Chapter 68: Improper Etiquette in the Palace
Inside the hall, a golden censer spewed out auspicious sounds, and the air was filled with fragrant mist.
The emperor sat upright on the dragon throne, his gaze sweeping over the young talents below him, finally landing on Xinyi Zhaoyang, Princess of Liuyang. With a hint of elder indulgence, he asked, "Zhaoyang, among the talented men in the palace today, is there anyone who catches your eye?"
The corners of Xinyi Zhaoyang's lips curled up slightly, bright and almost sharp.
She moved lightly with lotus steps, but her gaze was like an ice-hardened blade, piercing straight at Xie Wuqi who was standing in front of the formation of generals.
"Your Majesty," her voice was clear and melodious, carrying undisguised sarcasm, instantly capturing everyone's attention. "This young General Xie is renowned for his bravery and courage, and I, your servant, have heard of him even at the border."
Xie Wuqi's heart moved slightly, but before a trace of complacency could emerge, he was nailed to the spot by her next words.
"However," Xinyi Zhaoyang suddenly changed the subject, like a venomous snake spitting out its tongue, "On my way back to the capital, I happened upon an interesting incident. General Xie's personal soldiers abducted a commoner woman with despicable tactics. The woman's family reported the matter to the camp, but instead of punishing the culprits, the general accused the victim of a false accusation and allowed his soldiers to beat and drive away the family."
She paused, her gaze like cold stars fixed on Xie Wuqi's face, which had suddenly lost all its blood. "At the time, I thought that when a soldier commits a crime, his master must bear the blame. Today, I have met the young general in person... Oh, judging by his behavior, it is true that his reputation is not up to his standards. Such virtue is really not a good match."
“Wow!”
The dead silence was broken in an instant.
Low gasps and suppressed discussions spread through the hall like a tide. Countless gazes, filled with astonishment, disdain, and gloating, pierced Xie Wuqi like tangible thorns.
His tall body shook violently, as if hit hard by an invisible hammer. His face turned pale as paper and even his breathing stopped for a moment.
The huge sense of humiliation was like magma, instantly destroying his sanity.
He clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms, and his body trembled slightly with extreme anger and embarrassment.
Why?! He and this high and mighty princess had never met before, and they had no grudges against each other!
Why, at this moment when his fate was being decided before the Emperor, when he was being chosen as a son-in-law, did he have to be dealt such a fatal blow in public, completely nailing him to the pillar of shame?!
The confused thoughts were like a boiling oil pan, and a name suddenly exploded - Luo Zhaohan!
It's her! It has to be her! In the palace today, only Luo Zhaohan is on good terms with the princess!
It was her! She must have been the one spreading rumors and maliciously framing the princess!
The overwhelming hatred instantly overwhelmed Xie Wuqi's heart. He suddenly raised his eyes, and his resentful gaze was like a poisoned arrow, shooting fiercely at the cold figure sitting at the women's table not far away.
"evil creature!"
A loud shout filled with pain and rage exploded like thunder.
General Xie abruptly left his seat and rushed to Xie Wuqi. His chest heaved violently, his eyes bloodshot, and the finger he pointed at him trembled. "Look at you! Look at you! You betrayed me that day, insisting on breaking off your engagement with Luo Zhaohan and bringing the Liu family girl back home! I knew you were being absurd, and you'll have retribution! Today is your retribution! How can you still have the nerve to stand in this golden palace?!"
Every word was tearful and heart-piercing, tearing Xie Wuqi's last fig leaf to pieces.
His father's rebuke was more heartbreaking to Xie Wuqi than the princess's disparagement.
That was not only disappointment, it also declared his failure in public!
He clenched his teeth tightly, and the rusty sweetness spread between his teeth, and he managed not to lose his composure on the spot.
Amid the silent contempt of the entire hall and his father's heartbroken gaze, he moved back to his seat step by step, and each step felt like stepping on a red-hot iron.
The immense embarrassment and the resentment that had nowhere to vent collided in his chest, almost tearing him apart.
The advantages of the reborn prophet seemed so pale and ridiculous at this moment.
In his previous life, although he had not been favored by the princess, he had never suffered such a great humiliation.
Why had his life's trajectory deviated so drastically?! Panic washed over his heart like an icy tide, but was quickly replaced by an even stronger, almost insane, obsession—No! He couldn't sink like this! He had to turn things around! No matter the cost!
The atmosphere in the hall was weird.
Everyone's eyes were like searchlights, moving back and forth between the embarrassed Xie Wuqi and Pei Ji, the Shaoqing of the Dali Temple, who stood still like a pine tree and stayed out of the matter.
Now, he is the only candidate left in the palace.
Xinyi Zhaoyang's gaze had long since moved away from Xie Wuqi, as if what he had just crushed was just an ant.
She turned towards the throne, and the sarcasm in her eyes melted away, with a rare genuine smile appearing between her brows.
"Your Majesty," her voice regained its clarity, filled with unmistakable admiration, "On my way back to the capital, I heard the name of Pei Ji, Junior Justice of the Dali Temple. He is a master at solving cases, with a keen eye for detail, earning him the nickname 'Jade-Faced Yama.'"
She tilted her head slightly, her eyes fixed on Pei Ji, her gaze focused and bright. "A few days ago at the Juchang Field, I witnessed with my own eyes how Pei Shaoqing remained calm in the face of danger. At the critical moment, he saved the frightened horse and protected the innocent. His courage and magnanimity are truly impressive."
She paused, then met the emperor's gentle gaze and spoke clearly and firmly, each word ringing loud and clear: "I, your humble servant, boldly request Your Majesty... to grant a marriage between me and Pei Shaoqing."
As soon as the words fell, the whole hall fell silent.
Immediately, a low, tacit murmur of admiration and understanding filled the air. The princess had so openly expressed her admiration and proposal, and the target was Pei Ji, the only remaining man whose family background, talent, appearance, and abilities were impeccable. Everyone thought this marriage was a done deal, awaiting only the emperor's final word.
Pei Ji stood where he was, his posture still as straight as a bamboo, his face expressionless, as if the storm that would determine his lifelong affairs was nothing more than a gentle breeze to him.
Only in the depths of those deep eyes, there was a slight ripple that was hard to capture.
The emperor on the throne looked at the perfect couple below the stairs, his smile deepening, and he was obviously quite satisfied with the result.
He nodded slightly and was about to speak——
“Report—!”
Outside the hall, a sharp and hurried eunuch's report, like tearing silk, suddenly tore apart the peace that was about to settle in the hall.
"Your Majesty! Lord Pei, the Earl of Changning, and his wife are requesting an audience outside the palace!"
The emperor frowned slightly, then relaxed, and a hint of understanding and interest flashed in his eyes.
He raised his hand, his voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of amusement: "Xuan. You've come just in time. How could Pei Qing's parents not be present at this important event?"
The air in the hall was as stagnant as lead.
The emperor's words were on his lips, and the imperial edict granting the marriage seemed to have already shone with golden light before everyone's eyes. Princess Xinyi Zhaoyang of Liuyang fixed her gaze on Pei Ji with a clear gaze. Pei Ji stood at the center of this silent storm, his whole body as cold as fresh snow, but a barely perceptible ripple flashed through the depths of his eyes.
"Report!" A sharp report pierced the silence and poured in from the palace gate!
Before the people below the stairs could react, the heavy vermilion-lacquered palace door was hastily pushed open with a creak, letting in two disheveled figures.
Pei Kuan, the Earl of Changning, and his first wife, Meng, practically stumbled in. Pei Kuan, dressed in his usual dark purple robe, got caught on the threshold, and he stumbled and scrambled to his feet, his hairpin crown tilted to one side.
Meng's hair was disheveled, and several of her hair ornaments were shaky. The rouge she had carefully applied was smudged by tears and sweat, and was crisscrossed on her frightened face like ghostly talismans.
She clutched her husband's arm tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force, and her whole body was shaking like a sieve.
The well-dressed princes, nobles, and ladies in the hall were stunned at first, but when they saw who the visitor was, their eyes instantly changed from surprise to naked astonishment and undisguised contempt.
The whispers were like the buzzing of startled crows, making one's scalp tingle.
Pei Ji's tall back stiffened almost imperceptibly for a moment, and his deep eyes, which were always calm, clearly reflected astonishment and a sudden surge of deep worry.
Parents? Why would they barge in so rudely at this moment?
At this moment, the eyes of the Earl of Changning and his wife were only focused on the lonely figure of Dianxin's only son.
The two men had just stood firm, and as soon as their eyes met the figure of Pei Ji standing alone in the hall, Pei Kuan's panic and Meng's fear exploded like boiling oil!
"Ji'er! Ji'er!" Meng let out a shrill cry like a torn cloth, suddenly shook off Pei Kuan's hand, and rushed forward at a speed that was completely disproportionate to her body size.
Pei Kuan was also scared out of his wits, but the two of them ignored him, regardless of the almighty Emperor, and the contemptuous looks from the whole hall. They staggered a few steps to Pei Ji, suddenly stretched out their trembling hands, and grabbed Pei Ji's arm tightly.
With a thud, he fell heavily to his knees on the cold, hard bricks of the palace! The bricks were icy cold, and the sound of them knocking against each other was clear and resonant.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me! Your Majesty, please forgive me!" Pei Kuan, the Earl of Changning, pressed his head against the cold gold brick, making a dull thud. His entire body trembled violently with fear, and even his voice was broken and distorted. "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, please forgive me! Your Majesty, please forgive me! Your Majesty, please forgive me! Please forgive my son!"
"boom--!"
The whole hall erupted in uproar again! It was like boiling oil poured into ice water!
Crime? What crime? Forgiveness? Forgiveness for what?
On the throne, the young emperor's face, which had just been gentle and smiling, instantly froze.
Those eyes, usually filled with a gentle smile, were now as quiet as the depths of a deep pool, revealing a bone-chilling chill. "Oh?"
His voice was not loud, but it clearly suppressed all discussions, and he spoke word by word in the empty hall: "Lord Pei, what you and your wife said about innocence, innocence, and forgiveness... but I am a little confused." The last syllable of the word "don't know why" was dragged out very slowly, and a cold air came to his face.
At this moment, the Earl of Changning was in a state of panic. His mind was filled with the "danger" warning. He could not hear the danger in the emperor's tone at all. He only thought it was a majestic question and hurriedly begged for mercy with tears streaming down his face:
"Your Majesty! I am guilty! I deserve death! Just now... just now someone rushed to the palace to report! They said... they said that Your Majesty was furious and wanted to review the old case of witchcraft in the Changning Marquis's Mansion! The blame... the blame all falls on Ji'er! Ji'er is alone in the palace right now, being... being severely reprimanded by Your Majesty. I'm afraid... I'm afraid that he will be thrown into prison in the blink of an eye, Your Majesty!
"Your Highness, I...your Highness and I are terribly worried, fearing that our only son has been wrongly accused. We were so distraught that we dared not delay even a moment, and so we...were forced to come to the palace to terrify you! We only beg Your Majesty to have mercy! Please forgive our son! This witchcraft case is all...it's all our fault, our greed blinding us! Ji'er was so young at the time, he was completely unaware! Please, Your Majesty, investigate this matter!"
The truth was like a thunderclap, exploding silently in everyone's heart!
How could there be any such thing as an outraged reversal of the verdict? How could there be any such thing as a reprimand and imprisonment?
From the beginning to the end, only one thing was discussed in this hall - the selection of a son-in-law and the granting of marriage for Princess Liuyang!
Someone knew that the Earl of Changning and his wife cherished their only son as their life! They knew they were foolish and confused! They knew they were still haunted by the shadow of the witchcraft case! At this crucial moment when the marriage was about to be granted, they used a terrifyingly precise lie to poke at the most fatal weakness of these foolish parents!
Let them rush into the Golden Palace like frightened birds in the most unbearable way, and use the most foolish words and deeds to pour this basin of boiling hot filth on Pei Ji's head!
This method is insidious, cunning and incisive!
In an instant, all eyes were like needles made of ice, piercing the Changning Earl and his wife who were kneeling on the ground.
Contempt was mixed with a strong sense of ridicule and gloating - what if such foolish and stubborn parents gave birth to a Jade-faced Demon?
"Father! Mother!" Pei Ji's heart was shaken. He instantly understood the whole story. He called out in a deep voice, trying to explain, "Your Majesty..."
"Ji'er!" Meng misunderstood his expression of wanting to take the blame alone. She raised her head abruptly like a mother animal protecting her chicks, her tear-stained face filled with frantic anxiety. Her voice was hoarse and cracked. "What are you going to do?! Are you trying to take the blame for your parents' crimes?! No! You can't! I know! I know everything! That case has nothing to do with you! I won't allow it! Your Majesty, please understand! All the mistakes are my husband and I's fault! It has nothing to do with Ji'er!"
She screamed incoherently, tears mixed with stains streaming down her face, her fingers nervously scratching the expensive Persian carpet on the floor, her manners completely lost, she looked like a madwoman in the market.
"Shut up! Foolish woman! Shut up!!" Pei Kuan had been in the circle of nobles for many years. After the initial panic, he finally understood the terrifying truth from the almost frozen cold atmosphere around him, from the painful warning look of his only son Pei Ji, and from the increasingly deep and frozen anger in the eyes of the young emperor sitting high on the throne.
A trap! A complete and utter trap that made fun of him and his wife!
It's over! It's completely over!
Everything they did in front of the emperor today, this extremely foolish and ugly behavior, not only destroyed Jier's dignity, but also became a deep pit on Jier's road to success!
Pei Kuan, the Earl of Changning, looked ashen, as if all his energy had been drained away in an instant. He collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath in his throat. He no longer had the strength to desperately defend himself, and was left with only boundless fear and despair.
"Enough!" The emperor slammed the armrest of the red-gold dragon throne and stood up suddenly! In his eyes as deep as the sea, anger was surging like magma, but his powerful will suppressed it beneath the surface, and only breathed out an icy air that chilled people to the bone!
The dragon’s might is like a prison!
The whole hall was dead silent, even breathing seemed to be frozen.
Mrs. Meng, the wife of the Marquis of Changning, was so frightened by the sudden shout that her scream got stuck in her throat and only sobs remained. She curled up into a ball, shaking like a fallen leaf in the autumn wind.
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