"You...you truly are a femme fatale!" Emperor Hui sighed. "The Empress is her own aunt, and I have treated her with the rank of Empress, yet she is still not satisfied. It is evident that Xie, this woman, harbors considerable ambition."
"Zhao Zhao is deeply ingrained in her sense of propriety and etiquette; she will not betray her son."
"But today, as you saw, the Marquis of Xiaoyao passed away, and she was so grief-stricken."
Zhou Shaoyu said, "The Carefree Marquis was originally a spoiled brat, hated by everyone and surrounded by enemies."
Zhao Zhao did not despise him and rescued him from the mire. Together they opened overseas shipping routes and invented new weapons. To him, Zhao Zhao was the salvation of his soul and a warm light in the darkness.
There was only gratitude between them for their mentorship, not romantic love.
"Everyone knows that Xie Chunxi rebelled. According to the Great Law, the Xie family should be punished severely. As the eldest daughter of the Xie family, Xie Yatou will not be able to escape punishment."
“If that’s the case, I will die with her. I don’t want the position of Crown Prince.”
"You're foolish!"
...
Those from the Imperial City Guard and the Palace Guard were arresting people, while those guarding the palace were guarding the palace. Xie Zhaozhao lay on her bed, unable to sleep all night in the darkness.
The following day, Emperor Hui, through his beggar son Sheng, issued an oral decree to suspend court for one day.
Summon Xie Anfeng, Xie Yu, and Madam Xie to the palace.
Zhou Shaoyu handed the child over to Aunt Chai and the wet nurse to take care of, and then took Xie Zhaozhao's hand and went to the Imperial Study.
He whispered to her, "Father has agreed that the matter of the Empress's rebellion will not be handed over to the Court of Judicial Review, but will be handled privately by the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs as a clan matter."
Xie Zhaozhao gently pinched his palm; she knew that this was something her husband had fought for for her.
Outside the Imperial Study, kneeling were Marquis Dingbei (the apparent owner of Huiyue Villa), Dong Qin, and others.
Inside the Imperial Study, Empress Xie had been untied and was kneeling before the dragon desk with Xie Anfeng, Madam Xie, and Xie Yu.
The Director and Deputy Director of the Imperial Clan Court, along with Prince Jing, sat at the head of the table below the dragon throne.
Xie Zhaozhao hesitated for a moment, then knelt down next to Old Madam Xie.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com