Female Consort Chapter 71: Plan

The fury of the common people came too suddenly.

Not only was the Crown Prince caught off guard, even Yang Qiu was unprepared.

But who’s to say it wasn’t a blessing in disguise?

The crowd grew louder and louder. Just as the panicked Crown Prince shouted at Yang Qiu to quickly end the trial, the latter finally feigned a look of realization, slammed the gavel heavily, and barked, “Silence!”

By all reason, he should have either sentenced Qiu Chudong right then or at least quelled the current chaos before proceeding further.

But instead, as if he feared the commotion wasn’t loud enough, he cast a deliberately “subtle” glance at the Crown Prince, as if awaiting orders, and quietly asked:

“Your Highness, what do you think we should do?”

The crowd, which had just begun to settle, froze strangely for a moment, then Nanshi once again led the chant, her voice resolute: “Release Lord Qiu!”

Outside the court, the people echoed like a rising tide, crying, “Release Lord Qiu! Tear down the Qiu family!”

Even the bailiffs outside the Dali Temple gate could barely restrain the increasingly restless mob.

If the Crown Prince made the wrong move, the people looked ready to storm in and raze the entire Dali Temple.

The Crown Prince thought, How is this man even more foolish than me?

And just then, amid the chaos, the Empress Dowager asked kindly, almost affectionately, “Aijia has heard quite enough. I must say, the people make a fair point… What does the Crown Prince think?”

The Crown Prince…

What could he possibly think?

He shot a fierce glare at Yang Qiu and, under the scrutiny of the entire court, gritted his teeth and said, “Imperial Grandmother is absolutely right… That’s what I think as well…”

The Empress Dowager nodded. “Then…”

“Since the evidence is conclusive, Qiu Chudong shall be executed in the autumn. All Qiu family men found guilty of abusing the weak or murdering girls will be beheaded. The womenfolk shall be exiled… As for Qiu Che, this matter is far too serious. I must consult with the Emperor before making any decision.”

With that, he ignored the cries of protest from the crowd outside, quickly rose to his feet, and fled out the back gate of the Dali Temple under the protection of the Embroidered Guards.

And thus, this dramatic court session came to a dramatic close.

Behind a folding screen, a middle-aged man’s figure stood still for a long time, unmoving.

Qiu Chudong, lifeless and hollow-eyed, was escorted out under the gaze of ten women, some filled with hatred, some with sorrow.

This time, no one could save him. What awaited was only death.

From the moment, over a decade ago, when he first used his status as the Qiu family’s young master to bully others…

From the moment he murdered his own mother, then personally strangled the lives of young girls…

From the moment he harbored hatred and contempt for women, exalted Qiu Zhe, and buried Qiu Che, 

His end had already been written.

The bound feet these women endured for a lifetime were the product of men’s depraved ideals.

Their feet might never fully heal, but from this day forward, their hearts would be free.

Qiu Chudong died at the hands of these women, women with different temperaments, but all equally strong, whom he had belittled for half a lifetime.

He was killed by the evil he sowed.

And by the prejudice he refused to let go.

He deserved it.

Once the gates of the Dali Temple closed, the people’s shouting was shut out as well.

Though they hadn’t succeeded in rescuing Qiu Che this time, that had always been expected, 

This entire ordeal had been a trap set for Qiu Che. If she were truly released over an unrelated trial, too many would feel it unjust.

Still, though there was disappointment, there was no despair.

As long as public sentiment kept rising, a bit of popular resentment could stir up an overwhelming tide.

In her heart, Li Qingwu already had a new plan.

The Empress Dowager, having no official connection to any of them, did not linger, fearing suspicion if she stayed too long, she left soon after.

Li Qingwu stepped forward and helped Nanshi up, exhaling softly, almost imperceptibly.

“Thank you.”

Nanshi gave a gentle smile.

Though not young, she had never remarried after leaving the Qiu household, and now looked more spirited and clear-eyed than most women.

She patted Li Qingwu’s hand and said, “We should be the ones to apologize… We had agreed to testify in court today, but if not for someone’s timely reminder, we might’ve arrived too late…”

Li Qingwu paused.

She had already considered this earlier, when Nanshi brought it up, but hadn’t had time to dwell on it.

“Who?”

“…Miss Yao Tai.”

In that instant, Li Qingwu remembered, just days before the trial, she had gone to visit Yao Tai.

At the time, she’d been wracking her brain over how to convict Qiu Chudong.

Though she hadn’t spoken much of it aloud, her troubled expression must have given her away.

Yao Tai had smiled and asked if she had a problem, offering to help think of a solution.

So Li Qingwu told her everything.

Yao Tai had pondered for a moment, then patted her hand and winked: “Who knows? Maybe the cart will find its way around the mountain.”

Li Qingwu had thought she was just trying to comfort her. She’d forced a smile and said nothing.

But looking back now, Yao Tai had likely been using her sick and weakened body to quietly help them all along.

Obtaining so many women’s identity documents was no small task. Under Great Xia’s laws, unless moving, marrying, or doing business, one couldn’t even apply for household registration. Securing those records was incredibly difficult.

Though the court now operated under new laws, Qiu Che wasn’t a saint. There were always loopholes and oversights she couldn’t patch in time.

Household registration was one such flaw.

It wasn’t hard to imagine the lengths Yao Tai had gone to.

Snapping back to reality, Li Qingwu exchanged a few more words with Nanshi before instructing Fu Ling to arrange for their accommodations.

She then bid farewell to Yang Qiu and hurried away.

Yang Qiu, of course, had overheard their conversation. Thinking of the still-bedridden Yao Tai, his heart clenched.

He guessed where Li Qingwu was headed, but before he could even utter “wait,” his personal attendant called out to him.

“Sir.”

“What is it?”

The servant stepped forward and whispered a few words in his ear.

Yang Qiu froze mid-step.

“What did you say?”

In that brief moment, Li Qingwu had already vanished from the gate.

Yang Qiu let out a soft sigh, turned around, and walked toward the screen.

“…Father.”

The middle-aged man came back to himself and gave him a long, deep look.

He had a broad frame and a trim waist, with a refined mustache. Though his temples were graying with age, his features still held a striking handsomeness, carrying a unique elegance.

At first glance, he did bear some resemblance to Yang Qiu.

“Seems like you've been doing pretty well for yourself in the capital these past six months.”

Yang Qiu lowered his eyes. The usually warm and composed expression on his face was tinged with rare fatigue. “Why have you come to the capital?”

“Wipe that frown off your face,” snorted Prince Zhao. “I’m not here to meddle in your official duties, I came to deliver urgent news.”

Yang Qiu’s eyes flickered. “What news?”

Prince Zhao let out a long sigh. “…There have been frequent disturbances along the northern border. Our spies report that the Northern Xiongnu King may have formed an alliance with the Southern Yi.”

Meanwhile, Li Qingwu had just hurried into Yao Tai’s courtyard.

She arrived to find Yao Tai by the window, watering her hanging orchid.

, Ever since her health had declined, Yao Tai no longer had the strength for business and had instead become fond of tending to flowers and plants.

She now lived in the small villa on the outskirts of the capital that Qiu Che had bought for her. It wasn’t anything grand, but it was quiet, perfect for recuperation.

Li Qingwu rushed in, but stopped abruptly at the doorway.

Hearing the sound, Yao Tai turned around, still smiling. “I heard all about it, wasn’t today’s hearing quite a spectacle? What a shame, I didn’t get to witness it myself.”

Li Qingwu had so much she wanted to say, but when she saw the faintly haggard smile on Yao Tai’s face, all those words melted away.

She didn’t want to burden a sick woman with the heavy matters of court, so she took a deep breath to steady herself.

Then she stepped forward, her voice calm and even. “Yes… it was quite the scene. You really are something, helping me behind the scenes without saying a word. Do you know how worried I was?”

Yao Tai replied, “It’s not like I expected anything in return, if I told you, it wouldn’t have been a surprise.”

Li Qingwu chuckled and chatted with her for a bit longer, then absentmindedly brought up, “If our message got through, Uncle Jiang should be arriving soon.”

At the mention, Yao Tai gave a helpless look. “I know my own body. There’s no cure, don’t waste your efforts.”

Li Qingwu glanced at her. “Whether it’s curable or not isn’t for you to decide.”

Yao Tai only shrugged and smiled without a word.

After leaving the courtyard, Li Qingwu paused, then turned to Yao Tai’s maid, Ah Zhen. “News spreads fast in the capital?”

She had come straight from the courthouse, how had Yao Tai heard about the outcome so quickly?

Ah Zhen looked confused. “What news?”

Li Qingwu frowned. “…You don’t know?”

Then who had told Yao Tai?

In a flash, Li Qingwu remembered what Yao Tai had once said, half-jokingly: “I’m not from this world.”

Yao Tai said a lot of strange things, half-truths mixed with riddles, and Li Qingwu had long stopped taking every word seriously. That line, especially, she’d brushed aside.

But thinking back, it seemed like every one of Yao Tai’s most unbelievable statements… had ended up coming true.

Except for that one.

“You will all be happy.”

At this moment, Li Qingwu found herself experiencing the same eerie feeling that Qiu Che once did.

If no one had told Yao Tai, but she knew anyway, did that mean… she already knew how the trial would end?

Could Yao Tai… actually tell the future?

Li Qingwu couldn’t help laughing at herself for the thought.

But regardless, now wasn’t the time to dwell on such things.

Time was tight. She returned briefly to the Court of Judicial Review and met with Yang Qiu to finalize their next move.

The day after the trial, rumors exploded throughout the capital. Public outrage surged. Everyone was focused on whether Qiu Che would be safely released.

And those most attuned to the political currents had already turned their eyes to the imperial father and son, waiting to see whether the ailing emperor would finally take a stand.

Overnight, the capital was abuzz with speculation.

“What if this plan doesn’t work?”

Li Qingwu shut the window, blocking out the chatter of the people discussing yesterday’s case. She turned around, her expression calm.

“Then we move to the next plan.”

Seated before her were all of Qiu Che’s trusted allies, Yang Qiu, Wu Yiqi, the Empress Dowager, and even the Su sisters, Yu Ming and Yu Yan.

On the day Qiu Che was imprisoned, the entire Qiu family had been taken away.

At the princess's residence, Madam Wang had already been sent by Qiu Che, with Yu Ming’s help, to Yeming City. The rest remained.

After Li Qingwu’s audience with the emperor, he should have held the Qiu family accountable.

But she had insisted on protecting them, and Emperor Li Shi, not yet ready to confront her openly before the court, was furious, but helpless.

Li Qingwu suspected his illness was real, but that part of the reason for his retreat… was simply that he didn’t want to see her.

Wu Yiqi, attending such a full-scale “alliance meeting” for the first time, was highly enthusiastic and raised his hand. “So… what’s the second plan?”

“Turning public sentiment against the royal family is only the first step,” said Li Qingwu. “As the saying goes: the people are water, the ruler a boat. Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it.”

Yang Qiu’s brows twitched. For a moment, he had the strange illusion that the woman before him was actually Qiu Che behind bars. “Your Highness, are you suggesting…?”

Li Qingwu sat at the round table and answered flatly, “If the will of the people still can’t make them release her… then we overturn the boat.”

If the man on the throne couldn’t win the people’s trust, then it was time to put someone there who could.

Such a simple truth.