Chapter 536 Emperor Xiaozhao's Attitude
Yan Jin shook his head earnestly, "Your Majesty, I have no doubts. I came to the palace only to apologize and to remind Your Majesty that the people in the palace need to be cleaned up."
"Ha, you've even dared to interfere in my palace?" Emperor Xiaozhao scoffed, clearly not believing him.
Yan Jin straightened his back and spoke again: "If Your Majesty wants my life, there are a thousand ways, there is no need to go through such a roundabout way."
"Furthermore, if His Majesty were truly plotting against me, the person who sent the message to Feng Yudie wouldn't be a lowly eunuch, nor would he openly admit that he was commissioned by Chief Eunuch Liu. Such behavior clearly indicates that someone is trying to frame His Majesty and sow discord between me and His Majesty."
"Thirdly, Your Majesty knows my feelings for my wife. Your Majesty has a handle on me, which makes it even more certain that I will be used by Your Majesty. A handle that is known to everyone will only become a rumor and will not be of any use."
Emperor Xiaozhao smiled, now truly believing that Yan Jin had no doubts about him. "You've thought things through quite clearly."
"Alright, go out of the palace, pack up, and head back to the West Mountain camp to continue training the troops."
Yan Jin looked at Emperor Xiaozhao with surprise and asked cautiously, "Then what about the matter of me killing Feng Yudie..."
Emperor Xiaozhao feigned ignorance and said, "Who killed Feng Yudie? When Feng Yudie died, weren't you ordered to train troops at the Xishan camp?"
"If no one is in the capital, how could Feng Yudie be killed?"
With a smile playing on his lips, Yan Jin kowtowed to Emperor Xiaozhao with tears of gratitude, saying sincerely, "Your Majesty's kindness is etched in my heart. I will repay Your Majesty's grace with the utmost loyalty and gratitude!"
Emperor Xiaozhao waved his hand with a warm smile, "Hurry up and go."
"Your subject takes his leave!" Yan Jin bowed and withdrew.
After he left, Emperor Xiaozhao looked at Liu Xin, who was still kneeling on the ground, and said, "Go and find out who that little eunuch Feng Yudie mentioned is. Also, clean up the rats in the palace."
Upon hearing Emperor Xiaozhao's instructions, Liu Xin breathed a long sigh of relief, finally putting his mind at ease.
"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty! I will do it immediately!"
Liu Xin stood up shakily, subconsciously raising his hand to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.
"Ha, look at your pathetic self."
Emperor Xiaozhao scoffed disdainfully, "Learn from the Earl of Enping. He killed people and set fires, yet he still dared to brazenly come before me to confess."
"Compared to him, tsk tsk..."
Emperor Xiaozhao's disdain was palpable in his words.
Liu Xin smiled obsequiously and said, "The Earl of Enping only dares to be so fearless because of His Majesty's favor. In the end, it is because His Majesty is magnanimous and tolerant towards the Earl of Enping."
Emperor Xiaozhao smiled, which was taken as tacit agreement.
"Go ahead, and while you're at it, give the order that after the Earl of Enping leaves the capital, the soldiers who opened the city gates to let him in last night should keep their mouths shut."
Liu Xin quickly replied, "This servant understands. The Earl of Enping has been at the Xishan camp and did not return to the capital yesterday."
As for the city gate guards today, if the Earl of Enping isn't stupid, he won't reveal his identity when he leaves the city.
Was the Earl of Enping's family foolish? The answer is, of course, no.
***
On the other side, Qiao Qinghe woke up in the morning and just learned that Uncle Wu had been sent back. Then she heard the news that the young princess of the Shun'an Prince's Mansion had been murdered.
Qiao Qinghe hadn't expected Yan Jin's methods to be so decisive. She couldn't help but worry about him.
However, now is not the time to worry about Yan Jin; she must first keep the servants from finding out about this.
"Give the order that no one is allowed to speak ill of the Earl of Enping. Anyone who can't control their tongue can forget about having one."
Madam He nodded quickly, "Don't worry, Madam, I'll go and make the arrangements right away."
After Madam He left, Qiao Qinghe tidied up and, under the pretense of visiting Uncle Wu in the front yard, went to see Su Rongrong herself.
However, when she arrived, Uncle Wu was talking to Su Rongrong.
“…Miss, I never thought I would see you again before I die!” Uncle Wu sat on the bed, looking at Su Rongrong sitting beside him, tears streaming down his face.
At this moment, Uncle Wu's hair had turned completely white, and he had become extremely thin. More importantly, there were many whip marks on his face and body. It was clear that he had suffered a lot in the past two days.
"Uncle Wu, don't say such things. I won't let you die. You should focus on recovering. Once you're healed, I'll take you back to the Earl of Enping's residence. I'll never let you leave my side again."
Su Rongrong held Wu Bo's withered hand, filled with regret.
After she got married, Uncle Wu insisted on going to the estate to live out his old age and refused to stay in the mansion.
She only agreed after seeing that Uncle Wu was determined to leave.
But this is what happened.
From now on, she would never let Uncle Wu leave her, no matter what.
“Miss, I… I’ve grown accustomed to life on the estate. I still want to go back to the estate…”
"No! I disagree!"
As the two were arguing, a voice announced from outside the door: "The old lady has arrived."
Qiao Qinghe stepped into the house.
Su Rongrong quickly got up to greet her.
Uncle Wu also struggled to get up and get out of bed.
Qiao Qinghe quickly raised her hand to signal Uncle Wu not to move: "You are injured, so don't get out of bed."
"Thank you for your consideration, Madam!" Uncle Wu bowed to Qiao Qinghe while sitting on the bed.
"Grandmother, why are you up so early? Did I disturb you?" Su Rongrong asked, feeling a little guilty.
She had heard that Uncle Wu had been found and was so excited that the maids around her started shouting and yelling as well.
Qiao Qinghe waved her hand, "It's okay, I was already awake by then."
Not wanting to dwell on this trivial topic any longer, Qiao Qinghe changed the subject, saying, "I overheard you and your servants discussing Uncle Wu's future plans at the door just now."
Su Rongrong nodded shyly, "After this happened, I wanted Uncle Wu to stay with me. But Uncle Wu insisted on refusing. Grandmother, you've come at the perfect time. Please help me persuade him."
Qiao Qinghe patted Su Rongrong's hand and looked at Uncle Wu with a smile.
Uncle Wu subconsciously avoided Qiao Qinghe's gaze and said firmly, "Madam, please don't try to persuade me on Miss's behalf. I will not stay in the Earl's Mansion."
Qiao Qinghe sighed inwardly and turned to Su Rongrong, saying, "Go outside and wait for me. I need to speak with Uncle Wu alone for a few minutes."
Su Rongrong nodded quickly, "Then Grandmother, please persuade Uncle Wu for me."
With that, he took Aqi and Aqin out the door.
After everyone left, Qiao Qinghe lowered her voice and asked Uncle Wu, "Do you know who saved you?"
After a moment of silence, Uncle Wu said, "I know, it's the Earl of Enping."
Qiao Qinghe continued, "He could have chosen not to save you, or even used the opportunity to get rid of you. But he still had you brought back unharmed."
Uncle Wu frowned and said stiffly, "I know he did all this for my young lady."
If he could, he would rather die quickly and cleanly.
This way, you won't have to bear the condemnation and torment of your conscience.
For the past two years, he has lived a comfortable and carefree life on the estate, but he has always been unable to eat or sleep properly.
The inner turmoil and torment caused his hair to turn white in just two years. His already slim body became extremely thin, like a stick.
He had thought about suicide countless times, but when he thought about how heartbroken his young mistress would be after his death, and how helpless and lost she would be without him by her side when trouble came, he couldn't bring himself to die.
So he endured this torment, just waiting for the day God would take him away.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com