Chapter 123: Settling the Scores!

As those words left her lips, Shangguan Qingyun’s expression instantly turned ghastly.

He never expected his daughter—a girl he had always deemed weak and indecisive—to be so resolute today. Nor did he expect the Empress Regnant to reach a conclusion with such clinical finality!

He had originally thought that playing the emotional card would make his daughter change her mind. He never imagined his schemes would backfire so spectacularly, leaving him hoisted by his own petard.

The rest of the Shangguan family watched this absurd scene in a state of stunned disbelief.

It was true that when the Chancellor had announced the severance of ties before the ancestral hall, they had all cheered in secret. However, in their hearts, they never actually intended to break away from Shangguan Liqian permanently.

Their plan was simple: frighten her with the threat of abandonment until she came crawling back in tears. Once she was desperate, they could open their mouths wide like lions, demanding exorbitant benefits and favors in exchange for “forgiveness.”

They never intended for Shangguan Liqian to actually leave the family!

Even Madam Shangguan’s eyes were filled with a profound, mournful sorrow.

Of course, her grief was not for Shangguan Liqian. It was for her eldest daughter, Shangguan Qinglan, who had been utterly discarded by the family’s patriarch.

The Madam had hoped that if Liqian returned to the family fold, she could be persuaded to beg the Empress for mercy. That way, her own daughter might still have a chance at a decent end.

Who could have guessed that the once-submissive Shangguan Liqian would be so decisive today?

The Shangguan family’s collective misery, looking as though they were mourning at a funeral, drew many gloating and disdainful looks from the surrounding courtiers.

These people wanted the material benefits and the prestige of the family name, yet they also wanted to save face. How could such a perfect deal exist in this world?

Now, they had truly shot themselves in the foot. They had brought this upon themselves, and they deserved every bit of it!

Before the Shangguan family could even process this reality, Luo Wushuang’s face chilled as she spoke again.

“Since that matter is resolved, let us move on to the next. Let us discuss the Chancellor’s daughter framing the future Empress and sowing chaos within the inner palace.”

Panic flared visibly in the eyes of everyone in the Shangguan clan.

If this charge was officially laid down, the entire family would be implicated. Previously, they hadn’t taken the threat seriously, certain that Liqian would plead for her kin.

But now that the ties were severed, would Shangguan Liqian still interfere?

Thinking of this, the entire Shangguan brood turned their gazes toward Liqian, who was being cradled carefully and protectively in the Empress’s arms.

They told themselves that even if the relationship was severed on paper, they were still flesh and blood. Liqian couldn’t possibly sit by and watch them burn.

Leaning against Luo Wushuang, Shangguan Liqian didn’t spare a single glance for the predators who still hoped to suck her blood. She merely noted how Luo Wushuang’s lips were pressed thin with lingering rage.

Liqian spoke in a soft, fragile voice, “I thank Your Majesty for seeking justice on my behalf.”

Her words were both a rejection of her family and a reminder to everyone present: she was the one who had been framed. Regardless of whether Shangguan Qinglan’s plot had succeeded, Liqian remained the primary victim.

Therefore, she had every right to refuse to show mercy to those who had tried to destroy her.

The people present were all as shrewd as foxes; none failed to grasp the subtext of Liqian’s words. However, no one felt her stance was inappropriate.

Even Luo Wushuang, though she knew her “Sister” was playing a part, couldn’t help but feel a surge of protective tenderness seeing her look so pitiable.

Luo Wushuang instinctively tightened her grip on Liqian’s hand. Her phoenix eyes were filled with an affectionate promise. “Since I have given my heart to you, Sister, I will ensure your safety from this day forward.”

So, even without the Shangguan family—even without those so-called relatives—you have no need to fear.

I will protect you forever.

The crowd of onlookers, forced to witness this overwhelming display of imperial affection, felt as though they were being stuffed with “dog food.” Between bites of the couple’s romance, they continued to shoot looks of pure contempt at the Shangguan family.

First, they shouted about severing ties, and now that they can’t handle the consequences, they pathetically hope for help? Shameless! Truly shameless!

Stung by the biting glares of the crowd, Shangguan Qingyun slowly lowered his head. His back, usually held ramrod straight, finally began to slump.

Too much had happened today. He found himself unable to cope.

Compared to the public exposure of Shangguan Qinglan’s scandals, what he found most unbearable was the reality of Liqian severing ties with him.

Even though he was the one who had proposed it.

He was the father. He was the one who had given Liqian life. And clearly, he had regretted the decision later. He had only hesitated for a moment out of pride—how had things spiraled to this point?

While Shangguan Qingyun was lost in his daze, Luo Wushuang’s gaze swept over him. She barked out a cold reprimand.

“Chancellor Shangguan, you have failed to discipline your household, leading to such a scandalous disgrace. What punishment do you think you deserve?”

Shangguan Qingyun’s body shuddered. Cold sweat poured down his temples, soaking his sideburns. He knew that begging for mercy would be futile at this moment. He could only prostrate himself on the ground, his voice trembling.

“This subject has committed a capital offense. I await Your Majesty’s judgment.”

Luo Wushuang surveyed the room and declared, “Shangguan Qinglan, daughter of the Chancellor, has defiled the inner palace and offended the Imperial presence. This is the crime of Great Irreverence. According to the law, she shall be executed by beheading!”

As soon as the command fell, the Golden Guards entered the hall. They used tattered bedsheets to drag the unconscious Shangguan Qinglan out from the inner chambers. Just as the lead guard drew his blade to give her a swift end, Luo Wushuang stopped him with a single look.

The captain of the Golden Guard paused. His eyes flickered toward the young lady standing beside the Empress. Realizing the Empress didn’t want a bloodbath right here, he quickly sheathed his sword and dragged the prisoner away from the scene instead.