The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace-Chapter 176 A slip of the tongue

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"

Eunuch Wei hurried toward Baili Xi, bowing deeply as he arrived.

"What’s got you in such a rush?"

Baili Xi was leisurely touring the scenic spots around Wanlong Palace with Yun Yunyang and Yun Yanshui. Seated in a pavilion, he was sipping tea and chatting with Yun Yunyang when he noticed Eunuch Wei’s anxious expression. His demeanor immediately turned serious.

"Your Majesty, the Seventh Princess has returned, but..."

"But what?"

Baili Xi’s heart tightened. Among all his children, the Seventh Princess was the one he doted on the most.

"She has suffered serious injuries. Her condition is stable for now, and she is resting in a side hall."

"Take me to her at once!"

Baili Xi commanded urgently.

Eunuch Wei bowed and quickly led Baili Xi toward the side hall, with Yun Yunyang and Yun Yanshui following closely behind.

"Xue’er!"

Upon entering the side hall, Baili Xi saw his pale-faced daughter leaning weakly against the bed.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Yun Yantian and Yun Yanshuang immediately bowed in respect.

"No need for formalities," Baili Xi waved dismissively, sitting down beside the bed. Seeing his beloved daughter in such a state, his brows furrowed deeply. "Yantian, I entrusted Xue’er to you. Is this how you take care of her?"

"Your Majesty, this is my fault. I am prepared to accept any punishment," Yun Yantian replied solemnly.

"Father, it’s not Yantian’s fault," Baili Moxue interjected, anxious to defend him.

She then recounted everything that had transpired in the mountain, including the ambush at the ancient temple and Baili Moxun’s betrayal, leaving no detail unspoken.

"Moxun?!"

Baili Xi’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"Yes, Father. These injuries were inflicted by Moxun," Baili Moxue said, her voice trembling slightly.

"He dared to harm his own royal sister so grievously? Where is he now?"

Baili Xi’s eyes burned with fury, his imposing imperial aura filling the room.

"He’s dead," Baili Moxue said softly.

"Dead?!"

Baili Xi was taken aback.

"Your Majesty, I was the one who killed him. If punishment is due, I am ready to face it," Yun Yantian stepped forward and declared.

"Father, please don’t punish Yantian. He acted out of anger for my sake," Baili Moxue pleaded.

Throughout the exchange, Yun Yunyang and the others remained silent, understanding that intervening would only complicate the situation.

"Ah, so be it. It seems Moxun brought this fate upon himself, and no one could have stopped it," Baili Xi sighed heavily, the weight of his emotions pressing down on him.

He knew that his son had committed a grave sin by attacking his sister and attempting to take her life. Yun Yantian, as Moxue’s future husband, was justified in acting on her behalf.

Moreover, Yun Yantian was the disciple of a revered senior, and the royal family would need the Yun Clan’s support to counter the influence of the three great families and seven clans.

Still, Moxun had been his son—one with unparalleled talent among his children. Now, he was gone, killed by his daughter’s betrothed. The conflicting emotions were overwhelming.

"Yantian, though you had your reasons, killing a prince of the empire was still a rash decision. Your actions, however, have also safeguarded Xue’er. Let your merits cancel out your faults. There will be no reward, but neither will there be punishment.

In the future, think thrice before you act!" Baili Xi said, his tone stern.

"I will remember Your Majesty’s teachings," Yun Yantian said, bowing deeply.

"Leave now. Accompany your uncle and sister. I have some things to discuss with Xue’er," Baili Xi said with a wave of his hand.

Yun Yunyang and the others bowed and left the hall, taking Yun Yantian with them.

"Wei Gonggong, stay," Baili Xi ordered.

Eunuch Wei, who had been following the group out, froze at the command and turned back, standing silently at the side.

Once the doors were closed, Baili Xi’s gaze turned cold, his sharp eyes locking onto Eunuch Wei.

"The jade slip I gave Xue’er... was it you who leaked the information to the North Palace Consort?"

"Y-Your Majesty, I..."

Eunuch Wei’s face turned deathly pale, his body trembling uncontrollably. He opened his mouth to deny the accusation, but no words came.

Realizing that only three people had prior knowledge about the jade slip, Eunuch Wei knew there was no use in lying anymore.

"Your Majesty, this servant is guilty! I am guilty! I merely got drunk and let it slip during a moment of carelessness…"

"Drunk? A moment of carelessness?"

"Do you realize that your carelessness almost cost my daughter her life? And my son as well!"

"If it weren’t for your loose tongue allowing that woman to hear of this, Moxun wouldn’t have deliberately sought out Xue’er, and none of this would have happened!"

As Eunuch Wei knelt trembling on the ground, Baili Xi’s gaze turned icily cold. A terrifying aura erupted from the emperor, bearing down on Eunuch Wei like a crushing wave.

Unable to withstand the pressure, Eunuch Wei collapsed fully to the ground, his entire body trembling uncontrollably. The snapping sound of his cracking bones echoed in the hall as he let out agonized screams.

"Your Majesty, please spare me! This servant knows his mistake! I truly know my mistake!"

But Baili Xi showed no mercy. The oppressive force intensified, and with a sickening crunch, Eunuch Wei’s body was crushed into a mangled pulp. The metallic scent of blood filled the side hall.

"Father, even though you’ve killed Eunuch Wei to vent your anger, Moxun’s death will surely arouse suspicions from the North Palace Consort. She will undoubtedly shift her wrath toward me, and likely the Yun Clan as well," Baili Moxue said, her tone worried as she glanced at the bloodied scene.

"Don’t worry. I will handle it," Baili Xi said, his voice firm, as he sought to reassure her.

Outside the side hall, Yun Yunyang glanced at Yun Yantian and spoke in a measured tone.

"This time, the Seventh Princess spoke up for you. Otherwise..."

"I understand, Uncle," Yun Yantian replied solemnly.

"His Majesty spoke rightly. You acted rashly in killing Baili Moxun. Although he injured the Seventh Princess and harbored murderous intent toward you, he was still the Emperor’s son.

You should have subdued him and brought him back to Wanlong Palace for the Emperor to decide his fate. Instead, you let your emotions guide your actions and killed him outright.

While your actions avenged the Seventh Princess, did you consider how the Emperor might feel?"

"If not for His Majesty’s magnanimity and the Seventh Princess’s intervention, you would be facing severe consequences right now," Yun Yunyang said, his tone stern.

"I understand, Uncle. I was wrong," Yun Yantian said, bowing deeply in acknowledgment of his mistake.

"You are usually thorough and composed, far more mature than your younger siblings. But this time, your emotions got the better of you.

Take my words as a warning: I do not want to see you or any of our family acting recklessly and bringing disaster upon yourselves," Yun Yunyang said, his expression softening slightly.

"Uncle, don’t be too harsh on him," Yun Yanshuang chimed in, flashing a playful smile as she wrapped her arm around Yun Yunyang’s. "Yantian only acted to protect us and ensure that Baili Moxun couldn’t cause further trouble for the Yun Clan.

Besides, that scoundrel wanted to kill the Seventh Princess!"

"Yes, Uncle. Yantian didn’t do anything wrong. At most, he failed to consider the Emperor’s perspective. He was only looking out for Baili Moxue," Yun Yanshui added, stepping in to support his brother.

"You kids are all just ganging up on me now, aren’t you?" Yun Yunyang said, shaking his head with a wry smile as he looked at the siblings’ united front.

"Heh, we’re family, after all," Yun Yanshuang said with a grin.

Despite his stern words, Yun Yunyang felt a warm sense of pride. Seeing the younger generation’s camaraderie, he silently prayed that the Yun family would remain united in the years to come.

"Yantian," Baili Xi called as he emerged from the side hall, walking toward Yun Yantian.

"Your Majesty," Yun Yantian said, bowing respectfully.

"Earlier, my words were harsh. Don’t take them to heart. I must also thank you for saving Xue’er," Baili Xi said, his tone softer.

"Your Majesty is too kind. My uncle has already admonished me for my actions. In hindsight, I acted too rashly and failed to consider Your Majesty’s feelings," Yun Yantian replied humbly.

"Enough. What’s done is done. Let’s not dwell on it," Baili Xi said with a sigh.

Turning to Yun Yunyang, the Emperor smiled faintly. "Yunyang, I have some matters to attend to. I cannot stay and chat with you for now."

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"Your Majesty, please attend to your duties. There’s no need to worry about me," Yun Yunyang replied graciously.

"Ha! Once everything is settled, I’ll find you, and we’ll have a proper drink together," Baili Xi said with a hearty laugh before striding away.