Chapter 72: Defenses Breached Part 2

Yuan Man had heard the name Xu Ke before—back when she had just taken office at the north gate. He was the upright leader of a prestigious sect, someone even His Majesty treated with some respect. Now that his true face was revealed, it was utterly ugly.

She immediately agreed. “I understand. I’ll head to the yamen shortly and order notices posted. I’ll also notify General Huangfu at the Border City to stay vigilant… but…” She paused, a barely perceptible hesitation. She seemed to recall that Xu Ke was Wei Lingci’s master—like a father. If they encountered Xu Ke resisting, would they kill or show mercy?

Wei Lingci’s long lashes trembled rapidly. She said coldly, “If he resists, kill him. Bring his head back to the Imperial Capital.”

Such ruthless words stunned Yuan Man. She forgot to swallow her porridge and hurriedly nodded. Glancing at Xun Changqing, she saw her expression calm and unchanged. Clearly, much had happened in the Imperial Capital—she just needed to follow orders.

She added, “Since you’re leaving tomorrow, I’ll book a table at the tavern tonight to see you off.”

Yuan Man had official duties and couldn’t linger. After a few words, she headed to the yamen.

Wei Lingci slowly sipped her porridge. The two fell silent for a long time. Xun Changqing had words weighing on her heart, feeling guilty toward the Emperor. She said softly, “His Majesty is a wise ruler. No matter how many mistakes Xun Yiran made, he’s still his son. Pass this message to the Wise Consort: let the Empress bear all the blame. That way, Xun Yiran’s crimes won’t warrant death.”

“Changqing, why spare Xun Yiran? Don’t you know that mercy to the enemy is cruelty to yourself?”

Wei Lingci lowered her eyes, avoiding Xun Changqing’s fervent gaze. Xun Changqing felt uneasy. She had no great ambitions; she just wanted a peaceful life. But His Majesty had said he didn’t suspect Xun Yi precisely because they shared the Xun surname. Great Qi wasn’t one man’s world—Xun Yi came first, then Xun Ziqian.

His Majesty’s meaning was that they were of the same root—why must kin torment each other so fiercely?

Xun Changqing’s eyes softened with emotion. “Xun Yiran has no chance left; he can’t achieve anything. Sparing his life changes nothing.”

“Changqing, your father won’t spare him. Better to eliminate the root now while he has committed wrongs, rather than killing him after ascending and earning infamy. Letting him go is inviting disaster.”

No emperor wanted to invite trouble. Once Xun Yi ascended, Xun Yiran as the Previous Emperor’s son could influence his reputation with every word and action. Killing or sparing him would both be problematic. Better to resolve it while His Majesty still lived.

No one could predict the years ahead. Xun Yi was poised to succeed and wouldn’t let him go lightly.

Xun Changqing understood this better than anyone. She hated Xun Yiran too—the punishments from her past life still haunted her. But with His Majesty trusting her so much, how could she disappoint him?

“Actually, there is a way.” Xun Yisu suddenly spoke from outside the door, slowly walking in with a faint smile on her lips. “Actually, as long as the Empress insists she had nothing to do with Xun Yiran—or that she was coerced by him—or even takes her own life in Changle Palace, dead men tell no tales, and Xun Yiran can be saved.”

If Shao Yun took her own life in Changle Palace, there would be two outcomes. First, it could be seen as her dying out of guilt, admitting all crimes—somewhat forced, but with her dead, further pursuit was pointless. Second, some might suspect murder, splashing dirty water on the rising Pingnan Prince’s Mansion. To protect his reputation, Xun Yi wouldn’t push for total extermination.

Wei Lingci fell silent, stirring her already cold porridge. Xun Changqing glanced at her. “You disagree?”

“Miss Wei disagrees because she’s also worried Xun Yiran might rise from the ashes later,” Xun Yisu said as she approached and sat in Yuan Man’s former spot, sneering. “The Shao Family is ruined, and Xun Yiran has lost power, but he’s still a prince—people will always pay attention. Like Miss Wei, I believe he can’t be spared.”

Xun Yisu spoke softly, but in the summer heat, her words carried a bone-chilling cold. “Keeping Xun Yiran is like keeping a knife at our throats. My father is kind-hearted—a benevolent and wise ruler—but how many unborn children did Shao Yun kill? I’m lucky to be a girl; otherwise, I wouldn’t have survived. But Xun Yiran is a spoiled playboy, ruthless and unambitious. Better to kill him this time.”

Wei Lingci kept her head down, her voice even lower. “It seems you have a perfect solution, Asu.”

Xun Changqing’s heart raced with anxiety. Everyone wanted Xun Yiran dead—it was his own fault for so much evil. She listened to Xun Yisu’s “perfect” plan: “Why not confine him in his residence and have him accompany His Majesty when he passes? That would be perfect.”

It was still deceiving His Majesty, but Xun Changqing knew it was the tide of events, leaving her no choice. She could only agree for now and figure something out later.

She gave Xun Yisu an extra glance. Another thousand-year-old fox. No wonder she came up with that method on their wedding night.

That evening, Yuan Man booked a banquet at the Welcoming Guest Tower in Ji Province. It was the same group as yesterday, but Yun Shen’s complexion was off—her eyes trembled whenever she looked at Yuan Man. Perhaps Yuan Man was still holding a grudge from last night. Yun Shen had no one to blame but herself for leading the wall-listening.

It was very quiet today; no wine cups were on the table. In the modestly sized private room, the group sat together. Xun Changqing didn’t like drinking anyway, and with travel tomorrow, it suited her perfectly.

With the window open, the stuffy air in the room dissipated greatly.

A half-sliver of crescent moon hung from the treetops. The soft moonlight filtered through the window lattice, some of it falling on Wei Lingci—like silver water, adding a touch of gentleness.