Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 207 - 206. The old minister dies in remonstration, Ms. Xu leaves the capital.

Chapter 207: 206. The old minister dies in remonstration, Ms. Xu leaves the capital.

206. A Loyal Minister’s Death Remonstrance, the Xu Clan Leaves the Capital

Mo Jingqi looked at the buoyant Mo Jingli before him with gloomy eyes. Being forced for various reasons to make peace with this younger brother did not mean that Mo Jingqi had truly forgotten Mo Jingli’s initial insurgency. Even now, his younger brother still held a large portion of territory south of the Yunlan River. Disinclined to deal with Mo Jingli, Mo Jingqi’s gaze fell upon the Empress Dowager and Empress, who had just exited the palace gate. Eldest Princess Fuxi and Princess Zhaoyang were also approaching, having just alighted from their carriage. He said casually, "Empress Dowager, Empress, why have you come?"

Before the Empress Dowager could speak, the Empress knelt, her skirts brushing the ground, and uttered solemnly, "The loyalty of the Xu Family in Yunzhou is unchanging, and their contributions to Great Chu are everlasting. I beseech Your Majesty to reconsider." Several concubines from scholarly families, though usually neglected by the Emperor, also knelt and chorused, "Your Majesty, please reconsider."

Mo Jingqi’s face darkened. Before he could respond, Eldest Princess Fuxi and Princess Zhaoyang had already approached. The Eldest Princess pushed away the palace maid supporting her, knelt beside the Empress, and questioned, "What crime did the Xu Family commit that Your Majesty wants to confiscate their properties? Your Majesty, please provide a reason!" Princess Zhaoyang said nothing but knelt beside the Eldest Princess, her silence clearly affirming the Eldest Princess’s words.

"You... you..." Mo Jingqi trembled with anger. However, given Eldest Princess Fuxi’s status and seniority, he could not let her continue kneeling at the palace gate. He hastily ordered the palace maids to help her up, saying, "Eldest Princess, let’s discuss whatever the matter is back in the palace. You... when did you return to the capital?"

Yet, the Eldest Princess responded coldly, "I am old and no longer of much use, and I dare not hope that Your Majesty will listen to the counsel of us old folk. However, the Xu family has made immeasurable contributions to Great Chu. Whether they have erred or not, Your Majesty should be lenient. Though I am old and muddled, I must still plead for the Xu family. I beg Your Majesty to investigate the Xu family’s matter thoroughly."

These words left Mo Jingqi almost gasping with suppressed anger, yet he was rendered speechless. Looking at the ever-growing crowd of scholars, officials, and even commoners at the palace gate, Mo Jingqi felt darkness cloud his vision; it seemed today’s events would not end well.

Mo Jingli, standing to the side, was surprisingly pleased. When he had previously risked staging a rebellion, he had only temporarily occupied more than half of the affluent Jiangnan region, a situation far better than before. Although he, Mo Jingli, was regarded as the beloved younger brother of the current Emperor, enjoying great favor and honor, would his imperial brother, with that temperament, truly be willing to grant him real power? In the capital, he was just a prince who appeared more distinguished than others, nothing more. But now, he occupied the rich lands of Jiangnan, and even if his imperial brother was furious, he could do nothing. In this, Mo Xiuyao had actually done him a great favor. If Mo Xiuyao weren’t currently entrenched in the Northwest, making his imperial brother extremely wary, he wouldn’t have been able to return to the capital so openly. Seeing Mo Jingqi’s face darken with anger, Mo Jingli outwardly remained impassive, but inwardly he was ecstatic.

"Eldest Princess, Aunt Zhaoyang, Sister-in-law, what are you all doing? Please, rise. My imperial brother, in his wisdom, will surely grant the Xu Family justice," Mo Jingli stepped forward and advised respectfully.

However, his advice only served to remind Mo Jingqi that not only the scholars, commoners, and courtiers in the capital, but also his own grand aunt, aunt, and the Empress were opposing him. At this thought, blood rushed to Mo Jingqi’s head, and he roared, "The Xu family has committed treason and deserves death! Issue My edict: the entire Xu family household is to be confiscated, and all members executed!" Upon hearing this, a tumultuous uproar erupted at the palace gate. Mo Jingli, standing to one side, allowed a faint, cold smile to play on his lips. Even as the kneeling people tried to speak further, Mo Jingqi, fuming with anger, preempted them, declaring, "Whoever dares to plead for them will share the Xu family’s guilt!"

Everyone was stunned. Suddenly, an old man in the crowd stood up and declared loudly, "Your Majesty, the Xu family is innocent! Please, Your Majesty, discern the truth!"

Mo Jingqi’s eyes narrowed, emitting a chilling light. He naturally recognized this old man: the former Lord Imperial Censor, long since retired. In the past, even when Mo Jingqi was merely a prince, he had intensely disliked this old man who constantly lectured him on what he should and shouldn’t do. That was why the man had remained Lord Imperial Censor from before Mo Jingqi’s ascension until his retirement three years prior, never once receiving a promotion. "Such audacity! Are you treating My decree as mere wind passing your ears?"

The old man wept. "This old minister dare not. This old minister is willing to trade his old life to plead with Your Majesty to revoke your decree!" With that, he ruthlessly slammed his head against the nearby palace wall. The foundation of the palace gate walls was built of the finest marble, and the white stone was instantly stained with a vivid spray of crimson blood. The old man collapsed at the foot of the palace wall, clearly no longer breathing. Thus, this long-retired minister remonstrated with the Emperor with his own life, begging him to revoke the decree.

"Your Majesty, I implore you to revoke your decree." The Empress stood up, gazing deeply at the man before her, who was visibly consumed by fury. Since his ascension, he had been very wary of the old ministers from the previous dynasty and their accomplishments. Naturally, he was also deeply suspicious and guarded against her, his Empress, who hailed from a distinguished family of meritorious service. No matter what she said, he always suspected her motives and never truly listened to half a word of her counsel. Initially, she had only wanted to be a virtuous and capable empress, one who could advise the Emperor, always remembering the teachings of her father and the late Emperor. Gradually, however, her heart had grown cold. However, today’s matter was something she had to plead for, regardless of her disillusionment. If the Emperor truly moved against the Xu Family, she feared Great Chu would indeed descend into chaos.

Mo Jingqi was taken aback. A thought flashed through his mind, and he shouted, "Stop the Empress!" Everyone was surprised, yet they saw that the Empress made no move, merely standing there, looking at the Emperor with a somewhat helpless expression. The Empress sighed faintly in her heart. Did the Emperor think she, too, intended to remonstrate with her life? She was the Empress, the Emperor’s wife; how could she allow the Emperor to bear the crime of forcing his wife and Empress to her death? Mo Jingqi stared blankly at the Empress, his face a shifting canvas of green and white. The Eldest Princess, however, was not so accommodating. She said coldly, "Since Your Majesty has spoken thus, then please arrest this old woman as well. I am willing to share the Xu Family’s guilt!"

Encouraged by the Eldest Princess’s lead, the people behind them also cried out, "We are willing to share the Xu Family’s guilt!"

「In a pavilion diagonally across from the palace gate」

The partially open window offered a clear view of the scene at the palace gate while concealing those within from the crowd outside. The clamor from the gate naturally drifted into the pavilion. By the window, Leng Haoyu leaned casually, sipping from his wine cup. Opposite him sat a man in white, handsome and refined. His eyebrows were slightly raised, exuding an air as pure and serene as a lotus, like an immortal. Who else could it be but Xu Qingchen? When Xu Qingchen first learned that Ye Li had returned safely and was pregnant, he knew a crisis was inevitable and that the Xu family could not easily extricate themselves. Therefore, he had quickly dealt with matters in the south, hurried to Yunzhou for a profound discussion with his grandfather and father, and then rushed to the capital. He had arrived just in time to witness this fine spectacle.

Leng Haoyu observed Young Master Qingchen intently, a growing admiration in his eyes. In Leng Haoyu’s opinion, among the five young masters of the Xu Family, only this Qingchen most resembled the Princess Consort. Usually amiable and warm, making others feel as if bathed in a spring breeze, yet when it was time to act, his methods were sharp and ruthless, never soft-hearted.

"Under these circumstances, what do you think Mo Jingqi might do?" Leng Haoyu, a martial practitioner, possessed eyesight far superior to ordinary individuals and could clearly see Mo Jingqi’s expression and complexion at the palace gate.

Across from him, Xu Qingchen merely held a cup of clear tea, his expression relaxed and tranquil. He smiled faintly and said, "Mo Jingqi is ruthless but lacks decisiveness. No matter who orchestrated today’s situation, he won’t be able to resolve it. If he had struck down a few with an iron fist from the beginning, the rest would have naturally quieted down. If he hadn’t hesitated with Mo Jingli back then, would Prince Li possess the power he has today? To go even further back, if he had eliminated Prince Ding at all costs ten years ago, would we be facing today’s predicament? With such a temperament, even in times of peace and prosperity, he couldn’t even be considered a ruler capable of maintaining the status quo, let alone now, with chaotic times clearly approaching. He can only be manipulated by others."

A chill ran through Leng Haoyu’s heart as he looked at the handsome man before him with reverence. Young Master Qingchen, whose talent was renowned throughout the land and known for his extraordinary, almost ethereal refinement, had unexpectedly spoken such sharply ironic and incisive words. Nodding in agreement with Xu Qingchen’s assessment, Leng Haoyu turned his gaze back to the palace gate, his eyes lighting up as he chuckled, "The real show is about to begin!"

An impasse persisted at the palace gate. From nearby, a clear and steady voice rang out, "Your servant, Xu Hongyan, greets His Majesty."

Everyone turned in unison to see Xu Hongyan striding towards them. He was not in official robes but wore plain white cloth attire. Xu Qingbai, dressed in similar plain clothes, followed two steps behind him. Upon seeing him, many in the crowd exclaimed things like, "Lord Xu has arrived!" While Xu Hongyan’s reputation might not have matched that of his father or elder brothers, he had been a famous talent in Great Chu in his youth. However, confined to the Capital City as a minor, powerless Imperial Censor, he naturally couldn’t compare to his father and brothers, who were teaching in Yunzhou, their pupils spread far and wide.

Arriving before the palace gate, Xu Hongyan bowed respectfully to Mo Jingqi and the others. "This humble servant, Xu Hongyan, greets Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, and Her Highness the Empress." Xu Qingbai, following behind, also paid his respects.

Princess Zhaoyang frowned delicately and asked, "Lord Xu, why have you come here?"

Xu Hongyan responded with a faint smile, "Reporting to the Princess, with the Xu family’s affairs causing such an uproar throughout the city, how could this humble servant remain unaware? We are grateful that you, Princess, and everyone else have pleaded for the Xu Family; Hongyan thanks you all. And... Elder Lord Li..." Gazing at the lifeless body of the old minister at the foot of the palace wall, Xu Hongyan heaved a long sigh, his eyes reddening. He bowed deeply towards the elder’s body. "The Xu family is deeply indebted to Elder Lord Li; we can truly never repay his kindness."

Having done this, Xu Hongyan turned to the kneeling crowd. "Thank you all for pleading for the Xu family. However... this is fundamentally a matter of the Xu family. You should not be implicated because of the Xu family’s fault. Everyone, please return. Xu Hongyan is here and will respectfully receive His Majesty’s decree."

Kneeling beside him, Xu Qingbai echoed, "The Xu family’s fourth son, Xu Qingbai, is here as well."

Mo Jingqi sneered, fixing his gaze on the two men. "So, you are admitting guilt?"

Xu Qingbai smiled faintly. "If the Emperor wishes his subjects to die, they should not refuse. If Your Majesty wishes to confiscate the Xu family’s assets and execute the entire clan, how would the Xu family dare not obey? We just don’t know what crime Your Majesty wishes us, your servants, to confess to?"

Xu Qingbai and Xu Hongyan’s conduct earned them even more goodwill from the crowd, while dissatisfaction with the Emperor intensified. Mo Jingqi clearly sensed the dissatisfaction from the kneeling ministers and imperial relatives. He knew that if this continued, something untoward might happen today. Closing his eyes, he suppressed his surging anger and commanded, "Take Xu Hongyan and Xu Qingbai back to the Imperial Censor’s Mansion! Without My orders, no one is to meet with them!" With that, he ignored the crowd’s reactions and turned, walking into the palace gates. Mo Jingqi seemed to depart in a rage, but in reality, he had suffered greatly these past few days. Coupled with today’s immense anger, he feared he wouldn’t be able to hold on much longer if he didn’t leave. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Prime Minister Liu, standing to one side, waved his hand, and his men escorted Xu Hongyan and Xu Qingbai back to the Imperial Censor’s Mansion. Although they had failed to ransack the Xu family today, the rupture between the Xu family and the imperial court was now a settled matter, and the Liu Family’s rise to become the foremost noble family in Great Chu would soon be at hand.

Xu Hongyan and Xu Qingbai once again thanked the kneeling crowd before being escorted away. The crowd before the palace gates also gradually dispersed. Seeing this, Mo Jingli smiled thoughtfully and followed the Empress Dowager into the palace. Princess Zhaoyang, looking at the gradually quieting palace gates, sighed helplessly. She looked at the Eldest Princess Fuxi beside her and said, "Grand Aunt..."

The Eldest Princess shook her head, her aged face showing even more fatigue. She took Princess Zhaoyang’s hand and said, "The Emperor is muddled... Never mind. Zhaoyang, come and stay with this old woman for a couple of days."

Princess Zhaoyang smiled. "There’s hardly anyone at Zhaoyang’s residence. If Grand Aunt doesn’t mind my humble abode, Zhaoyang would be overjoyed." She helped the Eldest Princess onto her carriage, and the two carriages then departed, one after the other, towards the outskirts of the city.

Having watched the entire show from the upper floor of the pavilion, Leng Haoyu chuckled heartily. "Young Master Qingchen, you are brilliant. Lord Xu and his son departing like this is much better than if they had left directly earlier." Not only did it embarrass Mo Jingqi, but it also didn’t tarnish the Xu family’s reputation. Now, it was the imperial family that had wronged the Xu family, not the Xu family that had wronged the imperial family.

Xu Qingchen rose, glanced at the now empty and deserted palace gates, and smiled faintly. "Just one more act, and then we can leave the Capital City."

Leng Haoyu asked, "How does Young Master Qingchen know Mo Jingqi will take action? What if he doesn’t? Are we to stage a show ourselves?"

Xu Qingchen sipped his tea and chuckled. "There’s no need. Even if Mo Jingqi doesn’t act, someone else will help him."

「Meanwhile, back in the palace」

Upon returning, Mo Jingqi naturally flew into a great rage. In front of everyone present, he mercilessly berated several concubines who had knelt in supplication with the Empress. He was about to relegate them to the Cold Palace when the Empress stepped forward and said, "Today’s events were instigated by me, your humble servant. If Your Majesty must punish, then punish me as well."

Mo Jingqi was choked with anger. He had always been guarded against this Empress and did not favor her, but she was, after all, the principal wife bestowed upon him by his Imperial Father, and they had shared a period of mutual support before his ascension. Thus, he had always afforded her sufficient respect. Hearing the Empress’s words, Mo Jingqi laughed coldly. "So you still know you are My Empress? And yet you shamed Me in front of the entire Capital City?"

The Empress lowered her gaze, her voice calm. "The Xu Family is not like other families; they are inextricably linked to the fate of Great Chu’s dominion. If the Xu family truly harbored treasonous intentions, Your Majesty, this humble servant would not dare to have any objections to any decision Your Majesty makes. But Your Majesty, does the Xu family harbor such intentions?"

Mo Jingqi was stunned. Facing the Empress’s calm, bright eyes, he was truly unable to say anything. After a long pause, flustered and exasperated, he waved his hand and ordered, "Everyone else, get out! As for the Empress, stay in your palace and do not come out! Affairs of the Harem will henceforth be handled by Noble Consort Liu."

The Empress did not object. She rose and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. This humble servant takes her leave. My dear sisters, come with me."

The concubines were more than willing. They had voluntarily followed the Empress to plead for the Xu family today, and just now the Empress had saved them again. Their hearts were even more grateful towards the Empress. Since they held no favor in the palace to begin with, they naturally had no expectations of the Emperor.

Watching the Empress and her retinue depart, Mo Jingqi swept an antique porcelain vase from the table, shattering it to pieces. Just then, a eunuch reported from outside the door, "Your Majesty, Prince Li requests an audience."

"Tell him to get lost!" Mo Jingqi roared. Noble Consort Liu stood beside him, her cold eyes observing his furious outburst; a flicker of disdain flashed through them.

「Three nights after the incident at the palace gate,」

The Imperial Censor’s Mansion suddenly caught fire, and sounds of fighting and killing erupted. By the time guards from the Capital City’s constabulary and people on good terms with the Xu family from the inner city rushed over, the entire Imperial Censor’s Mansion was already a scene of devastation and ruin. Rushing in, they found only one or two servants who had narrowly escaped death. Everyone else had been reduced to charred corpses by the fire, making it impossible to distinguish Xu family members from assassins. However, someone at the scene inadvertently stepped on half of a charred palace guard’s token. Although the mansion was soon taken over by men sent from the palace, and all unrelated individuals were driven out, certain information still began to circulate secretly in the shadows. The Capital City plunged into an even more eerie and heavy atmosphere.

「Twenty li outside the Capital City, on a secluded, deserted path,」

Leng Haoyu cupped his hands and smiled. "Lord Xu, Young Master Qingchen, Fourth Young Master, I wish you a safe journey."

Two outwardly simple and unremarkable carriages were parked by the roadside. Xu Qingchen, seated in one, smiled faintly at Leng Haoyu. "We’ve troubled Young Master Leng this time. Take care."

Leng Haoyu laughed. "Serving His Highness the Prince is the duty of us subordinates; how can you speak of trouble? On your journey, you will naturally be protected by hidden guards and the Qilin in secret, so do not worry about your safety. As for the servants of the Imperial Censor’s Mansion, I will also make arrangements for them, so please rest assured, Lord Xu."

Xu Hongyan nodded. "We’ve troubled Young Master Leng. We bid you farewell here."

"Safe journey to you all." Leng Haoyu, smiling and nodding, moved aside to clear the path. The carriages slowly moved forward. In the second carriage sat Madam Xu. Beside her, however, was not her usual personal maid, but Miss Qin Zheng of the Qin family. Qin Zheng, like Madam Xu, wore ordinary cotton clothes, yet she was already captivatingly beautiful. She clutched a corner of Madam Xu’s sleeve, clearly a little uneasy on her first time leaving home.

Madam Xu lovingly patted her hand and smiled. "Zheng’er, you’ve been wronged. In the future, your aunt-mother will surely have Qingze arrange a magnificent wedding for you."

Qin Zheng blushed and said softly, "Since Zheng’er is already engaged to the Second Young Master, how can there be any talk of being wronged or not?"

Seeing this, Madam Xu felt even more fondness and affection for her, smiling kindly as she said, "Good child. If that boy Qingze dares to bully you, Mother will definitely stand up for you!"

"Aunt-mother..."

「In early September,」

The Imperial Censor’s Mansion was attacked by assassins, and the entire residence was consumed by a sea of fire.

「Ten days later,」

Qin Zheng, who had been betrothed to Second Young Master Xu since childhood, fell gravely ill and, less than half a month later, her young life ended.