Chapter 24: Seeking Forgiveness

Yang Zhan and Yu Shu stepped aside.

Yang Zhan asked with curiosity, "What has gotten into you two?"

Yu Shu replied with a hint of playful reproach, "General, are you mocking the Crown Prince and me?"

"Not at all, I'm just curious. You know Yang Xi's true identity, don't you?"

"If the General knows, how could I not?"

Yang Zhan found this interesting. If she knew, why would the timid Crown Prince dare to defy the Empress? The Crown Prince’s biological mother had passed away long ago, and the current Empress was the mother of the Third Prince. Naturally, the Empress hoped her own son would inherit the throne. Yang Zhan had once witnessed the Crown Prince, Yang Xing, being reprimanded by the Empress like a scolded child; he hadn't dared to breathe or make a sound. Even knowing the Empress was determined to strip him of his status as the heir, he had never dared to show the slightest dissatisfaction. First, he sent Chen Shu with his men, and now this. Yang Zhan was genuinely curious if the couple had been provoked into madness.

Seeming to read his thoughts, Yu Shu said with a sigh, "General, the Crown Prince has been stifled for so many years. Can't he have a bit of spirit?"

Yang Zhan couldn't help but laugh. "That's a decent amount of spirit."

"Yes, I also brought the monthly salary, doubled. As for those two dogs, it's up to you how to dispose of them. You have the final say!"

Yang Zhan glanced at Yu Shu, feeling that the Crown Princess’s entire demeanor had changed.

Yu Shu smiled brightly at him. "If the General is afraid to punish them, then I will. I guarantee they won't dare to do it again!"

Yang Zhan grinned. "Only by slaughtering them can there be 'no again'."

Yu Shu’s beautiful face froze for a moment, clearly not expecting such a demand. But immediately, she turned around and issued a command: "Zhang He, execute the two eunuchs!"

"Yes!"

As Yang Zhan watched the two heads fall and blood splatter onto the snowy ground, he looked at Yu Shu, surprised that she was so cold-blooded and decisive. Was the Eastern Palace planning to burn all its bridges? Yang Zhan’s opinion of the couple had shifted significantly.

Yu Shu turned back. Despite having just ordered an execution, her expression remained calm and indifferent. She was a formidable woman.

"General, the Crown Prince said that if he weren't under house arrest, he would have come to the prison himself to share wine and conversation with you."

Yang Zhan smiled. "The Crown Princess is welcome to stay instead."

He was merely testing her. To his surprise, Yu Shu nodded immediately. "Alright, I have nothing better to do anyway."

Her swift agreement caught Yang Zhan off guard. He chuckled, "Forget it. It's inconvenient to have a lady here among all these men. Besides, the Crown Prince likely faces some trouble now."

Yu Shu nodded. "Certainly, there is trouble. But do not worry, General. Since the Crown Prince has made his choice, he will not look back. As for Chen Shu and the others, if you don't send them away, they will never leave!"

With a flash in her eyes, she added, "Since the General will not keep me, I shall take my leave."

"Please."

Yu Shu raised an eyebrow. "Does the General think a woman like me would be a burden?"

"Not at all. It's just that the Crown Princess is of noble status, and this place is unsuitable."

Yu Shu did not leave. "The General may not know this, but my father, Yu Hong, was once a Great General of the Shenwu Army. He died on the battlefield fighting the Barbarians. I have been practicing martial arts since childhood; I am not so delicate!"

Yang Zhan’s expression turned solemn. He truly hadn't expected this. "So you are the daughter of a military family. No wonder the Crown Princess is so spirited—a heroine among men!"

Yu Shu lingered to chat for a while longer. Yang Zhan realized she was not just any daughter of a military house; she was exceptionally well-versed in military strategy, formations, and tactics. She even offered insights on the major battles he had led against the Barbarians, showing a mastery of the subject that clearly came from deep study. Unknowingly, Yang Zhan developed a newfound respect for the Crown Princess.

Of course, he did not actually keep her. As she was leaving, Yang Zhan suddenly said, "Crown Princess, go back and tell the Crown Prince that the old man is fond of setting puzzles for others. It is possible that he is using me to test the Crown Prince and the others. This is merely my speculation."

Yu Shu looked surprised, then fell into deep thought. After a moment, she bowed deeply to Yang Zhan. "General, I will return to inform His Highness."

"There is one more thing for the Crown Princess," Yang Zhan added.

Yu Shu’s eyes flickered. "Please, General, enlighten me."

"The Empress may not be able to do much to the Crown Prince, but what about those around him?"

Yu Shu’s face turned stern. She bowed again. "Thank you for your guidance, General!"

Yang Zhan watched as the Crown Princess boarded her carriage and slowly departed.

...

In the Wende Hall, the elderly Yang Wu sat by the hearth, eyes closed, resting. Suddenly, a beautiful woman rushed in.

"Your Majesty, you must seek justice for me!" She wept, appearing deeply wronged.

Yang Wu opened his eyes. "Empress, what is the matter?"

"Yang Xi, the eunuch who has served me for decades, has been killed!"

Yang Wu raised an eyebrow. "Killed by whom? Were there assassins?"

"No, it was... the Crown Prince!"

Yang Wu was stunned. "The Crown Prince? Empress, you know that brat—he wouldn't dare say a word even if you hit him with a stick. How could he?"

The Empress tearfully recounted the events. Upon hearing them, Yang Wu’s spirits seemed to lift. He frowned and said, "Empress, is it proper to be wailing over a mere servant?"

The Empress looked up, choking back sobs. "Your Majesty, even if he was just a dog I kept, one must consider the master before hitting the dog. I am the Empress! This shows a complete lack of regard for you and me. How rebellious of the Crown Prince!"

Yang Wu frowned. "What was the reason?"

The Empress sobbed, "I heard it was because Yang Xi neglected to send the monthly salary to the jailers in the prison. For such a trivial matter, the Crown Princess had him seized and sent to the prison to be executed as an offering to Yang Zhan. Your Majesty, to kill my inner attendants so wantonly—how am I supposed to manage the inner palace in the future?"

"How could the Crown Prince act this way without considering me as his mother, or you as his father..."

Yang Wu interrupted, "Enough. Go back; I will handle this."

The Empress wanted to say more, but seeing Yang Wu’s frown, she retreated.

Yang Wu chuckled to himself. "Has my eldest son finally woken up?" He then commanded, "Han Zhong, summon the Crown Prince!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Han Zhong replied from outside.

Meanwhile, the Empress stepped out with a cold gaze. "I cannot deal with the Crown Prince myself, but..." She turned to a young eunuch, "Bring the Crown Princess to see me immediately!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

In the Eastern Palace, Yang Xing heard the message Yu Shu brought back. He collapsed into a chair, his face pale.

"Your Highness, what is wrong?"

Yang Xing’s expression was grim, his eyes reddening. "If this is true, then Father’s health must be failing."

Yu Shu asked in alarm, "Why do you think so, Your Highness?"

"If this is the case, Father is paving the way for the new monarch. His health is likely in a much worse state than we imagined." Suddenly, Yang Xing asked, "Did he say anything else?"

"He said that while the Crown Prince might be fine, those around him..."

Yang Xing’s eyes sharpened. "Come with me to confess to Father immediately!"

He pulled Yu Shu out of the palace.

"Your Highness, you are still under house arrest!"

"If nothing goes wrong, Father will have sent someone to summon me, and the Empress will have sent someone for you."

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess walked straight out of the Eastern Palace. The eunuch Lin Zhao, responsible for overseeing his confinement, immediately blocked their path.

"Your Highness, the Emperor’s order is still..."

"I am going to see the Emperor to confess. Lead the way!"

Lin Zhao was stunned, then turned around. "Crown Prince, Crown Princess, please!"