Looking at Chu Yulan's hopeful gaze kneeling below, and then at the burning gazes of the ministers.
After pondering for nearly a minute, Situ Chuanqiong finally spoke, "Very well! I promise you, I will thoroughly investigate this matter. If there is a hidden story, I will surely give your Chu family justice!"
Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang) finally smiled, tears unconsciously welling up at the corners of her eyes with her smile. She solemnly kowtowed on the ground, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Situ Chuanqiong found that his Empress, dressed in armor yet with red-rimmed eyes, possessed a unique charm, and he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
"Fine! Let's find a scapegoat to overturn the case for the Chu clan! Anyway, all those who posed a threat have already been eliminated..."
In the imperial palace's secret chamber.
"Zixian, you've had a hard journey. Did the Empress discover anything?" Situ Chuanqiong asked his much darker-skinned younger brother with concern.
"It wasn't hard. For Your Imperial Brother, Zixian never feels tired." Situ Zixian had already begun to have his own little secrets and no longer told everything to his Imperial Brother. "The Empress Consort likely didn't discover anything. Her focus has been entirely on Pengxi Kingdom."
"That's good!" Situ Chuanqiong didn't think much further and continued, "Zixian, I summoned you today for another important matter."
Seeing the other party's hesitant expression, Situ Zixian interjected, "Your Imperial Brother, please speak freely!"
"It's about the Empress publicly requesting to clear the name of her Chu family's rebellion in the great hall today."
"This... clear the name? What are Your Imperial Brother's plans?" Situ Zixian and Situ Chuanqiong both knew clearly that the Chu family's rebellion was originally fabricated by them, so what was there to clear the name of?
"I intend to find a scapegoat, and then have them bear the entire responsibility. Anyway, the current Chu family no longer poses a threat to us, so let's fulfill the Empress's wish!" Situ Chuan had already made plans in his heart.
"But if the case is overturned, will the Empress blame Your Imperial Brother for mishandling it back then?" Situ Zixian was also afraid of being blamed by Chu Yulan.
"We can just say that we were deceived at the time. The selection of the scapegoat will be up to you, Zixian." Situ Chuanqiong decided to take things one step at a time.
"Yes, your subordinate obeys!" Situ Zixian received the order and was about to leave.
"Zixian!" Seeing the other party turn back, Situ Chuanqiong added a reminder, "Remember, the person you find must grit their teeth and not reveal us!"
Situ Zixian nodded again, then quickly left the imperial palace's secret chamber.
...
In Kunning Palace.
"Your Highness, you've finally returned safely. Heaven bless you. This servant has been praying to the Bodhisattvas to look after Your Highness!" Chu Li, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, clasped her hands together and bowed to the sky.
"Xiao Li, you're exaggerating too much! Besides, since I dared to go, I naturally had confidence." Although Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang) said this, she was still very grateful for Chu Li's concern. Since the entire Chu family had been executed, this little maid was the only close Chu family member she had.
"How can this servant not worry? Your Highness, so many things have happened while you were away!"
Chu Li leaned closer and chattered on, reporting to her Empress about all the events, such as Leng Yuanxiang leaving the palace only to be imprisoned again, and Qin Mingzhu being released from the cold palace.
In fact, Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang) already knew about these matters. Leng Yuanxiang's current miserable state was not unrelated to her efforts. However, outsiders naturally didn't know this, so she patiently acted as a listener, occasionally interjecting with agreement.
After Chu Li finished recounting all the events like a torrent of beans, she sighed, "So, Your Highness, you see that His Majesty no longer favors Consort Leng or Noble Consort Qin. Your Highness has also made a great contribution to our Great Ding Dynasty this time, perhaps you can seize this opportunity to mend your relationship with His Majesty!"
"I know what I'm doing. You silly girl, don't worry about it." Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang) poked Chu Li's nose with a smile. "Xiao Li, you're seventeen this year. Do you have anyone you fancy? I can help you make a connection?"
Chu Li's small face blushed, and she hurriedly shook her head in refusal, "Xiao Li will not marry. Xiao Li wants to stay by Your Highness's side forever and serve Your Highness forever!"
"Silly girl, a lifetime is very long. How can I lock you in the palace during your youthful prime?" Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang) knew that time was running out. She had to find a good home for Chu Li, who had been loyal to her in her previous life.
"But Your Highness, this servant is worried about you!" Chu Li naturally knew that she was getting older and it would be even harder to find a good husband. But in this imperial palace, if she left, no one would be there to accompany her young lady. She had followed her young lady since she was seven, and it had been ten years.
Seeing Chu Li's eyes well up with tears, Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang) couldn't bear it and took her hand, saying, "Xiao Li, don't worry, I will take good care of myself. You've also wasted some years for me. When I find a good family for you, you can marry with peace of mind!"
As the mistress and servant were talking, a young eunuch came in from outside the door. "Greetings, Your Highness!"
"Get up! What is it?" Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang) asked gently.
"Thank you, Your Highness! This servant is here to deliver a message from His Majesty. His Majesty said he will dine in Kunning Palace tonight," the little eunuch replied respectfully.
"Alright, I understand." Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang) called to Chu Li, "Xiao Li, quickly give this eunuch a reward."
Chu Li stepped forward as instructed and gave a bit of silver to the little eunuch.
"Thank you, Your Highness. This servant's name is Gou Shun. If you need anything in the future, just give a command," Seeing the silver reward, Gou Shun's smile became much more sincere. After saying these words, he retreated with great tact.
"Your Highness, then this servant will quickly order the small kitchen to prepare!" After Gou Shun left, Chu Li also went about her duties.
Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang) finally had some free time and went to the inner room alone to change her clothes.
[Wenqiang, why are you helping Situ Chuanqiong deal with Pengxi Kingdom this time? Why not let Pengxi Kingdom grow stronger and then kill this emperor? It would be better.] System No. 86365, which hadn't appeared for a long time, spoke.
"Let's not even mention whether Pengxi Kingdom can grow strong enough to kill Situ Chuanqiong. In war, it is the innocent common people who suffer the most," Xiao Wenqiang said to the system in her mind while changing clothes. "Besides, the original host wanted this scumbag to taste betrayal as well. If I don't leave the palace, how can I contact people to make a plan?"
[What you said makes sense. It's just that our time is running out. The original host's energy can only support it for a little over a month, and then this body will collapse.] The system reminded her.
"I know, I will speed things up." After Xiao Wenqiang finished her conversation with 86365, she contacted another channel of her spiritual consciousness, "Dandan, how is the investigation of the matter I asked you to look into last time?"