My Lady Always Lacks Ambition

Chapter 1265 - 1193: Everyone in the Palace Is Talented

Feng Xiu gathered Yan Dong’s corpse and returned to Changsheng Hall. The Dragon Guards arrived immediately afterward, accompanied by people from the Ministry of Justice, carrying a seal. A doctor from Changsheng Hall was accused of attempting to harm the Saint, and they came to conduct an investigation and seal the hall. This shocking news instantly attracted a large crowd.

Feng Xiu laughed out of anger. "Seal it, right? Fine, Changsheng Hall will shut down permanently, never to reopen. The medicines we used to donate to the frontline military camps will no longer be available, and the medicines for natural disasters and man-made disasters won’t be there either."

Who doesn’t have a hot temper?

He even recalled the doctors and medicines sent to the Holy Altar to treat disaster victims, stating that since the Saint wanted to seal the hall, they must cooperate.

This made the Dragon Guard Commander’s face turn black, as Feng Xiu was openly defying them in front of the gathered crowd, directly confronting them.

Yet the common people bought into it, instantly voicing their grievances, accusing the court and the Saint of wronging a good person. After all, although Changsheng Hall was expensive, it had a good reputation and was never stingy with its medicines where needed.

Now, when Shengjing was struck by an earthquake, they proactively sent doctors to provide free medical treatment and medicine, so how could such a conscientious and reputable establishment plot against the Saint?

But the Saint imposed such an accusation to seal the hall, so now that Changsheng Hall says it will no longer provide medicines, whose interests are harmed?

Obviously, those waiting for life-saving medicine, some of whom may be their own relatives or friends.

Soon, the entrance of Changsheng Hall became as chaotic as a marketplace, with insults flying freely.

Shhwa.

The Dragon Guard Commander, clad in black and red armor, drew a shimmering sword, and using True Qi, proclaimed loudly: "The doctor from Changsheng Hall attempted to harm the Saint, so the hall is temporarily sealed. Once the investigation clears them of guilt, they will reopen. Anyone who dares to incite trouble here will be charged with treason, and their three generations will be exterminated. Anyone obstructing us will be killed without mercy."

Upon hearing this, the insults immediately subsided, and the civilians instinctively retreated two steps.

The saying that "the law does not punish the masses" is true, but being charged with treason and having three generations exterminated is not something they could bear.

Feng Xiu sneered with a roguish grin. "How authoritative you are, sir, but there’s no need to frighten the commoners. If you wish to take my Changsheng Hall, just take it. It’s just a crummy medicine shop; I long wanted to close it."

Most of Changsheng Hall’s medicines were supplied by the Yellow Immortal Clan; if this one closes, another can open.

But he was just dissatisfied with the treacherous Emperor, who discards people once they’ve exhausted their usefulness, wanting to have one’s cake and eat it too. His behavior was utterly disgusting.

The Dragon Guard Commander looked at this man, who was more enchanting than a woman, with a dark face and said, "I am only following orders. The Ministry of Justice has conducted a thorough investigation, and if it has nothing to do with Changsheng Hall, your esteemed establishment will naturally be permitted to reopen. Additionally, please hand over Yan Dong."

"Are you sure you want me to hand him over here?" Feng Xiu raised an eyebrow.

The Dragon Guard Commander sensed something was off but insisted with a stiff upper lip, "Yes."

"Oh," Feng Xiu said, "then take him."

He pointed casually to a spot not far from his foot, where a large, oddly shaped black bundle had appeared at some point.

The Dragon Guard Commander frowned, signaling to a subordinate, who stepped forward and untied the bundle.

A desiccated corpse in a sitting position toppled to the ground.

Screams erupted.

The Dragon Guard Commander had already drawn his sword and pointed it at Feng Xiu. "What is this? What do you mean by this?"

"It’s Yan Dong you asked for. I just collected his corpse, but you’re a bit late. He’s dead beyond dead," Feng Xiu replied with a cold laugh, though his smile didn’t reach his eyes.

The Dragon Guard Commander wore a grim expression. "In that case, we can only request that the boss come with us to the Ministry of Justice."

Feng Xiu smiled. "Sure, if you insist on inviting me."

Truly, in his entire life, he never thought he’d find himself in jail!

...

Time slowly ticked away.

Emperor Kangwu awoke again, a splint and medicinal plaster applied to his lower back, with several acupuncture needles inserted in his vital points.

Emperor Kangwu appeared momentarily perplexed, but when his eyes adjusted, he saw the hall brightly illuminated.

It was night.

"Your Majesty, you’re awake," Empress Mu spoke, her face weary, showing signs of ageing.

Emperor Kangwu observed her face, which had taken on a bluish tint, her eyes filled with worry. He felt a warmth in his heart and said, "Have you been here all along? Go and rest; Shunzi can attend to me here."

Empress Mu sighed, "You’ve been so severely injured; how can I rest easy?"

"Go and rest. The harem still needs your oversight; don’t let them come and disturb me." Emperor Kangwu remembered Princess Consort Ru and her demands, his expression becoming somber.

He glanced at Empress Mu again, seeing her tucking in the corner of the quilt, her face betraying her anxiety. He then said, "Prince Rui volunteered to escort the army provisions to the northwest; he’s more responsible than the second prince and others, worthy of the title he received from me."

Empress Mu turned her head and said, "As the saying goes, ’Learn the skills of literature and martial arts to serve the Emperor.’ They all strive to ease your burden, but they’re all accomplished, the Dragon Sons and Phoenix Grandsons."

"Accomplished, indeed. They even dare to commit patricide; they’re too accomplished," Emperor Kangwu snorted coldly.

Empress Mu pursed her lips, "You need to recuperate now. I shouldn’t obstruct you, but to be fair, the earthquake was a sudden natural disaster, unpredictable, and under such circumstances, in full view, how could he dare commit such treasonous acts?"

"Perhaps he really dares to think what others don’t," the Emperor mused.

Empress Mu playfully chided, "You’re blaming them in anger. They’re all your children; don’t you know their nature? If Prince Zhao took advantage of the earthquake to rebel, he probably would not dare. After all, with no Crown Prince yet established, who would tolerate him if he committed such an act? He likely hoped to gain merit by protecting you but backfired."

Emperor Kangwu huffed but didn’t refute her words. Having reigned for decades, he was not entirely without intelligence and naturally considered things deeply; this was merely to probe Empress Mu.

Empress Mu’s response and demeanor obviously pleased him greatly. However, the predicament he suffered could not be ignored, and Prince Zhao was undoubtedly complicit, his living crimes impossible to escape.

Not far away, Qin Liuxi was consulting with the Chief Imperial Doctor on a formula to adjust the Emperor’s health. Clear-eyed and alert, she didn’t miss the interaction between the Emperor and Empress, thinking that everyone in the Imperial Palace was naturally talented actors.

If she hadn’t already allied with Empress Mu, sharing the same boat, she would probably believe Empress Mu’s seemingly heartfelt, but actually subtly manipulative, nonsense.

As Qin Liuxi stirred, Emperor Kangwu turned his gaze towards her, and memories of the excruciating pain during his bone setting resurfaced, causing his entire body to ache and prompting a groan.

She approached and said, "Since you’ve awakened, Saint, could you clear up a doubt for this humble Daoist? Why did you suddenly treat me coldly and insist on performing the sacrificial ceremony?"