“The Chu family is all gone, am I to live on alone?”
Chu Yuyan's attitude was resolute. Her voice was cold, tears still streaked her face, but her eyes were firm.
Qiuyue knew she couldn't stop her, so she could only accompany her. Thinking of the entire Chu family, her heart's sorrow was no less than her mistress's. She had grown up in the Chu household and had deep affection for every blade of grass and every brick and tile there.
“I’ll go with you.”
The mistress and servant, with red-rimmed eyes, supported each other as they walked out.
Just as they exited the palace gate, they encountered Ximen Xinyue face to face.
The woman had a charming smile, her hand supporting a young maid as she was about to enter. When she looked up and saw the pitiful state of Chu Yuyan and her maid, she raised her eyebrows in surprise, “What’s wrong, Imperial Consort? Has someone bullied you again?”
Chu Yuyan and Qiuyue heard her words and knew she was unaware of what had happened outside. If she knew that the Chu family had fallen and everyone had been thrown into prison, she would surely mock them.
“Get lost.”
Chu Yuyan, completely devoid of her usual gentleness and grace, spoke in a cold, deep voice. She pushed Ximen Xinyue, who was blocking their path, and led Qiuyue away.
Ximen Xinyue behind them was somewhat taken aback. What was wrong with this woman today? She seemed different from usual. She quickly signaled the young maid to come closer and whispered a few words. The little maid by her side then slipped away.
“What’s wrong, Miss?”
Lian Yan looked at her young lady, her face full of mystery. Not knowing what her lady had discovered, she quickly asked.
“Let’s go. That woman must be hiding something from us.” After speaking, she turned and led Lian Yan toward her own residence. She had originally wanted to chat with her, but she didn’t expect this woman to be so erratic.
Chu Yuyan led Qiuyue to the Liuli Palace. A line of eunuchs guarded the palace gate. Seeing the Imperial Consort approach, they immediately bowed respectfully, “Greetings, Imperial Consort.”
“I want to see the Emperor,” Chu Yuyan said with a cold expression. The young eunuchs exchanged glances. Finally, the eunuch in charge stepped forward and respectfully acknowledged, “Your Ladyship, please wait a moment.”
Inside the great hall, besides the Emperor seated on the high throne, were the Left Prime Minister Mu Hen and the Minister of Justice, reporting on the case of the Chu mansion’s arrest.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, Imperial Consort requests an audience.”
The eunuch reported, and the great hall fell silent. The Left Prime Minister, who had been speaking, stopped and looked at the eunuch at the door.
At this time, for the Imperial Consort to request an audience, it must be related to the case of the Chu family’s arrest.
Mu Hen and the Minister of Justice shifted their gaze to the Emperor on the upper seat. The Emperor’s handsome face was clouded, his brows carrying icy coldness. He glared at the eunuch below, “Do not see her. Tell her to return to Weiyang Palace.”
Seeing the Emperor angered, the chief eunuch dared not say another word. He quickly scrambled out and bowed to Chu Yuyan, who remained at the hall door, “The Emperor refuses to see you. He orders the Imperial Consort to return to Weiyang Palace.”
After speaking, he didn't bother to look at Chu Yuyan’s face turning from pale to red, tears welling in her eyes. She hesitated for a moment, then finally suppressed them from falling. She then knelt down with a thud before the hall door and shouted, “Emperor, Emperor, I want to see the Emperor, or this concubine will kneel here forever.”
The commotion outside quickly alerted those inside. The Emperor, with a somber expression, looked at Ah Jiu, “Go and summon her. I want to see what she wants to do?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Ah Jiu accepted the order and quickly walked out. He bowed to Chu Yuyan, who was kneeling on the ground, “Imperial Consort, please rise. The Emperor wishes to see you.”
“Thank you, Eunuch Ah Jiu,” Chu Yuyan stood up and, leading Qiuyue, followed Ah Jiu into the great hall.
In the magnificent golden hall, seated on the high throne was the Emperor in a bright yellow dragon robe, wearing a Nine Dragon Purple Gold Crown, exuding an imposing aura, with heroic and captivating features.
His chiseled, divine face showed no trace of warmth, only cold ruthlessness. His dark eyes shot piercingly at her, and his thin lips uttered chilling words.
“What do you want?”
Chu Yuyan smiled bitterly. This was the man she loved. How many times had she hoped for him to look at her, to notice her love for him.
But in the end, he and she were still nothing. Now, all she wanted was for him to spare her father and brother’s lives.
“Yuyan asks for nothing but that Your Majesty spare my father and brother’s lives.”
“Spare your father and brother’s lives? Your father is in prison, but your brother is on the run. The King of Beijin committed the crime first, and your brother fled afterwards. Now everyone is in prison, awaiting the clear judgment of the King of Beijin’s case. If your father and brother are truly not involved with the King of Beijin, I will not kill innocent people indiscriminately.”
“The King of Beijin committed a crime, and my brother fled,” Chu Yuyan murmured the words in disbelief.
How did the King of Beijin get involved? What crime did the King of Beijin commit? Chu Yuyan’s mind was a bit fuzzy, but since the Emperor said so, it must be an extremely important case. And her father was implicated? If the King of Beijin committed a crime, how could her father and brother be fine?
“Your Majesty, I beg you to spare my father and them. They would never help the King of Beijin. I beg you, Yuyan is willing to accept punishment, just to ask you to let my family go.”
Chu Yuyan kowtowed one after another, fast and loud. Blood soon appeared on her forehead. Mu Hen and the Minister of Justice, who had been standing by, felt heartache watching. Mu Hen quickly stood up and respectfully reported.
“Your Majesty, this old minister sees that the Right Prime Minister is unable to speak or lift his hands, as if suffering from a serious illness. We do not know what has truly happened to the Chu family?”
Hearing Mu Hen’s words, Chu Yuyan abruptly stopped her actions. The blood flowed out, like a vibrant red small flower, staining her brow, adding a touch of ethereal beauty to her lovely face. Her dark eyes flickered for a moment, and she cried out urgently:
“How is that possible? I saw my father just a few days ago. He was in good health. I advised him to hand over his military authority, and he agreed. I didn’t expect such a thing to happen to the Chu family?”
Chu Yuyan’s tears could no longer be held back and flowed uncontrollably. She sobbed uncontrollably.
The Emperor on the high seat’s eyes flickered, extremely sharp. He already understood.
It seemed the Right Prime Minister, under his daughter’s persuasion, was prepared to hand over his military authority. If he had handed it over then, it might have saved their lives.
But now, it was too late to say anything. How could the King of Beijin watch the Chu family escape? They would be caught all at once.
“Chu Yuyan, you are so bold! As a concubine in the harem, you secretly meet with family members. Guards! From today onwards, Imperial Consort Chu Yuyan is demoted to the cold palace to reflect on her actions.”
The Emperor’s cold command made Chu Yuyan’s body sway. She raised her head and looked at the still handsome and imposing man on the upper seat. The Emperor’s heart, always cold and ruthless, yet she had believed he would turn back and look at her.