Chapter 1141 Zhaoyi's Suicide

Feng Xie, clad in white, strode into the dungeon. Before him, a mass of people knelt in the darkness, all shouting in unison, "Greetings to the Emperor."

Feng Xie's star-like eyes swept across the scene, his gaze darkening with tempestuous rage. His eyes immediately welled with blood, and a chilling aura emanated from him as he stared fiercely at Jin Jiali, who was kneeling on the ground. "What is the meaning of this?"

Jin Jiali trembled as she spoke, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this concubine only just learned that Consort Zhao ordered these servants to arrest the eunuchs and palace maids from Huaqing Palace. This concubine does not know Consort Zhao's intentions for doing so."

Liu Liu shot Jin Jiali a disdainful glance. She absolutely did not believe Jin Jiali's claim of ignorance. As the mistress of Guangyang Palace, she would naturally be aware of the movements of those below her. If she were truly unaware, how could she be the mistress of a palace? She would likely have been replaced long ago.

"Summon Consort Ye," Feng Xie commanded coldly. Before the young eunuch could even go to announce the summons, Jin Jiali's palace maid, Wan Rong, entered with a pale face. She knelt before the Emperor and reported, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Consort Zhao has committed suicide."

"What?" Several voices in the dungeon exclaimed simultaneously. Feng Xie's handsome face remained impassive, his sharp eyes cold and dark, his aura radiating fierce, bloodthirsty rage as he fixed his gaze on Jin Jiali.

"It seems you are truly negligent. How can a dignified Shu Fei not even manage a few concubines under her command?"

"This concubine deserves death. Please punish me, Your Majesty," Jin Jiali said, her heart filled with fear at the Emperor's chilling words, her hands covered in sweat.

However, she harbored a sliver of hope. Her father was a great general, and her brother was a minister. Surely, the Emperor would not severely punish her. Thus, she merely feigned remorse.

Her subtle movements did not escape Feng Xie's sharp eyes. A cold smile played on his lips. He hadn't expected this woman to be so unrepentant, merely thinking of escaping punishment. A ghostly pallor flashed across his face, and he turned to look at Jiang Cheng.

"Jiang Cheng, immediately escort Shu Fei to the Department of Ceremonies and administer twenty lashes as a reprimand. If such a matter occurs again, she will be beaten and expelled from the palace. As for these dogs, take them all away and beat them to death."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Jiang Cheng replied respectfully, leading two men to Jin Jiali's side. Jin Jiali was already stunned, never expecting the Emperor to actually punish her with twenty lashes.

She had never endured such hardship. Wasn't this going to kill her? Yet, she dared not beg for mercy. Since the Emperor had spoken, her pleas would be useless. With a pale face, she stood up, swaying. xxs

Her personal maid, Wan Rong, quickly stepped forward to support her mistress as they walked out. The young eunuchs from Guangyang Palace, seeing their mistress being punished, felt their legs turn to jelly. A group of eunuchs escorted them away.

In the dungeon, Feng Xie scanned the surroundings and saw Liu Liu standing to the side, her head bowed with a cold expression. He raised his hand, his voice as cold as ice, "Empress, you may rise."

Liu Liu bowed in acknowledgment, "Yes," and stood up. The candlelight on the dungeon walls flickered, and the smell of blood filled the air. Feng Xie frowned; he was always fastidious and disliked the smell of blood.

"Your Majesty, please return," Liu Liu said impatiently. She had felt a sliver of gratitude for him not causing trouble for her today, allowing her sister to reunite with Lin Mo. However, it was his suspicion from yesterday that led to the misfortunes of the people in Huaqing Palace.

One could easily imagine how many people in this imperial palace spent their days trying to guess the Emperor's thoughts. Therefore, they had to be exceedingly careful in their words and actions. Perhaps an unintentional gesture or word from him could harm many.

Feng Xie's expression darkened. He tightly gripped Liu Liu's slender, fair hand and said with a chilling smile, "Empress, mind your tone. Do not anger me, or else?"

Feng Xie left his words unspoken. Liu Liu raised her captivating face, her eyes meeting Feng Xie's handsome features, fiery anger flickering within them.

"Or else what? Your Majesty, please refrain from any improper actions in the future. In this vast harem, how many people spend their days guessing your intentions and acting accordingly? Does Your Majesty not put those around you in danger by acting this way? They suffer such misfortune because of Your Majesty's improper conduct."

Feng Xie's narrow eyebrows arched, his lips pressed together. The grip on his hand loosened slightly because what this woman said was very true, and it was precisely this truth that angered him.

Did he, as Emperor, need her guidance in his actions? A sharp glint appeared in his eyes. He desperately wanted to punish this woman, but no matter what he did, she refused to yield.

Should he truly imprison her in the dungeon? But she had committed no offense, or rather, he couldn't find fault with her for the moment. Seeing her sharp tongue, a surge of fury built within him. His face, as pure as snow, gradually darkened. He had not forgotten that she cherished her family the most. A cold smile touched his lips.

"Empress would do well to behave herself, or do not blame me for making a move against the Liu family." As soon as he finished speaking, the woman's face indeed paled. Feng Xie snorted, threw his hand away, and left the Guangyang Palace dungeon.

After the Emperor left, Liu Liu recovered and called for imperial physicians to examine Cai Xia and the others. Within moments, several people had woken up. Seeing their mistress by their side, they finally relaxed. The pain in their bodies caused them to softly cry.

The imperial physicians examined them and prescribed medicine. After the examinations, the individuals were no longer in critical condition. Jiang Cheng had already returned and ordered eunuchs to escort the injured to Huaqing Palace.

In Huaqing Palace, Liu Liu instructed Cui'er to settle the people. She was utterly exhausted today, both mentally and physically. She slumped onto the soft couch and fell asleep.

Cui'er gazed at her mistress with concern. She wished her mistress had never entered the palace. Life back then was simple and fulfilling, unlike now where she had to guard against everyone. Cui'er did not dare to disturb her mistress further and carefully draped a thin blanket over her.

Autumn had arrived, and the night was as cool as water. It was best to avoid catching a cold. Usually, even the slightest stir would wake her mistress, but this time she didn't move at all. As Cui'er leaned closer, she saw a tear slide down her mistress's eye, her heart aching.

Although her mistress appeared cold on the outside, she was actually very fragile on the inside. As long as someone showed her kindness, she would reciprocate.

The sky was clear and high. The sparse branches were a little bleak. The sunlight, carrying a hint of coolness, fell upon the swing set. Fallen leaves lay scattered on the ground, and wilting flowers danced in the air, falling directly into Huaqing Palace. It was the season of falling flowers again, where all things slowly moved towards desolation, until death, only to bloom more vigorously the following year.

But what about people? Liu Liu mused as she swung on the swing. Cai Xia and Ming Yue sat on the stone steps basking in the sun. After several days of recuperation, their bodies were no longer in danger, and their respect for their mistress grew.

The palace had been quite lively these past few days, as if there was some happy occasion.

Liu Liu was too lazy to inquire. If people outside didn't pass the news in, she didn't permit the eunuchs of Huaqing Palace to deliberately seek it out. Wasn't it better to live quietly like this?

She rather enjoyed the present days, warm and sweet. But how long would such days last? As Liu Liu was lost in thought, she heard Xiao Anzi's voice from the palace gate.

"This servant pays respects to the Princess."

Liu Liu's lips curved into a smile. It turned out to be Princess Wuyang. She often came to visit her. As she thought this, Princess Wuyang rushed in, her face beaming with joy. It seemed she had something amusing to share.