"Why is General Xia Yunting nowhere to be seen when the General's wife has had such a major incident?" Duan Xucheng searched everywhere. The next moment, he felt a heavy weight on him, and a sharp pain radiated from his wound, causing him to turn deathly pale and break out in a sweat.
It turned out that as soon as he looked around, Xing Jiahui had broken free from her restraints and lunged at him.
"Duan Lang, I've done what you asked. Xia Yunting is finished this time," Xing Jiahui said, her voice bordering on madness as she laughed.
Duan Xucheng's face drained of color. He quickly pushed her away, "Madam General, what are you talking about? I don't understand."
"You told me to bury the items in the backyard, and I've done it. As long as it's discovered, Xia Yunting won't be able to escape. Duan Lang, take me with you. I want to be with you forever."
Xing Jiahui's tone was coquettish, and she seemed oblivious to the others. Li Wenxuan and Physician Chen flushed crimson at the sight.
"Xucheng!" Physician Chen covered his eyes with one hand and reprimanded him sternly.
With her words, he understood everything. No wonder Duan Xucheng had insisted on reporting Xia Yunting; it turned out he was the one behind it all.
"Get away from me!" Duan Xucheng shoved Xing Jiahui away forcefully. Seeing that she had revealed the entire plan, and had even admitted their affair in front of so many people, including his master, he became enraged.
"Master, it wasn't my idea. She was the one who seduced me, just like last time!"
"You ungrateful wretch! Didn't you ask me to frame Xia Yunting and promised to take me with you if it succeeded?"
Xing Jiahui, appearing drunk, beat Duan Xucheng's chest forcefully. Duan Xucheng was speechless, feeling utterly humiliated.
"Shameless scoundrel, come back with me quickly." Physician Chen could no longer bear it and pulled Duan Xucheng away, disregarding his leg injury.
Li Wenxuan also waved his hand at the surrounding officers. The truth was out, and there was no need for further investigation.
Just as the scene descended into chaos, a stern voice suddenly boomed from outside.
"What a truly spectacular performance."
Hearing the voice, everyone present froze, their faces filled with reverence. They remained rooted to the spot, not daring to move. Only Xing Jiahui, still in a frenzy, clung to Duan Xucheng like a burr.
The newcomer wore imperial yellow, his eyes exuding an unassailable majesty. His hair was streaked with gray, and he was followed by two young eunuchs. Xia Yunting trailed behind, his expression cold.
It was none other than the Emperor. His sharp gaze swept over everyone present, and his face darkened as it fell upon Xing Jiahui and Duan Xucheng.
"In broad daylight, before the eyes of all, to commit such indecorous acts! Arrest them all for me!"
Li Wenxuan responded with a "Yes, Your Majesty" and quickly ordered his subordinates to bind Xing Jiahui and Duan Xucheng. The ropes on Xing Jiahui were tied in a tight knot, making them impossible to break free from.
Duan Xucheng felt his heart sink. He never expected the Emperor to arrive in person. All that had just transpired had been witnessed, and from now on, his career as a physician was uncertain, and his very life was at risk.
The Emperor turned to Xia Yunting behind him and sighed, "Minister Xia, I had intended to bestow a good marriage upon you in recognition of your outstanding military achievements. I never imagined that the eldest daughter of the Xing family would behave so disgracefully, thus tarnishing the reputation of the Xia family. This is my mistake. I shall now annul this marriage and grant you a thousand taels of gold. As for Xing Jiahui, she shall return to the Prime Minister's estate and never leave its confines again. What do you say?"
At these words, everyone present held their breath. Although the Emperor's words seemed like an apology, his tone was unmistakably threatening.
The Emperor had been preparing for bed when Xia Yunting suddenly summoned him to witness a play, and to witness such a depraved spectacle at that. The marriage was decreed by him, and if Xia Yunting were to truly agree to the annulment, it would be a direct affront to the Emperor. In such a case, not only Xia Yunting himself, but everyone present who witnessed the event could be in mortal danger.
However, Xia Yunting did not agree.
"Your Majesty, I humbly implore you not to withdraw the marriage engagement."
"Oh? Why?" the Emperor asked, puzzled, though his expression had somewhat softened. If the engagement were indeed broken, he would lose face.
"Your Majesty, since Miss Xing married into my household, she has maintained a virtuous and upright demeanor. Her conduct and interactions have been without fault. Today, however, she is acting so erratically. I suspect she has been misled. I implore Your Majesty to investigate."
"In that case, that is indeed reasonable." The Emperor's gaze shifted to Duan Xucheng.
Xing Jiahui's marriage was bestowed by him, and they had only been married for a few months. The annulment could not proceed at this time. However, Duan Xucheng was merely a minor imperial physician from the Imperial Hospital, yet he dared to act so recklessly. The previous incident of him eloping with Xing Jiahui had already given rise to much gossip. He could not be let off easily this time.
"Physician Chen, you brought out your disciple. Give me an explanation."
Physician Chen's face turned ashen, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words. He could only kneel and kowtow, "Your Majesty, I will certainly provide you with an explanation."
With that, he pulled Duan Xucheng by his side and they left in disgrace.
Li Wenxuan said, "Your Majesty, I received a report from Duan Xucheng claiming that there were contraband items in the General's estate. It now appears that Duan Xucheng staged this entire charade to frame the General. The matter has been investigated, and I shall take my leave."
"Who said the matter has been investigated?" The Emperor's voice was cold. He looked at everyone around him, and under his sharp gaze, no one dared to move.
"Minister Xia, I will not publicly try this case, out of respect for you. However, with matters occurring within your household, I must investigate."
With that, he waved at the two young eunuchs behind him. The eunuchs searched various rooms, finding nothing. However, one of them discovered two pills in Xing Jiahui's dressing case.
The pills were common in the market, and the eunuch recognized them instantly. He couldn't help but marvel inwardly at General Xia's heroic prowess on the battlefield, only to have such domestic troubles. He chuckled inwardly and moved on, having found nothing suspicious.
The two eunuchs reported their findings truthfully. The Emperor's gaze fell on Xing Jiahui.
"Strange, if it wasn't you causing trouble, why would this person suddenly go mad?"
No one answered. The Emperor's suspicious gaze swept over everyone. Finally, Madam Gu rushed forward, saying fearfully, "Your Majesty, my young lady has always suffered from somnambulism, which is particularly severe when she is startled. This time, she was incited by Duan Xucheng, and I believe her somnambulism has worsened, causing her to act so erratically. I beg Your Majesty to forgive my young lady for her impropriety before the court."
"Somnambulism?" The Emperor's tone was still laced with doubt. Madam Gu gritted her teeth and ran to Xing Jiahui, shaking her and calling out, "Miss, wake up!"
Seizing the opportunity, she pinched Xing Jiahui hard in an unseen spot. Xing Jiahui's eyes slowly regained clarity.
"What happened?"
"Miss, you were sleepwalking again. Quickly, pay your respects to the Emperor."
Madam Gu frantically signaled to Xing Jiahui. Upon seeing the Emperor, Xing Jiahui was terrified and immediately knelt. "Your Majesty..."
The suspicion in the Emperor's eyes diminished somewhat, but his tone remained displeased. "Since you know you suffer from somnambulism, you should take better care of yourself at night."
"Yes." Madam Gu quickly pulled Xing Jiahui to kowtow.
The Emperor then snorted coldly and departed.
"We bid Your Majesty farewell."
"What are you doing? My head is throbbing." Xing Jiahui had not yet recovered and was rubbing her forehead, complaining to Madam Gu.
The next moment, a figure in black appeared before her. She slowly raised her head and saw Xia Yunting's face, as dark as ink.
"Yunting..." Xing Jiahui's eyes widened in fear. She glanced around, noticing the large pit dug in the garden. Li Wenxuan and many officers were still there, but Duan Xucheng was nowhere to be seen.
A sense of foreboding washed over her.
"Madam Gu, your young lady is unwell. Escort her back to her room to rest. She is not to come out without my command."
"Yes." Madam Gu took Xing Jiahui's arm to leave. Xing Jiahui wanted to ask something but was silenced by Madam Gu covering her mouth.
As Xia Yunting and Li Wenxuan watched them walk away, they exchanged glances. Xia Yunting offered a faint smile. "I apologize for making you witness such a scene."
Li Wenxuan's face relaxed. "It is good that the General is unharmed. I am in my position to govern, and I cannot ignore someone's report. However, I did not wish to be an enemy of the General. Now that the matter is resolved, I can rest assured."
"Lord Li, saying you can rest assured now is perhaps too soon."
"What does General Xia mean?"
"Lord Li, you are new to officialdom. If it becomes known that you so openly defended me this time, it may bring you trouble in the future. You must have seen that I was nearly assassinated as soon as I returned to the capital, encountered assassins at my wedding, and experienced an accident in the General's mansion on my wedding night. Anyone else would have likely kept their distance."
"But I am not anyone else. I only know the importance of repaying kindness. General Xia fights on the battlefield to defend our country, and I cannot allow such a person to be framed." Li Wenxuan spoke with disarming sincerity.
A look of admiration appeared in Xia Yunting's eyes. "In that case, I thank you, Lord Li."
"Is it only verbal thanks?" a clear voice chimed in. Rong Zhi, who had been observing the events, approached and nodded at Li Wenxuan.
"You mean..." Xia Yunting knew Rong Zhi had been observing all along and was not surprised by her appearance.
"Your humble servant is merely acting according to conscience and seeks no reward." Li Wenxuan, observing the interaction between the two, realized their relationship was not ordinary and thus treated Rong Zhi with great courtesy.
"That's not entirely true. You know the importance of repaying kindness, and our General Xia is the same. I have here an antidote pill. After taking it, it can neutralize some common poisons and ensure Lord Li's safety."
Saying this, she handed over a black pill. Li Wenxuan did not refuse, said "Thank you," and swallowed it.
This unquestioning acceptance surprised both Xia Yunting and Rong Zhi.
"Lord Li is not afraid that I might have poisoned it?"
Li Wenxuan smiled. "I trust General Xia's character. General Xia, the matter is concluded, and I should be returning. Farewell."
With that, he left with his officers. Rong Zhi couldn't help but sigh, "He's truly a simple person."
Xia Yunting said, "No one who enters officialdom is simple."
"Like you?"
Xia Yunting chuckled. "I can be simple when it's appropriate."
"Stop being glib. You were able to confine Xing Jiahui this time, all thanks to me. Hurry up and thank me."
Mentioning this, Xia Yunting grew curious. "What exactly did you do to Xing Jiahui?"