Chapter 975: Chapter 971: The Final Curtain (15)
"The Grand Dowager has invited my wife into the palace and placed her under soft imprisonment. And now, she falsely accuses us of disturbing the palace to force me to resign and withdraw from court affairs?" Fourth Master Xiao spoke slowly, tapping his fingers on the table, and continued, "However, your calculations seem overly intricate. Shen Ji’s death was an accident and had nothing to do with me. The Grand Dowager, I’m sure, understands this better than I do." This implies that Old Madam Shen has investigated for many days, yet cannot find a single flaw or evidence!
"Why doesn’t the Grand Dowager mention my son’s death?" He finished speaking, lifted his head slightly, and looked at Old Madam Shen: "How does the Grand Dowager explain this?"
Old Madam Shen was taken aback, squinting her eyes slightly. Does he have those death warriors? She couldn’t help but scrutinize Fourth Master Xiao, hoping to discern something from his expression. But his face remained calm, offering no clues. She angrily said, "I am unaware of such matters and don’t understand what Grand Commander Xiao refers to. I cannot provide you with an explanation."
"Is that so?" Fourth Master Xiao finished, letting out a cold snort through his nose, and suddenly ordered, "Bring them in." Then he bowed towards Consort Wen, saying, "Forgive me, Your Ladyship, for tarnishing your noble ground."
"Great Governor, no need for courtesy." Consort Wen was currently brimming with excitement, eagerly looking towards the door.
Soon after, Xiao Yanyi stepped in with large strides, followed by dozens of guards, each escorting a man in black. As soon as they entered, these men were pushed to their knees by the guards behind them.
Xiao Yanyi sat down beside Fourth Master Xiao.
The Empress’s face changed drastically as she glanced at Old Madam Shen, seeing that although she was trying to maintain her composure, panic was evident in her eyes. How could she not recognize these men, the death warriors trained by Shen Ji?
Indeed, Fourth Master Xiao had caught them.
She felt a chill all over, gritted her teeth, and looked at Fourth Master Xiao, wishing she could cut him to pieces. Yet she maintained a calm demeanor, asking, "Who are they? What is the meaning of Marquis and Grand Commander Xiao?"
Fourth Master Xiao’s gaze settled on the faces of the death warriors, then turned to the Grand Dowager: "There is no need for you to hide anymore, Grand Dowager. These men were personally apprehended by me and have been presented to the Emperor!"
"You!" Old Madam Shen finally couldn’t bear it and stood up abruptly, shouting in anger, "Fourth Master Xiao, you’re going too far!"
Fourth Master Xiao raised his eyes to look at her, his face calm and without any reaction.
The Empress looked at Old Madam Shen in disbelief, then at Fourth Master Xiao, panicking, "Fourth Master Xiao, you falsely reported military information, causing Shen Ji’s tragic death in Fujian. Now you’ve brought these men to frame us! How dare you!" She finished, slapped the armrest, and called out to outside, "Commander Cao, take these trespassers of the inner palace..." Then she looked at Consort Wen, eyes filled with cold laughter, "and the licentious men and women that have disturbed the court, take them down!"
In the blink of an eye, another crime is at hand!
Consort Wen stared wide-eyed, shocked at the Empress, finally understanding the meaning of "If you want to condemn someone, you can always find a reason."
Fourth Master Xiao remained unmoved, and Xiao Yanyi sat quietly. not only them but even outside the hall, there was no movement; everything fell silent once more.
The Empress and Old Madam Shen exchanged a glance, and the Empress looked towards Nanny Mao. Nanny Mao rushed out of the hall, and upon returning, her face was ashen, shaking her head at the Empress.
At some point, the Yulin Guards stationed outside the hall had all retreated, and there was no shadow to be found outside.
"What did you do?" Old Madam Shen glared at Fourth Master Xiao. Fourth Master Xiao shook his head, saying, "It’s not what I did, but rather..." He trailed off, standing up and looking towards the door.
Both Old Madam Shen and the Empress seemed to realize something.
Indeed, from the side hall, the Emperor, wearing a bright yellow Dragon Robe, supported by Chief Chang, slowly stepped out...
His face was cold, and his gaze fell on the Empress, filled with utter disappointment.
The Empress shivered, involuntarily stood up, and said in a lost voice, "Emperor..."
Just moments ago, Old Madam Shen’s impassioned demeanor turned icy cold as she gradually realized they had been ensnared by Fourth Master Xiao’s schemes. This had all been premeditated, just waiting for today.
Consort Wen knelt on the ground, still shaken and choked with emotion, clutching her injured forehead, she said, "This consort greets Your Majesty." But inside, she was smiling; she had bet correctly!
"Rise, all of you." The Emperor took a seat at the main position, his gaze swept over the people, then fell onto the side hall again, and he continued, "You can come out too."
Soon after, the curtain of the side hall moved, and Fourth Madam Xiao, supported by a female official, walked out. She appeared weak and frail, lowered her head, and kneeled in front of the Emperor: "This humble wife, Mrs. Xiao Tong, greets Your Majesty."
This was her first time seeing the highest authority of Great Zhou!
Xiqiu lowered her gaze and did not look up, only to hear the Emperor say, "You are unwell and have suffered a fright, you are exempt from ceremony."
"Yes." Xiqiu stood up and took a few steps back, stopping beside Fourth Master Xiao.
Fourth Master Xiao walked over, and beneath the wide sleeves of his robe, his warm large hand clasped Xiqiu’s hand tightly as if embedding it into his body.
Xiqiu held his hand in return, her eyes gradually moistening.
Silently, with just one gesture, the days of longing, grievances, anxiety, and unease passed into each other’s hearts...
The Emperor’s gaze shifted to the couple and then looked at Xiao Yanyi standing behind them, finally resting on the Empress who was still kneeling, he said with a sigh, "I hadn’t expected that after being away for two months, so much has happened in the court..." He heaved a sigh full of disappointment, "It seems my ability is truly lacking!"
"Emperor." The Empress moved forward on her knees: "Emperor, please listen to my explanation."
The Emperor waved his hand and said, "Your health is also poor, rise." After saying this, Nanny Mao helped the Empress to her feet. The Emperor told the Empress, "None of you are at fault; it is my fault. I haven’t managed the court affairs well, haven’t even settled the inner palace properly, which led to your insecurity, making you strive, fight, and seize by all means..."
"Emperor!" The Empress pushed Nanny Mao aside, hurriedly saying, "Neither the Grand Dowager nor I have done anything. All these are Fourth Master Xiao’s slanders and false accusations, Your Majesty, please consider the Grand Dowager and me!"
Consort Wen also knelt down.
The Emperor looked at the Empress, his eyes devoid of trust: "False accusations? Even now, you dare claim slander?" Then he pointed at the death warriors of Shen Mansion still kneeling like wooden statues, "And how do you explain these people?"
"Neither I nor the Grand Dowager know them, we have no idea what Fourth Master Xiao means, nor do we know anything about assassination." She paused briefly before continuing, "Besides, why would I assassinate Xiao Huaimin? He is just Fourth Master Xiao’s illegitimate son; killing him would be pointless. Also, Yan’er is injured, he is the apple of our eyes for both me and the Grand Dowager, how could we bear to harm him?"
Xiqiu glanced at the Empress, secretly admiring the Empress’s adaptability. She seized upon Min’s status to argue, assuming the Emperor would not reveal Min’s identity.
