The Return of the Seventh Young Lady-Chapter 111 - 110

Chapter 110

Chining Palace

The conclusion of this morning’s court session was quite shocking to many, including the Empress Dowager, who had been informed of the events. She couldn’t help but furrow her brows. Placing the scissors she had been using to trim flower branches on the table, she took a cloth from her close servant to clean her hands thoroughly.

"This matter is getting out of hand..."

The Empress Dowager remarked in a calm voice, though it was tinged with displeasure. Her once warm and gentle expression had turned slightly cold.

The Empress Dowager had heard about the issues involving Shin Wang and the Mu family before. However, these were just rumors among the common folk, with no evidence, and were minor issues that could be easily suppressed with a flick of a hand. But now, everything had escalated into a major issue!

This certainly wasn’t ordinary...

"Your tea, Your Majesty,"

The close servant said, helping the Empress Dowager to her favorite seat before pouring her tea to help her relax.

The Empress Dowager took the tea and sipped it unhurriedly, thinking about the unfolding events. Just a glance at the situation revealed that someone was deliberately targeting Shin Wang and the Mu family. Looking at the current scenario, the person who orchestrated this was none other than the one to benefit from such a move.

Which was the Emperor!

The Empress Dowager’s eyes narrowed as she began to piece together the events and made some internal speculations. Though her expression remained calm, her eyes now gleamed with a chilling intensity.

If this was indeed the Emperor’s doing, then they would have to act as well!

Even if it wasn’t the Emperor, they still needed to take action because if it wasn’t him, it meant there was a third party moving in the shadows!

If this time they didn’t act quickly, the plans she had laid out might be completely ruined by this third party.

"Go and inform Chancellor Gu that..."

The Empress Dowager leaned in close to her servant and whispered something in her ear. Once she finished her instructions, the maid quickly left the palace to carry out her orders.

After her close servant had left, the Empress Dowager called for other servants to attend to her. She instructed them to massage her body to relax her muscles, and she closed her eyes to rest.

While the Empress Dowager was deep in her thoughts, a familiar announcement suddenly rang out from the front of the palace.

"The Emperor arrives!"

The Empress Dowager’s previously closed eyes opened, revealing a malevolent, icy gaze that quickly transformed into a calm look, like a serene stream. She nodded, signaling the servants to stop their massage, then turned to look in the direction of the approaching footsteps.

Soon, a figure cladded in golden dragon robes walked into the room, followed closely by his trusted eunuch. Once inside, Chen Feng Yue chose to sit on the opposite side of the Empress Dowager. His handsome face always bore a faint smile, making it difficult for anyone to discern his true emotions.

"Your Majesty, you’ve come to visit me right after the morning court session. You must be quite exhausted," the Empress Dowager began, initiating the conversation while instructing her maid beside her.

"Bring some oolong tea for the Emperor to help alleviate his fatigue."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Chen Feng Yue did not object. He simply listened quietly to the Empress Dowager’s words and actions. Both of them exchanged light smiles before falling silent, allowing the quiet to envelop the room. This lasted until the maid returned with a tray of oolong tea as instructed.

"Tea, Your Majesty,"

The maid offered a cup of tea to the Emperor, which Chen Feng Yue accepted and drank without hesitation. The fragrant, sweet flavor combined with the warmth of the tea made him feel considerably more at ease.

It was indeed a fine tea...

The Empress Dowager also sipped the oolong tea. Her face still held a gentle smile, appearing as warm and kind as a Bodhisattva. However, when she heard what the Emperor said next, she momentarily paused before finishing her tea.

"Seeing that the Empress Dowager is in good health reassures me,"

Chen Feng Yue said with a smile. Although these words sounded like genuine concern, to the Empress Dowager, it was akin to wishing her ill health and a swift decline.

Even though they both maintained smiling faces, they were well aware of the enmity between them that would never change...

"Your Majesty need not worry. I will certainly remain in good health and live long enough to hold your children," the Empress Dowager replied calmly after placing her teacup on the table.

"That would be the best outcome."

Chen Feng Yue nodded in agreement, making their previous exchange seem like a casual conversation between a mother and her son, who had a close relationship. His deep, dark eyes briefly lowered as he continued, "In truth, I came today because there is something I must tell you."

"I believe you may already have heard about today’s morning court session. As the matter has begun to spread widely among the populace, the officials also have submitted evidence and petitions requesting an investigation into Shin Wang and the Mu family, I had no choice but to comply with the officials’ requests."

"I wanted to inform the Empress Dowager personally so that you would understand my actions. I know that Shin Wang and the Empress Dowager have long had a close bond, but this matter must be handled according to the rules without exception."

Chen Feng Yue spoke in a measured tone, conveying a sense of reluctant duty. However, the Empress Dowager instantly grasped the true meaning behind his words.

The decision had already been made. No matter how close she was to Shin Wang, she could not interfere!

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager let out a faint smile filled with resignation. Yet, a flash of malevolence and sternness briefly appeared in her eyes.

"This matter greatly affects the reputation and honor of the royal family. It is right that Your Majesty has ordered an investigation."

"After all, if this is merely a rumor and Shin Wang and the Mu family are innocent, the investigation will clear their names. In the future, no one with malicious intent will dare to use this matter against the royal family again."

As she spoke, the Empress Dowager’s face displayed an understanding and gentle expression, as if she comprehended the situation fully and did not blame the Emperor for not consulting her beforehand.

"I am relieved to hear that. This matter will be troubling for Shin Wang, but after it is resolved, I will bestow gifts and land upon him to console him," Chen Feng Yue sighed, seemingly with relief.

The two continued their idle conversation for a while longer before Chen Feng Yue returned to his royal study to deal with the petitions.

After the Emperor left for some time, the smile on the Empress Dowager’s face vanished. The teacup beside her was thrown to the floor, shattering into pieces and echoing loudly throughout the room. Fragments of the fine jade teacup scattered across the floor.

Crash!

Thud!

"We deserve to die! Please forgive us, Your Majesty!"

The servants in the room quickly knelt down, trembling with fear of their mistress’s wrath. Though they did not know what had provoked their mistress’s anger, kneeling and pleading for mercy was the most appropriate response.

At that moment, the Empress Dowager’s close servant, who had been sent on an errand earlier, returned and witnessed the scene. She instructed two other servants to clean up the broken pieces before dismissing everyone from the palace.

Once only the Empress Dowager and her close servant remained, the Empress Dowager immediately revealed her true self and the anger within. Her once gentle face transformed into one of fury, and her once warm eyes were now filled with rage and severity.

No choice?

The Emperor claimed there was no choice?

Nonsense!

For the Emperor, there was never such a thing as no choice. It was entirely his decision!

He dared to touch her nephew? ...Well then, let’s see if he can bypass an old woman like her!

Zhuiping Residence

After the morning court session ended, the capital seemed to be under a looming storm. Officials from various factions bore tense expressions, but none of this affected Mu Gongzhen in the slightest. He simply withdrew to continue his work at the Ministry of Works as usual. It was only in the evening that he returned to Zhuiping Residence.

While Mu Gongzhen was reading through reports he had brought back to continue working on at home, a figure suddenly appeared before him and reported,

"Young Master, Servant Tao requests an audience with you."

"Tell him to leave...I am busy."

Mu Gongzhen replied calmly. He didn’t need to think long to guess the purpose of Servant Tao’s visit. Already anticipating this, the young man answered dismissively, his eyes still focused on the document in his hand.

"Yes, Young Master."

Ding Yang responded in understanding, then turned and walked out to meet the old man waiting anxiously in the hall. When Servant Tao saw Ding Yang return, he hurriedly approached to ask.

"What did the Young Master say? What did he say?"

"The Young Master is busy and cannot meet anyone right now," Ding Yang shook his head, indicating his helplessness, and continued, "Please go back and report the truth to Mu Patriarch. No matter how many people Mu Patriarch sends, it will be difficult to meet the Young Master."

Upon hearing this, Servant Tao sighed deeply. He believed that the eldest young master, being the Left Side Chancellor, must be aware of the Mu family’s current troubles and could not possibly remain indifferent. It seemed that the long-standing feud between father and son was the reason for their mutual intransigence.

This time, it was the father who had caused the problem. If the Mu Patriarch wanted the eldest young master to help, he would likely need to lower himself and yield to the young master...

Servant Tao, being a servant, was well aware of the discord between the father and son. However, this time the Mu family was in significant trouble. If the eldest young master refused to help, wouldn’t the Mu family be doomed?

Earlier, after Mu Cui Ming had regained consciousness, he had hurriedly consulted with the Elder Mu Furen, who then learned the truth: the large sum of money Mu Cui Ming had used to pay off debts and keep in the treasury had indeed come from Shin Wang!

Servant Tao, as a close confidant, also learned about this. This was why Servant Tao, who was usually calm and composed, had become agitated.

"Is the Eldest Young Master...really unavailable?"

Servant Tao asked again, his voice faint with resignation. Deep down, however, he still hoped that the eldest young master would set aside the feud with his father to save the Mu family from this disaster.

"Servant Tao, don’t insist any further. The Eldest Young Master is truly busy," Ding Yang replied firmly. Hearing this confirmation, Servant Tao slumped and returned to his carriage, heading back to the manor.

Seeing that Servant Tao had left, Ding Yang returned to report to his master in the study.

"Young Master, Servant Tao has left."

"Good. Tell the servants to prepare dinner and notify the other quarters. We’ll have an early dinner today because we have an uninvited guest coming. By then, we might lose our appetite..."

Mu Gongzhen ordered calmly, placing the documents on the table. A sly smile appeared on his usually expressionless face.

Soon, the dinner table was quickly set, and the three Mu siblings gathered for a joyful meal as usual. Halfway through the meal, Ding Yang came in to whisper something to Mu Gongzhen.

"Young Master, Mu Patriarch is here to see you."

"Let him wait. I’m eating," Mu Gongzhen replied nonchalantly, continuing to eat.

Mu Yingying, sitting beside him, smiled slightly. Although she hadn’t seen who had come, she could guess that the uninvited guest was likely their father...

Since he had come uninvited, let him wait until they were full!

Mu Cui Ming, waiting irritably in another quarter’s reception hall, widened his eyes in disbelief at Ding Yang’s words. Earlier, after Servant Tao reported back, Mu Cui Ming had another outburst, cursing his ungrateful son for quite some time until Elder Mu Furen reprimanded and admonished him.

Since sending Servant Tao hadn’t worked, Mu Cui Ming himself had to visit. As a father, he believed that Mu Gongzhen couldn’t be so heartless as to ignore him.

This calmed him down, and he changed into appropriate attire before taking a carriage to Zhuiping Residence, having skipped both lunch and dinner.

However, upon arrival, he was informed that his children were leisurely having dinner and that he, their father, should wait.

What was this!?

This was an insult too great to bear!

"Go call that ungrateful son of mine right now! How dare he let his father wait. This is unacceptable! How can he be so rude? Was his mother never taught him any manners!?"

Mu Cui Ming, his rage boiling over, could no longer contain himself and yelled fiercely at Ding Yang. His face alternated between pale white and bright red, looking as though he might burst from anger.

Ding Yang’s expression turned icy upon hearing Mu Cui Ming’s tirade. "Mu Patriarch, please watch your words. If the young master hears this, I’m afraid things will not end well."

If it were any other matter, the young master might control his anger. But when it came to his mother and sisters, he could never hold back his rage. Even though Mu Patriarch was his father, insulting the young master’s mother would surely lead to retribution...

"Not end well? I’m just speaking the truth. It’s because his mother never taught him that he’s such an ungrateful son!"

Mu Cui Ming, who was already beside himself with rage, shot back defiantly. He could no longer endure his son’s ungrateful actions.

It was bad enough that his son, now a chancellor, never showed him any respect as a father. But now, in the face of a major family crisis, his son still refused to help. This was too much to bear!

"If I had known the son I fathered would be this ungrateful, I would have given his mother a potion to abort him and end it all!" As soon as Mu Cui Ming finished his rant, a cold voice suddenly echoed from the entrance of the hall.

"Is that so?"

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