Chapter 908: 908-Farce
Ever since Emperor Yong Ping ascended the throne, these four words seemed to follow him like a shadow, sticking to him like a spirit behind his back. After passing one obstacle after another, other people would enjoy themselves as emperors, but he would pass the test as an emperor and play with his heartbeat.
Look at his heart’s endurance. He might die young.
Emperor Yong Ping cherished him very much now. He was afraid that there was not much time left. He did not know when someone would appear and kill him.
The palace was worrisome, the court was worrisome, and even Xie Xian was worrisome.
Of course, it wasn’t that Xie Xian didn’t want people to worry. He was the most considerate person. It was that someone didn’t want Xie Xian to worry and didn’t want him to rise and recover smoothly. They even wanted to use this to ruin his reputation and then bring him down.
It could be said that the more those people slandered and targeted Xie Xian, the more determined the Emperor was to use Xie Xian.
Especially in the previous life that Xiao Jing ‘ai had told him before his death, although Xie Xian had succeeded in his rebellion in the end, he had only helped Yang Shao. He had no intention of replacing him at all. Otherwise, how could Yang Shao, who was born in a poor family, have anything to do with him?
Emperor Yong Ping thought that he could still see clearly that Xie Xian had suppressed Yang Shao one by one.
For a person who did not covet the throne, but was frequently targeted by others, like a mortal enemy, using such an official was more reassuring than using an official who was popular everywhere.
The only pity was that Xiao Jing ‘ai died too quickly!
Although the world had changed, one could still see the trajectory of life in the future. He had originally planned to treat Xiao Jing ‘ai coldly and let her stop. In the end, when word got out, she was gone.
His death was too strange.
Although Empress Xiao tried to defend herself, the Emperor was no longer in the mood to listen.
Empress Xiao had already defended herself too many times. Was she always innocent? Not necessarily, right?
How much he relied on Empress Xiao in the past, how much she had unique insights, how rare the big picture was, how much Emperor Yong Ping once admired her, how much he was now afraid of her. If she was not on the same side as him, if she relied on his trust to do something outrageous and cause trouble, that would be very hurtful.
In comparison, Imperial Concubine Chu, who always put her thoughts on the surface, was much easier to get along with. She did not have to spend so much effort.
Now Emperor Yong Ping would occasionally recall that the late Emperor had especially taken pity on his mother, Imperial Consort Liu. It was very likely because of this. As an emperor, he had to guard against too many people. It was rare to have someone who could make him relax and not be calculative and scheming. However, the late Emperor and Noble ConConsort Liu had developed true feelings for each other after spending so much time together.
Whether it was Empress Xiao or the plebeian Wang family, they were all born into noble families. They had a large scale and magnanimity, and everything had their own plans.
The first suspect for Xiao Jing ‘ai’s death was her, and the second suspect was Jiang Xia Wang.
After Jiang Xia King returned to Jiankang, what he did in Yongzhou had caused a lot of discussion. However, Sikong Xiao had guaranteed that the situation in Yongzhou was indeed very complicated. In the end, Jiang Xia King had also met up with Sikong Xiao as scheduled to jointly defeat the enemy and win. This was an ironclad fact that could not be refuted.
Emperor Yong Ping was very unwilling, but what Prince Jiang Xia did on the table was all singled out and irreproachable…
If the countess of Gaoliang was killed by King Jiangxia, it was not impossible. Moreover, the benefits were huge. At least, the Emperor was smeared. However, this statement came from Empress Xiao, so it was greatly discounted in Emperor Yong Ping’s heart.
If he could say these things, he could do them. He even thought of a way out.
The more Emperor Yong Ping thought about it, the angrier he became. The mastermind behind it was like a cat playing with a mouse. He could not figure it out at all.
Would it be better if Xie Xian was still in court?
Duo Fu bent over and tidied up the scattered memorials on the ground.
He glanced at Emperor Yong Ping, who was deep in thought, and his heart turned cold.
Recently, the Emperor’s mind was not normal. He was easily angered and the people serving him were trembling with fear.
He was clearly furious just now. His face was flushed red and the veins on his neck were bulging. Now, not long after, he was actually standing on the spot with his arms crossed as if he did not exist.
His entire person was gloomy. This emotion came and went quickly, and it was even more terrifying than a furious rage.
He felt that the Emperor’s mental state was not stable.
“Duofu!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.””
“Summon Xie Qing into the palace.”
Huh?
“.. Xie, Pushe is still in mourning.”
“Xie Qing, Qing! What ears!” Emperor Yong Ping glared angrily. When had he ever called Xie Xian into the palace so casually? Wasn’t it him who ran over to the Xie Clan?
Could there be anyone who remembered Xie Xian more than him during his mourning period?
That damned Prince of Huaiyang, how many things had he delayed!
Duo Fu shrunk his neck. He was so scared that his soul almost left his body, and even his ears went off.
“I’ll go now.”
Liu Liu ran away, her heart thanking Pushe, but Xie Qing popped her head out again. This Xie family was really full of talents. The only thing was that Xie Qing was much easier to get along with compared to Xie Pushe. Putting everything else aside, with Xie Pushe offending countless elder brothers from aristocratic families, and with Xie Pushe still having such good relations, one had to admire his methods.
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When the matter of Xie Xian killing his younger brother was causing a huge commotion, it was Xie Qing who stood against the crowd and verbally challenged the ministers in the court, scolding the ministers who were making groundless accusations against Xie Xian until their feet were in the air.
If there really was evidence, they would directly bring him to court, be it the chief justice or the Ministry of Justice.
This was a matter of life and death. Don’t rely on your mouth to talk and not practice.
Could hearsay be used as evidence?
Wasn’t this a kind of false accusation? It was a complaint, and his heart was worthy of punishment.
Emperor Yong Ping and Xie Qing worked together to suppress the situation, and even the newly appointed censor was fined half a year’s salary. After a round of knocking and beating, the rumors in the city gradually faded.
From the start of the rumor to the end, it had been nearly two months. Xie Xian had only been copying scriptures and practicing his boxing at home.
It was as if he had never cared about this farce.
Xiao Baoxin and Xie Xian had always been at the center of attention. They were used to it, but Mother Xie, who cared a lot about Xie Xian’s reputation, couldn’t stand it. Everything started because of Third Master Xie. Ever since the rumors spread, Mother Xie had scolded Third Master Xie every time she saw him. It was all because of this troublesome thing that Xie Xian’s reputation was damaged. The reputation of the Xie family was damaged, and Third Master Xie was scolded until he didn’t dare to stay out of the house. He woke up every day, even more than Xiao Baoxin and Wang Shier’s granddaughters-in-law.
Fortunately, the Emperor came forward to suppress the matter. Not only did Mother Xie heave a sigh of relief, but the whole family also heaved a sigh of relief. The irritable grandmother really couldn’t take it anymore. She was too violent and scolded Third Master Xie like a grandson.
Even though she heaved a sigh of relief, Mother Xie’s frown never relaxed.
It was not the first time someone had targeted Xie Xian. This was not the beginning, and it would not be the end.