Chapter 462
The Regent said softly, "His Majesty is simply a man of deep affection and loyalty."
Wen Xin forced a smile, “My mother loves my father very much, so she has been kind to the Liang family. I have always regarded the Liang family as my closest relatives, but only now do I realize that it has all been wishful thinking on my part.”
The regent remained silent for a moment.
He had always wanted the young empress to see the true colors of the Liang family, but the truth always hurts...
This was something she was bound to face sooner or later, the Regent thought to himself, yet he couldn't suppress his heartache for her.
Wen Xin lowered her eyes, her voice low, tinged with bitterness and self-mockery, "I know Your Highness is puzzled as to why my temperament suddenly changed after I woke up from my serious injuries."
The Regent said slowly, "If Your Majesty does not wish to speak, you may choose not to."
He believed everything she did and was willing to protect her.
Wen Xin shook his head. "I had a dream. I dreamt that the Liang family colluded with foreign enemies, killed His Highness, and destroyed Fengyuan's empire. I dreamt that a group of innocent souls who were killed by the Liang family came to claim my life, questioning why I tolerated the Liang family's evil deeds... I am not worthy to be a ruler!"
"His Majesty!"
The regent suddenly grasped her hands and knelt on one knee before her. "It was just a nightmare, not real."
The young empress shook her head, tears falling onto the back of his hand. "It's true. I didn't kill Bo Ren, but Bo Ren died because of me. All these years, if I hadn't indulged the Liang family and protected them in every way, how could they have dared to prey on the people and harm the innocent?"
"Your Majesty is not wrong!"
The Regent spoke in a deep voice, each word striking the young Empress's heart.
"The Liang family committed evil deeds because they were blinded by greed."
"Thunder and rain are all the Emperor's grace. Your Majesty is the ruler of the world. Everyone can only submit to you, regardless of right or wrong."
"If there is any deviation, I will be the sharp sword in your hand, invincible for you, clearing away all obstacles."
Wen Xin stared blankly at the person in front of her, her eyes still misty with tears.
"Your Highness, why...why are you so good to me?"
The Regent lowered his eyes. "Your humble servant is your subject."
The young empress's voice was somewhat ethereal, "Will Your Highness stay with me forever?"
The palace is cold, the imperial power is dark. Will you stay with me at the center of the vortex?
As an empress, she had no way out.
It's either rule the world or die!
The Regent's heart pounded, and he spoke each word as if making a vow: "Your humble servant will always protect you."
Is it just about protection?
Well, at least I got his promise. I'll take it slow.
Wen Xin grasped his hand in return, "I will remember what Your Highness said."
The Regent's gaze fell on their clasped hands. The little empress's hands were small, and he could easily wrap them in his palm; they were soft and warm.
People like her, so noble yet so fragile, he only needs to spread his wings to easily imprison her in his arms, so that she can never fly away...
The Regent's breath hitched, his eyes filled with dark, thick emotions. He tried to pull his hand away as if he had been electrocuted, but then he saw the moisture at the corners of her eyes and could only suppress his rebellious thoughts.
No, you can't!
He's not qualified...
Wen Xin knew how to behave properly, lest she scare away the Regent Prince completely, or she would be the one who would suffer.
She naturally released his hand and continued, "These days, I've been thinking about the Liang family. I don't want to believe that my father's family could be so filthy, but the more I recall it, the more shocking it becomes."
"The malicious look in Liang Wumei's eyes when she pushed me toward the assassin's knife that day, and the fact that my aunt's every word today is scheming against me, have left me with no last bit of hope."
She met his gaze and slowly said, "Your Highness, the Liang family's ambition was nurtured by me and the Empress Dowager, and it is only right that I cut it off."
The Regent's phoenix eyes were deep as he raised his hand and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I understand."
The young empress helped him up, her eyebrows curving into a smile, pure and bright, "Thank you, Your Highness," she said, supporting him unconditionally and forgiving him.
A hint of tenderness flashed across the Regent's eyes, "However, Your Majesty must not joke about your own health anymore."
The young empress nervously tugged at her skirt, "I know."
She's just pretending to faint, it's not a big deal, right?
Of course, Her Majesty dared not say it; if she did, His Highness the Regent would definitely lecture her for a whole day with a stern face.
Wen Xin's small body trembled; this was even more frightening than Tang Sanzang chanting sutras.
She wanted to spend more time with His Highness the Regent and cultivate their relationship, but she didn't want a strict, nagging headmaster!
...
The news that the young empress had fainted from anger at Prime Minister Liang quickly became known throughout the capital. The regent could not easily undermine the young empress, so he could only follow her wishes and make arrangements accordingly.
That day, the Imperial Guards surrounded the Liang family's residence.
This left the officials, who believed the Regent was using this as an excuse to eliminate the Liang family, somewhat bewildered.
The Imperial Guards are His Majesty's personal troops, and only His Majesty can order their deployment.
So, the siege of the Liang family was His Majesty's order, not the Regent's?
Ah, this...
What does Your Majesty mean by this?
It should be noted that the Liang family's ability to act with impunity in the capital over the years has been entirely due to the Empress's favor.
Just a few days ago, didn't His Majesty take advantage of the Regent's absence to seemingly help the Liang family control the lucrative position of the Grand Canal transport and also bestow a title upon Liang Wumei?
Why is His Majesty suddenly going to have a falling out with the Liang family over a mere injury?
Just when many officials and powerful figures in the capital were completely baffled, memorials from censors impeaching the Liang family flew into the Imperial Study like snowflakes.
Furthermore, rumors have spread that Liang Wumei instigated His Majesty's assassination attempt outside the palace, and that she even pushed His Majesty to take the blows!
The civil and military officials trembled: Liang Wumei is awesome! The Liang family is awesome!
Damn it, does the Liang family think it's too unpleasant to have their heads on their necks, so they all want to try what it's like to have their heads moved?
Or have they lived too well all these years, making the Liang family forget who they are and think they are the true owners of Fengyuan?
Are you an idiot?
There are also rumors that Prime Minister Liang not only does not repent for this matter, but also went to His Majesty to spout nonsense, not only trying to sow discord between her and the Regent, but also bringing up the late Emperor's husband.
Officials: "..."
The Liang family really are idiots.
Those who are courting death are doing so by flattering others!
But what kind of rumor is this?
It was clearly released on purpose by the palace!
Do you think they're as foolish as the Liang family?
Tsk tsk, the Liang family is doomed!
Let's set off some firecrackers to celebrate.
Liang family: "..."
Sure enough, within a few days, one crime after another was exposed to the Liang family, and the entire capital went from shock and condemnation to numbness.
Is there any evil thing in the world that the Liang family wouldn't dare to do?
Those crimes alone could get them killed several times over.
The enraged empress then summoned all officials to the Phoenix Palace.
The young empress sat high on her phoenix throne, flanked by female officials holding fans, exuding an aura of majesty.
The regent sat below, exuding an imposing aura, like a sword guarding the emperor's sharpest, most bloodthirsty weapon.
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