The emperor was startled by the words and, without sparing another thought for Consort Xue, rushed out of the imperial study.
Outside the hall, Old Madam Cao knelt on the ground, and beside her on a stretcher lay the still-unconscious Cao Yang!
"Your Majesty!"
Seeing him emerge, Old Madam Cao raised her voice and kowtowed heavily, her forehead striking the ground. "This old woman is senile and ignorant of propriety. Today, I come before Your Majesty to beg for a swift and decisive judgment upon the Cao family!"
The emperor was taken aback. Yin Shun, standing nearby, quickly interjected with a forced smile, "Old Madam Cao, what do you mean by this? His Majesty has always shown the Cao family nothing but favor and grace—"
"Favor? Indeed! My son lies gravely ill, and His Majesty ordered the imperial physicians to attend to him, bestowing countless gifts to ensure the Cao family's comfort for life. Precisely because of this, this old woman cannot bear to trouble Your Majesty further. Since my son has no hope of recovery and can no longer serve the throne, I implore Your Majesty to issue an edict condemning the Cao family and restoring peace to the capital!"
With that, she kowtowed again, the dull thud sending a chill through the hearts of all present. The emperor's expression darkened.
He understood her implication all too well—there was no room for negotiation.
Either the Xue family would live, and the Cao family would perish, or...
His thoughts shifted, and he spoke coldly, "Are you all deaf? Help Old Madam Cao up at once!"
Yin Shun scrambled forward, but just then, Xue Gui was also brought out in custody. Hearing the emperor's words, he exclaimed gleefully, "Your Majesty! Since the Cao family has confessed, swiftly pass judgment upon them!"
Consort Xue, who had followed behind, stiffened and covered her face.
The emperor's icy gaze turned to Xue Gui. "Pass judgment upon them?"
"Yes, Your Majesty! This old hag has admitted guilt, so there’s no need for hesitation! Charge her with failing to manage her household and allowing her family to assault a royal relative—didn’t her daughter-in-law strike me and injure my eye? Punish her with this crime!" Xue Gui spoke with righteous indignation, as if seeing a glimmer of hope.
Shi Hong and the others couldn’t bear to watch, their shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.
Perfect. They had worried Consort Xue might resort to underhanded tactics, but now there was no need.
With Xue Gui digging his own grave like this, no one could save him!
As expected, the emperor paced slowly toward him. "Failing to manage her household... assaulting a royal relative... Very well. You’ve prepared the Cao family’s charges. But what of your own crimes?"
Xue Gui froze. The next moment, two sharp slaps rang out—Yin Shun, grinning, had struck himself twice before retreating.
"Abducting another man’s wife, violating an official’s family, causing a miscarriage, and ensuring my top-ranking minister and key advisor is left without an heir! For this alone, I cannot spare you!"
The emperor had made up his mind. On one side was a troublemaking brother-in-law, and on the other, the family of a loyal minister who had endured grievances yet still considered his position. Even a ruler’s heart was made of flesh—how could he turn a blind eye?
Moreover, Cao Yang’s suffering was ultimately caused by the emperor’s own sister. The imperial family had already wronged him enough; they could not afford to let the Cao family grow disillusioned!
"Guards! Strip Xue Gui of his title as Marquis Chengen and reduce him to a commoner. From today onward, he is banished to the northern border, never to return! As for the Xue family’s failure to discipline their son, I hereby revoke the marquisate granted by the late emperor..." He glanced at Consort Xue, her face streaked with tears, and hardened his heart. "In consideration of their having raised an imperial consort, their lives shall be spared, but their punishment remains. They shall accompany Xue Gui to the northern border!"
Consort Xue’s heart sank.
The northern border—what kind of place was that? A land of bitter cold and savagery, plagued by the ruthless Rong tribes. How could her mother and brother survive there?
Yet seeing the emperor’s resolute expression, she knew there was no room for appeal...
"Your Majesty!"
Steeling herself, Consort Xue knelt.
The emperor’s face darkened. "Consort, do you dare plead for the Xue family now?"
He didn’t even call her "beloved consort"—a clear sign of his displeasure.
But Consort Xue had no choice. She had to gamble. "Your Majesty, this concubine would never defy your will. But with the Fifth Prince gone, and now my mother and brother exiled, leaving me alone holds no meaning. I beg Your Majesty to permit me to accompany my family to the northern border and atone with them!"
She kowtowed fiercely, her fair forehead instantly reddening.
The emperor’s heart ached at the sight. "Nonsense! The Xue family is the Xue family, and you are you. When did I say you would be implicated?"
Consort Xue remained silent, her forehead pressed to the ground.
The emperor hesitated, but then Yan Zheng spoke. "Your Majesty."
Seeing his savior, the emperor brightened. "Does the Chief Grand Secretary have a solution?"
"I dare not call it a solution," Yan Zheng said with a slight bow. "In truth, given Marquis Chengen’s crimes, banishment to the northern border is excessively harsh..."
Xue Gui gaped. Consort Xue stared at him in disbelief.
What did he mean?
Was he actually pleading for them?
Old Madam Cao, however, remained composed. "Then may I ask the Chief Grand Secretary, what punishment would be fitting?"
Yan Zheng nodded faintly and turned to the emperor. "Your Majesty, I once heard an amusing tale about Marquis Chengen and his protégé Zhang Ji—a romantic affair, it was said. The two were so deeply enamored that they lost control during the Xue family’s adoption ceremony. Since that is the case, why not grant them their wish? This would ensure Marquis Xue no longer pines for his former wife, whom he has severed ties with. What does Your Majesty think?"
The emperor paused, then laughed. "Brilliant!"
He had heard of Zhang Ji’s scandal but dismissed it as baseless gossip. Who knew it would prove useful now?
If Xue Gui were bound to a man, he’d have no time to harass his ex-wife...
"Your Majesty! Absolutely not!"
Xue Gui’s face turned ashen as he kowtowed frantically. "That little beast Zhang Ji despises me! If I fall into his hands, I’ll suffer endlessly!"
This was no joke—after the incident, Xue Gui had tortured Zhang Ji relentlessly in prison, even arranging for inmates to assault him. Zhang Ji had sworn vengeance, vowing to make him pay if he ever got out...
Panicked, Xue Gui cried, "I’ll go to the northern border! I’ll go!"
Consort Xue paled, but the emperor barked, "Enough! Consort Xue pleaded precisely to spare you that fate. Since the Chief Grand Secretary has proposed a compromise, we shall follow his suggestion. Guards—"
Everyone bowed as the emperor declared, "Grant Xue Gui and Zhang Ji a marital bond! Henceforth, they shall share a residence, its gates locked. None may open them unless Consort Xue visits!"
This even prevented the Xue family from scheming in secret!
Xue Gui fainted on the spot. Though Consort Xue pitied him, this sacrifice spared the rest of her family.
She knelt again. "This concubine thanks Your Majesty!"
The emperor nodded, then turned to the Cao family. "Does this judgment satisfy you?"
Old Madam Cao and Old Censor Wang exchanged glances before bowing in unison. "We thank Your Majesty!"
Though the scoundrel wasn’t expelled from the capital, being bound to Zhang Ji for life was a far crueler fate than exile!
Yan Zheng stepped forward and saluted. "Your Majesty’s impartial justice, even against your own kin, is a blessing to our great Xia dynasty!"
Shi Hong and the others echoed in admiration.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
"This is truly a blessing for our Great Xia!"
The emperor felt a surge of pride, recalling his own words about "fair rewards and punishments." Indeed, the punishments had been dealt—but what of the rewards?
