novelraw Chapter 365
Chapter 365
With a buzzing sound, the Emperor's mind exploded: "What did you say?!"
Roumin spoke rapidly: "It's true! Although I don't know what method they used to bypass the blood test, Roumin heard it clearly with my own ears. It was Duke Chu himself who admitted that when he handed the child over to the Noble Consort back then, he gave up his own daughter, not the Regent's daughter!"
The Emperor's eyes bulged like copper bells. He charged forward in one breath and grabbed Chu Huaishan: "Is what she says true? Did you really keep Yun Miao and not let her go back with the King of the Western Frontier?!"
At this point, denial was meaningless.
Chu Huaishan nodded in despair.
The Emperor instantly staggered back several steps, his face as pale as paper: "The Regent's... she's actually the Regent's daughter..."
Just mentioning the title "Regent" sent a chill down everyone's spine.
In those days, who under heaven didn't know of his fearsome reputation as the God of Slaughter? Wherever he was, all the great aristocratic families were as tame as cats and dogs.
If not for the internal rebellion and the tragedy that befell his wife and child, this empire would never have fallen to the Murong family to rule!
"By the way, Your Majesty! Roumin also remembers... Yun Miao has an older brother..."
Before she could finish, Chu Huaishan sharply interrupted: "Roumin! Must you drive them to their deaths?"
A trace of mockery curled at the corner of the blind girl's lips: "Starting to worry now, Duke Chu? Why didn't I see you worry about your own flesh and blood? I was sent away by you, blinded, and suffered immensely by Noble Consort Gui's side. And you? Since our reunion, have you ever shown me concern? Have you ever thought of acknowledging me and bringing me back to the Chu family?"
"I..."
Chu Huaishan wanted to say he had sent her many things these past days and had begged Yun Lang to have Physician Qin continue treating her eyes. But all this paled in comparison to returning to the Chu family. With Yan'er there, he could never openly acknowledge her.
The mockery on Roumin's lips widened: "Since you give no thought to me, and the Noble Consort only has her grand-niece in her heart, then don't blame me for seeking my own way out! Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, Yun Miao has an elder brother named Yun Lang. He is the Master of the Hundred Insights Pavilion!"
A thunderbolt from a clear sky.
The Emperor and the Empress Dowager exclaimed in unison: "What?!"
Previously, when Prince Qin was assassinated, the assassin claimed to be from the Hundred Insights Pavilion. It was only later that the Feng family stepped forward to take responsibility, so no further investigation was pursued.
To think it really was the Hundred Insights Pavilion!
"Jin'er... Jin'er was killed by them... And now they are colluding with Yan Zheng, aiming to restore their former dynasty! Emperor, we cannot just sit and wait for death!"
Empress Dowager Su's voice trembled, carrying panic for the first time.
The Hundred Insights Pavilion was the source of all intelligence under heaven. Coupled with the troops in Yan Zheng's hands, it was an unstoppable weapon!
The Murong family's throne was likely untenable...
A fierce glint flashed in the Emperor's eyes. He grasped her hand and said, "Do not worry, Mother. Yan Zheng only holds half of the Tiger Talisman. We are not without chances of victory! As for the Hundred Insights Pavilion, don't we still have Yun Miao?"
The icy tone filled Chu Huaishan with inexplicable dread.
Sure enough, the next moment, the Emperor looked at him with a complicated expression and then raised his voice: "Guards! Hear my decree! Chu Huaishan has conspired with remnants of the former dynasty with treacherous intent. He is to be executed at noon tomorrow at the Caishikou marketplace! Post the proclamation throughout the capital. I don't believe they won't see it!"
Chu Huaishan's heart turned cold. Empress Dowager Su clapped her hands. "An excellent plan! I, the Empress Dowager, have also heard that this Yun Miao is extremely filial. Once she learns her foster father is to be executed, she will surely spare no effort to rescue him. We will then set an inescapable trap, and capturing her will be no trouble! Once we have her, that so-called Master of the Hundred Insights Pavilion and that Yan Zheng will all be constrained, afraid to act!"
Chu Huaishan hadn't expected the Emperor to use him as bait to lure out Yan'er. He gave a bitter smile and suddenly lunged headfirst towards a palace pillar.
He was resolved to die, and the Emperor and Empress Dowager were momentarily caught off guard.
At the critical moment, Yin Shun rushed forward and grabbed him: "Duke, you must not take your own life!"
The Emperor, having regained his composure, said angrily: "Want to die? Not a chance! Chu Huaishan, it was you who betrayed me. Don't blame me for showing no mercy! Guards! Summon the Junior Grand Secretary, Cao Yang, to the palace. Hand Chu Huaishan over to his custody! If the prisoner dies or escapes, I will hold the entire Cao family responsible with their lives!"
Chu Huaishan trembled violently: "Your Majesty! You are undermining your own defenses, causing loyal ministers and capable generals to lose heart!"
The Emperor snorted coldly through his nose: "Lose heart? It is because I trusted all of you too much that I have come to this! Prince Yu was right. In the past, I was too soft-hearted! From now on, I will show no more mercy!"
Outside the Hall of Heavenly Favor, Cao Yang, who had hurried over upon summons, was stunned upon hearing the decree.
Only when he saw Chu Huaishan emerge, stripped of his official robes and wearing heavy cangues, did he ask: "Duke Chu, is what His Majesty said true? Is the County Princess truly the daughter of the former dynasty's Regent?"
Chu Huaishan gave him a heavy look. Before he could speak, he saw Noble Consort Gui rushing over in haste.
"Has Roumin... has Roumin spoken?"
Chu Huaishan nodded weakly. Noble Consort Gui's vision grew dim. She stepped forward and cried, "I, this humble consort, demand to see the Emperor!"
The eunuch guarding the palace gate bowed with a smile: "Greetings, Noble Consort. His Majesty has decreed that anyone pleading for Duke Chu shall not be received. Also, Your Highness, your health is frail and you must return to your palace to rest in quiet. We servants will escort you back now."
After speaking, he gave a meaningful glance, and two eunuchs hurried forward to take hold of her, one on each side.
Outrageous! Release me at once! This humble one must see His Majesty!
But no matter what she said, the eunuch merely kept a smiling face and had her escorted away.
This was clearly house arrest...
Cao Yang drew a sharp breath of cold air: "What has come over His Majesty? Noble Consort Gui has rendered meritorious service to the court and enjoys extremely high prestige among the people!"
But Chu Huaishan didn't even have the strength to explain. Listlessly, he glanced back at the Hall of Heavenly Favor: "Old Cao... it's all over..."
With the Emperor going to such lengths, where was there any room for maneuver?
And Yun Lang, Yan Zheng—either one of them was a figure capable of overturning heaven and earth. Now, the Emperor had forced them together.
Could it be that the Great Xia... was truly about to fall?
Late at night, on the outskirts of the capital.
Shopkeeper Du hurried into a hunter's cottage: "Pavilion Master, Third Young Lady, I have news. Roumin has exposed your identities. The Emperor is now furious and has decreed that Duke Chu is to be executed tomorrow at noon at Caishikou!"
"What?!"
Chu Ruoyan swayed. Behind her came Chu Ruolan's startled cry: "Mother! What's wrong? Wake up!"
Looking back, Lady Jiang the Younger had fainted from the shock. Clenching her fists tightly, Chu Ruoyan said: "Third Sister, please look after Aunt for now... Second Brother, let's talk outside."
Chu Ruoyan, Yun Lang, and the others went outside. Under the moonlight, she turned and knelt before her brother: "Second Brother!"
Yun Lang immediately supported her: "Nonsense! Speak properly!"
Chu Ruoyan bit her lip and looked at him: "Second Brother, without Father, there would be no Yun Miao today. I beg you, let me go back and save him!"
Yun Lang's face turned cold. Yan Zhao also spoke up: "That's right. Duke Chu is loyal to his sovereign and loves the people. He should not end up beheaded and abandoned in the marketplace! Third Sister-in-law, I'll go with you!"
Chu Ruoyan nodded, her gaze burning as she looked at her brother.
Yun Lang looked at her deeply and said: "Miaomiao, you must understand very clearly that Murong Feng is using your foster father as bait to lure you in, isn't he?"