As they were speaking, they were interrupted. Lu Jingxing turned his head slightly, frowning: “Didn’t they say we could stay for three incense sticks?”
If Ziyang Jun hadn’t come, they could have stayed for five incense sticks, but… just thinking about the look in the monarch’s eyes made the jailer tremble and shake his head: “You should leave first.”
Noticing something was off, Lu Jingxing paused and looked at Li Huaiyu: “Is there anything you want to eat? I’ll bring it next time.”
Huaiyu smacked her lips and said, “I want to eat plums.”
“Alright.” He nodded indulgently, saying, “Wait for me.”
Huaiyu didn’t look up at him, just obediently nodded, her mind a chaotic mess, with no clear thoughts.
Lu Jingxing left, his silver-threaded snowrobe disappearing into the dark prison. She stood there, dazed, gripping the bars, unable to suppress a sigh.
Did he want to marry her? If he had said this before she met Jiang Xuanjin, perhaps Princess Danyang would have truly had a prince consort.
Fate is indeed a mischievous thing.
“Are you reluctant?” A voice, fragrant with incense, drifted from not far away.
Li Huaiyu was startled and quickly looked up, only to see Jiang Xuanjin walking toward her with a blank expression.
It had only been a few days since they last met, but in her daze, she felt as if she could hardly remember his appearance. Now, seeing him again, he felt strangely unfamiliar, his dark eyes looking at her with something that seemed unfriendly.
She didn’t even notice what he had asked; she merely pressed her lips together, took two steps back, and called out, “Your Majesty.”
When Lu Jingxing came, she would happily joke and tease him, but when Jiang Xuanjin arrived, she turned cold and distant. Jiang Xuanjin scoffed, stopping in front of the bars and pointing to the lock beside the jailer: “Open it.”
Huaiyu’s eyes widened as she retreated to the bamboo bed, clenching her fists.
With a loud Shik, the chains fell, and the prison door swung open. Jiang Xuanjin stepped inside, staring at the person by the bed, his gaze dark.
“Does Your Majesty have anything else to ask?” Huaiyu frowned anxiously.
“If there’s nothing to ask, can’t I come?”
“…” At this point, if he had nothing to ask, why had he come? Huaiyu felt lost, clutching the blanket on the bed, wanting to ask him something but swallowing it back down.
Her gaze fell to the object in her hand. Jiang Xuanjin reached out slowly and took it from her.
“Do you like it?” He scrutinized the handkerchief, his eyes filled with mockery.
Huaiyu was taken aback, instinctively wanting to snatch it back, but when her cold fingers brushed against his, she quickly withdrew.
This was the handkerchief Lu Jingxing had given her to wipe her hands; what was there to discuss about liking or disliking? Li Huaiyu pressed her lips together, lowering her head in silence.
Feeling guilty? The color in Jiang Xuanjin’s eyes deepened as he leaned closer, resting his hand on the edge of the bed, whispering in her ear: “The things you like, I will never let you have.”
Like a sharp needle, his words pierced her heart, and Li Huaiyu let out a low hum, turning her eyes away. She tried hard to pretend she didn’t hear him.
Jiang Xuanjin was somewhat annoyed; in the past, she had endless things to say, and he only needed to listen to know what she was thinking. But now, her face was so cold, as if she didn’t want to have anything to do with him anymore. No matter what he said, she didn’t react at all.
It was as if she had completely abandoned him.
His jaw tightened, and Jiang Xuanjin reached out, gripping her chin, forcing her to look up at him.
“Your Majesty!” Xu Xian, standing nearby, was startled and quickly spoke up, “Please don’t touch the princess; her health is not good!”
Jiang Xuanjin shot him a glance filled with irritation and called out, “Cheng Xu.”
Cheng Xu understood and instructed the jailer to open the prison door, bowing to Xu Xian: “Please, my lord.”
“What do you want to do?” Xu Xian shook his head, “Your Majesty, the princess…”
“Enough noise.” Jiang Xuanjin interrupted him.
Cheng Xu tightened his grip, not daring to delay any longer, and with the jailer on either side, they escorted Xu Xian away.
Li Huaiyu frowned: “He’s still injured.”
“What does that have to do with me?”
His cold attitude was as if he were furious, his thin lips pressed together, and there was no warmth in his eyes.
Huaiyu closed her mouth, forcing a bitter smile.
Indeed, it had nothing to do with him anymore; whether it was Xu Xian or her, they were both on the opposite side, unforgivable sinners.
This expression was somewhat jarring, and Jiang Xuanjin couldn’t help but reach out, pressing down on the corner of her mouth.
Her lips were dry and cracked, with many scabbed wounds, looking extremely haggard. The once delicate Bai Zhuji was now weak, far from the original Danyang. Staying in such a place, she would likely perish before the Double Ninth Festival.
“My face is dirty,” Huaiyu said softly, “Your Majesty has always loved cleanliness; please let go.”
Lu Jingxing could touch her, but Jiang Xuanjin couldn’t. Jiang Xuanjin sneered, his hand sliding along her cheek to the back of her neck, pulling her toward him—
His dry, rough lips captured hers, and Li Huaiyu was startled, her eyes wide open.
Jiang Xuanjin’s dark pupils were so close, that the scent of incense on him overwhelmed the blood in the prison, swirling around her lips. He gently caressed her wounds, then extended his tongue, slowly and tenderly soothing them.
The wet, tingling sensation traveled from her lips to her heart.
Huaiyu shivered, her eyes reacting faster than her mind, and tears surged up, blurring her vision.
What was he doing?
She wanted to push him away and ask, but this push seemed to only infuriate him more. The hand gripping her neck tightened, showing no sign of letting go.
Did he… think he could forgive her? Huaiyu foolishly thought, Jiang Xuanjin, who had a cleanliness obsession, was willing to kiss her; could it be that he was no longer angry?
However, moments later, Jiang Xuanjin released her.
His gaze remained cold, and his expression held a hint of mockery: “What are you expecting, Your Highness?”
A bucket of cold water poured over her, and Huaiyu stared blankly at his face. Once she realized she had been playing, she slowly raised her hand to wipe away the excess tears in her eyes.
Jiang Xuanjin had indeed learned to tease her, just like this.
She chuckled softly, shaking her head: “I expect nothing.”
“Is that so?” He raised his hand to wipe away a stray tear, a smirk on his lips, “But what I see seems otherwise.”
This person had come to take revenge on her, wanting to use emotions to inflict the harshest punishment, just as she had done before.
She couldn’t bear it.
Taking a deep breath, Huaiyu returned to her previous carefree demeanor, smirking playfully: “Your Majesty, you’ve touched my wounds, and tears have come out; what does that prove?”
The cold droplets on her fingertips dried quickly, and Jiang Xuanjin, using the handkerchief, wiped his hands, leisurely asking: “Does this mean, Your Highness, that the farce with me is over, and there are no more feelings?”
“Does Your Majesty still want to have feelings with me?” She laughed, “Aren’t you afraid of being deceived by me again?”
With a fire in his heart, Jiang Xuanjin’s face grew even calmer as he looked at her, softly asking: “When Your Highness lies, do you always enjoy deceiving yourself along with others?”
What did he mean? Huaiyu was confused.
Jiang Xuanjin twisted the prayer beads, reciting a name with each bead: “Just Wu, Bai Ai, Qing Xian, Chi Jin.”
Wu Ai Xian Jin, I love Xuanjin.
The Eldest Princess, who had always been at odds with Ziyang Jun, had long written her feelings in the names of her male companions. The notorious troublemaker had fallen for the loyal minister, as clear as the bright moon.
How absurd, how delusional, how laughable!
Li Huaiyu’s face turned pale, staring blankly at the person before her, her lips moving for a long time before she managed to speak: “Who told you?”
Thinking it over, there wouldn’t be anyone else.
Li Huilin.
Gasping for breath, she tightened her grip on the fabric of her clothes, feeling both anxious and angry.
After hiding her feelings for so many years, it wouldn’t matter if they were exposed at any time, but why did it have to be at this moment, in this situation?
The contempt in the eyes of the person before her was too hurtful; she wanted to avoid it but found no place to escape.
“People like you, do you always pretend to be deeply in love, only to be a libertine, leaving your heart everywhere?” Jiang Xuanjin said, “Do you even deserve to speak of love?”
More than a dozen male companions, plus the ever-present Lu Jingxing. She had nights of revelry in Feiyun Palace, indulging in debauchery; what right did she have to say she loved him?
Her face grew paler, and Huaiyu sat stiffly on the bamboo bed, her lower abdomen aching severely.
“I…” She gritted her teeth, cold sweat slowly forming on her forehead, “I don’t deserve to say anything about liking or loving, so you can consider it just a coincidence.”
Her anger intensified, and Jiang Xuanjin looked at her, his sharp gaze seeming to want to pierce her through.
However, when his gaze fell on her pale face, he was startled and instinctively reached out to check her forehead.
Li Huaiyu pushed his hand away, forcing a smile: “This is the outcome I deserve; you don’t owe me anything, Your Majesty. From now on, we can truly be unrelated.”
“Shut up!” Realizing she seemed off, Jiang Xuanjin crossed her hands, pinning them down, and forcefully touched her forehead with the back of his hand.
She was sweating coldly, her color frighteningly pale, but her forehead was burning hot, and she looked so weak she could hardly sit up.
“Cheng Xu!” He turned around, “Go fetch a physician!”
Li Huaiyu slowly lay back on the bed, closing her eyes: “There’s no need to trouble yourself; I just need to sleep.”
In this state, could sleeping help? Jiang Xuanjin’s expression darkened as he waved for Yufeng to leave, standing by the bed, staring at her intently.
Huaiyu said softly: “Even if you bring someone, I won’t let them examine me.”
“Isn’t this your own body? Don’t you care for it at all?” Jiang Xuanjin said harshly, “But I still need to give Bai Yushi an explanation; you absolutely cannot die in this prison.”
Oh, really? Huaiyu chuckled lightly: “Then I definitely won’t let anyone examine me. Your Majesty, my favorite thing is to oppose you; have you forgotten?”
In the past, Ziyang Jun had come to Feiyun Palace to teach her etiquette, telling her to sit properly, but she had stubbornly crossed her legs. He had taught her to walk gracefully, but she had insisted on learning the manly swagger, jumping around with a playful smile, refusing to listen to him.
Jiang Xuanjin naturally remembered how detestable Danyang was, his face darkening as he asked: “What good does this do you?”
“None at all.” She smirked, her voice growing softer, “I just like to see you angry…”
Before she could finish her sentence, the prison fell silent.
“Li Huaiyu?” Jiang Xuanjin was slightly surprised, reaching out to hold her hand, but when he looked down, he found her hands clasped tightly around her wrists, guarding her pulse closely.
How could there be such a person? Jiang Xuanjin laughed in anger, trying to pry her hands apart, but found her grip was too tight; forcing them open would surely hurt her.
The usually calm and composed Ziyang Jun was now suddenly as furious as a lion.
The physician arrived but couldn’t check her pulse. Under Jiang Xuanjin’s cold gaze, she trembled and said: “This young lady should just be weak; she can’t withstand the prison environment.”
If it were anything else, it would be fine, but what could be done about not being able to withstand the prison environment? Yufeng listened, feeling troubled, glancing at his master’s increasingly grim expression.
“Stay here and watch her,” Jiang Xuanjin ordered, “If she needs any medicine, let Yufeng prepare it.”
The physician looked at him in fear: “Your Majesty, this…”
This is a death prison!
“Is there a problem?” He turned back to ask, his voice as cold as if he had just been pulled from an ice cave.
The physician dared not speak, trembling as she lowered her head.
People in the death prison were destined to die sooner or later; she truly didn’t understand the necessity of treatment.
Jiang Mansion, Shaohua Courtyard.
Jiang Shen watched the servants pack things while glancing at Xu Chuniang, who had not spoken to him for many days. Whenever they met, it was either a greeting or silence; her eyelids drooped, and he couldn’t tell what she was thinking.
Clearing his throat twice, he pressed his lips together: “Is there anything else you need to pack? Don’t wait until you’re out the door to realize you’ve forgotten something.”
Xu Chuniang was lost in thought, not hearing him at all. Her eyes were fixed on a vase in the corner of the room, staring blankly, without focus.
Jiang Shen was slightly annoyed: “Are you deaf?”
He nearly shouted, startling Xu Chuniang, whose eyelashes trembled for a moment before she lowered her head and asked: “What did you say?”
Anger surged within him, and Jiang Shen snapped: “I said I’m not taking you with me; you can stay in the capital!”
The Double Ninth Festival was approaching. The Jiang family had a habit of climbing high to enjoy the view, and with chaos in the capital, the old master decided to take the family to climb Linjiang Mountain. Everyone in the mansion was going except Jiang Xuanjin.
As his wife, Xu Chuniang naturally had to go; he said this only out of anger.
However, the person beside him nodded: “Alright.”
Jiang Shen was taken aback, feeling that he would eventually be driven to death by her: “What’s good about that?”
If Xu Xian hadn’t been imprisoned, she would have been implicated long ago. Now, taking her out to avoid the storm, she still didn’t understand.
Looking at him with confusion, Xu Chuniang said: “You said you wouldn’t take me; why are you angry?”
“I…” Jiang Shen gritted his teeth.
Ever since she returned to her family, the harmonious state between them had been broken. He knew he had spoken too harshly at that time and had wanted to make it up to her, but she was unyielding, giving him no chance.
He didn’t know why, but seeing her cold demeanor now made him very angry.
Xu Chuniang thought he was just in a bad mood and was venting his anger on her. Lowering her gaze, she said softly: “You can take the two concubines; they can serve you well. My father is in prison; I have to go deliver food.”
“I’ll take Gu Luan and Cui Xue; I don’t need you to remind me.” Jiang Shen narrowed his eyes, “They are much more sensible than you.”
If he had said this in the past, Xu Chuniang would have turned red, clutching her handkerchief, at a loss.
But now, she merely nodded calmly: “That’s true.”
Jiang Shen was stunned.
Xu Chuniang was still lost in her thoughts. After a long while, she suddenly asked him: “Will the monarch save Jiang Baishi?”
“How to save?” He said darkly, “Sister-in-law has committed a capital crime; even if he has extraordinary abilities, he can’t change this situation.”
After a moment’s thought, he added: “He should write a divorce letter.”
Xu Chuniang nodded blankly, clutching the handkerchief in her hand, filled with sorrow.
How envious she had been of the monarch and the monarch’s wife back then; she never expected it would turn out like this. If deep feelings could be like this, what about shallow feelings?
Glancing at Jiang Shen, Xu Chuniang stood up: “I’ll take my leave now.”
“Where are you going?” Jiang Shen couldn’t help but stand up, walking to her side: “You haven’t finished packing.”
Xu Chuniang looked confused: “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t take me? You can just pack your things.”
“…”
Jiang Shen narrowed his eyes, suddenly grabbing her wrist: “Are you throwing a tantrum with me?”
“Where did that come from?” Xu Chuniang shook her head, “I wouldn’t dare.”
If she wasn’t throwing a tantrum, then why this attitude? Jiang Shen couldn’t understand; Xu Chuniang had always treated him well and was considerate. Every time she looked at him, her eyes sparkled like the morning sun.
But now, she always kept her head down, occasionally glancing at him, her eyes dim.
Was she still holding a grudge over what he had said last time? Jiang Shen pressed his lips together, tightening his grip on her wrist, and said softly: “I tend to speak without thinking when I’m angry.”
“Hmm?” Xu Chuniang nodded. “I know.”
She had experienced it many times.
Her natural response left Jiang Shen at a loss for words. He was eloquent, and every time he traveled with friends, he could easily persuade them.
But now, he couldn’t say a single word.
After waiting for a long time without any response from him, Xu Chuniang broke free from his grip, knelt, and saluted before heading to the kitchen to prepare meals.
Huaiyu woke up from her nap, feeling feverish all over. A physician sat beside her, red-eyed and kneeling on a pile of straw, looking quite pitiful.
“What’s going on?” She asked in confusion, “Have you also been locked in the death prison?”
The physician shook her head, trembling: “Your Majesty ordered me to take care of you here.”
Huaiyu was taken aback, her eyes slowly moving. Then she chuckled: “What’s this all about? Have you checked my pulse?”
Looking at her wrist, the physician shook her head repeatedly.
Glancing down, Huaiyu couldn’t help but praise herself in her heart; even in her sleep, she hadn’t let go. Truly commendable!
“You should leave,” she said, “There’s no need for a physician in the death prison.”
The physician looked nervously at Yufeng, who was standing outside.
Li Huaiyu followed her gaze, shaking her head: “Don’t mind him.”
That was the monarch’s guard; how could she not mind? The physician was very anxious, tentatively taking a few steps outside, only to hear Yufeng say: “Madam, this is the monarch’s order.”
“What does his order matter? I won’t listen,” Huaiyu said, “A young girl staying in a death prison, what kind of nonsense is that?”
Yufeng frowned, feeling troubled.
Li Huaiyu turned over, lightly smiling at him: “Isn’t he just afraid that if I die, he won’t be able to give Bai De a proper explanation? Don’t worry, I won’t die so disgracefully in this filthy place; if I die, it should be in front of everyone, with my soul scattering.”
“It’s not…” Yufeng said, “Madam, the monarch is very worried about you.”
Worried about her? Huaiyu thought it was a joke: “Did you not hear what he said earlier?”
“Do you even deserve to speak of love?”
The things she had carefully hidden were dug out and trampled into pieces; so heartless and ruthless, he hadn’t left her any leeway, how could he still worry about her?
Her heart still ached, and Huaiyu forced herself to sit up, glancing at the pen and paper on the physician’s medicine box, softly saying: “Bring them to me.”
The physician hurriedly complied, stuffing the paper and pen into her hands.
Licking the tip of the pen, Huaiyu lowered her head and wrote seriously for a stick of incense’s worth of time. She only stopped when she felt dizzy, handing the finished piece to the physician: “Please have Yufeng deliver this to the monarch.”
Yufeng frowned, taking a look and turning pale.
**“Divorce Letter”**
According to the laws of Northern Wei: In the relationship between husband and wife, if there is righteousness, they unite; if there is no righteousness, they part. If the couple’s fate ends, the husband must write a “Divorce Letter” to his wife, allowing them to “part ways amicably and find happiness separately.”
The monarch hadn’t even started writing, and the madam had already written such a thing.
Shaking his head repeatedly, Yufeng hurriedly shoved the letter back into the physician’s hands: “Please spare me, Madam!”
Even if he didn’t know what the monarch was thinking now, sending this over would surely lead to a bad outcome for him.
“I’ve already written it; can’t you just take it?” Huaiyu said, “If I don’t take this, I’ll be punished, and your master might be implicated too.”
Looking at her with a complex expression, Yufeng said: “You might as well implicate your master.”
Looking at him as if he were a fool, Huaiyu wanted to persuade him again when footsteps sounded outside.
“Second Madam?” Yufeng turned to see the newcomer, surprised.
Xu Chuniang nodded gently at him, coming to stand between the two cells, softly saying: “I’ve come to bring food.”
Xu Xian’s cell was still empty; no one knew where he had gone. Huaiyu glanced at her and waved: “Come here first.”
“Alright.” Seeing her complexion, Xu Chuniang was very worried, putting down the food box, and hesitating to speak. She turned to Yufeng: “We sisters have something to discuss; could you please step aside?”
The physician felt relieved and hurriedly ran outside with her medicine box. Yufeng hesitated for a moment but obediently retreated as well.
Watching them disappear around the corner of the cell, Xu Chuniang turned back, opened the food box, and took out two large bowls of nourishing soup.
“What’s this…” Huaiyu, smelling the rich flavor of sea cucumber, looked at Xu Chuniang in surprise, “Why did Second Sister-in-law prepare this for me?”
With no one around, Xu Chuniang looked at her: “It’s good for your health to eat this.”
Sea cucumbers are beneficial for pregnancy, nourishing blood.
“How do you know?” Huaiyu’s eyes widened, “What about the others in the Jiang Mansion…”
“Don’t worry.” Xu Chuniang pressed her down. “Besides me and Qi Jin, no one knows. I guessed it when I saw her making the Thirteen Taibao for you.”
For a while, she had wanted to give Jiang Shen a child, so she was very familiar with these pregnancy-preserving medicines.
“I came to ask you what you plan to do,” Xu Chuniang said, “If the monarch knows you’re pregnant, he might find a way to save you.”
“I have my arrangements; Second Sister-in-law doesn’t need to worry.” Knowing she hadn’t let it slip, Huaiyu sighed in relief, taking the bowl she handed over and drinking.
Xu Chuniang had no idea what her arrangements were; she only felt it was a pity to go to the underworld with the child in her belly, her eyes filled with melancholy.
To be honest, Li Huaiyu didn’t like to drink tonics, but for the sake of Miss Bai’s uncooperative body, she forced herself to drink three bowls, trying hard to suppress the urge to vomit, lying back down to soothe herself.
“Since my Second Sister-in-law is here, could you help me with something?” she said.
Xu Chuniang nodded: “Just tell me.”
Pulling her closer, Huaiyu leaned into her ear and whispered for a while.
“I know this will be difficult for you,” she said, “but only you can do this.”
Xu Chuniang looked shocked, staring at her blankly: “Can it be done?”
“It can.” Huaiyu nodded earnestly.
With the Double Ninth Festival approaching, Ziyang Jun had yet to relent in pleading for the remnants of Danyang. Li Huilin, draped in a cloak, stood under the corridor, squinting at the distant eaves of the palace.
“Every method has been tried, yet who would have thought the monarch would be so heartless?” Qi Han said helplessly, “In my opinion, the monarch must have sensed something, hence the wariness.”
“That’s impossible.” Li Huilin shook his head, “He’s the kind of person who, as long as he has enough evidence, will plead for Xu Xian and the others. He wouldn’t be willing to let so many lives go.”
“But the evidence…” Qi Han shook his head, “Can’t be given.”
“With me here, what are you afraid of?” Li Huilin said, “Even if you have undeniable charges against you, can’t I still ensure your safety?”
Upon hearing this, Qi Han steadied himself and asked: “Your Majesty means…?”
“You can’t catch wolves without letting go of the children.”
Using emotional appeals had no effect; it was better to speak with the facts he loved most.
On the day of the turmoil in the imperial study, it wasn’t just Xu Xian who had mobilized the forbidden army; there was also Grand Commandant Situ Jing. To lure the Eldest Princess into a trap and create the illusion that Ziyang Jun was trapped, he mobilized over a thousand guards in the palace without an imperial edict.
Such a big bait. Would Jiang Xuanjin bite?
He would!
On the following day’s morning court, Ziyang Jun directly reported, presenting the testimonies of the palace guards and the records of the palace’s forbidden troops, accusing Grand Commandant Situ Jing of unauthorized troop mobilization and plotting treason!
Li Huilin was somewhat dumbfounded; he had asked Qi Han for evidence to let Ziyang Jun know that someone had indeed set a trap that day, hoping he could use this opportunity to plead for the remnants of Danyang.
But what happened? He had bypassed the treason case and directly implicated Situ Jing as well.
“Situ Daren must have had his reasons for mobilizing troops, right?” he hurriedly said.
Situ Jing knelt on the ground, wanting to argue, but Jiang Xuanjin spoke first: “Without an edict, mobilizing troops in the palace is considered treason. General Xu is the main culprit, and Situ Daren will not be an exception. If everyone claims to have reasons, what will happen to the law of the land?”
Li Huilin was choked, and Situ Jing was furious: “Your Majesty, you’re just trying to drag me down with you to save General Xu!”
“Not at all.” Jiang Xuanjin took out a folded document, presenting it with both hands, “I am about to ask Your Majesty to determine the punishment for the treason case, with Xu Xian as the mastermind, Yun Lan, Qing Han, and Xiao as accomplices. Their crime of mobilizing troops deserves death. There are others involved, and I will clearly state their crimes for Your Majesty’s review.”
The eunuch hurriedly presented the document, and Li Huilin looked at it, his expression darkening.
He had tried to steal a chicken but ended up losing the rice.
On the long document, Bai Zhuji’s name was written in the center. It stated the crimes committed, but due to insufficient evidence of his dealings with Xu Xian and others, he was asked to determine how to deal with it.
He was truly willing to sacrifice!
Feeling angry, Li Huilin closed the document, forcing a smile: “Your Majesty has worked hard; if this case can be resolved, I can sleep a few peaceful nights.”
After saying this, he stood up: “If there’s nothing else, let’s dismiss the court.”
“Your Majesty.” Jiang Xuanjin stepped forward, “I forgot to mention Situ Grand Commandant in the document; I hope Your Majesty can add it when you respond.”
Li Huilin paused, not looking back as he said: “This matter, I will consider carefully.”
Consider carefully. What kind of result would that yield?
Situ Jing let out a long breath. Once the emperor had left, he got up from the ground, glancing at Jiang Xuanjin with a hint of smugness on his face.
Did he think the person sitting above was still the same emperor who listened to everything he said? Did he think he could take him down? He was the Grand Commandant with great power!
Jiang Xuanjin calmly met his gaze, and once the other court officials had left, he beckoned to the forbidden troops on both sides.
The forbidden troops obeyed the order and immediately pressed Situ Jing back to the ground.
“What are you doing?” Situ Jing exclaimed in shock, struggling, “Is this rebellion?”
“Take him to the death prison and await punishment.” Ignoring his words, Jiang Xuanjin issued the order.
With wide eyes, Situ Jing shouted: “I am the Grand Commandant; what right do you have to arrest me?!”
As soon as he finished shouting, his mouth was covered.
Hearing the commotion outside, the civil and military officials turned back. They saw Situ Jing being dragged away by the guards, his old face turning red with anger.
Qi Han frowned, wanting to step forward, but when he saw Jiang Xuanjin’s expression, he stopped.
The emperor didn’t want to hold Situ Jing accountable, wanting to smooth things over, but Ziyang Jun was determined to pursue it. No one could dissuade him; even if Situ Jing was the Grand Commandant, he had a legitimate reason to arrest him, and he couldn’t escape.
What shocked him even more was that there were so many guards in the palace who were under Jiang Xuanjin’s command.
He needed to retrieve the military token as soon as possible.
With the treason case established, Xu Xian and the others would be executed after the autumn harvest.
Unable to catch Ziyang Jun, Li Huilin went to find Li Huaiyu. In the dim interrogation room, Li Huaiyu knelt quietly on the ground, saying softly: “As long as Your Majesty allows Xu Xian and the others to leave the capital, the military token will be presented.”
What was so great about leaving the capital? As long as they were still in Northern Wei, he could always find them.
Thinking this, he maintained a pure and innocent expression: “Your Highness has many methods; I’m a bit scared.”
Huaiyu chuckled: “What are you afraid of? From beginning to end, I’ve never thought of harming you.”
“Even if you’re going to die at my hands again, do you not resent it?” Li Huilin lowered his gaze.
How could she not resent it? She wasn’t a fool; having been betrayed and deceived to this extent, would she still thank him?
Her hands slightly tightened, and Huaiyu fell silent.
Guessing her answer, Li Huilin turned his head away: “As you wish, on the Double Ninth Festival tomorrow, I will not let Ziyang Jun come to see you off again.”
I will personally watch you scatter your soul before the ancestral temple.