In Love With My Fierce Farming Wife!
Chapter 1179 - 1091: Releasing the Tiger Back to the Mountains Invites Endless Troubles!

Chapter 1179: Chapter 1091: Releasing the Tiger Back to the Mountains Invites Endless Troubles!

"What else can be done but to handle it officially as it should be? There, don’t worry about these matters anymore. Close your eyes and rest for a bit."

Qin Yi had long since made up his mind.

Initially when Qin Feimo was punished with the decree of "abdicating in favor of a more able person," he hadn’t ascended to the throne. By the time he exterminated Qin Zitong and took control of Shengjing, with the full support of State Duke Hwa—who had secretly discussed terms with him not for his own sake, but to plead on behalf of Qin Feimo—

When he became emperor, he fulfilled his promise and granted Qin Feimo the title of "Virtuous King," and even returned to him the territories once under Qin Feimo’s jurisdiction. Thus, although Qin Feimo was the Virtuous King, he was effectively still the local emperor! In actuality, his power was not less than before.

Yet still, he harbored rebellion.

Now, it was no longer a matter of personal grudges; he had already sent for State Duke Hwa to enter the palace to discuss matters.

Back then, State Duke Hwa and Old Mrs. Xue had pleaded together on behalf of Jun Ruochen, using the jade token bestowed by the founding emperor of Great Zhou. One wonders what terms State Duke Hwa, without the jade token, could now offer in exchange for preserving Qin Feimo’s life.

Su Pan’er softly acknowledged and closed her eyes.

Qin Yi massaged her for a good while longer until her breathing gradually became steady; only then did he stand up.

But unexpectedly, Su Pan’er caught hold of the edge of his robe: "Your Majesty, could you... spare the Virtuous King’s life? After all... in the past, he did save this concubine’s life several times."

In the past, when Su Sikong plotted and ensnared her and the entire Su Family, they barely escaped with their lives at the grocery market, about to be beheaded. It was Qin Feimo who interceded, and by dispatching Ye Han in time, they were able to save her and her family’s lives.

"You wish to spare him?"

Qin Yi’s dark, thick eyebrows shot up, and a wave of killing intent began to spread from his heart.

"This concubine has no such intention."

Su Pan’er offered a bitter smile; how did this man get riled up so suddenly: "Your Majesty, he was unkind and unjust to us, yet if we spare his life, you could demote him to a commoner, banish him to a remote and frigid land as an act of returning hatred with kindness. The world would surely praise Your Majesty’s mercy! Commend Your Majesty for not only keeping your promises but also having the capacity to forgive! It would also prevent chilling the hearts of the civil and military officials of the court."

"Ha, I fear it is like releasing a tiger back to its mountain, inviting endless trouble!"

Qin Yi was unyielding.

Su Pan’er did not give up: "But Your Majesty..."

"Enough!"

Qin Yi, growing impatient once again, cut off her words and gave her a deep look: "Pan’er, this empire was conquered by us together. As long as I can sit securely on this throne, I can protect you for another day. If Qin Feimo could stab me in the back once, he could do so a second time! I don’t wish to fall into the same pit twice. Do you understand my meaning?"

He still remembered how he had risked his life to save Qin Feimo, who was tied above a trap.

He wasn’t injured during the rescue, having trusted him completely, entrusting his back to the emperor who he saw as good as his own nephew. Instead, he received a stab in the back from the other.

That stab was cold to the bone!

That stab had already become his heart demon!

He had wandered close to the Gates of Hell several times before Pan’er saved him, allowing him to survive.

In the dead of night, how many times had he been jolted awake by nightmares, where in those dreams, a dark figure with an indistinct face wields a shiny dagger, thrusting it towards his back...

He would always be startled awake, yet there was no one he could confide in.

Everyone harbors a secret in their heart, a secret they wish no one else to know, and this secret he did not even wish to share with Pan’er. He didn’t want to expose his vulnerability in front of her.

Originally, due to the circumstances, he had agreed to State Duke Hwa’s terms, to treat the Virtuous King generously.

But now, it was the Virtuous King who had taken the initiative to cause trouble, tearing up the agreement from those years past. Now, it was his turn to make a move!

A determined look flashed in his eyes, a look Su Pan’er caught. She moved her mouth but, in the end, chose not to dissuade him any further. Weary, she closed her eyes. She understood his habits, and his eyes told her that he had made up his mind.

Why did she still hope that Qin Feimo would continue to live?

After he had done such things.

Su Pan’er was at a loss!

State Duke Hwa arrived promptly; that very night, Qin Yi summoned him. Midway through, he also summoned Ye Han and Old Mrs. Xue separately. What the few of them discussed in the Imperial Study, outsiders could not tell. It was not until the morning court session the following day that State Duke Hwa left the Imperial Study. Leaving with a hunched back and a soulless demeanor, he did not attend the morning court session and seemed to have aged ten years.

Afterward, His Majesty summoned several ministers on short notice.

At the morning court session, as expected, someone presented a memorial accusing the Virtuous King of being involved in a conspiracy during the Lantern Festival evening, causing an uproar among the Civil and Military Officials!

Instantly, the court split into several factions, each engaging in endless debate.

Some supported the Virtuous King, arguing that the accusation of his conspiracy was groundless, lacking evidence, and that the Virtuous King had neither motive nor evidence to plot a coup. Others supported His Majesty, believing that the Virtuous King was deceiving the world and concealing his name, and even if there wasn’t sufficient evidence, it still suggested the Virtuous King’s wolfish ambitions, and His Majesty should take precautions beforehand. There were also those wavering in the middle, trying to please both sides, unwilling to offend anyone...

The various factions each held to their own opinions, bickering and clamoring much like a grocery market.

Even by the time the morning court session was dismissed, they had not reached a conclusion.

This continued for several days, and King Xian Qin Feimo was put under strict surveillance, with no visitors permitted.

After much deliberation, His Majesty ordered King Ye to preside over the case, but he recused himself on the grounds of "avoiding suspicion." Ultimately, Marquis Zhongyong became the presiding official of the case.

When Marquis Zhongyong learned of this news, he was so shocked he couldn’t come back to his senses for a long while, the bitterness in his heart untold to anyone.

But with the Imperial Decree issued, he had no choice but to follow through, despite his reluctance.

Since the Spring Imperial Civil Service Examination was approaching, Marquis Zhongyong petitioned His Majesty to postpone the trial, hoping to resolve it after the examinations were over.

Qin Yi thought about how the first day of the Spring Imperial Civil Service Examination was on the ninth day of the second lunar month, indeed not the time to try the Virtuous King, and after a brief pondering, he agreed.

When Su Pan’er learned of this, she couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Taking advantage of the night when the two of them were resting together, she brought up Qin Feimo’s case with Qin Yi.

"Actually, saying that Qin Feimo plotted a coup, there really isn’t solid evidence. What His Majesty relies on is nothing more than the words Qin Feimo spoke in the side palace hall. I’ve thought about it carefully, as the Virtuous King, does Qin Feimo not know which words should be said and which should not?"

"But he said them anyway. And he was thorough in his confession. As if he was earnestly seeking death! It’s truly too strange. Could it be that there are matters we have not investigated thoroughly?"

Qin Yi interrupted her directly, and immediately stood up, "I have said before, you should no longer concern yourself with this kind of state affairs."