Chapter 95 Reflection
He wished he could rush down immediately and strangle this utterly foolish and rebellious son who had ruined his plans and was spouting nonsense!
But... he can't!
If you refute it, you're admitting guilt without being asked!
This confirms that he, the emperor, was the mastermind behind it all!
It's an admission that he coveted the woman of a courtier and used despicable methods!
That would not only sweep the floor, but would also thoroughly enrage Xie Zhenting, who holds considerable military power! It could even shake the foundations of the nation!
Pei Yan could only swallow this bitter pill!
Pei Yan clenched his back teeth so hard that his gums almost bled.
The air seemed to freeze. Desheng huddled in the corner, holding his breath, his back already soaked in cold sweat.
Looking at the emperor's contorted expression, as if he had been constipated for ten years, about to explode but still forcibly holding back, he felt a twisted sense of pleasure and almost burst out laughing on the spot!
Serves him right! It's karma!
Pei Zhi felt his scalp tingle under his father's terrifying gaze, but he still stubbornly held his neck.
I don't know how much time passed, it felt like an eternity.
Pei Yan finally managed to squeeze out a voice:
"Well... well done to stand up for justice! Well done to save a life! My ninth son... is truly... kind-hearted and compassionate! He is so concerned about the country and its people!"
His lips twitched upwards in an extremely stiff attempt to force an approving smile:
What you said... does make some sense.
Pei Yan took a deep breath: "Princess Jianing... suffered this undeserved calamity in the palace. It was indeed the fault of the imperial palace, which almost led to a great disaster!"
"This matter...I will definitely investigate it thoroughly! I will show no leniency! I will give Princess Jianing and the General of the State's Mansion an explanation!"
"As for appeasing the county princess... my son's suggestion is excellent. Desheng!"
Desheng, who was in the corner, jumped up and quickly bowed, saying, "Your servant is here!"
"Reveal my imperial edict."
"I am deeply saddened by the shock suffered by Princess Jianing. I hereby bestow upon her: two century-old ginseng roots, one Tian Shan snow lotus, one bushel of the finest pearls from the South China Sea, ten bolts of brocade, two sets of red gold headdresses, and one white jade ruyi. The Imperial Household Department is hereby ordered to immediately deliver these items to the Zhenguo General's residence as a sign of the Emperor's benevolence and comfort."
The reward was extremely generous, hoping to shut Xie Sangning up.
"Your servant obeys!" Desheng replied respectfully, barely suppressing the smile that was about to spill from the corners of his mouth.
After Pei Yan finished speaking, as if he had exhausted all his strength, he closed his eyes wearily and waved his hand:
"Alright. I'm tired. You... may you leave. Go back and study your books! Mind your own business!"
Pei Zhi was somewhat bewildered by his father's unpredictable attitude.
Although his father eventually adopted his suggestion and said he would investigate and appease him, why was the way his father looked at him so terrifying?
And that tone of voice... something just doesn't feel right?
But he was ultimately just a simple-minded boy. When he saw that his father had also bestowed a county princess upon him, his doubts were quickly replaced by the satisfaction of the matter being resolved satisfactorily.
He quickly bowed and said, "Yes! Your subject obeys! Your subject takes his leave!"
The heavy palace doors slowly closed behind Pei Zhi.
The light footsteps of the boy outside were cut off.
Inside the hall, there was a deathly silence.
Pei Yan closed his eyes, and this time, Xie Sangning won again.
But if it weren't for his own stupid, pig-like son, Xie Sangning would definitely not have escaped this time!
"Splash—!"
Pei Yan suddenly opened his eyes, like a completely out-of-control madman, and overturned the mountain of memorials piled up in front of him!
Desheng was so frightened that he quickly lay down on the ground. Life by the emperor's side was not easy. Sometimes he felt that the emperor was like a capricious and freakish man!
He has the most authority to speak on this!
"You unfilial son! You fool! You deserve to die! You all deserve to die—!" Pei Yan kicked and punched the scattered debris on the ground, turning the entire imperial study into a mess in an instant!
Desheng kept his head down, kneeling in the corner, his body trembling slightly, but the corners of his mouth quietly turned up.
This is a bitter pill to swallow... Your Majesty, you'll have to suffer in silence.
——
Soon, the rewards from the palace arrived at the general's mansion.
"Miss, someone from the palace has come. They say His Majesty is distressed that you were frightened in the palace yesterday, and has specially bestowed something upon you to calm your nerves."
Xie Sangning looked up: "Oh? They've arrived faster than I expected. Let them in."
The curtain rustled softly.
Several eunuchs dressed in grayish-blue robes filed in, carrying heavy vermilion lacquered trays in their hands.
The leading eunuch was fair-skinned and beardless, with a respectful smile plastered on his face.
"This servant greets Princess Jianing!"
The eunuch's voice was high-pitched and laced with just the right amount of flattery, "His Majesty heard that the County Princess was quite frightened in the palace yesterday, and he was very uneasy! He specially ordered us to bring some trinkets to calm the County Princess down and put her mind at ease!"
It wasn't hard to guess that the reward must have been obtained for her by the Ninth Prince, Pei Zhi, who must have also taken the blame for her and was probably still clueless about it. Thinking of the Emperor, who must be furious right now, Xie Sangning laughed out loud.
That silly boy...
Xie Sangning shook her head slightly. Pei Zhi was probably still gloating, thinking that he had successfully petitioned for the people.
Completely unaware that every favor he secured for himself was like stabbing the emperor in the wound again, while also rubbing salt into it.
His father, the emperor, must be wishing he could tear him to pieces right now.
Pei Zhi... did her a huge favor.
However, this time... she overestimated herself.
She could foresee that the spies in the palace would receive the message in time and be able to rescue her, but she couldn't foresee how she could escape unscathed from the heavily guarded palace after leaving that room.
Fengzao Palace is the Empress's territory, a place fraught with danger.
The emperor's entourage is on its way and could arrive at any moment.
As long as she remains in the palace, she is like a frightened bird in a cage, always at risk of being captured again!
If she were trapped in the palace and the emperor found her under the pretext of searching for the missing county princess, the outcome would be... unimaginable!
A single wrong thought can lead to utter ruin!
Too confident, and too aggressive.
Xie Sangning felt a lingering fear.
Last night's actions were indeed driven by a sense of impatience and rage, fueled by the truth of his mother's tragic death.
Knowing full well that it was a dangerous place, he still dared to venture in, relying on his skills and daring, and almost lost everything!
The deeper the hatred, the more it should be hidden in the heart, and the more it should be kept calm.
This is the only mistake we can make.
Fortunately, the imperial concubine selection is about to begin in a few days, and the emperor will definitely accept Xie Nuer, the legitimate daughter of the General of the State, no matter what. Once Xie Nuer enters the harem, she will have connections within it.
With Desheng present, he could arrange for his own people to enter Xie Nuer's palace, both to assist her and to monitor her.
Not to mention...
Xie Sangning was eagerly anticipating how the Emperor would react upon seeing Xie Nu'er, who bore a striking resemblance to her mother.
Fortunately, her father has not yet returned to the capital. If he were to return and see Xie Nu'er, he might not be able to resist taking out his knife and killing her.
A person who truly loves his mother would not allow anyone to imitate his lover. Xie Sangning felt that saying "like a beautiful woman" was a way of glorifying a scumbag.
Love and not love are really easy to tell.
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