The Prince Wants to Assassinate Me Every Day-Chapter 1037 - 628: An Ning’s Fury (Part 3)
In the grand hall.
After a long stalemate.
Xiao Jinxing issued the imperial decree, "Bai Mowan and Bai Moyi have rebelled and colluded with the enemy, their crimes are heinous, and they shall be executed in public during the Qingming Festival. Gu Xingchuan intended to rebel, and for his treason, he shall also be executed in public during the Qingming Festival, and the Gu Family’s nine generations shall be confiscated!"
The ministers heard the Emperor’s decree.
All knelt to the ground, "The Emperor is wise, long live the Emperor!"
"Dismiss the court!"
With Xiao Jinxing’s command, he left the grand hall.
The grandeur in the hall was matched by the restraint afterwards.
"Your Majesty."
Song Yanqing exited the hall and came to see him by imperial order.
"To the Heavenly Prison," ordered Xiao Jinxing.
"To see Gu Xingchuan?" Song Yanqing asked.
"And Bai Mowan as well."
"Yes."
Song Yanqing answered respectfully.
He followed the Emperor out of the palace directly.
Song Yanqing actually thought the Emperor would first see the Empress, at least to explain in person.
But then he thought, explanations were futile.
The Empress would not listen at all.
...
Fengqi Palace.
Ultimately, after last night’s service, An Ning managed to get a decent sleep.
Though unaccomplished, it was physically exhausting.
Upon waking, and while the Palace Attendant helped her wash and dress, she directly asked, "Did the Emperor hold the morning court today?"
"To report to Your Majesty, the Emperor attended the morning court today and should have dismissed it by now."
An Ning felt a tightening in her chest.
Sudden fear came over her about death.
After all, having skipped court for so many days, the session today would surely address the matter of Gu Xingchuan’s disposition.
She pursed her lips, "Any news from the court?"
The Palace Attendant dared not speak.
An Ning’s eyes narrowed.
Through the copper mirror, she exerted immense pressure on the Palace Attendant.
The Palace Attendant hurriedly replied, "It is heard that the Emperor ordered the execution of the Bai Family and the Gu Family today, and the imperial notice has already been posted."
An Ning’s hand trembled slightly.
Her body seemed momentarily rigid as well.
"How are they to be dealt with?" An Ning asked.
The Palace Attendant, having served An Ning for so long, knew very well the Empress had always wanted to save Master Gu.
Which is why there had been extreme discord with the Emperor.
An Ning, seeing the Palace Attendant’s expression, knew the outcome wouldn’t be favorable.
"Speak!" An Ning’s tone grew heavier.
Normally, she would never address the Palace Attendant this way.
The Palace Attendant, terrified, kneeled to the ground, "Please calm down, Your Majesty."
An Ning looked at her coldly.
"Servant has heard that the Emperor wants to execute Bai Mowan and Bai Moyi in public, considering the Bai Family’s generations of loyalty, leaving one lineage untainted, not implicating nine generations."
"And Gu Xingchuan?" An Ning already knew Xiao Jinxing would do so.
Rebellion and collusion with the enemy make Bai Mowan and Bai Moyi’s death inevitable.
But Gu Xingchuan?!
Would Xiao Jinxing really be so cruel?!
"Master Gu..." The Palace Attendant answered tremblingly, "Master Gu will also be executed in public during the Qingming Festival."
An Ning’s hands trembled, her body was uncontrollably shaking.
The rouge on the dressing table fell to the ground due to her movement.
The sound of shattering filled the room.
As if...
The sound of a broken heart.
So, no matter what she did, Xiao Jinxing wouldn’t spare Gu Xingchuan.
He wouldn’t spare him for her...
She clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles seemed to turn white.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor has tried his best. Servant has heard that today in the court hall, all ministers threatened death, and the Emperor had no choice but to execute Master Gu, furthermore, Master Gu’s rebellion should have implicated the nine generations... Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"
The Palace Attendant looked in terror as the Empress strode out of the bedchamber.
With a determined expression, she charged out.
The Palace Attendant hurried after her.
An Ning went straight to Qiankun Hall.
The guards at the hall’s entrance dared not stop An Ning, her current appearance was too terrifying.
An Ning entered the grand hall.
Only Xiao Luming knelt on the couch, reading and writing. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
Seeing the Empress arrive, he quickly approached, "Greetings, Mother."
An Ning glanced at Xiao Luming, her fury suppressed continuously, "Where is your father?"
"Father has not returned since the morning court. Only I am here," Xiao Luming answered.
An Ning pressed her lips together.
Struggling to hide the intense turmoil within.
"Mother, is there something regarding Father? If Father comes back, I can have someone inform you," Xiao Luming said respectfully.
"There’s no need." An Ning turned to leave.
"Please wait, Mother." Xiao Luming’s small figure blocked An Ning’s path.
An Ning frowned.
"Mother, you are seeking Father to discuss Gu Xingchuan?" Xiao Luming said bluntly.
An Ning’s gaze grew cold, her tone sarcastic, "He instructed you to say this?!"
Assuming Xiao Jinxing had bribed Xiao Luming to persuade her.
Xiao Jinxing, truly cunning.
He knew exactly how to deal with people.
He knew how important Xiao Luming and An Youyou were to her.
So he sent them to persuade her.
"I asked about it. I also know Father issued the decree today to execute Gu Xingchuan," Xiao Luming replied respectfully.
"It is between me and Xiao Jinxing, you need not concern yourself." An Ning didn’t want to discuss it with Xiao Luming.
"Mother, Gu Xingchuan is a traitor, his intention to rebel is a matter of the Daxuan Kingdom’s court, not a personal issue of Father and Mother. As the current Crown Prince, I ought to know," Xiao Luming stated each word clearly.
An Ning frowned.
Xiao Luming, not minding An Ning’s scrutiny, spoke with a respectful yet exceptionally calm tone, "I believe Mother shouldn’t make things difficult for Father due to Gu Xingchuan. Father’s decision to execute Gu Xingchuan is reasonable and inevitable. If Mother holds a grudge against Father over Gu Xingchuan’s death, it is Mother’s folly. As an Empress, Mother should stand for the peace and stability of the kingdom and support Father, instead of opposing the ministers, causing court instability. I hope Mother can understand Father’s constraints."
An Ning just looked at Xiao Luming.
His humility and respect contrasted sharply with his aggressive words.
In less than a year back in the palace, Xiao Jinxing has truly taught Xiao Luming well.
So much like Xiao Jinxing’s heartless indifference.
"Did he tell you to say this to me?" An Ning didn’t get angry.
She wouldn’t get angry at Xiao Luming.
She was merely suppressing her anger.
Following her side for four years, staying with Xiao Jinxing for less than a year.
Xiao Luming had entirely become Xiao Jinxing’s person.
Even his conduct mirrored Xiao Jinxing.
Is it genetic inheritance or is Xiao Jinxing’s influence really that overwhelming?!
"It is what I wanted to tell Mother, nothing to do with Father. I even disagree with Father’s procrastination regarding Gu Xingchuan. Knowing Gu Xingchuan was doomed, he still chose to confront the ministers, tarnishing mutual reputation; as an Emperor, he shouldn’t engage in mutual destruction," Xiao Luming asserted righteously and reasoned earnestly.
