Chapter 738

Dong Bingkun certainly understood this principle; if the Emperor suspected them because of this matter, even without concrete evidence, he would inevitably develop notions about the Dong family because of it, which would likely affect the prospects of their nephew Xue Daoming. One could say this nephew is the Dong family's greatest hope for the future—only if he smoothly becomes crown prince and ascends the throne can the Dong family's power and status possibly rise further in Da Yong.

Dong Bingkun pondered for a long time before saying, "In your view, who is behind this?"

Dong Shufi bit her lip and said, "I and Xue Daoming have no enemies; if there is any, it must be that person."

Dong Bingkun naturally knew who she meant; he slowly shook his head and said, "Without evidence, one must never speak recklessly, especially before the Emperor—one must be exceedingly cautious." Thinking of this, he couldn't help but recall that the Emperor had not held morning audience for the past two days, and he said softly, "What exactly has the Emperor been up to these two days? Why hasn't he attended court?"

Dong Shufi said, "I don't know either; he's been in the Hall of Diligent Governance these two days, seeing no one."

Dong Bingkun said, "Could he be ill?"

Dong Shufi said, "I specifically inquired at the Imperial Hospital, and no imperial physician has been summoned. However, he is scheduled to hold morning audience tomorrow, so there should be nothing serious."

Dong Bingkun said, "You shouldn't go to the Rising Dawn Palace."

Dong Shufi snorted coldly, "If I don't go, people will surely say I'm cold-hearted; if I do go, they'll say I'm guilty, pretending for the world to see. But in life, one often needs to put on a show; if I don't go, how will I know what she has become?" She took a sip of tea, gently setting the Chazan on the table: "Although she hasn't formally married Xue Daoming, after all they have a Marriage Pact. As his future mother-in-law, visiting her is perfectly proper, both emotionally and logically."

Dong Bingkun said, "Sister, what do you plan to do?"

Dong Shufi sighed, "I came to ask my elder brother because I don't know what to do; that child is also pitiable. Just now I asked her what her wish was, and she said she wants to see Xue Daoming and apologize to him."

Dong Bingkun said, "You agree?"

Dong Shufi said, "It still depends on Xue Daoming's own wishes. Whether we see her while she's alive or pay our respects after she dies, in short, we must go to the Rising Dawn Palace."

Dong Bingkun knew his sister wanted to use this matter to create an appearance of utmost devotion and holiness for their nephew; he naturally wouldn't believe the nephew would have any feelings for this stranger, the Dakang princess. After a moment's thought he said, "No matter what we do, someone will inevitably exploit this matter to point the finger at us."

Dong Shufi said, "Then how can we prove our innocence?"

Dong Bingkun chuckled, "The pure are self-purifying. Why bother proving it? The more you try to clear your name, the more people will think you're hiding something—this approach is absolutely unacceptable."

Dong Shufi said, "Are we just to let others spout nonsense?"

Dong Bingkun said, "When floodwaters come, blocking them is not the best method; to resolve it, one must adopt a guiding strategy. Although Princess Anping has not married Xue Daoming, after all they have a Marriage Pact. Coming to Da Yong, at the Emperor's doorstep encountering such a thing is not only a challenge to His Majesty, but also a challenge to Xue Daoming and our entire Dong family. You and Xue Daoming have the responsibility to uphold justice for Princess Anping—avenge the murder of a wife!"

Dong Shufi suddenly understood. Her elder brother's meaning could not be clearer; there's no need to worry about what others think or say. They should take the lead in standing up to find the true culprit. She whispered, "But the vast sea of people makes finding the true culprit far from easy."

"Finding the culprit may not be easy, but holding responsibility accountable is not difficult. The duty to protect the princess was wholly assigned to Huo Shengnan; if something goes wrong, she must bear the responsibility. How could we let Princess Anping die so obscurely? Even if we agreed, the Dakang side would not agree either. The Emperor would certainly not fail to give Dakang an explanation, sister, don't you think?"

Dong Shufi now fully understood her elder brother's meaning; the problem that had troubled her was instantly resolved, and she couldn't help but feel pleased. She whispered, "Excellent! We should indeed pursue her responsibility. I heard that several of her subordinates colluded with assassins, which led to the present situation."

Dong Bingkun said, "To bear heavy responsibility yet abandon one's post—that is one crime; to lead others yet fail to monitor their subordinates—that is a second crime. As for any other issues, if we investigate, we will surely uncover them; then who would still suspect us?"

Dong Shufi said, "Huo Shengnan herself is nothing special, but Weichi Chong is her adoptive father, and the Empress Dowager is very fond of her."

Dong Bingkun said, "On this matter, Weichi Chong is not in a position to speak; he is originally a Dakang person, initially marginalized in Dakang, and even had several of his family members killed by the old Emperor of Dakang, Long Xuan'en. Meanwhile, Long Xi Yue is precisely Long Xuan'en's daughter. If Weichi Chong were to speak up, he would only make things more confused, claiming he bears a grudge against Long Xuan'en and perhaps seeking to avenge private wrongs under the guise of public duty."

Dong Shufi's eyes lit up; her brother's words were like an epiphany, and the dilemma that had troubled her was now completely resolved.

The incident at the Rising Dawn Palace shook the court and society of Da Yong; by that afternoon the news had spread far and wide. Dakang envoy Xi Jimin came to pay his respects, and even the Da Yong Minister of Rites Sun Weiyuan, who had consistently avoided meeting the Dakang delegation, also showed up.

Hu Xiaotian treated these Da Yong officials coldly, giving only a perfunctory response; he summoned Xi Jimin to his room. Xi Jimin's eyes were also red; as a Dakang official, though he had always kept his head low in Da Yong, the fact that his homeland's princess had been assaulted before her marriage exceeded his breaking point. Xi Jimin choked back tears and said, "Sir Hu, is the Princess truly beyond saving?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Xi Jimin exclaimed indignantly, "Sir Hu, this must be a conspiracy."

Hu Xiaotian sighed, "So what if it's a conspiracy? Do you think we have the ability to get to the bottom of this? Will Da Yong help us find the culprit?"

Xi Jimin shook his head, feeling utterly miserable. The fortunes of Dakang were in decline; based on his experience in Yongdu, his standing had only worsened year by year. The former hegemon of the Central Plains had become, in others' eyes, a weak nation on its last legs. As a Dakang subject, how could he find dignity here? Though the princess's situation appears on the surface to be a random assassination, it in fact harbors inevitable factors. Even without this assassination, if Princess Anping had smoothly married the Seventh Prince Xue Daoming, what awaited her might merely have been another prolonged tragedy.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Sir Xi, you must immediately make preparations—the Princess may not have much time left; once she—" Hu Xiaotian did not finish his sentence, putting on an act of being unable to speak due to a lump in his throat.

Xi Jimin harbored no doubt whatsoever, after all Hu Xiaotian had formerly been the head of Zilan Palace and shared a deep master-servant bond with Princess Anping; his grief now was genuine.

Hu Xiaotian composed himself and said, "Once the Princess passes, you must immediately send word back to Dakang."

Xi Jimin nodded heavily and said, "Rest assured, Sir Hu, I'll get started on the arrangements."

Hu Xiaotian added, "They have already advised me to prepare the Princess's posthumous affairs, but my staff is insufficient; I still need your help, Sir."

Xi Jimin said, "This is my inescapable duty; I will immediately send people back to summon manpower."

At that moment Xiong Tianba came to report, but it was the Seventh Prince of Da Yong, Xue Daoming, who had arrived.

Upon hearing the news, Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but curse inwardly; Dong Shufi and her son are truly a piece of work, utterly hypocritical. The delegation had already been in Yongdu for over twenty days, yet they had never shown themselves voluntarily; upon hearing that Princess Anping had been assaulted, they rushed over merely to put on a show of being devoted and righteous before the public.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Has he been allowed in?"

Xiong Tianba said, "My master didn't let him in, saying anyone wishing to see the Princess must first obtain your approval."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and, together with Xiong Tianba, hurried to the gate of the inner court. There, the Seventh Prince of Da Yong, Xue Daoming, stood in white robes, still and pure like a white lotus rising unsullied from the mud. Hu Xiaotian had rarely seen such a clean-cut man; although Xue Daoming had not been permitted to enter the chambers, his expression remained calm and composed, showing not a trace of anger or displeasure.

Hu Xiaotian stepped before Xue Daoming, clasped his fists in salute, and said, "Hu Xiaotian pays his respects, Your Highness!"

Xue Daoming glanced at Hu Xiaotian's face, gave a slight nod, and said softly, "Sir Hu, I have just heard the news and have come specially to inquire after the Princess's condition."

This was Hu Xiaotian's first encounter with the Seventh Prince; Xue Daoming was far from the arrogant, overbearing figure he had expected—indeed, he gave the impression of a modest, gentlemanly warmth like jade. Having dealt often with members of the imperial family, Hu Xiaotian naturally understood their complexity: most are outwardly splendid but inwardly corrupt. Xue Daoming's reluctance toward this marriage alliance was obvious; otherwise, he would not have waited until now to show himself voluntarily.

However, it is precisely because of Xue Daoming's aloof attitude that Hu Xiaotian's plan could proceed smoothly. Had Xue Daoming gone to see Princess Anping at the Yongjiang Nanyang Water Fortress initially, the difficulty of this ruse would have been much greater, and Xi Yan might well have struck him down along the way.

Hu Xiaotian said respectfully, "Your Highness, the Princess is in poor condition and still resting in bed."

Xue Daoming said, "Please trouble Eunuch Hu to announce my arrival."

Hu Xiaotian thought his words were appropriate; after all, he is a Da Yong prince and the fiancé of Princess Anping, and logically there was no reason to turn him away at the door. Hu Xiaotian clasped his hands and said, "Your Highness, please wait a moment; let me first report to the Princess and then we'll continue."

Xue Daoming nodded, but inwardly he thought, Long Xi Yue must have lost her mind by now; you're simply making things difficult for me on purpose, though he showed no outward sign. (To be continued~^~)