Chapter 137: Chapter 136: The Chu Family Punished
"Lingnan? Such a poor place to live as commoners, this is sentencing us to death!"
Ms Chu was so frightened that her limbs went weak, tears streaming down her face as she wanted to plead with the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager, frustrated and no longer wanting to be involved in the scandal, harshly reprimanded, "You foolish people, committing such a senseless act! I don’t even want to acknowledge your Chu family’s identity anymore. This is truly a sin. Chu Wenyao committed such an act, and none of you as parents knew or stopped him? You have disappointed me too greatly. How can I even face the Emperor to plead for you?"
These words clearly indicated a decision to abandon them.
"No, Empress Dowager! We dare not do it again. Your Majesty, we beg for your mercy, Wenyao is already dead, we won’t pursue it, is that not enough?"
Previously intent on avenging her son, Ms Chu was now completely panicked. Having grown used to a life of luxury, being demoted to commoners in a poor and remote place like Lingnan was worse than death.
Mr. Chu cried, "We beg for your forgiveness, Your Majesty, we will make amends."
Xie Jiuxiao said coldly, "Those five innocent women also once had families. The pain they endured was no less than yours. At least you’re still alive; they are all dead."
"Ziyin speaks the truth. Being demoted to commoners is already a leniency towards you, what more do you want?"
Emperor Anqing spoke with hatred, "Five lives, what are they to you? Ants? Chu family’s second son, are you truly unaware? After so many years in the officialdom, do you think you can deceive us? You’re just protecting your son. Stop your crocodile tears. If you keep on whining, you might just lose your life too."
Mr. Chu turned pale and fell silent in despair, glancing at Duke Luu, his own brother.
Duke Luu glared at him, "The Emperor has not ordered your deaths, showing you great leniency. What more can you ask? Give thanks."
Desperate, Mr. Chu could only cry, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your mercy."
"Take them all away." Emperor Anqing was furious at the sight of them, and the guards quickly removed them, their cries lingering for a long time before fading away.
"Duke Luu, you have some nerve, coming to seek justice only to reverse the accusation," Emperor Anqing mocked, seizing the opportunity to weaken the Empress Dowager’s faction, "Do you have any objections to the punishment I just imposed?"
Duke Luu smiled obsequiously, "It was due to the Chu family’s poor discipline that Chu Wenyao committed such a heinous act. I truly had no knowledge; otherwise, I would have cleaned our own house and not brought such disgrace to Your Majesty. The punishment Your Majesty imposed on me is certainly not punishment but merely a cautionary warning. I am most grateful."
Emperor Anqing snorted softly, "You certainly know how to talk."
The Concubine smiled smugly, "In the end, it wasn’t the fault of my daughter-in-law. This proves Zhaozhao has no issues, correct?"
The Empress Dowager curled her lips and said coldly, "Yong’an and Jing’an Daoists have both confirmed it, so it seems there are no issues."
Xie Jiuxiao spoke sternly, "If I hear any more rumors outside, no matter who spreads them, I will hold Duke Luu accountable."
Duke Luu clenched his fists, holding back his urge to curse.
This is a scam!
The Empress Dowager wearily put a hand on her forehead, "Since the matter is clear and those who should be punished have been punished, I am tired and will not trouble Your Majesty any longer. I will return to rest."
Emperor Anqing, seeing the situation, decided to end it, "Then I bid farewell to the Empress Dowager."
The Empress Dowager signaled Yong’an Daoist with her eyes, intending for him to leave with her.
However, Yong’an Daoist, highly interested in Yu Nianzhao’s mystical talents, did not leave. He looked at Yu Nianzhao, hesitated, and said, "Miss Yu, your abilities are undoubtedly desired by every mystical sect. Have you considered joining one?"
After witnessing Yu Nianzhao’s powerful talismans, his heart was itching with desire.
If such talent was not enlisted under him, it would be a grave mistake to let Prince Su have them instead.
"Huh?"
Yu Nianzhao raised an eyebrow, glaring at him unsympathetically, "Not interested!"
The Empress Dowager also whispered, "Yong’an Daoist, what is your intention?"
Yong’an Daoist replied quietly, "Her talent is the best I’ve ever seen. My disciples do not compare to her. I thought recruiting her would be a great asset."
The Empress Dowager huffed, "She is the future Princess Consort Su; dismiss that thought."
Xie Jiuxiao bluntly stated, "My bride has no need to join any mystical sect!"
Seeing their lack of interest, Yong’an Daoist reluctantly followed the Empress Dowager and Duke Luu out, glancing back repeatedly.
As they walked further away, Yong’an Daoist could not help himself, "Yu Nianzhao’s mystical prowess is beyond my imagination. If she cannot be used by us, she will surely be a menace."
The Empress Dowager’s eyes flashed with lethal intent, "I already see it. If she becomes Princess Consort Su, she will surely stand against us. It looks like we must make sure she... dies before their marriage."
Yong’an Daoist was not the only one fixating on Yu Nianzhao. Even Jing’an Daoist, adopting a demeanor different from his usual scholarly grace, hovered around Yu Nianzhao.
Jing’an Daoist, "Miss Yu, your master is no longer alive?"
Yu Nianzhao, "You could say that."
Jing’an Daoist, "Do you have any desire to find another master?"
Yu Nianzhao, "No! With my skills, I don’t need another master."
Jing’an Daoist, "Learning more is always beneficial. If Miss Yu is willing to join my sect, I will teach you everything I’ve learned in my lifetime."
"Jing’an Daoist seems to have taken a liking to your wife. I’ve never seen him so eager to recruit someone," Emperor Anqing observed with amusement, "It’s not often he seeks to take on a disciple."
Emperor Anqing had always held respect for Jing’an Daoist, "Having Jing’an Daoist’s endorsement means Yu Nianzhao’s talent is quite extraordinary. Are you really not considering her taking him as a master?"
Xie Jiuxiao replied coolly, "All dressed up with nowhere to go. Zhaozhao doesn’t need it."
Emperor Anqing sighed, "You have too deep a prejudice against Jing’an Daoist. Not all daoists are unscrupulous. Jing’an Daoist is widely respected among the people. His elixirs are useful too. Look at how energetic I am; it’s all due to his work. I even offered you some elixirs before, which you refused. Even Mother trusts him. Ziyin, you..."
"Has the Emperor given the Mother Consort elixirs too?" Xie Jiuxiao’s voice turned cold instantly.
Emperor Anqing pressed his lips together in silence, then awkwardly replied, "I did send some, but whether the Empress Dowager has taken them, I’m not sure."