bookcurios Chapter 9 Crisis Escalation
Chapter 9 Crisis Escalation
Since the banquet, Su Yao and Xuan Yuanche's relationship has been quietly warming up, but this has also put her in a more dangerous situation. Seeing that one plan had failed, Lin Wanqing and Consort Li devised another: they decided to start with Su Yao's family, attempting to deliver a fatal blow.
Lin Wanqing secretly sent people to investigate the Prime Minister's residence, attempting to find incriminating evidence. Finally, they discovered that the Prime Minister had been falsely accused of embezzlement and bribery by a treacherous official while handling a state affair. Consort Li, using her influence in the palace, embellished the story and informed the Emperor. Upon hearing this, the Emperor was furious and ordered the entire Prime Minister's residence placed under house arrest for a thorough investigation.
When Su Yao learned of this news, she was extremely anxious. She knew that her father had always been an upright official and must have been framed. However, she was trapped in the palace and could not return to the manor to help him immediately. She found Xuan Yuanche, her eyes filled with anxiety and helplessness: "Your Highness, my father must have been framed by villains. I beg Your Highness to help me and clear my father's name."
Xuan Yuanche gently held Su Yao's hand and comforted her, "Su Yao, don't panic. I will do my best to investigate this matter and give the Prime Minister justice." After saying that, Xuan Yuanche used his connections to secretly investigate the case of the Prime Minister being framed.
Su Yao didn't sit idly by in the palace; she decided to find a breakthrough by observing Consort Li and Lin Wanqing. She secretly observed their every move and discovered that Lin Wanqing was in close contact with a mysterious young eunuch. Su Yao found this suspicious and had Cui'er secretly follow the eunuch.
Cui'er returned and reported that the young eunuch frequently entered and exited a secluded palace, seemingly delivering some message. Su Yao's heart stirred, and she decided to investigate herself. One late night, avoiding everyone's attention, she secretly arrived near the palace.
Through the window, Su Yao saw Lin Wanqing talking to a man dressed in black. The man's voice was deep: "Miss Lin, the information you provided about the Prime Minister is very useful. After it's done, our master will definitely reward you handsomely." Lin Wanqing smiled and said, "I'll do anything as long as I can get rid of Su Yao. You must make sure the Prime Minister's mansion falls completely."
Su Yao was furious; it turned out this was all their conspiracy. She carefully left and then informed Xuan Yuanche of the news. Upon learning this, Xuan Yuanche accelerated his investigation and finally found crucial evidence proving that the Prime Minister had been framed, and that the mastermind was a treacherous court official who had colluded with Consort Li and Lin Wanqing.
When the emperor finally uncovered the truth hidden behind the layers of mystery, his rage burned like an uncontrollable raging fire. Those treacherous officials who had blinded him and deceived his trust now had nowhere to hide. The emperor punished these officials with overwhelming force; some were dismissed from their posts and investigated, others were exiled to the frontier, and some, whose crimes were most heinous, were even executed.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister's residence, which had been under house arrest, saw the light at the end of the tunnel. The Emperor personally ordered the restoration of the Prime Minister's reputation and expressed deep remorse for the injustices he had suffered. This act not only moved the Prime Minister to tears of gratitude but also inspired many loyal ministers and generals in the court.
However, the turmoil did not end there. Lin Wanqing and Consort Li, as key figures in the incident, naturally could not escape punishment. Lin Wanqing, a woman who once wielded immense power in the palace through her cunning and maneuvering, was now ruthlessly stripped of her official position. She was forced to leave the palace that had once bestowed upon her countless honors and power, and from then on, she lived a life of constant wandering.
As for Consort Li, although she was spared her life due to her family background, she was severely punished—demoted and confined to the Cold Palace. Her former glory vanished in an instant, leaving her only to regret her past actions alone within the desolate palace walls.
Having survived this ordeal, Su Yao and Xuan Yuanche's bond deepened. However, Su Yao also understood that danger could strike again at any moment in the palace. She needed to continuously improve her strength and wisdom to better protect herself and her family, and to truly turn the tide in the palace intrigues. And with each trial, her relationship with Xuan Yuanche grew stronger and more unbreakable. Together, they would face future challenges and write their own legendary story.