"Your Majesty, as you just said, how to deal with it now depends entirely on your majesty's wishes!"
"It's just that this case, Lord Xiao, is too big. Although these women are of low status, everyone in the capital already knows about it. I'm afraid it will be difficult for Your Majesty to make a decision."
"Yes, this case is too horrifying to be told to others. Without an explanation, I'm afraid it won't convince the public!"
Queen Xiao nodded. This was the most painful part for her when she thought about asking Liu Xian for help. Other things were easy to talk about, but this matter was too difficult to talk about.
What's more, she knew in her heart that Liu Xian had some grudges against her and even the Xiao family.
"Little Korean, do you think there will be a turnaround if I go to ask His Majesty for help?"
Queen Xiao really felt that she was in a difficult situation. After all, he was her own brother, and her family was begging her for mercy.
However, for such a brutal crime, she really did not have the face to ask His Majesty for forgiveness.
"My lady, now that things have come to this, you should be more relaxed and don't be too hard on yourself."
Xing Bang knew very well how conflicted Queen Xiao was at this moment. What's more, she was just about to let go of the past. She must have been in even greater torment. It was really heartbreaking to see.
Beneath her strong appearance, there is so much sadness and helplessness that not everyone can understand.
"Little Korean, this is really too difficult for me. I wanted to... But, as you can see, I have no choice at all!"
Empress Xiao sighed, her face full of pain...
Xing Bang really wanted to hold her in his arms and comfort her, but this was in the main hall after all, and Queen Xiao probably wasn't in the mood for that.
If the Sixth Prince was in great trouble, he would certainly help with all his strength, but if it was Xiao Shizhong, he would be unable to help. Even if it would make Empress Xiao sad at the moment, he would still put the overall situation first.
The Xiao family really collapsed, which might be a good thing for her. A short pain is worse than a long one!
After getting over this hurdle, she let it go and felt relieved.
After a brief moment of thought, Empress Xiao heaved a sigh of relief, as if she had made up her mind...
"No matter what your majesty decides in the end, I will do my best to beg your majesty, hoping to save Shizhong's life."
"I will go and ask to see His Majesty right now!"
As she spoke, Queen Xiao stood up.
Xing Bang wanted to persuade her to wait until after the morning court tomorrow, but seeing that she had made up her mind, he did not say anything.
If you think about it carefully, going now or going after some conclusion is reached at the morning court tomorrow is actually the same, because Liu Xian should already have an idea of how to deal with Xiao Shizhong.
…
Empress Xiao went to ask for an audience with Liu Xian, so Xing Bang naturally returned to the torture chamber.
However, before he had finished half his cup of tea, someone came to the Hall of Supreme Harmony and asked him to go for an audience with the emperor immediately.
Well, Liu Xian didn’t know what was going on…
Xing Bang did not hesitate and followed the eunuch who delivered the imperial edict.
Empress Xiao had just arrived at the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Without giving it much thought, she must have been asked to come over at this time because it was about Xiao Shizhong's case.
Soon, Xing Bang entered the imperial study.
Liu Xian sat behind the imperial desk and looked through memorials, Cao Zhengchun stood behind him, and Empress Xiao was also sitting below.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you!"
Without waiting for Xing Bang to kneel down, Liu Xian raised his hand to indicate that he was exempted. He did not say anything and continued to read the memorial.
It took a long time.
Liu Xiancai put down the memorials, first glanced at Xing Bang, then pointed at the pile of memorials and said, "Queen, do you know what these memorials are?"
"I don't know!"
It seems that Liu Xian has not given Empress Xiao a chance to explain his intentions and has been reading these memorials.
Liu Xian continued, "A small number of them requested that Xiao Shizhong be severely punished, and the majority of them impeached him for corruption and abuse of power during his tenure as Minister of War, sucking the blood of soldiers and withholding military pay, etc. Each of these charges is a serious crime."
"Empress, I know you are here to plead for mercy. This case has just begun to make progress, and there are so many officials in Beijing who have impeached us. I don't know what will happen next."
"I have read all these memorials. They are all about the upright and unsuccessful officials. Although these officials have little influence, the court is probably clear about what they mean. Regardless of these crimes, it can be seen how arrogant Xiao Shizhong has been over the years!"
"Your Majesty, I know that Shizhong is a little impatient in his daily life, but I know that he is loyal to Your Majesty. Please forgive him."
Queen Xiao was really embarrassed for a moment. She hadn't even opened her mouth yet. The current case hadn't been mentioned a word, and now so many charges had been brought up. Regardless of whether they were true or false, she felt powerless to defend herself.
He couldn't even think of any merits his younger brother had done that he could use to gild himself.
"I am aware of your loyalty, Xiao Shizhong, but I want to protect him since he disrespects the laws of the court. However, I am afraid that it will be difficult to explain to the court. If we do not handle it properly, it may even lead to public resentment."
What Liu Xian said was absolutely true. How could the common people not hate corrupt officials? The best proof of this was that the common people applauded the incident at the Jiaofangsi last time.
"Your Majesty, I know that Shizhong has committed an unforgivable crime. As the queen, I have no face to ask for your forgiveness, but I only have this one brother. I beg your Majesty to spare Shizhong's life for the sake of our past friendship and the loyalty of my Xiao family."
Empress Xiao knelt on the ground. She had no other choice but to beg. Her eyes were red and she bit her lips tightly...
Xing Bang understood that she felt so humble at the moment and was naturally in great pain when she said such words against her will.
After all, Queen Xiao is also a woman who understands the big picture!
"Queen, you don't have to do this. I understand your thoughts."
Liu Xian was not blind. He knew the queen's character after having been with him for so many years. However, there were too many things that made the two of them increasingly distant.
In the final analysis, it is the same old saying that the country is the most important. The biggest knot in Liu Xian's heart is that you, the queen, cannot be unwilling to accept this and have touched my bottom line.
As he spoke, Liu Xian came over and helped Queen Xiao up.
"Queen, please be patient for now. The case has not been closed yet. Besides, I have not had time to ask about some of the details of today's trial."
"Little Korean, tell me in detail, are there any doubts in this case?"
After Liu Xian comforted Queen Xiao, he suddenly turned around and asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Xing Bang didn't say anything, but he thought to himself that you know the situation better than anyone else. He also realized that Liu Xian was trying to smooth things over.
"Your Majesty, I have been listening to the trial. The evidence is overwhelming. Lord Xiao admitted it in court, but he kept saying that it was an unintentional mistake. As for what the hidden story is, I don't know."
Xing Bang was naturally cautious and just stated the facts. He kept silent about Xiao Shizhong and Cui Sheng. Others didn't know, but he knew in his heart that Liu Xian intended to protect Cui Sheng...
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