The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 226

After many years of marriage, even if he didn’t say it, she knew what he wanted to do.

But no, she couldn’t let him go.

The Crown Prince patiently explained to her, "His Majesty is unwilling to deal with these people because he fears the common people will think the court is filled with corrupt officials. If the people become restless, it could lead to rebellions across the land, threatening the imperial authority. But look now, the people don’t think that way. They believe the court will deliver justice."

The Crown Princess, her eyes red, replied, "But they trust you, Your Highness, not the court."

"I am the Crown Prince. Trusting me is trusting the court," the Crown Prince said, holding her hand. "Qing Rong, believe in me. I can handle this matter."

The Crown Princess shook her head, her voice trembling with tears. "No, Your Highness. Once you deliver justice to the people, you will gain even more of their support. But neither His Majesty, who is still in his prime, nor your twenty-some brothers who wish for your downfall, will want to see this happen."

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The Crown Prince fell silent for a while before saying, "They all wish for my death, I know. But His Majesty wouldn’t. Before he appointed me as Crown Prince, I had already been doing these things."

The Crown Princess couldn’t hold back her anger any longer and shouted, "Then what about the poison in your body? Who had the patience to poison you for nine years? Wasn’t it to slowly drag you to your death?"

The Crown Prince murmured, "It’s Luo Jingfeng. He hates me…"

The Crown Princess, her emotions running high, retorted, "It can’t be him. The Luo family holds immense power. If he hated you, he could have taken your life at any moment. He wouldn’t drag it out like this. Your Highness, your health has only just improved. If this matter worsens your condition, you will die. You really will die."

The Crown Prince spoke calmly, "Qing Rong, you’re overthinking it. These two matters are unrelated. I trust His Majesty. He, like me, is striving to create a prosperous era."

The Crown Princess sobbed, "But what if? What if after this, the poison becomes even more potent? Your Highness, I can’t figure out where they’re poisoning you. I can’t stop it…"

The Crown Prince gently pulled her into his arms and comforted her, "Be optimistic. Look, things are moving in a positive direction. I was prepared to release Zhai Li, but the people have given me hope. This means the heavens are watching. They don’t want evil to continue in this world."

"Your Highness…" The Crown Princess wept uncontrollably.

She had once thought herself capable of anything, but after six years by the Crown Prince’s side, there were too many things she couldn’t do. She couldn’t cure his poison, nor could she stop the seemingly gentle but stubborn young man, just as she couldn’t stop him from refusing to marry her back then.

The Crown Prince released her, wiping her tears as he softly said, "These past few days at the yamen, I’ve seen and heard too many tragic stories of young girls and the ugly faces of corrupt officials. As you said, if everyone only looks out for themselves and weighs the pros and cons, if I don’t seek justice for them, who will? I am the Crown Prince. It is my duty to stand for the people, and it is something I willingly embrace."

The Crown Princess’s tears flowed even more fiercely.

Yes, this was the kind of person he was. That was why she had married him without hesitation in the first place. Her original intention had been to protect him, not to let him become like everyone else.

With trembling lips, the Crown Princess let go of his hand, and the memorial fell to the ground with a soft thud.

After the Crown Prince left, she instructed the guards, "From today onward, strictly monitor all personnel changes and dietary adjustments in the Eastern Palace. Report anyone suspicious to me immediately."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Three days later, the truth was revealed to the public.

All the innocent girls were released and sent back to their families. The Crown Prince had uncovered all the officials involved in the case, and with the Emperor’s approval, they were either dismissed, stripped of their titles, or had their homes confiscated.

The twenty-five serious offenders were each sentenced to two hundred military lashes. Three died on the spot, and eight were permanently disabled.

To quell public anger, Zhai Li and twelve other death row prisoners were paraded through the eastern market and publicly executed that same day.

At the Yangyuan Marquis Manor, Tongya had been back for two days, living with Baili Weihong. Everyone in the manor treated her well, but she still longed to see her mother. Wenxiu had told her that things were too chaotic recently and it wasn’t a good time to involve her grandfather’s family, so she should wait patiently at the manor for a while longer.

Every morning, the Little Demon King’s first task upon waking was to ask about the Crown Prince’s condition. Only after hearing from Shunzi that he was fine would he feel reassured and head to the study to continue his lessons. However, since this incident had started because of them, the children had been closely following the news, waiting for this day to arrive.

"I want to go to the eastern market to watch the execution!"

"Me too! I’ll bring a basket of eggs to throw at them!"

"And cabbage leaves!"

"I’ll bring wooden sticks. They’ll hurt more, and we won’t waste food."

"…"

Xu Wan coughed and stepped in front of them. "Listen up. You can watch on the way to the eastern market, but once we reach the execution ground, you must return immediately. No one is allowed to watch such a bloody scene."

The Little Demon King was the first to protest. "What? Why? That’s so unreasonable! Watching those villains get executed would be so satisfying!"

Xu Wan said sternly, "No. It’s not allowed."

The Little Demon King glared at her resentfully but eventually pouted and relented. "Fine, I won’t watch. But I’ll throw a few extra things at them. Buyan, Buyan, you’ve got good aim. Later, aim for Zhai Li’s mouth. Let’s see if he dares to talk so arrogantly after this."

Hmph, he still remembered clearly how Zhai Li had threatened the Crown Prince that night.

You scoundrel, your retribution has come!

Buyan, for once, didn’t complain about the task and couldn’t help but reply, "After noon, he won’t be able to talk at all."

The Little Demon King nodded vigorously. "That’s why we have to hit him a few more times while he still can. Oh, but wood is too light. Maybe we should prepare some stones or iron balls instead?"

Buyan: "…"

Are we going to war or something?

Xu Wan patted his shoulder and reminded him, "Don’t go too wild. The streets will be crowded with people. Hard objects could hurt innocent bystanders."

"Ah?" The Little Demon King whined. "This is so frustrating. If only there were weapons that could be hard, hurt him a lot, but not harm other people."

Xu Wan: "…"

You know, in the future, there actually will be.

But not here, not now.

With the execution still a few hours away, the children spent the morning gathering all sorts of things to throw, ready to vent their anger.

But ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌‍just as they were about to leave, a palace envoy arrived.

"Eunuch Huang, what an honor to have you here. Please, come in," the Old Marquis greeted him warmly. This was the Emperor’s personal attendant, a man of high status.

Eunuch Huang smiled as he walked in. "Marquis, you’re a fortunate man. I’m not here for you today."

"Oh? Does His Majesty have any instructions?" the Old Marquis asked.

Eunuch Huang entered and scanned the room, his eyes settling on the children. After a moment of uncertainty, he asked, "Marquis, which of these is your eldest son’s child?"