The candlelight flickered as Yin Jiuxiao pondered Zi Xi's words in the imperial study. A portrait of a man in black gradually appeared on the paper. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. His hand holding the pen paused slightly, and a dark red stain of vermilion spread across the memorial.
"Your Majesty, Consort Zheng requests an audience."
Outside the hall, a guard reported in a low voice.
Yin Jiuxiao's gaze darkened slightly. His fingertips unconsciously caressed the crooked sachet at his waist. He carefully rolled up the painting and said softly, "Send it."
It's not time to completely break ties with the Zheng family yet.
The palace doors opened slightly, and Consort Zheng, dressed in a brightly colored palace gown and adorned with a multicolored hairpin, bowed gracefully in a coquettish voice: "Your Majesty, this concubine greets you."
"What urgent matter brings the Imperial Concubine here so late at night?"
Yin Jiuxiao reviewed the memorials without even raising his head.
"I have heard that my brother was recently held accountable by the Ministry of War and stripped of his military power."
Consort Zheng raised her eyes, a hint of sorrow in them, but her feelings were unrequited; Yin Jiuxiao's eyes were fixed on the memorial.
“Zheng Canglang privately transferred border troops and abandoned his post without authorization. According to the law, he should be executed.”
Yin Jiuxiao didn't even raise his head, his expression cold and aloof.
"Your Majesty, my elder brother was on the battlefield back then..."
Consort Zheng's fingertips trembled slightly, but she still straightened her back and once again resorted to moral blackmail.
"I remember."
“Three years ago, during the war in the north, he took an arrow for me, so I remember it. This is the only life-saving grace I have ever received. Your brother has secured the position of Imperial Concubine for you.”
Yin Jiuxiao interrupted her, his voice eerily calm.
Consort Zheng's eyes reddened slightly: "But Your Majesty... my brother is now..."
"I spared his life; that is already an act of mercy on my part."
"If the Imperial Concubine still wants to plead for him, she should think about who gave her the audacity to do what her brother did?"
Yin Jiuxiao closed the memorial, his tone chilling.
Consort Zheng's face suddenly turned deathly pale.
The hall was deathly silent, save for the soft crackling of the candle wick.
"Get out."
After a long silence, Yin Jiuxiao frowned and said, "I've never seen such a clueless person. Get out of here!"
What if someone misunderstands?
Consort Zheng bowed deeply, and as she turned away, her fingernails dug deeply into her palms from her sleeves.
She had been in love with Yin Jiuxiao since she was a child, but her brother often said that Yin Jiuxiao was a cold-blooded and ruthless monster who could never fall in love with anyone.
She simply didn't believe it, thinking that her long-term companionship would eventually win him over.
Three years have passed, and Yin Jiuxiao remains unmoved. How much longer is she going to wait?!
The moment the palace doors closed, Yin Jiuxiao's gaze shifted slightly as he looked behind the screen.
Have you heard enough?
"Your Majesty, this servant has come to deliver some refreshments..."
Zi Xi slowly emerged, holding a plate of steaming osmanthus cake in her hands.
Yin Jiuxiao glanced at her coldly: "Next time, deliver the snacks through the main entrance. Don't always go up to the roof beams. They're covered in dust. I don't want to eat a mouthful of dust."
Zi Xi blinked: "Then I'll eat first, and His Majesty can have the rest?"
"you……"
Yin Jiuxiao pinched the bridge of his nose and suddenly felt that it was better to settle the Zheng family matter as soon as possible than to talk to her!
*
Two months later, Zi Xi watched the carrier pigeon fly away, her fingers holding the letter furrowing slightly.
"His Majesty!"
"The Zheng family has rebelled!!"
She rushed out from outside, looking at His Majesty, who had been said to be unwell for a month and unable to attend the morning court.
"Yes, everything is under my control. I knew the Zheng family would make a move soon, but I didn't expect them to be so slow."
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