Do Not Offend the Reborn Wicked Wife-Chapter 199: What Are You Afraid Of? Just Stick With Me!
"Consort, Consort, the Emperor is coming!"
A palace maid joyfully ran in. Consort Xue had been complaining, but in that instant, she let it go and immediately had others prepare her hair and attire.
No matter how many complaints or discontent she harbored, this was the harem. If she did not try to please the most noble man in the world, whom else could she please? Whom else could she rely on?
Soon, a dazzling lady appeared at the entrance of the hall, bowing to welcome the imperial carriage.
"This concubine welcomes the imperial carriage..."
"Hmph!"
Qi Yun snorted coldly as he strode in without even glancing at Consort Xue.
Consort Xue’s heart chilled, as she vaguely sensed something was wrong.
Indeed!
A teacup was hurled directly at her; Consort Xue was terrified but dared not move an inch.
"Crash!"
The teacup shattered, splashing tea all over her.
"Chang Wenxue, look at the good son you have raised!"
The Emperor’s voice was loud; everyone in Feixue Palace heard it. The palace maids and eunuchs were all kneeling, with Chang Wenxue even more frightened, kneeling on the ground, bewildered, "Your Majesty, I do not know what I have done wrong..."
"Don’t know? Ha, that Wang Ren, isn’t he with Third Prince?"
"This..."
Chang Wenxue’s heart tightened abruptly. She knew a little about court matters, knew that her son had gathered a group of people in the struggle for succession. She was also helping him compete from the harem, but who was Wang Ren? She really did not know!
Qi Yun saw her panicked and confused state, and his anger gradually dissipated. He waved his hand, "Go, summon that unfilial son back!"
The Third Prince Qi Junyi was currently outside and not in the capital, so Qi Yun asked Consort Xue to call him back.
Chang Wenxue was puzzled, "You want me to go?"
"Just say that you miss your son and want him to come back."
Chang Wenxue hesitated only for a moment before she understood the Emperor’s intention.
If she were to summon Qi Junyi back herself, it would be a matter between mother and son. However, if the Emperor ordered him back, it would become a court matter. In that case, her son would suffer, and his opponents would pounce like wolves scenting blood.
Moreover, the Emperor had personally come to say these words and had vented his anger at her upon arriving. This was a cover-up. In the eyes of outsiders, the Emperor had come here to vent his anger, and feeling sad, she called her son back for comfort... 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮
Once she figured this out, the trace of discontent in her heart vanished instantly, overwhelmed with joy, as it showed the Emperor still cared for them as mother and child!
"Yes, I will go immediately. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"
Chang Wenxue rose slowly, sneaking a glance at Qi Yun, her eyes flickering with affection, "Your Majesty, would you like to have some food before you leave? I’ve been cultivating my body and made some small snacks. If Your Majesty doesn’t mind..."
"Hmm, I happen to be a bit hungry, bring it up!"
"Yes, I will go right away!"
The women of the harem are not simple. Even if cast into the Cold Palace, as long as they can see the Emperor, they can turn the situation around.
...
When Li Qingmu returned, he was followed by a eunuch, some officials, and a squad of soldiers.
They had come to handle Wang Ren’s case.
Confiscate property, execute him!
At the Wang Family’s entrance, there was a cacophony of cries and wails, some shouting for justice, others pleading, and some claiming no connection to the Wang Family...but it was all in vain. The Emperor meant to make an example, and what was a mere Sixth rank Official?
"By the Emperor’s decree, Wang Ren illicitly mined iron, plotted rebellion, and has betrayed the imperial grace. Confiscate his property and execute him at the Meridian Gate to make an example. All other males are to be exiled to borderlands; females will serve as prostitutes in military camps!"
The eunuch, holding a horsetail whisk, loudly pronounced the Emperor’s decree.
"Eunuch Xiao Chen, what about those craftsmen..."
Li Qingmu slightly bowed to the eunuch as a sign of respect. This man was the adopted son of Chen Zhong, known as Eunuch Xiao Chen, and a close confidant of the Emperor.
Many courtiers looked down on eunuchs, thinking that without their manhood, they had no power to converse with them. Yet, these were the people who could sometimes deliver a crucial blow!
Hence, it was essential to maintain good relations with them.
Eunuch Xiao Chen, seeing Li Qingmu being respectful, was pleased and said, "The Emperor also said that for those craftsmen, if any incident occurs, the matter will be investigated thoroughly, without leniency. Imperial Censor Li, you can rest assured!"
"In that case, thank you, Sir Eunuch!"
Just as Eunuch Xiao Chen was about to leave after completing his task, he suddenly turned and said, "You cunning boy, but the Emperor still favors you. Do you know why the Emperor placed you in the position of Imperial Censor?"
"I..."
Li Qingmu wanted to answer, but Eunuch Xiao Chen simply turned and left.
"This Eunuch Xiao Chen is warning me on behalf of the Emperor!"
Li Qingmu thought to himself, realizing that the Emperor was still resentful about him feigning leave to go on an excursion.
The Emperor’s heart is like a needle at the bottom of the ocean; being a minister is like accompanying a tiger. It’s truly difficult!
...
"Execute!"
At the execution ground outside the Meridian Gate, Wang Ren was tightly bound, blindfolded, and gagged, unable to see or speak, utterly oppressed.
But perhaps he was more despairing than anything else!
With the command, a hand lifted, the blade fell, and his head flew, blood splattering three feet!
The onlookers let out cries of shock. A mother covered her child’s eyes, but the screams around them frightened the child to cry out.
The execution ground was already noisy, and now it was even more tumultuous.
"Thank you, benefactor!"
Over thirty craftsmen slowly knelt to express their gratitude to Li Qingmu, but he quickly asked them to rise.
"Don’t do this. This is outside the Imperial City. Kneeling to me isn’t expressing gratitude but harming me. If ill-intentioned individuals see, we will all be in trouble!"
Kneeling in gratitude is acceptable, but having so many people kneel made it a spectacle if witnessed.
Under the Imperial City, pulling such a move, what is the intent? Rebellion?
The scene of a group of people kneeling and expressing gratitude is reserved for the Emperor, no?
"Benefactor, now that Wang Ren has been executed, are we safe?"
One of the craftsmen, still uneasy, asked worriedly.
"Rest assured, everything is fine. Furthermore, the eunuch close to the Emperor came personally to say if anything happens to you next, they will investigate thoroughly. Amidst the current winds, who would dare trouble you?"
"But..." The craftsman hesitated, "They might not do anything now, but what about later? We’re just commoners, our arms can’t twist theirs. We’re safe now, but what about in the future, our children’s generations?"
Li Qingmu was taken aback; these craftsmen were thinking even further ahead than he did? Concerned about future generations?
"Benefactor, to tell you the truth, someone in our village once offended a noble and was beaten to death. His family reported it to the Capital Prefect, and that noble was punished, promising no retaliation. Yet, after only three years, the entire family was burned alive in their home. Wouldn’t you say that was retaliation by that noble?"
Li Qingmu remained silent.
This old man’s words were true enough.
A gentleman’s revenge, ten years is not too late...
"What are you afraid of? From now on, you all follow this young mistress, and I guarantee no one will touch you!"
As the atmosphere was tense, a clear and melodious voice suddenly rang out from the side.
