Chapter 67: She’s the Victim!!
The next morning, Xiao Yang was dragged out from under her warm blankets by Xiao Lv.
The weather was cold, and she had been drinking last night. ’If not now, when else is a person supposed to sleep in?’
She didn’t want to leave her cozy, soft nest of blankets for even a second.
After a great deal of effort, Xiao Lv only managed to uncover her head. Seeing her try to burrow back under like a little rascal, he couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation.
’When His Majesty is ruthless, he is truly ruthless. But when he acts like a scamp, he is so adorable it could melt anyone’s heart.’
"I’ve found out what happened last night," he said. "It was the granddaughter of Vice Minister Wu of the Ministry of Justice. She holds a grudge against Miss Song, so she brought that drug to humiliate her."
’Humiliated?’
’Is that all this is? That would have ruined her life.’
Xiao Yang clutched a corner of the blanket, not even bothering to open her eyes. "Tell Prime Minister Song," she said lazily. "Let them sort it out themselves."
’I don’t have the time to get involved in this mess.’
Xiao Lv replied, "That might not be possible. Prime Minister Song is outside seeking an audience with his daughter, and Vice Minister Wu has also come."
Xiao Yang’s eyes slowly opened, filled with murderous intent. "Brother," she growled, "We will have them all killed! All! Of! Them!"
Xiao Lv chuckled and placated her. "Alright, alright, we’ll kill them all. Now, can Your Majesty get out of bed?"
Xiao Yang was forced to leave her beloved Dragon Bed and change into a purple-and-gold robe. It was as magnificent and regal as ever, but the one constant feature was the fox fur trim around the collar, which made her look even more exquisite, with rosy lips and pearly-white teeth.
After a month of hard work, and with the help of Xiao Lv and Xiao Cheng, Xiao Jinsu had lived up to everyone’s expectations and become the Chief Female Officer of the Shangfu Bureau.
Now, she was in charge of all of Xiao Yang’s attire.
When preparing Xiao Yang’s winter wardrobe, she had a flash of inspiration and added a fox fur ruff to the collar. After seeing Xiao Yang wear it just once, she became obsessed. From then on, all her winter robes featured a similar fur-lined collar.
The rest of her wardrobe was just the same—designed to be as stunning as possible.
’Xiao Yang had a strong suspicion that Xiao Jinsu was treating her like a dress-up doll.’
To Xiao Jinsu, who was completely smitten: ’His Majesty, my little brother, is the cutest!’
Xiao Cheng: ’Sister, do you still want this little brother of yours?’
And Xiao Jinsu’s aesthetic sense had won widespread approval, especially among the palace maids of Zichen Palace. Every one of them felt their hearts melt at the sight of the Emperor.
Even Xiao Lv couldn’t resist committing the sacrilegious act of patting Xiao Yang on the head.
Xiao Yang got up, unhurriedly dressed and washed her face, and even finished her breakfast before she finally allowed them to enter.
"This humble minister pays his respects to Your Majesty."
"This humble servant pays her respects to Your Majesty."
Xiao Yang said, "You may rise."
The four of them rose. Prime Minister Song presented a gift he had prepared, saying, "Regarding the events of last night, I must thank Your Majesty for your timely intervention."
Song Qingyi bowed awkwardly. "This humble servant thanks Your Majesty for saving me."
Xiao Yang nodded. "Yes, We are aware."
Vice Minister Wu dropped directly to his knees. "Your Majesty, I beg your forgiveness! This old minister’s granddaughter committed such a terrible wrong. It is my failure to have taught her properly. I had her disciplined by family law last night, and she is still bedridden. I have instructed my wife and daughter-in-law to keep her under strict watch. As soon as she can walk, I will personally take her to the Song Mansion to apologize."
’His granddaughter had resorted to such a vile trick, and she had even dragged the Emperor into it.’ Vice Minister Wu was trembling with fear, terrified that the Emperor would make a move against the Wu Family.
’Although he wasn’t as corrupt as some of the others, his record was far from clean. If the Emperor truly decided to investigate, the Wu Family would be finished.’
Xiao Yang was rendered speechless. "You should be apologizing to Prime Minister Song. What does this have to do with Us?"
’She had absolutely no desire to deal with this sort of drama.’
Prime Minister Song cleared his throat. "Your Majesty... last night, everyone saw my daughter embracing you. And... she also kissed Your Majesty. In full public view, my daughter’s reputation has been ruined. This minister is willing to serve Your Majesty with unwavering loyalty until my dying day. I implore you to grant my daughter a position and to treat her kindly."
Xiao Yang felt as if she’d been struck by lightning.
’No wonder they insisted on making a scene in front of me. They want me to take responsibility!’
Xiao Yang’s eyes went wide with shock. "If We recall correctly, wasn’t *she* the one making advances on Us?"
’I’m the victim here!!!’
"Ha... Ahem!"
Xiao Yang whipped her head around to glare fiercely at Xiao Lv. ’Did he just laugh?’
Mortified, Song Qingyi kept her head bowed low. Prime Minister Song also looked somewhat embarrassed; it was, after all, his daughter who had taken liberties with the Emperor.
Prime Minister Song, who had been standing straight, finally bent into a deep bow. "Qingyi was a victim in this as well. I hope Your Majesty will take pity on her."
’Unbelievable,’ Xiao Yang thought.
’Could this get any more cliché?’
"This is the first I’ve heard of someone trying to repay a favor by demanding one in return," she muttered.
’Why did I decide to walk back last night? Why did I have to stop that guard? Wouldn’t it have been better if he’d just cut her down on the spot?’
Prime Minister Song dropped to his knees. "This minister does not wish to put Your Majesty in a difficult position. But my daughter’s reputation is in tatters. I fear she will never be able to find a suitable match now."
Xiao Yang’s temples throbbed. ’Song Qingyi takes liberties with me, but she’s the one whose reputation is ruined, and now I have to marry her?’
Xiao Yang rubbed the bridge of her nose and sighed. "Prime Minister Song, that is not the right way to look at this."
"Miss Song was the victim of a plot. She was not in her right mind. She is innocent, and so are We. You cannot marry her off to someone who doesn’t love her simply because of a few rumors. That would not be an act of love, but an act of harm."
Song Qingyi’s eyelashes fluttered. Suppressing her shyness, she lifted her head slightly to look at Xiao Yang, her eyes glistening.
’Is Your Majesty refusing me only out of consideration for my well-being?’
If Xiao Yang knew what Song Qingyi was thinking, she would have certainly retorted, ’No, it’s because I’m just a powerless eunuch.’
Xiao Yang slapped the armrest of her throne, making her decision. "Vice Minister Wu has failed in his duty to instruct his family. He is hereby demoted two ranks and shall forfeit one year’s salary. The young lady of the Wu Family will be sent to the palace to serve as a palace maid, where she will be personally re-educated by the senior matrons for three years."
"Guards! Pass down Our decree: anyone who dares to spread rumors about Us and Miss Song will be punished severely, without exception!"
Lin Yi immediately responded, "This servant will deliver the imperial edict at once!"
Xiao Yang took a deep breath, mentally patting herself on the back for her quick wit. ’My virtue is safe.’
Prime Minister Song never imagined that even after humbling himself to this degree, the Emperor would still refuse to marry Song Qingyi.
His expression was stiff and ugly. "This minister... thanks Your Majesty for your wise judgment."
Vice Minister Wu trembled uncontrollably. ’It’s over. It’s all over.’
’The Emperor only demoted me, but I’m afraid Prime Minister Song will want my life.’
He finally understood the situation. ’Prime Minister Song wanted his daughter in the palace because he was aiming for the position of Empress! Now that the Emperor has refused, the Prime Minister’s plan has failed, and he will definitely take his anger out on me!’
’He had survived the Empress Dowager’s downfall. He hadn’t been implicated when the heads of the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Rites fell. He had thought himself incredibly fortunate, but after all his scheming and calculations, he never expected his doom would be delivered by his own granddaughter.’
"You are dismissed."
Xiao Yang waved them away. ’Just looking at them is giving me a headache. Get out, get out.’
With a grim face, Prime Minister Song said, "This minister takes his leave."
The three of them walked out—one looking ashen-faced, one with a dark and gloomy expression, and one who was clearly hesitating.
Thankfully, the three of them finally departed. Gazing out at the now-empty hall, Xiao Yang felt the profound relief of someone who had just survived a catastrophe.
However, her sigh of relief was premature. Song Qingyi had turned around and come back, her eyes filled with a soft, affectionate light. "Your Majesty, there is something I wish to say to you."