After hearing everything, Emperor Wen frowned, sealed his lips tightly, and said nothing. The entire imperial study was filled with a suffocating silence, as if time had frozen at this moment.
His eagle-like sharp eyes first stared coldly at Zhong Lengqiu, as if to penetrate her soul, and then he glanced at Li Jingshu thoughtfully.
Emperor Wen then straightened his body, emitting an aura of authority without anger. He spoke, "Zhong Lengqiu! You allowed your servant to gallop recklessly through the busy city. Not only did you crash into County Lady Luo's carriage, but even more abominable is that you showed no remorse at all and even attempted to put County Lady Luo to death! This is your first crime."
"And then he brutally murdered Prince Xiao and the Xian King who came to mediate! This is his second crime!"
Emperor Wen's voice was as deafening as thunder, echoing through the Imperial Study with a chilling intensity. Zhong Lengqiu was terrified. She kowtowed repeatedly to Emperor Wen, tears streaming down her face as she cried, "Your Majesty! I am innocent! It was Prince Xiao and the virtuous prince who struck my sword! I am innocent! I beg Your Majesty for mercy!"
However, Emperor Wen's fury did not subside. His face grew increasingly gloomy as he shouted, "You wicked woman! You have committed a crime and yet you still try to make excuses! Do you really think they are fools? Do you think everyone and I are fools too? From this moment on, Zhong Lengqiu will be exiled to the frontier! Marquis Yongchang will be fined one year's salary for his poor parenting! Her husband, Xue Wen, will also be held responsible for failing to discipline her properly and will be fined one year's salary!"
Emperor Wen's decision was like a heavy hammer, hammering down on Zhong Lengqiu's heart. Her world collapsed at that moment, despair and sadness flooding her heart like a tide. Her body trembled, like a candle in the wind, ready to go out at any moment.
Zhong Lengqiu crawled to the Queen Mother and cried sadly: "Queen Mother! Save me! Aunt! You love Qi'er the most, Qi'er can't live without a mother!"
Queen Mother Xue was furious and did not plead for Zhong Lengqiu!
Seeing this, Luo Lingyue suddenly knelt down with a plop. Her voice was filled with earnestness and determination: "Your Majesty! Zhong Lengqiu loves her son so much that she made such a big mistake in the heat of the moment! I beg Your Majesty to show mercy to her because of her deep love for her son!"
Zhong Lengqiu looked at Luo Lingyue sadly. She had never expected Luo Lingyue to plead for her! She was stunned on the ground for a moment!
Empress Dowager Xue, who had been watching coldly from the side, felt mixed emotions when she heard Luo Lingyue's words.
She glanced at Luo Lingyue indifferently, then pleaded with Emperor Wen, "Your Majesty, fortunately, no one's life was harmed in this incident! Qi'er is young and cannot live without her mother's company! Zhong Lengqiu was simply a little impatient and did not intentionally make a mistake. I beg Your Majesty to allow me to take her to the White Horse Temple for six months of asceticism, allowing the Buddhist teachings to influence her and temper her character!"
Emperor Wen's heart stirred. He understood that Empress Dowager Xue's proposal was essentially a compromise. Her willingness to personally take Zhong Lengqiu to White Horse Temple for retreat meant that the palace would be temporarily free of her influence. During this six-month period, Emperor Wen would have greater freedom to exercise his own governing strategies. A subtle cunning glint flashed in his eyes.
Emperor Wen turned to the Xian Wang, who had been standing by, watching closely, and asked, "Xian Wang, you are the victim of this matter. What do you think of what the Queen Mother said?"
Just as the virtuous prince was about to speak, a young eunuch came in and reported, "Your Majesty! The miracle doctor has revived Prince Xiao. He says he's fine! He just needs a few days of rest and he'll be well again!"
Emperor Wen was delighted. The virtuous prince was silent for a moment before he said woodenly, "Since Prince Xiao's life is not in danger, I think we should follow Mother's advice. I implore Your Majesty to be lenient with Zhong Lengqiu!"
Emperor Wen breathed a sigh of relief and began to smooth things over: "Since the virtuous prince will not pursue this matter, then let's do as the queen mother says! Tomorrow, Zhong Lengqiu will accompany the queen mother to Baima to practice asceticism for six months! During this six months, he must not return to the capital and must reflect on his mistakes!"
Luo Lingyue's lips twitched imperceptibly. This whole thing was caused by the Queen. The culprit had been completely removed. There was no need to let Zhong Lengqiu, a wooden-headed man, suffer the consequences! Besides, there was no need for her to offend Queen Mother Xue right now!
Luo Lingyue didn't believe that Emperor Wen and Empress Dowager Xue, who were so cunning, would not know that Li Jingshu was behind it!
After Emperor Wen finished speaking, he said wearily, "I'm tired. You all should go back! Langming, take these two people to Jingzhao Yin to serve!"
He turned and gently addressed the two witnesses, "You are upright citizens of Dazhao! You dare to stand up to the powerful! I reward you with five hundred taels of gold each!"
The two people bowed joyfully: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace! Long live the Emperor!"
The virtuous prince and Langming Luzheng left the imperial study together. The virtuous prince smiled and said to them, "Thank you for coming to save me today! I invite you to have a drink at Tianxiang Tower!"
Lu Zheng smiled broadly: "Thank you very much, Your Highness!"
Lang Mingduo said, "I have something important to discuss with Lord Lu! I'll drink with His Majesty another day!"
Lu Zheng said doubtfully: "Brother Lang! What important things can you discuss with me? Are you embarrassed to drink the prince's wine? It's okay! The prince is also a man of temperament! Brother Lang, don't feel any psychological burden!"
Lang Ming was furious. Lu Zheng, that fool, still didn't understand that they had been tricked by the virtuous king! He was really being sold out and still helping others count the money!
The virtuous king stretched out his arm and grasped Lang Ming's shoulders: "Lord Lang, are you...disgusted by Shiyou's ugly appearance?"
Lang Ming shuddered all over and stammered, "Your humble servant...nothing! Your Highness! Your humble servant...can't think of anything else...I'll discuss the important matters with Lu Zheng!"
The wise king said in a barely audible voice: "This man is from the same boat as mine, so I will treat him to a drink! If he is from another boat, I will destroy that boat... and drown him!"
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