However, having seen many storms, Xiahou Riyue quickly reverted to his usual gentle and aloof demeanor.
He cupped his hands towards Zhou Jing'an and said, "Your Highness, please don't joke. What does the Empress's situation have to do with me?"
Zhou Jing'an picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said with his smile undiminished, "It seems that Lord Xiahou does not believe me. It's alright, I can prove my sincerity."
Xiahou Riyue looked at him, puzzled.
Zhou Jing'an then said, "As long as Lord Xiahou nods, I will use a clever trick to escape and take the Empress out of the palace. What do you think, my lord?"
Xiahou Riyue was taken aback, then asked, "Why would Your Highness do this?"
Zhou Jing'an said, "It's not for any particular reason, it's just out of pity and tenderness. The thought of such a beautiful woman dying in the deep palace makes my heart ache."
"Then why do I need to nod?"
Zhou Jing'an smiled, his smile full of meaning: "That's because I want Lord Xiahou to owe me a favor, because I'm sure I'll need it someday."
His words were so straightforward and honest that Xiahou Riyue could not find any flaws in them.
But he didn't want to agree to Zhou Jing'an's request so quickly.
It wasn't that she was afraid of losing face, but rather that she was afraid of ruining Jian Yang's reputation.
Zhou Jing'an put down his teacup and said calmly, "No rush, Lord Xiahou can take his time to consider it. Once you've thought it through, you can send someone to find me at any time. Of course, I still have to remind Lord Xiahou that every day you delay, the Empress will face an increased risk."
After saying that, he stood up, cupped his hands in greeting to Xiahou Riyue, and said, "That's all I have to say. I won't bother you any longer. Farewell."
The following day, Xiahou Riyue entered the palace.
Jian Yang was a little confused when she saw Xiahou Riyue's sudden visit.
"Was it the Emperor who sent you this time?"
Upon hearing these words, Xiahou Riyue felt a sudden pang of heartache for no apparent reason.
In his view, Jian Yang was probably ill from missing the emperor, otherwise she wouldn't be so eagerly anticipating his arrival.
So when he looked at her, his eyes couldn't help but show more sympathy and pity.
Jian Yang: "???"
What is this person imagining?
“I came here by myself this time,” Xiahou Riyue said.
Jian Yang asked, "May I ask what brings Lord Xiahou here?"
Xiahou Riyue looked at him, his eyes flashing with complex emotions: "I have a way to take the Empress away from this deep palace. I wonder if you are willing?"
Jian Yang: "?"
First Zhou Jing'an, then Xiahou Riyue, why are these people so keen to persuade her to leave the palace?
You should know that her dream was to be a lazy bum who just coasts through life.
Now the emperor's heart is with the newly entered concubines, and she usually stays at home and refuses visitors. It's like she's living a retirement life where she doesn't have to work to deal with her boss or scheme against her colleagues.
She has no time to enjoy herself, why should she leave the palace so early?
Even if she wanted to leave the palace to live a carefree life, she would have to wait until she had planned everything out.
Going out now would be tantamount to handing her a head to the families who want to kill her.
This deal is too unprofitable.
Therefore, Jian Yang firmly stated, "I am perfectly fine within this palace, so there is no need for Lord Xiahou to trouble himself."
Xiahou Riyue wanted to persuade her again, but seeing her firm gaze and resistant demeanor, he finally sighed silently and said, "Then Your Majesty should take care of yourself. I will take my leave now."
"Lianxia, see Lord Xiahou off."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a commotion broke out outside the hall.
"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!" Xiqiu rushed in. "Consort Yu has barged in with a lot of palace servants and concubines!"
Upon hearing this, Jian Yang slammed her hand on the table and stood up: "How dare you! Have I given her too much face?!"
"Hahaha, no matter how bold I am, how could I be bolder than the Empress!"
Before Consort Yu arrived, her voice preceded her arrival.
Jian Yang straightened up and coldly watched Yu Fei and the others approach.
"I had no idea that Weiyang Palace had become a marketplace where any Tom, Dick, or Harry could just barge in."
Consort Yu, however, was not angry at all. Her eyes swept between Jian Yang and Xiahou Riyue, and she said with a sarcastic expression, "As the Empress, you have the right to rebuke me for having an affair with an official of the court and causing disorder in the harem."
As soon as Yu Fei said this, her group of sisters echoed her sentiments and began to criticize Jian Yang harshly.
Jian Yang frowned. Xiahou Riyue had just arrived at Weiyang Palace when Consort Yu followed closely behind with her entourage.
If this wasn't a setup, then her name could be written backwards!
Could it be that Xiahou Riyue conspired with Yufei to set a trap for her?
Jian Yang quickly glanced at Xiahou Riyue and, seeing the astonished look on his face, dismissed her suspicions about him.
As the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, with a promising future, he would never be so foolish as to do something that would ruin his own future.
There is only one truth: there is a traitor in Weiyang Palace who is monitoring her every move and reporting to Consort Yu and others at any time.
Jian Yang steadied herself and sneered, "Sister Yufei is truly skilled."
Consort Yu smiled and said, "Your Majesty is too kind. The Emperor and the Empress Dowager are already on their way. If Your Majesty has any grievances, please go and explain to them."
Jian Yang was taken aback.
They were indeed well-prepared.
She's in a situation where she can't clear her name no matter what.
Just as she was pondering this, the Emperor personally helped the Empress Dowager in, leading a large group of palace servants into the room.
When Consort Yu saw that her powerful backer had arrived, she immediately greeted him with a beaming smile.
"Your Majesty, I caught the Empress in the act of having a secret rendezvous with Lord Xiahou. The Empress's licentious behavior in the harem is outrageous, and I beg Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager to punish her severely!"
Upon hearing this, the emperor frowned and looked up at Jian Yang.
She seems to have gained weight?
How come this is different from what he imagined?
Shouldn't she be like him, worrying so much every day that she can't eat or drink?
The emperor felt inexplicably wronged.
Jian Yang stepped forward to pay his respects and said, "Consort Yu is maliciously accusing me of spreading rumors and slander. I hope Your Majesty and Empress Dowager will see the truth."
Consort Yu scoffed, "That's ridiculous. If the Empress and Lord Xiahou have no affair, why does he only go to Weiyang Palace and not come to my Yufu Palace?"
Xiahou Riyue, who had been silent for a long time, quietly said, "I have been entrusted by General Jian to visit the Empress in the palace."
Now that things had developed to this point, he understood that everything from Zhou Jing'an looking for him to Consort Yu coming to catch them in the act of adultery was a trap they had set in advance.
If he cannot prove his innocence today, both he and Jian Yang will fall into an abyss.
Jian Yang silently gave Xiahou Riyue a thumbs up.
Not bad, what a clever little devil.
Consort Yu snorted coldly, "General Jian is in the capital, why doesn't he come in person?"
Jian Yang smiled and said, "Sister Yufei, you are being too nosy. Whether my brother comes or not, and who he asks to come, is his business. What does it have to do with you?"
Consort Yu said, "Do you dare to let General Jian come to the palace for a face-to-face confrontation?"
Jianyang said, "What is there to be afraid of?"
She really didn't dare.
Jian Hong was a military general and had no personal relationship with civil officials like Xiahou Riyue. If they were to confront each other face to face, he would surely be exposed.
But right now, she has no other choice but to be stubborn.
"I believe the Empress would never have an affair with Minister Xiahou," the Emperor said abruptly.
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