Chapter 140

Although I didn't see with my own eyes how Xiao Jingyuan took Shen Shuangning away, Lanxiang is certain it was him, because only he has the ability!

After all, he was a former master she had served; Lanxiang knew something of his temperament, but only now, upon reacting, did she regret her carelessness.

Her plan right now is simple: strike first.

She had indeed detained Shen Shuangning, but she had ten thousand reasons to gloss over the matter lightly, for Emperor Xuānwén was always easy to appease; as long as she first suppressed Xiao Jingyuan, there would be room for maneuver!

Unexpectedly, Xiao Jingyuan did not come alone; he actually brought many people!

A swarm of black-armored guards burst in, the palace attendants panicked, and the capable maid beside Lanxiang stepped forward, shouting, "Impudence! This is the Brocade Palace—how dare you barge in——"

Before her words finished, a cold light flashed, a bright blade pressed against her neck, reflecting her terrified little face.

The one who drew the blade was Qingyun.

Lanxiang's eyes widened suddenly, she instinctively protected her belly, and shrieked, "Rebellion! Are you rebelling? I am a noble consort!"

Looking up again, she saw Xiao Jingyuan in a dark satin robe walking in at a leisurely pace.

Lanxiang glared at him, her fingernails freshly painted with rouge raised, pointing at him: "Xiao Jingyuan, you have gall! I haven't even settled accounts with you, yet you dare let your lackeys barge into the Brocade Palace—do you still have any regard for the imperial household?!"

By then, the maids and eunuchs of the Brocade Palace still firmly guarded the consort on either side.

Xiao Jingyuan waited for her to finish shouting, then slowly produced the Garrison Command token, flashed it before everyone, and said concisely:

"The Brocade Palace is suspected of harboring rebels; surround it, let none escape—I, the Prince, will personally investigate."

As soon as he spoke, the black-armored guards scattered with a clatter, drawing their waist swords, their aura grim!

Lanxiang couldn't believe it: "What rebels? There are none in my palace, Xiao Jingyuan—you're using public duty to settle a private grudge! This is the inner palace; if His Majesty finds out, he will surely not spare you!"

Xiao Jingyuan smiled faintly: "What of the inner palace? If rebels lurk inside, they threaten the emperor's safety; I, the Prince, enforce the law impartially—His Majesty would not blame me. Moreover, how do you know I didn't first seek His Majesty's approval?"

Lanxiang choked, glaring hatefully at him.

Xiao Jingyuan's eyes turned icy: "If the consort refuses to cooperate, don't blame me for treating her as a rebel."

Lanxiang trembled with rage, her face somewhat contorted: "You dare?!"

Xiao Jingyuan ignored her, raised his hand, and the black-armored guards on either side rampaged like bandits, smashing everything; the palace attendants could not stop them. Clearly, this was using public office to settle a personal grudge!

Since gaining favor, Lanxiang had even been given face by the empress; when had she ever suffered such humiliation!

Someone tried to flee, but as soon as half a foot stepped out the door, they were killed, blood spattering three feet on the spot!

The attendants realized Xiao Jingyuan meant business, instantly scattered like birds and beasts, no longer shielding Lanxiang, screaming as they fled.

Lanxiang hadn't expected Xiao Jingyuan to say "kill" and then kill; her whole body shuddered, and she suddenly thought to use the unborn heir in her belly, letting out an "aiyo" as she collapsed onto the couch, her face showing pain.

Immediately a grandmother broke free from the black-armored guards and lunged over: "The consort must have stirred her fetal qi—quickly summon the imperial physician!"

Speaking, she glared at Xiao Jingyuan: "How can the Prince kill before the consort? If anything happens to the imperial heir, can the Prince bear responsibility?"

Lanxiang had originally intended to use this opportunity to send someone to the Qianqing Palace to fetch the emperor.

As long as His Majesty arrived, with her silver tongue she could make Xiao Jingyuan unable to eat his fill!

Who would have thought Xiao Jingyuan had prepared in advance, bringing an imperial physician ahead of time; after examining Lanxiang, the physician reported: "Your Highness, the Prince, the consort's fetal condition is stable, with no serious problem."

Lanxiang herself had killed before, her mental fortitude top-notch—how could she be frightened by a corpse?

Seeing her act was failing, Lanxiang flew into a rage and hurled insults at Xiao Jingyuan, knowing she was innocent and had no ties to the rebels, which gave her the confidence to speak so righteously.

Everyone was stunned; they had never seen the noble consort display such a vulgar, shrewish side.

Xiao Jingyuan naturally couldn't be bothered to respond.

Not long after, dozens of maids and eunuchs were pressed by the black-armored guards to kneel on the steps, shoulders held down.

Under the blazing sun, Qingyun pulled a chair for Xiao Jingyuan, who sat sprawled at the hall entrance—the very spot Lanxiang had occupied yesterday.

Back then, it was Lanxiang and that clique of attendants who, relying on borrowed power, looked down on Shen Shuangning, bullying her as a weak woman; now the roles were reversed, with him looking down on them.

Even the dullest person now realized that Prince Xiao was here to avenge Miss Shen the Fourth.

Everyone was terrified, not even noticing that Zheng Mao was missing.

"Who were the ones who tortured her yesterday? Bring them forward." Xiao Jingyuan said.

Thus the old grandmother missing half an ear and three palace attendants were all brought to Xiao Jingyuan's feet.

Those few, under the man's gaze, were already trembling like sieves.

"Chopped."

Xiao Jingyuan uttered those two words lightly, and those few had ten fingers chopped off; they didn't even have time to scream before their jaws were dislocated, their mouths covered, and they were dragged away.

Lanxiang was forced to stand aside and watch this scene; her face turned somewhat ashen, yet she remained fearless.

"Consort, can you see clearly now?" Xiao Jingyuan turned his head to look at her.

Lanxiang felt fear in her heart, yet she sneered: "Prince, your divine might is impressive! You claim to catch rebels, but you're really taking revenge on that lowly wretch; now that you've punished the underlings, are you satisfied?"

Hearing the word "lowly," Xiao Jingyuan frowned slightly, his eyes turning colder.

Lanxiang, already inclined to yield, clenched her fists and gritted her teeth: "Consort can promise the Prince, I will no longer trouble Shen Shuangning nor scheme against the ticket office; let this matter drop, from now on you and I will keep to our own wells—how about that?"

Xiao Jingyuan smiled: "You think it's that easy."

Lanxiang shouted sternly: "Then what else do you want? Do you still intend to lay hands on me?!"

Since Xiao Jingyuan had come, he would naturally not let the mastermind go.

And just then, a sharp voice of a eunuch came from outside.

"His Majesty approaches——!"

Lanxiang seemed to have suddenly found a backer, instantly becoming arrogant, yet her face feigned a look of impending tears, pitiful and frail.

When the gaunt Emperor Xuānwén, supported by a eunuch, was helped inside, Lanxiang had already thrown herself weeping at the emperor's feet, first lodging a complaint against Xiao Jingyuan, but she failed to notice Jingyu behind the emperor.

Jingyu coldly regarded Lanxiang.

Emperor Xuānwén had grown much thinner, his eye sockets sunk; his bright yellow dragon robe, when blown by the wind, resembled a flickering candle in the gale, about to topple.

"You say there are rebels hidden—have any been caught?"

Emperor Xuānwén paid no heed to how pitifully the consort wept, but lightly asked that question, his gaze sweeping over the bloodstains on the blue stone slabs, as if he hadn't seen them.

When his gaze fell on Xiao Jingyuan again, a hint of guilt flashed in Emperor Xuwen's eyes.

Xiao Jingyuan lowered his eyes and said with clasped hands, "Your Majesty, we are still investigating."

Emperor Xuwen lowered his gaze to the sobbing woman and said, "Get up."

Lan Xiang, most skilled at reading expressions, felt a secret joy at the sight, yet she made her face look ever more pitiful and wronged:

"Your Majesty, I know you value him, but he barged into the Jinxi Palace without evidence, seizing and killing people, wielding such authority merely to vent his anger on a young lady. As the consort you personally appointed, his actions show he doesn't even regard you."

Who would have thought that before Lan Xiang could finish speaking, a slap landed on her face.

Lan Xiang was stunned by the slap, never expecting the emperor to strike her publicly; for a moment her expression froze.

As she lifted her eyes and met the emperor's icy gaze, she shuddered involuntarily; having just risen, she fell to her knees again: "Your, Your Majesty?"

Emperor Xuwen's face lost all its former warmth; he leaned in, pinching the woman's chin, his voice flat: "Running a private gambling den, issuing high-interest loans, indiscriminately killing palace servants... and now you imprison my daughter, use private torture, and coerce officials' wives—is this the consort I personally appointed?"

The emperor's imperial aura burst forth, and Lan Xiang was so terrified her courage felt like it would shatter.

……

Shen Shuangning was recuperating at home; Lady Liu and Old Madam Shen came to visit her, and her younger cousin Shen Ling was also present.

As they say, a woman's hands are her second face; Shen Shuangning's hands were originally slender and lovely, like pearls and jade, but after a trip to the palace they were ruined.

Her beautiful, delicate face, though the swelling had subsided, still bore faint red marks.

Old Madam Shen watched, tears streaming, her heart aching unbearably.

Seeing the old lady shed tears, Shen Shuangning felt a pang in her heart; she had to comfort her grandmother, and only with difficulty did she stop the grandmother's tears.

Lady Liu said, "Fortunately, Master Xiao secretly helped, rescuing Ning from the deep palace overnight; otherwise, falling into that consort's hands, who knows what suffering she would have endured."

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Shen's gaze grew deep with meaning.

In Lady Liu's eyes, nothing mattered more than her children; she even thought at the time, whatever the consort wanted, she would give it, as long as they didn't torment her Ning!

Old Madam Shen, however, was thinking of the family's interests and honor; if it ever came to that, she would never let the consort manipulate the Duke's residence.

But she would certainly demand redress for the suffering Ning had endured!

The old lady struck her cane angrily, declaring, "Just a wild pheasant that flew onto a branch dares to intimidate the Duke's residence like this—utterly lawless! As a first-rank lady bestowed by imperial decree, I will go to the palace to see the emperor and surely seek justice for Ning!"

"I'll go too," Lady Liu said.

Previously, Lady Liu and the old lady always opposed each other, but this time they stood on the same side.

Yet before they could even set out to plead their case in the palace, news arrived that the consort had been granted death.

Old Madam Shen and Lady Liu's faces involuntarily showed shock.

Even Shen Shu felt a jolt in her heart.

She might have expected the consort to be severely punished by the emperor, but never imagined it would be a direct death sentence!

Old Madam Shen laughed, slapping her thigh, and exclaimed delightedly, "This is what they call evil meets its reward!"

Shen Ling also cheered, "Elder sister, it must be the heir's visit to the palace that vented this anger for you!"

Shen Shuangning, however, felt it wasn't that simple.

Old Madam Shen said with a relaxed face, "If so, we needn't go to the palace; that woman has received her due retribution."

"But isn't she pregnant?" Lady Liu suddenly said.

Old Madam Shen then remembered this, sat back down, and couldn't help wondering, "Yes, she isn't carrying the imperial heir, is she?"

Their emperor has always been benevolent, and they had never heard of him executing a consort.

Moreover, the consort is pregnant; even if sentenced to death, she should at least wait until she gives birth, right?

What great crime could she have committed to make the emperor unwilling to keep her for even a day?

Lady Liu pondered briefly and knew it certainly had nothing to do with Shen Shuangning; surely the consort had committed some other unforgivable sin.

Lady Liu immediately sent someone to inquire.

Perhaps because it involved some secret, the information that came back only said the consort was punished for multiple crimes, the emperor's fury aroused, prompting the direct death order.

Anyway, it was a good thing, so the Duke's residence didn't pursue it further.

Later, someone came from the palace—it was the princess herself, personally visiting Shen Shuangning.

Jingyu especially said there was no need for a grand banquet; she merely wanted to see Shen Shuangning, yet the Duke's residence still prepared a small feast to properly receive the princess.

After the meal, Shen Shuangning took her to her own courtyard and also summoned Shen Ling.

The three young ladies sat around a stone bench under a tree, with some snacks placed on it.

Shen Shuangning looked at Jingyu and said, "Your Highness personally making this trip—surely it's not just to visit me, is it?"

Jingyu couldn't help laughing, "You understand me, but I guess you also really want to know what happened then, so I rushed over to tell you, to put your mind at ease."

Just now, with many people around, Jingyu had swallowed her words; now that no one else was present, she could finally speak freely.

What Jingyu wanted to say was about Lan Xiang's death.

After hearing her, Shen Shuangning and Shen Ling were even more shocked.

Shen Ling's jaw dropped: "The consort's gall is enormous—she actually had an affair with... a guard! No wonder she was sentenced to death!"

No man in the world can tolerate wearing a green hat, let alone the Son of Heaven, the emperor.

Lan Xiang's affair with the guard, mixing imperial bloodlines, is a capital offense punishable by extermination of nine clans; but since Lan Xiang was an orphan with no nine clans to exterminate, she could only be put to death.

The emperor also did not implicate the Prince Yan's residence.

This is a scandal of the imperial house, no wonder outsiders can't find out about it.

Shen Shuangning couldn't help asking, "How was it discovered?"

Jingyu said mysteriously, "Thanks to a bird."