Chapter 95: To Wrong My Elder Kun is to Invite Heaven’s Wrath

Cang Ming asked in a low voice, "Your Majesty, do you need me to act?"

"To kill him, we must have a proper excuse," replied the Sage. No matter what, Dao Dezi was a figure of great prestige; to kill him without sufficient cause would not convince the court, nor could the imperial family save face.

"I understand, Your Majesty. And what of the matter concerning Ye Ming?"

Changsun Yu pressed his forehead, and after a long pause, he said, "I am weary. You may leave for now."

"Yes, Your Majesty. Please take care of your health. I take my leave." Cang Ming bowed and retreated. The Sage’s mind was clearly disturbed today by Dao Dezi, and it seemed the matter of Ye Ming would be delayed once more. Such a golden opportunity, ruined by Dao Dezi!

Changsun Yu slowly closed his eyes and sank into deep thought.

At that moment, the chief eunuch approached quietly and called softly, "Your Majesty."

"What is it?" Changsun Yu’s tone was laced with impatience.

"Consort Tong just hurriedly left the palace."

Changsun Yu opened his eyes, then said indifferently, "I see. Arrange matters concerning the palace maid who was here earlier." With those words, he rose and departed.

The chief eunuch swallowed nervously. He could only lament the misfortune of these palace maids—such things were beyond their control.

Perhaps one day, his own fate would be the same. Serving the emperor was like living with a tiger; a single misstep, and one’s corpse might not even be whole.

The Tong family’s estate was located in the eastern district of Taijing, a place where the city’s elite resided. The East Market was also Taijing’s most prosperous area.

The Tong residence covered a vast expanse, with dozens of courtyards, small bridges, flowing streams, and lush greenery. Though it was not the most extravagant of mansions, it reflected the owner's understated character.

But at this moment, in the main hall, a young man knelt surrounded by elders.

That young man was none other than Tong Ge.

"For the sake of a woman! Do you intend to drag the whole clan to destruction with you?" The speaker, seated in the place of honor, was Tong Ge's father, Tong Wenshan.

He was of even build and dignified appearance, having attained the position of Left Chancellor in Taijing at a young age—a man of immense influence. His rapid ascent to power owed much to the efforts of his younger sister, Tong Yingying.

But just now, Dao Dezi had brought his son back home, which made Tong Wenshan uneasy.

Dao Dezi had said little and left promptly.

Never did he expect that this wretched son had gone to abduct a bride—no less than the son of Ye Ming! The entire situation became clear in an instant.

Seated beside Tong Wenshan was his wife, Xu Zhen, fair-skinned and beautiful. She was not of noble birth, only a merchant's daughter, but she had married Tong Wenshan when he was still unknown, choosing hardship and struggle at his side. He had not disappointed her, rising from the bottom of the family to become highly esteemed and powerful.

Now, seeing her son commit such a grave mistake, Xu Zhen’s eyes were filled with disappointment. How could he ever lead the Tong family to glory?

With such reckless thinking, the Tong family would only be led to ruin!

"As the family head, I declare this: Tong Ge is stripped of his right to compete for the position of family head!" Though furious, Tong Wenshan had no choice. The room was full of elders and brothers; only such a punishment would silence them.

Kneeling on the floor, Tong Ge’s face was ashen. For a woman who had deceived him, he had sacrificed his future and nearly lost his life.

"Tong Ge, as a young man, you should devote yourself to study at the academy. For a woman—it isn’t worth it!" The first man to the left was Third Uncle Tong Deyuan, not an official at the palace, but one of Taijing’s wealthiest men. The family’s finances were all managed by him.

"From now on, you will obediently attend the academy and are forbidden to leave Taijing. If you dare set foot outside the city again, you will be cast out of the family!" Tong Wenshan thundered, still inwardly worrying whether the Sage would mete out punishment because of this.

That Ye Ming, even when banished from Taijing, had left the city in chaos!

"Is there anything else that happened?" Tong Deyuan asked curiously, playing with two silver spheres in his right hand.

Tong Ge dared not speak; Dao Dezi had warned him explicitly.

"No, nothing else."

Tong Deyuan did not press further. Even if there was more, Dao Dezi would not allow them to speak of it. With his reputation, no one dared defy him.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside. All eyes turned to the door, and it was Tong Yingying, just returned from the palace.

Her face was now cold as ice, all trace of former gentleness gone.

"Aunt."

A sharp slap landed, knocking Tong Ge to the ground.

"All these years I’ve spoiled you, and look what you’ve become! Has your mind been eaten by tigers, or gnawed away by that Yan Muer? Do you realize your actions today could make the Sage see our family in a different light?" Tong Yingying, furious, kicked Tong Ge repeatedly.

All her hard-won favor with the Sage, ruined in a single day by this nephew!

Those who seek to harm my Kun’er—either their whole family falls into misfortune, or they are utterly destroyed.

The people present were no fools. Although the Sage and Dao Dezi appeared harmonious, the truth was quite the opposite. Today, Dao Dezi had brought these people back; in the Sage's eyes, they were being protected by Dao Dezi. They would never again be trusted, and might even bring harm upon the entire clan.

In Tong Yingying’s view, she would have preferred Tong Ge return as a corpse rather than be brought back by Dao Dezi.

Tong Ge could only feel ashamed of his actions.

Still not satisfied, Tong Yingying grabbed a flower vase and smashed it.

Xu Zhen watched in silence, turning her head away. If her son continued to be coddled after such things, he would truly be ruined.

Yet such scenes were playing out at both the Ye family and the Dongfang family as well.

Dongfang Shuang was, in every sense, having a rough time—just having woken, he was knocked out again by his own father.

In his heart, Dongfang Shuang wailed that he had done nothing at all—his only offense was being dizzy from start to finish, yet he too was stripped of his right to compete for the family headship… Even Dongfang Gua suffered the same fate.

At the Ye family, matters were even worse.

Ye Yushu and his father, Ye Yang, knelt side by side, both being beaten and likewise deprived of any future claim to lead the family.

The Sage would not tolerate future family heads having connections with Dao Dezi.

It was just as the saying went: "Those who wrong Kun’er, no matter how far, will surely face Heaven’s wrath."

Yet no one mentioned the silver-haired man or the golden-haired woman.

But Dao Dezi perhaps underestimated how quickly rumors spread within the palace.

The dismissed palace maids, upon overhearing, could not wait to share their secrets, proving yet again that women are incapable of keeping secrets.

And the palace itself is the worst place to hide anything; every major clan has eyes and ears within, and news is carried out in an instant.

Of course, as the rumors spread, the story drifted further and further from the truth.

In the West Market of Taijing, a place of both dragons and serpents—where intelligence is best gathered—today everyone was talking about one thing.

The tale of the silver-haired man and the golden-haired woman.