mtl008 Chapter 442 The Imperial Concubine Pleads for Mercy
Chapter 442 The Imperial Concubine Pleads for Mercy
Yun Shang rode out of the palace. Along the way, about 70% of the mansions he passed were surrounded by the Imperial Guards. He glanced at the surrounded mansions, raised his hand, and whispered the order: "Make your move!"
The various imperial guards surged toward the noble families' residences like a tidal wave, barging in directly.
In an instant, the quiet streets and alleys were filled with hurried and chaotic footsteps and screams of panic.
The imperial guards who rushed into the various mansions quickly took control of the guards inside and drove the masters of the mansions to the front yard.
Most of these people were awakened from their sleep, their clothes disheveled and their expressions terrified. The women in the mansion were even more frightened, their faces pale, and they huddled together, trembling.
"W-what's going on?"
"Breaking into a private residence in the middle of the night, do you people really have no respect for the law?!"
"Whose orders are you on? Who has such audacity?!"
"What have we done wrong that the Imperial Guards have to break into our residence in the middle of the night?!"
Furious questions rang out from various residences, but the Imperial Guards remained unmoved. Their swords gleamed coldly as they pointed them at the crowd, mechanically repeating, "Swords have no eyes; please do not act rashly!"
As the dim moonlight shone down, the people stared at the gleaming weapons. Accustomed to a life of luxury, the noble families and powerful clans felt a real threat of death and dared not make any rash moves.
The Imperial Guards neither retreated nor advanced, and the powerful and wealthy families endured the fear and torment until dawn.
At this time, inside the palace.
News of the near-disaster that occurred in the palace last night has reached the inner palace.
Upon hearing that Prince Qi had rebelled, Consort Zhou turned pale and fainted.
She was unconscious for about half an incense stick's time before waking up. After waking up, she didn't even bother to do her makeup and hurriedly rushed to the Hall of Longevity.
At this moment, Prince Qi was still imprisoned in a side hall of the Hall of Longevity. Consort Zhou wanted to see Prince Qi first, but was stopped by the Imperial Guards.
The imperial guards standing outside the door said expressionlessly, "Please, Your Highness, do not make things difficult for your subordinates."
Consort Zhou had only heard that Prince Qi was injured, but she did not know the extent of his injury. At this moment, she was extremely anxious and just wanted to rush into the palace.
Prince Qi, who was inside the hall, must have heard Consort Zhou's voice, and hurriedly called out, "Mother, what brings you here?!"
Upon hearing this, Consort Zhou's previously dim eyes instantly brightened. The mother and son spoke through the door, "Mu Bai, how are you? Are you badly injured? Has any imperial physician examined you?"
King Qi said, "Mother, I am fine."
He paused for a moment, his voice a little hoarse, "Mother, you shouldn't have come here."
Consort Zhou remained silent for a moment, glanced at the tightly closed palace gate, and instead of rushing in, turned and headed towards the main hall of the Hall of Longevity.
At the entrance to the main hall, the Imperial Guards stopped her again.
Consort Zhou's charming face turned angry. "You're going to stop me from going in to visit the Emperor?"
Hearing the commotion at the door, Liu Haifu rushed over and immediately bowed, "Your Highness, what brings you here?"
Consort Zhou's sharp gaze swept over Liu Haifu, "You've come at the right time. Tell these people to make way for me!"
“This…” Liu Haifu hesitated for a moment.
Consort Zhou said angrily, "I don't care what happened last night, but as long as His Majesty has not issued an edict to depose me, I am still a consort in this palace!"
"His Majesty is unwell, and it is perfectly reasonable for me to come and visit him. Are you sure you want to stop me?"
After a moment's thought, Liu Haifu said, "This old servant dares not, but please wait a moment, Your Highness. The imperial physician said that His Majesty will wake up soon. Please allow this old servant to consult His Majesty before entering the palace."
In other words, Emperor Wenjing was still unconscious at this moment.
Consort Zhou's eyes flickered slightly upon hearing this, but she said nothing more.
They waited quietly outside the main hall.
She was slender, and although her gorgeous dress was slightly disheveled, it could not hide her charming and delicate beauty, just like a peony blooming in the rain, making people feel sorry for her.
No wonder she was the most favored in the palace.
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a slight noise came from inside the hall. Liu Haifu quickly walked out, a smile on his face, and respectfully said to Consort Zhou, "Your Highness, His Majesty has woken up. Please come in."
Consort Zhou knew that Emperor Wenjing would definitely want to see her, so she took a deep breath, straightened her slightly disheveled clothes, and went inside.
Emperor Wenjing was leaning back on his dragon bed, his face pale and his eyes showing signs of fatigue and exhaustion.
"Your Majesty, you're finally awake! I was so worried!" As soon as Consort Zhou saw the Emperor, her eyes instantly reddened, and her voice trembled with tears. She quickly walked to the bedside and knelt down.
Emperor Wenjing's gaze slowly fell on her charming face, his eyes darkening slightly, his voice low and hoarse: "Your knees are injured, you don't need to kneel, get up first."
Upon hearing this, Consort Zhou's tears, which had been welling up in her eyes, instantly spilled over and rolled down her cheeks like broken beads. She lowered her head and sobbed by the bedside, her voice trembling with tears: "Your Majesty, I have heard about what happened to Prince Qi..."
Before she could finish speaking, Emperor Wenjing interrupted her, saying, "Consort, you should not interfere in this matter."
Consort Zhou froze.
Is the Emperor not even willing to give me a chance to plead for mercy?
Her once rosy cheeks instantly turned ashen, and her eyes were filled with fear and unease, just like a frightened deer.
Seeing Consort Zhou's appearance, Emperor Wenjing's heart softened slightly. He raised his hand to rub his temples and sighed softly, "What do you want to say?"
Consort Zhou raised her head, tears streaming down her face, and said urgently, "Your Majesty, it is all my fault for failing to raise my son properly. It is all my fault that Mu Bai was misled by others."
"Your Majesty, Mu Bai is your and my only son. He has always respected you and would never want to harm you."
"Your Majesty knows that his act of leading troops to storm the palace is an act of treason. I will not exonerate him, but I beg Your Majesty to spare his life for my sake."
Consort Zhou reached out and took Emperor Wenjing's hand, pleading, "If Your Majesty wishes to kill someone to vent your anger, I am willing."
Emperor Wenjing frowned. "What nonsense are you talking about? When did I say I wanted to kill you?"
Having said that, he gently withdrew his hand from Consort Zhou's grasp.
Seeing Emperor Wenjing's attitude, Consort Zhou grew increasingly anxious. She knelt down again with a thud, her voice trembling with despair: "Your Majesty..."
Emperor Wenjing heard the sound of knees hitting the ground and showed a hint of pity on his face, glancing at Liu Haifu.
Liu Haifu quickly stepped forward to help Consort Zhou up and whispered, "Your Majesty, you didn't actually need to come here. Last night, His Majesty only issued an edict to demote the Third Prince to a commoner; he did not intend to kill him."
His voice wasn't loud, but everyone in the room could hear him clearly.
Emperor Wenjing naturally heard everything clearly. Consort Zhou subconsciously looked at the emperor, and seeing that he did not say anything, she finally felt relieved.
As long as she was alive and had her back, she believed her son would surely regain his high position.