The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife-Chapter 504: This Mu Nation, from Now on, Will Be Entrusted to You Two!
Chapter 504: This Mu Nation, from Now on, Will Be Entrusted to You Two!
Even though Empress Xie knew that treason was a grave crime, Ye Chengyan was her own son. How could she not have some grievances?
"Yan’er is still under twenty. For one mistake, you resort to such harsh measures. Where is your conscience?! Even if he committed treason, he should have been captured and imprisoned, not subjected to private execution!"
"Yan’er is the eldest son of the empress, the emperor’s own flesh and blood, and was personally conferred the title of Prince of Wu’an by the emperor. The person who killed him should have been executed along with his entire clan!"
Her words echoed through the palace gates.
Chu Yan felt a chill run down his spine, his face and lips turning pale.
Empress Xie was right; Ye Chengyan was, after all, of royal blood... frёeωebɳovel.com
He didn’t want to implicate his family; he preferred to bear the burden alone. Taking a deep breath, he was about to step forward.
But the Chu family had already sensed Chu Yan’s intention. Chu Huan grabbed him, and Chu Hanlin, Chu Ye, and Chu Yang stood in front of him, clearly showing their intent to protect him.
Empress Xie realized this and fixed her gaze on the Chu family, "It’s you, isn’t it?! You Chu family killed my son!"
Had she treated the Chu family and Chu Nanli so well, it should have earned her some leniency! Yan’er was her only son!
Chu Hanlin said, "Your Majesty, Prince of Wu’an’s treason is an unforgivable crime. It is only right that he dies to atone for his sins."
The Chu family was loyal to the emperor, but they would not allow their own people to be bullied!
"If you Chu family want to end this, let the murderer confess and die in front of me. Otherwise, I will never rest!" Empress Xie’s gaze was fierce.
Such excessive demands made Elder Xu and other ministers change their expressions.
The Fifth Young Master had killed the traitor for them and for Mu Nation. How could they let the Fifth Young Master bear the burden alone?
"Your Majesty, you are being unreasonable!" Elder Xu said, "Even if Prince of Wu’an were alive, he would still be sentenced to death once the emperor clarifies everything. The difference is only between dying sooner or later!"
Another official added, "That’s right. If Lord Chu hadn’t risked his life to protect the Chu family’s young master, we would all have perished under the knife!"
Other ministers showed their disdain. "Listening to the Empress, one would think Prince of Wu’an was a mere child. Since he chose to commit treason, he must bear the consequences!"
Empress Xie declared, "No! The emperor would never execute Yan’er! My son is of royal blood... He is from the Ye family of Mu Nation! How dare you judge him?"
"I will," a voice suddenly rang out from the crowd.
Although the voice sounded somewhat weak, it was firm.
Everyone recognized Emperor Muwu’s voice and turned to see him, now awake on the palanquin. In a short time, his complexion had improved, and his eyes were clearer.
However, silver needles were still inserted in his head and hands.
"Your Majesty, you handle your own family matters," Nanli said, removing the needles from Emperor Muwu.
Empress Xie, grieving her lost son, was not in a mood to listen to others.
All of this had to be resolved by Emperor Muwu. So Nanli had taken the opportunity during the argument to give Emperor Muwu some acupuncture to help the Bloody Enchanting Bug’s effect take hold faster.
The ministers and Chu family members cleared the way so Emperor Muwu could see Empress Xie.
Empress Xie stared, unable to believe it.
Emperor Muwu took a deep breath and stated the fact, "It was I who ordered Chu the Fifth to execute the traitor."
Empress Xie’s face twisted in rage, "What traitor?! He is your son! Our son!"
"From the moment he committed treason, he was no longer my son!"
Empress Xie sneered:
"Can a father’s bloodline be severed by a mere sentence from the emperor?"
"Have you not watched Yan’er grow up? Don’t you know his nature? He must have been enticed by the Enchanting Bug!"
"He was wrong to commit treason, but did you, as a father, not fail in your duties? You neglected him three times, and he was filled with resentment. He took a wrong path temporarily. Why could you not give him another chance?"
Emperor Muwu’s heart ached as he looked at Ye Chengyan’s corpse. He had hoped a lot from Ye Chengyan, as his offspring were few.
However...
"I can forgive him for any mistake, but he actually poisoned the officials, disregarding Mu Nation’s stability and the safety of the people. I cannot tolerate this!"
Emperor Muwu’s voice was resolute and his expression firm.
As an emperor, he accepted criticism and cared for the people’s welfare.
But as a father, he had failed miserably. Both his sons had been manipulated by the Enchanting Bug and committed the crime of treason...
Empress Xie looked directly at Emperor Muwu, and no longer argued about anything else. She said, "Your Majesty, I have one request after years of marriage with you."
She turned to glare at Chu Yan, standing behind Chu Hanlin, her gaze fierce. "As long as you punish Chu Yan! As long as he is dead, I will no longer pursue this matter! I won’t hold the Chu family accountable!"
Her son could no longer come back to life, but she could not let the person who killed Yan’er go!
She had never had murderous thoughts in her life, fearing retribution would fall upon her son.
But now...
Her son was dead; she had no more fear!
The ministers spoke up in defense of the Chu family.
Chu Hanlin, however, pursed his lips.
Though loyal to the emperor, he wanted to know whether this emperor was worth the Chu family’s loyalty!
Emperor Muwu closed his eyes, then stood up from the palanquin despite the silver needles still embedded in him. He felt more strength than before.
People naturally feared death, especially someone like Emperor Muwu who had suffered from illness.
"Bring me a sword!" he ordered.
"Your Majesty!" The ministers knelt, and pleas for mercy arose.
Chu Hanlin’s face turned pale.
He and Chu Ye and the others guarded Chu Yan closely. Today, even if they faced the charge of disobedience, they would not let Emperor Muwu harm Chu Yan.
Outside the palace, Qi Hong stood on the rooftop, furious!
If it weren’t for the formation blocking him, he would have gone to twist Emperor Muwu’s and Empress Xie’s heads off!
Chu Nanli, are you that afraid of Emperor Muwu? Don’t you care about your own family?!
But--
No matter how much Emperor Muwu commanded, no one handed him a sword.
Because everyone in the palace knew that it was the Chu family who had saved them, that Chu the Fifth had saved the subjects of Mu Nation!
Emperor Muwu, now steady on his feet, took a few steps and finally picked up a long sword from the ground.
The Chu family braced for the worst.
Empress Xie showed a smile.
The ministers shouted louder, with some brave souls already rushing to the Chu family, intending to block and dissuade them!
However, Emperor Muwu stood still, not advancing towards the Chu family.
He faced the heavens, his voice hoarse, "If I cannot even manage my own sons, I have no face to live on! Sixth girl, from now on, you and your husband will take charge of Mu Nation!"
With that, he closed his eyes and raised the sword to his own neck!
"Your Majesty!!!"
No one could have imagined that Emperor Muwu intended not to kill Chu the Fifth, but to take his own life!
Even Empress Xie was shocked.
