Chapter 8
Chapter 8
The murderer was acquitted, and he even went to offer his condolences to the deceased.
That kick was well-deserved.
Lu Zhun was the younger brother of Empress Dowager Lu, making him the uncle of both the Emperor and the Elder Princess.
His son, Lu Chengming, was the Empress Dowager’s nephew. By marrying Wei Qiong, he had further solidified the family’s power, enjoying unparalleled prestige.
Now that both his sister and his son were dead, his grief and rage were understandable. Chen Xiao could only endure that kick in silence.
A short while later, the Chief Eunuch arrived.
“His Majesty heard that Lord Yuan has returned. Since you have just come from prison only to enter the palace, His Majesty fears you may be exhausted. He has ordered that you return home to rest for the day.”
The Emperor had likely heard that Lu Zhun kicked Yuan Mu and wanted the murderer to hide at home for a while.
Chen Xiao replied, “I thank His Majesty.”
The Chief Eunuch smiled and paid his respects to Wei Qiong. Just as he was about to withdraw, Wei Qiong spoke up.
“By the way, Steward Chen, on my way here, I heard that Prince Dongyang has not yet arrived. Has His Majesty mentioned sending someone to receive him?”
She slowly set down her teacup, her expression becoming more serious.
“His Majesty is presiding over the funeral rites and has many heavy responsibilities. If he has not yet given the order, perhaps I, the Princess, should send someone to meet him, lest Prince Dongyang be delayed.”
Steward Chen replied, “His Majesty said that Prince Dongyang only recently returned to the capital after earning military merit and receiving rewards. He had just returned to his fief when he had to turn back. We shall wait a few more days; there is no need to rush him.”
Wei Qiong nodded in agreement and dropped the subject.
Once Steward Chen had left, Chen Xiao was about to excuse himself.
However, Wei Qiong’s voice drifted in from the outer room.
“Lord Yuan is injured and has difficulty moving. Have a carriage wait in front of my palace.”
Her next words were directed toward the other side of the screen.
“Lord Yuan, come to my palace to rest for a moment. I, the Princess, happen to have matters to discuss with you.”
Behind the screen, Chen Xiao froze and looked at me. “This…”
He was definitely overthinking things.
“Lord Yuan?” Wei Qiong urged.
I gave Chen Xiao a push.
He was shoved out from behind the screen, barely managing to keep his footing.
“Very well,” he said with a slight nod. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Wei Qiong frowned, watched him for a moment, and then turned to leave.
“It’s over! Tell me, what could she possibly want to discuss with me?”
By the time I closed the door, Chen Xiao was already panicking.
Wei Qiong had returned to her palace first, leaving me and the injured “Yuan Mu” behind, saying she would send a sedan chair to fetch us shortly.
“That widow doesn’t look like a good person. This Yuan fellow killed her husband-what good could come from the two of them? She even threw me a flirtatious wink on the way here…”
Although I hadn’t seen Wei Qiong in seven years and didn’t know her well enough, that look was definitely not a flirtatious wink.
Chen Xiao anxiously clutched his own neck.
“It’s over, it’s over. I’m definitely going to be exposed, and then she’ll kill me!”
“Calm down.”
I pulled his hands down and stared into his eyes.
“You are Yuan Mu, the Eldest Young Master of the Yuan Clan of Runan. You entered the palace as a study companion in your youth and hold the rank of Chief Censor. You are not some actor from the west side of the city who can’t even get on a stage!”
Chen Xiao met my gaze, his eyes blank.
“‘Ru-something’… I don’t understand any of that. Is this man’s identity really that useful?”
“It is. Do you think just anyone who killed Lu Zhun’s son would get away with only a kick?”
To soothe him, I brought up an interesting anecdote.
“The Prince Dongyang they mentioned today is the youngest son of Empress Dowager Lu, and her most pampered. Even the current Emperor rarely speaks harshly to him. Yet, when he once spoke lewdly to a female guest in the palace, you kicked him into a drainage ditch.”
Chen Xiao gradually calmed down, his gaze drifting as if he were lost in thought.
“Is this Yuan Mu’s identity truly that powerful?”