Sima Zhu glanced at the two of them and then clapped his hands a few times.
As the clapping sounds echoed, the door was opened from the outside, and several people walked in.
Leading them was Wang Lin, the chief eunuch beside Sima Zhu.
Following Wang Lin were rows of junior eunuchs.
Every two junior eunuchs walked abreast, and between each pair, a person was being supported.
The first was Lu Taobao, whom they hadn't seen for several days.
Behind Lu Taobao was Lu's father, then Lu's mother, and finally, an old woman whose hair had already turned white.
The hands of all four were tied behind their backs. Although their clothes were somewhat dirty and disheveled, their spirits seemed fine, and it appeared they had not suffered any mistreatment.
Except for Lu Taobao, the other three had extremely pale faces. Upon entering the room, they looked at the people inside with extreme fear.
When Lu's father saw Sima Han and Yi Zixie, his eyes lit up for a moment.
But then, this light quickly disappeared.
When they saw Sima Zhu, dressed in imperial yellow, and Sima Hao sitting opposite him in a plain grey robe, exuding an aura of sharp intensity, they became even more unsettled.
Lu's father's heart was filled with dread, thinking, Heaven wants to destroy me, heaven wants to destroy me.
Even though he had known when he was captured that there were people with significant influence behind the operation, he never imagined that these people would be the Emperor and the Grand Emperor.
"Kneel down, quickly!"
After Wang Lin entered, he completely ignored Sima Han and Yi Zixie. He turned around and sternly reprimanded Lu Taobao and the other three.
Lu Taobao did not kneel upon hearing this, but Lu's father and the other two slowly knelt down.
Lu Taobao opened her mouth, intending to say something, but ultimately nothing came out.
She might not care, but her family could not afford not to.
If she were to act recklessly and cause a scene now, it would ultimately bring no benefit to her family.
Not only would she be unable to continue her business in the capital, but if she even wanted to return to Tongling Town, her ability to live safely would be a huge question.
"You, I'm talking to you."
Wang Lin pointed at Lu Taobao and said in a shrill voice.
"Why aren't you kneeling down quickly? What are you spacing out for?"
Another sharp, ear-piercing voice followed.
This voice made Sima Han and Yi Zixie frown even deeper.
They were starting to dislike Jiang Yubao a bit now. Although he was an old eunuch, at least his voice was not as sharp and piercing as this.
Lu Taobao looked at Wang Lin with calm eyes. After a long silence, she was about to kneel.
Seeing this, Sima Han's eyes flickered. He turned to Sima Zhu and asked in a low, hoarse voice, "What does Your Majesty mean by this?"
Sima Zhu smiled and said, "Aren't you afraid we won't be able to discuss things properly? Therefore, I have specially invited their family to ease the tension. Perhaps, we might be able to reach an agreement because of this."
Sima Han looked at the smiling face in front of him, his heart filled with immense anger.
He wished he could punch that face right now, but he could not.
Because he truly didn't know what other tricks Sima Zhu had in store for them.
Although he himself was incompetent and foolish, as the Emperor, he had too many people at his disposal.
Furthermore, Sima Zhu was not a gentleman, but a true scoundrel. If he acted rashly, he might be the one regretting it in the end.
Sima Zhu had also been watching Sima Han. Seeing Sima Han's expressionless face, he felt a sense of frustration.
He had expected to see Sima Han fly into a rage, but who knew Sima Han would still have such a deathly stare.
Although he felt a bit disappointed, Sima Zhu wasn't overly concerned.
Nothing was as important as the holy water right now.
As long as he obtained the holy water, everything else would be negotiable.
If he didn't get it, then…
Sima Zhu's gaze darkened as he thought of this.
He hoped that the people in front of him would be useful.
If they were still useless in the end, he wouldn't mind sending them on their way.
Thinking this, Sima Zhu showed another big smile to Sima Han, "I heard that Fifth Prince used to have a good relationship with the Lu family. Now, the fate of the Lu family is in Fifth Prince's hands. Hehe."
Sima Zhu's laughter was extremely grating, making Sima Han's anger surge.
He truly hadn't expected Sima Zhu to be so audacious.
He knew that Sima Zhu didn't take him seriously, but he didn't expect him to openly threaten him in front of Yi Zixie.
Wasn't Sima Zhu afraid of Yi Zixie's retaliation?
As if understanding what Sima Han was thinking, Sima Zhu kindly explained, "The Grand Preceptor cannot arbitrarily kill innocent people. If he truly dares to do anything, he won't be able to stay in Great Chu."
Sima Han was momentarily stunned, then suddenly understood.
The reason Yi Zixie was so uninhibited in front of Sima Zhu and Sima Hao, acting as he pleased, was partly due to his own abilities, which meant he didn't need to be concerned.
But this factor was very small. More importantly, he played a crucial role in Sima Hao becoming Emperor, and after Sima Hao ascended the throne, he helped the people of Great Chu overcome disasters, thus holding a transcendent position in the hearts of Great Chu's citizens.
However, this was also because of Yi Zixie's actions over the years that had benefited everyone in Great Chu.
If he were to truly commit regicide or wage war without justification, his position in the hearts of Great Chu's people would instantly plummet.
At that time, Sima Zhu and Sima Hao would not be as wary of him.
Yi Zixie had been watching Sima Zhu since Lu Taobao and the others entered.
Although he hadn't said a word, Sima Han knew that Yi Zixie must be extremely furious in his heart.
Indeed, after hearing Sima Zhu say he dared not act, Yi Zixie immediately let out a mocking laugh. Then, with a flash of shadow, when everyone saw him again, he was already by Sima Zhu's side.
Yi Zixie's right hand was tightly gripping Sima Zhu's neck.
Sima Zhu's thick neck, coupled with Yi Zixie's long and strong hand, the dark and white skin contrasting, created a visual impact.
Wang Lin was only stunned for a moment before he reacted. He was so scared that he almost lost his soul.
Having finally steadied himself, he shouted.
"How dare you! Release His Majesty at once, otherwise, it is a crime punishable by the extermination of your clan. Don't you want to live?"
However, Sima Hao, sitting opposite Sima Zhu, remained expressionless at this scene.
Only the deepening of his eyes indicated that his heart was far from as calm as he appeared on the surface.
Although he desperately wished Yi Zixie would exert more force, preferably breaking Sima Zhu's neck directly, Sima Hao had to speak, "Grand Preceptor, let's talk things through. Don't act impulsively. His Majesty is young and impulsive and sometimes overlooks things. It is his fault for angering you. I will have a good talk with him later."
Sima Zhu, at this moment, was struggling to breathe under Yi Zixie's grip. However, upon hearing Sima Hao's words, he couldn't help but roll his eyes.
Don't think that just because he was in mortal danger, he couldn't tell that the old man was deliberately belittling him.
As long as Yi Zixie would let go, he wouldn't bother arguing now.
Heaven knows, he was already suffocating.
Sima Hao saw Sima Zhu's face turn from red to purplish, and his heart tightened severely.
Just a little more...
This was the only thought in Sima Hao's mind at the moment.
As long as Yi Zixie applied a little more force, Sima Zhu's neck would be broken by him. At that time, his dream of regaining power would no longer be out of reach.
Unfortunately, fate was not in his favor.
Yi Zixie slowly released his hand.
As the pressure on his neck gradually lessened, Sima Zhu gasped for air greedily.
Seeing this, Yi Zixie's lips curved into a sneer. "Does His Majesty find this satisfactory?"
Sima Hao placed his hands on his chest and repeatedly patted it, trying to expel the闷气 (mèn qì - stifled anger/frustration) that was choking him.
"Zhu'er, why aren't you quickly apologizing to the Grand Preceptor?" Sima Hao reprimanded sternly.
Although he was very disappointed that Yi Zixie had released Sima Zhu, Sima Hao could not say anything else and could only urge Sima Zhu to apologize.
After speaking, he furrowed his brows and said to Sima Zhu, "I've told you all along, don't offend the Grand Preceptor. Now look at what has happened."
Sima Zhu wanted to retort, but seeing Yi Zixie's cold, expressionless face, the words in his mouth were swallowed back.
However, he didn't just let it go.
He subtly signaled to Wang Lin, then carefully glanced at Yi Zixie, and finally his gaze fell on Sima Han.
Sima Han sensed the malicious intent in Sima Zhu's eyes and his heart tightened.
What was he plotting now?
Without a doubt, it wouldn't be anything good. Sima Han's eyes flickered, and he walked up to Wang Lin, saying, "Wang Lin, why aren't you quickly untying Young Master Lu and his family?"
Wang Lin was stunned for a moment and opened his mouth to curse, but seeing Sima Han's stern face, the words were swallowed back.
At the same time, he was a little confused. Why did Sima Han look so formidable today?
Nevertheless, he still forced himself to say, "His Majesty did not order their release."
Sima Han heard this and looked at Sima Zhu, "Your Majesty, what do you think..."
Sima Zhu's face darkened further. However, feeling Yi Zixie's gaze constantly fixed on him, despite his reluctance, he still nodded, "Release them."
As the simple two words left his mouth, Sima Zhu felt a sharp pain in his throat.
It felt as if iron wire was constantly scraping inside his throat, sometimes itchy, but at other times unbearably painful, making him want to scratch but not dare to, causing his emotions to become irritable.
Without looking, he knew his neck must have been seriously injured.
Thinking that Yi Zixie dared to lay such heavy hands on him, Sima Zhu's face became even more grim.
If not for the Grand Preceptor's intervention just now, he truly wouldn't doubt if Yi Zixie would have directly choked him to death.
Upon hearing Sima Zhu's words, Wang Lin no longer hesitated and ordered the junior eunuchs, "What are you all standing there for? Untie them quickly."
The junior eunuchs didn't delay at all and quickly untied Lu Taobao and the others.
They had already been terrified by the preceding events and now wished to leave this room as quickly as possible.
Otherwise, they might die later.
Then there would be nowhere for them to cry.
They wanted to leave, and Sima Zhu and Sima Hao didn't want to lose face in front of these people. Therefore, after they untied Lu Taobao and the others, they drove everyone out.
Only these people remained in the room, and for a moment, no one spoke.