Chapter 195

Mu Yuanzhi chose to remain silent at this moment, waiting for the situation to develop.

When the Son of Heaven flew into a rage, everyone below fell silent like cicadas in cold weather, all lowering their heads to stare at the ground.

"Someone! Escort Princess Yunxi to Yong Lane and await trial at the Imperial Court of Justice!"

The Son of Heaven's word was final, and a few guards entered in single file.

Hearing the Son of Heaven's order, the Virtuous Consort rushed in without regard: "Your Majesty! You cannot confine Zhi'er to Yong Lane, Your Majesty!"

The Virtuous Consort wept as she knelt: "Zhi'er is of priceless worth and now carries a child; how can she be sent to a place like Yong Lane?"

"Who let you in?!" the Son of Heaven pointed angrily at the Virtuous Consort: "If you dare plead again, you too will be locked up in Yong Lane!"

The Virtuous Consort startled, she steadied herself before declaring: "Your Majesty, lock me up instead! Do not imprison my daughter! Zhi'er has suffered so much among the common folk; she has finally managed to reunite with our family!"

She wept miserably, tears and voice pouring forth.

Yet the Son of Heaven felt only annoyance: "Is this her excuse for repeatedly harming others?! Even the Grand Empress Dowager she dares to poison—what wouldn't she dare do? I see a day when she dares to poison even me!"

His words left the Virtuous Consort so shocked she could barely stay kneeling: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger; Zhi'er is just a little girl—how could she poison the Grand Empress Dowager? She would never lay a hand on her own father; this is sheer slander!"

It must be Mu Yuanzhi! Mu Yuanzhi refuses to let her Zhi'er go!

"Whether it's slander or not, the Imperial Court of Justice will investigate thoroughly; there's no need for you to instruct me here!" the Son of Heaven waved his hand, "Take the Virtuous Consort away as well—no one may leave without my command!"

He rubbed his temples, suffering a severe headache.

Mu Yuanzhi guessed that the Son of Heaven's great fury this time largely stemmed from the tense border warfare, as allied forces pressed closer while he, wary of Qi Shihuai, ended up with no one to command the troops, leaving him torn between heaven and man.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" the Virtuous Consort exclaimed, heedless, struggling angrily.

She could not retreat; if she stepped back, her daughter would suffer punishment!

"The Virtuous Consort caused a disturbance before the palace, unworthy as head of the four consorts; effective immediately, demote her to Virtuous Lady and confine her to reflect!" The Son of Heaven casually snatched a sheet, without even drafting an imperial edict, just scribbled a few strokes, affixed the jade seal, and tossed it down.

The chief eunuch hurried over to receive that paper.

The Virtuous Consort was struck by a bolt from the blue.

What is the Son of Heaven saying?

Demote her to Virtuous Lady?!

So shocked was she that the Virtuous Consort stood dazed, allowing the guards to drag her away.

Pei Shangling was also startled, but after the shock felt that this was what her mother deserved; even now she still thought of pleading for Yunxi, utterly obstinate.

He gave no thought to how the Virtuous Consort's multiple demotions might affect himself.

Pei Yunxi was likewise shocked to the core.

With her mother demoted to Virtuous Lady, her chance to turn things over must be even harder to find!

As she thought that, she too was seized by guards and led away; she dared not continue making a fuss now, lest she provoke her father's wrath and earn herself dozens of heavy blows.

As long as the green hills remain, there's no worry about lacking firewood…

Pei Yunxi glared at Mu Yuanzhi with hatred, wishing she could cut her to pieces with her gaze.

Once she makes a comeback, she will certainly not let Mu Yuanzhi off!

Xiao Yichen watched coldly as Pei Yunxi was dragged away, showing no emotion at all.

He now hopes that the child in Pei Yunxi's belly will just miscarry, to avoid ill omen!

"Father Emperor, your subject is weary and wishes to retire first." Mu Yuanzhi cupped her hands, speaking somewhat wearily.

She had just returned after crossing mountains and rivers; this excuse came in handy.

The Son of Heaven waved his hand: "Go rest well; I too am weary—you all may withdraw."

"Yes!"

Mu Yuanzhi withdrew from the palace gates, gazing toward the direction where Pei Yunxi was being dragged, and curled her lips.

At last she could let Pei Yunxi taste what it feels like to stay in Yong Lane.

She believed those fawning grandmothers would surely not waste this good opportunity.

"Little sister!" Pei Shangyan was the first to approach, "As long as you return safely, that's good; your elder brother has been worried about you."

"I'm tired, I won't keep you company." Mu Yuanzhi had no desire to speak with this so-called elder brother, "I've said it many times—don't call me little sister, it's disgusting."

"Fine, Zhi sister—no, calling you Zhi sister isn't right either." That's what they started calling each other after their rift, "I thought I'd just call you Ah Zhi?"

Mu Yuanzhi gave Pei Shangyan a white look and walked straight away.

"Ah Zhi, this time I'm not soft-hearted; I've told Father Emperor all of Yunxi's crimes in full detail, and I will certainly not repeat the same mistake!" Pei Shangyan assured.

"Ah Zhi, wait!" Pei Shangling also came up quickly, "Ah Zhi, the Qilin is waiting for you in my palace."

Mu Yuanzhi had to stop, she frowned at Pei Shangling: "Has the Symbiotic Gu not been resolved yet?"

"It's not that simple; I came in a hurry, so I temporarily left him in my sleeping chamber." Pei Shangling said.

Mu Yuanzhi pursed her lips, she pondered for a moment before nodding.

Pei Shangyan didn't understand: "What is a Symbiotic Gu?"

How can the fourth brother so easily lure Ah Zhi away?

"Even if I explained, you wouldn't understand; Crown Prince brother, just don't get in our way." Pei Shangling said, then moved to pull Mu Yuanzhi.

Just like before, but as his hand reached halfway, Mu Yuanzhi's gaze suppressed him and he awkwardly withdrew it.

Ah Zhi doesn't like it, so forget it.

Pei Shangyan could only watch helplessly as Mu Yuanzhi followed Pei Shangling back to Pei Shangling's sleeping chamber.

The fourth brother really has a way; what else could he use to make Ah Zhi pay him a bit of attention?

At that moment, Pei Shangjue arrived late, he gazed at Mu Yuanzhi's back and sighed without words.

"Turning over Yunxi's matter to the Imperial Court of Justice should go smoothly, right?" Pei Shangyan said, withdrawing his gaze.

Pei Shangjue: "Xiao Yichen will follow along."

"As for the border situation, what do you think?" Upon saying this, Pei Shangyan's expression turned solemn.

Pei Shangjue: "Father Emperor does not trust the General Who Suppresses Rebellion; even if he forces himself to send others, it will only be more disadvantageous, and by then the army's morale may become even more scattered."

Pei Shangyan let out another heavy sigh, "It just so happens that at this time the National Teacher is occupied and cannot return; if the National Teacher were here, Father Emperor would definitely listen to a few words."

Pei Shangjue: "The Crown Prince wonders why the National Teacher is tied up and can't come back at such a time."

"What do you mean?" Pei Shangyan frowned. "Do you think there's something fishy going on?"

"Don't you think so?" Pei Shangjue countered. "At a time like this, no matter how big the matter, it should be set aside."

Whatever they could think of, Father Emperor naturally thought of as well.

The National Teacher's not returning probably isn't that simple; from the great fire Father Emperor set today, one can already see a hint of it.

But he doesn't understand why Father Emperor didn't keep Ah Zhi to ask.

"I really do think that, but..." Pei Shangyan didn't even know what his "but" was about.

"Perhaps something has already changed in the capital."