Here is the translation of the provided text into English:
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Upon hearing this, Emperor An’s expression wavered. He was wary of the Lu family and knew that Lu Chongyuan had hidden some contingencies in the shadows.
He was naturally unwilling to spare the Lu family, but Xiao Yan’s words held some merit.
The Lu family, with a century-long legacy, had far more than just one or two marriage alliances. Executing their nine clans would implicate countless people in the court. By sparing the insignificant members of the Lu clan, confiscating their property, exiling them, and offering a faint “hope” that was practically nonexistent, he could both restrain Lu Jiu’an and earn a favorable reputation…
Emperor An lightly tapped the table. “I recall you despise the Lu family. Why would you plead on their behalf?”
Xiao Yan replied, “I’m not pleading for the Lu family. Lu Chongyuan framed me multiple times and nearly cost me my life on several occasions. If I could exterminate the Lu family completely, I wouldn’t hesitate. But with Lu Jiu’an still at large, I have to consider the bigger picture.”
Emperor An looked at him for a moment. “What you say makes sense. Fine, do as you’ve suggested.”
Xiao Yan bowed his head. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
After discussing official matters, as Emperor An rose, Xiao Yan stepped forward to assist him.
“How are your injuries?”
“They’re no longer an issue.”
“Healed so quickly?”
As Xiao Yan helped him walk past the partition to the side couch, Emperor An glanced at him casually. “Last time, Jiang Ji told me your external injuries were severe and that you needed to rest for some time. You’ve recovered so quickly? Is Jiang Ji’s medical skill lacking, or are you deceiving me?”
His tone was light, almost joking, but the word “deceiving” carried a hint of menace in his eyes.
Xiao Yan seemed not to notice, only showing a trace of helplessness. “Doctor Jiang’s skills are excellent, of course. I still have some injuries, but with the Lu family pressing so close, I couldn’t just stay holed up in Jiyun Lane. Besides, Doctor Jiang has been treating me for nearly half a month. Even severe injuries no longer hinder my movement…”
“Oh? So the injuries aren’t fully healed. Let me see.”
Xiao Yan froze, turning to see Emperor An’s serious expression, clearly not joking. He frowned. “A few days ago, while fighting the Lu family, my wounds reopened. They look somewhat gruesome and might startle Your Majesty.”
Emperor An, however, said, “It’s fine. I just want to take a look.”
Seeing Xiao Yan hesitate, he frowned. “What, I can’t see?”
Xiao Yan’s expression shifted, as if sensing something off in the Emperor’s tone. His lips tightened, and his eyes grew colder. Just as Emperor An thought he might refuse, Xiao Yan suddenly stepped back, reached for his waistband, and pulled off his outer robe.
His torso was still wrapped in white bandages, with faint bloodstains visible at his lower back.
Before Emperor An could speak, Xiao Yan turned his back to him and yanked off the bandages. The exposed wounds, reopened old scars, were bloody and grotesque, with layers of new and old scars beneath, including a particularly terrifying raised scar on his side.
Xiao Yan turned back, his face expressionless. “Does Your Majesty wish to see more?”
He reached for his waist, as if to remove more clothing.
Emperor An quickly stopped him. “Enough!”
Seeing Xiao Yan’s cold gaze, Emperor An felt a rare pang of guilt. “I was merely concerned for your health, worried your injuries might affect your foundation. I didn’t mean for you to strip…”
Xiao Yan pulled his robe back on, ignoring the blood seeping from the wounds as the fabric brushed against them. He retied his waistband and said, “I’m not afraid of Your Majesty’s scrutiny. But with the Lu family dealt with, who is it this time that has caused Your Majesty to suspect me?”
Emperor An faltered. “How dare you!”
His rebuke lacked conviction, his gaze flickering.
Seeing Xiao Yan’s dark, piercing eyes and the blood-stained bandages on the floor, Emperor An coughed lightly. “Enough. Since you’re injured, rest properly. The Privy Council can function without you for a while. I’ll issue the decree regarding the Lu family soon. You may leave.”
Xiao Yan gave him a cold look. “I take my leave.”
With a stiff bow, Xiao Yan strode out, his back radiating sharpness.
Moments later, Eunuch Feng hurried in with a tray of snacks, his face full of panic.
“Your Majesty, something’s wrong!”
Emperor An, holding his tea, glared at him. “What’s wrong with you? Why the rush?”
Eunuch Feng said urgently, “As Governor Xiao left, he asked me if anyone had come to plead for the Lu family after their downfall, saying he wanted to see if there were still people in court favoring them or bothering Your Majesty. Without thinking, I said no one had, except for Commander Liu, who came twice regarding the fire in the Cold Palace. Then Governor Xiao left with a murderous look.”
“What did you say?!”
Emperor An’s tea cup shook, spilling hot water on his hand. He set it aside and snapped, “You fool! Who told you to say that?!”
Eunuch Feng dropped to his knees with a thud. “This servant… I only thought Governor Xiao was asking about the Lu family under Your Majesty’s orders. Commander Liu’s visits were about the Cold Palace fire…”
Emperor An had no patience for this. “Where did Xiao Yan go?”
“He said through gritted teeth that he was heading to the Imperial Garden.”
The Imperial Guard’s office was located in the Imperial Garden. Seeing Emperor An’s face darken, Eunuch Feng hurriedly added, “I realized something was off and came to report. Your Majesty, did I say something wrong? Governor Xiao looked furious. Should I chase after him?”
Emperor An’s voice was heavy. “Forget it. Don’t pursue him.”
With Xiao Yan’s temper, he was likely angered by the earlier suspicion and the demand to show his wounds.
Last night, Feng Lai hadn’t left the Imperial Dragon Platform, and those watching him reported no messages sent out. Xiao Yan hadn’t dispatched anyone from his residence either. Liu Tong’en had taken Doctor Jiang away before dawn, and whatever interrogation took place was likely concluded.
Xiao Yan’s earlier openness and the severity of his reopened wounds, clearly old and grievous, confirmed he couldn’t have left the capital.
Lu Chongyuan, that old fox, must have been tricked by Xiao Yan’s schemes, misjudging him as having left the capital and falling into a trap that led to his downfall.
Thinking of Xiao Yan gave Emperor An a headache, tinged with guilt for misunderstanding him. After all, those wounds were sustained to save him.
With Xiao Yan’s cunning, he likely deduced from Feng Lai’s casual remark that Liu Tong’en’s “advice” had sparked the Emperor’s suspicion.
His rush to the Imperial Garden was probably just to vent his anger. He wouldn’t actually beat the Imperial Guard Commander to death… would he?
Emperor An coughed and picked up his tea. “Let him go. He’ll calm down after making a fuss.”
Eunuch Feng bowed his head. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have been careless and spoken out of turn. I’ll go receive my punishment.”
Emperor An waved his hand. He and Liu Tong’en never allowed others to overhear their discussions, so Feng Lai didn’t know why Liu had visited. Xiao Yan’s sudden question as he left had caught Feng off guard, and mentioning Liu Tong’en wasn’t surprising.
Emperor An said, “It’s not your fault. Xiao Yan knows his limits. He won’t cause a major scene.”
Half an hour later, Xiao Yan stormed the Imperial Garden, beating Liu Tong’en and over a dozen guards.
Doctor Jiang, trembling after enduring some punishment, was supported by others as he followed Xiao Yan out of the Imperial Guard’s prison, his face pale. Seeing the guards sprawled on the ground, his legs felt weak.
Last night, someone had passed a message that Governor Xiao would save him, but he hadn’t expected this kind of rescue!
Behind them, Liu Tong’en, sporting a massive bruise on his face and blood at his mouth, limped after them from the Imperial Guard’s office, shouting, “Xiao Yan, you dare storm the Imperial Garden, assault an official, and injure palace guards! Do you have any respect for the law?!”
Xiao Yan raised his eyes. “Everyone knows my boldness is unmatched.”
“You!” Liu Tong’en seethed.
Xiao Yan sneered. “If Commander Liu is dissatisfied, go complain to His Majesty. I’ll be waiting.”
His gaze swept to Yu Yanfeng, who had followed Liu Tong’en, and he scoffed, “I underestimated you. I thought you were just a figurehead with no ambition, ignoring palace defenses. Yet you managed to avoid any blame for the guards’ failures while meddling in the Lu family’s affairs. His Majesty truly favors you.”
With that, Xiao Yan ordered his men to support Doctor Jiang and left.
Yu Yanfeng, who had just arrived and was still some distance away, stopped in his tracks. His face darkened as he glared at Liu Tong’en with cold, piercing eyes.
…
“Governor… Governor Xiao…”
Doctor Jiang’s heart raced. Could he really walk away from the Imperial Garden like this?
Xiao Yan, seeing through his thoughts, offered rare reassurance. “Go back and rest. This matter ends here. His Majesty won’t pursue you further. Stay at your residence to recover from your punishment and don’t enter the palace for now.”
Doctor Jiang’s briefly calmed heart leapt again. “Not enter the palace? Is something happening in the palace…?”
“It has nothing to do with you. Just focus on recovering.”
Seeing Jiang’s disheveled state, clearly having suffered, Xiao Yan turned and ordered Jinyun to personally escort him home.
When Doctor Jiang returned, he found a brocade box in his bedroom containing a thick stack of silver notes and several bottles of top-quality healing medicine.
A hidden guard stationed at the Jiang residence whispered, “The Governor says you were implicated this time. Keep these items and rest assured. I’ll stay at your residence to protect you for the next few days.”
Doctor Jiang glanced at the box, feeling uneasy.
Something about Xiao Yan’s earlier words felt off, but after years in the Imperial Medical Bureau, he knew what to ask and what to leave alone.
Closing the box, he said quietly, “Please thank Governor Xiao for me.”
…
After beating Liu Tong’en, Xiao Yan returned to Helü Hall, tossing his outer robe aside in disgust. Tang Ning, waiting at Yue Li Platform, hurried forward when she saw him.
“Brother, is everything alright in the palace?”
She had only learned about last night’s events this morning and had been worried since Xiao Yan left for court.
“It’s all my fault. I left traces in my haste that day, and someone noticed…”
Her words trailed off as she saw the blood seeping through Xiao Yan’s light inner robe. Her face paled. “So much blood?”
Xiao Yan glanced at it. “It’s fine. I reopened the wounds on purpose to fool Emperor An and get Jiang Ji out.”
“How is that fine? So much blood…”
Tang Ning pulled him to sit, grabbing medicine to stop the bleeding.
As Xiao Yan cooperatively removed his inner robe, he looked up at Canglang, who had followed them in, and said, “Liu Tong’en carries the scent of wood butterfly. Once it’s on you, it lingers for over a month. Have someone keep a close watch on him. If he leaves the capital, find out where he’s going.”
Liu Tong’en’s destination was likely where Emperor An’s elusive private army was hidden.
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You can read ahead to chapterr 470 (100+ extra chapters) here
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