Chapter 367: Chapter 366: This Old Man Just Won’t Die and Still Isn’t Tired of Living
This matter naturally caused an uproar in the Imperial Palace.
Emperor He was furious.
And then there was Imperial Censor Shu, fanning the flames.
"Your Majesty! This is the second time I have encountered such an incident! The previous time, it was the Crown Prince framing Seventh Prince. Hasn’t he learned his lesson yet? It should be enough to deter him! Yet this time, Fifth Princess has wronged Miss Yan from the Yan Family again! In full view of everyone, where does the dignity of the Imperial Family lie?"
Imperial Censor Shu truly had bad luck!
These scandals of the siblings, both times he witnessed them!
"Dowager Yan is already of advanced age, she nearly fainted over this matter. Outside, there’s all sorts of rumors and gossip, the Imperial Family must give an explanation."
Emperor He picked up a teaset from the desk and smashed it on Wei Ce’s body!
Wei Ce didn’t dare to dodge and was actually left bleeding from his head.
He was trembling: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger."
Wei Ce also knew something was fishy about this matter, especially since Wei Xiheng has not woken up until now. But he also knew that ruining the reputation of the Princess was true.
This was the most fatal part!
Moreover, Ji Shimin was born to Empress Zou, she was no ordinary Princess!
When an Emperor is enraged, I’m afraid not even all the heads in Duke Wei Mansion would suffice to appease him.
Previously, he had the protection of the Crown Prince, but how could the Crown Prince protect him this time!
Wei Ce would rather have stumbled upon Wei Xiheng in consort with that Li San upon the bed!
"Father."
Ji Zhui had just sent Ji Shimin back to the palace and hurried over, kneeling on the ground with a solemn expression: "This was picked up in the room by your son."
He presented an object with both hands.
Eunuch Ying grimaced as he received it, and then presented it to Emperor He.
Emperor He glanced over with a cold face. His heart seemed to tighten completely upon seeing it. An even colder chill covered his body.
"Though the Princess is known to be somewhat arrogant, she is still a person of proper conduct. She has only returned to the capital for a few months, how could she have been involved with Wei Xiheng?"
Emperor He did not speak again.
The room was dimly lit, filled with a somber atmosphere. Everyone was kneeling, except for Imperial Censor Shu; nobody dared to even breathe heavily.
No one knew how much time had passed.
Finally, Emperor He looked at Ji Zhui without any warmth.
Clenching the Buhuo in his hand, he was only too familiar with it, a whiff was enough to know the composition was wrong, yet even so, it was enough to cause him panic.
It was as if... anyone could use it.
To throw Shengjing into further chaos.
This was a provocation, like he was being stepped underfoot!
He had tasted enough of the flavor of power, yet he found himself passively manipulated over and over again this time.
"Over the years, Buhuo has appeared in the world time and again, especially recently, it has been happening frequently. Stirring up storms in the entire city, each time more troublesome than the last. Today it has even caused the entire Imperial Family to stumble; this is not as simple as Xiao Wu being wronged. It is likely that the person behind this has long been plotting. How do you all see this matter?"
Imperial Censor Shu had spent the years either impeaching or impeaching, adamantly tough, a hard bone to chew. Almost eighty percent of the civil and military officials had been impeached by him to a change in their constitution over the years.
Today, he originally came to impeach Duke Wei.
But now, as soon as he heard about Buhuo, he fell silent.
Wei Ce, as if grasping a lifesaving straw, finally caught a breath and hurriedly said.
"It turns out to be so."
"The Wei Family can hardly shirk its responsibility in this matter, I am too ashamed to see Your Majesty again, but we must thoroughly investigate and let the truth come to light."
"If I may be so bold to guess, it’s very likely that such criminals attended the banquet at the Zou Residence."
It was just a casual statement, after all, it was a guess.
Yet this one sentence made Emperor He narrow his eyes.
In Shengjing, there were very few who could employ such means, but who knew if there were any hiding their cunning?
————
On the way back to the residence, Yan Mi maintained her composed and graceful demeanor, she remained silent, making Dowager Yan anxious and uneasy.
"Today... Your Daddy and Mama did not make the decision for you, do not take it to heart."
Yan Mi softly responded, "Yes."
"After this incident, there may be a turning point in your marriage prospects."
"Just now at the entrance of the Zou Residence, Princess Consort Gong showed you meticulous care; she might have intentions."
Dowager Yan analyzed in detail, "Grandmother thinks you have a good temperament, perhaps too much for Heir Huo to handle... Yet, Prince Gong Mansion is less murky than other residences. Besides, which young man in this world does not covet beauty—"
"Grandmother."
Yan Mi interrupted her.
The girl gently smiled, "Your granddaughter hasn’t yet climbed out from the pit of fire that is the Wei Family."
Dowager Yan was left speechless.
"During these days, your granddaughter has been reflecting: must a girl’s life be dependent on a man? Studying the arts of zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and prose, not out of love, but as chips for marriage. Learning the arts of household management before marriage, all for the sake being in control after. Serving the mother-in-law and being considerate to one’s husband after marriage, bearing and raising children, unable to defy, must accommodate the husband’s concubinage with grace, enduring discontent with gritted teeth. Setting these aside, after having children, one must teach them morality, hustle for them, and when they grow up, arrange their marriages. Then, pass this life’s miseries onto the daughter-in-law."
Is this truly a girl’s destiny?
It shouldn’t be.
Dowager Yan frowned deeply, "How can you harbor such an outrageous thought? Who has not lived this way!"
Yan Mi lowered her eyelids, "Perhaps because I cannot marry the person I wish to, even if there’s no destiny between us, having witnessed Miss Shen’s free spiritedness, I simply cannot settle."
This was the first time she was so open and honest, causing Dowager Yan to swallow all the words of persuasion she had.
She opened her mouth to speak, "You have—"
"Grandmother."
Yan Mi reminded her, "We’ve arrived."
The carriage had stopped in front of the Governor Mansion. Dowager Yan, heavy with thoughts, stepped down from the carriage, but the girl remained seated inside. She only lifted her hand to draw back the carriage curtain, and warmly said to the coachman, "Go to Yongchang Earl Mansion."
One must live for oneself at least once.
Meanwhile, in the East Courtyard.
Shen Hua was sitting up, toying with a chess piece made by Yongzi. The red agate material was fine and soft like jade but exceptionally hard.
"On this occasion, the official household will surely suspect the Prince," Yingwu suddenly came up with this statement.
"They already have plenty of suspects," she replied.
Ironically, the Yangling Marquis Mansion became the least motivated suspect due to Ji Shimin’s failed schemes and an early departure from the Zou Residence.
Then there’s Duke Fu’s Mansion, but this matter had no connection to the Xie Family from beginning to end.
Not to mention the others.
Thus, Emperor He suspecting anyone could find excuses, so in the end, he guarded against and suspected everyone.
Including Ji Zhui, Ji Wang, and the many other forces within the court.
This old immortal sure isn’t afraid of tiring himself out while alive.
Ji Xin laughed, "Such high-quality red agate and Yellow Dragon Jade are rare to come by, yet to have them made into a full set of chess pieces is even rarer. The Prince had barely received them when he sent me to bring them to you. Madam, do you play chess?"
Shen Hua glanced at her, "No."
Ji Xin quickly said, "The Prince is excellent at chess; he could teach you later."
Shen Hua frowned, "Why should I learn?"
She picked up the chess piece, smooth to touch, likely warm in winter and cool in summer.
Shen Hua was very pleased.
She subtly suggested, "Polish them into a full set of earrings and head ornaments. They would be very beautiful, no doubt."
Ji Xin was taken aback: ???
Shen Hua: "Two sets should be more than enough. Set one aside later to give to Lady Yan as a calming gift."
"Who knows how Lady Yan will fare this time?"
Shen Hua paused, "With her extensive reading, she must know one thing."
"What is that?"
The girl smiled, "He who hesitates is lost."
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