The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 1223 - 1223 598 Secrets of Xinyang (second update)_2

Chapter 1223: 598 Secrets of Xinyang (second update)_2 Chapter 1223: 598 Secrets of Xinyang (second update)_2 After dismounting the carriage, Xuanping Hou said to Princess Xinyang, “Chang Jing hasn’t returned from capturing people; could you trouble yourself to push a little?”

Princess Xinyang had no intention of pushing, so she found an eunuch to push him in.

Firstly, Xuanping Hou reported on the battle conditions of South Island. All the sea bandits had been wiped out, and not only that, Xuanping Hou also battled his way along the sea, expanding Zhan Country’s maritime territory by hundreds of miles.

The furthest island in the south, Jade Isle, now waved Zhan Country’s flags in the breeze.

This was an unexpected pleasure.

Honestly, the Emperor had previously muttered to Eunuch Wei, questioning why the battle in the south started first but had yet to conclude. Who would have thought that Xuanping Hou would take it upon himself to bring all the islands under Zhan Country’s control?

The Emperor could just imagine Xuanping Hou, brandishing a great saber, with one foot on the mast, imperiously looking down at the people on the island: “Surrender and be spared!”

“Your injury is not serious, is it?” the Emperor asked.

“A minor wound,” Xuanping Hou replied.

The Emperor’s gaze swept over Xuanping Hou and Princess Xinyang: “Speaking of which, how did you two come to enter the palace together?”

Xuanping Hou answered with an air of nonchalance, “Oh, last night I rested at the Princess’s place—”

Everyone was shocked.

You rested at the Princess’s place, are you two—

Princess Xinyang hurriedly changed the subject: “Your Majesty! Zhuang Grand Tutor colluded with people from Yan Country!”

“Is that so?” The Emperor’s attention was successfully diverted.

Zhuang Grand Tutor had committed so many crimes they were too numerous to document; it was impossible to explain them all in a few words. Fortunately, Xiao Hen had already written a memorial to the throne detailing his offenses overnight, which Princess Xinyang immediately presented to the Emperor.

The Emperor had already learned from Empress Xiao that Xiao Liulang was Xiao Hen and that his birth mother was a slave from Yan Country. However, going by how people from Yan Country repeatedly tried to assassinate Xiao Hen, it’s likely there was more to the story of the Yan Country slave woman.

The Emperor inquired, “Is that general from Nangong named Nangong Li? Where is he?”

Xuanping Hou replied, “Chang Jing has gone after him. His men have captured a few alive though. Does Your Majesty wish to interrogate them personally, or should I handle it?”

“You handle it,” the Emperor said.

Xuanping Hou nodded and, thinking of something, added, “Ah Hen mentioned to leave Zhuang Grand Tutor a dog’s life, the rest are at your disposal.”

With the multitude of crimes Zhuang Grand Tutor had committed, death a hundred times would be insufficient, but since Xuanping Hou personally made this request, the Emperor would not refuse him this courtesy.

However, Zhuang Grand Tutor’s official titles would certainly not be spared, and the glory of the Zhuang Clan would also be destroyed in an instant.

“Then let’s decree his family’s property be confiscated and have them exiled,” the Emperor said, reviewing the contents of Xiao Hen’s memorial. Then he added, “The blank imperial edict of the previous emperor was ruined by Zhuang Yuheng; he has also made a significant contribution, so exempt him from punishment.”

Princess Xinyang commented, “That child has changed ever since he got to know Ah Hen; he’s different from before.”

“Mainly because our son has been taught well. This is called ‘you are influenced by the company you keep’,” Xuanping Hou said, rarely flaunting his literary knowledge.

And Princess Xinyang, for once, didn’t take issue with his use of “our”.

The Emperor was confused. Were the two of them so tirelessly praising their son?

“The Empress misses you. Go and see her in Kunning Palace later,” the Emperor told Xuanping Hou.

“Yes.”

After coming out from Huaqing Palace, Princess Xinyang planned to leave the palace.

Xuanping Hou, sitting in his wheelchair, called out to her: “Aren’t you going to see Xiaoqi?”

Qin Chuyu had been poisoned. Although cured, he was still in convalescence.

Just as Empress Xiao might not like Princess Xinyang but still dearly loved her son Xiao Hen, Princess Xinyang also dearly loved Qin Chuyu.

Princess Xinyang thought it over and decided it was better to go together with Xuanping Hou than to go alone. At the very least, she would not have to face off with Empress Xiao.

The two, along with Yujin and a eunuch to push the wheelchair, went to Kunning Palace.

Empress Xiao, upon seeing her brother confined to a wheelchair, thought he had become disabled and couldn’t hold back her tears.

Princess Xinyang thought of Empress Dowager Zhuang; both of them entered the palace and became empresses. Zhuang Jinse was no longer Zhuang Jinse, but Xiao Shuyu would always remain the maiden she was before her marriage.

Is this what it looked like to have someone to back you up and protect you?

Empress Xiao’s cries were punctuated with hiccups. She was messy with snot and tears, willful and unrestrained.

Sitting in the wheelchair, Xuanping Hou leaned back in disgust: “Xiao Shuyu, you look hideous!”

Xuanping Hou decided to ignore this sister of his, who had been so prone to tears ever since they were children!

He had himself taken to see Qin Chuyu.

With her brother gone, Empress Xiao immediately stopped crying.

“Why did you stop crying?” Princess Xinyang asked.

Empress Xiao answered, “Why should I keep crying? My brother isn’t here anymore, am I supposed to cry for you?”

Princess Xinyang thought about it and said, “You and your brother have a very good relationship.”