It seemed the Empress and the Emperor had quarreled. Such occurrences were normal; what couple didn't have their disagreements? However, the Emperor's expression was terrifying.
"It seems someone sent her a letter," Mu Rong Liu Zun calmed himself. Recalling what Mu Qingyao had said earlier, it must be that Xi Men Zheng Hao had used torture. But how would she know if Su Zhan had died? As he pondered, a young eunuch entered nervously and reported, "Reporting to Your Majesty, General Xi Men and Prince Nan An request an audience."
"Announce them."
Mu Rong Liu Zun spoke with a deep, cold voice, rose from his dragon throne, and walked towards the outer hall. Ah Jiu quickly followed him.
Prince Nan An and General Xi Men entered and respectfully paid their respects to the Emperor.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be blessed."
"Rise," the Emperor, seated high above, had a displeased countenance, shrouded in dark clouds. He cast a cold glance at Xi Men Zheng Hao and his imperial brother below, noticing that Xi Men Zheng Hao's expression was no better, with bloodstains visible on his neck. This was rather surprising.
"What happened to General Xi Men?"
As soon as the Emperor spoke, Xi Men Zheng Hao, who had stood up, immediately knelt again, tears streaming down his face:
"Your Majesty, you must dispense justice for this old minister. This minister was acting under imperial decree, but the Empress arrived at the martial arts field and obstructed me. Not only did she forbid me from carrying out my duties, but she also placed a sword at my neck in front of thousands of citizens. My lifelong reputation is ruined."
"What?"
The Emperor roared, his handsome face contorted with a dark and unpleasant rage. His ink-black eyes seemed ready to spew fire.
Yao'er was too audacious, even going so far as to act first and report later. She not only prevented Xi Men Zheng Hao from interrogating the suspect at the martial arts field but also stormed into the Liuli Palace and vented her anger at him.
Had he doted on her too much recently, making her somewhat lawless? Mu Rong Liu Zun's eyes shot sparks.
Prince Nan An, Mu Rong Liu Zhao, who had remained silent, spoke with a deep voice.
"Imperial Brother, this matter is not the Empress's fault. It was I who sent someone to inform her. If Your Majesty wishes to punish, then punish this subject."
Mu Rong Liu Zhao lifted the hem of his smoky-colored robe and slowly knelt. His already cold face became even more frigid, devoid of any expression.
The Emperor, enraged, glared at Prince Nan An below, his most favored imperial brother.
"Prince Nan An, did I not instruct you not to leak this matter?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Xi Men Zheng Hao remains a mere military man, cruel and bloodthirsty. Although he intended to force Su Zhan to reveal the mastermind, Su Zhan chose to endure torture rather than betray the person behind it. He threatened Su Zhan with the lives of his entire Su family, all one hundred and eight of them, yet Su Zhan still refused to comply and ultimately took his own life. General Xi Men proceeded to kill more than ten innocent individuals, employing extremely brutal methods. As the surrounding populace teetered on the brink of revolt, I was unable to restrain his bloodthirsty actions at that moment, so I sent word to the Empress."
After Prince Nan An reported, the Emperor remained silent, his gaze unfathomable.
Xi Men Zheng Hao hadn't expected Prince Nan An to be involved in this matter. He was furious and shot a glare at Prince Nan An before speaking loudly, "Your Majesty, please dispense justice for this old minister."
"Your Majesty, if there is to be a punishment, let it fall upon this subject. This matter has nothing to do with the Empress."
"Enough," Mu Rong Liu Zun suddenly spoke, giving Prince Nan An a cold stare. He said in a deep voice, "Ah Jiu, relay my decree. The Empress is to be confined to her palace for three days and is not permitted to leave Fengluan Palace."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Ah Jiu acknowledged the order and hurried to Fengluan Palace to deliver the imperial message.
Prince Nan An, Mu Rong Liu Zhao, breathed a sigh of relief. A hint of relaxation flickered across his usually indifferent and heartless face.
Xi Men Zheng Hao was inwardly seething. The Emperor was clearly protecting the Empress.
Given the Empress's actions, they were considered treasonous. Even if she weren't executed, she should at least be confined to the cold palace for self-reflection. To be confined for only three days left him utterly unsatisfied. How could he stomach this injustice?
However, he decided to endure for now. Once Xin Yue entered the imperial harem, that woman wouldn't be able to remain peaceful. He knew his daughter well.
"General Xi Men, you have suffered injuries this time. Return to your residence and recuperate," the Emperor turned to comfort Xi Men Zheng Hao. It was not yet time to fall out with Xi Men Zheng Hao; he still had a use for him. "Summon the guards. General Xi Men is rewarded with a thousand taels of gold for his meritorious service in this interrogation."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Xi Men Zheng Hao accepted the decree. Since the Emperor offered him a way to save face, he would take it.
Regarding the case of the rebels at Yuejue Temple, Abbot Su Zhan was already dead. There was nothing more to be uncovered, even if they continued to investigate. It was perhaps best to abandon the matter altogether.
"This case is to be concluded by the Left Prime Minister. Prince Nan An need not interfere any further."
The Emperor looked at his imperial brother, Prince Nan An, both angered and vexed. This fellow didn't trust his own imperial brother and instead trusted Yao'er, sending her a letter directly.
When had their relationship become so good? The thought made the Emperor's heart feel heavy, as if something was obstructing it.
"Your subjects obey the decree."
Prince Nan An and General Xi Men accepted the decree and took their leave, returning to their respective residences.
In the grand hall of Liuli Palace, the Emperor recalled the confrontation with Mu Qingyao earlier and his own decree to confine her for self-reflection.
That woman was bound to be angry. What kind of situation was this? He flicked his hand and descended from his throne. Just then, Ah Jiu returned after delivering the decree, respectfully reporting the situation.
"Your Majesty, the decree has been delivered."
"How is the Empress?"
Mu Rong Liu Zun's expression returned to normal, the previous impatience flashing away. He gazed intently at Ah Jiu, a hint of worry in his eyes.
Ah Jiu dared not delay and quickly replied, "The Empress said nothing, merely acknowledged receipt, and sent me back."
"She's not angry? She didn't throw a tantrum?" The Emperor asked again. Ah Jiu shook his head. The handsome Emperor, pondering something, turned and walked inside with a stern face.
North Jin King's Residence.
In the study, a slender and handsome man sat behind a desk. His pale face was now covered in the cold light of a frozen pool, his eyes bloodthirsty, his lips tightly pressed. He stared at another person seated as a guest.
The latter was clad in a purple-red robe, which accentuated his skin like snow. His peach blossom eyes now emanated a meaningful glint, while his face wore an air of indifference. His legs were casually draped over the armrest of the opposite chair, completely disregarding the enraged man.
"You say Mother Empress has been placed under house arrest? When did this happen?"
The slender man, the North Jin King, Mu Rong Liu Mo, spoke with a cold, enchanting voice, accusing fiercely.
The one in the purple-red robe, nonchalantly lounging and smiling in a manner that invited a beating, was none other than Chu Qianyi. He cast a sideways glance at the visibly anxious North Jin King and then nodded.
"You heard correctly. His Majesty has placed the Grand Empress Dowager under house arrest, forbidding her from leaving Guangyang Palace."
"Why? What does he intend to do? I must go to the palace and ask him what he intends to do!"
The North Jin King shifted his body, his jade-colored robe swirling like a gust of wind as he moved towards the doorway. The casual, unhurried figure seated there spoke coolly, "Perhaps His Majesty is waiting for you to do just that?"