Lady Yuan knew what Yi Qing meant. She didn't really want to bring Chen Feiyan along, but she was worried about Yuan Hecong. Since Chen Feiyan had provided this information, she'd brought the woman along to ask.
"Lady Xiao is right," Lady Yuan nodded.
Chen Feiyan lowered her head and shot Yi Qing a dirty look, warning her not to go too far.
Yi Qing ignored her and had them escorted out.
With her arms folded, Yi Qing thought about Yuan Hecong. She didn't think he was that weak. It was hard to believe that he not only failed to save Xue Tianlang but also lost his own life.
After the morning court session, Duke Mu was already waiting for the emperor in the imperial study. The emperor appeared warm on the surface but knew full well that Duke Mu must have had his own agenda when he fanned the flames during the Xie family's incident.
"Duke Mu rarely comes to the palace. Come, sit and have a good chat with me," the emperor said with a smile.
"Your Majesty, I came to the palace because I heard that General Xiao's wife has been causing quite a stir. If this continues, it may have a negative impact on the court. Your Majesty should make a decision as soon as possible," Duke Mu bowed.
The emperor walked over and sat down. He had intended to offer a seat but decided against it. "What's your opinion on this matter, Duke Mu?"
"I think the root of the problem lies with General Xiao's wife. She didn't marry into the general's mansion in a proper way. It would be better to have General Xiao divorce her. It's a simple solution," Duke Mu said bluntly.
"Duke Mu, you can't say that. General Xiao has been away fighting battles for years. It's not easy for him to have a family. If he divorces his wife, it may chill Duke Di's heart," the emperor reminded Duke Mu that Yi Qing had backers and wasn't someone to be bullied.
"You're right, but there's a strong public outcry now. Even Duke Di will support my suggestion," Duke Mu frowned slightly.
Yi Qing had been away from home since childhood. She'd forced her way into the general's mansion after getting pregnant with Xiao Jinghan's child. All this had nothing to do with the Di family. Later, when Marquis Huai'en was exiled, Yi Qing had never stepped in. Duke Mu had overlooked this relationship.
"Why don't you discuss this with Duke Di first? Duke Di will be back in a few days," the emperor said, looking at Duke Mu.
What the emperor meant was that Duke Mu should think twice before he tried to bully Yi Qing.
"This matter concerns the national prestige. Your Majesty, please make a wise decision," Duke Mu bowed. "There's a flood in the south. I'm willing to donate one million taels of silver and mobilize my fleet in the south to help solve the flood problem."
The emperor was tempted by what Duke Mu said. Or rather, he was curious as to why Duke Mu was so determined. "This..."
Duke Mu knew that the emperor ultimately cared about benefits.
"This is also General Xiao's matter. Why don't you discuss it with General Xiao directly? Maybe General Xiao will be willing to divorce his wife for the well - being of the people of the Great Jin Dynasty?" the emperor said, looking speculative.
Are you kidding? Asking him to handle this? He didn't have that much influence. One million taels of silver was quite tempting, but a first - rank general was definitely not worth that price.
Duke Mu wondered why the emperor was so unyielding. "This matter still requires Your Majesty's intervention."
"Duke Mu, this is ultimately a family matter of the Xiao family. What can I do? As for the matter of Duke Xie, I was there at that time. If it weren't for Lady Xiao, Duke Xie would have died. The rumor that Lady Xiao killed Duke Xie is a slander. How can I turn a blind eye to the truth?" the emperor said patiently.
Hearing the emperor say this, Duke Mu had no choice but to bow. "I hope Your Majesty will consider this for the sake of the Great Jin Dynasty."
After Duke Mu left the imperial study, Xiao Jinghan was already waiting outside.
Duke Mu glanced at Xiao Jinghan. He really didn't think much of him. A rough soldier. If he got hurt on the battlefield, what would happen to his daughter?
"Duke Mu," Xiao Jinghan nodded.
"General Xiao's wife has been causing quite a stir in the capital recently, but General Xiao seems quite relaxed," Duke Mu sneered.
"It's just a bunch of villains using underhanded means to fan the flames. The truth will come out in due time," Xiao Jinghan said coldly.
He was basically scolding Duke Mu to his face, but Duke Mu had to endure it.
"I'll wait and see then," Duke Mu said and left.
Xiao Jinghan entered the imperial study and bowed.
The emperor walked over, pulled him to sit on a round chair, and said, "How did you offend Duke Mu?"
"I have no interaction with Duke Mu."
"If you have no interaction with him, why would this old fox, who rarely comes to the palace, come here in person to hint that I should ask you to divorce your wife?"
Xiao Jinghan's eyes immediately turned gloomy.
"I didn't agree," the emperor quickly comforted him. "Why are you here?"
"I ask Your Majesty to order the Supreme Court to reopen the investigation into the fraud case during the imperial examination years ago, as well as the case of Xue Bozheng, who was implicated," Xiao Jinghan said directly.
"You have so many problems of your own. Why do you want to reopen this case?"
"All the current problems stem from Duke Xie. If we can prove that Duke Xie was a fraud who killed innocent people, then this matter will be easily resolved."
The emperor looked at Xiao Jinghan in surprise. "Are you... sure?"
"We've found out that the three famous Yuefu poems attributed to Duke Xie may not have been written by him but by Xue Bozheng, who lived in his mansion at that time. Duke Xie may have used the fraud case to eliminate his opponents."
Hearing this, the emperor's expression turned gloomy. No wonder Xiao Jinghan and Yi Qing had both asked about the fraud case. There was such a hidden story. "You can investigate, but you must have solid evidence. After all, this is not just about Xie Xiuxian."
"Yes," Xiao Jinghan bowed.
Duke Mu thought that the emperor would definitely agree to his generous offer, but he was shocked that the emperor had rejected him. He felt quite resentful and thought that if it weren't for the support of the Mu family, the emperor wouldn't be sitting on the throne now.
"My lord?" Lady Mu quickly greeted Duke Mu when she saw him come back.
"Where's Xue'er?" Duke Mu asked when he didn't see Xue'er at home.
"She went to the silver shop to have some jewelry made," Lady Mu said with a smile. "What did the emperor say?"
"I offered to help the emperor quell the flood in the south with one million taels of silver, but the emperor didn't agree."
"How is that possible?" Lady Mu was also very shocked.
"We underestimated that Yi woman. Don't forget that her grandfather is Duke Di," Duke Mu sat down with a gloomy face.
"Then..." Lady Mu looked a bit lost. "Are we just going to let this go?"
"Of course not." Duke Mu thought for a while. "I'll hold a banquet and invite Xiao Jinghan. Once he meets our Xue'er, he'll surely fall in love with her."
"What if he doesn't?" Lady Mu was worried.
Duke Mu glanced at Lady Mu. "I have my own way. You just need to prepare the banquet."
Yi Qing had to be accompanied by Xiao Jinghan whenever she went out recently. She couldn't even enjoy shopping properly. So she disguised herself and quietly went out with Ruo Hong. Everyone said that the whole town was talking about how she'd killed Duke Xie. She wanted to find out what people were really saying.