The hall fell silent for a moment.
Emperor An knew that Feng Qiuli was offering him a way out while also trying to appease Xiao Yan. Though he inwardly seethed at Xiao Yan’s actions that night, he followed Feng Qiuli’s lead and spoke.
“I naturally won’t hold this against him. Over the years, I have valued him greatly, entrusting him with significant responsibilities. I would not pursue punishment for a momentary lapse in judgment.”
Xiao Yan’s face twisted into a mocking sneer as he listened to Emperor An’s words.
Emperor An: “…”
Liang Guangyi, observing Xiao Yan’s unmoved demeanor, understood that since Xiao Yan had dared to bring men to force the palace, he would not retreat so easily. Moreover, Emperor An was notoriously fickle and ruthless. The Lu family’s fate was proof enough of how adept he was at burning bridges once they were crossed.
How could Xiao Yan possibly entrust his life to the emperor’s empty promises?
Liang Guangyi’s voice was hoarse as he spoke: “Your Majesty, Lord Xiao seeks to clear his father’s name and seek justice for the innocent lives lost in the south. His filial piety and righteousness are commendable. To demonstrate Your Majesty’s magnanimity, why not grant him some rewards? This would show the world Your Majesty’s high regard for him.”
Emperor An’s face contorted briefly, grasping Liang Guangyi’s meaning.
He was reminding him that mere verbal promises were useless. To get through this crisis of Xiao Yan’s palace siege, the emperor needed to offer something tangible to appease him, otherwise, Xiao Yan would not relent.
Seeing Emperor An hesitate, Liang Guangyi’s tone grew heavier.
“Your Majesty, though the He family rebelled, He Wenzhuo died long before. You have always been magnanimous and discerning of loyalty and treachery. If He Wenzhuo is proven innocent, posthumous honors and rewards are only fitting.”
Emperor An felt a surge of anger so intense it made his breathing uneven. He gritted his teeth, glaring at Liang Guangyi.
Xiao Yan might deserve death for his crimes, but Liang Guangyi and Cui Lin were no better. If they hadn’t schemed to frame Xiao Yan and drive him to ruin, none of this would have happened.
And Liang Guangyi, he had known something was off about Xiao Yan’s identity, even sending men to investigate in the south and uncovering information. Yet, as Grand Tutor, he had colluded with that fool Cui Lin to set up such a flimsy trap, one that unraveled at the slightest touch. If they had informed the emperor earlier…
How could he have given Xiao Yan the chance to muster troops?!
“Your Majesty!” Liang Guangyi called out sternly.
Emperor An stared at him expressionlessly for a long moment before grinding out his words:
“Grand Tutor Liang speaks reason. Very well, I pardon the son of the He family’s third branch for his crime of forcing the palace tonight. The Black Armored Guards and the Privy Council shall remain under his command. As long as the troops from the four suburban camps withdraw peacefully and no longer threaten the palace, Di Tao and the others will also face no punishment.”
He fumbled for a moment before removing the jade dragon-head ring from his finger, its quality impeccable, and handed it to Feng Lai. Addressing Xiao Yan, he said:
“This is my personal possession, as good as my own presence. I entrust it to Duke Cao, with him and the ring as proof.”
“As long as you withdraw your men, Duke Cao will issue a clear edict on my behalf, absolving you of tonight’s actions. Once the truth of He Wenzhuo’s case is verified, I will clear his name, fulfilling my earlier promise to posthumously honor him as Marquis of Xuanyi.”
“My word is my bond!”
With that, Emperor An handed the ring to Eunuch Feng.
Eunuch Feng hurriedly took the ring and scurried to Cao Dejiang’s side.
“Duke Cao…”
Cao Dejiang glanced at the ring and spoke directly: “This is indeed His Majesty’s personal possession, sufficient to serve as his seal. Combined with His Majesty’s verbal promise, what does Lord Xiao think?”
Xiao Yan’s tone was indifferent: “I don’t trust you. As for His Majesty…”
He merely tugged at the corner of his mouth, saying nothing, but the mockery was clear to everyone.
Emperor An’s face turned livid. “I have given my word, a ruler does not jest!”
Xiao Yan replied coldly: “Half a month ago, Your Majesty said the same thing.”
“You!” Emperor An’s eyes blazed with anger.
Xiao Yan remained unfazed: “I have served diligently in the palace, yet I could not escape Your Majesty’s suspicions. If I hadn’t prepared in advance, I fear Your Majesty would have long since gone along with others’ plans and had me thrown into prison to await death.”
“I care little for my own fate, but others are involved today. If Your Majesty thinks a few casual words will make me withdraw, I dare not place everyone’s lives on the mercy Your Majesty may or may not choose to show.”
Emperor An’s face tightened with rage at Xiao Yan’s words, and the atmosphere in the hall grew tense once more.
The Black Armored Guards stood menacingly, their swords gleaming with lethal intent.
Seeing the situation deteriorate, Cao Dejiang quickly interjected:
“Lord Xiao, please calm yourself. Since His Majesty has given his word, he will not go back on it. If you don’t trust him, why not have Eunuch Feng fetch silk and paper? I will draft the edict in front of everyone, with my signature, along with those of Grand Tutor Liang, Prince Ji, Prince Huan, and others. His Majesty will personally sign it as well. Would that put you at ease?”
Xiao Yan’s brow furrowed slightly, but he didn’t object further.
Cao Dejiang looked to Emperor An: “Your Majesty, what do you think?”
Emperor An’s palms were nearly bleeding from how tightly he clenched them, but he knew Xiao Yan wouldn’t budge without solid assurances. To get through this night unscathed, he had to “swallow his pride.” Suppressing the bitterness in his throat, he said: “Do as Duke Cao suggests. Feng Lai, fetch the ink and paper for the edict.”
Eunuch Feng quickly complied, glancing at Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan waved a hand: “Let him go.”
Eunuch Feng practically sprinted out of Zichen Hall, and Xiao Yan didn’t send anyone to follow.
After he left, everyone in the hall waited anxiously.
After the time it took to brew two cups of tea, Eunuch Feng returned with a young eunuch, carrying ink, brushes, and the bright yellow silk used for imperial edicts, already laid out flat. They hurried into the hall.
The ink and brushes were brought directly to Cao Dejiang.
The surrounding crowd stepped back, and someone cleared a table. Eunuch Feng ground the ink at Cao Dejiang’s side as he knelt by the table and began writing. In moments, the yellow silk bore Emperor An’s promises. When Cao Dejiang finished, he signed his name first before setting down the brush.
“I have signed my name, willing to vouch for His Majesty. As for the others… Eunuch Feng, start with Grand Tutor Liang.”
“Yes.”
Eunuch Feng lifted the edict, and together with the young eunuch, they carried it, along with the ink and brush, to Liang Guangyi.
Liang Guangyi’s face was stiff and ashen, and he shot a resentful glare at Cao Dejiang but still took the brush.
Before signing, he read the contents of the silk. It matched Emperor An’s earlier words exactly: Xiao Yan would be pardoned for forcing the palace, the suburban camp troops would face no repercussions, and the case from twenty years ago would be thoroughly investigated.
If the truth were uncovered, He Wenzhuo would be posthumously honored as Marquis of Xuanyi, his tablet placed in the Imperial Ancestral Temple to share in the realm’s offerings. His son could inherit the title, which would not diminish for three generations, and his descendants would be permitted to serve in court without being held accountable for past events.
Liang Guangyi, after reading, looked up at Cao Dejiang with some confusion.
Tonight, Cao Dejiang had repeatedly opposed him, his words laced with subtle mockery toward Emperor An, even showing bias toward the events of twenty years ago.===============
You can read ahead to chapterr 470 (100+ extra chapters) here
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