Chapter 103 Shunhe, guilty of heinous crimes, is willing to die for His Majesty. ...
On the throne, Zhao Yunfu closed the memorial in his hand, his fingertips lightly pressed his brow, and a hint of weariness appeared between his brows and eyes.
Upon entering, Yu Nie was immediately drawn to the wall of books that greeted him. The three walls of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves were crammed full of books, a vast collection of volumes.
To her right was an open door, next to which was a display shelf filled with antique treasures that most people would never see in their lifetime.
Looking through the door, one can see a narrow couch placed quietly for someone to rest. In front of the couch, an incense burner silently exhales, its wisps of smoke adding a touch of tranquility to the study.
Zhao Yunfu placed the memorial on the imperial desk and glanced at the people standing below the hall.
The face, now cleansed of the bloodstains from their first meeting, was much more pleasing to the eye to him.
In an instant, he understood why his stern and unfeeling father would favor a palace maid who could give birth to such a beautiful daughter with white teeth, delicate eyebrows, and jade-like wings. The woman must have been as beautiful as a flower, if not a national beauty.
And this beauty, in turn, silently stirred another dormant shadow in his heart. That face, too, was unforgettable.
pity……
pity……
"Your Majesty, I, your younger sister Shunhe, pay my respects." She raised her hands above her eyebrows and knelt down deeply.
The sudden sound pulled Zhao Yunfu, who was lost in his memories, back to reality.
He scrutinized the slender, upright figure below the steps, his emotionless eyes now concealed by a veil of smiles.
No need for formalities.
His tone was amiable, but his smile was superficial: "Between you and me, we are like brother and sister, so why perform such a grand ceremony and create unnecessary distance?"
Although they are said to be siblings, Yu Nie knew this all too well. If it weren't for the complicated relationship with the Jie people, no other suitable candidate could be found among the entire imperial clan.
He, the supreme ruler, the Son of Heaven, would never think of his younger sister Zhao Huayan, who had been forgotten in some remote corner, left to fend for herself.
Even if she was determined to overthrow this cannibalistic dynasty, even if she hated the emperor so much that she didn't punish Li Yunsheng, Zhao Yunze and others, and watched her junior brother die unjustly.
At this moment, she still had to suppress her sharp edges and hide them beneath her skin, smiling obediently.
“Your Majesty’s kindness is deeply appreciated. So… I, Shunhe, will respectfully comply.”
She readily agreed, straightened her posture as instructed, and acted with grace and poise.
Zhao Yunfu's gaze lingered for a moment on her unwavering eyes before he cut to the chase: "I heard from Attendant Feng that you insisted on seeing me because of the matter of Junior Tutor Huan?"
Yu Nie did not shy away from this sharp question.
She spoke calmly and respectfully: "Please forgive my impudence, Your Majesty. After Lord Huan was summoned to the palace yesterday, he has not returned to his residence and there has been no word from him."
"Your Majesty, I am deeply worried and have no choice but to ask for an audience. I only hope to hear from you, my brother, whether you are well or not, so that I may have peace of mind."
She did not explicitly state that she had come specifically to plead for Huan Xun after hearing about the impeachment petitions submitted by the Gao and Wang families.
Yan Yue's misjudgment is currently known only to a handful of people in the central government, and his punishment has not yet been publicly discussed in the court.
If she were to rashly reveal the source, it would seem rather suspicious. How could a princess who had only recently returned to Jian'an, with no power or influence behind her, possibly know the secrets of the imperial court?
Zhao Yunfu's gaze fell on her cautiously, as if trying to see through her: "I never expected that you, Shunhe, would be so concerned about Junior Tutor Huan."
His words were laced with hidden meaning, and she understood them perfectly, but she responded subtly and indirectly: "It was Lord Huan who was kind to my sister in the past. Now that he is in trouble, it is both morally and logically my sister cannot stand idly by."
His words were well-considered, demonstrating gratitude while avoiding suspicion of excessive interaction with foreign officials.
Unbeknownst to Yu Nie, the person on the throne had already learned through a secret informant planted beside Huan Xun that Huan Xun had plotted against the Da Que Khanate for her, causing the Khanate to cancel the marriage alliance.
When she spoke of being indebted to him, he only meant the kindness he showed her by speaking up for her at the star-gazing banquet.
From a etiquette standpoint, her decision to come specifically for him today is also justifiable.
In Zhao Yunfu's view, it was perfectly normal for her to recklessly storm the palace for a low-ranking eunuch and speak up for Huan Xun now.
Hearing her say that, he lowered his eyes and nodded, as if he was considering something.
After a moment of silence in the hall, he seemed to have gathered his thoughts, looked up at her, and spoke in a slow, deliberate tone:
"I know you are deeply grieved by what happened at the Star Gazing Banquet. However, the political situation in the court is always turbulent, and you may not be fully aware of it since you left the palace at a young age."
"Since the founding of Beiye, the major aristocratic families have always been vying with the imperial family. Even though the Taizu and Taizong emperors tried their best to reduce their power, their influence is still deeply rooted and cannot be underestimated."
His voice lowered, revealing a rare sense of melancholy: "How could I not know that murder must be punished with death? But even as the emperor, I sometimes have no choice but to yield to the times. Letting Li, Wang, and the others go is not what I wish for, but it is something I have to do right now."
At this point, his voice turned somber as he gazed at him and said, "In this respect, I... am truly ashamed before you."
He spoke as if he truly had no other choice.
But through everything that happened in the Jiushao Palace, Yu Nie knew perfectly well that even without Li and Wang, he would never have executed Prince Zhao Yuanze.
After hearing his words, she adopted the posture befitting a subject, bowing her head in apprehension: "Your Majesty, what shame is there? Your Majesty's words are truly too much for your humble sister to bear."
"I understand Your Majesty's predicament. The aristocratic families, relying on their own power, are trying to use this matter to ask Your Majesty to suppress the commoners, led by Governor Yan. They are only concerned with consolidating their own power and position; have they ever truly considered the interests of Beiye or Your Majesty?"
"Huan Xun is the only descendant of the Governor. If something were to happen to him, and the Governor were to leave the battlefield in despair, what would become of the northern frontier?"
She seemed genuinely indignant on behalf of the emperor, displaying the indignation of a young girl:
"Their insistence on the Emperor severely punishing Huan Xun is nothing more than an attempt to use the Emperor to eliminate his political enemies. Such intentions are clearly sinister."
"Although I am not well-versed in court politics, I have heard of the story of using someone else to do one's dirty work. Isn't their behavior clearly an attempt to put my brother in a dilemma?"
If anyone else had said this, Zhao Yunfu would never have believed it.
However, in his view, Yu Nie did not have the qualities to tell such lies.
A princess who is impulsive and has drawn a knife to the palace to demand an explanation, and who has grown up in a Buddhist temple, would not do such convoluted things.
Moreover, her seemingly naive and almost laughable behavior in the Jiu Shao Palace made it impossible for him not to believe that this was what she was thinking.
Seeing her so indignant, Zhao Yunfu realized that he had almost achieved his goal.
He rose from the dragon throne, supporting himself with his hand, and walked step by step to her, his tone gratified: "As for blood ties and kinship, I am at ease knowing that my sister is thinking of me in this way."
Looking at this emperor, whose appearance could be described as refined, Yu Nie was suddenly filled with a host of questions that stuck in her throat.
She really wanted to ask him, as the ruler of the world, whether he truly knew how his people were doing, and whether he truly cared about their lives and well-being.
Zhao Yunfu was completely unaware of the hatred surging in her heart, and continued, "Punishing Huan Xun is a done deal."
“I must give an explanation to my court officials, but Commander Yan holds a large army. If I act in this way, I fear he will harbor resentment.”
"so……"
"So what?" Yu Nie asked, puzzled.
Zhao Yunfu looked troubled, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated: "Therefore, we need someone to appease Huan Qing on my behalf, and tell him not to mention this matter in front of Governor Yan. As long as Governor Yan is unaware, the battlefield in the northern frontier can remain stable."
Yu Nie vaguely understood who he was referring to as "that person" in his words.
She looked up at him: "The person you're talking about, Your Majesty... is it me?"
Zhao Yunfu remained silent, then turned and slowly walked back to the throne.
“He has already confessed to me that he is fond of you. I think there is no one more suitable than you.”
What shocked her more than being chosen to appease Huan Xun was the last sentence Zhao Yunfu uttered.
Huan Xun?
Are you in love with her?
This is no longer a fantasy; it's practically the kind of absurd tale that would appear in a classic Chinese story.
But how could Zhao Yunfu, the emperor, possibly tell such an easily exposed lie in front of her? What benefit would he gain from telling such a lie?
The news was so shocking that she was overwhelmed with emotion and blurted out what was on her mind:
"My sister and Lord Huan have only met a few times and haven't even exchanged many words... How could he possibly have feelings for my sister?"
Zhao Yunfu stopped in front of the imperial desk and turned around.
"He is only eighteen years old, in the prime of his life. Shunhe and you are about the same age as him and have outstanding looks. It is only natural that he likes you."
“A young man from an ordinary family would have already married and had children by his age, and he has indeed reached the time to settle down.”
"Can……"
She was about to refuse when Zhao Yunfu continued speaking.
His expression appeared calm, but his eyes held a deeper meaning: "I arranged for you to marry him, and appeasing him was only one aspect..."
"Does Your Majesty have other plans?" She keenly sensed that there seemed to be an even more important scheme hidden behind this.
But the majestic emperor said in a deep voice, "The power of the aristocratic clans influences the imperial authority, but Yan Yue now controls seven-tenths of our dynasty's military force. Military power is like a fierce tiger, and I must be on guard."
Yu Nie seemed to have guessed his intentions, and hesitated: "Could it be that Your Majesty wants me to... spy on Huan Xun?"
He did not answer her question directly: "The military power in the northern frontier is a matter of national importance, and I need to know whether Yan Yue has any disloyal intentions. Huan Xun is the most crucial pawn in this game."
Zhao Yunfu looked at her with a deep gaze: "Huan Xun is Yan Yue's only adopted son. If Yan Yue had any ulterior motives, he couldn't possibly be unaware of it."
"I need someone closer to me, someone to watch over me and assess me at all times. Your marriage into the Imperial Household Department means you are my eyes and ears."
She feigned panic, but her mind raced, realizing that this marriage, which appeared to be a gesture of appeasement, was actually a meticulously planned scheme.
Zhao Yunfu gazed at her intently, his tone exceptionally solemn: "Hua Yan, this nation and its people need someone to sacrifice for it. And you are the most suitable person in this matter."
Yu Nie lowered his eyes, concealing the sharpness in them.
She knew Huan Xun's last remaining ability, and if she could join forces with him and integrate all available resources, changing this corrupt world might no longer be out of reach.
Overthrowing a dynasty is an extremely difficult task, and going it alone is by no means a wise choice.
As things stand, Huan Xun is indeed the best collaborator she can get her hands on right now.
but……
She recalled his reputation in history books, and her emotions surged.
However, if we're talking about crimes right now, this stand-in princess who harbors treasonous intentions is probably even more heinous than him, who indiscriminately killed innocent people in history books.
After careful consideration, she knew that there was no time to hesitate.
For her, this marriage was perhaps a move that secretly held a turning point.
Thinking of this, she slowly knelt down and performed a solemn salute, her voice clear and firm:
"Shunhe is willing to die for Your Majesty."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
