Chapter 78 The Emperor's Wrath
These words did not sound like an emperor's evaluation of his subjects, but rather like an elder's admonition to his juniors. This made everyone realize once again that Emperor Defeng admired Lu Zhiran, a young junior.
Everyone began to look at her and the Lu family in a new light.
Lu Guanxuan was so excited that his hands were shaking.
From now on, their Lu family will be the family that has produced a county lady! And he is the county lady's father!
It would be unacceptable if he didn't get a promotion this year!
Fang and Lu Yingxi, mother and daughter, were so jealous that their eyes turned red.
How could this little bitch be so capable!
How great it would be if this immense wealth belonged to them!
Xiao Yanci was very open and took the initiative to ask for a reward, "Father, where is your son? What do you plan to reward me with?"
Emperor Defeng reached out and pointed at him, "You are so rude."
"In just half a month, I've been outside in the wind and cold. Not only have I lost weight, my face has become rough, and I've even developed chilblains on my hands. You must compensate me well, otherwise all this suffering will be in vain."
Xiao Yanci was trying to gain credit by playing the victim, and Emperor Defeng looked a little distressed.
Empress Sun covered her lips and coughed twice, then slowly spoke, "Your Majesty, Xiaoqi is not young anymore, and it's almost time for her to be conferred a title."
When these words were spoken, everyone was stunned.
Emperor Defeng did not refute and looked thoughtful.
Xiao Yanqing almost lost his composure.
The emperor has always treated his brothers equally. Several of his brothers were granted the title of prince only after marrying princesses. Why should Xiao Yanci be an exception?
If he were to be granted the title of prince, how would he and his fifth brother deal with the situation?
Xiao Yanqing looked around but did not see the figure of his fifth brother.
That sickly guy must be hiding somewhere again.
Concubine Li calmed herself down and said, "Before Xiaoqi, there are Xiaowu and Xiaoliu who have not yet been canonized. Is this inappropriate?"
Empress Sun coughed twice again, and the palace maid immediately covered her with her cloak more tightly.
"Xiao Qi has a special fate. Ordinary rewards will not benefit him. Naturally, we can only show our favor in other ways. This palace is just a suggestion. Everything is up to the emperor to decide."
Emperor Defeng nodded. "The Empress's words make sense. Since we must reward according to merit, we must reward them accordingly. Otherwise, wouldn't it be meaningless? If Xiaowu and Xiaoliu can also achieve remarkable achievements in the future, I will not hesitate to reward them either."
Concubine Li knew that the situation was hopeless and saying more would only displease the emperor.
She gave Xiao Yanqing a soothing look, and both mother and son lowered their heads and swallowed their anger.
"During this snowstorm, the Seventh Prince set aside personal gain and volunteered to donate charcoal and clothing, which is truly heartening to me. He also shouldered the responsibility of maintaining order in the shelter, living and eating with the people, setting an example and reassuring them on my behalf. His hard work and contributions are immense. Now that I have conferred upon you the title of Prince Jin, I hope you will continue to uphold the principles of self-righteousness and not rest on your laurels."
Xiao Yanci bowed in thanks, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace. I will remember your teachings, be self-disciplined, uphold propriety, serve justice, and live up to your expectations."
Emperor Defeng laughed and shouted, "It's getting late today..."
"Father, I have something I haven't reported yet."
Emperor Defeng was already feeling sleepy. He waved his hand and said, "If you have anything else, I'll report it to you tomorrow."
"This matter has something to do with the Princess of Pingle County. Since she is here, it would be better to discuss it in person."
Emperor Defeng looked at Lu Zhiran suspiciously, and Lu Zhiran was also confused.
"Hurry up and don't waste everyone's time."
"Some time ago, rumors spread that Princess Pingle had ulterior motives and was hoarding goods. Your Majesty, father, was furious and commissioned a thorough investigation. Now, I have the results of my investigation. Someone is indeed behind this incident, fanning the flames. This person has ulterior motives and deliberately framed a meritorious official. They must be severely punished to serve as a warning to others."
Now is indeed the best time to expose this matter.
But Lu Zhiran came today to receive the reward, so naturally she couldn't ask for it herself. She had other ways, but she didn't expect that the Seventh Prince would directly tell the emperor.
Moreover, the emperor had actually already ordered a thorough investigation!
Zhao Shuning and Chu Yian's expressions changed instantly.
Emperor Defeng's eyes darkened, and his aura grew colder.
"Who did this?"
"According to my investigation, this matter is closely related to the Xuanping Marquis' Mansion."
Chu Dingfeng knelt down with a plop, and the rest of the people in the Marquis' Mansion also knelt down hurriedly.
"Unjust, Your Majesty, I am innocent! I guarantee with my own head that I have never done anything like this!"
Chu Dingfeng was still feeling the pain of having missed the opportunity to become extremely rich, but then another pot fell on him.
Xiao Yanci shook the book in his hand and said, "This is the evidence I have found. The names of the people who caused the trouble and their confessions are all recorded in the book. Would you like to take a look at it yourself, Marquis Xuanping?"
Chu Dingfeng's back was quickly wet with cold sweat.
Chu Yian also came back to his senses from the fact that Lu Zhiran was the owner of Taicang Trading Company. He glanced at Zhao Shuning and his expression changed when he heard this.
It's all this stupid woman's fault!
"Seventh Prince Jin, is there some misunderstanding here? After all, the Princess of Pingle and I were once family, and I have always treated her like my own daughter. How could I use such despicable means to deal with her?"
Lu Zhiran felt a chill in his heart.
Xiao Yanci said calmly, "You haven't done it, but others may not. My Lord, you might as well ask the people in your mansion first."
These words startled Chu Dingfeng. He turned to look at his son who was kneeling on the side. When he met his slightly evasive gaze, he felt a chill in his heart.
The air pressure around Emperor Defeng was terribly low.
Under his nose, they dared to act so recklessly and frame loyal people. What else would they not dare to do?
"Tell me, what's going on?"
The emperor's wrath is not something that ordinary people can endure.
Chu Yian turned to look at Zhao Shuning, anger surging in his eyes.
If she hadn't acted on her own, how could such a bad consequence have occurred?
I only regret that I didn't stop her in time and didn't deal with the matter immediately.
Zhao Shuning didn't move, as if he had lost his soul.
She had just won the favor of Concubine Li. As long as she performed well in the future, she would be valued. She would be the most useful person in the future of the Marquis' Mansion.
If this happened to her, everything would be over.
She couldn't admit it, what if they didn't have any concrete evidence...
A suffocating silence spread in the air, and the pressure from the people in charge became heavier.
"I am willing to give you the opportunity to confess. If you don't cherish it, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
At this time, a crying voice sounded.
"Your Majesty, it was her, she did it!"
Chu Yunqing pointed at Zhao Shuning, his body trembling.
Chu Dingfeng shouted angrily, "Qing'er, stop talking nonsense!"
"I'm not talking nonsense. I heard it with my own ears. She ordered her personal maid Biying to do it. I heard it all."
Chu Yunqing was afraid of being punished by Emperor Defeng, and even more afraid of losing her current identity as a young lady of a marquisate, so she didn't care about anything else.
This was originally done by Zhao Shuning. What's wrong with me turning her over?
Sacrificing the rook to save the king is the right way.
Chu Dingfeng looked at Zhao Shuning in disbelief.
They had thought she was a capable person who could bring honor to the Marquis' Mansion, but they had never expected that this foolish woman would make such a series of stupid moves. She was going to kill them!
For such a thing, they actually drove away the real lucky star. It was like picking up sesame seeds and losing watermelons. It was too late to regret!
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