Xiao Heye returned to the palace from the Dali Temple.
The case of the official's murder has been diligently investigated by Crown Prince Zhou Tingyue and Dali Temple Minister Chen Yuanlin, and many doubts and flaws all point to Xiao Heye.
However, they lack concrete evidence and rely mostly on speculation and rumors.
Under pressure, they had no choice but to invite Xiao Heye to the Dali Temple for questioning, and this invitation lasted for two or three days.
Xiao Heye figured he might as well play with them since he was just idling around at Yelan Pavilion, so he didn't show any dissatisfaction and was quite cooperative.
Taking someone away without any proof or evidence and then detaining them at the Dali Temple without cause is inherently against etiquette and law.
The emperor had always trusted Xiao Heye greatly, and fearing that Xiao Heye might be unhappy about this matter, he specially held a banquet in Tongguang Hall to welcome him back and also to hear about the progress of the case.
There weren't many people attending the banquet: the Crown Prince, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and Xiao Heye.
In fact, the emperor had already made plans in his heart. He was worried that this matter would cause a rift between Xiao Heye and Zhou Tingyue.
After all, he only has this one son. If Xiao Heye does not support Zhou Tingyue when the crown prince ascends the throne, his path to becoming emperor will likely be difficult.
Zhou Tingyue didn't think much of it. He had never liked such occasions, and he only attended banquets to report to the emperor.
*
Tongguang Hall is located south of the Imperial Garden, and it is usually rarely visited by people. However, today, before it got dark, it started to get lively.
Singing and dancing filled the air, and toasts were exchanged.
The Emperor and Consort Ji were sitting on a soft couch at the front of the hall. Xiao Heye was seated on the left side of the main hall, while Crown Prince Zhou Tingyue and Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Chen Yuanlin were on the right. The group was not far apart.
"Chief Secretary Xiao, if the Dali Temple has failed to provide adequate hospitality these past few days, please forgive me." Chen Yuanlin stood up first, raising his wine cup with a face full of apology.
Xiao Heye raised his eyes and glanced at Chen Yuanlin, a forced smile on his face.
He smiled and said, "Cooperating with the Dali Temple in the investigation is what we should do. You're too kind, Lord Chen."
Xiao Heye lowered his head and took a small sip of wine, then said, "I hope His Highness the Crown Prince and Lord Chen can catch the real culprit as soon as possible, so that my family can be cleared of all charges."
Chen Yuanlin replied with a forced smile, "Of course."
Zhou Tingyue sat upright, not drinking a drop of wine. His expression was serious, and he was only thinking about leaving after finishing his report.
He lowered his brows slightly and said to the emperor, "Father, I believe this case is of great importance. While finding the truth is crucial, protecting the safety of the city's officials and citizens is equally important. I would like to request the deployment of three more battalions of garrison troops to strengthen city defenses and patrols, and also..."
"Alright!" the emperor interrupted before he could finish. "This will be done as you said. Command of the garrison is yours, Crown Prince... I trust you, so don't let me down, understand?"
Perhaps he had been emperor for too long and had grown tired of it. Many times, he didn't want to hear about the process; all he wanted was a good result.
Today's purpose is not to hear the Crown Prince speak seriously about the case.
The emperor was just putting on a show to make Xiao Heye feel better.
After all, being summoned to the Dali Temple for questioning would not be good for the reputation of the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial.
Although Xiao Heye's reputation was already completely ruined.
Seeing the emperor's indifferent attitude, Zhou Tingyue was already disheartened. He nodded slightly and said, "Thank you, Father Emperor."
"Alright! Let's put the case aside for now and fill our stomachs first." The emperor waved his hand, instructing the eunuchs to bring more food and wine. He looked at Xiao Heye and asked gently, "Let's eat and drink our fill before we talk, Minister Xiao... what do you say?"
Xiao Heye smiled and nodded, raising his wine cup to meet the emperor's gaze calmly: "Thank you for your hospitality, Your Majesty."
"My dear minister, there's no need to be so polite. Let's drink to our hearts' content tonight!" the emperor said, but his hand below never stayed still, hugging and pinching Consort Ji's slender waist.
The emperor always doted on Consort Ji, taking her everywhere he went and even listening to her every word.
In the palace, almost everyone was jealous of Consort Ji, yet everyone wanted to become Consort Ji.
Whenever the emperor is present at a banquet, there are always those gaudy song and dance performances, which are nothing new to those in attendance.
*
After a song and dance, a clear and melodious bell sound suddenly rang out in the quiet hall.
Everyone turned to look at the entrance, where a graceful young woman was walking towards them.
Xiao Heye frowned, his deep, dark eyes revealing a hint of displeasure.
She wore a long, flowing, blood-red gauze dress with tassels, her face veiled by a beaded curtain, and her long sleeves fluttering gracefully.
She lowered her bright eyes and slowly walked into the main hall.
The girl was barefoot, revealing her slender, fair ankles, on which hung a string of small bells. As she moved with graceful steps, the delicate, melodious sounds gradually rose and fell.
Accompanied by the rhythm of drums and music, her blood-red gauze skirt twirled gracefully, her bright earrings dangling, the beaded curtain veiling her face slowly rising and falling, the bells on her ankles ringing out, and her eyes exuding a captivating charm that took one's breath away.
This scene left the emperor completely dumbfounded. He braced himself against the small square table in front of him, stretched his body forward as far as he could, and stared wide-eyed, almost dropping to the ground.
The beaded curtain draped over his face rose and fell, and through the faint light, he seemed to recognize that face.
The beauty that Jingxinting had seen seemed to be named something like Yue... The emperor only remembered the character "Yue" from her name.
Zhou Tingyue recognized the dancing girl at a glance. He turned and glanced silently at the emperor, whose lewd and wicked face disgusted him.
He didn't know why Su Tiyue was here, but Zhou Tingyue always believed that she wasn't that kind of person, and that she must have had some unspeakable reasons for doing so.
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
