Chapter 287 - 168: Is Divine Retribution Real?
With Li Zhongxin’s announcement, the hall suddenly became chaotic.
The Empress led Princess Changle out quickly, with her long skirt brushing against the blue bricks on the ground, making a rustling sound.
"Your Majesty, this concubine greets you."
"Changle pays respects to Uncle Emperor."
Emperor Jing extended his hand to support them lightly, his fingertips trembling almost imperceptibly.
The Empress, adept at observing words and expressions, keenly noticed her husband’s unusual complexion. Thinking he was tired from court sessions, she signaled to a palace maid.
"What are you waiting for? Quickly bring the ice-chilled plum juice, and then instruct the Imperial Kitchen to prepare the meal. His Majesty will dine here today."
The palace maid bowed and turned to arrange the meal.
Princess Changle, with a gossiping face, approached Emperor Jing, telling him about last night’s excitement in the city. Her eyes, lined with kohl, were large and bright.
"Uncle, did you see the fireworks in the city last night? Those golden sparks floated down slowly like catkins, floating for a long time!" Princess Changle animatedly described with gestures.
If Han Lei were here, she would surely understand that what Princess Changle described were the parachute flares launched last night.
"Changle, come, sit down."
Emperor Jing suddenly interrupted her, his voice as dry as sandpaper rubbing together. Then, he looked towards the Empress.
"Empress, you also stop being busy. Come sit down, I have something to tell you both."
The Empress nodded and walked lightly to sit beside Emperor Jing.
Emperor Jing closed his eyes briefly.
This emperor who could decide life or death on the court now had his Adam’s apple bobbing several times before he could speak.
"An incident occurred in the city last night, you must all know. Uh... The Champion Marquis’s residence encountered a major calamity, the entire household..." He couldn’t finish, clenching his hands in his sleeves until the knuckles turned white.
"What?" Changle’s smile froze on her face.
She turned blankly to look at the Empress but saw her usually dignified aunt stagger backward, knocking over the gilded incense burner on the table.
"Aunt!"
Princess Changle hurriedly went to support her, but the Empress grabbed her wrist instead. The Empress’s nails, covered with nail polish, were deeply embedded in her flesh.
"No, it can’t be... Brother was only yesterday..." Before the Empress could finish, she burst into tears.
"Wah—"
Princess Changle’s cries also echoed.
Last night she still said, "I don’t know whose celebration it is," but unexpectedly, it was her own family’s commotion.
The hall was soon filled with the sound of crying. Emperor Jing watched the devastated aunt and niece pair before him, suddenly feeling the Dragon Robe on his body as heavy as a thousand pounds.
With the Marquis’s entire family exterminated, he didn’t know how to comfort these two.
When Princess Changle cried and demanded to return to the Marquis’s residence immediately, he almost hastily nodded to agree, not even noticing his voice had become somewhat hoarse.
"Go! Take more guards..."
Supported by a palace maid, the Empress and Princess Changle walked out of Weiyang Palace, and only after their figures disappeared did Emperor Jing dejectedly slump into the rosewood round chair.
Weiyang Palace suddenly became frighteningly quiet, with only the sound of the water clock ticking.
Emperor Jing stared at the overturned incense burner on the ground, the scattered ashes reminiscent of the ruins of the Marquis’s residence described by the Hidden Guard last night.
Just then, the Imperial Kitchen delivered the meal.
"Your Majesty, it’s time for the meal." Li Zhongxin cautiously approached.
After the eunuchs tested for poison and arranged the dishes, Emperor Jing, who hadn’t rested all night, mechanically picked up the chopsticks and ate a few bites without interest.
At this moment he wasn’t in the mood, he didn’t want to eat, only wished for some wine.
His gaze fell on the opened brocade box. The Empress just said it was wine prepared for them to drink together.
If the Champion Marquis’s residence hadn’t encountered trouble, he might have been drinking with the Empress now! But now...
"Put the wine away! Wait until the Empress returns..."
Emperor Jing waved his hand, indicating for Li Zhongxin to put the wine away, then sighed heavily, stood up, and walked out of Weiyang Palace.
The news of the Champion Marquis’s family massacre and the burning of the Su Family’s properties spread like a huge rock thrown into the calm lake, stirring up waves in the Capital City.
The streets of the Capital City were unusually lively today, with people flocking to the streets to see the commotion.
In every street and alley, at tea and meals, no one was not discussing last night’s shocking case.
And according to inside information from Jingzhao Mansion, all indications of this big case subtly pointed towards the powerful Mr. Wei’s family.
Mr. Wei had not slept since returning to his residence from the palace last night.
In the brightly lit study, he paced back and forth, his fat, hunched body casting a huge shadow on the wall.
"Investigate! Thoroughly investigate immediately!"
He slammed the table and roared, the saggy muscles on his wrinkled face trembling incessantly.
"His Majesty only gave three days, find that incompetent person for me!"
Everyone in the Prime Minister’s residence was as silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to breathe heavily.
Meanwhile, Han Lei’s Drunken Immortal Brew and Lao Yilaao Hot Pot Restaurant in the Capital City not only were unaffected but saw unprecedented bustling scenes.
People gathered in these two shops, ordered a pot of wine or hot pot, eating and chatting with great interest.
As if discussing the tragic case of the Champion Marquis’s residence made them eat and drink more flavorful.
In a private seat on the second floor of Drunken Immortal Brew, several merchant-like guests were raising their glasses.
"Have you heard?" a middle-aged man with a goatee lowered his voice, "Last night’s fire burned the Champion Marquis’s residence to the ground!"
"More than just fire!" the fat man beside him chimed in, his greasy face full of excitement, "I live in the west city. Suddenly I heard several loud bangs, even the bed was shaking!"
At the window table, several young men dressed as scholars were whispering.
"I tell you, it’s retribution," a tall, thin man sneered, "everyone knows the dirty deeds of the Champion Marquis, now it’s good..."
"Hush!" his companion quickly warned, "Be careful, walls have ears!"
In the bustling hall on the first floor, the crowd was even more lively.
The waiter weaved through the crowds, with fine beads of sweat never drying on his forehead.
Not only the hot pot restaurant and Drunken Immortal Brew, but all the shops in the streets and alleys today were the same. Tea houses, restaurants, and taverns were full to the brim.
In a small tavern, the commander of the South City Gate, Mr. Liu, was drinking with several colleagues on break.
His dark face was flushed from drinking, but he suddenly overheard the discussion at the next table.
"It’s said that this matter is inseparable from the Wei Family, done by one of Mr. Wei’s fat nephews."
A man with a sharp-mouthed, monkey-cheeked appearance said mysteriously, "My cousin works at Jingzhao Mansion and said at the scene they found..."
Mr. Liu’s hand shook suddenly, spilling wine on the wooden table.
Hearing those people talk about Mr. Wei’s fat nephew, he immediately linked it to the group leaving the city last night.
This connection frightened him, making cold sweat break out.
"Old Liu, what’s wrong?" a colleague asked with concern.
Mr. Liu abruptly stood up, his face pale.
"I... I suddenly remembered something urgent..."
He stammered, too flustered to even say goodbye, stumbling out of the tavern, heading straight for Jingzhao Mansion.
The streets were crowded with people, and the continuous chatter and shouting were endless.
But Mr. Liu couldn’t hear a word, only felt a chill on his back, as if countless eyes were watching him.
He quickened his pace, thinking to himself: If this really is related to the Wei Family, wouldn’t that mean I’m...