Chen Xiaoru lay in bed, the system playing this palace drama in her mind in real time. She frowned slightly, not expecting Xuanyuan Che to simply imprison the empress instead of deposing her. It seemed he still had reservations about the Prime Minister's Mansion.
"System, have you taken a picture of the evidence of the Prime Minister's Mansion's crimes?" Chen Xiaoru communicated with the system in her mind using her thoughts.
"It has been given. Ying is verifying it. I believe it will be delivered to Xuanyuan Che soon." The system replied.
Chen Xiaoru nodded slightly, her eyes deep: "I guess the Queen Mother will come to Xuanyuan Che soon and ask for the release of the Queen."
"Host, Xuanyuan Che is here." The system reminded.
Chen Xiaoru quickly adjusted her mood and her face regained its composure.
Xuanyuan Che pushed the door open and saw Chen Xiaoru gazing calmly at the bed curtains. His heart sank slightly, knowing that she had heard about the Queen's treatment. He walked to the bedside and sat down, his tone gentle but with a hint of nervousness: "Xiaoru, how are you feeling?"
Chen Xiaoru turned her head, her eyes clear and calm: "Your Majesty, I'm fine."
Xuanyuan Che looked at her, feeling a little uneasy, and spoke in a slower tone: "I know you heard what I did to the Queen. Are you angry?"
Chen Xiaoru smiled slightly, her voice soft but firm: "Your Majesty, I am not angry. Your Majesty has his own plans, and I believe that Your Majesty will seek justice for my unborn child."
Xuanyuan Che reached out and held her hand, his eyes firm: "Xiao Ru, don't worry. I have sent people to investigate the Prime Minister's Mansion. The evidence of the Prime Minister's Mansion's crimes will soon surface."
"His Majesty…"
Chen Xiaoru hesitated to speak, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes.
Xuanyuan Che held her in his arms and whispered, "I know what you're worried about. I'll take care of the Queen Mother's situation myself. The most important thing for you right now is to take care of yourself. Leave the rest to me."
At this moment, the eunuch's shrill voice came from outside the palace:
"Your Majesty, the Queen Mother has arrived!"
Xuanyuan Che's eyes darkened, and he gently patted the back of Chen Xiaoru's hand: "You rest first, I'll go see the Queen Mother."
Chen Xiaoru nodded, and looked at Xuanyuan Che's back as he stood up and left, a complicated look flashing in her eyes.
"I hope so." Chen Xiaoru said softly, her hand unconsciously touching her lower abdomen, her eyes gradually becoming firm.
The Queen Mother stormed into the palace, the cold wind blew her phoenix robe, bringing with it a chilling breath.
The candlelight in the hall swayed slightly in the chill, casting swaying shadows on the walls.
The Queen Mother's gaze slashed at Xuanyuan Che like a knife: "My son, what do you mean by this? You actually imprisoned the Queen!"
Xuanyuan Che stood in the hall, the golden threads of his dragon robe gleaming in the candlelight. His expression was calm yet unquestionable. "Mother, the Queen has plotted to murder the heir to the throne, and the evidence is irrefutable. I have shown leniency and have not directly deposed her."
"Ridiculous!" The Queen Mother slammed the table and stood up, causing the teacup to make a crisp sound.
Her phoenix hairpin trembled slightly with her movements, reflecting the cold light of the candle. "The Prime Minister's family has been loyal and righteous for generations, and the Empress is even more virtuous. How could they do such a thing? It's obvious that someone is trying to sow discord!"
Xuanyuan Che's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness, and his knuckles turned slightly white against the armrests of the dragon throne. "Mother, your words are wrong. How could I be a foolish ruler who would lose his judgment if provoked?"
The Queen Mother narrowed her eyes, her gaze wandering over Xuanyuan Che's face: "My son, I know you dote on that Concubine Chen, but matters in the harem are not to be trifled with."
"Mother!"
Xuanyuan Che's voice suddenly rose, and the air in the hall froze instantly.
He stood up, his figure straight as a pine tree, a cold light flashing in his eyes: "Your Majesty, I respect you as my elder, but please do not interfere too much in the affairs of the court and the harem."
The queen mother's face turned pale, and the whisk in her hand trembled slightly: "You! Such an unfilial son!"
Outside the palace, a cold wind blew past, causing the palace lanterns in the corridor to sway.
The dull sound of drums came from the bell tower in the distance, echoing in the silent night sky.
Xuanyuan Che stood with his hands behind his back, his voice low but unquestionable: "Your son knows his limits. Please return to the palace and rest, mother."
The Queen Mother stared at Xuanyuan Che intently, and after a long while she sneered, "Good, very good! I want to see how long you can protect that woman!"
She flicked her sleeves and left, her phoenix robe bringing up a gust of cold wind, and the candlelight in the hall flickered.
After the Queen Mother left, the hall fell into deathly silence.
He walked to the inner hall. Chen Xiaoru was lying on the bed, tilting her head to look at Xuanyuan Che who came in. She looked at him with worry: "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother..."
Xuanyuan Che walked over to the bed and sat down, gently caressing her face. His tone was gentle but with unquestionable determination: "Don't worry, I'll take care of everything. Just rest assured and take care of the baby. I will protect you and the child."
Chen Xiaoru nodded, a trace of gratitude flashing in her eyes. She held Xuanyuan Che's hand and said softly, "Your Majesty, I believe you."
Xuanyuan Che leaned over, kissed her gently on the forehead, and whispered, "Have a good rest, I still have some things to take care of."
He stood up, turned and left the inner hall, his eyes becoming cold again.
The imperial study was brightly lit with candles.
Xuanyuan Che sat at his desk, several memorials spread out before him. They were densely written, each line revealing the undercurrents surging within the court. His brow furrowed as his gaze swept over the memorials, his fingers tapping lightly on the tabletop, a dull sound.
Xuanyuan Che took the secret letter from Ying, his eyes furrowed, his expression darkening. Every word in the letter bore into his mind like a needle, recording the crimes committed by the Prime Minister's Office over the years: corruption, bribery, clique-building, the persecution of loyal officials... Each crime was shocking. It also contained evidence of collusion between the Empress Dowager and the Prime Minister's Office.
He slammed the secret letter onto the table with a resounding bang, causing the candlelight to flicker. The air in the imperial study seemed frozen, only the rage burning within him. His eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing in them. A fierce murderous aura emanated from him, permeating the entire room.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm the anger in his heart, and said in a cold voice: "What a prime minister's mansion, what a queen mother! How dare they be so audacious!"
His voice was low, but it was filled with unquestionable firmness.
He raised his head, looked at Ying, and said in a cold tone: "Pass on my decree, arrest everyone in the Prime Minister's Mansion and put them in the Sky Prison. Tomorrow morning, I will personally try this case!"
Ying obeyed the order and retreated quietly.
Xuanyuan Che stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the stars in the night sky. His mind was swirling with thoughts: how to deal with the Queen Mother, how to protect Chen Xiaoru and her unborn child, and how to maintain the stability of the court. He knew it would be an extremely difficult struggle, but he was determined not to give in.
He returned to his desk and began meticulously planning tomorrow's actions. He wanted to ensure every step was foolproof. He summoned Ying and gave him specific instructions: "Notify Zhang Jianzhi, Li Jun, and other loyal officials to be present before tomorrow's morning court session. Also, arrange for the Imperial Guard to stand guard outside the palace to prevent any unforeseen events."
Ying nodded in acceptance and quickly carried out the order after retreating.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
