Chapter 714: Argument

Princess Consort Zhen was one thing, but Li Qiong was the real problem. His identity was too sensitive, and keeping him alive would likely be a source of future disaster. The simplest, most decisive solution was to kill him and put an end to the threat once and for all.

But he was, after all, Hua Dingzong’s maternal grandson. Hua Dingzong couldn’t bear to see him executed at such a young age.

Hua Dingzong looked at the Regent King with pleading eyes, hoping he would be merciful and spare the lives of Princess Consort Zhen and her son.

Li Ji replied at a measured pace.

“This matter has been handed over to the Prime Ministers for deliberation. I trust they will reach a decision soon.”

Hua Dingzong couldn’t help but say, “Even if they come to a decision, the Prince still has the final say. May I ask you, for my sake and Manman’s, to spare their lives?”

Hearing Manman’s name, Li Ji’s expression softened slightly.

Seeing this, Hua Dingzong quickly continued, “Manman and her sister are very close. Manman certainly wouldn’t want to see anything happen to her sister. The Prince dotes on Manman so much, you surely wouldn’t want to see her heartbroken, right?”

After speaking, he didn’t forget to tug on Mrs. He’s sleeve, signaling for her to say something as well.

To be fair, Mrs. He held no ill will toward Princess Consort Zhen, nor did she have any desire to see her put to death. Therefore, she spoke up without much hesitation.

“Princess Consort Zhen is just a woman, and Qiong’er is still so young. There’s no need to be so ruthless to a widow and her orphan. Heaven values life. Why don’t you show them mercy this once, Prince? Consider it an act of accumulating good merit for Manman and Xun’er.”

Li Ji watched her quietly.

Mrs. He felt puzzled by his gaze. “Why are you looking at me like that, Prince? Did I say something wrong?”

Li Ji began to speak slowly.

“You find them pitiful now, but have you ever considered that Manman nearly lost her life at Li Qiong’s hands? If they are pitiful, then what does that make Manman? Did she deserve to be taken hostage and be at his mercy?”

Mrs. He froze.

Her eyes widened, her face filled with disbelief.

“What did you say? Qiong’er tried to harm Manman?”

When the upheaval occurred in the palace, Mrs. He had been at the Uncle’s Mansion, so she was unaware that Li Qiong had taken Manman hostage.

Li Ji shot Hua Dingzong a cold glance.

“Go ask Mr. Bo. He knows all about it.”

With that, Li Ji looked away, apparently unwilling to waste any more words.

Mrs. He immediately whipped her head around to face Hua Dingzong and demanded, “Explain this to me clearly. Why would Qiong’er try to harm Manman? Manman is his aunt! How could he bring himself to do it?!”

Hua Dingzong was left speechless by her questioning.

Of course, he knew what Li Qiong had done was wrong, but Li Qiong was his own grandson, after all. He couldn’t just stand by and watch him be executed.

After a long while, he finally managed to choke out a sentence.

“Qiong’er is still young and foolish, but he knows he was wrong now. When he’s older…”

Before he could finish, Mrs. He cut him off angrily.

“At such a young age, he already dared to try and kill his own aunt! What will happen when he grows up? Will he tear the very heavens down?! The moment I think about how he nearly killed Manman, I wish I could beat him to death myself. And you actually want me to plead for him? In your dreams!”

Hua Dingzong wanted to explain further, but Mrs. He no longer wanted to listen.

She simply turned and walked away.

Hua Dingzong hurried after her. “Don’t go! Listen to my explanation!”

Li Ji watched the couple walk off into the distance.

The door behind him slid open, and Li Xun poked his head out.

Li Ji glanced at him, and upon hearing his thoughts, he instantly knew that Manman had already told him everything.

Li Xun’s eyes darted around as he asked, “Where are Grandpa and Grandma?”

“They went home.”

After speaking, Li Ji reached out, brushed his son aside, and strode over the threshold into the room.

Hua Manman looked up at him. “I think I just heard my parents. Were they arguing?”

Li Ji sat down to her left and replied nonchalantly.

“It’s normal for a couple to bicker. They’ll make up on their own in a couple of days.”

Li Xun sidled over as well.

He sat down on Manman’s right and tattled in a low voice, “I heard Princess Consort Zhen’s and Li Qiong’s names just now.”

Hua Manman thought for a moment and immediately knew what they had been arguing about.

She asked, “How does the Prince intend to deal with Princess Consort Zhen and Li Qiong?”

Instead of answering, Li Ji asked, “How do you wish for me to deal with them?”

Li Xun chimed in, “The Imperial Concubine is an alright person, but Li Qiong is bad news. Keeping him around is asking for trouble!”

Hua Manman looked at him with amusement. “What do you know about good and bad?”

Unwilling to be underestimated by his mother, Li Xun immediately started to defend himself.

“Li Qiong is sensitive and overly suspicious. He’s extremely paranoid. It wasn’t a big deal at first. I just had to humor him a little, which wasn’t a problem. But then he started listening to the slander of those around him. He just kept listening to their malicious words, and became convinced that I would take everything from him in the future. To him, the words of his own cousin were less reliable than the slander from that bunch of servants around him. Hmph! A person like him? Even if he became the Emperor, he’d definitely be an incompetent ruler who only listens to one side and suspects everyone of everything!”

Hua Manman didn’t comment on her son’s words.

She patted her son’s little head, then looked at Li Ji.

“How are Li Qiong and Princess Consort Zhen doing now?”

Li Ji didn’t hide anything and told her the truth.

“Princess Consort Zhen has heard about the upheaval in the palace. She sent a letter to me, saying she wants to see Li Qiong. Do you think I should agree?”

Hua Manman: “If I were the Prince, I would agree.”

Li Ji was quite curious. “Why?”

Hua Manman smiled mysteriously. “I want to hear what Li Qiong will say to Princess Consort Zhen.”

Li Xun muttered under his breath, “What else could he say? He’ll just cry and beg for help.”

Hua Manman said meaningfully.

“You just said that the rift between you and Li Qiong formed because he listened to the slander of those around him. But have you ever wondered why there were people around him whispering that slander in the first place?”

Li Xun was taken aback for a moment.

He had never really thought about that question in detail.

Hua Manman: “Every effect has a cause. If we want to deal with the outcome, we have to find the root of the problem first.”

That night, at the nunnery outside the city, Princess Consort Zhen finally received a reply. In his letter, the Regent King said she could enter the palace to meet with Li Qiong.

Princess Consort Zhen was overjoyed.

The next day at dawn, she took a carriage into the city and entered the palace to see her son.

Since being placed under house arrest, Li Qiong had become completely dejected. He couldn’t eat or sleep well and had lost a significant amount of weight.

Princess Consort Zhen was filled with pity. With red-rimmed eyes, she chided him.

“Look at you! You’ve gotten so thin. Why don’t you know how to take care of yourself at all?”

Li Qiong gave a self-deprecating laugh. “At a time like this, only you, Mother, still care about me.”

All those who used to fawn over him now avoided him like the plague. Some even deliberately said embarrassing things in his presence, just to curry favor with the Regent King.

He had now truly and thoroughly experienced the fickle nature of the world.