Prince Yan Feng Lie and Empress Liu Liu rose simultaneously and followed closely behind the Emperor as they exited the study. They harbored some hidden worries, fearing that even the Lou family did not know where Prince Xiang was hiding, which would be truly terrifying.
In Changxin Palace, Lou Sijing was playing with her son, Yu Lou. Suddenly, a young eunuch rushed in from outside, knelt down with a thud, and reported.
"Consort De, it's not good, something terrible has happened."
Lou Sijing straightened her body, raised her eyebrows displeasedly, and spoke coldly, "What is it? Why are you in such a panic? What is this disorder?"
"Reporting to Consort De, something has happened to the Lou family. The Emperor has dispatched the iron cavalry and imprisoned everyone within the nine branches of the Lou family."
As soon as the young eunuch finished speaking, Lou Sijing's face lost all color, and her body swayed. The maids beside her quickly stepped forward to support her, and even Yu Lou cried out in alarm.
"Mother Consort, what's wrong, Mother Consort?"
Lou Sijing shook her head, forced herself to walk to a nearby couch and sit down, and looked at the kneeling eunuch, "When did this happen?"
"This servant just received the news. They were imprisoned not long ago. Not a single one survived. All their property has been confiscated. The Lou residence has been dug up three feet, and not even a trace was left behind," the eunuch reported fearfully. He felt a bit of sympathy for Consort De. Ever since Empress returned to the palace, Consort De's life had not been easy. Now that the Lou family had been raided, he wondered if Consort De would be implicated.
Lou Sijing frowned, clutching her chest, finding it difficult to breathe. Had all the Lou family's efforts over the years crumbled in an instant? How could this be? Had Zhang Zhi San confessed? Even then, it was unlikely that the nine branches of the Lou family would all be imprisoned based solely on Zhang Zhi San's one-sided testimony.
Lou Sijing felt as though she was about to faint, drifting in a haze, unsure of where she was. What should she do now? With such a major event befalling the Lou family, who could she rely on for help?
After racking her brain, she suddenly thought of someone. She turned her head, looking around but could not see Wan Rong. She weakly asked the maid beside her, "Where is Wan Rong?"
"This servant hasn't seen Sister Wan Rong all day. Perhaps she's resting in the back," the maid replied earnestly. She truly didn't know what Sister Wan Rong was so busy with to always be out of sight. She heard that Sister Wan Rong was not in good health, and the Consort cherished her, so she often allowed her to rest.
Lou Sijing, anxious, waved her hand and ordered the maids to find Wan Rong. She wanted to see him, immediately. The maid bowed her head in assent and was about to leave when Wan Rong walked in at that very moment, his face full of worry, clearly having rushed over after hearing about the Lou family's affairs.
Lou Sijing waved her hand, signaling everyone in the main hall to leave, even Prince Yu Lou was taken away. Once everyone had left, Lou Sijing stopped crying and looked at Wan Rong, asking desperately, "What do we do? What do we do now? Something has happened to the Lou family. My parents and brother have all been imprisoned."
As she finished speaking, she burst into tears. Her hair had come undone, and her golden hairpin was askew. Wan Rong walked over, supported her, and spoke earnestly, "Don't be too upset. I will help you find a way."
"Okay, Wan Rong, you must help me. You absolutely cannot let my parents die. I don't want to lose them." Lou Sijing started crying again after speaking. Wan Rong's eyes, usually filled with hidden darkness, were now full of heartache. He spoke with reluctance, "Alright, don't be sad. I am already thinking of a solution."
"Mmm," Lou Sijing nodded, seeming to trust Wan Rong completely. No matter what he did or said, she believed it was for her own good and for Yu Lou's good, because Wan Rong loved her, and she loved him, very deeply.
Seeing the woman beside him quiet down, Wan Rong sat next to her, his brows furrowed in deep thought. His thin lips pursed tightly, and then a smile bloomed on his face. He spoke softly, "How about this? We can spread a rumor that the Empress is causing chaos in the harem and disturbing the imperial court, a ballad that warns of her bringing disaster to the world. I believe this will definitely cause chaos in the capital. Once the capital is in chaos, the Emperor will not have the time to deal with the Lou family's affairs. We can use this opportunity to rescue the Lou family."
Upon hearing Wan Rong's words, Lou Sijing immediately nodded in agreement, "Good, let's go write about how this woman is causing chaos. We'll find someone to spread it immediately."
"Mmm," Wan Rong nodded and accompanied Lou Sijing into the study of Changxin Palace. The two of them remained in the study for a long time until they finalized the ballad of the seductress who brought chaos to the world. Wan Rong then sent people to deliver it out of the palace overnight.
In the Ministry of Justice prison.
It was dark and damp, with bloodstains on the floor and a strange odor. Feng Xie, a man with a penchant for cleanliness, would never have stepped foot in here were it not for his concern for state affairs. But now, he concealed his inner disgust and sat sternly on the seat. All the officials of the Ministry of Justice stood on the side with their heads bowed, not daring to utter a word. The Emperor and Empress had personally come, and the Prime Minister and Prince Yan had also arrived. All the influential figures of the Tianfeng Dynasty were present, indicating the Emperor's immense importance in the Lou family's case.
Everyone held their breath in anticipation, hearing the sound of chains dragging on the ground. Then, the formerly majestic Grand Tutor Lou appeared, his hair disheveled, looking pitiful like a dog. His hands were bound by manacles, and his feet were shackled. He was a high-profile prisoner, and the Ministry of Justice naturally dared not be careless, hence the manacles and shackles. In the dim yellow light, Grand Tutor Lou saw the Emperor, the Empress, and the others in the prison cell. He immediately knelt down with a thud and cried out, "Your Majesty, this minister is guilty! This minister deserves to die!"
What else could he say at this moment? The former Grand Tutor of the Emperor was now a prisoner. With just one wrong thought, he had fallen into the eternal hell of Asura. He feared he would have to endure the torment of the eighteen levels of hell. At this moment, he would have preferred a swift death, but even that was a luxury. Grand Tutor Lou's tears flowed freely, his black hair almost turning white in an instant. He looked ten years older, like a frail old man on the verge of the grave.
His death was inconsequential. He felt pity for the lives of the nine branches of the Lou family that had been ruined by his own hands. He wondered if his daughter in the palace had been implicated, if his little grandson had been implicated. Now, he thought, the child could at most become a prince, but he dared not even dream of becoming the Crown Prince.
Feng Xie's face was cold and stern, his long, narrow eyebrows dusted with a frost-like mist. Was this the Grand Tutor who had once taught him the art of ruling an empire? Countless dawns and dusks, he had lectured him on the strategies of wise rulers. He had said that it was easy for an emperor to establish a country but difficult to preserve it. But what had happened to him today? Not only had he forgotten his own moral principles, but he had also attempted to kill him, committing a heinous crime. Thinking of these things, Feng Xie's heart churned with unrest. His face was as cold as ice, his lips tightly pressed together. He didn't know what to say, and finally, it was reduced to a pained question: "Grand Tutor, why have you done this? Am I an incompetent ruler?"
Grand Tutor Lou was filled with shame. The Emperor was a benevolent and understanding good emperor. He had been possessed by a demon, actually aspiring to place Yu Lou on the throne. In reality, his actions had only plunged the common people into misery. What did the young Yu Lou understand? A country should be governed by capable individuals for the sake of peace and prosperity. Why had he forgotten this truth? The regret at this moment was of no use, and he could only desperately kowtow and beg for forgiveness. "Your Majesty, please grant this minister death."
"Death is easy. At least do something to atone before you die," Grand Tutor Lou heard the cold words beside his ear. He looked up directly into a pair of cold, enchanting eyes. The sharp gaze in those eyes was like a drawn sword, emanating a chilling aura, or like icicles in a snowstorm, piercing one's heart and lungs, leaving no room for mercy. This woman was tough and ruthless, and he knew he had fallen into her hands. Grand Tutor Lou suddenly smiled. Tianfeng was fortunate to have this woman; he believed it would become increasingly prosperous and strong. He lowered his head and said in a senile voice.