CHAPTER 347: CHAPTER 347: TWO LONELY SOULS

His indifference made the messenger a little frightened.

After all, it’s his legitimate son, yet his tone was just like dismissing a beggar.

He didn’t mention how to arrange the afterlife, nor how to bury him; is he really going to just put him casually in a coffin and send him to the grave?

The messenger suddenly didn’t know how to respond to these words.

Instead, Consort Wei came out from the bedroom, her expression still quite grim.

"Prince, bringing back Princess Consort sister is not urgent for now. The priority is to know if there’s any gossip outside that could damage Prince’s reputation."

The incident where Prince Zhan injured Yu Wen Jia was already told to Consort Wei upon his return.

The two of them were one indifferent, one heartless.

How could they truly care about Yu Wen Jia’s life or death? Now they feared only one thing: rumors.

With her reminder, Prince Zhan came to his senses.

He immediately looked at that person.

The messenger shook his head.

"Servant rushed back, so didn’t inquire much."

Seeing this, Consort Wei immediately ordered.

"Go, scatter more people out quietly to listen and see if there’s any talk unfavorable to Prince. Avoid conflicts with others, and once you find out, report back immediately."

"Okay, servant will go right away."

After the person left, Consort Wei sighed deeply.

"Fourth brother’s son was also frail; in the end, it’s Princess Consort sister who spends her days chanting scriptures and ignoring, otherwise, this child wouldn’t be so weak. Prince just gave a few scoldings, and he was frightened to death."

Her words were evidently meant to exonerate Prince Zhan.

Prince Zhan listened and felt it was very good.

So he embraced her and said.

"When that crazy woman returns, I will confine her in the courtyard. Once this storm passes, I’ll send her to find her son and then proclaim you officially; our children will thus be rightful."

Consort Wei had no such ambition before, but now it’s forced upon her, not wanting it seemed out of the question.

So she replied cleverly.

"I’ll leave it all to Prince’s arrangement; I’ll do whatever I’m allowed."

Her obedient and innocent demeanor made Prince Zhan restless again.

If it weren’t for the wrong timing, he really wanted to indulge with her again.

Unfortunately, while he appeared indifferent here, on another front, Princess Consort Zhan was already advancing fiercely in mourning white.

The post station was in no place for mourning.

So Princess Consort Zhan, with the fastest speed, wrapped her son Yu Wen Jia’s "corpse" in the coffin, then headed towards the Imperial City with the sound of gongs and drums.

Yu Wenjie was also dressed in mourning white, supporting her.

Mother and daughter, at this moment, seemed like two lonely souls in the world, sobbing uncontrollably.

But compared to their ashen expressions, the followers behind appeared significantly more indignant.

"Prince Zhan is without virtue or justice, kicked his own son to death, heaven bears witness, implore the Emperor to intervene!"

All the way to the Imperial City, not stopping to scatter the evidence collected by Yu Wen Jia against Prince Zhan.

There were literate people among the commoners, naturally picking them up and reading earnestly.

Reading this made them all terrified.

"Indeed, it was Prince Zhan who was discovered committing crimes by his son, hence acted ruthlessly! Surely is nothing good!"

"Precisely! I heard he was kicked to death, don’t know how a father could be so heartless, not sparing even his own son!"

"How tragic is Princess Consort Zhan! Daughter married far away, just one son left by her side, now gone, isn’t she being pushed to death! So many divorced women in our dynasty, if they’re bullied this way, what justice or law will remain!"

"Let’s go! Follow to see, I don’t believe only Prince Zhan’s words count in this world!"

"Go, go, go!"

Moved as a crowd, following the funeral procession grew more and more numerous.

By the time they reached the Imperial City Gate, there were already several thousand people, and more were continuously arriving to watch.

Some just came for the spectacle, others to witness Prince Zhan’s downfall.

Most notably, those protesting for Princess Consort Zhan were the Shunyi Earl Mansion and Rongchang Earl Mansion.

They had been dormant for decades, suppressed by the Prince Mansion.

Finally catching such a significant opportunity, naturally, they would cause a ruckus.

No matter how bad it gets, it won’t be worse than now, so they all came with the intent to strip Prince Mansion of a layer of skin.

Princess Consort Zhan stood in the center, her face pale, eyes bloodshot.

She was inherently delicate, now even more so like a slender willow swaying in the wind.

Yet exuding an unyielding resoluteness.

Ever since she agreed to bet with her son’s life, she knew there was no turning back.

Once retreated, what awaited them would be eternal ruin.

Therefore, this time, she must ensure everyone in the Prince Mansion who hurt them pays the price!

Thinking this, she patted her daughter Yu Wenjie, who was supporting her.

"Go ahead, submit the petition."

"Okay."

Mother and daughter dared to come, naturally intending never to concede.

Thus, the petition was filled with records of the grievances and framing suffered by Princess Consort Zhan and her two children in the mansion over these decades.

Mentioning just these, it would be household affairs.

Even if the Emperor wants to judge, he couldn’t sentence heavily.

But interspersed within, there were also numerous crimes collected by the Classical Examination Department.

From minor land occupation to severe murder.

Even more, secretly mining in the old Prince Zhan’s granted area!

This was shaking the nation’s foundation.

With such varied crimes, totaling one hundred thirty-four.

Now, voiced bit by bit through Princess Consort Zhan, Prince Zhan couldn’t possibly turn things around.

When Prince Zhan learned of this, he rushed over as quickly as possible with a face darkened by rage.

Whereas in front of the Imperial City, tens of thousands had already gathered.

His "crimes" had been read to the one hundred nineteenth count, yet Princess Consort Zhan evidently had no intention of stopping.

Angry enough, Prince Zhan almost fell off his horse.

Thus, he wielded his whip and fiercely lashed out at those blocking him, shouting loudly.

"Get out! Get out of the way, all of you!"

With these few lashes, many commoners immediately cried out.

Following Prince Zhan were attendants accustomed to arrogance.

They imitated, beating the people, clearing a bloody path for their Prince!

Thus, seeing the scene, those people in the crowd grew even angrier.

All started cursing loudly.

"Prince Zhan is without virtue or justice, kicked his son to death, heaven bears witness, implore the Emperor to intervene!"

With one shouting, others followed.

Wave after wave of chants, ever spreading.