Beloved Empress

Jun Qian Che looks at the guards. There is no particular expression on his face, but his voice is imposing when he says, "The Empress did a good job testing you tonight. This is a lesson for all of you. The Empress no longer has the late Emperor’s medallion. What she showed you earlier is just a regular pendant. The late Emperor’s medallion is currently in zhen’s hand. Feng Yang Palace no longer has the special medallion. From now onwards, all of you must check everyone thoroughly. Make sure they have permission to leave or enter the palace. Do not be negligent in your duties, otherwise, how could you ensure the safety of the imperial palace?"

Mo Qi Qi is a little dumbfounded when she heard Jun Qian Che. Isn’t he basically demolishing her escape route? What if she decides to escape again, in the future? How would she do it without the late Emperor’s medallion? The guards were already tricked once, now that they have been reprimanded, they will not fall for it again.

Tonight, it could be said that the guards have received a very important lesson. They kneel on the ground, "These servants were wrong. Please punish us, Your Majesty."

Seeing this, Mo Qi Qi jumps to their rescue, "Your Majesty, chenqie was just playing tricks on them. Please do not punish them."

Jun Qian Che nods, "Since the Empress has spoken, zhen will spare you this time. If this happens again, everyone will be punished." Jun Qian Che does not wish to raise people’s ire against Mo Qi Qi. If he punish them this time, they will definitely harbor hatred for Mo Qi Qi. It will make it easy for people to use them as a tool against her, in the future. And so, it is genuinely due to Mo Qi Qi that he is letting them go. Since they have gotten reprimanded, they will be more careful in the future. Someimes, kindness is better than punishment.

The guards immediately thank them in gratitude, "Thank you, Your Majesty and Your Ladyship."

And so, the matter ends just like that. Although Mo Qi Qi is a little disappointed that she failed to escape, the idea of the Empress Dowager’s toilet motivates her a little.

Mo Qi Qi did not see Jun Qian Che for the next couple of days.

There is a perilous matter that has been plaguing Jun Qian Che these past few days.

Jun Qian Che sits on the dragon chair emotionlessly, watching the red-faced ministers arguing below.

’The Marquis of Ning Nan secretly hid a dragon robe, it is clear that he has the intention to rebel. We must kill nine generations of his clan!" says one minister.

"If the Marquis of Ning Nan really has the intention to rebel, would he really keep the dragon robe so haphazardly and made it so easy for others to discover it? It is clear that someone is trying to harm him," says another.

"He is an esteemed Marquis, who on their right mind would have the guts to slander him? He clearly did it on his own!"

"If the Marquis really is terrible, he would not have let Duke Zhen and his troops ransack his residence. He even forbade his own guards from hurting Duke Zhen’s people! The Marquis of Ning Nan is innocent!"

"That is exactly what he wants you to think! Knowing that his deeds were about to be discovered, he acted like he was so upright to arouse other people’s sympathy."

Duke Zhen stands on the sideline, watching the fight with a slight smile on his face.

Realizing that the arguments are not going to end anytime soon, Chu Ling Xiao speaks up, "Please hear this Prime Minister out, fellow ministers. Arguing like this will get us nowhere, let’s listen to His Majesty’s verdict."

The ministers stop quarreling and turns towards Jun Qian Che, "Your Majesty, please investigate this matter and determine the Marquis of Ning Nan’s innocence."

"Your Majesty, the Marquis is treacherous. He must be punished!"

Jun Qian Che speaks calmly in a way that makes it hard for others to guess his thoughts, "Zhen understands this matter. Duke Zhen discovered a dragon robe in the Marquis’ keeping. However, owning a dragon robe does not means he has the intention to rebel. How did you find out about the dragon robe, Duke Zhen?"

Duke Zhen steps out before replying in a haughty manner, "Answering Your Majesty, this official received a secret report saying the Marquis of Ning Nan desires the crown. He has secretly gathered his own private army and has his own dragon robe. That’s why this official brought troops to search his residence. In the end, we did discover a dragon robe in his keeping. It is clear that the Marquis is greedy and treacherous."

Chu Ling Xiao steps out, "We have no idea who it is that reported the Marquis. Whatever it is he has to say, he should have brought it up in court. Whether it is true or not, His Majesty can make his own decision."

Duke Zhen replies him in disdain, "Since it is a secret note, it naturally does not have the sender’s name."

Chu Ling Xiao laughs, "Duke Zhen actually brought troops to search a Marquis’ residence over an anonymous letter? Without even gaining His Majesty’s approval? Don’t you think you are too bold, Duke Zhen? What if this Prime Minister also received an anonymous letter? Does that give this Prime Minister the right to search other official’s homes? Wouldn’t the country be at chaos, then?"

Duke Zhen replies him proudly, "This General is only thinking for the kingdom. This General did not notify the Emperor beforehand because this General did not wish to give the Marquis a chance to hide the dragon robe. Although this General’s approach is inadequate, it is undeniable that a dragon robe has been found at the Marquis’ residence. Please investigate the matter, Your Majesty."

A cold light flashes through Jun Qian Che’s eyes and disappears as quickly as it came. He looks at Duke Zhen before saying, "Zhen can understand Duke Zhen’s worry, zhen will not blame you. However, this matter needs to be investigated further." Jun Qian Che’s eyes fall on Jun Yue Hen, "Imperial uncle, what is your view on this matter?"

Jun Yue Hen remains indifferent and unruffled as he steps out before gently saying, "Although there is a dragon robe found, it is not enough to convict the Marquis of his crime. This matter needs to be investigated thoroughly."

Jun Qian Che raises his eyebrows, "You are of the same opinion as zhen, imperial uncle. This matter will be investigated by General Han Yi Xiao. Hopefully, we can get an answer soon."

However, Duke Zhen is still adamant on his views, "Your Majesty, this General already discovered the dragon robe inside his residence. This matter needs no further investigation."

"Convicting the Marquis over the dragon robe is not enough, people will feel dissatisfied. The Marquis of Ning Nan exerts quite an influence in Ning Nan, this matter needs to be investigated well," replies Jun Qian Che.

Duke Zhen refuses to let go, "Your Majesty, it does not matter if he has the intention to rebel or not; hiding a dragon robe itself is enough to get one killed." He looks as Jun Qian Che, as though forcing Jun Qian Che to kill the Marquis.

———————

Serene: Only the Emperor can wear the dragon robe (a robe with dragons embroidered on it.) The only other person who can wear it is the Crown Prince, but even then, the number of claws of the dragon on the Crown Prince’s robe must be less than the Emperor’s.

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