Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 638: Bitten by a Mad Dog (4)

Lou Qianyu had originally thought that by speaking up, Empress Jinghe would at least give him some face, considering there was already a pile of corpses laid out on the ground, which should suffice to appease any anger. Unexpectedly, Empress Jinghe made such a statement, implying that if he did not severely punish them himself, then Empress Jinghe would take matters into her own hands. That would not only be a slap in his face but also a significant blow to his dignity. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Sister-in-law, rest assured, Qianyu will surely satisfy you," he said.

Feng Xuuxu lifted her chin slightly: "Hmm, good, then please proceed."

Yingsu supported the gradually recovering Xiao Jiazhen who, after regaining consciousness, frantically pushed Yingsu away and scrutinized Feng Xuuxu from head to toe. Upon discovering that she was unharmed and standing right in front of her, she felt relieved and let out a tense breath.

"Zhenzhen!" Lou Qianyu frowned and called out softly.

Xiao Jiazhen turned back and composed her previously anxious expression, bowing slightly: "Lou Huang, it’s more appropriate to call me Miss Xiao."

Lou Qianyu was momentarily stunned, but then he understood somewhat and with a gloomy face, summoned the guards and had the Empress brought to the council hall.

Feng Xuer hesitated slightly: "Yingsu, who was it that insulted me just now? Make sure you show no mercy later."

"Your Highness, it was Pear Consort. I will certainly not spare her any pity," Yingsu replied.

Feng Xuuxu tapped her on the head with an amiable laugh: "Hehe, it’s good that you’re the one who came. If it had been Feng Qing, that kid, he might not have had the heart to do it. After all, she’s a rare beauty."

Yingsu sneered contemptuously: "Hmph, what an eye for beauty. She’s considered a beauty, yet she’s not even as good-looking as Xiaobai."

Lou Qianyu walked ahead, overhearing the exchange between his consort and the servant, one singing and the other echoing. His face turned green, then purple, then black as if it was no different from a painter’s palette. Internally, he deeply regretted adhering to the Prime Minister’s advice and taking on those concubines, only to cause himself trouble.

Not long after they left, the fire at the Plum Garden was brought under control. However, the aftermath was a sorry sight—the Plum Forest was reduced to a bare landscape, with some trees left as mere stumps standing in the soil, and the ground cluttered with a mix of petals and mud, though by now it was hard to distinguish between earth and flowers.

Following behind Lou Qianyu, Feng Xuuxu walked for who knows how long and turned several corners before reaching the council hall. On lifting her gaze to the place, which looked clean and tidy, almost unlike a council hall, she entered the room and almost burst into laughter. This wasn’t a ’council’ hall at all; it was clearly a place for interrogating prisoners, evident by the appearance of the matrons who seemed particularly fierce, each more fearsome than the last.

After Lou Qianyu took his seat, he summoned Fan Yi: "Go, fetch Pear Consort for me."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the servant complied.

Feng Xuuxu glanced around the room at the few chairs available and nonchalantly chose one. She leaned back lazily, sprawling in the chair with a smirk while observing the handcuffed Empress being brought in.

Xiao Jiazhen sat tightly next to Feng Xuuxu, watching the twisting Empress with confusion before turning to Feng Xuuxu: "Cousin-in-law, why is there so much blood on the Empress’s face?"

Feng Xuuxu furrowed her brows and shook her head: "It’s all dog’s blood; pay it no mind."

Xiao Jiazhen hesitated, then held back her words, noticing that her cousin-in-law appeared tired and was resting with her eyes closed. Therefore, she turned to Yingsu: "How did I faint?"

Yingsu whimsically curled her lips, glancing sideways and seeing a clear smile on her mistress’s face. She then whispered in Jiazhen’s ear: "Actually, it was like this."

"Oh, I see!" Jiazhen, who had been listening intently, suddenly stopped speaking and looked up to inquire.

Yingsu shrugged her shoulders and spread her hands: "I don’t know either," she admitted.

Xiao Jiazhen looked at her speechlessly, then turned towards Mei Lenglei. Noticing that Lenglei was avoiding her gaze and not looking in her direction, she snorted, leaned back in imitation of her cousin-in-law, threw herself back against the chair, and nestled lazily with pouted lips, closing her eyes to rest.

Lou Qianyu watched them, feeling somewhat speechless. Fan Yi, who had been dispatched, returned quickly with Pear Consort in tow, now calmed down. In the council hall, he threw Pear Consort to the ground and reported with a bow: "Your Majesty, the person has been brought."

"Mmm, unseal the Empress’s mute point," he instructed.

Fan Yi approached the Empress, pressed a spot on her neck, and then retreated to stand behind the emperor.

With the ability to speak restored, the Empress tested her voice with a couple of "ahs" and then began to wail: "Your Majesty, you must uphold justice for Your Concubine. I have been wronged! This vile woman has killed many guards and set the entire Plum Garden ablaze. She even claimed to be me, committing the crime of deceiving the emperor. Your Majesty, you must have her executed to avenge me."