Chapter 469: The Palace Wall

Chapter 469

Half an incense time earlier.

The group of ladies watched as Zhao Hua left the inner chambers, gazing as the heavy gilded rosewood door closed tightly behind him.

They then turned their attention back to Xiao Jingheng.

At that moment, Xiao Jingheng was hunched over the desk, his hands straining to prop up his slumped body.

He scanned the familiar faces before him with fury barely contained:

"What benefits did Song Zhao offer you, that you would be deceived into conspiring against me!"

The ladies exchanged glances in silence,

only responding with mocking smiles at one another.

Xiao Jingheng knew they were laughing at him, further inflaming his rage.

"What are you laughing at? Do you think Song Zhao has won against me? I'm not afraid to tell you, I have already summoned Yan Hong back to the capital to lead troops and restore order!

I imagine at this very moment, he should have already brought men into the Capital City, soon to storm the palace! Fịndd new updates at novelhall.com

You have all been bewitched by Song Zhao's lies into committing these grave errors, a crime punishable by the extermination of your clans! But considering your years of service to me, I can give you a chance to redeem yourselves. As long as you remain obedient, once this storm passes, I vow not to take issue with you!"

He spoke at length with the arrogance of a victor, prompting Qimu Ge to scratch her ear in annoyance. Turning to Ru Naren, she smiled, "Sister, did you hear something?"

Ru Naren feigned listening intently before laughing, "Forgive me, sister, but it sounded like the Pekinese dog I keep in the palace."

Being likened to a dog was even more infuriating to Xiao Jingheng than being publicly slapped.

he realized the true gravity of his situation.

While the Ada Tribe and Mongols as foreigners could be easily swayed by outside influences,

it was Rongyue's subsequent words that truly horrified him.

All these years, Rongyue had presented herself as quiet and reserved, serene and dignified before Xiao Jingheng.

Yet even now, she spoke to him gently with a placid smile, "Your Majesty, my father the Navy Commander has cut off all waterways for the navy to enter the interior lands. The Capital City is now surrounded, isolated by land and water. Please, calm yourself."

"You... you all..."

Xiao Jingheng's heart raced violently, as if it would cease beating at any moment.

Fortunately,

seeing his change in demeanor, Ru Ge hurried to massage his chest, albeit with a hint of anger as she addressed the other ladies,

"Sisters, you go too far!"

But before Xiao Jingheng could find solace in those words, Ru Ge whispered in his ear,

"You always said I was the most gentle and understanding, that you would treat me well. But in the month since I entered the palace, when my mother passed away and my father duly informed the court, not only did you refuse to let me leave to mourn her, you took the guise of comforting me to strip me bare, forcing me to engage in lewd acts with you as I held my mother's memorial rites..."

Xiao Jingheng panted in protest, "You said you had fancied me for years when you entered the palace. I kept you by my side to comfort you after your mother's death - how is that my fault?"

"Fancied you? Hah..." Ru Ge scoffed, her voice growing increasingly harsh,

"The one I fancied was always Prince An, not you... You would have been better off dead!"

With those words, she shoved him forcefully, sending him crashing to the ground once more.