After being sent to the cold palace, the emperor’s heart was burned into ashes CHAPTER 51.3

Part 3

The men who had submitted the memorials hurriedly knelt down, bowing their heads to the ground to apologize. “Bixia, please see clearly! This ministers absolutely do not have such hearts! Corruption in Henei to this extent truly deserves heavy punishment so that the hearts of the people under heaven can return.”

“Is that so?” Gu Zhen smiled, then suddenly said, “But how do We remember that when the Henei case first broke out, Minister Zhou spoke in their defense?”

Unexpectedly, the Emperor remembered matters from months ago so clearly. Their hearts jumped, and layers of cold sweat immediately broke out on their foreheads.

Listening to the sounds of begging for mercy below, Gu Zhen felt somewhat weary. He simply looked down with a faint smile, killing intent rising in his eyes.

He had thought these people would inevitably argue with him on the basis of reason, trying to earn themselves a reputation for wisdom. He hadn’t expected that just a few sentences would scare them like this.

Just a few fools; nothing worth fussing over.

For a moment, Gu Zhen lost interest and said coldly, “Drag them out. Li Que and the others have shown Great Disrespect to Us. Strip them of their official robes and send them home immediately.”

“Bixia…” The men panicked and wanted to beg for mercy, but the palace servants immediately gagged them and dragged them all out.

Until they were dragged away, they still hadn’t understood: they had clearly impeached the Empress, so why did it turn into Great Disrespect toward Bixia in the end?

Hearing the Emperor take the matter upon himself, He Mingshou looked up in slight surprise and glanced at the Emperor.

Gu Zhen’s expression remained unchanged as he continued, “You should all pay more attention to court affairs. We are rectifying the palace servants and have not committed any tyrannical acts. If there is any further discussion, We will punish it heavily.”

Several people waiting on the other side tried to plead for leniency, but the moment they looked up and met the Emperor’s face, which was as dark as water, they suddenly shut their mouths, daring not to speak.

Seeing that someone seemed about to step out, Gu Zhen swept a glance over them and asked indifferently, “Does anyone have anything to say?”

With the lingering prestige of the Emperor’s shock in Henei still present, it wasn’t worth sticking one’s neck out over this matter. Everyone shook their heads, privately guessing why Bixia was angry today.

The matter of the Empress was, after all, a small matter. There were many officials raised in the court; sometimes through partisan dissent, people would seize on the slightest fault of others to attack. Who among those present hadn’t been attacked by memorials from others?

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Thinking of Bixia’s words just now, they weighed that Bixia was probably venting his anger on these people because of previous events.

Thinking of this, everyone secretly steadied their minds, thinking that they would need to be extremely alert during the response later to avoid angering Bixia again.

However, those with sharper minds had already guessed that Bixia’s action was likely to stand up for the Empress.

When the officials left, the sky was already approaching dusk. Fingering the jade pendant in his hand, Gu Zhen ordered in a deep voice, “Not half a word of today’s events is to be spread to the rear palace! If the Empress finds out, We will absolutely not forgive it lightly!”

Thinking of the words on those memorials, a fire rose in Gu Zhen’s heart, and killing intent surged, causing him to almost lose his reason in that instant.

But just as he opened his mouth to give the order, he managed to salvage a bit of rationality, changing the reason for their expulsion to disrespecting the Sovereign.

He didn’t dare drag Yiyi into this, nor did he want people to discuss her.

Simply because that was his beloved.

He could not tolerate even half a word of slander from others.

That day she said she wanted a clean reputation, so he would give her a clean reputation. Anything bad, he alone would bear it; that was enough.

“Investigate clearly if there is anyone instructing them from behind,” Gu Zhen ordered again.

After leaving the palace, someone called out to He Mingshou and asked with a smile, “Prime Minister He, what do you say Bixia’s outburst today was truly about…”

He Mingshou did not wish to say much. He simply glanced at him faintly and said warmly, “One dares not presumptuously speculate on the Sacred Will. Whatever you think it is, that is what it is.”

Matron Song came personally to Jiao Fang Palace to deliver the gifts.

Everything sent was from Taihou’s private collection over many years, incredibly precious.

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Zhao Yiyi gave Matron Song some face, smilingly expressed her thanks, and ordered the freshly made honey-preserved cherries to be given as a return gift.

“Sister, since Taihou has taken the initiative to show goodwill, will you go see her?” After Matron Song left, Zhao Duanduan asked in a whisper from the side.

“I am tired; I do not want to go.” Zhao Yiyi leaned against the corridor pillar, tossing a small ball to tease Ah-Huang. She rubbed Zhao Duanduan’s head and said warmly, “There is nothing good to go for.”

In the past, she had also tried to please Taihou. When she was the Crown Princess, she often came to the palace to joke and laugh in front of Taihou.

Taihou had soft ears; she would believe whatever anyone whispered to her. Even if they were on good terms today, she might turn hostile tomorrow because of something else.

Moreover, she had long grown tired of staying in this palace; where would she find the leisure for that?

Zhao Ah-Huang came back with the ball in his mouth, barking a few times at her feet. Staring at a faint cloud on the horizon, Zhao Yiyi said somewhat wistfully, “I want…”

Her voice was interrupted by the sound of palace servants bowing.

She turned her head abruptly and saw the Emperor entering with hurried steps, his expression tinged with anxiety.

Gu Zhen stepped through the scattered flower petals. Upon meeting her clear eyes, his anxiety vanished, his expression slowly calmed, and a smile instantly condensed on the corners of his lips.

“Why are you standing here in the wind without even wearing an outer garment?” He stood before her, expressing concern softly like an ordinary husband.

Zhao Yiyi took a half-step back and curtsied. “This concubine does not feel cold. Why has Bixia come?”

Gu Zhen didn’t hide it. “We missed you, so We came.”

Zhao Yiyi’s eyes widened suddenly. These words… really didn’t sound like something he would say.

The two entered the inner hall one after the other. Zhao Duanduan watched while biting her finger, wanting to follow, but was pulled back by Yunzhu.

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“Will Sister be bullied?” she asked in a whisper.

Yunzhu thought that with the way Bixia treated Niangniang now, the word ‘bully’ didn’t fit at all. It was just that with Bixia’s temper, he wouldn’t like having people around.

But she didn’t dare say it aloud, only smiling, “How could she? There are still so many honey-preserved cherries left. Will Second Lady come with this servant to make them?”

Zhao Duanduan thought about it, agreed, and followed her out.

“Bixia has lost some weight.” Zhao Yiyi poured him a cup of tea and spoke softly.

Gu Zhen unconsciously touched his jaw. “Is that so?”

The two asked and answered, looking very harmonious, but Gu Zhen knew it was all just an appearance.

He smiled and asked, “What did you say you wanted just now?”

“Nothing.” Zhao Yiyi turned her head to avoid his gaze.

Gu Zhen’s voice became even softer as he said, “Tell Us, alright? We will find it for you.”

There was an inexplicable coaxing tone in his voice.

Zhao Yiyi stared at a trembling green leaf on a branch for a long time before saying, “This concubine misses Chang’an somewhat and wants to go back to Chang’an to have a look.”

Gu Zhen was stunned for a moment.

After a moment of dazing, he recovered extremely quickly and agreed profusely. “Good. When does Yiyi want to go? We will have Ah-Qi escort you.”

Translator’s Note:

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Liushang Bureau: The Six Bureaus, responsible for female officials managing palace affairs.
Taihou: Empress Dowager.
Bixia: His Majesty/The Emperor.
Niangniang: Her Ladyship/Your Highness (used for the Empress and high-ranking consorts).

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