Chapter 206 Settling the Matter

Although the Imperial Concubine is now a prisoner, she still harbors illusions about the Emperor and therefore doesn't take Xiao Jue seriously at all.

Seeing that Xiao Jue could now stand up, the Consort showed little surprise. She simply said coldly, "You think I'm the one who ruined you, but in fact, it's all your own fault for being too outstanding. The nail that sticks out gets hammered down first. You deserve it!"

I knew you would say that.

Xiao Jue looked at her coldly, his eyes filled with pity.

"Now, it's time to settle things, so I'm going to return this sentence to you."

"After all, the only one who can take responsibility for this is you."

Xiao Jue had said everything he needed to say, and after he finished, he didn't linger. He turned around and walked outside, sitting in the wheelchair at the entrance of the Cold Palace.

He wasn't afraid of the Imperial Concubine finding out he had recovered, because Xiao Jue knew in his heart that the person who truly wanted to frame him wasn't the Imperial Concubine, nor was the person who wanted to suppress the Xiao family; it was the Emperor!

He is the one who possesses supreme power, the one who hides behind the woman.

However, Xiao Jue's current abilities do not support him in confronting the Emperor, so he can only endure it for now and deal with it later.

The Empress's expression changed as she looked at Xiao Jue, and she finally sighed helplessly: "There was a time when he was not like this."

"You know, that was before."

"Aunt, it's time for you to make a choice."

Xiao Jue knew that it would be too difficult to force him to make a choice at this point, but things had come to this point, and he had no choice but to choose.

The Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion.

Xiao Yanran looked at Xie Qingran with concern and whispered, "Sister-in-law, has something been wrong at home these days? You and brother don't look too good. Have we been naughty and caused you trouble?"

"Why would Yanran think that way? You're very good, especially well-behaved. Your sister-in-law likes you very much." Xie Qingran smiled gently and fiddled with the beaded flower in her hand. "Brother is just like that. He doesn't look well. Don't overthink it."

Although the children are not very old, they are all very sensitive, especially the two children from the Xiao family, who are both very obedient and well-behaved. They are both very sensitive and intelligent.

Whether something has happened at home or the atmosphere has changed, they are actually very clear about it.

Seeing that Xie Qingran didn't want to talk about these things, Xiao Yanran could only sigh helplessly, rest her chin on her hand, and whisper, "Sister-in-law, will you be alright? Will my brother die?"

Xiao Yanran is too young. The last time the Xiao family suffered a disaster, her father, older brother, and mother all died. Now, Xiao Yanran doesn't know what kind of price they will have to pay this time.

Xie Qingran looked at Xiao Yanran's slightly trembling pupils and felt a pang of heartache. Three years had passed, and it wasn't just Xiao Jue who couldn't get over it; these two children probably hadn't gotten over it either.

"No, I'll be fine, and your brother won't die either."

"We will all be fine, and we can live happily ever after."

Xie Qingran suddenly hugged Xiao Yanran, gently comforting her and making promises to her.

In fact, Xie Qingran felt just as nervous and scared as Xiao Yanran, but she was an adult now and couldn't show her cowardice in front of the child.

Xiao Yanran hadn't had a good night's sleep for several days. Now, after hearing Xie Qingran's promise, she finally breathed a sigh of relief and fell into a deep sleep in Xie Qingran's arms.

Seeing the child like this, Xie Qingran finally breathed a sigh of relief. She carefully put the child down, smiled gently, and then got up and strode outside.

Back in her room, Xie Qingran saw Xiao Jue sitting alone on the bed, his expression indifferent, seemingly lost in thought.

She walked over, smiled faintly at Xiao Jue, and sat down next to him, resting her head on his shoulder. The two of them were quiet and neither of them spoke, their heartbeats mingling, bringing them a sense of peace.

After a long while, Xiao Jue finally spoke, "Our future may become increasingly difficult, you... you need to be prepared."

“I was already prepared for this before I married you.”

"Your Highness, your opportunity is right in front of you."

Xie Qingran smiled gently and looked up at Xiao Jue.

"The general's greatest opportunity lies not in the court, but on the battlefield."

In at most a month, the rebels in the south will start making trouble. The military officers in the court are now all gone. At that time, Xiao Jue will be the only choice.

Xie Qingran couldn't say these things out loud yet; she just quietly looked at Xiao Jue.

“Your Highness, I know you are anxious, but now is not the time to be anxious. Right now, the most important thing is to stay calm. Things will always turn around.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jue was somewhat puzzled and frowned slightly as he looked at Xie Qingran: "What...do you mean?"

"It's nothing, let's rest." Xie Qingran didn't continue the topic, and simply pulled Xiao Jue down to lie down together, falling into a deep sleep.

Perhaps because she had said everything on her mind, Xie Qingran slept exceptionally soundly.

Seeing Xie Qingran asleep, Xiao Jue felt less anxious and more at peace.

In the past, Xiao Jue always thought of mutual destruction when doing things, but now, he wants to get out unscathed.

In the past, Xiao Jue's only belief in living was to seek revenge, but now, seeing Xie Qingran in his arms, he saw the hope to continue living and also had the courage to continue living.

The once vast Duke Zhenguo Mansion was now empty except for them. Xiao Jue was truly devastated at that time, and the hardship was so great that he almost couldn't go on living several times.

Now that Xie Qingran has arrived, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is no longer cold and indifferent; things are finally getting better.

The Imperial Palace.

The Fifth Prince looked at the Empress with some concern: "Mother, what exactly does Father mean now?"

"I don't know what he means either."

"Perhaps they wanted to protect the Imperial Concubine."

The Empress rubbed her temples wearily.

After so many years of marriage, the Empress actually understood the Emperor very well, and it was precisely because of this deep understanding that she felt so heartbroken.

Seeing the Empress's state, the Fifth Prince also began to have doubts: "Mother, can we really give the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion justice, and give the Xiao family army justice?"

"We must give them justice." The Empress clenched her fists, gritted her teeth, and looked at the Fifth Prince: "For so many years, the Zhenguo Duke's mansion has had more memorial tablets than living people, and Xiao Jue has lived a life worse than death. Why should the instigator go unpunished?"