Volume One, Chapter 17: Astonishment Throughout the Audience

Voices of inquiry arose as everyone turned to look.

A splendid carriage pulled up at the gate, and Cao Shiqi stepped forward, flanked by two young eunuchs on either side.

“Cao the Attendant?”

Prince Liang’s heart skipped a beat—why had he come as well?

Xiao Boqing immediately rushed out, exclaiming, “Cao the Attendant, why have you come without prior notice?”

This attitude irked Lin Wangzhi; after all, Cao Shiqi served the current emperor!

It seemed the Xiao family and their circle were nothing but sycophants.

“I have come bearing gifts!” Cao the Attendant announced as he entered, producing a red paper. “The emperor has inscribed these words to congratulate Prince Liang and Miss Xiao on their engagement!”

These words instantly ignited a frenzy among the previously indignant Xiao family.

The emperor himself had penned a congratulatory message!

Xiao Boqing’s excitement reignited; with the emperor’s blessing, surely the ministers would no longer look down upon them!

“Please come in, Cao the Attendant! Do come in!” Xiao Boqing urged hastily, casting a challenging glance at the disdainful ministers.

Cao Shiqi unfurled the red paper and read sharply, “The emperor wishes Prince Liang and Miss Xiao a harmonious union lasting a hundred years!”

The four bold characters on the paper seemed alive with vigorous strokes:

“A harmonious union lasting a hundred years!”

Though just four words, they carried the weight of mountains.

The Xiao clan beamed with pride; some even knelt, bowing their heads reverently to the imperial inscription.

To receive a calligraphy gift from the emperor was an extraordinary honor.

Cao the Attendant said, “Lord Xiao, Prince Liang, the emperor is greatly invested in your joyous occasion and has specially bestowed this inscription.”

“We are deeply grateful to His Majesty and shall not dishonor his grace. May we enjoy a hundred years of harmony and grow old together!” Xiao Aoyu spoke first, her joy unmistakable.

She believed that with the emperor’s favor, her position as a distinguished general would surely be restored, enabling her to achieve unparalleled glory.

“*Ahem*...” Lin Wangzhi coughed twice, expressing his displeasure at their excessive reverence for the emperor.

But Xiao Aoyu seemed oblivious, puzzled, “Wangzhi, what’s wrong? Are you coming down with a cold?”

Lin Wangzhi cursed inwardly.

Seizing the moment, Xiao Aoyu said, “Cao the Attendant, please inform the emperor when he is available. I wish to pay my respects in person.”

“That depends on His Majesty’s will,” Cao Shiqi replied coolly.

Xiao Aoyu pressed on, “Cao the Attendant, please convey to His Majesty that I, Xiao Aoyu, am not a shameless woman who abandoned her husband. I have been maliciously slandered.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen could not help but jump in, “Yes, Cao the Attendant, Lin Che deliberately framed us!”

Everyone’s hearts froze in terror, breaths coming in short gasps as they glanced warily at Lin Che nearby.

Xiao Boqing recognized this as a chance and scolded sharply, “Lin Che, you brat! Explain yourself and clear our names!”

“How dare you!” Cao Shiqi could no longer contain his cold, intimidating tone.

Xiao Boqing shuddered, “Cao the Attendant, we are not trying to make excuses. We are truly wronged... Yu’er, explain to him quickly!”

Xiao Aoyu frowned in disgust but addressed Lin Che, “Lin Che, I know you can’t accept our divorce, but if you explain now, I promise we can still be friends...”

Her tone was not a plea but a command.

To her, being friends was already Lin Che’s good fortune.

But this only enraged the ministers present.

They understood the full story: Xiao Aoyu had been ungrateful, and now she dared to blame others?

She looked so self-righteous, utterly oblivious to her own wrongdoing.

“Why should I explain?” Lin Che retorted.

Xiao Aoyu said, “Lin Che, don’t be stubborn. Don’t you want me to be happy?”

“Silence, you wretches!”

At last, someone could not hold back.

It was Li Wan, the Chief Imperial Physician.

A loyalist, he could not tolerate a band of petty upstarts abusing the emperor’s name behind Prince Liang’s back.

The Xiao family stared in confusion at his anger.

Li Wan’s face flushed with passion, “You narrow-minded beasts dare to slander the sovereign? What punishment do you deserve!”

“What do you mean, Li Wan?” Xiao Boqing demanded.

When had they slandered His Majesty?

They had only spoken of Lin Che, a worthless man—was that forbidden?

Was Li Wan looking for trouble?

Many other ministers also disapproved but dared not speak out, fearing Prince Liang’s wrath.

Lin Wangzhi’s gaze sharpened. For Li Wan, the Chief Imperial Physician, to speak so boldly here—did he not regard them at all?

“Xiao Boqing, your ignorance blinds you to true dragons. To insult His Majesty, death would be too mild!” Li Wan’s voice thundered louder.

“Kneel at once and confess your guilt!”

Panic swept the assembly; many feared Li Wan might fall out with Prince Liang.

What began as a joyous occasion had turned into a storm of accusations.

Xiao Boqing trembled as if about to faint. “What do you mean? From the start, I sensed something was off! Are all court ministers so rude?”

Xiao Aoyu breathed heavily. “Everyone, today is my joyous day. Do you truly not respect me?”

Cao Shiqi glanced at Lin Che. With no other choice, Lin Che stood.

“Enough! Silence!” Lin Che commanded, and the bickering ceased; the crowd fell into stunned silence.

“Lin Che, are you mocking us? You are truly shameless!” Xiao Chen accused, pointing at him.

“Silence!” Li Wan urged sharply.

Unexpectedly, Lin Che fixed him with a deep, penetrating gaze. “Did I permit you to speak?”

Li Wan immediately knelt stiffly.

“Your Majesty, I was overcome with anger and dared to speak rashly. I beg your pardon!”

Even at the risk of punishment, he spoke out—because the Xiao family had committed treachery!

The emperor treated them with kindness, yet they repaid him with ingratitude!

Boom...

Li Wan’s words struck the Xiao family dumb.

They looked at Lin Che as if they had misheard.

What?

Had they misheard?

Lin Che actually called himself “I,” the sovereign?

And the Chief Imperial Physician knelt before him?

What was going on?

Lin Wangzhi was equally astonished, sharing the Xiao family’s confusion.

Xiao Aoyu stammered, “Chief Imperial Physician, why... why do you kneel?”

The Chief Imperial Physician remained silent. Then, Right Fufeng also knelt.

Thud, thud...

One minister followed by another.

Though some were reluctant, few dared to stand in such a solemn moment.

“We beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness!”

“Beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness...”

Voices rose and echoed throughout the hall like thunder and lightning, striking the Xiao family’s heads.

No one remained standing except them.