Chapter 146: Marquis Xuanwu Arrested
Listening to the street discussions about Marquis Liu's incident, Yun Chu felt somewhat dazed.
In her previous life, Marquis Liu's scandal wasn't exposed until early September. This time, it had been advanced by nearly half a month, likely due to some intervention by her father and eldest brother.
Commoners believed Marquis Liu had lost decorum before the emperor and offended the imperial dignity, leading to his beheading.
In truth, after court dismissal, Marquis Liu was caught by the emperor in an illicit relationship with a consort from the rear palace. No man could tolerate wearing a green hat, let alone a sovereign ruler. The emperor immediately drew the long blade from his guard's hand and decapitated Marquis Liu without another word.
The emperor, being advanced in age and lacking strength, reportedly needed multiple strikes before Marquis Liu's neck was severed...
As royal scandals couldn't be publicly disclosed, only a select few were aware of the truth.
Distrusting others to handle Marquis Liu's affairs, the emperor specifically assigned her father to manage the case. After establishing a series of charges, the first action was to confiscate the marquis' estate.
And the letter she had written in Marquis Xuanwu's name lay prominently on Marquis Liu's study desk.
The letter's content was simple: "...I know something about the affair between the Marquis and Consort Tian. If you wish me to remain silent, prepare ten thousand taels of silver and deliver it to Marquis Xuanwu's residence..."
Knowing about a royal scandal and using it for blackmail was something the emperor would never tolerate. The Xuanwu Marquis household would soon disappear from the capital.
Yun Chu's expression remained cold.
In her previous life, she had died without knowing that her wedding night had been with someone else.
Having destroyed her life, yet still wanting to enjoy being Marquis Xuanwu freely—with a virtuous wife at home and charming concubines outside—was nothing but a fantasy!
Just as Yun Chu finished discussing the detailed sketches with the craftsmen, she saw a large troop of soldiers passing through the streets toward Marquis Xuanwu's residence.
Soon after, the officers escorted Marquis Xuanwu through the streets.
Countless commoners buzzed with discussion.
"What's happening today? First Marquis Liu has trouble, now Marquis Xuanwu too?"
"Marquis Liu lost decorum before the emperor, but what crime did Marquis Xuanwu commit for such a public arrest?"
"Who knows what's going on..."
Qin Mingheng, being escorted, was equally confused.
Since divorcing Luo Shi, he had become the subject of mockery in capital conversations. To avoid being laughed at, he hadn't attended court for many days, staying home to accompany Chiniang and read the Four Books and Five Classics to the child in her womb.
He had just heard servants discussing Marquis Liu's incident, shocked that a marquis would dare have an affair with an imperial consort, when soldiers stormed into his residence and arrested him.
Since inheriting his title, he had always followed rules strictly, never stepping out of line. He truly couldn't understand what crime he had committed to be detained so publicly, paraded through streets to the magistrate's office—what would become of the Xuanwu Marquis household's reputation!
Raising his head, he spotted a face he had longed for day and night among the dense crowd.
It was Yun Chu!
In that instant, he suddenly understood why he had fallen into such circumstances.
It was her... using the Yun family's influence to fabricate false charges against him... all to retaliate for that wedding night!
She had been his cherished crush since youth. He had adored her for so many years, willing to sacrifice anything for her.
Yet she wished for his death.He gazed at Yun Chu, seeing the cold indifference in her eyes, the satisfaction she took in this. His heart felt as if it were being slowly sliced by a knife, the pain excruciating.
That night, it clearly wasn't him, so why should he bear the brunt of her revenge?
Qin Mingheng suddenly began to struggle violently. The two officers could barely restrain him, nearly letting him escape.
"Let me go!" he roared furiously.
The two officers ignored him, forcefully escorting him through the bustling street.
Qin Mingheng stared fixedly in Yun Chu's direction.
He had committed no crime—these baseless accusations would never hold up in court. He would surely be acquitted and released!
When that time came, he would personally ask this woman if she even had a heart!
Yun Chu watched as Qin Mingheng was taken away, her expression largely unchanged.
The next morning, she heard that Luo Shi, who had been divorced by Marquis Xuanwu, had beaten the grievance drum and accused her former husband of corresponding with remnants of convicted officials, presenting crucial evidence.
The court had already been gathering evidence against Marquis Xuanwu, and Luo Shi's move dealt a fatal blow.
The court directly issued an edict: revoking the title of Marquis Xuanwu, confiscating all private assets of the marquis' estate, and exiling all male descendants within three generations, including Qin Mingheng, three thousand li away.
The previous generation of the marquis' estate had already passed away, and the next generation consisted only of Qin Mingheng and the sole legitimate son born to Luo Shi.
In this dynasty, when a couple separated, children were generally awarded to the father. However, because Luo Shi's accusation had contributed to the case and the legitimate son was still young, the court made an exception: allowing Marquis Xuanwu's legitimate son to take the surname Luo and exempting him from exile.
Yun Chu couldn't help but sigh. If Qin Mingheng hadn't kept a mistress, Luo Shi would never have so decisively severed ties with the marquis' estate.
Qin Mingheng being accused by his own wife was his own doing, reaping what he had sown... It was just pitiable for that mistress who had only recently entered the marquis' estate—reportedly, she was so frightened that day she went into premature labor...
"Good, this is truly excellent!" Xie Zhongcheng said with great satisfaction. "Back then, just because Wei Ge'er caused the Young Son of the marquis' estate to get a small cut on his finger, his leg was broken... Hahaha, let Marquis Xuanwu bully others with his power, let him act tyrannically—see, hasn't retribution come?"
"Those who commit numerous evils will inevitably face heaven's punishment!" Yuan Shi said indignantly, then sighed. "I wonder where Wei Ge'er is now... so young, all alone outside... poor child..."
"Why bring him up?" Xie Zhongcheng changed the subject. "With September approaching, An Ge'er will soon enter the Imperial College. I heard the other day that he needs to report early to the Imperial College. I wonder if Jingyu can get up to see An Ge'er off."
Xie Jingyu's condition had slightly improved, but only slightly.
His left arm was completely immobile, and his left leg could barely support his weight. Having lain in his room for so long, he also wanted to go out for some fresh air.
Moreover, with the Old Madam's passing, he was observing a year of mourning. He feared that if he stayed secluded in his room any longer, people at court would forget there was still an official named Xie.
The next day, he got up and personally accompanied Xie Shi'an to the palace to report.
After the flowerpot incident, the atmosphere between father and son had become quite strained. Riding in the same carriage, they remained silent the entire way.
Finally, the carriage stopped at the palace gate.
"Well, if it isn't Official Xie! What brings you to the palace?" Xie Jingyu's rival, Yuan Daren, approached from a distance. "Official Xie, you look rather unwell. You should take better care of yourself."
Xie Jingyu replied calmly, "Thank you for your concern, Yuan Daren.""Minister Xie, your mourning period has not yet ended. You should not be at the palace gates. If you were to offend the noble residents of the palace, you would surely be charged with grave disrespect," Yuan Daren said quietly. "Marquis Liu and Marquis Xuanwu were both punished for grave disrespect. Minister Xie, you must be cautious."
The words sounded like concern but were actually sarcasm.
Xie Jingyu's expression darkened. In the past, he would have certainly retaliated, but now he lacked the energy for it.
"Minister Yuan exaggerates," Xie Shi'an interjected from the side. "Since the young master of the Yuan family performed poorly in his studies and failed to attain an official rank, Minister Yuan naturally wouldn't know that today is the Imperial College registration day. My father is here to accompany me into the palace to study with the noble residents. How could this be considered an offense?"
Yuan Daren's face stiffened.
His son truly was lacking in academics, and the mention of this matter made him feel embarrassed and ashamed.
He had no choice but to slink away.
"I'll see you off here," Xie Jingyu said. "Mind your words and actions."
He said nothing more, knowing that his son understood how to handle himself.
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