"That's outrageous."
The emperor was furious and threw the memorial heavily to the ground, scaring the eunuchs around him so much that they dared not breathe.
Xiao Yujue picked up the memorial on the ground and took a look at it, frowning.
"Father, the robbers demanded a general amnesty before they would release the Turkic princess. This request... is a bit strange."
Everyone present was also surprised when they heard this.
Kidnapping a princess who came to marry a foreign prince was a capital crime punishable by the death of nine generations of her clan. Everyone thought that they dared to take such a big risk only for fame, fortune, or wealth.
A general amnesty...what good will it do for the robbers?
"What do you think, my dear ministers?"
"Your Majesty, since the founding of the country, there has only been one general amnesty. And it will also pardon death row prisoners." Shangguan Yue said seriously, "This is a very serious matter."
Some petty thieves were pardoned, as if they were given a chance to reform. Moreover, these people usually committed crimes again, so it was not difficult to catch them.
But it’s different for those serious criminals.
They are unforgivable criminals and deserve death. If we release them as well, how can we explain this to the victims and their families?
"Your Majesty, holding the Turkic princess hostage and demanding a general amnesty, could it be that... it was done by the family of a death row prisoner who will be executed soon?"
Mu Jingrui's suspicion made everyone fall into deep thought.
"It's not impossible." Although Shangguan Yue disliked Mu Jingrui, he was able to distinguish between public and private affairs.
The robber dared to risk his life to ask the emperor to grant amnesty, he must want to save someone in prison.
Who would do this if not for their loved ones?
"No matter what, I will never compromise. As the ruler of a country, how can I be hindered by such a petty person?"
The emperor regained his composure and said slowly, "Shangguan Aiqing, you must immediately gather all the files in the country and search for prisoners who are to be executed in the near future to see if you can find any clues to find out the true identity of the robber."
"I obey your order."
"Lord Mu, you must rush to the scene as soon as possible, meet with the robbers and do your best to delay time. It would be best if you can rescue the princess. If it really can't be resolved peacefully..." The emperor paused and said, "I will now grant you a gold medal, giving you the power to act at your own discretion and to mobilize nearby troops and horses at any time."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Mu Jingrui exchanged glances with Xiao Yujue calmly. After leaving the imperial study, the two of them dismissed their followers and chatted as they walked.
"Father is really amazing. He makes the two forces check and balance each other in everything he does."
When Xiao Yujue saw Mu Jingrui lowering his head and looking like he was troubled by something, she couldn't help but sigh secretly.
Ever since Shangguan Wanning left, Mu Jingrui has never smiled again.
"After you finish this matter, you can stay outside for a few more days. I will take care of your father's side. Take this opportunity to go to Yaowang Valley to see Princess An Ning."
When Shangguan Wanning was mentioned, Mu Jingrui's gloomy face became even gloomier, and his heart felt like it was sinking into an ice cellar.
Days passed by, and even if he went to find Shangguan Wanning now, it would probably be of no avail.
The next day, Mu Jingrui went to the Ministry of Personnel to make an explanation, and then left the capital with a dozen trusted followers in a legitimate manner.
All the way, he felt like someone was following him.
In the evening, Mu Jingrui and his men found an inn to stay in. After dinner, they returned to their rooms early to rest.
Late at night, Mu Jingrui was lying in bed with his eyes closed. He heard light footsteps approaching cautiously.
The bed curtain was gently lifted, and at that moment, Mu Jingrui grabbed the other person's neck with lightning speed.
What surprised him was that the other party did not resist at all.
"Is it you?"
With the faint light coming in through the gap in the window, Mu Jingrui saw the other person clearly and let go of his hand.
"What are you doing here?"
Facing Mu Jingrui's questioning, Chu Xiaolian stood there blankly, not knowing what to say for a moment.
After her injuries healed, she didn't know what to do next.
She couldn't go back to Soul-Catching Hall, and she didn't miss it; she could live in the place Mu Jingrui arranged for her until she grew old and died, but...
Great loneliness and sadness enveloped her at all times.
Chu Xiaolian knew that if she didn't go to see Mu Jingrui, she would die.
Mu Jingrui walked to the table and lit the candle, and the room became brighter. He clasped his arms across his chest and looked at Chu Xiaolian with sharp eyes.
"I...have nowhere to go. Can you let me stay with you and do something for you?"
Chu Xiaolian mustered up all her courage to make such a request.
"I don't have any women around me."
"I can dress up as a man... I can stay in women's clothes for the rest of my life..." Chu Xiaolian was afraid that Mu Jingrui would refuse, so she added, "You saved my life, and I want to repay you. At least, you don't have to worry that I will hurt you again."
"Besides, I know a lot about the martial arts world. I believe you will be able to use me in the future. Please... let me stay."
Mu Jingrui still had no expression on his face. He looked at Chu Xiaolian for a long time and said calmly, "If you follow me, you must abide by my rules."
"No problem." Chu Xiaolian was a little excited.
"Find a room in the inn and sleep there. Get up early tomorrow morning and start your journey. We won't wait for you if you are late."
Mu Jingrui's attitude was still cold, but it was a big change for Chu Xiaolian.
A happy smile appeared on her face and she turned and walked out.
Mu Jingrui couldn't sleep anymore. He walked to the window and opened it. Looking at the bright moon in the night sky, he felt a lot of melancholy in his heart.
"Ning'er, are you also looking at the moon now?" Mu Jingrui murmured to himself.
Over the next few days, the weather remained gloomy, as if a storm would hit at any time.
"Boss, good news."
A big man holding a steel knife ran in excitedly, bowed to the other brothers in the hall, and then looked at the man in white above him.
"Boss, I just came back from the foot of the mountain. I heard that a wealthy businessman from Nanjing is going back to his hometown with all his belongings and will pass by the foot of our mountain soon. This time he will make a fortune. I heard that the gold, silver and jewelry he brought with him this time add up to more than 100,000 taels."
When everyone heard this, they all smiled and became eager to take action.
The man in white put away his folding fan and said firmly, "There are important things to be done in the village recently. Let them go. We will not go down the mountain."
Everyone's smiles froze in an instant, and it was obvious that no one was happy.
"Boss, our village has not done business since the old village chief passed away. If this continues, will all the brothers be left with nothing?"
"That's right. You can't just sit there and do nothing. We finally captured a Turkic princess, but instead of asking the court for money, you decided to issue a general amnesty..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
