Chapter 274 Silencing
Xue Han led his men to Taoranlou as quickly as the wind, and left just as quickly. When the officials and nobles who had interests in Taoranlou heard the news and sent people over, they only found an empty teahouse and a group of onlookers.
"Xue Han is far too arrogant!"
"With the Imperial City Guard acting so arrogantly, won't we become fish on the chopping block, at their mercy?"
Immediately, many ministers went to the palace to meet the emperor.
After listening to his ministers' cacophony of complaints, Emperor Jingping showed no emotion on his face: "My ministers, please return to your quarters. I will speak with Xue Han first."
"His Majesty--"
Emperor Jingping looked at the minister who had spoken and frowned slightly: "What, does Minister Cheng want to stay and listen?"
When Minister Cheng met Emperor Jingping's deep gaze, he dared not say anything more, and bowed, saying, "Your subject takes his leave."
Tao Ran Lou is very good at dealing with people. He always offers generous sums of money at the end of each quarter, a practice he has maintained for many years without fail. Naturally, he is happy to take care of him, but it would be a loss if he displeased the Emperor. He has heard that many people have benefited from Tao Ran Lou, and perhaps he has given even more money to others.
Emperor Jingping did not immediately summon Xue Han, but instead summoned Xue Quan.
"Xue Quan, isn't Xue Han's behavior a bit too radical?" Emperor Jingping asked calmly.
The Imperial City Guard was his private bodyguard, and he didn't think it was a big deal to take people from a teahouse away for questioning in order to find spies, but he also couldn't let it cause a commotion and disturb his peace.
Xue Quan adopted a respectful posture: "It's all because this servant didn't discipline her properly."
"Summon him to the palace, I want to hear what's going on."
Xue Han rushed to the palace: "Your Majesty, this humble subject Xue Han greets you."
What's the story behind Taoranlou?
"Your Majesty, the Imperial City Guard discovered something amiss at Taoran Tower. Fearing the spies might escape, they quickly mobilized to take them all away for interrogation."
"You should know that if we can't produce solid evidence in the end, those censors won't let it go," Emperor Jingping said in a slightly cold tone, carrying a warning.
The officials already had many complaints about the existence of the Imperial City Guard. If those troublemakers were to seize on any faults related to the Imperial City Guard, it would ultimately be the emperor who would be hampered.
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, give your humble servant some time, and I will surely find out who the spy is."
Xue Han's composed and determined demeanor made Xue Quan grit his teeth inwardly.
Emperor Jingping gave Xue Han a deep look: "It's good that you have this confidence. I'll wait and see."
After stepping down, Xue Quan stopped in front of Xue Han, his face as black as ink: "Where did you get the confidence to spout such nonsense in front of His Majesty?"
"Father, don't worry, I am confident that I can do this."
Xue Quan didn't believe it: "Taoranlou is an old establishment with many years of history. You just said there was a spy and took everyone away. Do you know what the consequences will be if we can't find out?"
Tao Ran Lou is very good at doing things. Even he has received a lot of bribes, so it is clear that there are many people who have benefited from him.
People won't easily let a scoundrel's money slip through their fingers.
Fearing that Xue Quan might interfere and ruin things, Xue Han had no choice but to reveal a little: "It has now been confirmed that one of the managers of Taoran Tower is a spy from Northern Qi."
"really?"
“How could I joke about such a thing?”
Xue Quan then let Xue Han leave: "It's good that you're confident."
Over the next two days, there were many reports impeaching Xue Han for abusing his power, but Emperor Jingping suppressed them all and went to Consort Yu's place to relax after getting a headache.
The fifteenth had already passed.
On the fifteenth day, Consort Yu took the antidote pill, and her mood began to sour.
Over the years, the few days I received the antidote each month were the most relaxing. But once I took the antidote and started waiting for the next month, the suffocating feeling of having my life in someone else's hands grew stronger day by day.
The emperor's infatuation and the concubines' fear could only bring her fleeting pleasure, while the pain was enduring.
"I have prepared a new incense for Your Majesty to appreciate." Consort Yu personally added incense to the incense burner and lit it, and wisps of fragrance wafted out from the burner.
Emperor Jingping took a deep breath; the pleasant fragrance, like a spring breeze, soothed the restlessness in his heart.
"It smells so good."
"I think there is room for improvement, and I would like to invite Princess Suiyun to the palace to give me some pointers."
Emperor Jingping paid no attention to such trivial and elegant matters, and said with a smile, "As long as my beloved consort is happy."
Consort Yu hooked her arm around Emperor Jingping's neck and said, "Your Majesty seems to be troubled."
"It's all because of that brat Xue Han. He's young and impetuous, and his arrogant behavior has caused a lot of people to bother me."
"I've heard about it too. I heard that Xue Han arrested everyone in a teahouse, and he's looking for some kind of spies."
"Let's not talk about these things anymore. My beloved concubine, have a couple of drinks with me."
After a few drinks, Emperor Jingping left with a smile.
After drinking the wine, Consort Yu's cheeks were as red as a sunset, her eyes sparkling, as she gracefully stepped into a dark room.
Hearing the noise, Qingdai suddenly opened her eyes and shrank into the corner with a look of horror.
Consort Yu stood at a distance, admiring Qingdai's wounded body, and her mood briefly improved.
She had always dreamed of torturing this wretched maid, and now her dream had finally come true.
She's clearly just an ant, yet she acts so arrogantly in this palace where everyone reveres her. It's truly laughable.
“Contact point, personnel, continue.”
"No, that's all. I've told Your Highness everything I know," Qingdai stammered. The inhuman torture she had endured over the past few days had robbed her of her former composure.
Only then did she truly understand the fear that the people in the palace had of Consort Yu.
"No?" Consort Yu raised an eyebrow, a half-smile on her face. "I don't believe you. After observing you these past few days, I can tell you're a sensible person. Why are you still being so stubborn? If you don't speak up, I'll cut your tongue out, and then you won't be able to say anything even if you want to."
Qingdai imagined her tongue being cut off, her face drained of color, and she mustered her last bit of courage to ask, "Your Majesty, aren't you afraid of not getting the antidote if you treat me like this?"
Consort Yu kicked her: "You lowly servant, you still dare to threaten me at this point? Your brother has been captured, he can't give me the antidote, do you think you can?"
“They broke their promise to release their brother, and Your Majesty can’t get the antidote either, cough cough…” Qingdai coughed painfully.
"This is my business." Consort Yu looked at Qingdai coldly, as if she were a lamb to the slaughter.
That's why she wanted to pry more bargaining chips out of Qingdai in exchange for Xue Han and the others doing their best to get her the antidote.
"Enough, I'm tired. If you don't speak, there's no point in keeping your tongue." Consort Yu picked up the scissors that were set aside, walked up to Qingdai, and pinched her chin.
A sharp pair of scissors was thrust into her mouth, and Qingdai cried out in terror, "I'll talk, I'll talk..."
After listening, Consort Yu licked her lips and plunged a pair of scissors into Qingdai's heart.
We should also thank the brother and sister for their caution; they felt she was too precious a pawn and carefully concealed her existence.
With Qingdai dead and Taoran Tower destroyed, Qingfeng was the only one in the capital who knew her identity as a spy.
Consort Yu wiped the blood splattered on the back of her hand and went out, saying, "I cleaned it up carefully."
The white jade pool in the bathroom was filled with water at a suitable temperature, and a layer of flower petals floated on the surface.
Consort Yu stepped inside and gave the order: "Summon Princess Qiuheng of Suiyun County to the palace."
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