"Are you done talking?"
Xiao Che's calm and unwavering voice was like a bucket of the most icy water, extinguishing all of Su Jinxiu's madness and hysteria from head to toe.
She stared blankly at him, at his utterly indifferent eyes, and a chill worse than death instantly gripped her heart.
He doesn't care.
He didn't care at all about her vicious curses, her insane taunts, or her words that tried to hurt him.
In his eyes, she, Su Jinxiu, was nothing but a clown, an ant that squeaked wildly at his feet but didn't even deserve to make him frown.
This utter contempt made her feel more desperate than any form of torture.
"Drag him out."
Xiao Che calmly issued the order, as if he were simply instructing someone to get rid of an eyesore of trash.
"No! I won't leave! Xiao Che, you can't do this to me!"
Su Jinxiu completely broke down! She tried to struggle, but two tall imperial guards grabbed her arms without mercy and dragged her out of the tent like a dead dog.
Just then, a commotion arose outside the tent.
It turned out that Prince An and several other high-ranking officials and relatives of the imperial family had rushed over upon hearing the news, but were being held back outside by the Imperial Guards, anxiously requesting an audience.
A cold glint flashed in Xiao Che's eyes.
He knew that these people, ostensibly concerned, were actually exerting pressure. After all, Su Jinxiu was the Empress Dowager's niece, and the Su family held considerable influence in the court; they would never sit idly by and watch the Su family fall so easily.
"Let them in."
Instead of avoiding the issue, Xiao Che stood up, walked to the soft couch, and reached out his hand to Lin Wanwan, who was still somewhat dazed.
Lin Wanwan looked at his outstretched hand, paused slightly, and then understood his intention. She gently placed her hand in his palm.
Xiao Che gripped her hand tightly and, with undeniable force, gently helped her up from the soft couch.
“Let’s go,” he said, his voice carrying a hint of reassurance, “to go see a play.”
When Xiao Che took Lin Wanwan's hand and walked out of the tent that symbolized the highest power of the empire, everyone outside subconsciously held their breath.
Their emperor, though clad in blood-stained black robes, still exuded an air of majesty. Beside him, the empress, though pale, remained calm and composed. The two stood side by side, their fingers intertwined, an invisible, unbreakable aura instantly enveloping the entire scene.
Kneeling at their feet, held down by the Imperial Guards, and appearing like a madwoman, was none other than the Consort Xian, who had just been the most favored concubine.
This dramatic scene shocked Prince An and the others who had just arrived!
"Your Majesty!" Prince An stepped forward, bowing, and said, "Even if Consort Xian has a thousand faults, shouldn't this matter... be handed over to the Imperial Clan Court and the Three Judicial Offices for joint trial before a decision is made? After all... she is also the Empress Dowager's..."
Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Che's icy gaze silenced him.
Xiao Che ignored him and, in front of all the relatives and ministers who had rushed over upon hearing the news, and in front of all the high-ranking officials and dignitaries in the entire hunting ground, took Lin Wanwan's hand and brought her to his side.
He announced loudly, his voice like a thunderclap from the heavens, clearly resounding in everyone's ears:
"Consort Su, harboring resentment and malice, plotted to harm the Empress! Furthermore, she colluded with the traitorous general Wei Xiao, intending to assassinate the Emperor during the Autumn Hunt! Her heart is wicked, her crimes deserve to be punished, and her sins are unforgivable!"
He first solemnly and forcefully sentenced Su Jinxiu to death for an unforgivable crime!
Immediately afterwards, he changed the subject, his gaze falling on Lin Wanwan beside him. His cold eyes instantly transformed into undisguised, extreme favoritism and protection.
"However, all his actions stemmed from his jealousy of the Empress!"
"Today, I hereby entrust the final decision on this case to... the Empress!"
"boom--!"
These words shocked the entire audience!
Everyone was stunned by the emperor's unprecedented decision!
To entrust the Empress with the power of life and death over a case involving treason, and even... the fate of a meritorious family?!
What a grace! What a trust!
This is an unprecedented event since the founding of the nation!
The Emperor's actions went far beyond simply supporting the Empress! He was using this most direct and domineering method to declare to everyone that the Empress's will was his will, and that her authority was inviolable!
To harm the Empress is to offend Xiao Che's most sensitive spot!
Prince An and his entourage were completely dumbfounded. All the pleading they had prepared were rendered speechless by the emperor's unconventional and shocking actions.
Lin Wanwan also felt the firm strength coming from the man's palm beside her. She looked up and met his eyes, which were full of trust and support.
She knew he was placing the sharpest blade into her hands. It was both a means for her to avenge herself and an opportunity for her to truly establish her unshakeable authority as Empress, both within and outside the court!
She took a deep breath and slowly withdrew her hand.
Under the complex, awe-inspiring, and incredulous gazes of everyone present, she walked step by step to Su Jinxiu, who was lying on the ground, completely desperate.
She looked down at the woman who had once regarded her as an ant and plotted to kill her.
Su Jinxiu also raised her head, staring at her with eyes full of resentment and unwillingness.
Lin Wanwan looked at her, her expression as calm as a still lake.
Slowly, in a clear yet icy voice, she announced her end:
"Consort Su is unworthy of her position and has a vicious heart. Effective immediately, her title is revoked, she is banished to the Cold Palace, and she is forbidden from communicating with the outside world for the rest of her life!"
This first ruling is directed at her personally!
Immediately afterwards, Lin Wanwan's gaze swept over the pale-faced ministers not far away who were connected to the Su family, and the chill in her voice intensified:
"The Su family has failed in their duty to educate their daughter and is suspected of treason! This case is to be handed over to the Dali Temple for a thorough investigation immediately! All those involved in this treason, regardless of their relationship to the family, will be dealt with according to the law without any leniency!"
This second ruling is aimed at her family!
Words spoken become law!
At this moment, Lin Wanwan no longer exuded her usual gentleness and intelligence, but rather a queenly aura that held the power of life and death and decided everything!
The imperial guards immediately stepped forward to drag Su Jinxiu, who was completely limp and powerless, away.
As she was being dragged past the Emperor and Empress, Su Jinxiu, utterly despairing, suddenly mustered her last ounce of strength and let out a piercing, demonic curse in their direction:
"You won't be smug for long!"
"The Regent..."
"The Regent will not let you get away with this!"
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