Chapter 77
It wasn't until several days after the Prince Li's body was exposed to the elements, rotting and infested with maggots, that a palace attendant slowly led over with a few vicious dogs.
It was the vicious dog that Prince Li used to keep, which bit Emperor Chengyuan several times, and was later used by Emperor Chengyuan to eat the corpse of the deposed crown prince.
Several vicious dogs had bloodshot vertical pupils, their tongues lolling out incessantly, disgusting saliva dripping from their mouths, and they were extremely agitated.
The eunuch tapped them with a wooden stick, and the vicious dogs calmed down a bit.
"Let's go eat!"
The eunuch loosened the chains, and the vicious dog, which had been starving for several days, didn't pick and choose at all, eating the Prince of Li down to just a few bones.
The eunuch locked up the vicious dogs again and casually ordered his men, "Go and announce that Prince Li has died suddenly."
The subordinate asked, "Young Master Miao, aren't we going to kill these vicious dogs yet?"
Xiao Miao grinned, his pale face resembling that of a demon. "Our Eunuch Mo said it's not the right time yet. We'll stew it later and send it to the deposed crown prince and Prince Li's loyal subordinates to enjoy."
The subordinate gasped, as if startled, but then asked, "Should we send a bowl to the Empress Dowager and Princess Qinghe?"
Xiao Miao raised her orchid finger and said, "You little rascal, of course I want it. I'll deliver it to you personally."
Subordinate: "Hehe!"
The eunuchs are rootless and have twisted and dark personalities, but they are also the most loyal. His Majesty treats them with the kindness of a second life, so they will never allow those who are disloyal to His Majesty or who have let His Majesty down to have an easy time!
So what if she's the Empress Dowager? So what if she's the Eldest Princess?
Of course, that's a story for later. After dealing with the ever-reckless Prince Li, Emperor Chengyuan is now rushing back to the palace to see his beloved!
However, before going to see Wen Xin, Emperor Chengyuan first went to wash up and tidy himself up.
He had promised her he wouldn't let her see his violent side again, and naturally he wouldn't break his promise.
His innocent and pure heart, so kind and beautiful, how could he allow such filth and bloodshed to collide with her?
With him around, she would never have to come into contact with those things, nor would she ever know that he had cruelly murdered his own siblings.
Emperor Chengyuan's eyes were deep and unfathomable. All she needed to know was that he was the best husband to her, the one who would take care of her for the rest of her life.
...
When Wen Xin entered the palace, Qing Yu took out a black cloth and carefully explained, "Madam, His Majesty instructed you to cover your eyes when entering the palace. Of course, if you feel uncomfortable, then you can leave it at that."
It is evident that although this emperor is ruthless and cruel, he truly has no bottom line when it comes to her; he will not force her to do anything she does not want.
Wen Xin shook her head, "It doesn't hurt, it's okay. Qingyu, tie me up!"
"yes."
Qingyu gently tied the black cloth around Wenxin's neck. It was made of warm black satin, silky and soft, and wouldn't hurt her fair skin.
The carriage traveled for a long time before suddenly stopping. Qingyu and Qinghe carefully helped Wenxin off the carriage.
Xiao Lian didn't come along. Unlike Qing Yu and Qing He, who came from the palace, Wen Xin was afraid that she might accidentally offend a noble person and that she wouldn't be able to save her, so she had no choice but to leave her at the manor.
Wen Xin was surrounded by darkness and couldn't see anything. She could only be led around by Qing Yu and Qing He.
The two men carefully pointed out the steps and threshold to her.
Suddenly, she was enveloped in warmth, which shielded her from the still slightly chilly spring wind.
Qingyu took off her cloak, and Qinghe helped her sit down on a chair.
"Madam, please sit here for a moment. His Majesty will be here shortly. We will take our leave now."
Wen Xin was a little nervous and wanted to ask something, but not wanting to make things difficult for Qing Yu and Qing He, she nodded and said, "Okay, you don't need to worry about me, just be careful."
Qingyu and Qinghe's expressions softened. "Don't worry, Madam."
Wen Xin sat in the quiet, warm room, without speaking, moving, or trying to remove the blindfold, so well-behaved that she was irresistibly lovable.
How can there be such a lovely and gentle girl?
The sound of steady footsteps approached, and Wen Xin's heart pounded. She asked nervously, "Who is it?"
"It is I."
Emperor Chengyuan lowered his voice, which was deep and dignified, slightly different from the low, magnetic voice he usually spoke in front of young girls, which was wicked and smiling.
For a moment, Wen Xin felt that the emperor's voice sounded somewhat familiar, but she didn't think too much about it.
She hurriedly tried to stand up and bow, but a large hand suddenly pressed down on her shoulder.
The emperor calmly said, "Now it's just you and me here, no need for formalities."
Wen Xin's face was conflicted, but since His Majesty had already spoken, how could she disobey the imperial decree? She could only sit nervously in the chair.
Emperor Chengyuan: "You wish to see me?"
Wen Xin gripped the hem of her skirt with both hands and nodded slightly, "Yes."
Emperor Chengyuan felt a pang of sympathy seeing the young girl's tense back and softened his voice, "Just to get a divorce from Shangguan Hao? That's a small matter."
Wen Xin was stunned for a moment, and her eyes, which were covered by black cloth, subconsciously "looked" at the emperor, but of course, she saw nothing.
"Your Majesty, my wife..."
The emperor just agreed like that?
Don't you think she's heartless towards her husband's family and not a good woman?
"I know about your grievances with Shangguan Hao. You did nothing wrong, and divorce is the only right thing to do."
Hearing those familiar words again, Wen Xin's fingertips trembled slightly.
Even the cruel and tyrannical ruler in the eyes of the world would feel some pity for her, so why would her blood relatives and husband's family treat her so harshly?
The emperor said calmly, "Those people are simply blind."
Wen Xin was a little embarrassed. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Emperor Chengyuan asked her, "How about I issue an edict now ordering you and Shangguan Hao to divorce?"
Wen Xin quickly said, "Your Majesty, there's no rush."
Emperor Chengyuan: "..." But I'm in a great hurry!
Wen Xin took a deep breath, mustered her courage, and spoke seriously and earnestly: "Your Majesty, I have come to see you today because there is something I wish to tell you."
Emperor Chengyuan: "Hmm?"
"Regarding the fact that the Marquis of Xuanwu's residence and Prince Li had private dealings and that they were plotting to harm His Majesty."
After saying this, Wen Xin felt very uneasy, fearing that the emperor would kill her in his rage.
However, she seemed oblivious to His Majesty's anger.
Emperor Chengyuan's voice remained calm, "What do you mean?"
Wen Xin was influenced by his calm attitude and felt a little relieved.
"At the end of last year, I overheard the Xuanwu Marquis's father and son finding a peculiar flower from outside through the sea transport in Jiangnan. The flower has a light and pleasant fragrance, and it is fine to use it alone to make incense. However, if it is mixed with sandalwood for a long time, it will form a kind of poison that slowly corrodes the internal organs and will make people die silently within a few years."
“It seems that the Marquis of Xuanwu’s residence gave this flower to Prince Li,” Wen Xin paused, her voice trembling, “I smelled that fragrance in Cining Palace on the day of the Empress Dowager’s birthday.”
Compared to ambergris, Emperor Chengyuan actually preferred sandalwood.
It goes without saying who this poisonous flower was intended for.
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