Chapter 597 Do you want to be buried with me?
Lin and Jiang Yuanshan were not stubborn people. After being tortured several times, they quickly confessed that Jin, the nanny by the Empress's side, had instructed them to cause a scene at the execution ground and spread rumors that Jiang Ning was a witch.
Yuwen Jue has already imprisoned the two of them in a dungeon, intending to use them as witnesses against the Empress in the future.
Butler Lan also had food and hot water prepared, just in time for the two to eat, bathe, and rest.
Xiao Bao came over from the backyard, his lips pouting on his delicate, pretty face, looking somewhat unhappy.
Seeing this, Jiang Ning asked with concern, "What's wrong? Who made my darling unhappy?"
Xiao Bao's expression was complicated. He bit his lip and looked at Jiang Ning.
“Mother, these past few days, many people at the academy have been saying that you are a witch. I argued with them, but they refused to believe me.”
While at the academy, he almost got into a fight with his classmates.
If it weren't for the Master's intervention, a fierce battle would have been unavoidable.
Jiang Ning's eyes flickered, and she smiled.
"They say Mother is a witch, so does that mean Mother is a witch? Nowadays, there are still many people in the capital who say Mother is a goddess. You should listen to their opinions and not be upset by other people's words."
These past two days? It seems the Empress and Xuanxu have been putting in a lot of work behind the scenes.
Xiao Bao's lips moved slightly as he explained, "But Mother, they are all sons of high-ranking officials and royalty. Their opinions naturally represent the opinions of the noble families towards you! I'm afraid that in the future, those people will unite against you!"
"If the noble families unite against you, even with your father's help, your situation will be very dangerous!"
Jiang Ning looked at Xiao Bao with bright eyes and delight.
How can Xiao Bao, who is only a few years old, see through all of this?
Yuwen Jue was also quite surprised and said with a smile, "I didn't expect Xiao Bao to be able to think of this. He is truly extremely intelligent."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning proudly raised the corners of her lips, feeling very happy inside.
"Of course, he is my son, so naturally he inherited my intelligence and good looks."
Looking at the rather narcissistic Jiang Ning, Yuwen Jue couldn't help but smile indulgently.
"That's right, but of course, I also played a part in it."
After saying that, the two looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh.
There are probably no parents in the world more shameless than them!
Seeing that the two didn't care at all, Xiao Bao became a little unhappy.
"Father, Mother, why are you so indifferent? This is an extremely important matter."
He had read history books and knew how terrifying rumors could be. He also knew that if these powerful families and nobles attacked them together, not only would the Ling Prince's Mansion be unable to withstand them, but even the Ming Emperor's side would probably have difficulty protecting them.
Moreover, with the Empress and Prince Jin constantly opposing them in the palace, Emperor Ming is wavering and may not firmly stand on their side.
Seeing her son looking preoccupied, Jiang Ning couldn't help but rub his cute little head and comfort him with a smile.
"Xiao Bao, don't worry, everything is under your parents' control. No matter how much they make a fuss, they can't stir up any trouble."
Although Xiao Bao is smart, he is only a four-year-old child.
Jiang Ning felt guilty for making a child worry about them.
Yuwen Jue held Xiaobao in his arms, looking at him with a determined expression.
"Listen to your father. If they say anything more, just pretend you didn't hear it. Your father will teach their parents and families a lesson later and make them pay the price."
Yuwen Jue's voice was firm, yet contained a reassuring power.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Bao's eyes lit up, and he looked at him excitedly, asking, "Dad, is what you're saying true?"
Ever since he called Yuwen Jue "father" in the palace last time, Xiao Bao has changed how he addresses him.
They are now a real family of three, sharing the same heart and deeply trusting each other.
"Alright, Father, Mother, I believe you."
Xiao Bao smiled happily, and the gloom from before was swept away.
Yuwen Jue and Jiang Ning led him to dinner.
The family of three sat under the lamp, looking extremely harmonious.
Zhui Feng returned from outside, his eyes shining: "Your Highness, Your Highness, I have received news that Dao Ancestor Qingxuan will arrive in the capital tomorrow. Should we meet him beforehand?"
Jiang Ning smiled, her phoenix eyes slightly raised as she looked at Yuwen Jue and asked, "What do you think?"
Yuwen Jue put down his chopsticks, his handsome face with its sharp features revealing a chilling aura.
"Of course we have to meet him first, otherwise who knows what kind of nonsense he might spout once he enters the palace."
He paused, then added, "By the way, Zhuifeng, have you found out why Dao Ancestor Qingxuan listens to Xuanxu so much?"
The Qingxuan Dao Ancestor is nearly a hundred years old. Logically speaking, he shouldn't be pursuing fame and fortune like this.
He wanted to know whether the Azure Profound Dao Ancestor was being held hostage by Xuanxu, or whether he wanted to be remembered for generations to come!
Zhui Feng chuckled and gossiped, "Your Highness, you don't know this, but that old ghost once defiled a respectable woman and had a child with her. When Xuan Xu found out about this, he kept threatening her with it. For the sake of his reputation, that old ghost had no choice but to submit to him."
Jiang Ning was eating when she heard this and spat out a mouthful of food.
"As far as I know, the Qingxuan Dao Ancestor is quite old. I wonder when he committed such a disgraceful act? If it was when Xuanxu was young, the Qingxuan Dao Ancestor could have easily found a reason to kill Xuanxu. Why is he so deeply controlled by him?"
Zhui Feng laughed even more meaningfully: "Your Highness, you may not know this, but this child was born when that old ghost was eighty years old. Isn't that ridiculous?"
Jiang Ning was speechless.
She looked at Zhui Feng with a chill running down her spine and asked, "Where is that child now? If we can find that child, perhaps Qingxuan Daozu can be of use to us."
That child is only around twenty years old.
Zhui Feng respectfully replied, "Your Highness, rest assured, Zhu Yue is already on her way to pick up that person and will arrive in the capital soon."
Jiang Ning looked at Yuwen Jue: "In that case, we will meet with the Qingxuan Dao Ancestor tomorrow."
Yuwen Jue nodded slightly, his unfathomable black eyes flashing with a sharp, cold light.
The next morning, before dawn, Yuwen Jue and Jiang Ning disguised themselves and left the capital.
A carriage was heading towards the capital when it was intercepted by Yuwen Jue and Jiang Ning with their men.
"Who dares to stop my Dao Ancestor's carriage? My Dao Ancestor is a distinguished guest of the Emperor!"
The young Taoist priest driving the carriage had a fierce expression and an aggressive demeanor.
Yuwen Jue took out his token and said coldly, "I am the current Ling King. I request that Dao Ancestor Qingxuan alight from his carriage to meet you."
The old man in the carriage shuddered, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.
He sighed softly, lifted the curtain, and stepped down.
Jiang Ning glanced at him and saw that the Qingxuan Dao Ancestor was wearing a gray Daoist robe, with white hair and beard, and his face was full of wrinkles.
At first glance, he seemed to have the air of a sage, but knowing his actions, Jiang Ning's eyes flashed with disdain.
"So you are the Dao Ancestor Qingxuan? You really do look like a hermit master."
Unfortunately, this appearance has fooled countless poor people.
The Dao Ancestor Qingxuan smiled slightly and looked at Yuwen Jue and Jiang Ning with a normal expression: "Greetings, Your Highness Prince Ling."
Then, his probing gaze fell on Jiang Ning.
"This must be Princess Consort Ling, right?"
Jiang Ning nodded slightly, raised an eyebrow at him, and asked, "So you've heard of my reputation, or did you come to the capital this time just to deal with me?"
The Qingxuan Dao Ancestor's face stiffened, and his eyes darted around as he said, "I don't know what Princess Ling means by this. I came to the capital this time to see the Emperor and pray for his safety and well-being."
Yuwen Jue sneered, "What a fine excuse for warding off disasters and praying for blessings! I think you're aiding and abetting evil, trying to bring chaos to the court!"
"Speak," Yuwen Jue ordered sternly.
"Arrest this old Taoist priest for me, and tie up all the junior Taoist priests around him as well."
Upon hearing this, Dao Ancestor Qingxuan was greatly alarmed and hurriedly asked, "Your Highness Prince Ling, we did nothing wrong, what right do you have to arrest us?"
He was a distinguished guest of the Emperor and the Imperial Advisor. Even though Yuwen Jue held great power, he still dared to be presumptuous!
Yuwen Juefei's thin lips curled up, and a murderous aura emanated from his body.
"I suspect you conspired with the traitor Xuanxu to murder my father. Even if I were to kill you on the spot, let alone capture you, no one would dare to hold me accountable!"
Upon hearing this, the Qingxuan Dao Ancestor's expression changed drastically.
He stared at Yuwen Jue in disbelief, terrified.
Even though he had lived for many years and experienced many hardships, he dared not bear the stigma of treason!
He stammered and hurriedly explained, "Your Highness, I came to the capital only to see the Emperor and the Imperial Preceptor. I didn't know when Xuanxu became a traitor?"
Jiang Ning sneered, "What difference does it make whether you know or not? You are his grandmaster. Since he has rebelled, your entire Qingting Mountain will have to pay the price!"
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