Upon hearing the words of the Ninth Prince, the Minister of Revenue and his wife exchanged a glance.
Sure enough, they weren't discovered...
It was worth it for them to be so bold as to take action!
This game is already half won...
Madam Xu covered her face with her sleeve and cried, "Alas, this marriage was bestowed by the Emperor..."
"My poor girl, she lost her fiancé at such a young age..."
The Minister of Revenue, wiping away tears, continued his wife's words: "Now that Chief Guard Li has died tragically, there is nothing the Xu family can do but comfort his parents and family."
From this day forward, my daughter Yunzhi wishes to observe a year of mourning for Li Chang!
My daughter is still young, in the prime of her life. After the year-long mourning period, I beg the Emperor to have mercy and cancel this marriage, or even send her to a Buddhist nunnery… that would be fine too.”
A year of mourning?
They want to cancel the wedding?
In ancient times, it was not uncommon for unmarried couples to observe mourning for each other.
However, it was somewhat unexpected that the Minister of Revenue would take the initiative to ask Xu Yunzhi to observe a year of mourning for Li Chang.
However, Xu Yunzhi had just reached marriageable age and, after a year of mourning, was only sixteen...
Saying they'd send him to a Buddhist temple is just a ploy to gain sympathy.
Using a retreat as a tactic to advance—that's a brilliant strategy!
The Ninth Prince smiled faintly, looking at the Minister of Revenue: "The Minister of Revenue truly deserves to be called an expert in managing the finances of the Great Qi!"
Although she had just lost her beloved son-in-law, she remained clear-headed and organized, even having already planned how to handle the aftermath.
Upon hearing this, the Minister of Revenue choked up.
The emperor said in a hoarse voice, "The marriage was personally bestowed by me. Although the person is now dead, how can it be canceled so easily?"
In my opinion, the cause of death of these Imperial Guards must be thoroughly investigated!
Why were they all bitten by rabid dogs? And why did they eat rabid mutton? Could an ordinary person tamper with the food of the Imperial Guards?
This matter is clearly being sabotaged by someone!
Upon hearing this, the Minister of Revenue turned his eyes around, then suddenly knelt down and said in a mournful voice, "Your Majesty, as the Minister of Revenue, I am in charge of the finances and have offended many people, and many people are also jealous of me."
The Emperor had just arranged a marriage for the Xu family when my future son-in-law died...
In my opinion, the other party may just want to give me a warning.
If this matter is investigated further, it may affect the stability of the imperial court!
"I cannot allow myself to jeopardize the stability of the court..."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Yao smiled with great interest while nestled in the arms of the Ninth Prince.
ridiculous!
Just now, after hearing the question from the Ninth Prince, I tried to persuade the Emperor to cancel the marriage.
When the marriage could not be canceled, they started using the stability of the court as an excuse to prevent the investigation into the death of the Imperial Guards from continuing.
This Minister can change his mind faster than turning the pages of a book!
At this moment, the Ninth Prince spoke up: "As Lord Xu said, Li Chang died tragically because of your involvement?"
Minister Xu raised his sleeve and wiped his eyes: "It is the Xu family that has failed Li Chang..."
"Since you feel guilty, why not choose a way to make amends?" The Ninth Prince coldly curled his eyes.
What are the methods of compensation?
Minister Xu looked up and asked, "May I ask Your Majesty, how should I compensate you?"
The Ninth Prince raised an eyebrow and said in a sinister tone, "I've done the calculations, and tomorrow is an auspicious day for marriage."
The best compensation would be for the Minister of Revenue to bring Miss Xu Yunzhi into the Li family tomorrow for a wedding ceremony.
He emphasized the words "Xu Yunzhi" and "marriage".
"What?" Minister Xu's eyes widened.
Even Madam Xu stopped wiping away her tears, suppressing her anger, and said in a sobbing voice, "What does Your Highness mean by this?"
Li Chang is already dead, do you expect my daughter to be buried with him?
The Ninth Prince narrowed his eyes, his hostility gradually emerging: "When did it become your place, a woman, to interfere with my speech?"
Madam Xu immediately became somewhat dejected.
Minister Xu helped his wife up, his face also looking somewhat unpleasant: "Your Majesty, I have served as an official for many years and have always been conscientious and diligent, and have never opposed you."
This young girl, at such a tender age, is willing to observe mourning for Li Chang for a year; she has already done more than enough!
To marry a dead man...that's going too far.
Diligent and conscientious?
Would a truly diligent person resort to unorthodox methods?
Upon hearing this, the Ninth Prince scoffed: "Minister Xu, have you forgotten why your youngest daughter was betrothed to Li Chang?"
How can a woman with a ruined reputation find a good husband?
Could it be... that you're still planning to send her to the palace?
Upon hearing this, the emperor looked at Minister Xu with a gloomy expression: "Do you think you can take any kind of woman into my harem?"
Minister Xu: "..."
His expression changed drastically, and he glanced at the lady.
Madam Xu was also shocked.
How did the Ninth Prince know about this?
Could it be...
That morning at the hot spring courtyard, her conversation with Wanzhi was overheard!
Does the Ninth Prince know everything?
He knew everything from beginning to end!
Not only did he know, but he also didn't intervene, allowing Li Chang and so many imperial guards to die!
What is he going to do?
Madam Xu trembled, and under her wide sleeves, she pinched Minister Xu hard.
Minister Xu swayed, his head hitting the ground heavily. He gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, tomorrow, I will definitely send my daughter out on time so that she can marry Li Chang's... corpse!"
The Ninth Prince looked down at the Minister and his wife with a half-smile and said, "Minister, tomorrow, please don't let me and the Emperor hear the news of your daughter's sudden death and suicide for love."
As long as you're alive, you might encounter countless surprises.
I will personally attend the wedding and drink a toast.
Sensing the warning and threat in his voice, Minister Xu kowtowed and said, "This humble official... understands!"
Xu Yunzhi must not get into trouble!
She must appear at tomorrow's wedding unharmed.
The path of faking death has been completely cut off.
The path of using a body double has also been cut off.
For the sake of the Xu family, Xu Yunzhi must marry into the Li family intact, even if Li Chang is just a corpse...
Minister Xu thanked the emperor and helped his wife back to the carriage.
After the two men left, the emperor waved his hand and said, "Both of you, leave."
The imperial guards and attendants all left, leaving only Yuan Yao, the Ninth Prince, Xie Ning, and Li Deshan, who served them.
The emperor looked at the corpse on the ground: "What exactly happened?"
Although he doesn't like to use his brain, he's not stupid.
Xie Ning cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, these people died from poisoning."
"Poisoned?" The emperor was slightly surprised.
Didn't they just say it was rabies?
How did blinking turn into poisoning?
Thinking it over, the emperor looked at the Ninth Prince: "A Yuan, what are your plans? Tell me about them so I can have a better understanding."
The Ninth Prince smiled and looked at the Emperor: "Your Majesty does not blame me for the crime of deception?"
Upon hearing this, the emperor's eyes widened.
Is it A-Yuan's fault?
Does he dare?
No, would he?
The emperor said, "You have your reasons for doing things. I just want to know your plans so I can cooperate with you."
Yuan Yao sighed inwardly.
Your Majesty, can you still act like an emperor?
Can't you, in front of the Ninth Thousand Years Old, at least... have a little bit of principle?
Comparing the two, the Ninth Prince seems more like an emperor...
The Ninth Prince, who possessed an even more imperial demeanor than the emperor himself, pinched Yuan Yao's chubby cheeks, curled his lips, and said lightly, "Tomorrow, at the wedding, I will present the Xu family with a great surprise."
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