Chapter 54 - 054 Greed

Wang Lishuo naturally did not dare to speak before the Emperor about how to deal with Princess Consort Li.

He could only look towards the Emperor, clenching his fists and respectfully bowing, “I implore the Emperor to uphold justice fairly!”

He Ying frowned, remaining silent, evidently contemplating how to deal with the situation.

Sang Yan did not wish to see any more deaths or injuries and said, “Although there are confessions, there is no eyewitness testimony, and judgment should not be made lightly. Further investigation is needed.”

In reality, matters within the Imperial Palace often ended up as muddy waters.

Take the previous assassination attempt, for instance, nobody has found out the truth to this day.

He Ying was still pondering.

Just then, Little Guizi came in to announce, “Emperor, Lady Xuan has arrived.”

Xuanrao?

Hadn’t she been sent to the Cold Palace?

Or was she some other ‘Lady’?

He Ying’s brows tightened, his expression displeased, “What is she doing here?”

Sang Yan immediately thought of the reason for Consort Xuan’s arrival—she was the only survivor from the Cold Palace and surely knew something.

“Please let her in.”

She issued the command before the Emperor did.

Little Guizi, surprisingly compliant with her order, immediately went to summon her.

Witnessing this, He Ying smiled wryly but said nothing.

It was good, his boldness had grown.

“This concubine… cough cough cough… pays respects to the Emperor.”

Consort Xuan was supported by Yun Qiao as she entered.

Her face was ashen, weak, and she kept coughing incessantly.

He Ying watched with impatience and directly asked, “What brings you here?”

Consort Xuan said, “This concubine comes on behalf of Princess Consort Li, cough cough cough, to testify that she had no connections with those who harmed Miss Sang.”

The day after Princess Consort Li and the others were imprisoned in the Cold Palace, the Empress Dowager, for the Emperor’s face, did not release them immediately but let them suffer for several days before setting them free.

It was during those days that Princess Consort Li’s interactions with those people were well within her right to speak on.

Understanding the intricacies involved, He Ying asked, “How do you know she didn’t associate with them?”

Consort Xuan replied, “Princess Consort Li is proud, and upon entering the Cold Palace, did not… cough cough cough… initiate a conversation with them. Those people, cough cough cough, bullied Princess Consort Li numerous times, and she hid in this concubine’s quarters. This concubine can testify that she is not acquainted with those people, cough cough cough, nor would she conspire with them for murder.”

He Ying listened quietly, his eyes growing somber, then inquired, “According to you, you are owed a favor by Princess Consort Li, but after she was released from the Cold Palace, she did not take good care of you. Even as you fell seriously ill, she offered no help. Why then do you speak in her defense?”

“You misunderstand, Emperor.”

Consort Xuan, struggling to stand straight with a terribly pale face, continued, “This concubine, cough cough cough, is not speaking for Princess Consort Li, but for Miss Sang, cough cough cough, on her behalf. As you said, Miss Sang has shown kindness to this concubine, cough cough cough, and because of this kindness, this concubine cannot bear to see… cough cough cough… the true murderer escape justice. Otherwise, Miss Sang will remain in danger.”

He Ying, hearing this, believed a great deal of her words.

However, recalling the court files presented by Wang Lishuo, he said, “This is not what you said in the court documents.”

In the court records, Consort Xuan’s testimony read: “Long ill and unconscious, knowing nothing.”

She had effectively changed her testimony.

“The Emperor is astute, this concubine, cough cough cough—”

She couldn’t stop coughing.

Seeing she was almost out of breath, He Ying quickly had someone offer her a cup of tea.

Consort Xuan thanked him, took the cup but did not drink, and continued, “The Prison Department enforces torture, cough cough cough, and this concubine was frightened, daring not to say more.”

He Ying, suspecting this motive, did not inquire further and waved his hand, “I understand. You may leave to rest.”

“Yes.”

Consort Xuan was helped out by Yun Qiao.

After she left, the situation took a turn.

Knowing full well that nothing substantial would be uncovered easily, He Ying made his decree, “Princess Consort Li has been improper in conduct and ruled by envy, she will be demoted to Li Pin, confined for three months for self-reflection.”

Qu Xueli: “…”

She was truly just sleeping in her bed when calamity struck from above.

Enduring a silent bitterness.

Yet she had to express gratitude, “I thank the Emperor for his leniency.”

Seeing this outcome, Sang Yan had no more to say.

Wang Lishuo seemed to want to add something but, catching a glimpse of the Emperor’s expression, altered his words instead, “The Emperor is wise.”

As a subject, one must also skim over things.

The “farce” was dispersed.

Those with power remained well and safe.

The commoners sacrificed twenty-three lives.

After they had left, Sang Yan too sought her leave, “Emperor, do you not feel that ever since I entered the palace, it has been restless? Perhaps, it is truly my fate—”

“Your fate has no issue. Even if you have a strong destiny, I am the Emperor and can suppress it.”

He Ying saw her deeply troubled face and softened his tone, “I visited the Long Chan Temple today to pray for you. Master Yixuan said the same. I can suppress it.”

Sang Yan countered, “The Emperor can suppress my fate, but can you suppress the restless hearts arising because of me?”

“Of course I can.”

He Ying was confident, even ruthless, “If not, then I will simply eliminate them all.”

Sang Yan: “…”

Damn.

There was no reasoning with him.

She decided to try another approach, “Emperor, is a one-night stand really that bad?”

He Ying shook his head, “No good. I don’t want fleeting moments, I want forever.”

Sang Yan couldn’t help but snicker, “The Emperor really is greedy.”

He Ying sighed, “If possible, I wish I could share some of this greed with you.”

Sang Yan: “…”

She didn’t want to be greedy.

She just wanted to be lazy, lie flat, and let everything go.

Unfortunately, that was just wishful thinking.

“The Emperor, greed does not have a good end.”

“Whether I have a good end is all up to you.”

“…”

Sang Yan couldn’t outtalk him, annoyed to death, she waved her hand and said, “Please go back, Your Majesty. I want to sleep.”

After a tiring day, He Ying was also weary. He called for Qiuzhi to come in to take good care of her, only then did he leave.

“The Emperor’s leg—”

Qiuzhi watched the Emperor leave, unable to help but mutter, “It seems he really must have kneeled for a long time, his walk is very stiff. It looks quite painful. I don’t know if he has applied any medicine to relieve pain and disperse bruising. I haven’t heard anything about the imperial physician either.”

Sang Yan: “…you better stop talking.”

Listening made her feel uncomfortable.

Those few words from Qiuzhi made her feel like… she was indeed not good to him.

He went to Long Chan Temple to pray for her, knelt for such hours, and after returning to the palace, he still thought of her health and came to see her, yet she blamed him for other things.

Like an ingrate.

Always acting arrogantly in her own nest.

Sigh.

She was really vexed.

She didn’t sleep well all night.

The next day

She naturally got up late.

The moment she opened her eyes, she saw Sang Ruoshui sitting on the chair across from her, staring straight at her.

Spooky.

How long had she been watching her?@@novelbin@@

Why was she looking at her like this?

Sang Yan sat up, frowning and asked, “Why are you here? Is there something wrong?”

She inexplicably disliked Sang Ruoshui more and more.

But due to the original owner’s relationship with her, she still had to deal with her.

“What kind of words are those from Sister? Can’t I come see you if there’s nothing wrong?”

Although Sang Ruoshui said so, she went straight to the point, “I heard sister pleaded for Li Pin, no, she is now Lady Li. Why did you save her? Father has been suppressed by Qu Zhi for so many years, and now that he’s seeing light, how could you…”

She had hoped that Qu Xueli’s trouble would implicate Mr. Qu, to give their father a chance to rise.

But everything was ruined by Sang Yan.

It really infuriated her!

“Sister really is benevolent and magnanimous, truly selfless.”

Suppressing her dissatisfaction, her tone turned sardonic and sarcastic, “It’s just too bad for our father, to be oppressed under Qu Zhi’s thumb again.”

Sang Yan felt that Sang Ruoshui had come to accuse her.

She didn’t indulge her, directly saying, “Li Pin did not want to kill me. She is not the mastermind behind the scenes.”

Hearing this, Sang Ruoshui almost laughed out of anger, “Sister really thinks I’m trying to catch the mastermind? I wanted father to take the opportunity to climb up. Why doesn’t sister understand my good intentions? Didn’t the Emperor drop the matter, don’t you understand?”

Sang Yan: “…”

Understand what?

She was confused, “What do you mean?”

The Emperor knew Lady Li was innocent, yet he also thought of using the opportunity to pave the way for their father to rise in rank?

Sang Ruoshui was still angry and didn’t feel like answering her. She just said, “Sister has always been smart, think about it yourself.”

Then, standing up, she prepared to leave—

Outside the chamber

Pei Muyang entered, holding a snow-white cat.

The cat had a pair of beautiful water-blue eyes, looking around cutely, very spirited.

“Meow meow—”

It meowed twice, then suddenly leapt from Pei Muyang’s arms, heading straight for Sang Yan.

Sang Yan was a little afraid of cats.

First, for fear of being scratched or bitten;

Second, for fear—wild animals can transmit germs!

“Catch it!”

“Don’t let it come over!”

She screamed, scurrying to hide on the bed.

Thankfully, it was caught midway by Sang Ruoshui.

Sang Ruoshui liked the cat and immediately said, “Sister, it seems you are afraid of cats, why don’t you give it to me then?”

“Not at all! Not at all! The master cannot be gifted away!”

Pei Muyang hastily refused, explaining, “This cat was brought by the Emperor from Long Chan Temple. It’s said that the cat has been bathed in the Buddha’s teachings all year round, surrounded by auspicious aura, capable of exorcising evil spirits and bringing good fortune.”

“So the cat is that precious.”

Sang Ruoshui felt sour inside and laughed mockingly, “I dare not take the good things the Emperor rewards sister with.”

After saying that, she directly tossed the cat onto Sang Yan.