Chapter 145: Words Can’t Be Spoken Rashly
News of Ji Ying had already spread, and Yang Luo, who lived at the National Academy, immediately returned home with her maidservant.
Duke Ding’an’s Wife breathed a sigh of relief.
They had already prepared to go to the National Academy to intercept Yang Luo, lest she hear the news and rush straight to the government offices to shout and cause a scene, declaring her identity.
That would be disastrous.
Fortunately, Yang Luo still knew that her uncle’s family was reliable and came home first.
But Duke Ding’an’s Wife held her breath again, because Yang Luo had come home insisting on going to see the officials.
“I knew the murderer of my mother and the villagers hadn’t been caught. Aunt, I’m going to the Dali Temple. I’m going to come forward as a witness—”
The maidservant was also shouting loudly beside her: “Young Lady, you were right. The government is in collusion with the mountain bandits! Fortunately, we hid our names and concealed our tracks, or we would have been caught and killed long ago—”
“Be quiet.” Duke Ding’an’s Wife’s ears buzzed. She first scolded the maidservant, then tightly grabbed the young lady. “My child, listen to me—”
Mo Zheng struggled free from her: “Aunt, there’s nothing more to say. I must go to the government offices to seek justice for the deaths of my mother and the villagers—”
She absolutely could not go. Duke Ding’an’s Wife’s heart burned like fire.
How could such a thing happen so suddenly?
The eunuch who had originally come to proclaim the imperial decree had indeed arrived, but they had successfully sent him away using the name of the National Academy, and they had been pleased about it.
“This title of disciple of the Libationer really comes in handy. We’ll have it easier from now on,” Duke Ding’an said proudly.
In the end, before they could relax for half a day, a servant brought new news.
Ji Ying was dead.
Of course, Ji Ying’s life or death had nothing to do with them, but Ji Ying’s death implicated White Horse Town.
Originally, no one in the Capital City knew about White Horse Town.
With Ji Ying’s death, the fact that Ji Ying had masqueraded as a mountain bandit as a death row prisoner and that dozens of people had died in White Horse Town instantly swept through the Capital City.
Although Duke Ding’an’s younger sister being in White Horse Town was a very secretive matter, they had greeted the government offices in Yuzhou back then. If no one asked, it would fade away with the person’s death.
But once someone asked, an investigation from top to bottom would immediately spread it.
Duke Ding’an and his wife instantly felt their heads swell.
The younger sister could no longer be hidden, and this niece absolutely could not be discovered by the world.
……
…….
“Ji Ying’s actions have already been announced under heaven. The government will definitely investigate thoroughly. The officials of the Dali Temple have already gone to Lu County…”
Duke Ding’an’s Wife hurriedly tried to persuade and soothe her.
Mo Zheng looked at her: “Aunt, then I should do something too. I’m a survivor. I can help…”
“What help can you provide?” Duke Ding’an’s Wife hurriedly interrupted her. “A Luo, your mother’s matter can no longer be hidden. Don’t step forward again. If the old matters are uncovered, you’ll be pointed at and talked about too.”
Mo Zheng’s expression was firm: “To fulfill my filial duty to my mother, I’m not afraid of ruining my reputation—”
Duke Ding’an’s Wife grew anxious: “Then you should also consider the Libationer’s reputation.”
Mo Zheng was stunned for a moment, her expression hesitant.
Seeing this, Duke Ding’an’s Wife was overjoyed. At this moment, she finally felt that the matter of being the Libationer’s disciple was a good thing.
“…Of course, the Libationer might not care…”
“But you are the Libationer’s disciple. So many people are jealous of you. Didn’t the young lady of the Chai Clan just bully you because of this?”
“If your mother’s old matters from back then are uncovered, with such a disgraceful background, people in the world will point fingers, gossip, and mock. It would bring shame to the Libationer’s face too.”
Mo Zheng lowered her head and said nothing.
Duke Ding’an’s Wife breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly offered another sweet date.
“Your uncle has already entered the palace to see His Majesty. Even if Ji Ying is dead, he will be punished. The true culprits of White Horse Town will definitely be captured.”
“Can we wait for your uncle’s news first?”
Mo Zheng lifted her head and agreed.
Duke Ding’an’s Wife hurriedly took her hand and personally escorted her back to the courtyard house to rest, and arranged more than a dozen servant women to guard her.
Yang Luo had been contained for now, but Duke Ding’an’s Wife’s heart was still suspended high, unable to let go.
Because Duke Ding’an had gone to see the Emperor.
Whether it was because the matter had arisen suddenly or to avoid suspicion, no one from Marquis Yichun’s side had come to communicate anything with Duke Ding’an.
Duke Ding’an was distraught and guilty, and didn’t dare to go see Marquis Yichun.
Moreover, an eunuch soon came to summon him.
Duke Ding’an could only enter the palace.
“Duke, don’t speak carelessly,” Duke Ding’an’s Wife could only instruct.
……
……
Duke Ding’an stood before the Imperial City, looking at the palace gate, feeling dizzy and disoriented.
Officials moved about in twos and threes, and seeing Duke Ding’an, they seemed to point and whisper in discussion.
It had already spread, hadn’t it.
These officials had the most up-to-date news.
They were discussing his younger sister, Duke Ding’an thought with a pounding heart.
Fortunately, because it was a summons from the Emperor, with an eunuch leading the way, everyone didn’t crowd around to talk, just watching as Duke Ding’an went inside.
Near the Imperial Study, another middle-aged eunuch came out to greet him.
“His Majesty just asked about it,” he said respectfully. “He has already dismissed the others and is just waiting for the Duke.”
With that, he personally led the way.
The previous eunuch then withdrew.
Duke Ding’an looked at the Imperial Study ahead, stepping deep and shallow, hearing this eunuch’s soft voice by his ear.
“Duke, when you see His Majesty, don’t speak carelessly.”
Duke Ding’an shivered and looked at this eunuch.
Although he rarely came before His Majesty, he recognized this eunuch as one who constantly followed the Emperor…
But for this eunuch to say this now, it definitely wasn’t the Emperor’s instruction.
It was Marquis Yichun’s instruction, wasn’t it.
Duke Ding’an couldn’t describe his feelings—relieved or more nervous.
The eunuch didn’t look at him and said no more, bowing low.
“Please go in, Duke. His Majesty said no need to wait for announcement.”
Duke Ding’an looked at the threshold ahead.
Yes, he could not speak carelessly.
Previously, he had told the Emperor that the child had been aborted, so at this moment, he could not let another child appear.
Previously, the government offices in Lu County had also told him that Yang Tong and her daughter had died embracing each other, and he had acknowledged it, so at this moment, he could not let another daughter appear.
Duke Ding’an took a deep breath, raised his hand to wipe the corner of his eye, his eyes red as he stepped over the threshold.
“Your Majesty—” he called out choking with sobs, “Ji Ying is too hateful—”
……
…….
“That’s what they said from Lu County at the time.”
“When they told me, they said the murderer had been caught and the person buried.”
Duke Ding’an wiped his tears while speaking.
There was no one else in the Imperial Study. The Emperor sat at the desk eating, but the meal remained untouched.
After entering, the Emperor asked what the situation had been back then.
Whatever the Emperor asked, he answered.
“…Buried outside is also appropriate. After all, she had arranged it that way back then… We have no further relationship…”
“…So I didn’t go personally… I was afraid that if I went, she would be uneasy in the underworld…”
“…Your Majesty also knows, her temper was so stubborn…”
At this point, Duke Ding’an lowered his head even more, feeling the hall grow quieter.
“I truly didn’t know,” Duke Ding’an hurriedly raised his voice. “So the one Ji Ying caught wasn’t a mountain bandit.”
With that, he bowed low in respect.
“Please, Your Majesty, order a strict investigation to exterminate those mountain bandits soon.”
The Emperor hummed: “The mountain bandits must naturally be exterminated.”
Duke Ding’an cried out thanks for the Emperor’s great grace, lowered his head to wipe tears, and then said softly: “Your Majesty, this time I will personally go to see her grave and find a good tomb guardian.”
The Emperor hummed again: “That is appropriate.”
After saying this, the Emperor said no more and picked up the soup bowl.
Duke Ding’an caught it in the corner of his eye and also breathed a sigh of relief.
There shouldn’t be more questions, right.
The thought flashed through, and he saw the Emperor take a sip of soup, then raise his eyes to look over.
“That child knows about this too, right?” he asked.
That child?
Duke Ding’an’s breath caught in his throat, and he knelt down with a thud.
The world spun, his head dizzy and eyes blurred.
