Chapter 282: This Matter Ends Here
She hadn’t expected that her daughter, who had been pampered beyond measure, would pass away so early. If it weren’t for Jiang Ruanxi, their whole family would still be fine now.
As she cried, her eyes burst forth with intense hatred.
Jiang Minghuai thought of how several sons of the Jiang Family had died now, all because of Jiang Ruanxi’s doing, and his face turned sharp.
He heavily placed the teacup on the table, gnashing his teeth as he said, “Don’t worry, I won’t let her get away with it. I will definitely make her pay with blood for blood. This time, she can’t escape.”
“General Jiang.”
Suddenly, a faint voice came from outside the door.
Jiang Minghuai and Madam Wei both looked toward the door and saw that the visitor was Jiang Kui.
“Mm.”
Jiang Minghuai showed no excitement at seeing his son after so long, while Madam Wei’s face immediately turned serious, full of respect.
Jiang Kui came before them and got straight to the point, “Father has returned, but did he bring troops back?”
Jiang Minghuai was stunned, not expecting him to be so direct, his eyes narrowing slightly.
He silently drank his tea, not answering.
Jiang Kui didn’t mind.
“General Jiang has just returned and probably doesn’t know the current situation in the capital yet, right?”
“I know a little.”
Jiang Minghuai set down his cup and lifted his gaze to glance at him.
“That’s good. Now that the Crown Prince is in prison, it’s our best opportunity. Why doesn’t General Jiang tell me the truth, so we can properly discuss it.”
Jiang Minghuai looked deeply at Jiang Kui, his eyes full of complexity.
Suddenly, his gaze turned to Madam Wei.
“You go out first. Don’t let anyone come near here.”
Madam Wei knew they had matters to discuss, so she nodded, turned, and went out, closing the door.
**
Palace banquet.
The moon was already hanging in the mid-sky, with gentle snowflakes drifting down. People standing outside immediately felt their hands freeze stiff, and no one dared to take a single step outside.
Meanwhile, inside, the lights were brilliant, wine cups and teacups were being passed around, and it was extremely lively.
Emperor Qin stood in the high position, raising his wine cup toward the people below and saying, “General Jiang has returned to the capital after twenty years away. I am very pleased today. This cup is me toasting General Jiang for guarding the border and preserving our Qin Dynasty. Let us all toast General Jiang.”
When the ministers heard Emperor Qin say this, smiles appeared on everyone’s faces as they stood up, fawning over Jiang Minghuai.
“To General Jiang.”
Jiang Minghuai acted as if he neither saw nor heard, remaining seated without moving.
He slowly chewed the food in his mouth.
Seeing Jiang Minghuai not giving him face like this, his face immediately darkened.
Just as he was about to get angry, Jiang Minghuai looked up, gazing apologetically at Emperor Qin and the various ministers.
“I appreciate His Majesty and all the ministers’ kind intentions, but this subject has been at the border for so many years, and due to frequent emergencies, I have long abstained from alcohol and never drink.”
Even if Emperor Qin was dissatisfied in his heart, since Jiang Minghuai had said this, he couldn’t say anything more.
Composing his expression, Emperor Qin smiled and said, “General Jiang serves the country and the people, and I understand. Since that’s the case, I won’t force it.”
After Emperor Qin placed his cup on the table, he sat down as well, though his face wasn’t looking good.
The other ministers also sat down trembling with fear, not daring to breathe.
The atmosphere was no longer like before.
Jiang Minghuai acted as if he didn’t see it, picking up a chicken leg from beside him and eating it directly with his hands.
“Your Majesty, the chicken legs in the capital are truly delicious, with perfect color, aroma, and flavor—hundreds of times better than those at the border.” Jiang Minghuai, with his mouth full of oil, looked toward Emperor Qin.
Looking at Jiang Minghuai, who seemed like a starving ghost reincarnated, Emperor Qin breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.
He had originally been worried that Jiang Minghuai’s merits might threaten the sovereign, but now it seemed that Jiang Minghuai had stayed at the border too long and had fully integrated with the barbarians there.
“If General Jiang thinks it’s good, eat more.”
Emperor Qin was in a great mood, his speech becoming much lighter and more natural.
But after saying this, a flash of scorn passed through his eyes.
In his heart, he couldn’t help but curse darkly: May you eat until you burst!
Jiang Minghuai seemed oblivious, smiling as he said, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
After saying that, he tore off another big bite into his mouth.
Seeing Emperor Qin’s expression improve, the ministers became lively again.
These interruptions passed quickly, and the atmosphere became lively once more.
After the banquet ended and people dispersed, it was already late into the night.
After leaving the banquet hall, a cold glint flashed in Jiang Minghuai’s eyes.
No longer showing the earlier bumpkin appearance.
After walking a few steps, suddenly, a palace maid appeared by his side at some point, whispering something in his ear. He glanced at the palace maid before him, and Jiang Minghuai turned his steps toward the inner palace.
What he didn’t notice was that a pair of eyes had been watching him, following his footsteps.
Jiang Ruanxi looked at the note delivered from the palace, her eyes turning ice-cold, a cold smile hanging on her lips.
She raised her fair hand and burned the note.
She couldn’t help muttering to herself, “Interesting. I didn’t expect they had this connection.”
The next morning early, since Jiang Minghuai had returned to the capital, he also had to attend court.
“The Empress’s funeral has been decided just like this. Proceed according to my decree.”
“As Your Majesty decrees.” The ministers said in unison.
Although they didn’t know what Emperor Qin was really thinking—knowing full well what the Empress had done, yet still giving her a grand burial—they didn’t dare say anything reckless.
“Are there any other matters? If not, court is dismissed.”
Emperor Qin’s sharp gaze swept over the hall below.
The hall below was silent for several seconds, but just as Emperor Qin thought there were no matters and was about to stand, a censor, Lord Li, stepped forward from the front, kneeling solemnly.
“Your Majesty, this subject has a matter to report.”
Lord Li had white hair and some wrinkles on his face, but he appeared spirited overall.
A flash of displeasure passed through Emperor Qin’s eyes.
Normally, whenever Lord Li spoke, it was never good news.
“Does Lord Li have any matters?” Emperor Qin composed his emotions and said faintly.
Lord Li looked at Emperor Qin with utmost seriousness.
“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince killed the Empress. Although the case isn’t fully adjudicated yet, having committed such a grave crime of disloyalty and unrighteousness, he is no longer fit to remain in the position of Crown Prince. Please, Your Majesty, depose the Crown Prince and establish another as Crown Prince.”
As soon as he said this, everyone erupted in an uproar.
Everyone knew this reason, but no one had dared to say it outright before.
Emperor Qin’s face also darkened.
His hand at his side clenched tightly.
“Didn’t I already say long ago that this matter ends here and is not to be mentioned again?”
“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince will be the future sovereign of Qin Kingdom. How can we establish such a disloyal and unrighteous person? Moreover, after the Crown Prince did such a thing, does Your Majesty intend to let him off just like that? Is that just to the people of Qin Kingdom?” Lord Li questioned righteously.
Following his words, half the ministers in the court also knelt down in agreement.
“Please, Your Majesty, depose the Crown Prince, establish a new Crown Prince, and seek justice for the Empress.”
