Everyone was terrified and dared not even lift their heads.
Su Weichuan's gaze fell on Su Rongqing, the only one with her head tilted back.
The tone is cold.
"Everyone kneel down and recite the Holy Virtues! Anyone who disobeys will be executed!"
After saying that, he turned around, picked up the wolf-hair brush, and continued to squat on the ground drawing talismans.
The Sacred Virtue Scripture was a scripture recited during pilgrimages to the divine spirits during the Great Zhou Dynasty.
It signifies submission to the gods, humility, and devotion in offering one's soul for prayer.
All of this is based on the prestige of royalty.
Su Weichuan, a mere subject, is hardly worthy of the emperor's woman kneeling and reciting the Sacred Virtue Scripture.
This is a betrayal of the royal family and a disrespect for the gods.
All the concubines looked at each other, none of them willing to do as instructed.
Su Rongqing was the first to kneel down.
Consort Wan was both anxious and afraid.
He leaned down and asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, we have never overstepped our bounds in relation to you. Now that the palace is sealed off, we certainly cannot escape. She is your father; could you please persuade him to spare us?"
The other concubines also echoed in hushed tones.
Su Rongqing knelt upright, turning her beautiful eyes to look at them blankly.
“He even killed my dowry maid. Do you think I have the ability to persuade him? Our only way to survive now is to obey and do as he says. As long as we can hold out until the patrol battalion breaks through the palace walls, we will all be saved.”
The concubines initially didn't believe it, but now, seeing Su Rongqing's appearance, they were somewhat convinced that she truly didn't know anything.
With no other options at the moment, the concubines had no choice but to kneel down one by one and, following Su Rongqing's recitation, all began to softly recite the Sacred Virtue Scripture.
...
Inside the Shuya Courtyard of the Ninth Prince's Mansion
That night, Mo Qingrui barely slept a wink.
I got up at dawn and, forcing myself to stay awake, went to the city gate to see off the coffin.
When they returned, Zhu Huaijun, Lu Ning, and Fu An'an all came to the Prince's Mansion.
They already knew about Jiang Zhao's situation and were afraid that Mo Qingrui might do something rash.
Being there can ease some of the tension.
Several women coaxed Mo Qingrui into eating some breakfast, but their attempts to comfort her were ineffective. They all eagerly awaited news of Jiang Qingwan and Liu Ruzhi's return from the city gate.
Song Yushu brewed tea.
"Qingrui, Yuying has arranged servants at the city gate. Once there is any news, it will be immediately sent back to the Prince's Mansion. If you are in a hurry, we will accompany you to the Jingzhao Prefecture to see Jiang Zhao."
Mo Qingrui shook her head.
My eyes are red and swollen, and I can barely open them.
“Going there will only make things worse. Besides, the Wang family won’t come to see Liu Ruzhi. If I show up, I’ll definitely get entangled, and who knows how many rumors of officials protecting each other will spread. I don’t want to deal with that old lady Wang either. If she comes to the Prince’s Mansion to cause trouble, you won’t have any peace and quiet.”
Zhu Huaijun nodded.
"The old lady of the Wang family is indeed a difficult person. Taking advantage of her age, she is quite unreasonable. Now that she has the imperial edict in hand, she is even more fearless. We can only wait for Liu Ruzhi to return. Even if we can't catch the murderer, as long as there is a new clue, given Liu Ruzhi's temperament, she will definitely drag it out until the emperor returns from Xuanling Mountain before making a decision. That way, we will have more things to do to find new evidence."
Lu Ning had confirmed her pregnancy and looked slightly tired.
"I have already asked my father to find several other vice-chief academies to mediate and appease the public opinion within the Imperial Academy. As long as the case is verified, the Prince Consort's reputation in the Imperial Academy will not be affected, so you don't need to worry, sister."
Mo Qingrui no longer cared about this.
She looked at the group with gratitude.
His voice was hoarse. "Thank you."
Fu An'an gently patted her wrist with the handkerchief in her hand.
Her eyes were also red.
“I know I shouldn’t be saying discouraging things at this time, but if we really can’t find any evidence, sister, we need to make plans as soon as possible. I have connections with merchants on the waterways and can help you leave the capital safely. The government won’t think of me; they will definitely be watching the movements of the Ninth Prince’s Mansion and the Princess’s Mansion. If we act sooner, we will surely succeed.”
Although everyone felt it was inappropriate.
But this case is really strange. If Jiang Zhao is really wrongfully killed, and they were able to save him but didn't, then no one will be able to live in peace afterward.
The atmosphere in the hall gradually became tense.
The conversation was quickly broken by a burst of noisy footsteps coming from the courtyard.
Mo Qingrui immediately got up to look, only to find that the person who came was not Yu Ying, who was waiting for news, but Zheng Qing.
Everyone hurriedly greeted each other.
Zheng Qing, disregarding the fact that they were all female guests, rushed inside with an extremely unpleasant expression.
"Something terrible has happened."
Mo Qingrui almost fainted on the spot.
"It's Aunt Jiu and the others..."
"No, it's Su Weichuan."
Zheng Qing took a breath. "Su Weichuan led his troops into the palace, intending to rebel."
Everyone looked at each other blankly, their minds completely blank, clearly unable to process what was happening for a moment.
Song Yushu was stunned for several moments before stepping forward and asking again.
"What did you say? Su Weichuan rebelled?"
Zheng Qing nodded.
"He has now taken control of the entire palace. He has also killed many imperial guards, and their bodies have been thrown over the palace walls. He was ruthless, and their deaths were gruesome. This old man has probably gone mad."
"You all stay in the palace and don't go anywhere. I'll go to the city gate now and wait for Yun Han."
After he finished speaking, he turned and walked out.
Qing Sui immediately stood in front of her.
“Uncle, I’ll go with you. If the Prince has something to do, I can escort the Princess back.”
Zheng Qing thought it made sense.
"Let's go together then."
Lian'er and Li Dou also heard the commotion and came over. Upon hearing this, Lian'er immediately looked at Li Dou.
Li Dou nodded, grabbed his weapon, and quickly followed.
Inside the main hall, Song Yushu and the others were all incredulous.
Even Mo Qingrui didn't know whether to worry about whether the capital was doomed or whether Jiang Zhao was about to be beheaded.
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