Hearing that Xie Zhui had arrived, Xiao Shan's face lit up with joy, and his eyes noticeably brightened. Seeing his expression, the Emperor knew that Xiao Shan genuinely liked Xie Zhui. The Emperor was not a soft-hearted person, but he couldn't help but think that perhaps the best decision he made in his life was to bestow Xie Zhui upon Xiao Shan.

 

After today's events, it would be good if the two could continue to support each other.

 

As Xie Zhui entered the hall to pay respects to the Emperor, Gu Xuan, Gu Yan, and Old Madam An arrived shortly after.

 

The Emperor, realizing that the recent series of events were inextricably linked to the Gu and An families, felt disinclined to see this group.

 

However, perhaps out of a sense of guilt towards Xiao Shan's small family, he was relatively gentle with Xie Zhui, quickly allowing him to rise and even granting him a seat.

 

Xie Zhui wanted to sit down, but he glanced at Consort Lan kneeling on the ground, the Empress who was clearly lost in thought, and Xiao Jin and Xiao Shan who were still kneeling without moving. He chose not to sit, instead looking worriedly at Xiao Shan, thinking that Xiao Shan had been in the palace for quite some time. Could it be that he was kneeling here the entire time?

 

The thought pained Xie Zhui, making him even more reluctant to sit. He stood there, anxiously waiting for the Emperor to give an explanation.

 

Xiao Shan noticed Xie Zhui's concern, feeling a mix of emotions. However, the most pressing issue was not who was kneeling or standing, but resolving the current matter. So, Xiao Shan looked at the Emperor and said, "Father Emperor, since everyone is here, let's have them come in and clarify things. Right and wrong must be made clear."

 

"Brother Xie Chen's eyes have just been treated and need careful nurturing, and there is an elder in the Xie family who is very frail. Both are waiting outside the hall, and if the wait is too long, it will take a toll on their health."

 

The Emperor rarely felt guilty towards anyone, but Xiao Shan was the first.

 

At this moment, even if Xiao Shan asked for the sky, he would allow it, let alone such a small request.

 

Before summoning the others in, the Emperor said, "Since this is another scene, you all may rise first. Zhen will watch this play with you."

 

The Empress' heart was as dead as ashes*, and she was helped onto her seat by others. Consort Lan, on the other hand, staggered to her seat on her own. She likely understood her fate and kept her head down, making it difficult for anyone to see her expression.

*It's a metaphorical expression that describes a person's emotional state as being completely drained, hopeless, and lifeless, like ashes that have been extinguished.

 

Xiao Shan and Xiao Jin also stood up.

 

As soon as Xiao Shan stood up, he helped Xie Zhui to a seat and quietly inquired about his health. Xiao Jin hesitated for a moment but eventually sat back in his original position.

 

Then, the Emperor summoned those waiting outside the hall to enter.

 

Each person had their own concerns, and being suddenly gathered by an imperial decree naturally led to various thoughts.

 

Upon entering the hall and seeing the Emperor, he said nothing, leaving them to stand there in silence.

 

Old Madam An's heart pounded. Every time she entered the palace before, the Emperor was always courteous to her, but this time was markedly different.

 

Xie Zhui looked at Xie Chen and Xie Sui, who were also kneeling on the ground. He remained silent, and Xiao Shan reassuringly squeezed his hand. 

 

Xie Zhui nodded to him, indicating that he understood the situation.

 

The Emperor was scrutinizing the people kneeling before him. When he saw the emaciated figure of Xie Sui, he raised an eyebrow, feeling that he had seen this person somewhere before but couldn't quite place it.

 

Recalling the elder Xiao Shan had mentioned, the Emperor's curiosity was piqued, and he asked, "Are you Xie Zhui's elder? What is your name?"

 

Xie Sui slowly lifted his head to look at the Emperor. After a few heart-wrenching coughs, he gasped for breath and said, word by word, "This guilty minister, Xie Sui, greets Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor. Long live, long live."

 

After speaking, he performed a very solemn bow to the Emperor.

 

"Xie Sui?" The Emperor's heart skipped a beat upon hearing the name, and he suddenly stood up.

 

Unconsciously touching his chest where his heart was pounding, the Emperor felt the urge to take a couple of heart pills, as he had no idea how many more bizarre events awaited him today.

 

Consort Xian, who was always devoted to Buddhism, dared to send someone to assassinate the Crown Prince. Consort Lan, who always appeared pitiful and tearful, switched the Empress' legitimate son. And now, even Xie Sui, who had been missing for years, was standing before him.

 

The Emperor even thought that if someone were to tell him that Old Master Xie was still alive, he wouldn't be the least bit surprised.

 

But the emaciated figure before him was a far cry from the imposing and carefree Xie Sui he remembered.

 

Equally incredulous was Old Madam An. She looked at Xie Sui with wide eyes, her voice tinged with fear, "You are Xie Sui? Weren't you dead?"

 

This statement ignited Xie Zhui's anger. Truth be told, he was usually stoic and resolute, preferring to keep many things to himself and not causing trouble or embarrassing others unnecessarily.

 

However, the implication behind Old Madam An's words was highly suspicious. Xie Zhui fixed his gaze on her and said, "Marchioness, for years, the reports concerning my father have always stated that he was missing and his whereabouts unknown. How is it that in your words, he is dead? I wonder where Marchioness got this information, which seems to be clearer than what we, his sons, know."

 

Old Madam An realized she misspoke the moment the words left her mouth. Hearing Xie Zhui's sarcastic response, she found him increasingly similar to Xiao Shan and equally irritating.

 

Taking a deep breath, she said, "I was indeed surprised and misspoke just now. But considering you are married to Prince Li and now part of the Xiao family, it seems excessive for you to question me this way when no one from the Xie family has spoken up. Moreover, you should address me as 'Great-Aunt' following Prince Li's lead. By calling me 'Marchioness,' are you implying you do not wish to acknowledge me as your Great-Aunt?"

 

Xiao Shan frowned, about to retort, but Xie Zhui spoke first, "If we follow Marchioness' logic, then all women and ger who marry out should remain silent even if someone insults their closest kin. They might as well consider themselves as having sprung from a rock, born without parents. Marchioness, since you married into the An family, why do you still stay at the Gu residence and act as if you are not an outsider? As for the form of address, while Marchioness may not see herself as an outsider, Xie Zhui* cannot regard Marchioness as family. I hope Marchioness can forgive me."

*Yes, he used his name here to address himself.

 

Given the deep-seated enmity, Xie Zhui had no intention of showing Old Madam An any respect. The very thought of calling her "Great-Aunt" out of deference made him feel disgusted.

 

Hearing his words, Old Madam An looked towards the Emperor and cried out, "Your Majesty..."

 

The Emperor ignored her and instead kept his gaze fixed on Xie Sui. He walked straight towards Xie Sui and personally helped him up, saying, "Minister Xie, what has happened to you? Where have you been all these years? Zhen sent people to search for you. Since you are alive, why did you not come to see mZhen?"

 

Xie Sui looked at the Emperor, who was showing genuine emotion. He took a step back and said in a desolate tone, "Your Majesty commanded me to die; how could this minister dare to continue living? It is only because Heaven did not wish to take this guilty minister that I have managed to survive."

 

"Zhen commanded you to die?" The Emperor was deeply troubled. "You were one of Zhen’s most trusted ministers. Why would Zhen ever command you to die?"

 

Old Madam An, forgetting her tears, interjected, "Your Majesty, this man has been absent for years. Who knows if he has betrayed the country and now returns to spy? Moreover, his disrespectful words slander Your Majesty, which is a grave offense."

 

"Marchioness, the founding emperor decreed that the harem must not interfere in state affairs. On what grounds does the Marchioness speak on matters concerning court officials?" Xie Zhui said coldly. "Or is it that the Marchioness harbors a guilty conscience and seeks to use others to do her dirty work once again?"

 

Old Madam An tried to say something more, but the Emperor sternly interrupted, "Enough! What is going on here? Xie Sui, you explain."

 

Xie Sui knelt down once more and recounted the events of the past. His tone was calm, but the content sent chills down the spines of those who heard it. The Emperor, in particular, was deeply shaken by the revelations of the day.

 

He thought that his seemingly pure, kind, and delicate consort was actually ruthless.

 

He believed that his loyal minister harbored a second heart.

 

Moreover, someone dared to act against Xie Sui at the border, using the Emperor's name.

 

The Emperor was well aware of Xie Sui's status and influence within the Northern Army. If Xie Zhui's true identity had not been discovered and he had not been summoned back to the capital...

 

If he had not bestowed Xie Zhui upon Xiao Shan as his consort but instead had him spend his days in a temple with only the company of monks and candles...

 

If he had been even slightly unjust to the descendants of the Xie family, and Xie Sui raised his arm in the Northern Border, would there not have been an internal conflict within the Zhou Dynasty's borders?

 

Indeed, the human heart can be the most terrifying thing.

 

The Emperor looked at Old Madam An. From her earlier demeanor and tone, it was clear she knew something.

 

Old Madam An, of course, would not admit to anything. She said, "Your Majesty, he is speaking nonsense. Our An family may not have the renown of the Xie family, but we are loyal and patriotic, with no ulterior motives. It is rather suspicious that Xie Sui appears in the capital at this time. For whom has he come? And which prince does he intend to support from the shadows?"

 

After saying this, she subtly glanced at the Empress.

 

In her mind, the Empress should seize this opportunity to follow her lead and drag Xiao Shan and the Xie family down, capturing them all in one fell swoop.

 

But strangely, the Empress, who had been sitting there motionless as if soulless, suddenly reacted to her words with fierce eyes, as if she wanted to bite her.

 

The Empress slammed the armrest beside her with great force, her voice sharp and filled with hatred, "Enough! You vile woman, with your malicious heart and constant scheming, you deserve to have your tongue cut out and be beaten to death with sticks!"

 

Gu Xuan and Gu Yan were quietly observing the Empress and Consort Lan, hoping for a signal to understand what was happening and prepare themselves. Instead of receiving any such signal, they were startled by the Empress' outburst. To speak such words in front of everyone, the Empress seemed utterly mad.

 

The Empress' chest heaved with emotion. She wished she could faint and wake up to find that none of this happened, that it was all just a dream.

 

But she didn't faint. Instead, she unleashed all the pent-up anger in her heart at Old Madam An.

 

After her outburst, it was as if all the strength had been drained from her. She slumped back into her chair, motionless.

 

Now, she lost everything.

 

Old Madam An was also taken aback by the Empress' sudden and furious outburst.

 

At this moment, Xie Zhui stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to ask Old Madam An."

 

By not addressing the Emperor as "Father Emperor," he indicated that he was speaking not as a prince consort but as a minister, a member of the Xie family.

 

The Emperor looked at him and nodded.

 

Xie Zhui turned to Old Madam An and asked, "Was it your An family that sent people to intercept and kill my father?"

 

Old Madam An shook her head.

 

Xie Zhui continued, "Was it your An family that placed a curse on my brother's eyes?"

 

Old Madam An kept shaking her head. She naturally would not admit to it, nor could she.

 

Xie Zhui let out a cold snort. "I received a message by carrier pigeon stating that Marquis An has been bedridden for the past two years. Marquis An and the Marchioness are deeply affectionate. Since he has been ill, why hasn't the Marchioness brought him to the capital for treatment? What illness does Marquis An have? Does the Marchioness dare to say?"

 

Old Madam An's face uncontrollably turned pale.