Chapter 976: Chapter 972: The Finale (16)
The Emperor’s face darkened, a flicker of murderous intent flashed in his eyes.
The Empress’s body trembled, Old Madam Shen turned her gaze and said, "Your Majesty, it was Fourth Master Xiao who falsely reported about the battle in Fujian, which led to Shen Ji’s tragic death in Fujian... I have endured the pain without uttering a word of complaint. The Shen family has given its all for Great Zhou, and I haven’t had a word of blame. How could we commit such a disloyal act? I ask Your Majesty to see clearly." Then she glanced at Fourth Master Xiao, "One must not wrong the loyal and let the treacherous go unpunished."
"Enough!" The Emperor waved his hand, "No need to say more, it’s late, and after several days of travel, I am truly exhausted. We’ll discuss it tomorrow." Consort Wen hurriedly stepped forward to support the Emperor’s arm, the Emperor stood up, "All of you, withdraw."
Fourth Master Xiao and Xiao Yanyi clasped their fists and obeyed, Xiqiu followed beside Fourth Master Xiao, exchanged a glance with Consort Wen, and both averted their eyes. Consort Wen supported the Emperor into the inner hall, while Xiqiu followed Fourth Master Xiao out of the gates of Caisi Palace.
The Empress slumped in her chair, Old Madam Shen’s face showed an unprecedented coldness, more terrifying than ever before. She turned and silently supported the Empress, saying, "I’ll take you back."
There’s still a chance. The Emperor didn’t convict on the spot, proving that he feared the Shen family, and still remembers them with sentiment. She must carefully think about what to do next to completely overturn this situation.
Fourth Master Xiao held Xiqiu’s hand, following behind Xiao Yanyi, the three of them walked wordlessly along the quiet and deserted palace path. Xiqiu looked sideways at Fourth Master Xiao, and her tight heart over the past few days slowly relaxed, a faint smile appeared at her lips...
Fourth Master Xiao did not turn his eyes, did not look at her, but as if sensing something, he held her hand tighter.
The shadows of the three reflected quietly on the ground.
Outside the palace gate, the courtiers were still waiting outside, their voices buzzing with angry discussions, while the flagbearer guarding the gate stood nervously, fearing these officials, who held half the court, might lose control...
Lord Wu was in the lead, and from afar saw Xiao Yanyi and Fourth Master Xiao coming out.
The First Master and Tong Shen Zhi immediately noticed the figure behind Fourth Master Xiao, a petite figure wearing a light pink overcoat under a hat. Tong Shen Zhi, whose brows had been tightly furrowed, suddenly relaxed, and the First Master also relaxed, a relieved smile appearing on his lips...
"Let’s all go back." Fourth Master Xiao said, "Whatever business there is, we’ll discuss it at the court tomorrow."
Everyone responded, though still chattering and chattering, began to turn and mount their carriages or sedan chairs, dispersing at once. The First Master walked over, looking at Fourth Master Xiao, "Is everything alright?"
"Father-in-law!" Fourth Master Xiao clasped his fists, shook his head, "Everything is fine."
Xiqiu came over, bowed to the First Master, "Father." The First Master wanted to help her but withdrew his hand, smiled and said, "As long as everything is fine, that’s good." Xiqiu acknowledged and then addressed Tong Shen Zhi, "Big Brother."
Tong Shen Zhi responded with a soft "hmm," glanced at Xiqiu, relieved, said to the First Master, "Sixth Sister and the Great Governor are also tired, let’s go back first."
The First Master nodded to Fourth Master Xiao and Xiqiu, then clasped his fists to Xiao Yanyi, "Farewell." Xiao Yanyi returned the salute, "Take care!"
Everyone parted and went their separate ways.
The Marquis Mansion’s carriage came over, Fourth Master Xiao helped Xiqiu into the carriage, Xiao Yanyi said to Fourth Master Xiao, "You get in the carriage too." Pointed to Fourth Master Xiao’s horse, "Let me have the horse." Casting a quick glance at Xiqiu.
Fourth Master Xiao nodded without saying much, then went into the carriage with Xiqiu.
The carriage slowly started moving, and outside the palace gates in the dead of night, only the creaking sound remained.
In the dim carriage, Xiqiu settled down, removed her hat, and looked towards Fourth Master Xiao. Fourth Master Xiao sat down beside her, his gaze fell on her too...
Xiqiu smiled, but her voice choked up, murmuring, "Fourth Master Xiao..." Before she could finish, she threw herself into his arms, tears falling, "Fourth Master Xiao!"
Fourth Master Xiao caught her, held her tightly in his arms, kissing her hair, her neck, her cheeks, her tears, leaving nothing untouched. He cupped her face, looking at her with a smile despite her incessant tears, seeing her face, thin but with bright eyes, a heartache beyond words, he called softly, "Girl."
With a storm-like kiss falling on her lips, Xiqiu’s tears fell on both their faces, unable to tell whether they were tears of joy or sorrow, or whether it was the worry and fear accumulated over the past few days, all emotions intertwined in this kiss, endless love and longing.
A stiflingly passionate kiss slowly became gentle, carrying a lifetime’s worth of affection, lightly landing in each other’s hearts.
"Fourth Master." Xiqiu nestled in Fourth Master Xiao’s arms, "How is Min?"
Fourth Master Xiao stroked her back, feeling the protruding bones under his palm, pained, he said, "Min is well taken care of by Nurse Zhang and Tiancheng."
Xiqiu sighed in relief, asked quietly, "Is it true our Min...is really gone?"
Fourth Master Xiao paused, kissed her ear lightly, replied softly, "Yes."
Xiqiu’s tears fell again, memories of Min flashed in her mind, from the first time she saw his distant and wary expression, to later interactions, gradually, he would smile at her, wouldn’t shy away when kissed. She remembered that time he held a large basin, water dripping everywhere, struggled to drag it to her, his small body squatting before her, washing her feet...
He was humble yet confident, fragile yet strong...
Such a child, how could one not love.
But, Xiao Huaimin, their Min is truly gone, forever gone.
"Don’t cry." Fourth Master Xiao wiped away her tears, said softly, "No matter his identity, he will always be our child."
Xiqiu nodded, still buried in Fourth Master Xiao’s arms, unwilling to lift her head.
Fourth Master Xiao held her quietly for a while, asked, "The fire in Glazed Palace, did you start it?" Hearing this, Xiqiu paused, obediently nodded, "Consort Wen ordered it, several spots were set on fire, so it burned quickly."
"What a clever spirit." Fourth Master Xiao chuckled softly but sighed, "You didn’t know, when I heard you were summoned to the palace while on the road, my heart felt tightly bound, unable to breathe, wishing I had wings to fly to your side..." He paused, then continued, "I personally drove the Emperor’s carriage, bumpy all the way...finally arrived."
Hearing this, Xiqiu raised her head, looked at Fourth Master Xiao, asked, "Right, how is the Eldest Prince’s injury?" Fourth Master Xiao replied, "The recovery is quite good, seems to be fine."
Xiqiu nodded, didn’t ask further, she already had an answer in her heart about why the Eldest Prince was injured, no need to confirm with Fourth Master Xiao, she then asked, "Where did you meet Sister Jingliu? How was their journey, are they all well?"
