Chu Yunzheng felt a heavy-hearted sense that something was off. Just as he was about to inquire further, Chu Yuan smiled and said cheerfully, “Your Majesty must stay for several days. When I’m healed, I’ll go fox hunting with you.”
Chu Yunzheng smiled and nodded, “Good, rest well. I’ll wait for you.”
When he returned to his palace, Duke An had already been kneeling for a while. Since Chu Yuan’s injury was not serious, Chu Yunzheng’s mood had improved. He said leisurely, “Duke An, with such a treasonous person in your household, how do you think I should deal with you?”
Duke An kowtowed repeatedly, bleeding from his forehead, crying and pleading, “This criminal was incompetent in discipline. I beg Your Majesty for mercy!”
He knew this matter had nothing to do with anyone else in the Duke of An Guo’s mansion. Duke An Guo was an old minister, and pushing too hard might discourage other ministers. Since Liu Yi looked like he wouldn’t survive, he might as well do him a favor.
He said, “Forcing a father to harm his son goes against heaven’s harmony. Duke An Guo’s actions prove that you have no second thoughts about me and Prince Ning. However, Liu Yi has committed an unfilial and disloyal act, and you cannot escape blame. I decide to strip you of your title, demote you to a commoner, ban Liu family descendants from official positions for three generations, and exile Liu Yi three thousand li, to depart immediately.”
Duke An Guo breathed a sigh of relief while feeling as if his heart was being sliced. If he had known the emperor would show mercy, he wouldn’t have struck so heavily. His son was badly injured and might not survive. But if he hadn’t struck so hard, how would the emperor have shown mercy? He deeply hated Huo Rou; if his son hadn’t been infatuated with her, they wouldn’t have ended up in this situation.
The sudden turn of events left Huo Rou stunned. Upon hearing that Liu Yi was not condemned to death, she quickly kowtowed: “This woman thanks Your Majesty for his great mercy on behalf of Young Master Liu!”
