His tone was not harsh, even a little cold, but these few words hit everyone's heart like a heavy hammer.
All the civil and military officials in the hall were silent.
Concubine Shu stared at him blankly, a smile slowly forming on the corner of her mouth, and she repeated in a low voice:
"greedy……"
Her smile became increasingly cold, her lips trembled slightly, and she slowly turned to Yuan Heng, the hatred in her eyes almost swallowing her.
"Heng'er..."
She murmured, as if that was still the obedient child in her arms.
But that call was so cold that it made people shudder.
"I told you not to bow your head!"
Before she finished speaking, she suddenly pulled out the short blade from the guard's waist, and with a flash of cold light, she stabbed it straight into her heart!
“Mother—!!”
Yuan Heng's face changed drastically and he stretched out his hand suddenly, but it was too late!
The blade pierced into the flesh with resolute force. Concubine Shu's body trembled violently. The intense pain made her face turn pale in an instant, and blood suddenly flowed out from the corner of her lips, a glaring red.
She staggered a step and slowly fell to her knees. The pool of blood quickly spread on the glazed floor tiles of the Golden Throne Hall, like a blooming blood lotus.
She raised her head slightly, her eyes began to blur, but there was still a strange smile on the corner of her lips, and she murmured softly:
"Heng'er... Mother finally... cleared everything for you..."
The sound became lower and lower, and finally fell into silence.
Yuan Heng knelt beside her, stroking her sleeve with trembling fingers. His throat was rolling, but he couldn't say a word.
He clenched his teeth, closed his eyes, and slowly rested his forehead on the cold tiles.
There was dead silence in the hall.
Emperor Xuan stood in front of the steps, his hands behind his back, watching this scene with a complicated look in his eyes.
…
After Emperor Xuan woke up, assisted by Yuan Cheng, he swept the court with thundering means and uprooted all forces with disloyal intentions.
Aristocratic families, factions within the court, those who colluded with the Northern Qiang and the Southern Yue...
No one was spared.
The entire political situation changed dramatically. People who were powerful yesterday were now executed along with their entire families, exiled to the frontier, or imprisoned for life.
Many old nobles fell from the clouds into the mud overnight, without even a chance to breathe.
The whole government was shaken, everyone was in a state of panic, and everyone was in danger.
At the same time, the Huo family once again became the target of public criticism.
Although Huo Yan made great military achievements in the Battle of Northern Qiang, it was already a foregone conclusion that Huo Pingchang was collaborating with the enemy and committing treason.
Many ministers wrote to the emperor, arguing that even if Huo Yan was innocent, the Huo family would not be able to escape punishment.
On the day after the coup, the second wife of the Huo family and Huo Zhengze sounded the drum to report the incident. They appeared before the emperor at the morning court and personally presented the evidence of Huo Pingchang's treason.
Letters, documents with the private seal of the former king of Northern Qiang, and the military map album left by Huo Pingchang...
All the evidence was sealed intact in a sandalwood box.
These things were originally items left behind by Huo Pingchang to reach a cooperation agreement with the former king of Northern Qiang.
They were all brought to completion by Helian Yu and hidden under the incense table in the Huo family ancestral hall where the ancestors were worshipped.
"Your humble servant dares to plead guilty!" The second wife of the Huo family knelt in the hall, her voice firm and neither humble nor arrogant.
She spoke each word with great emphasis, "Huo Pingchang, your crime is unforgivable!"
All the ministers were shocked.
The Huo family actually made Huo Pingchang's evidence of guilt public?
What is even more surprising is that Mrs. Huo did not make excuses for the Huo family, but resolutely pleaded guilty.
Emperor Xuan's eyes were gloomy. After a while, he said in a deep voice:
"This case has been handed over to the Dali Temple for retrial, and the old case in the Wind Valley will be thoroughly investigated."
At the same time, he slowly looked at Huo Yan, his eyes deep, as if he wanted to see through him completely.
"Huo Yan."
Hearing his name, Huo Yan took a step forward and bowed slightly.
Emperor Xuan's voice was steady, carrying the unquestionable majesty of a king:
"From now on, you are relieved of all your military duties."
As soon as this decree was issued, there was another uproar in the palace.
Huo Yan had outstanding military achievements and was feared throughout the border, but now he has been stripped of his military power?
But he himself remained expressionless, lowered his eyes to receive the order, and spoke calmly:
"Your Majesty, I obey your command."
He has always been like this, unperturbed by fame or disgrace, and so calm that it inspires awe.
…
Since that day, Huo Yan has been unemployed at home.
He no longer went to the military camp or attended court.
He was at ease helping Yuan Zhao to renovate the garden at the princess's mansion.
The Princess's Mansion suffered the most damage in this palace coup.
Most of the garden was almost burned down.
Yuan Zhao didn't know where to start the repairs.
Fortunately, Huo Yan had some free time, so he took a few children with him and rebuilt the main courtyard bit by bit, starting from the most severely damaged part.
Yuan Zhao naturally knew everything that happened before and after the palace coup.
But she had no say in political affairs.
What's more, since the day of the palace coup, Yuan Cheng had only come here once or twice in a hurry.
He came to see Song Yunci and the two children, asked Yuan Zhao to take care of them for a while, and told her not to worry about anything else.
Come quickly and go quickly.
Yuan Zhao looked at Huo Yan's completely indifferent expression and felt a little overthinking at night.
She thought that after things calmed down a little, she would go to the palace to see her father and find out what he thought.
Just as she was thinking about all this, the person behind her pulled her into his arms and covered her eyes with his hands.
I could feel her long eyelashes trembling slightly, and a low and slightly hoarse voice was in my ears.
"Can't sleep?"
The familiar magnetism is even more seductive in the night.
Yuan Zhao fluttered her eyelashes slightly, took his hand, interlocked her fingers with his, and whispered,
"It's okay... I'm a bit picky about my bed."
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