Dongfang Wuye still found this reason hard to believe. The throne was such an alluring position; how could anyone not care about it? Could Dongfang Wuche be lying to him?
Qiao Qiu looked at his expression and scoffed, "What do you think you have that would make me lie to you?"
Dongfang Wuye felt somewhat embarrassed that his thoughts had been exposed. "Then why did you choose me?"
“I didn’t choose you at first, but now it seems you’re quite suitable. You’re observant, have some conscience, and are decisive. Most importantly, you have no power or influence. I can put you on the throne without any trouble, as long as you listen to me.” Qiao Qiu walked up to him, lifted his chin with her fan, raised an eyebrow, and smiled, “You’re right, I did have a bit of a thing for men before, but now…”
Dongfang Wuye was dumbfounded. Even Dongfang Wuche had seen through this. Dongfang Wuche was too terrifying!
"I don't like men at all anymore, so you don't need to worry anymore. You will have a woman who loves you and cherishes you in the future." Dongfang Wuche put away his fan and turned to leave.
Dongfang Wuye didn't see any ambiguous look in Dongfang Wuche's eyes. Shouldn't he be happy about this? Why did he feel a sharp pain in his heart, as if he were being pricked by needles?
What kind of loving woman is he interested in?
Looking at the tall, elegant figure ahead that captivated him, Dongfang Wuye's eyes darkened. He gritted his teeth and followed.
...
Back at the palace, Qiao Qiu changed back into her dark purple four-clawed python robe.
Ji Xian walked in and presented the evidence given to him by Murong Wenfeng. It bore the Sixth Prince's private seal. This time, Qiao Qiu planned to follow the established trajectory and bring down the Sixth Prince.
Want to bully his wife? No way.
Qiao Qiu collected the evidence and said to Ji Xian, "Send someone to guard the palace gate. As soon as Lao Liu returns, report to the master immediately."
"Yes, Your Highness." Ji Xian withdrew.
Qiao Qiu thought for a moment, then took out the evidence again, put it in a small bottle, and put the stopper on it.
Just to be on the safe side, it has to be waterproof. It's just a piece of paper; if someone carelessly spills water on it, all the evidence will be ruined.
After placing it, Qiao Qiu got up and walked out, followed immediately by four eunuchs.
Qiao Qiu went to the Imperial Study. She had already returned, and her father, the Emperor, should have received the news as well. It was necessary to go and try to win his favor once more.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty."
"Hmm." The emperor, who was reviewing memorials, gave a cursory reply and continued, "How was the trip?"
"Feihong Mountain was indeed framed. Your Majesty, I have sent men to capture those bandits and gather evidence. I urge you to reconsider the matter of offering amnesty."
"If you can produce evidence, I will definitely grant you amnesty."
"Thank you, Father Emperor."
"Wu Che, you seem to be a little too concerned about Fei Hong Mountain."
“Father, I have said that if we kill the wrong person, it will disgrace your dignity and incite more public anger. If more people then take up arms and become bandits, what peace will the country have? This would also go against your wishes.”
The emperor nodded. "I hope for peace and prosperity for the country, but I am getting old and my thoughts are no longer as selfless as before."
"Father is in his prime and not old at all." Qiao Qiu didn't know what the emperor meant, but flattery never fails, and it's always a safe bet.
"Go down." The emperor was annoyed by this and waved his hand, dismissing her.
"Your subject takes his leave." Qiao Qiu understood that the reason her father, the emperor, acted this way was simply because he had heard too many such words while on the throne and was tired of them.
After leaving the Imperial Study, Qiao Qiu went to see the Empress. She didn't report her departures, but she couldn't avoid seeing the Empress forever. She knew the power of the Empress's influence was still strong; her father, the Emperor, wasn't completely out of his mind, but that didn't mean he wouldn't be once they were in bed together.
Only after he became a 'real man' did he realize that sometimes, his wife's words can easily resonate with him.
After meeting the Empress, Qiao Qiu returned to the East Palace. It was already dark. This was the first time she had slept alone since her marriage. To be honest, touching the bed, she really missed it.
At this moment, Yu Honghua, far away on Feihong Mountain, was sitting on the edge of a cliff, looking at the stars in the night sky. The corners of her mouth were turned up, and her eyes were extremely domineering. "Yuanqing, do you think that my feelings for you at night are no less than those for me during the day? Do you know that I am much more discerning than she is?"
As Yu Honghua spoke, she lowered her head and smiled, murmuring, "Qiu'er, is that you? In this life, I have become your wife. Fate is truly playing tricks on us."
If Qiao Qiu were here now, she would be greatly surprised that Yu Honghua not only remembered her past life, but also recognized her.
"This is the only thing I didn't know during the day, Qiu'er. When you come back, shall we recount the past together?"
...
Two days later, Dongfang Wuche's younger brothers returned to the palace one after another, and Imperial Envoy Liu also returned to the palace.
Another day passed, and everyone was present at the morning court session.
Qiao Qiu took the lead and recounted everything she had seen, followed by the Second Prince, the Third Prince, the Fourth Prince, and the Fifth Prince.
What they said was roughly the same as what Qiao Qiu said. Then, it was originally the Sixth Prince's turn, but the Sixth Prince gave the opportunity to report first to Lord Liu of Shuntian Prefecture.
Lord Liu did not refuse and stepped forward to report: "Your Majesty, according to my investigation, bandits often use the name of Feihong Mountain to burn, kill, and plunder, but Feihong Mountain also has robbery activities, although no one has been killed."
“Lord Liu, you are mistaken.” The Sixth Prince stepped forward, cupped his hands to the Emperor, and said, “Father, as far as I know, the robbery at Feihong Mountain is true. Furthermore, I have found that this matter is also related to my eldest brother.”
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone looked at Qiao Qiu, some with worry, some with schadenfreude, and some with anticipation of a good show—all sorts of expressions were on her face.
Qiao Qiu, however, remained standing still, without even raising an eyebrow, her expression obedient and docile, completely unmoved no matter how much everyone looked at her.
This has left many people confused. They think this is targeting him, so why isn't he reacting at all?
Only the emperor knew the truth. He silently watched his sixth son, who had walked right into the line of fire and was rushing to his death.
But history has always been written by the victors and the vanquished; which emperor has not had the blood of his brothers on his hands?
“Go on.”
The emperor knew that even if he wanted to protect his foolish son, the son would still keep courting death. So he might as well grant his wish and save himself the trouble.
"My imperial brother has fallen for the enchantress Yu Honghua of Feihong Mountain." The Sixth Prince glanced at Qiao Qiu with schadenfreude, then said righteously, "For this enchantress, he betrayed Father's trust; to protect this enchantress, he..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
