Chapter 143: Cutting Off the Tail
Ping Le lightly clapped her hands, and two Xizi merchants were brought to the hall.
They bowed slightly, their steps a little awkward, and their expressions very nervous.
“We respectfully wish the Emperor of Daliang Your Majesty eternal peace!”
Ping Le said eagerly, “Imperial Father, these two Xizi merchants can prove that the woman in the painting is the Xizi spy who stole the Shen Bi Crossbow blueprints from the Ministry of War back then.”
Emperor Chong Zhao narrowed his eyes, his gaze exceptionally sharp.
“Are you Xizi merchants?”
“Replying to Your Majesty, that is correct.”
“Do you recognize this woman in the painting?”
The two Xizi traveling merchants were Alimu and his attendant Hassen.
They exchanged a glance.
Alimu swallowed, a look of difficulty on his face, and mumbled.
“Your Majesty, this humble one… this humble one does not recognize the woman in the painting.”
Ping Le’s expression changed, her eyes filled with disbelief.
“If you don’t recognize her, then where did the Shen Bi Crossbow blueprints you possess come from? Didn’t you insist that you purchased this blueprint from the Old Mausoleum Swamp?”
“Your Highness Princess Ping Le… wasn’t it you who sent a gentleman named Gu to me, saying you wanted to do business in spices, and then gave me a corner of a strange blueprint?”
Alimu’s voice was hoarse, with a distinct Xizi accent, sounding extremely honest.
“You told this humble one that the blueprint came from the Old Mausoleum Swamp and was related to Madam Ping’an of Prince Duan’s Mansion. This humble one has thought it over carefully… I am a subject of the Sacred Mountain, a devout believer, and I cannot lie…”
Ping Le’s eyes widened in anger, “You—talking nonsense!”
Alimu took out a black iron token from his embrace.
“I apologize, Your Highness. Although I have old grievances with the Old Mausoleum Swamp, I revere the gods and cannot go against my conscience.”
The ministers were greatly astonished.
Zhou Zhongping even took the token and his expression changed.
That token was Ping Le’s private minting certificate, belonging to her personally.
Ping Le gritted her teeth, her eyes about to burst.
Gu Jie had clearly told her that he had already come to an agreement with the Xizi merchants, offering them a large sum of money to act according to the plan.
And she had also allocated three thousand taels of silver from her private treasury to Gu Jie.
Gu Jie had sworn to ensure everything was handled perfectly, so why would the Xizi people go back on their word on the spot?
Also, why would Gu Jie hand the token over to them?
Gu Jie, you idiot!
Incompetent, full of loopholes!
Ping Le suppressed her anger, her words as if laced with poison.
“Did you accept money from Xue Liu and the Crown Prince to help them lie!”
Alimu sighed again, lowered his head, and said to Emperor Chong Zhao, “Your Majesty, please see clearly. Ten years ago, when this humble one came to Shangjing to trade, I passed by the ancient Bing Shui Road and was robbed by the Old Mausoleum Swamp. My younger brother even lost a finger… Given this, how could I possibly have dealings with the Old Mausoleum Swamp?”
He pointed to the dazed Hassen, looking at his missing finger.
“I hate the Old Mausoleum Swamp, but I would rather die than give false testimony! Moreover, as a traveling merchant, I abide by the laws of the Daliang Dynasty and conduct my business honestly. Why would I buy such secret blueprints? Wouldn’t that bring disaster to my tribe?”
Alimu placed his hand on his chest and said sincerely to Emperor Chong Zhao:
“If Your Majesty does not believe me, send someone to Tianshui Inn to investigate…”
Emperor Chong Zhao looked at him coldly.
Seeing that things were not going well, Ping Le shouted loudly, “Imperial Father, your daughter has more evidence! Ten years ago, the Ministry of War severely interrogated that Xizi spy, and she had a brand mark on her lower back. As long as Xue Liu is summoned to the hall, it can be verified.”
Li Zhao sneered, “Does Imperial Sister mean to bring a titled consort from Imperial Brother’s inner chambers to the main hall, strip her clothes, and use that to prove your absurd claims?”
Li Huan, upon hearing this, showed a flicker of displeasure in his eyes.
Ping Le was already so angry she was speaking without thinking, “If it cannot be verified on the spot, you can find palace nannies and examine her in a secluded side hall…”
“Ping Le!” Li Huan frowned, his eyes shining, “Do not speak such nonsense anymore.”
If Xue Sui was not Xue Sui, then Li Huan, who was originally unrelated to this matter, would also be implicated.
And this was one of the reasons Xue Sui insisted on going to Prince Duan’s Mansion.
Li Huan did not want to push the situation to a worse state.
However, Ping Le was consumed by anger and only cared about venting her resentment…
“Imperial Brother, how can you be so foolish, easily swayed by beauty, and unable to distinguish right from wrong?”
Li Zhao caught sight of Li Huan’s ashen face and couldn’t help but smile dismissively.
“Imperial Father, Imperial Sister has lost her mind and is not of sound mind. Further trouble will only be detrimental to Imperial Sister’s illness.”
Li Huan also stepped forward, cupped his hands, and advised.
“Imperial Father, Ping Le has always been willful and her words and actions lack consideration. We absolutely cannot let her continue to speak nonsense here and disrupt the order of the Imperial Court.”
“Imperial Brother!” Ping Le looked at Li Huan in disbelief, “Why are you speaking for outsiders? You are foolish and incompetent, blinded by personal feelings, you will regret this!”
Outsiders? How could Li Zhao be an outsider?
Li Huan waved to the guards, “The Princess is ill, take her away!”
“Imperial Father—” Ping Le’s face turned red with anger, her voice sharp and piercing.
Emperor Chong Zhao glanced at her, and suddenly began to cough violently.
Ping Le struggled, “Imperial Father, your daughter is not ill, your daughter is not lying, everything your daughter has done is for the Daliang Empire…”
Amidst the uproar of the court, Ping Le suddenly looked vacant and, disregarding everything, rushed towards the Coiled Dragon Pillar.
Bang! Blood splattered on the Coiled Dragon Pillar.
Emperor Chong Zhao’s expression sharpened, and he stood up abruptly.
“Ping Le—”
After a low cry, he watched Ping Le collapse softly, her eyes open, looking at him, filled with madness and unwillingness. He suddenly sighed and sat back down, “Summon the Imperial Physician!”
“Summon the Imperial Physician—” Wang Chengxi’s sharp voice cut through the dead silence.
However, before the palace servants could step forward to carry her, another commotion arose outside the hall.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, the Grand Princess has brought a coffin to the Taiji Gate and is crying to request an audience!”
Emperor Chong Zhao took a deep breath, looking at the ministers with various expressions.
“Announce her!”
After a while, the Grand Princess, adorned with pearls and jade ornaments, leaning on a phoenix-headed crutch, supported by two maidservants, walked in unsteadily.
Behind her, Xiao Zheng Yuan was escorted, bound tightly.
The Grand Princess was seventy-eight years old this year, the biological mother of Xiao Song, the grandmother of Consort Xiao, and the highest-ranking elder in the Daliang Imperial Family—even the late Emperor, when alive, would have respected her and called her Aunt.
All noblewomen of the Daliang Dynasty respected her.
The Grand Princess struck her crutch heavily on the ground, making a dull sound.
“This old woman has failed to discipline her descendants and has come today to bear the coffin and atone for her sins, only seeking death!”
Having said that, she bowed deeply and was about to kneel unsteadily.
“Great-Grandmother!” Li Huan cried out and quickly stepped forward to support her.
The Emperor also rose from the Dragon Throne, waived her courtesies, and ordered a seat to be provided.
However, the Grand Princess did not sit, tears streaming down her aged eyes.
“Your Majesty! The Xiao family has been loyal and upright for generations, yet they have produced such unfilial descendants! This old woman has come today to accept punishment on behalf of the Xiao clan, to uphold the law…”
Everyone in Xuanzheng Hall was shocked.
Li Zhao’s lips curved into a mocking arc.
This play was not new, but it was spectacular enough—the Grand Princess was using her life as a threat, and Emperor Chong Zhao would surely deal with it leniently.
“The Grand Princess’s actions are truly righteous. However, the Xiao family is the Xiao family, and the Grand Princess is the Grand Princess. How can the Xiao family, having committed such heinous crimes, be absolved through such means?”
What no one dared to say, Li Zhao, the unworthy Crown Prince, spoke it aloud.
The Grand Princess’s old face sank, and she glared at him angrily.
Suddenly, she pulled out a sharp golden hairpin from her head and plunged it into Xiao Zheng Yuan’s shoulder blade in front of everyone.
“This blow repays the blood debt of the countless vengeful spirits of Luo River!”
Blood splattered three feet, and the ministers cried out in alarm and retreated.
Li Zhao watched the Grand Princess’s performance with cold eyes. He didn’t care whether her actions were sincere or not, he only knew that the Xiao family had brought out this old Bodhisattva, and they were at their wit’s end.
“Why didn’t the Grand Princess stab herself in the heart? Is she unwilling to part with the millions of taels of silver in the Xiao family’s salt and iron ledgers?”
Emperor Chong Zhao roared, “Crown Prince!”
“Your son is here.”
“Do not be disrespectful to the Grand Princess!”
Li Zhao responded, kneeling respectfully, his words as clear as a blade.
“Xiao Zheng Yuan’s crimes are numerous and his misdeeds notorious, truly beyond enumeration. Under Princess Ping Le’s Flying Waterfall Spring, who knows how many innocents are buried. So many vengeful spirits are watching from above. Imperial Father, as the Crown Prince, if I cannot eliminate traitors and evildoers, how can I face the people of the world?”
Emperor Chong Zhao’s face turned ashen.
“According to the Crown Prince’s intention, what should be done?”
Li Zhao’s tone was decisive, with a sharp edge.
“Those who collude with foreign powers shall be exterminated along with their nine generations of relatives.”
The golden hairpin in the Grand Princess’s hand clattered to the ground, her body trembling slightly. She spoke with grief and indignation, “The Xiao clan’s century-old roots have produced such a wicked offspring. All the mistakes are my fault for not disciplining them properly. I implore Your Majesty to grant this old woman three feet of white silk!”
“The Crown Prince is correct, this matter has nothing to do with the Grand Princess.”
Emperor Chong Zhao’s brows furrowed, his gaze sweeping over the ministers below the steps.
“Draft an imperial decree—”
An eunuch stepped forward, lowering his head and eyes.
Emperor Chong Zhao said coldly, “Xiao Zheng Yuan disregarded the laws of the state, engaged in corruption and fraud, and harmed the people. His crimes are monstrous. He is hereby stripped of his official post and will be taken to Meridian Gate for execution. Xiao Jing, as an official of the court, indulged his descendants in their wicked deeds and cannot escape responsibility. He is exiled to Lingnan. Princess Ping Le suffers from hysteria, her actions are erratic and unrestrained, repeatedly breaking taboos, causing turmoil in the court and shame to the imperial family. She is confined to the Princess’s Mansion from today onwards and will be strictly guarded. Without my decree, she is not to step out of the mansion.”
“As for Prime Minister Xiao Song…”
Having said that, he looked at Xiao Song and sighed with closed eyes, “Prime Minister Xiao is old and muddle-headed, knowing of the matter but not reporting it, causing unrest in the country and family. He is fined one year’s salary and ordered to reflect in seclusion.”
Li Zhao’s gaze suddenly turned cold.
The Emperor ultimately feared the Xiao family’s foundation and only severed their branches and leaves, not their roots.
A rustling sound of sleeves echoed through the hall.
Several ministers simultaneously shouted, “Your Majesty is wise! Such a ruling not only demonstrates the majesty of the law but also considers the overall situation of the court. This is truly the fortune of our Daliang.”
The Grand Princess, her voice choked with sobs, knelt and expressed her gratitude.
Emperor Chong Zhao glanced at Li Zhao and, to everyone’s surprise, suddenly spoke.
“The Crown Prince remained calm in the face of danger, rendered meritorious service, and was loyal to the Emperor, thus deserving of reward.”
Emperor Chong Zhao suddenly coughed heavily a few times, regaining his composure.
“The importance of the Crown Prince is indeed tied to the national foundation. I now decree Crown Prince Li Zhao—”
He paused slightly.
The hall fell silent.
The ministers’ hearts were uneasy, holding their breath, waiting for the Emperor on the Dragon Throne to speak.
After a long while, Emperor Chong Zhao, seated at the imperial desk, slowly spoke.
“Effective immediately, Crown Prince Li Zhao shall assist in the Ministry of Revenue, oversee all national taxes and grain transport, and investigate the financial records from the fifth to the eleventh year of Chong Zhao.”
The water clock in the corner of the hall suddenly chimed, breaking the silence of the entire hall.
Civil and military officials whispered to each other, their expressions varied.
“Your son accepts the decree.” Li Zhao lifted the hem of his robe, knelt on both knees, his voice like striking metal.
“Your son will not fail Imperial Father’s trust and will fulfill his duties for the Daliang state.”
Li Huan’s python robe moved as if by wind, his fingers involuntarily curled, his eyes cold.
The Ministry of Revenue was the foundation of Daliang’s operation. Such authority was entirely handed over to the Eastern Palace…
Imperial Father’s intentions were likely not as simple as wavering.
This time, letting Li Zhao take action, who knew how many heads would be sacrificed as a banner.
—
West Mountain Imperial Palace.
The setting sun shone through the window lattice, and the fragrance of tea wafted from the desk.
Wen Jia held a rhinoceros horn comb and was combing her mother’s hair.
Consort Wan’s long, graying hair cascaded down, resting softly on her shoulders.
“Grandma’s hairpin is so bright!” Niu Niu had been brought by her wet nurse in the morning. It was her first time seeing her maternal grandmother, and she was very excited, standing on tiptoe to reach for the hairpin in the cosmetic box, the silver bells on her wrist jingling.
The child did not yet understand what the Cold Palace was, only thinking that her grandmother, who had returned from the Cold Palace, had gone on a long trip, and kept asking questions.
Consort Wan just smiled, her eyes full of doting affection, “Niu Niu, be good. When Grandma is better, I’ll tell you properly…”
Niu Niu was very obedient, sliding down from the stool and sitting obediently to the side.
Xue Sui picked a green date from the fruit plate and smiled, offering it to her.
Niu Niu shook her head, “Niu Niu wants to eat Poria cocos cake…”
Xue Sui gestured to Xiao Zhao, “Take Niu Niu to play, and ask the kitchen to make some.”
Xiao Zhao responded and took the little Niu Niu away.
Only then did Xue Sui straighten her expression and lower her voice, “Someone from the palace just came and delivered a pile of nourishing and restorative medicinal materials. They said it was from His Majesty, instructing Consort Wan to recuperate well.”
Wen Jia’s stern face was reflected in the bronze mirror.
“Why is he suddenly so good to my mother?”
Xue Sui said, “The matter of the Xiao family has been resolved.”
Wen Jia’s fingertips paused slightly, a hint of worry in her eyes.
“Are the Xiao family and Ping Le… still unharmed?”
In the past years, she had become accustomed to the Xiao family’s immense power, which was difficult to shake, and accustomed to Ping Le always escaping danger. She never held much hope.
Xue Sui smiled, “Not entirely unharmed.”
Seeing Consort Wan also looking over with concern, she smiled more subtly.
“Consort Xiao has been demoted to Consort, and has moved to Suiyu Palace. From now on, Consort Wan will not have to bow and pay respects to her.”
Consort Wan’s aged fingers brushed over the soft hair on her cheek, and she suddenly sighed.
“Consort Xiao has always been skilled at scheming. I didn’t expect her to have such a tragic end…”
“It’s just sacrificing a pawn to save the king. The Grand Princess brought a coffin to the hall, forcing the Emperor with a bitter ploy. Apart from Xiao Zheng Yuan being executed and Xiao Jing exiled, the others were merely fined and confined.”
In fact, Xue Sui had guessed from the beginning that whether for political risk or court balance, the Emperor would not rashly move to eradicate the Xiao family.
Being able to sever their limbs and bloodline this time was already a victory.
Wen Jia, however, listened with a shudder, “Xiao Zheng Yuan was once glorious and made great contributions to the Xiao family, yet he was treated as a discarded piece and met a tragic end. They are even ruthless towards their own family.”
Xue Sui smiled slightly.
The scorching sun passed through the window, dyeing her skirt a crimson hue.
“Cutting off a tail to survive is also in line with the style of major aristocratic families who assess the situation and act accordingly…”
Wen Jia gave a faint, bitter smile, her expression complex.
“So, when the grand aristocratic families tear open their magnificent brocade robes, inside they are all just bloodsucking lice. Beneath the glamorous exterior, all that is hidden is filth.”
Xue Sui said lightly, “In this imperial palace and court, what is not like this?”
Wen Jia asked, “What about the Crown Prince?”
Xue Sui’s lips curved slightly, “The Crown Prince has made meritorious contributions and has been entrusted with an important task to counterbalance the Xiao clan…”
Seeing Wen Jia’s half-understanding look, she chuckled softly, smiling meaningfully.
“The Emperor’s strategy is perfectly executed. In this game, His Majesty is the biggest winner.”
This chapter is a combined one, it’s a bit long~
Li Zhao: Has the stone in my chest been crushed or not, what do you say?
