"Yes, he hid in an underground chamber, inhaled a lot of thick smoke, and fell into a coma, but he is still alive."
Lu Xingjian's expression was quite cold. After a long while, he simply said in a low voice, "Since you're lucky to be alive, then treat you properly."
After saying this, he finally summoned Xia Xueyi.
Xia Xueyi had been kneeling on the cold floor tiles for too long, and her legs were already numb. When she entered the Imperial Study, she staggered and looked very disheveled.
Lu Xingjian inexplicably recalled the scene when Su Wanwan rubbed her knees on the corridor in front of Kunning Palace when she first returned to the capital.
Empress Xia probably never imagined she would end up like this.
It hasn't even been half a year.
As for the scene of Su Wanwan serving Xia Xueyi in Kunning Palace with her almost crippled leg, he didn't want to recall it at all.
"Empress, if you're sick, just rest properly. Why make yourself suffer?" Lu Xingjian's voice was devoid of emotion.
Xia Xueyi stopped kneeling and stared straight at him.
"Your Majesty, have you been waiting for this day for a long time?"
Lu Xingjian looked at her calmly, his face revealing no emotion: "What makes you say such a thing, Empress?"
Xia Xueyi laughed sadly a few times.
"You don't like me, but you still have to go through all the formalities of marriage to bring me into the Ming Dynasty through the inner gate of the palace."
"He doesn't want to touch me, but he still has to patiently pretend to consummate the marriage with me."
"It's just that I was foolish enough to genuinely love you for so many years!"
When they got married, the Imperial Treasury was short of money, so they borrowed 400,000 taels of silver from the Imperial Treasury.
As a result, the imperial treasury was left with only 30,000 taels of silver, and was on the verge of collapse.
The civil officials complained bitterly and made a fuss for a long time.
The spearhead was aimed directly at the Xia family.
Some civil officials even submitted memorials, saying that noble relatives often rise from humble beginnings, and once they are related to the imperial family by marriage, they either beg for land and titles or encroach on official positions for personal gain, because those they associate with are not upright and prudent people and have never heard the teachings of propriety and righteousness.
It was almost as if they were saying that Xia Xueyi's father, Xia Ru, was crude and uncultured.
Finally, it is recommended to select mature, upright, and virtuous individuals who can serve as teachers and friends to instruct Xia Ru.
The emperor actually agreed.
At the time, she thought he truly loved her and was willing to go against the civil officials in order to give her a grand wedding.
Only after learning that Su Wanwan's dowry was worth a million taels of silver did she realize that she was a joke who only had face to save.
Su Wanwan lived a carefree life in Jiangnan with her huge dowry.
She accompanied him through several political upheavals in the capital, including the death of Lady Zhou and the passing of the late emperor, ultimately ending up in a situation where she was disliked by everyone.
What good is the title of Empress, which is so lonely and cold?
Lu Xingjian's face was expressionless as he looked down at her, his tone somewhat nonchalant:
"Your true intentions are to drug me multiple times?"
Xia Xueyi's eyes finally shrank slightly, and she retorted sharply:
"That was the Empress Dowager's order; how could I dare disobey?"
"I am your empress, what's wrong with wanting a child for protection?!"
"If you don't come to me, can't I figure something out myself?!"
"So, you've cuckolded me?"
Lu Xingjian glanced at her lightly and asked in a very casual manner.
"No! I didn't listen to them, it's just that the medication caused my pulse to become slippery!" Xia Xueyi's face was covered in tears as she stretched her neck to defend herself.
"At that time, your fate was unknown. This made people feel that the emperor had a successor, the people were at ease, and the country was stable. It was beneficial to everyone. I did nothing wrong!"
The Empress Dowager and the Xia family found her a man who looked somewhat similar to Lu Xingjian.
As long as Lu Xingjian and she have consummated their marriage.
They had a way of getting her pregnant, a foolproof plan.
However.
No matter how gentle and considerate he pretends to be on the surface, when it comes to the crucial moment, he really won't even touch her.
She was as if she were some kind of venomous snake.
She clearly loved him sincerely and genuinely wanted to have a child with him.
Lu Xingjian's lips curled into a cold, mocking smile.
"The Empress is truly virtuous; she would do anything for me."
As he spoke, he leaned forward slightly and asked in a rather imposing manner:
"So, what are your plans now that you've come to see me?"
Xia Xueyi stood there, stunned.
I don't even know why I came to see him.
Did he commit the Xia family massacre?
Judging from his appearance, even if he did it, he wouldn't admit it.
In any case, once Zheng Jinlian died at her hands, Lu Xingjian could not let her off easily.
It's all that bitch Su Wanwan's fault.
If she hadn't pretended to be dead by poisoning herself, then Lu Xingjian's anger was directed at Su Wanwan!
A flash of hatred crossed Xia Xueyi's face.
Lu Xingjian didn't have much patience and ended the conversation listlessly.
"Your Majesty, go back and think it over, then come back to report to me."
...
The Xia family tragedy shocked the world.
The first to become restless were Empress Dowager Zhang and the Marquis of Shouning's family, who were like frightened birds, fearing that one day their entire family would be wiped out.
Marquis Zhang Heling of Shouning complained directly to his mother, Lady Jin:
"Sister, really, she's just a palace maid, why can't you tolerate her?"
Madam Jin retorted, "It's easy for you to say that when you're not in the same boat! Now that Zheng Jinlian has become the Empress Dowager, where is there any place for your sister in the harem?"
“The legitimate wife is the legitimate wife. How could she, a palace maid who has been suppressed for more than ten years, possibly fight against her elder sister?”
Madam Jin was so disappointed in her son that she slammed her fist on the table in anger:
"With her own son backing her up, and Su Wanwan entering the palace to help her, what chance does your sister have?"
"If your sister is gone, what future will our family have?"
Zhang Heling's eyes darted around, as if he was pondering something.
Madam Jin glared at him: "I called you here to come up with an idea, what are you thinking about?"
Zhang Heling took a while to reply: "Why is Sister so hostile towards the Su family girl?"
Madam Jin rolled her eyes. "Why are you bringing up the Su family girl?"
Zhang Heling massaged his elderly mother's shoulders: "Think about it, the Xia family is now a useless piece of chess."
"Since His Majesty likes that Su girl, wouldn't it be enough to grant his wish?"
Madam Jin waved her hands repeatedly: "How can that be? Su Wanwan was raised by Zheng Jinlian, and she and your sister have always been at odds. Wouldn't that be helping your sister find a mortal enemy? No, no."
“Given the Emperor’s temperament, do we really think we can stop him?” Zhang Heling said dismissively.
"Why not do her a favor? Besides, that Su girl might not necessarily be an enemy of my sister."
After saying that, he lowered his voice and whispered a few words in Madam Jin's ear.
Madam Jin's face paled in shock, her expression shifting for a long moment before she asked in a low voice, "Are you sure...?"
Zhang Heling wanted to reach out and cover his mother's mouth.
After looking around to make sure no one was watching, he whispered:
"Otherwise, why did I strongly urge my sister to kill He Ding back then? He was the emperor's brother-in-law's childhood friend and a highly trusted eunuch! It was because I was afraid he would say something reckless and bring disaster to our family."
Madam Jin poked her son's forehead hard with lingering fear: "You really have the guts of a bear and the heart of a leopard!"
Zhang Heling chuckled awkwardly, "Well... it's not exactly a bad thing."
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