"Your Highness..."
Qin Yunyun called out in a trembling voice, holding Pearl and not knowing what to do.
Su Qinghe ignored her, his eyes still fixed on Su Qingcai, and sneered, "Are you satisfied now?"
"Satisfied, of course I'm satisfied!" Su Qingcai's smile grew even wider, and he even clapped his hands. "Madam Qin is willing to forgive my sins and not hold Su Xiaoning's mistakes against her. What a compassionate heart she has! Who wouldn't be satisfied!"
On the surface, it was a compliment, but to Qin Yunyun and Su Qinghe, it sounded extremely grating.
The people cheered, and it was too late to back out at that point; they could only swallow their pride and suffer the loss.
The die is cast. In order to maintain a good image in front of the people, Qin Yunyun was forced to suppress her discomfort and walked around the door with Pearl in her arms, her smile extremely stiff.
"Madam Qin is indeed very magnanimous!" Su Qingcai clapped again.
"However, it was only a public statement of forgiveness. How many people will remember it after the crowd disperses? Su Xiaoning is still imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice. Since Madam Qin has already forgiven Su Xiaoning, let's go to the palace together to see the Emperor and clarify this matter!"
He was forcing Qin Yunyun to say she would release Su Xiaoning, which was worse than killing her.
However, Qin Yunyun was caught in a dilemma and could only nod under the oppressive gaze of the people.
Su Qinghe's eyes were practically spitting fire. Recalling the miserable state he was in yesterday's Ministry of Justice prison, where he was besieged by rats, and now Su Xiaoning was about to be released unscathed, his dissatisfaction gradually spread.
Su Qingcai ignored Su Qinghe's hateful gaze, waved his hand, and soon Ding Yi arrived in a carriage.
He gestured for her to enter and smiled at Qin Yunyun: "Mrs. Qin, please."
Qin Yunyun felt a deep sadness. She lowered her head and walked onto the carriage, her eyes remaining dim the entire way, unable to utter a single word.
After entering the palace, the group knelt before the emperor. Qin Yunyun said, "Your Majesty, I was truly ignorant before and hurt the harmony of our family. Now I have figured it out. Since Miss Su did not intend to harm me, please release her."
"Oh? You've thought it through?" The emperor looked at Qin Yunyun with great interest; this change in attitude was quite surprising.
Qin Yunyun was caught in a dilemma and had no choice but to nod against her will.
The emperor readily agreed. He had originally favored Su Qingcai and hadn't intended to make things too difficult for Su Xiaoning. Now that Qin Yunyun had relented, he immediately ordered Su Xiaoning to be pardoned and released from the Ministry of Justice prison.
Su Qingcai finally felt relieved and ordered someone to send Qin Yunyun back before rushing to the Ministry of Justice.
When he entered the cell, Su Xiaoning was still chattering away, trying to get close to the beggar.
"...It's so boring in prison, do you really think you can get through it? Hey, why are you always so quiet?"
The beggar looked impatient and had no intention of communicating with Su Xiaoning. He simply grabbed a few straws from under him, covered his face with them, and ignored Su Xiaoning's cries.
Su Xiaoning was still unwilling to give up and wanted to continue talking to the beggar. She had just opened her mouth when she suddenly heard a familiar voice in her ear.
"I was so worried about you, but you seemed to be having a good time in jail?"
"Su Qingcai!" Su Xiaoning turned around with a look of surprise and delight, only to see Su Qingcai walk into the cell and look at her with a smile.
She instinctively wanted to rush over, but then she remembered yesterday's argument and hesitated, standing still, too afraid to go.
"You're not trying to take me away again, are you? I told you I can stay here temporarily, so don't disobey the Emperor's decree."
"Why do you always think I'm disobeying the imperial decree instead of thinking that I've already obtained the Emperor's consent?" Su Qingcai shook his head helplessly, walked closer to Su Xiaoning, and hugged her.
"Don't worry, the matter has been resolved. The Emperor has issued an edict ordering me to take you home."
"Really?" Su Xiaoning was pleasantly surprised, her eyes sparkling with tiny stars as she smiled.
She stopped resisting and happily followed Su Qingcai out, but suddenly remembered something. She stopped at the cell door, pointed to the beggar in the next cell, and said, "But what will happen to him if I leave? Why don't we think of a way to get him out too?"
Su Qingcai felt a little uncomfortable that Su Xiaoning was still thinking about this beggar of unknown origin even as they were about to leave. However, considering that it was the beggar who had given him the hint, he said softly, "Okay, I'll find a way to rescue him when I get back."
Su Xiaoning was relieved and turned to tell the beggar the good news, but the beggar suddenly sat up and said impatiently, "Can you stop flattering me? I'm happy to stay here, so don't waste your time!"
After saying that, he glared fiercely at Su Xiaoning, then huddled in the corner and refused to look at them again.
Su Xiaoning opened her mouth, wanting to persuade him, but felt extremely embarrassed.
Su Qingcai sighed and said softly, "Never mind, let him be."
"Hmm..." Su Xiaoning nodded somewhat uncomfortably, but did not force the beggar, and followed Su Qingcai out.
On the way back, Su Xiaoning asked Su Qingcai how he saved her. Su Qingcai did not hide anything and told her the whole story in detail.
After hearing this, Su Xiaoning looked worried: "Although this method is good, won't Little Pearl be unhappy? It was kicked quite badly, and now it has to cooperate with your acting. It's too uncomfortable. I'll have to comfort it properly when I get back."
Upon hearing this, Su Qingcai was both amused and exasperated: "Don't you think about the hardships you've endured yourself, yet you still care about a dog's feelings?"
"Pearls mean something different to me!" Su Xiaoning pouted and said angrily.
Su Qingcai couldn't help but find it a little funny. He pretended to be hurt and said in a low voice, "Do you only care about dogs and not people? I've been running around doing things for you, and you, you heartless little thing, are only concerned about other things, like a dog!"
He acted so convincingly that Su Xiaoning actually thought he was sad. She was startled and quickly took his arm and clung tightly to him.
"I'm sorry, please don't be angry. I was just thinking of you because I appreciated you. I didn't think things through earlier. I feel very safe with you here."
As long as Su Qingcai is around, she will never have to worry about anything happening to her.
Su Qingcai was very pleased with Su Xiaoning's dependence and affection. The gloom on his face disappeared, and he looked at Su Xiaoning with a smile, saying gently, "I'm willing to do anything for you, but don't say you have to stay in jail next time. Your safety comes first."
"I understand." Su Xiaoning nodded like a chick pecking at rice.
The two walked back to the palace arm in arm, the warm light of the setting sun casting long shadows, making their backs look exceptionally warm.
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