novelraw Chapter 359
Chapter 359
Since entering the palace, this was the first time the Emperor had directly called her by her name.
Xue Xian was terrified, breaking into a cold sweat. She crawled forward on her knees and clutched the Emperor's trousers, pleading, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty! This concubine was wrong, this concubine knows her mistake! It was only because of the sudden death of my mother and brother, this concubine was overwhelmed with grief and acted foolishly..."
"Foolish? You call this foolish? This is malicious!"
The Emperor could never have imagined that the woman by his pillow could be such a venomous serpent. "I ordered him brought back from the Cao family out of consideration for your loss, hoping raising him by your side would comfort you! And what did you do? Look at these wounds, this festering sores! One wouldn't treat even a sworn enemy so cruelly!!"
Xue Xian wept bitterly, looking up at him. "This concubine knows her wrongs, Your Majesty. I beg you, remember the years I have served by your side, give me one more chance!"
The Emperor's face was livid, yet seeing her tear-streaked, pitiful appearance and thinking of their years together, he found it hard to be utterly heartless.
Consort Hui seized the moment to plead for mercy: "Your Majesty, Sister Xue must have acted in a moment of folly to make such a mistake. I beg you to show leniency!"
Her words had the opposite effect. Seeing her mannerisms and demeanor so reminiscent of Xue Xian's, yet possessing a compassion surpassing even the Imperial Noble Consort's, the Emperor's lingering affection vanished instantly. "As the Imperial Noble Consort, you fail to set a virtuous example and instead treat others with cruel malice! Guards! From this day forth, demote the Imperial Noble Consort to the rank of Answering Lady. Remove her from the Yikun Palace and revoke all privileges!"
"Your Majesty! Can you truly be so heartless?" Xue Xian raised her head in disbelief. Consort Hui stepped forward, saying, "Sister Xue, don't be so hasty. Once His Majesty's anger subsides, this younger sister will plead for you again..."
Looking at this woman whose very essence so closely mirrored her own, Xue Xian knew her was a major reason for the Emperor's harshness today!
Malice surged in her heart. She reached out, intent on scratching that face to ruin it.
Fortunately, the Emperor was quick. He pulled Consort Hui away and simultaneously kicked Xue Xian aside. "Wretch! Consort Hui pleads for you with all her heart, and you repay kindness with enmity? I have indeed been too tolerant of you. Fine! No need for the Suiyu Pavilion anymore. Guards! Take Answering Lady Xue directly to the Cold Palace. She shall never receive favor again!"
Those final eight words pronounced her doom.
Xue Xian stiffened and fainted dead away. Consort Hui, nestled in the Emperor's embrace, finally allowed a faint smile to appear.
After the eunuchs had carried the unconscious woman away, the Emperor turned his gaze to the trembling Xue Boqing. "Your name is Boqing, correct? I must admit this is my fault. My good intentions have led to this misfortune..."
Yan Wenjing hurriedly said, "Your Majesty could never be at fault! It was that wicked woman, all her doing!"
A smile touched the Emperor's lips. "Wenjing is right. Very well, Boqing. I will allow you to choose a childless consort to be recorded under her name..."
This was equivalent to becoming a foster son of the Emperor, ensuring a life of comfort and privilege!
Yan Wenjing blinked frantically at him, only to remember the poor boy couldn't see!
As expected, Xue Boqing shook his head. "Your... Your Majesty, Boqing wishes to return to the Cao family..."
The Emperor was taken aback. "The Cao family? Ah, I forgot you were once adopted by Lady Cao, Minister Cao's wife. So be it. After the imperial physicians have examined you, they shall send you back. Yin Shun, select some rewards from the Imperial Household Department for him to take back." He then cast a meaningful glance at Yan Wenjing, but Consort Rong stepped in the way.
Xue Boqing was overjoyed. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
He then turned and mouthed in the direction of Yan Wenjing—Thank you, Brother Wenjing.
Leaving the Yikun Palace, Yan Wenjing hummed a cheerful little tune.
Consort Rong called him to a stop. "Wenjing, you..."
She hesitated, but ultimately couldn't hold back. "How... how is your Third Uncle?"
Yan Wenjing stopped and looked at her earnestly. "Aunt, my Third Uncle and Third Aunt are both very well. Very, very well!"
Seeing the child's earnest, almost stubborn expression, Consort Rong's heart ached. She turned her face away. "It's good that they are well... I was just asking casually."
Only then did Yan Wenjing relax. He liked his Third Aunt very much, and he also liked his aunt (Consort Rong), so he didn't wish for her to dwell on his Third Uncle any longer.
Consort Rong was silent for a long while. Seeing no one else around, she leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Wenjing, when you return, relay a message for me to your Third Aunt. Tell her the Emperor intends to promote Prince Yu and Duke of Zou, and even wants Prince Yu to take command of the Three Armies."
Yan Wenjing's expression turned solemn, and he nodded emphatically. Yin Shun hurried over from behind. "Ah, Consort Rong, Young Master Yan, please wait a moment. His Majesty wishes to invite Young Master Yan to stay for..."
Before he could finish, Consort Rong immediately said, "Attendants, escort Wenjing out of the palace!"
Palace servants promptly led him away. By the time Yin Shun caught up, he was already gone.
Yin Shun, panting, said, "Consort Rong, His Majesty wanted to keep the young master of the Yan family for a meal. Why were you in such a hurry to send him away?"
Consort Rong replied calmly, "My hearing is not the best. I did not hear you earlier. Please forgive me, Chief Eunuch Yin."
Yin Shun could say no more. He bowed and went to report back. The Emperor's expression darkened slightly, but he did not pursue the matter. "It's of no consequence. Next time he is summoned, ensure he remains within the palace first."
Yin Shun was momentarily surprised, then bowed in assent.
Hundred Insights Pavilion.
Upon hearing the news of Xue Xian's downfall, Chu Ruoyan was not the least bit surprised. "With Wenjing there, and that newly titled Consort Hui, Xue Xian was doomed... It's just poor Boqing, suffering such a terrible ordeal at such a young age."
Yun Lang put away the secret missive and snorted. "You have time to worry about others? Better worry about your husband first."
He passed her a slip of paper. Chu Ruoyan read it and her voice turned cold. "The Young Master's corpse is missing?!"
Yun Lang nodded. "According to Tian Shu's report, after Meng Ji was severely wounded, the Southern Barbarians sought peace talks and have agreed to cede territory and pay indemnities. Only Yan Zheng's demand for the return of the corpses could not be met. They claim they can barely return the bodies of the Second Son, pierced by countless arrows, and the Fifth Son, trampled into mud by horses, but the head of the Young Master, Yan Xun, has vanished without a trace. They cannot find it."
"Vanished without a trace? Who in this world would want the head of a dead man?"
Chu Ruoyan frowned. Yun Lang, however, said, "Setting that aside for now, do you know that Yan Zheng has turned everything upside down in his search? He's practically dug three feet into the ground, almost turning the Hulao Pass and Hangu Pass inside out... He insists on finding Yan Xun's body and delays his triumphant return to the capital. Do you know what this means?"
A chill ran down Chu Ruoyan's spine. "You mean the Emperor might become suspicious?"
Yan Zheng, as the Chief Grand Secretary holding military power, delaying his return could indeed invite suspicion.
"Suspicion is only part of it, Miaomiao. More importantly, the Prince of Qin is dead." Yun Lang said meaningfully. "The Prince of Qin is dead, Feng Huan is under house arrest. There is not a single military commander left at court who can rival Yan Zheng. Moreover, he is the all-powerful Chief Grand Secretary, and this time he has even achieved an unparalleled military feat..."
The hairs on Chu Ruoyan's neck stood on end. "A subject whose achievements overshadow his lord! You mean the Emperor will move against him?"