The residence of the top scholar.
Shao Yuan was carried back to the Zhuangyuan Mansion by the Imperial Guards. At that time, he was covered in blood and his life was unknown.
"What happened?" Princess Yi'an arrived and frowned when she saw the disheveled Shao Yuan. "Why are your lords injured?"
The Imperial Guard lowered his head and began to speak slowly and deliberately.
A fierce battle erupted between Shao Yuan and the Qiao family. In the chaos, Shao Yuan was wounded by someone, the cause of which is unknown. Because Shao Yuan remained unconscious, the Imperial Guards fought and retreated, and the incident inexplicably ended.
"Did Zhao Yi bring Xu Cheng?" Princess Yi'an gently raised her hand, covering her nose with a lightly scented handkerchief to block out the stench of blood.
Princess Yi'an held a prestigious position, and her focus differed greatly from that of ordinary people. Her primary concern was not Shao Yuan's injuries, but rather how Zhao Yi and Xu Cheng had become entangled.
The Imperial Guard replied, "Yes, Your Highness."
"How are they now?" Princess Yi'an asked.
"They are unharmed," the Imperial Guard replied.
"And what about Qiao Xiuxiu?" Princess Yi'an prayed fervently, hoping that the woman would be severely injured, half-dead, and spend her days crippled. The devout woman knelt before all the gods.
Qiao Xiuxiu is too restless; it's better if she's crippled or disabled.
The Imperial Guard thought for a moment, then said uncertainly, "I don't know. I heard she was seriously injured and might not live past tomorrow." He vaguely remembered that the woman was covered in blood, probably from being stabbed multiple times. Given the shocking amount of blood she had lost, he embellished his words slightly.
I might not live past tomorrow!
boom!
Princess Yi'an's mind went completely blank.
Qiao Xiuxiu might not live past tomorrow? Bullshit!
"Send someone to find out immediately what Qiao Xiuxiu's current situation is," Princess Yi'an said imperiously, showing no respect whatsoever to the fierce and ruthless Imperial Guards.
“Princess, although you are a princess and the wife of the commander, you have no right to command us Jinyiwei.”
The Imperial Guard kneeling on the ground spoke the truth and could not be said to have shown contempt for Princess Yi'an.
Princess Yi'an is a member of the imperial family and is greatly favored by the current emperor. However, this sheltered woman doesn't manage Lord Shao Yuan's household properly and instead bears his children; it's utterly absurd. According to his understanding, Lord Shao Yuan imprisoned Qiao Xiuxiu without cause because of Princess Yi'an's influence, and she shamelessly abducted a man from the common people.
The Imperial Guard's face visibly grew increasingly grim. Princess Yi'an, enraged, smashed the basin of water beside the bed, drenching the Imperial Guard thoroughly.
"I have other matters to attend to and cannot disturb you any longer, Your Highness."
The Imperial Guards were soaking wet; the discomfort was secondary, the real problem was the humiliation.
Princess Yi'an was furious. How dare a lowly Imperial Guard speak to her so sarcastically? This was outrageous! She pinched Ruyu's arm hard, but Ruyu remained motionless, her expression unchanged.
After a while, Princess Yi'an gradually calmed down.
"Go and find out if Qiao Xiuxiu is dead or not," Princess Yi'an calmly instructed.
"This servant will go right away."
Ruyu bowed and left the dormitory.
...
The prison of the Prefect of the Capital.
Regardless of Ji Xiaoxiao and her group's reasons, their actions against the Embroidered Uniform Guard constituted insubordination and were suspected of rebellion, warranting their imprisonment.
Xu Cheng had no choice but to do this. If he didn't act before the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and they beat him to it, Ji Xiaoxiao and the others would suffer untold hardships.
Ji Xiaoxiao stood straight, her head turning left and right from time to time to make sure that the servants of the Qiao family who had been rescued in time were not in any danger.
"Madam, please sit down and rest. The doctor has explained everything clearly; they are fine, so you don't need to worry." Ji Xiaoxiao was covered in sweat and panting heavily, which pained Zhao Yi.
"I know, but..."
Ji Xiaoxiao hesitated, unable to reveal the real reason.
Zhao Yi sighed, patted his bottom and stood up, demonstrating with his actions that he was willing to share both good times and bad with Ji Xiaoxiao.
The two stood there for a while, and Ji Xiaoxiao said, "I wonder how Tiantian is doing?"
She was constantly at the mercy of others during this mission, and Ji Xiaoxiao was seething with anger.
Zhao Yi reached out to comfort Ji Xiaoxiao, but since the lady was a woman, although they were engaged, they were not yet married and needed to abide by etiquette.
“With Master Xu looking after Tian Tian and Gou Dan, you can rest assured, Madam.”
Zhao Yi's words were all reasonable, and Ji Xiaoxiao's expression softened slightly.
The next day, in the imperial court.
"If you have something to report, speak now; otherwise, the court may adjourn."
Xu Cheng stepped forward and knelt down, saying, "Your subject has something to report."
Xu Cheng calmly recounted the events of yesterday, devoid of any personal emotion.
"Your Majesty, the Embroidered Uniform Guard acts arrogantly and recklessly, disregarding the law. They arbitrarily imprisoned a woman without trial. Furthermore, they sold her to Prince Yu, who cleverly used his schemes to return home safely." Xu Cheng kowtowed heavily. "Your Majesty, I implore you to severely punish the Embroidered Uniform Guard and release the Qiao family without charge."
Yesterday's events were terrifying and horrifying, and His Majesty has already heard of them.
The actions of the Embroidered Uniform Guard were indeed as Xu Cheng had described, and in recent years, there had been an increasing number of memorials impeaching them. However, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was merely his dog; even when beating a dog, one should consider its master. The people of the Qiao family showed no respect for their elders and deserved to die.
"Minister Xu, do you know how many Imperial Guards were injured by the people from the Qiao family?"
Before Xu Cheng could speak, the Emperor answered his own question, "Three have died and ten have been injured, and the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Shao Yuan, is now unconscious. The Qiao family's actions are an act of contempt for the court, and their crime is unforgivable."
When it comes to the face of the imperial court, the current emperor will not yield an inch.
"Your Majesty, there is a reason for this, Your Majesty..."
"Minister Xu, you don't need to say anything more. The entire Qiao family will be executed in the autumn." The Emperor paused before saying, "As for your two children, I will not interfere."
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