Chapter 456 Request for Divorce
"I'm sure you all know why I summoned you. I won't waste any more words."
Emperor Xiaozhao stated bluntly, "Shang'an has been destroyed, and the marriage alliance is now over."
"It's time to give an explanation for the rewards and punishments given to you."
The King of Chu stepped forward first, saying, “Father, regarding the marriage alliance, as the commander of the escort team, I failed to protect my seventh sister and my soldiers, and even caused innocent civilians to suffer. My crimes are unforgivable. I beg Father to forgive my offenses.”
Li Sanqi also knelt down and begged for forgiveness, saying, "Father, I failed to fulfill my mission of marriage alliance and married the Crown Prince of Da'er. Please punish me, Father."
Emperor Xiaozhao glanced at the two of them, said nothing, and then looked at Lady Min Qiao.
Just as Lady Min Qiao was about to say something, Emperor Xiaozhao's gaze swept past her and landed on Min Pan'er.
"Min Pan'er, right?"
“I am indeed the commoner,” Min Pan’er quickly knelt down and replied.
Do you know why I summoned you here as well?
"I do not know."
"The King of Chu has already told me about the grievances you suffered during your trip to Daxi," Emperor Xiaozhao said in a gentle and easygoing manner. "Is there anything you desire?"
"This humble woman dares not."
"Speak freely. This is a favor that the King of Chu obtained for you. If you miss this opportunity, there won't be another one."
Emperor Xiaozhao stared intently at Min Pan'er.
The fake princess, a member of the Min family from Huizhou, suffered humiliation in Da'e, yet she stubbornly returned alive, almost causing his two children to turn against each other because of her.
Most importantly, during the Da-e incident, he met with Min-gi alone.
Upon returning, he led a suspicious old beggar into a branch of the Min family.
Tsk tsk, no matter how you look at it, Min Pan'er is inextricably linked to Min Ji!
Min Pan'er gritted her teeth and said in a trembling voice, "This humble woman, what is it that you ask for? Will His Majesty grant it?"
Emperor Xiaozhao narrowed his eyes slightly and said calmly, "Tell me about it."
Min Pan'er took a deep breath before saying, "This commoner does not know why His Majesty sent troops to surround the Min family, nor does she know if the Min family in Huizhou has also encountered any trouble."
"You want me to spare the Min family?"
“No.” Min Pan’er quickly waved her hand. “I am of lowly status and dare not ask His Majesty to forgive all the members of the Min family. I only ask His Majesty to forgive my concubine in the Min family in Huizhou.”
"You only ask that I spare your aunt? Your father, grandmother, won't you plead for them?"
“I was raised by my aunt. But my father and grandmother only treated me as a commodity,” Min Qiao said neither humbly nor arrogantly. “I only want my aunt to live.”
"She is indeed a filial daughter who clearly distinguishes between gratitude and resentment," Emperor Xiaozhao praised, nodding in agreement, "I grant your permission."
"No matter what punishment the Min family will face next, you and your aunt will be pardoned."
"In addition, I will bestow upon you a mansion in the capital and three thousand taels of silver to ensure that you and your daughter will have no worries about food and clothing for the rest of your lives."
"This humble woman kowtows to express her gratitude to Your Majesty!" Min Pan'er kowtowed deeply and remained so for a long time. She looked extremely moved and grateful.
Emperor Xiaozhao turned his gaze back to Lady Min Qiao, "You're also from the Min family, what do you say?"
Madam Min's lips twitched, and she immediately retorted, "Your Majesty, I am no longer a member of the Min family!"
Emperor Xiaozhao chuckled lightly, "Your late husband was from the Marquis of Xuanping's household, and your son was also the Marquis of Xuanping. At the beginning of the year, you were still the Grand Madam of the Marquis of Xuanping's household. Now you're telling me you're not a member of the Min family?"
Madam Min took out a package from her bosom and presented it with both hands.
Upon seeing this, Liu Xin quickly stepped forward to take the item, checked it thoroughly, and then presented it to Emperor Xiaozhao with both hands.
Emperor Xiaozhao took it, opened it, glanced at it, and then tossed it aside.
He also had a copy of the same thing.
This is something Min Ji left behind before he left Dayan to infiltrate Da Xi.
These things could remove Lady Min Qiao from her position as the Dowager Lady of the Marquis's Mansion, and they could also remove Min Rong from his position as Marquis of Xuanping.
They could even drive Min Qiao and her son out of the Min family.
These are the things that Qiao Jingyuan found in the old steward's house after killing him, placed on the bedside of the second wife, Lin, and then Lin gave to Min Qiao.
If it were anyone else, upon seeing these things, they would probably burn them immediately to avoid future trouble.
As a result, Madam Min Qiao has kept the items until now.
Emperor Xiaozhao had to look at him with new respect for his courage and resourcefulness.
"These are things left behind by Min Ji."
Madam Min clutched her chest, looking utterly heartbroken. "In order to ruin my reputation and drive me out of the Min family, that despicable, shameless, heartless, and beastly bastard Min Ji actually framed me and went to great lengths to slander me, defaming me as an unfaithful, unfilial, and vicious person."
“That unfilial son Min Rong is constantly defying me, and he even tried to kill me with his own hands a few days ago!”
"Your Majesty shouldn't have forgotten that, right? I was saved by Your Majesty's men back then."
"Ahem!" Emperor Xiaozhao coughed twice unnaturally.
Madam Min Qiao quickly continued, "In short, I moved out of the Xuanping Marquis's residence more than a year ago and severed ties with Min Rong and the Min family."
"I humbly beg Your Majesty to grant me permission to divorce Min Ji and completely sever ties with the Xuanping Marquis's mansion!"
Min Qiao bowed deeply to show her respect.
But his gaze, hidden deep within his arms, silently glanced at Min Pan'er, who stood to the side with her head down, eyes lowered, and expressionless.
Min Qiaoshi took in the fleeting anger in Min Pan'er's eyes and the way she clenched and unclenched her hands.
Is Min Pan'er feeling aggrieved for the Min family? Or is she angry for Min Ji?
As expected, Min Pan'er is involved with Min Ji!
Emperor Xiaozhao, sitting high above, naturally noticed Min Qiao's slight tilt of her head.
He couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth slightly, and said loudly, "Qiao, I grant you permission to divorce Min Ji and leave the Xuanping Marquis's residence."
"From this day forward, you will only be the second-rank Qinghe Lady of Dayan, and will have no further connection with the Min family."
"I will personally inscribe a plaque for you, granting you permission to establish your own residence under the name of Lady Qinghe."
Upon hearing this, Lady Min Qiao was overjoyed and quickly kowtowed again in gratitude: "Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
The title "Qinghe Lady's Residence" was personally bestowed by the Emperor!
It's obvious without even thinking that Emperor Xiaozhao is trying to enhance her status!
This is also paving the way for her to expose Min Ji's accomplices!
With the fall of the Marquis of Xuanping's mansion, she lost her powerful family background.
Therefore, Emperor Xiaozhao was openly and legitimately lending her his banner to wave!
Min Qiao was inexplicably excited.
With Emperor Xiaozhao's banner, isn't this a thousand times more powerful than her previous empty boasts?
"Madam Qinghe, it's best not to be too happy too soon."
Just as Lady Min was overjoyed, Emperor Xiaozhao immediately poured cold water on her happiness.
Madam Min's smile froze. "Does His Majesty have any further instructions?"
Emperor Xiaozhao's lips twitched. "So, Lady Qinghe isn't going to care about your descendants anymore?"
Min Qiao smiled awkwardly, wanting to say frankly, "I don't care anymore."
However, it was clear that this was not the answer Emperor Xiaozhao wanted.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com