Chapter 232: Sound of Wind and Rain at Night

Empress Dowager Xie's eyes were dark. She stared at the person in front of her in the moonlight, and a sarcastic smile appeared on the corner of her mouth. "Emperor, when you criticize Cheng'er's habit of cutting sleeves with contempt, you might as well take a good look at your children."

"Qingyu is a princess, and her reputation is well known. Even prostitutes in brothels can't match her."

"At a young age, Xiao Fu indulged in alcohol and sex, spent his days in a daze, and was like rotten clay that could not be propped up against a wall."

"Fei'er is a dignified, upright, virtuous, and kind person, but it's a pity that she is not your bloodline."

"You worked so hard to seize the throne, but after a hundred years, it was all just a dream. As time goes by, the evil you have done will eventually be repaid by your descendants."

"Even if you give Qingyu to Gu Huai, the Duke of Zhenguo will not recognize this marriage."

At this point, Empress Dowager Xie paused, and her tone became more sarcastic. "Not only the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, ask the noble families, who would be willing to marry a woman who is used to taking advantage of her status to force anyone to marry her as their principal wife? Even a concubine would be considered dirty."

Xiao Yao stared at Empress Dowager Xie with cold eyes, trying to discern the deeper meaning behind her malicious and sarcastic expression.

After a long examination, nothing was found.

With a faint smile, "What the Empress said makes sense. Tomorrow I will order Qingyu to dismiss her concubines and confine herself to the palace to wait for her marriage."

"I will also bring Xie San's posthumous child to the palace as soon as possible to reunite with the Emperor's sister-in-law."

"Of course, before that, I have to use the mother and son as bait to disturb the calm waters of this pond and catch the hidden fish."

"I wonder if Old Lady Xie would be heartbroken when she learns that the Empress Dowager has made the Xie family extinct for Heng'er?"

Undisguised malice flowed out and merged into the night wind, entwining around Empress Dowager Xie like fine needles, making it difficult for her to breathe.

Her long, thin nails dug into her palms, and Empress Dowager Xie managed to maintain her composure. "It's up to you. The Xie family is waiting for you in the underworld."

"Well, your brother is waiting for you in the underworld."

Empress Dowager Xie did not listen to Xiao Yao's response, but walked straight over the threshold of Changning Palace and walked towards the hall where candlelight was flickering.

The night wind blew up her robes, making Empress Dowager Xie look even thinner and more slender, like a fluttering piece of paper that could be blown away at any moment. But upon closer inspection, her figure was exceptionally straight, as if she was supported by an aura that could never dissipate, making her indestructible.

It seemed as if she was still the respected Empress Dowager Daqian.

Xiao Yao looked at Empress Dowager Xie's back, his emotions intertwined, like joy, mockery, sadness, and anger, as complicated as a tangled mess that could not be untangled.

He has gotten what he wanted, but why does he always think of the old scenes in his dreams at midnight?

The emperor's brother, the emperor's sister-in-law, him, and Xiao Cheng.

No, once the arrow is shot, it cannot be retrieved. He has no regrets!

Xiao Yao closed his eyes slightly, and when he opened them again, all his fragility and hesitation disappeared completely, leaving only his ruthless ambition.

"Spread the news of Xie Sanlang's posthumous child."

"This time, I will wipe out all those evil-minded and treacherous people in one fell swoop."

The wind was murderous and cold.

There is a world of difference between inside and outside the red wall.

In Changning Palace, Empress Dowager Xie leaned limply on a large carved chair, like an ant on a hot pot, tightly grasping the hand of the old maid beside her, "Madame Xu, Madame Xu."

He just kept calling out to the old nanny, without uttering a word from his heart.

Nanny Xu soothed Empress Dowager Xie in a gentle voice.

Empress Dowager Xie lowered her eyebrows and her expression was unclear.

"Madame Xu, the anniversary of Cheng'er and his son's death and the Xie family's death is coming soon. Don't forget to prepare incense, candles, paper money, and more."

Madam Xu's face was full of pity. "I saved it for you."

"You go down first. I will recite some sutras for a while." Empress Dowager Xie took Nanny Xu's hand, stood up, and knelt again in the small Buddhist temple in the hall.

The moment the door closed, Empress Dowager Xie's eyes became clear.

She risked her life just to avenge the Xie family and Cheng'er.

Empress Dowager Xie took out a golden box from the secret compartment under the Buddhist altar. With a click, the box opened and what came into view was a handful of soil stained red with blood.

It was the soil that was dyed red after the entire Xie family was beheaded as a warning to the public.

Her people secretly sent a handful of it into the palace.

How can I let go of my hatred when I look at the blood-stained soil in the Buddhist temple day after day!

Xie Yan was the most fatherly person and would never let her down.

I also hope that Lu Mingchao can understand the current affairs and not become a stumbling block for Xie Yan.

However, being able to convince the old guys of the Runan Xu family to help cover it up is considered some skill.

It’s a pity that I underestimated her.

The world is full of benefits and people's hearts are fickle. How could she not arrange people to keep an eye on the old lady of Runan Xu's family?

Lu Ming Dynasty...

The girl from the Yongning Marquis's Mansion.

A little girl who ran after Gu Huai all over Beijing.

She had seen him at a palace banquet before. Although he was beautiful, he was not smart at all.

Unexpectedly, after the farce of the real and fake daughter, Lu Mingchao was reborn with more wisdom and vision.

It's just his personality, a little too sharp and pointed.

Forget it. I’ll teach you a lesson some more in the future when I have the chance.

Today's event can be regarded as her wedding gift to Xie Yan and Lu Mingchao.

With the imperial decree granting the marriage, the wedding date was set, and Gu Huai no longer had the energy to stir up trouble.

The most urgent thing is that Xie Yan cannot stay in Changhe County for too long.

Northern Xinjiang is where Xie Yan should go.

The broken flag must be raised again.

The scattered military power must be taken back.

…

Changhe County.

Chaofu Trading Company was having problems everywhere, with all sorts of minor issues popping up one after another.

They are all harmless things, but they are really annoying.

Lu Mingchao knew that Gu Huai was forcing her to submit.

But, she was born to be a person who would not be easily persuaded and would only judge based on her mood.

Gu Huai was destined to be disappointed.

Fortunately, Princess Pingning is a person who acts efficiently.

Similarly, County Magistrate Xu was also very annoyed because Prince Gu always invited Lu Mingchao to a gathering in his name.

Those who don't know the truth might think that he is enjoying a second spring of youth.

Even his naive son began to keep a close eye on him, claiming that this was to prevent him from getting lustful and making a big mistake that would ruin his reputation in the future.

Listen!

Listen!

Is this something a son could say to his father?

So, when it rained at night, County Magistrate Xu stood outside the eaves, gritting his teeth and getting wet in the rain for half the night. He was so sick that he was in a daze and tears were streaming down his face, and he drank bowl after bowl of bitter medicine.

Xu Qingxing looked strange, pursing his lips in thought, "Father, is this the legendary lovesickness?"

County Magistrate Xu with a tearful face: ???

"Qingxing, do you want your father to die?"

"How many times have I told you to stop thinking and worrying? Your brain is not designed for thinking."

County Magistrate Xu held his breath, tilted his head back, and drank the rest of the medicine in the bowl.

Xu Qingxing: "Why did my father deliberately get sick?"

County Magistrate Xu's eyebrows wrinkled into two centipedes, and it was unclear whether he was in pain or worry. "If you can't afford to provoke me, you can afford to avoid me. I am afraid of you!"

"From whom?"

"Prince Gu." County Magistrate Xu lowered his voice.

Xu Qingxing frowned slightly, and asked in confusion, "Don't you think father doesn't know that His Majesty has summoned Gu Qin to return to the capital?"

County Magistrate Xu sat up in shock from his dying illness.

Entering Xie's House