Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 90

“They’re mine.”

Already in his sixties, Elder Wen couldn’t handle much excitement. Upon hearing these words, he instinctively covered his neck with his hand and stepped back. “This… this…”

Whispers around gradually grew louder.

A moment of connection passed between him and her.

Her once clear, crystalline eyes instantly clouded over.

She could never have imagined that the man she had yearned for countless nights would suddenly appear before her like this, catching her completely off guard.

Su Huai’an’s throat moved slightly as he spoke, his voice barely audible and low, “Please don’t expose me now. In the future, you can punish me however you see fit.”

The Minister of Rites spoke earnestly, “Let’s say what the remain of the Su family says is true. But what about the princess’ virtues?”

The empress dowager furrowed her brow, her voice stern, “Changning, what in the world is this all about?”

It took Xiao Lianyu a moment to regain her composure. She gestured to her ear to the nannies beside her, who immediately understood and covered the ears of the two children. Those children, still nameless to this day, should not hear what they shouldn’t.

Xiao Lianyu kneeled again, lifting her gaze, “Reporting to Your Majesty and the empress dowager, four years ago on the Dragon Boat Festival, Changning went out to enjoy the lantern festival and was accidentally abducted and poisoned by assailants. The poison was too strong, but luckily Su… Sir Su arrived in time and rescued her, saving her from danger. Changning never imagined she would become pregnant.”

Listening to the flawed and inconsistent words, the Minister of Rites developed three creases on his forehead. Just a moment ago, she called him a thief, an ordinary man, and suddenly it became “Sir Su”? Nevertheless, he countered, “The princess’ household guards couldn’t handle mere bandits? Your Highness, where precisely were you abducted? Did you report it to the authorities?”

Tears shimmered in her eyes. Xiao Lianyu closed her eyes briefly, tears streaming down as she sobbed softly, “Since childhood, I was taught to uphold virtue and purity, to maintain dignity. Faced with such a situation, how could I speak up? Every day, I’ve been distressed and unwell. Not long after Sir Su confidently asserted that we would wait for the return of the general to arrange our marriage, news of the battle in Langzhou reached the capital.”

The people in the hall couldn’t help but raise their eyebrows. Distressed every day and unwell? Then, who was the princess who visited the Ministry of Justice every day back then?

The Minister of Rites sighed, “Setting aside whether the princess’ words are true or not, how could the princess…”

Before he could finish, Xiao Lianyu spoke again, “As a member of the imperial family, I should consider the bigger picture, but the physician said my health was fragile. Ingesting medicine might endanger my life. Hence, I retreated to Mount Li. I ask Your Majesty for punishment.”

To be fair, Xiao Lianyu’s stories these years weren’t baseless. Her fabricated tales were stronger than everyone else’s combined in the room.

Xiao Yu touched his nose bridge and remarked, “You deserve punishment. As for your two children… wait for the empress dowager and me to discuss. In the meantime, you are not to leave your residence for three months upon returning to the capital.”

Xiao Lianyu immediately responded, “Changning acknowledges her fault and thanks His Majesty for his benevolence.”

Elder Wen’s gray hair seemed to straighten up. The princess of royal descent could be protected by the emperor’s will, even if she wove lies and falsehoods. What mattered now was Su Huai’an. The treason of the Su family was already a settled case, but with new testimony presented, wouldn’t it make a mockery of justice for the entire realm?

Elder Wen said, “Your Majesty, the treason of the Su family four years ago was irrefutably proven. We cannot negate it based on the deceptive words of the remaining Su clan member. I believe Su Huai’an may have other intentions in the capital.”

Su Huai’an calmly remarked, “Speaking of intentions, I’d like to ask the esteemed Elder Wen, what were the Su family’s intentions in colluding with the enemy?”

Elder Liu’s voice turned cold, “But I’ve heard that the emperor of Qi not only honored Su Jingbei as the Duke of Zhen and granted him privileges but also bestowed him with high honors, exempting him from specific formalities within the court.”

Su Huai’an smiled suddenly, “For hundreds of years, the Su family sacrificed themselves in loyalty through four generations. Were they seeking these privileges?”

Elder Wen rebutted, “While the Su family might have been loyal, one cannot deny Su Jingbei’s potential resentment toward the court. The difference in one’s heart is like the difference in one’s face. I believe in the evidence presented before us.”

Su Huai’an turned to the emperor, “Today, I present three pieces of evidence. Fifteen years ago, while my father’s body was still warm, the Imperial Preceptor of Qi, Dantai Yi, used clandestine techniques to replace him—this act of impersonation is the first. In that same year, fearing exposure, he killed my mother and arranged false evidence using coroners—this fabrication is the second. Later, leveraging alliances with the Chu family, Dantai Yi abused their influence to promote officials, engaging in partisan politics. Currently, officials such as the Minister of the Taichang Temple and the Minister of the Guanglu Temple incarcerated by the Ministry of Justice are linked to this manipulation—that is the third.”

Elder Wen exclaimed, “Your Majesty! His attempt to confuse and mislead is evident!”

“Truth or falsehood will be revealed upon investigation. Furthermore, I have another matter to present. Four years ago, at the Battle of Mihe, apart from the military’s defeat, there was another reason for the total annihilation of our sixty thousand troops. It’s the weaponry and artillery of Qi, which should’ve been unparalleled in our army! Those who used trade ten years ago as a pretext for private gain are currently within this hall.”

When he mentioned events from a decade ago, the cabinet’s Grand Secretary Chu Luwei stepped forward, “This is absolute nonsense! Your Majesty, please don’t believe the words of this traitor.”

Su Huai’an countered, “Are the account books bearing the imperial seal also nonsense?”

Account books.

The empress dowager suddenly turned towards the emperor. She now understood why the emperor captured Second Young Master Xue.

Xiao Yu turned to Xue Xiangyang, asking calmly, “What does Lord Xue think?”

Xue Xiangyang’s lips moved slightly. Now that Second Young Master Xue was already imprisoned and the Xue family’s fate rested on the emperor’s decision alone, even if he knew the emperor was manipulating the Xue family to manipulate the Chu family, he had no way out.

He stepped forward and said, “Su Huai’an’s words just now seem to have a basis. If the Su family truly suffered from treachery and injustice, it’s only right to investigate this in accordance with natural justice. This way, it will also uphold justice for the sixty thousand deceased soldiers and the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty.”

After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Yu addressed Su Huai’an, “Even if what you say isn’t false, you escaped from prison four years ago and now, under a false identity, entered the capital for the imperial examination. It goes against the order. You’re dismissed from the position of Vice-minister of Justice and are to await investigation in the Dali Temple prison.”

Su Huai’an responded, “As commanded.”

As the decree fell, several officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Cabinet wore stiff expressions. Although it was announced as a dismissal and investigation, everyone knew that “Huai Jing” was the emperor’s designated top scholar. Moreover, the Dali Temple prison was practically Su Huai’an’s old haunt…

Silence surrounded them, with everyone secretly trying to fathom the emperor’s intentions.

“If there are no objections…” Xiao Yu abruptly stood up, tapping the table with his fingertip, enunciating each word, “In the first year of Yanxi, the case of the Su family’s treason will be tried today.”

The empress dowager glared at Xiao Yu, “Do you truly believe this traitor?”

Xiao Yu faintly curved his lips, “Whether this son believes it or not, the result will be determined by the investigation of the Three Temples.”

The empress dowager muttered under her breath, “I’ve raised… a truly good son.”

With that, she swept her sleeves and departed, leaving everyone speechless.

Xiao Yu cleared his throat, “You all may leave. The grand princess stays.”

One by one, the officials exited the Chonghua Hall.

The moment they left the hall, Xue Xiangyang’s attitude drastically changed. With a loud bang, he slammed the door shut, gripped Su Huai’an’s collar and pinned him against the door. He fumed, “Should I call you Su Huai’an or Huai Jing? You’ve calculated everything, haven’t you?”

What constitutes being utterly furious? Perhaps it’s the sight of Xue Xiangyang right now. Every strand beneath his black gauze hat seemed to quiver.

Su Huai’an murmured, “Lord Xue, please calm down.”

Xue Xiangyang roared, “Using my things, fooling me around! Ah!”

He not only helped Su Huai’an rise in rank, granted him a residence, and sympathized with him being mistreated by the princess, but even invited him for meals and drinks. Damn it, it seemed the princess had even given him children. A complete family. The mere thought of this made Xue Xiangyang’s heart and stomach ache, unbearable to the point where he threw a punch.

Su Huai’an caught his fist and stated, “Today, I am not your Lord Xue’s criminal.”

Gritting his teeth, Xue Xiangyang growled, “Su Huai’an, this isn’t over between us. It’s not over between us!”

Despite Xue Xiangyang’s aggression, Su Huai’an remained composed, saying, “Lord Xue, our feud is unnecessary. It might make others think you’ve been outsmarted.”

Seeing Su Huai’an’s calm demeanor, Xue Xiangyang felt murderous. After years of chasing Su Huai’an, the man had somehow outwit him right under his nose!

Xue Xiangyang viciously challenged, “Dare to fight me bare-handed?”

Su Huai’an didn’t engage and suggested, “Wouldn’t it be better for us to get along? That way, everyone would admire Lord Xue’s abilities.”

Xue Xiangyang retorted, “Are you addicted to mocking me?”

At that moment, a loud voice from outside the door interrupted, “Reporting, officials from the Dali Temple are here to take the suspect into custody.”

Xue Xiangyang released Su Huai’an’s collar.

The door opened.

Su Huai’an departed with the Dali Temple officials. Before leaving, he respectfully bid farewell to Xue Xiangyang, “My lord, Jingming will take his leave.”

The intimacy in his tone was unmistakable.

Xue Xiangyang took a deep breath, attempting to control his expression.

The official of the Ministry of Justice stole a glance at Xue Xiangyang, showing a look of admiration.

Meanwhile—

Xiao Yu questioned Princess Changning alone.

Xiao Yu’s expression was stern, his voice hoarse, “Such a significant matter, and you’ve kept it from me for three years?”

He remembered every letter Changning had sent him. Initially, she mentioned suffering from a heart ailment and needing rest, later even threatening to become a nun.

Although Changning was favored, she had always been fearful of her elder brother. Seeing the chill in his eyes, she felt her knees weaken, dropping straight to kneel before him, “Brother, Changning did not intend to conceal…”

Xiao Yu stood with hands behind his back, bowing his head as he caught his breath. Amidst his panting, he heard Xiao Lianyu speaking softly, “Even if Changning doesn’t understand much, she knew four years ago that the court was in peril. How could she dare to cause trouble for Brother?”

Still recovering from his wounds, Xiao Yu coughed a few times.

Xiao Lianyu whispered, “Changning knew her actions were unreasonable. After meeting Sister-in-law once, she dared not mention it to Brother anymore.”

Xiao Yu questioned, “Four years ago… you entered the palace?”

Xiao Lianyu nodded.

“When was that?”

Xiao Lianyu lowered her gaze, “In the first year of Yanxi, on the nineteenth day of the seventh month.”

The mid of the seventh month..

Just a month before her passing…

Xiao Yu felt a tightness in his throat, “…Did she say anything at that time?”

“Sister-in-law was particularly frail then; she couldn’t even fill a plain garment.” Recalling that moment, Xiao Lianyu couldn’t help but choke up, “Sister-in-law said in the future, Changning should visit the palace more often and keep you company.”

“Changning feels guilty for not fulfilling Sister-in-law’s request.”

Suddenly, Xiao Yu remembered a time after his ascension when he held her and said, “In this palace, apart from you, I don’t know who else I should talk to.”