look, the corners of his mouth are practically reaching the heavens.]

[Be firm and just say you want to go. Scold him; it’ll thrill him to no end!]

Scold the emperor? Really?

Peipei glanced quickly.

Indeed, the emperor’s lips curved upward!

She took a deep breath, hands on her hips, closed her eyes, and declared loudly, “I don’t care! I’m going out of the palace tomorrow!”

Silence fell over the entire Palace of Rainbow Garments.

The palace staff dared not even breathe.

Most terrified was Peipei herself.

What now? She actually scolded the emperor. What if he got angry? What if he beheaded her?

She squinted slightly, sneaking a peek.

Huh?

The emperor’s expression didn’t look angry at all.

Why did it seem like he was excited?

Growing bolder, she slowly opened her eyes, just as Dugu Jin pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

“Good girl, Peipei, scold me some more…”

Peipei’s body softened under his kiss, her voice weak. “I—I just want to go out!”

That wasn’t scolding—it was coaxing!

Dugu Jin lifted Peipei and headed straight for the inner palace.

Du Heng signaled, and the others quietly withdrew, closing the palace doors.

Peipei lay on the bed, voice soft. “I’m still leaking…”

Dugu Jin whispered close to her ear, “Peipei, just lend me your hand.”

Lend him her hand? How?

Half an hour later, Peipei finally understood how to lend her hand.

“You—you got what you wanted, so I must go out tomorrow!” After lending her hand, she grew bolder.

Dugu Jin looked satisfied. “A gentleman’s word is his bond.”

But Peipei didn’t expect lending her hand wouldn’t be a one-time thing…

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The next day, she woke early, excited, and chose clothes with Cui Zhi and Lan Xin.

“Which should I wear?”

Holding the garments against herself, she suddenly paused.

Lan Xin asked, “Your Highness, what’s wrong? Don’t like this one?”

Peipei shook her head. “It just reminded me of home, where my sister always picked first, and I had to wear what was left.”

She was simple-minded, but not foolish.

She understood many things.

For instance, that her parents favored her sister.

That her brother was actually annoyed by her, even ashamed to have her as a sister.

Seeing Peipei’s eyes well with tears, Cui Zhi hurried to comfort her. “Your Highness, you no longer need to worry. The emperor has made you so many new clothes. You can wear whichever you like. If you don’t like them, you can have more made until you’re satisfied.”

Peipei murmured tearfully, “The emperor is so kind.”

The best in the world!

After getting ready, Peipei happily left the Palace of Rainbow Garments with Cui Zhi and Lan Xin. A carriage waited outside.

She was eager to jump in but was suddenly pulled inside.

“Your Majesty?”