noffsinger Chapter 158 Former Retainers
Chapter 158 Former Retainers
These are the people who almost caused him to lose his voice again.
Pei Yuanling's expression was gloomy. If it weren't for them, Yinyin wouldn't have been alone with Lu Zhiheng outside!
Their relationship is unlikely to improve as a result!
As a fellow man, how could Pei Yuanling not see through Lu Zhiheng's filthy thoughts hidden in his heart?
No matter how well he hid it, his male intuition still detected some clues.
Fortunately, Chu Qingyin had no feelings for Lu Zhiheng, which put his mind at ease.
Pei Yuanling slashed again and again, and the assassin soon couldn't hold back and screamed in agony once more.
For a moment, screams echoed throughout the prison, as eerie and shrill as ghosts.
Gu Li stood aside, looking at His Majesty's frenzied and out-of-control state, and was momentarily stunned.
His Majesty actually interrogated someone personally for the sake of a substitute; this is something that has never happened before.
After venting his anger, Pei Yuanling threw away the bloodstained longsword in his hand, took the handkerchief handed to him by Gu Li, and wiped the blood off his hands.
"Let them live. Tonight I will release the news that they have all confessed."
Pei Yuanling narrowed his eyes, his smile extremely chilling, completely different from his usual self. "Do you think your master might resort to desperate measures?"
After saying this, Pei Yuanling turned and left the Ministry of Justice.
Inside the blood-soaked torture chamber, the angry roars of the assassins behind him echoed for a long time.
Gu Li followed closely behind Pei Yuanling and whispered, "Your Majesty, will this really lure the person behind it all out?"
Pei Yuanling's tone was chilling, "The Wang family is now like ants on a hot pan. They won't sit idly by and wait to die. They'll slip up as soon as they're provoked."
"However, I still have a use for the royal family."
After a brief pause, Pei Yuanling said, "Dispose of these people's bodies at the Wang family's villa as a warning to them. To the outside world, just say it was the work of Zhang Xian's old party."
The implication was clear: the Wang family would be spared this time.
However, there is currently no conclusive evidence to prove that the Wang family was responsible for this. Even if he insists that the assassin confessed, the Wang family is powerful now and will surely find a scapegoat to take the blame, which will not damage their foundation.
If the goal is to protect the Wang family, then shifting the blame to Zhang Xian's old party is the most appropriate course of action.
The Crown Prince Zhangxian's entire family was wiped out due to the witchcraft case a long time ago, but over the years, his former subordinates and remnants have never been completely eradicated. This matter has always been a thorn in Pei Yuanling's side.
He knew very little about what happened back then, and only vaguely learned some of the inside story after he ascended the throne.
His father, the late Emperor Jing Gaozong, did not ascend the throne in a glorious way. The case of the extermination of Crown Prince Zhangxian's family is full of doubts.
But many years have passed, and there's no point in saying more. The only thing he can do is send people to wipe out Zhang Xian's old subordinates so that he can be the emperor in peace.
After bathing and fumigating himself with incense to thoroughly wash away the stench of blood, Pei Yuanling headed straight for Xingyue Palace.
He had changed into a brand-new silver-white brocade robe, with delicate cloud patterns embroidered in silver thread on the collar and cuffs.
He wore a deep purple python-patterned belt around his waist, inlaid with a piece of translucent and warm mutton-fat jade. With his steps, the jade pendant swayed gently, emitting a soft luster.
As soon as he stepped into the palace gate, he saw his Yinyin leaning against the pavilion in the courtyard, looking bored, holding a feather duster and teasing Little Snowball.
After a summer of raising the little snowball, its increasingly round body darts around her, looking quite adorable.
Xianglan was the first to spot him and was about to bow when Pei Yuanling waved his hand, signaling her not to make a sound.
Xianglan understood and stepped aside at the right time.
Pei Yuanling tiptoed up behind Chu Qingyin, then covered her eyes with his hands and deliberately lowered his voice, saying, "Guess who I am?"
Chu Qingyin paused in her actions, then laughed: "Your Majesty, besides you, who else in this palace would dare to tease a concubine like this?"
Pei Yuanling released her hand, walked around to sit in front of her, and asked with a doting expression, "Yinyin, did you miss me today?"
"I would like to." Chu Qingyin lowered her head, a faint blush rising on her cheeks. "But Your Majesty is busy with state affairs, how could I dare to disturb you?"
Pei Yuanling lifted her chin and looked into her eyes: "In my heart, Yinyin will always be the most important person, nothing can compare to you."
Little Snowball watched the two being affectionate, seemingly unhappy that her owner wasn't playing with her, and meowed twice.
Chu Qingyin chuckled: "You little jealous cat, you're really quite domineering."
Pei Yuanling raised an eyebrow, inexplicably feeling that Chu Qingyin's words seemed to be a veiled insult.
However, how could a dignified emperor be compared to a kitten? At the very least, he should be a lion or a tiger.
"His Majesty?"
Seeing him lost in thought, Chu Qingyin couldn't help but gently call out, "What are you thinking about, so engrossed?"
"nothing."
Pei Yuanling coughed lightly, then took out an exquisite brocade box from his pocket and handed it to her: "Open it and take a look."
Chu Qingyin was slightly taken aback, but still accepted it.
Upon opening it, one finds a jade hairpin of exceptional quality, with exquisitely carved, lifelike butterflies.
"This is a new piece of jadeite from the Imperial Jewelry Bureau. Its color is rich and even, and it suits you perfectly. Do you like it?"
Chu Qingyin looked at the emerald green and luxurious jewelry, a hint of amazement flashing in her eyes.
Seeing the man's expectant look, she felt a slight stirring in her heart. After thinking for a moment, she nodded and smiled, "It's a gift from His Majesty, so of course I like it."
Pei Yuanling smiled and carefully inserted the hairpin into Chu Qingyin's hair.
After putting it on, he examined it for a moment and looked satisfied: "Yinyin is naturally beautiful, and with this jade hairpin, she is even more beautiful than a fairy."
"Your Majesty, please don't praise me anymore, I'm getting embarrassed."
Chu Qingyin lowered her head shyly, her fingers unconsciously twirling the sash of her clothes. Her fair cheeks were flushed, and she smiled radiantly, like a jade-faced begonia in full bloom.
Pei Yuanling laughed loudly twice and pulled the person into his arms again.
Chu Qingyin obediently leaned in, but when she buried her head in the other person's neck, her brows furrowed involuntarily.
Although Pei Yuanling had cleansed himself and used incense, there was still a faint smell of blood on his body.
Chu Qingyin's sense of smell was better than that of ordinary people, and at this moment she only felt that the smell of blood was suffocating. She raised her head, intentionally creating some distance between herself and the other party, and smiled without changing her expression: "Your Majesty must be hungry after a busy day, right? It just so happens that I ordered the kitchen to prepare some snacks."
"I am a little hungry." Pei Yuanling smiled and let go of her.
Soon, Xianglan ordered someone to bring out the snacks from the small kitchen and gently place them on the stone table.
Pei Yuanling picked up a pastry and brought it to Chu Qingyin's lips.
Chu Qingyin opened her mouth and took a bite. The sweet taste spread in her mouth. "Hmm, sweet but not cloying. Your Majesty, please try some too."
Pei Yuanling smiled and took a bite of the pastry Chu Qingyin handed him, his gaze never leaving her face.
After finishing the two pastries, Pei Yuanling suddenly spoke up, "The mastermind behind the assassination attempt at the Xishan hunting grounds that day has been identified; it was a remnant of Crown Prince Zhang Xian's faction."
The sound wasn't quiet, but it was loud enough for those hiding in the shadows to hear.
"Former subordinates of Crown Prince Zhangxian?"
Chu Qingyin was astonished, "When the late emperor was alive, weren't they all wiped out? How could this be..."
The assassin that day was clearly targeting her. When the tragedy involving Crown Prince Zhangxian occurred, the original owner of this body wasn't even born yet, so how could she have had a grudge against him?
Although Chu Qingyin had her doubts, she still put on a considerate demeanor and asked with concern, "Your Majesty, if it is indeed the remnants of Crown Prince Zhangxian's faction who have made a comeback, there will likely be another assassination attempt. Is it not safe to stay in this palace?"
"Or shall we set off back to the capital?"