Chapter 463: Into the Imperial Court of Justice

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I deliberately got myself caught; it's no problem." Qi Shihuai said.

Pei Di: "Obviously it's because I went to save."

"Xiao Di, don't ruin my act." Qi Shihuai smiled, and these words floated out lightly from between his teeth, hardly anyone could hear.

Empress: "What on earth is going on, little... Crown Prince?"

"It's like this."

Pei Di began to recall what had just happened.

Qi Shihuai has always been talented and bold; speaking bluntly, he's overconfident. He has great confidence in himself, so much so that he didn't even need Gu Rongjin nearby to watch his back; he went alone.

But the meticulous Pei Di had long noticed that Gu Rongjin and Qi Shihuai were up to something, so he quietly followed.

Fortunately he followed!

When the masked man attacked Qi Shihuai, he was not far away, originally unable to resist intervening, but he restrained himself; taking advantage of their lack of vigilance, he silently followed.

Only then, when Zhang Mengcheng and the masked men lowered their guard and left, did he sneak in to rescue the person.

Unfortunately, the masked man got away; this person's martial arts were superb, he felt he might not be a match, and even Qi Shihuai, without preparation, fell victim to a sneak attack.

"How dare they cause trouble at the Grand General's manor! Such audacity!" Someone slammed the table.

"Cannot be lenient!"

"Increase the penalty by one degree; they should be executed by lingchi!"

Hearing these words, Zhang Mengcheng's courage almost shattered; he hurriedly begged for mercy: "Your Majesty, spare me! That masked man is the mastermind! He's in league with Li Pozi!"

Mu Yuanzhi: "Who is the masked person?"

"She..."

The Son of Heaven narrowed his eyes: "If you won't speak, execute him directly."

"Your Majesty, spare my life!" Zhang Mengcheng, so frightened he had no courage left, his face turned ashen; he stammered with his lips: "It's a woman named Fanghua! I, a commoner, don't know who she is either; she suddenly appeared before me, saying she could lend me a hand!"

In this wretched state, he is completely unlike the pretentious young gentleman he had feigned; without that false pretense, the petty man's embarrassment is exposed.

In everyone's eyes, Zhang Mengcheng like this makes them feel that such a person could hardly be the son of a Grand General, and he is worlds apart from the Mu family.

Upon hearing this, Qi Shihuai's formerly composed expression tightened, as if deep in thought.

But no one noticed his expression suddenly change.

Pei Di didn't believe it: "Looks like you won't shed a tear until you see the coffin!"

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, please see clearly! I, a commoner, truly don't know! At this point of life and death, how could I risk my life to protect someone else!" Zhang Mengcheng urged anxiously.

"Your Majesty, this subject has dealt with her before; she is the woman who previously colluded with the Hanlu Stronghold, and she is now also in the capital, in... the Wanfang Pavilion."

He paused a moment before speaking.

Moreover, as soon as his words fell, several probing gazes fell upon him.

He just knew there would be some brainless fool doubting his noble character!

The Son of Heaven ordered: "Come, seize them at once!"

"Yes!" the Chief of the Imperial Guard responded.

"Your Majesty, since the matter has been laid bare, please hand over all involved to the Imperial Court of Justice for judgment!" Mu Yuanzhi said with clasped hands.

The Son of Heaven nodded: "Approved."

The dust has settled!

Mu Yuanzhi exhaled a breath.

Fortunately it didn't develop to the point of going to the imperial mausoleum to disturb my father and mother.

"Your Majesty! Spare my life, Your Majesty!" Zhang Mengcheng kowtowed desperately, breaking his forehead but not stopping.

Seeing this, the Grand Empress Dowager clutched her chest and said: "Quickly drag him away!"

What ill fortune!

Upon hearing this, the Son of Heaven commanded: "What are you waiting for? Hurry and escort them to the Imperial Court of Justice!"

"As you command!"

"Your Majesty!" Zhang Mengcheng, being led away, still unwilling to give up, shouted loudly, but soon his mouth was stuffed.

The Ancestral Worship Banquet turned into a farce, yet it was the best way to conclude.

Mu Yuanzhi covertly sized up the Son of Heaven, who also looked quite pleased.

One would think he also knows what sort of person Zhang Mengcheng is.

"Princess."

The guests scattered in twos and threes; the Son of Heaven found Mu Yuanzhi and smiled at her: "You've done well, not disappointing me."

"Your Majesty indeed already knew?" Mu Yuanzhi thought to herself, indeed so.

The Son of Heaven smiled without speaking, he patted Mu Yuanzhi's shoulder and said: "Sometimes many things, I cannot explicitly say or do; I can only entrust everything to you, I trust in your abilities, after all you have walked this path with me."

"Your Majesty's trust is our blessing." Mu Yuanzhi nodded.

"In public you and I are ruler and subject; in private we are friends who share hardships, and this will not change." The Son of Heaven smiled.

"Having Your Majesty say that is enough." Mu Yuanzhi made a respectful bow and took her leave.

Sometimes she feels the Son of Heaven seems changed, but perhaps it's just that being high up is lonely.

Having become the Son of Heaven, one naturally cannot compare to when he was formerly a prince.

"Little girl."

Mu Yuanzhi heard the Grand Empress Dowager calling her, turned and said: "Grand Empress Dowager."

"At last the storm has passed and the sky cleared; you now have no excuse not to come find this old woman, do you?" the Grand Empress Dowager said.

"Grand Empress Dowager, your instruction is correct; from now on I will surely find many pretexts to come to the palace to bother you." Mu Yuanzhi joked.

The Grand Empress Dowager hummed: "If you come to find me, I might have a solution; if you don't come, how would you know I don't have one?"

"Next time I'll definitely look for my great-grandma right away!" Mu Yuanzhi laughed.

"At this time you're calling great-grandma again? You just want to cheer up the old lady?" the Grand Empress Dowager showed disdain on the surface, but she couldn't suppress the smile at the corners of her mouth.

Granny Zhang and Shu'er laughed at the side.

As expected, the Grand Empress Dowager became happy as soon as she saw the Guardian Princess, and everyone felt much more spirited.

"You've been tense lately; relax, relax, or else let the emperor give you a few days off to play?" the Grand Empress Dowager suggested.

"We just had a vacation over a month ago; we dare not take another, and besides, His Majesty sympathizes with us—I haven't been managing the Ministry of Works much lately."

The Grand Empress Dowager nodded: "Young people having energy is a good thing; then let's wait until things settle, then rest properly. In a few days there will be another festival—perfect for relaxing."

"Mm, I think so too."

"Alright, I should also head back." the Grand Empress Dowager said.

"Great-grandma, take your time; I'll see you off."

Mu Yuanzhi saw off the Grand Empress Dowager; the guests had mostly left, and the Grand General's manor finally returned to tranquility.

"Ah Zhi!"

Someone hasn't left yet!

Mu Yuanzhi helplessly turned her head and saw Pei Shangling and Pei Jue, plus Pei Nian and Pei Hua following behind them; the four of them looked as embarrassed as if they had done something wrong.

Having grown accustomed to their four's bear-like appearances, Mu Yuanzhi was no longer surprised.

"Great, Ah Zhi! That impostor finally got lost!"