Chapter 286 - Chapter 286: Attack

Chapter 286: Attack

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Emperor Jing Xuan was thinking about the contents of the imperial edict when he heard the young eunuch report that Concubine Xian wanted to see him.

Emperor Jing Xuan frowned inadvertently.

Eunuch Fu glanced at Emperor Jing Xuan without batting an eyelid. He deliberated for a moment and did not speak.

The young eunuch lowered his body and waited outside, not daring to breathe.

Emperor Jing Xuan doted on Concubine Xian very much. Usually, when Concubine Xian asked to see him, Emperor Jing Xuan would meet her directly. However, he was not in a good mood today.

Emperor Jing Xuan sighed. “Forget it. Let Concubine Xian in.”

“Yes.”

The young eunuch retreated.

Not long after, Consort Xian arrived at the imperial study with a worried expression.

Her every frown, smile, and even every look was carefully designed to ensure that Emperor Jing Xuan would look at her from any angle.

“Your Majesty!”

She bowed tearfully.

When Emperor Jing Xuan saw this, he knew that Concubine Xian was going to do it again. However, he did not think that it would really be something earth-shattering.

He guessed that it was because he had gone to the Empress’s palace and made Consort Xian jealous.

The harem never lacked women, nor did it lack jealous women. However, the only person who had the guts to show her jealousy was Consort Xian.

What Emperor Jing Xuan liked was Concubine Xian’s straightforwardness. Occasionally, it was a little annoying, but overall, it was not a big deal.

“Are you feeling better?” Emperor Jing Xuan asked.

Consort Xian said aggrievedly, “Your Majesty, you still remember that I’m not feeling well. Have you forgotten that you haven’t been to my palace for a few days?”

Emperor Jing Xuan smiled. “I’ve been too busy these past few days and neglected my beloved concubine. It’s my fault.”

Concubine Xian came to Emperor Jing Xuan’s side sweetly.

Eunuch Fu gestured to the palace servants in the imperial study. Everyone understood and retreated one by one.

Eunuch Fu could not leave. He had to serve Emperor Jing Xuan.

Unless Emperor Jing Xuan ordered him to leave.

Concubine Xian said, “Your Majesty, I came today to tell you something.”

“Oh?” Emperor Jing Xuan put down the memorial and glanced at Eunuch Fu.

Eunuch Fu understood and immediately brought a stool over for Concubine Xian to sit beside Emperor Jing Xuan.

Consort Xian said, “I don’t dare to sit.”

Emperor Jing Xuan smiled. “What exactly is it that makes your beloved concubine so serious?”

Consort Xian looked aggrieved and worried. “Does Your Majesty think that I only know how to fight with women?”

Emperor Jing Xuan smiled helplessly. “I didn’t say that.”

Concubine Xian said solemnly, “Your Majesty, what I want to report is very important. I hope Your Majesty can forgive me first.”

Emperor Jing Xuan said, “My beloved concubine, feel free to say it. I won’t punish you.”

Concubine Xian said, “Your Majesty, the news has spread both inside and outside the palace. Qin Che, who is the Protector Duke, is not Qin Canglan’s true legitimate son.”

Emperor Jing Xuan nodded. “That’s right. He’s Qin Canglan’s half-brother. I’ve already issued a decree to name him Qin Jiang.”

The Qin and Su families did not deliberately hide the news, so it was not strange for it to spread.

It would be suspicious if Consort Xian said that she did not know.

Concubine Xian continued, “I also heard that Qin Canglan’s son is called Su

Cheng. He has a son and a daughter who are the same age as Qin Yanran and her brother.”

Emperor Jing Xuan asked, “Are you worried about Third Brother’s marriage with the Protectorate?”

“Of course I’m worried. I only have one son… I can’t wait to betroth the most outstanding woman in the world to him…”

Consort Xian did not deny it. The more straightforward she was, the more she looked like she was not scheming. The more Emperor Jing Xuan doted on her.

The Empress always had a watertight attitude, which made Emperor Jing Xuan unhappy.

Emperor Jing Xuan was also having a headache over this marriage. He did not speak for a long time.

Concubine Xian continued, “Logically speaking, His Majesty has issued a decree for His Highness to marry the eldest daughter of the Protectorate, Miss Su, who grew up among the commoners.”

Emperor Jing Xuan frowned and said, “She got married in the countryside.”

Consort Xian said, “I’m here for this. Your Majesty, do you know who her husband is?”

Emperor Jing Xuan asked, “Who?”

Consort Xian said seriously, “Lord Wu An’s youngest grandson, Wei Ting!” Emperor Jing Xuan was stunned.

Concubine Xian complained, “Your Majesty, I just heard about it. It turns out that the Wei family kid refused to marry Hui An because he took a fancy to the daughter of the Protectorate! Since he has a sweetheart, why didn’t he say it directly? He even lied that he went to the temple to cultivate…”

Consort Xian’s words seemed to be complaining that Wei Ting was heartless, but she was actually exposing Wei Ting for lying to the emperor and Wei Ting’s secret relationship with the Qin family.

Emperor Jing Xuan frowned. “Where did you hear that? Do you have evidence?”

Consort Xian said firmly, “If Your Majesty doesn’t believe me, just call Wei Ting over and interrogate him! He was supposed to be cultivating well in the temple. He didn’t return to the capital earlier or later. However, as soon as the Su family entered the capital to acknowledge their relatives, he followed them back. Your Majesty, don’t you think it’s too much of a coincidence?” Eunuch Fu was also shocked.

That Miss Su’s husband… was actually the youngest son of the Wei family?

The Qin family and the Wei family were mortal enemies!

Why were they together? Besides, wasn’t Wei Ting cultivating in the temple?

If what Consort Xian said was true, then Wei Ting had not only committed the crime of deceiving the emperor.

What did Wei Ting want to do by secretly winning over the Qin family and the Su family?

Was it a rebellion?

Emperor Jing Xuan immediately sent someone to the Wei family to invite Wei Ting into the palace.

Wei Ting was not in the Wei family, but Yuchi Xiu was.

Seeing that something was wrong, he immediately went to Pear Blossom Alley.

Wei Ting tidied his clothes and entered the palace.

Consort Xian did not leave. She was waiting to confront Wei Ting.

Emperor Jing Xuan did not waste his breath and went straight to the point. “Tell me honestly, did you stay in the temple before you returned to the capital? I can send someone to the temple to investigate, but once I investigate, you won’t have any room to plead.”

Wei Ting asked calmly, “Why do you say that, Your Majesty?”

Emperor Jing Xuan said sternly, “Someone said that you got married in

Qingzhou. Your wife is the eldest daughter of the Protectorate.”

Wei Ting pretended not to see Concubine Xian and asked with an unruly expression, “May I ask Your Majesty, who did you hear it from?”

Consort Xian snorted coldly. “I was the one who told His Majesty! Wei Ting, don’t tell me you don’t admit it?”

Wei Ting asked indifferently, “What does Consort Xian want me to admit?”

“Stop pretending in front of His Majesty and me!” After Concubine Xian finished speaking coldly, she turned to look at Emperor Jing Xuan. ‘Your Majesty, in order to prove the identities of Su Cheng and the other two to Qin Canglan, the Marquis of Zhenbei specially brought two witnesses from the village. We’ll know if Wei Ting married anyone from their village!”

Wei Ting’s eyes darkened.

Emperor Jing Xuan pondered for a moment. “Summon!”

Ever since Old Master Su and Brother Su arrived in the capital, they had been placed under house arrest in the Marquis of Zhenbei’s Estate. The two of them had been afraid for a long time that they would be killed by the people of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s Estate.

If they had known that Su Cheng’s background was so powerful, they would not have secretly picked up Su Cheng’s jade pendant back then.

Forget it. What was the use of regretting now?

“You can leave now!”

The servant of the Su family opened the door and threw their bags back to them.

Su Dalang was in disbelief. “Can we really… leave?” The servant mocked, “Why? Do you want to freeload for the rest of your life?”

Su Dalang hurriedly said, “No, no. We’ll leave now!”

Su Dalang was also a glorious figure in the village. When he came to the capital, he realized that he was just an ant on the ground.

They could not even afford to offend the lowest-ranking servant in the residence.

The two of them staggered out of the residence, preparing to ask for directions and see if they could find a cheap caravan to return with.

The two of them had only taken a few steps when they were stopped by a carriage..