Chapter 99
Pei Lingjun bowed and clasped his hands, his words resounding, "To share Your Majesty's burdens is what this humble subject should do. This humble subject dares not presume to claim credit, but..."
He abruptly changed the subject, kneeling on one knee, "Your humble servant has a request."
"explain."
Having received permission, Pei Lingjun said, "The matter of Cai Hui involves seventy-three prefectures and counties. The scale and number of people involved are so large that they may shake the foundation of the country. The families of the guilty officials are countless. If they are punished for multiple crimes, it may lead to more bloodshed and add to the disputes among the people."
The misty tea steam blurred the features of the man on the dragon throne. He pondered for a while, then nodded. "Indeed, the families of disgraced officials and their families will be either exiled or confiscated by the brothel, depending on the severity of their crimes. Further discussion will follow."
"Your Majesty is wise."
Not long after Cai Hui was imprisoned in the Dali Temple, everyone in the court felt insecure, with some running around pleading for help and others kicking him while he was down.
The world in Beijing has been turned upside down.
However, Cai Hui's guilt is undeniable.
His Majesty disregarded the kindness shown to Cai Hui and sentenced Grand Tutor Cai Hui to death, which greatly angered the Empress Dowager.
Since the late emperor passed away and Your Majesty ascended the throne, the Empress Dowager, not being Your Majesty's biological mother, held an awkward position in the palace. Cai Hui in the court was her greatest support.
For Your Majesty to kill Cai Hui is tantamount to going against the Empress Dowager.
The imperial court and the inner palace were in turmoil.
After days of stalemate, the Empress Dowager finally hardened her heart and abandoned Cai Hui, as if she had cut off her own arm.
Jiang Xianyi was imprisoned in the princess's residence.
Pei Lingjun tore up the Empress Dowager's decree of marriage, which was tacitly approved by the Emperor.
The dark clouds that had been hanging over Beijing for days have finally dissipated.
But he had a thorn in his heart that he couldn't pull out; it was hidden in his flesh and gradually became inflamed.
He couldn't find Wen Shu, not even her corpse.
As always, people from the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion came to visit every day with precious jade and jewels, either to plead for mercy or to curry favor.
Pei Lingjun ignored them all.
He hid in the house and drank.
Sometimes when he's drunk, he dreams about her.
The way she laughs, the way she cries...
“Ah Shu…”
His murmured words drifted into the air as he collapsed onto the soft couch, his head throbbing with pain.
Red silk hung all over the house. The woman smiled and leaned on his shoulder, saying, "My cousin and I will be together year after year."
With a sharp 'snap', the scene abruptly changed.
All around were hoarse shouts and cries. Pei Lingjun, dressed in a flying fish robe, stood in front of the Wen residence with a silver knife at his waist. Guards came and went, chasing after female servants and family members who tried to escape.
Fresh blood seeped from the floor tiles.
He suddenly saw Wen Shu being chased by soldiers and accidentally fell to her knees.
"Get away! Who gave you permission to touch her?!"
A silver knife was held to her neck, and she looked in his direction with teary eyes. "You're not Song Yuanzhuo, why did you lie to me? Who are you?"
A handsome man passed through his afterimage, cupped Wen Shu's face in his hands, and said, "No matter who I am, it won't change our relationship..."
"Wen Shu, come with me and leave this place."
The hairs on his body stood on end in an instant. Pei Lingjun was stunned and took a few steps back in disbelief, wanting to escape this hellish and suffocating place, but there was nowhere to go.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
