Reborn as a Happy Wife in a Rural Family - Chapter 286: Live Long and Witness
Chapter 286: Chapter 286: Live Long and Witness
“Stop, stop, stop…” Xiao Yuling waved her hand dismissively. “I don’t care what king you are. Today, I’m escorting the Ninth Prince back to the palace. I’m tired and want to return to the Imperial Palace to rest. You, get out of here and go back wherever you came from.”
“Oh, and Lord Song,” she added, “could you please run an errand for me? Invite Concubine Shu, Concubine Xian, and Concubine De here to welcome me.”
After Xiao Yuling finished speaking, she gestured to a eunuch outside the main hall, who quickly brought her a chair.
The ministers exchanged bewildered glances. They had lived for decades but had never witnessed such a brazen woman behave so audaciously in the audience hall. She even slapped a prince in public and utterly disregarded them, the elder statesmen. It was truly a sight to behold, a first in their long lives.
Xiao Yunjing grinned, watching his mother fiercely display her mettle in the audience hall. I want to see just how much Qingchen can endure. I have to provoke him; only when a person is furious are their weaknesses exposed. My own martial arts are formidable, but Qingchen is no weakling either. In any case, the entire Imperial Palace is under my control, so I’m not afraid of him calling for backup. All I need is a one-on-one fight with him. Our smooth entry into the Imperial Palace and subsequent control were possible because, by the time we arrived in Capital City, the Secret Sect had already cleared the tunnels. Coincidentally, they led directly to our original palace within the ruins. It’s as if fate itself is on our side.
Qingchen’s expression shifted repeatedly as he watched the arrogant Xiao Yuling. Xiao Yunjing noticed how tightly Qingchen clenched his fists.
Xiao Yunjing sneered inwardly. With his men outside under my control, Qingchen knows better than to make any rash moves. Given his temperament, he would have lost his temper by now if he weren’t exercising such restraint. However, even if he acts like a patient ninja turtle today, it’ll be useless. Today, I’ll ensure he meets his end.
Upon hearing Xiao Yuling’s words, Song Zheng stepped forward. “Your Majesty, please wait a moment,” he said respectfully. “I will go invite them immediately.”
Xiao Yuling nodded and settled into the chair the eunuch had brought. “Lord Song, take your time. There’s no rush; we have plenty of it.”
Song Zheng immediately left the main hall, taking a eunuch with him towards the harem.
After speaking, Xiao Yuling glanced at Qingchen on the high seat. Hmph, little brat. Daring to challenge me? Back in the day, who in the palace did I ever fear?
Upon our return, a quick investigation yielded shocking results, Xiao Yuling recalled. Qingchen had not only plundered Daqian but had also replaced nearly all the officials in the court. He truly is a man who brings disaster to the country and calamity to its people! Where did this lunatic come from, to have ravaged Daqian so thoroughly? This is, after all, my husband’s empire. How can I allow someone of unknown origin to subvert it?
The three concubines Xiao Yuling mentioned had all borne children for the late Emperor, so they were permitted to reside in the harem. Of course, this information had been meticulously gathered beforehand by the Secret Sect’s operatives who had investigated everything within the Imperial Palace; otherwise, how could she possess such detailed knowledge?
Everyone in the audience hall waited quietly.
Qingchen, his expression dark, was mentally weighing his options. It’s impossible for me to leave this hall right now. He pressed his lips together tightly, desperately trying to find a way out. Unfortunately, I can’t bring my King of cursed insects with me to court. Otherwise, once I left this hall, I wouldn’t have to worry about controlling this bunch of fools.
Below, Xiao Yunjing watched him coldly. Seeing his helpless state is immensely satisfying, especially after what he did to Li’er. I wish I could kill him with a single palm strike right now, but not yet. I need a legitimate and justifiable reason. More than half the people in this hall are his. It’s best not to provoke them for now. But I still have a trump card. The Secret Sect should have gotten Chu Xiong out by now. Chu Xiong is the rightful Emperor. I don’t need to act personally; an imperial edict from him will suffice. If Qingchen can use that dog Emperor, why can’t I? Besides, that dog Emperor doesn’t have long to live. He can make one last contribution for me.
「Meanwhile」
The Secret Sect’s operatives had abducted Chu Xiong from the Qin Tianjian, capturing the Daoist priest in the process. They swiftly exited the Imperial Palace through the tunnel and installed Chu Xiong in a pre-purchased residence. After administering a detoxification pill, they waited for him to awaken, occasionally trickling spiritual spring water down his throat.
Sure enough, in about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Chu Xiong regained consciousness.
He looked dazedly at the people before him, his mind immediately clearing somewhat. This was not the Imperial Palace.
“Who are you? Why have you brought me here? What do you want?” Chu Xiong immediately fired off three questions.
Yun No. 12 approached him. “One could say we are your saviors, Your Majesty. Don’t you know the state you’re in?”
Chu Xiong was taken aback. During my intermittent periods of consciousness, that Daoist from the Qin Tianjian would feed me pills as soon as I regained some clarity, only for me to fall back into a stupor. Having reached this point, if I still don’t understand that the Daoist from Qin Tianjian is problematic, then I truly am as stupid as a pig. I’m even clearer now about Qingchen’s purpose.
“Why… why did you save me? What is your purpose?” Chu Xiong asked, his wits slowly returning. They didn’t revive me out of loyalty because I’m the Emperor; they must have some other purpose. I guess their goal is the same as Qingchen’s—they covet my empire. Would I agree? Could I? If I did, how could I face my ancestors in the afterlife?
Yun No. 12 was direct. “As Your Majesty should well know, no one acts without a motive. We saved you for a purpose, of course. To be frank, you will come to the audience hall with us later, depose Qingchen, and then abdicate the throne to our master. If you agree, we will go immediately. If you don’t, you will die instantly.”
Chu Xiong was not surprised. He was now like meat on a chopping block, with no choice but to be at their mercy. He only asked, “Who is your master?”
Even if I have to abdicate, I must pass the throne to someone from the Daqian Imperial Family, not just any random person. I don’t have many days left. The Daqian Empire cannot be ruined by my hands. If their master is from the Daqian Imperial Family, I can agree. But if not, I would rather die than abdicate. If I die, at least the imperial clan relatives can step forward. No matter who they support to take the throne, Daqian will still belong to our Chu family. During my coma, I also learned that all my sons are dead, every single one killed by Qingchen.
Chu Xiong was filled with immense regret. But what’s the use of regret now? I myself brought this wolf into my own house.
Yun No. 12 didn’t hide anything, as their master was waiting. They had to act quickly. “Our master is the former Ninth Prince, the son of Imperial Noble Consort Xiao. They are not dead; they are in the audience hall right now. Your Majesty, please make your decision quickly. You know you don’t have much time. If you abdicate, our master can heal you, allowing you to live for another eight or ten years without any problem.”
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