Chapter 39：Court After The Eventful Winter Banquet

Despite everything that was happening at the same time, Bai Chen Rong's words were still heard across the hall.

Everyone was bewildered. What was this woman saying?

When did Gao Le princess become a mother?

But when Imperial Consort Fa heard her daughter-in-law, she became crazed. "Yes, it was you! You corrupted our Heng'er, that's why he did unthinkable things! You venomous woman, you should be punished!"

The dignified consort shrieked and the imperial guards had to double their efforts to contain her.

But it was as though only Xia Yu Heng heard his mother. He was stunned to know that his mother, upon seeing a scapegoat unhesitatingly threw all the dirty water on Bai Chen Rong.

But the people inside the banquet hall ignored the mother-son duo as they curiously stared at the Gao Le princess, waiting for her reaction.

Yin Hua Lei only stood up with a faint curve on her lips.

At this point in time, Bai Chen Rong decided to distract the people with this piece of news. But it wouldn't change her fate. She only wanted to force Yin Hua Lei to agree to help her keep Xia Yu Heng alive.

What a smart move. Even if there was only a small chance, Bai Chen Rong still risked everything.

"This convicted woman, playing that card against ben wang's princess* won't get you anywhere." A bewitching voice was heard.

Heads turned towards the source of this voice and as expected, it came from the pale-haired wang shu.

"You could have used anything in the world to bargain with ben wang's princess but you went ahead and used our daughter. Aiy, really courting death." There was mirth in his voice but what really shocked people to the bones were three words he stated twice.

Ben wang's princess?!!!

Since when did these two get married?

Moreover, there was a daughter! Feng prince only had one daughter ah, that daughter's mother was Gao Le princess?

The guests felt dizzy. Too much information in the span of one day could make them die early.

Yin Hua Lei was furious but at the same time, this was also the perfect time to drop this bomb. When everything was in disarray, people wouldn't ask too many questions.

She glanced at the Emperor. Why did she have a nagging feeling that this was also what he wanted?

She threw a frosty glare at Xia Lian Bei who suddenly stepped up his game the moment he saw an opportunity.

He gently held her waist and pulled her away from Bai Chen Rong's grasp. He felt wronged receiving that death glare.

This prince is only worried that Bai Chen Rong would suddenly play dirty ah! Why look at me as if you want to kill me?

Despite being seen through, Bai Chen Rong didn't give up. She still repeatedly pleaded.

"Alright, let's stop here. Lock them away temporarily. Zhen will give out the verdict tomorrow."

Despite some people's wailing and shouting, this year's winter banquet that was fraught with surprises at every corner finally concluded.

But the soldiers outside worked the whole night to eliminate the threat to the capital's peace. Before dawn, the mass grave outside the imperial city was consumed in a great pyre.

And the blood that was shed was thoroughly cleaned by the Huoyang troops and Xia Lian Bei and of course, the Xiu was in charge of purging the royal palace led by Fang Qi and Yin Hua Lei.

All of the Empress' people were plucked out by them, from the stable boys to the highest mama and eunuchs.

Without even bothering to sleep, Yin Hua Lei went straight to the cold palace where Tiandi was.

The little dumpling woke up in the middle of the night but only Nuo Wan was there to console her. Now, Tiandi was still sleeping.

Yin Hua Lei felt another presence in the room with her.

"Don't lie next to her if you're unclean." She chided the Feng wang shu.

Xia Lian Bei scoffed. "What unclean? This prince just took a bath! You're unclean!"

She ignored his indignation to ask an important question. "What are your plans?"

They couldn't just go out later today like one big happy family. They still needed to give a plausible explanation.

Everyone in the capital knew she was a maiden who was yet to find a fiancé. Suspicions would arise if they just introduce Tiandi as her daughter.

"Afraid?"

She only stared with a deadpan face.

Xia Lian Bei gave up joking with this woman.

"Worry not. I don't believe Brother Emperor has no plans."

Yin Hua Lei also thought so but it still wouldn't hurt to have a backup plan. Nevertheless, since this guy was that confident then she should get ready for the day.

The morning court was about to start.

***

Yin Hua Lei was irritated.

Because the morning court was too early, she didn't even get to wait for Tiandi to wake up. She wanted to ask how the little treasure was.

But she still had to deal with official matters.

She reluctantly left the cold palace with the wang shu.

Her face was still impassive but Xia Lian Bei felt her agitation.

"What are you angry about? After this, you can see her anytime you want."

Actually, Xia Lian Bei expected her to be more vexed upon hearing this. Because it meant from this day forward, she was already tied to him.

Why wasn't she feeling the least bit embarrassed about the idea of being his wife? Should he feel relaxed because of this or be annoyed?

"Walk quickly, we'll be late." She snapped him out of his thoughts with a pull on his sleeves and almost half-dragged him towards the Grand Deity Hall.

"You, wha-" He didn't get a chance to speak because Yin Hua Lei only quickened her pace.

She only slowed down when the Grand Deity Hall was around the corner.

Taking a quick glance at him, she frowned.

"You didn't tie your hair."

Xia Lian Bei's hand automatically reached his snow white hair.

"This prince forgot. You're the one who's hurrying me-"

"Either way, it's still beautiful." Yin Hua Lei carelessly said such words without knowing how fatal of an attack it was to the wang shu's heart.

The brand that caused him to be called a demon was casually called beautiful by this damn girl.

People would look at her strangely if they heard this but Yin Hua Lei's eyes had a penchant for good-looking things. And she found Feng prince's hair very attractive. Not only because it was different from the norm but also because it perfectly framed his alluring face.

If she had time, she'd love to paint different imageries with Xia Lian Bei as a model. It was the artist in her who spoke such words. After all, she wouldn't work hard to change his wardrobe if she didn't find him pleasing to the eyes.

She liked seeing pretty things so once she found one that caught her eyes, she always did her best to make everyone see just how stunning it could be.

Xia Lian Bei also knew this but he still felt his chest beating louder than the war drums last night.

A striking smile adorned his lips as he reached his hand out to pull the single pin that tied Yin Hua Lei's hair.

The luscious ebony hair cascaded down her back and waist.

"What are you doing?" The woman was not angry, merely curious.

"Making everyone see how matching we are."

Yin Hua Lei only looked at him incredulously and proceeded to climb the stairs towards the court.

The tall doors were left ajar and the thick pillars inside were a vivid red.

The officials were all present already, along with the Emperor.

They were late. But the two ignored the poignant stares to stand below the throne.

According to Da Xia's rules, those convicted with high treason and rebellion didn't deserve to enter the sacred grounds of the royal palace.

So the Emperor started without further ado.

"Hear Zhen's decree." He personally recited his verdict. "Empress Yi An, charged with high treason, is hereby deposed from being the mother of the nation. And will be publicly executed.

The third prince is stripped of his title Xie wang, convicted of the same criminal offense and rebellion, and will spend the rest of his life at Mogui Mountains.

Imperial Consort Fa will be publicly executed.

The ninth prince is stripped of his title Chang wang and will be exiled to Northern Chu, along with the child he's about to have.

The ninth princess consort, however will receive a cup of poison directly after she gives birth. For now, she will live in the prison.

Their remaining families along with ministers involved and their families will be publicly executed down to the ninth generation at high noon tomorrow. So it shall be!"

The Emperor's words were crude and lacked the usual formality of a decree but this would be worked out by Eunuch Min Tong later on.

What was important was the gist of what he said.

Nobody pleaded for mercy or for the Emperor to reconsider. Who would want to risk their lives for obviously dead people?

The treatment of the princes was still different but it didn't make it any less torturous.

Mogui Mountains was known for its cruel methods of handling its prisoners. To be trapped there for the rest of one's life, who knew until when he could endure?

To be exiled on a distant land without title or riches was also another form of harshness disguised as mercy.

This verdict would douse any blooming ideas of the other princes and officials. Who among them would still be willing to test the Emperor?

Keeping their heads intact right now was already the highest grace after looking down at the Emperor all throughout his reign.

Emperor Du Liang looked at his ministers and other sons who were silent for once. He still kept his real thoughts hidden well.

"Ehem..." Duke Yin who was surprisingly present at court today, cleared his throat as a reminder.

"Ah, yes. Zhen almost forgot this." He threw a look at Eunuch Min Tong who took this as his cue.

From the table full of paperwork, he pulled a thin red book.

The eunuch then presented it to Feng wang shu who looked at his brother with a puzzled look.

"As Zhen promised you three years ago, here is the marriage certificate We hid for you. Honestly, Zhen didn't know what the two of you were thinking, being married is one of the most joyous things in life but you insisted to hide it until the Northern Chu was completely conquered. Well, it also makes sense if you didn't want the enemies to target your wife and child. But now, it's completely safe to announce to the world."

Xia Lian Bei expected something along these lines but it was still different seeing his elder imperial brother lie with such a straight face. When did he secretly marry Yin Hua Lei and what was all this talk about hiding his wife and child from the enemies?

Yin Hua Lei was the one who calmly accepted the situation and held his hand to pull him down with her to kneel.

"This princess-subject is eternally grateful!" Her regal tone rang inside the hall.

"Imperial Brother, this brother-subject owes you a lot." Xia Lian Bei said ambiguously.

Only a few individuals in the room caught the different meanings of his words.

The ministers didn't know what to say but in the end, they kowtowed and congratulated the two like how royal newlyweds were treated.