Chapter 225: Bring Her Into the Inner Hall for a Look

Young master of Tianji Pavilion?

Xiao Ningxun glanced at his elder brother and said, "So you are the young master Su; your Tianji Pavilion is bold—years ago you sent the Nine‑Star Repeating Crossbow to the Prince's Mansion, and now you still dare to appear in Jingcheng?"

Su Yuheng smiled, pointed with his jade flute at the empty seat beside the table, and said, "May I have the honor of your presence and sit down to explain?"

Xiao Ningxun nodded, "Please sit."

Xiao Ningyuan pulled Tuan Tuan's brocade stool closer, for Tuan Tuan didn't care who arrived; they weren't acquaintances.

She was trying hard to shovel rice, when the small bowl in front of her slipped from her mouth, and she pouted dissatisfied, "Big brother!"

Xiao Ningyuan hurriedly moved her small bowl back in front of her, patted her head, and said, "Eat well, ignore him."

Tuan Tuan looked up at Su Yuheng, found nothing special about him, and kept her head down to eat.

Su Yuheng stared at her, a smile tugging at his lips—interesting.

Xiao Ningxun slightly furrowed his brows, "Young master, if you have matters, feel free to speak plainly."

Su Yuheng gave a faint smile, "I have come especially for Princess Jiayou."

Xiao Ningyuan raised an eyebrow, "My sister is only five years old!"

Xiao Ningxun placed his hand on Tuan Tuan's shoulder, "I am her third brother; my sister is still young. Young master, you may speak to me."

"Very well." Su Yuheng said, though his gaze never left Tuan Tuan, "Years ago I sent the Princess a gift; I wonder if she was satisfied?"

Tuan Tuan lifted her small face from the rice bowl, her big eyes sparkling as she looked at Su Yuheng, "So that was from you! Thank you! But what is that plaque for? Why was it given to me?"

So that brocade box was indeed crafted by the person before us! What does he intend?

Xiao Ningyuan stared intently at Su Yuheng, while Xiao Er's hand pressed a sword hilt under the table.

Su Yuheng said, "At the Secret Box Grand Gathering, I, Su, saw the Princess repeatedly defeat that Da Xia Shen Tong, and felt deep admiration."

"Though the Princess is young, she discerns right from wrong clearly and is extraordinarily clever. I give you the chief token of Tianji Pavilion because, perhaps soon, the Princess will be able to use it."

Xiao Ningyuan grew impatient, "Stop beating around the bush! Your Tianji Pavilion is involved in the case of weapon loss from the private goods workshop; aren't you afraid the Imperial Court will seize you and prosecute?"

Su Yuheng heard this and looked straight at the two brothers, "I, Su, have come today because I trust the Princess's character, and I have an important matter to tell her."

He drew a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Tuan Tuan, "I, Su, am convinced this item is more useful in the Princess's hands than in anyone else's."

"This letter concerns the stability of court affairs and the lives and fortunes of many; how to handle it is entirely up to the Princess to decide."

Xiao Ningyuan and Xiao Ningxun both changed color, wondering what matter was so grave that it had to be given to Tuan Tuan.

Su Yuheng's expression grew somber, "The Princess is born with a pair of keen eyes. I have no other request but that the Princess use this item to cut down the treachery that must be cut."

Having finished, he rose, clasped his hands, and said, "That is all I have to say; I cannot stay longer, farewell."

He arrived abruptly and left just as decisively, turning and walking out of the elegant chamber.

Xiao Ningxun picked up the letter, opened it, and gasped, "This is it!"

Xiao Ningyuan leaned in, seeing the letter listed several Imperial Court officials' names, with dates and amounts noted beside them.

At the top of the list, glaringly, was the Empress Dowager's brother, former Minister of War, now Deputy Director of the Ministry of War, Murong Qing!

Tuan Tuan, seeing her brothers suddenly solemn, asked curiously, "What does it say inside?"

Xiao Ningxun brushed the little tuft on her head, "It's a huge trouble, but Tuan Tuan needn't worry; we have you covered."

"Oh!" Tuan Tuan heard that, stopped asking, and scooped the dishes into her two brothers' bowls, "Then you eat!"

The two brothers smiled indulgently, "Right! Even the gravest matters must first let us, Tuan Tuan, finish this meal together!"

Tuan Tuan smiled sweetly, "Exactly!"

After finishing the meal, the group returned to the Prince's Mansion and handed the letter to Xiao Yuanhang.

Xiao Yuanhang, still in his court robes, turned and returned to the Palace, holding a private discussion with Xiao Jieyun in Zichen Hall until midnight.

A few days later, an imperial edict shocked the court and the realm.

"The Murong clan, long favored by the state, have disregarded their sovereign, leaked military secrets, with conclusive evidence of treason; their hearts are punishable!"

"According to law, severe punishment: Murong Qing and other principal offenders shall be beheaded today, and all family assets confiscated into the treasury."

"Male members stripped of rank, exiled three thousand li; wives and daughters all become household slaves."

With that edict, the once‑mighty Murong family collapsed in an instant.

Inside Shoucheng Palace, the Buddhist bead in the Empress Dowager's hand snapped with a 'pop,' the beads scattering on the floor.

"Go! Go summon the Emperor! Tell him I am near death, and that for the sake of mother and son, he should come to see me one last time! Hurry!"

Xiao Jieyun, upon hearing the report, sneered, "Summon the Empress Dowager to the side hall of Zichen Hall."

"Understood," Eunuch Cheng thought to himself.

The Empress Dowager, looking haggard, leaned on Qin Mama and arrived at the side hall, "Where is the Emperor? I wish to see the Emperor!"

"Why bring me here? Does the Emperor dare not to see me?"

Eunuch Cheng bowed and replied, "Please wait, Your Majesty," then turned and left.

The Empress Dowager paced restlessly, her heart burning with anxiety.

A moment later, Xiao Jieyun entered.

The Empress Dowager lunged at him, disregarding decorum, clutching his arm with tears streaming, "Emperor! How can you treat the Murong family so?"

"They are your maternal family, the Empress Dowager's own clan!"

"When you ascended the throne, Prince Qing and Prince Chen eyed you greedily; the Murong family has always been a great support to you, they have contributed to you! Emperor!"

"You are so ungrateful, wiping them out completely; aren't you afraid the world will call you harsh and unfilial?"

Xiao Jieyun stood perfectly still, unmoving, quietly watching her sob and speak.

Eunuch Cheng hurried forward, pulling her away, "That cannot be allowed, Your Majesty."

Xiao Jieyun slowly spoke, "Mother Empress, you truly do not understand why I acted against the Murong family?"

The Empress Dowager's sob halted, she looked at him with startled doubt.

Xiao Jieyun's gaze was like a blade, "The reason I treat the Murong family thus is precisely because they are your maternal family! My good Mother Empress!"

Empress Dowager's eyes flickered. Could he have known? No! Impossible!

Back then, everyone in the Phoenix Ritual Palace had already been dealt with.

An Niang had gone completely mad, mad to the point that people couldn't recognize her.

In this world, besides this old lady, no other living person knows.

"Your Majesty, what do you mean by these words? I raised you with my own hands—what fault have I? The Murong family has been loyal and steadfast to you—what fault have they?"

Xiao Jieyun shifted his gaze: "Cheng Jinyan, take her to the inner hall to have a look."