Вдовствующая императрица Сяосюань

Глава 194

Yu Chi Huaiyang hurriedly put on his court robes. The emperor had suddenly summoned him. Weren't they holding a flower-viewing banquet? Why would he suddenly summon this old man? Was it because war was about to break out? But that was impossible. Important figures from Chun Teng Kingdom and Fan Lu Kingdom were still here. How could war suddenly break out? Or had Ru Feng caused trouble again? Sigh, that kid always gets himself into trouble.

After bidding farewell to his worried son and daughter-in-law, Yuchi Huaiyang followed along, lost in thought. This Xiao Shunzi was the emperor's personal attendant, and he couldn't get any information out of him unless he intentionally revealed it.

Upon reaching the main hall where court was usually held, Yu Chi Huaiyang was surprised to find several high-ranking officials already present. He was astonished; it was midday, why would so many people be summoned? Moreover, distinguished guests from two other countries were also present, as were the Crown Prince and other princes, and even the Empress, who never attended court.

Although there weren't many people, when Yu Chi Huaiyang walked in, he still felt a sense of oppression and eeriness.

"This old minister pays his respects to Your Majesty!" Yuchi Huaiyang knelt down on both knees.

Unlike usual, he waited a long time this time. The emperor still hadn't told him to get up. Just as he couldn't help but look up, the emperor finally spoke, but his voice was cold: "General, I shouldn't have called you here, but this matter is of great importance and has far-reaching implications, so I summoned you. Yuchi Rufeng will come out later; take a good look at him." His voice carried a subtle malice.

Yun Tianze and the other two exchanged glances, their brows furrowing slightly, yet they remained hopeful.

Soon, soft footsteps approached, and everyone looked in the direction of the sound, holding their breath.

The beauty before me was dressed in ordinary palace maid attire, her hair styled in a simple bun, yet her figure and appearance left me speechless, indescribable, even with a wealth of eloquent words. For she embodied the most beautiful and fitting qualities imaginable. Looking at her, all I could think was: "Even the most breathtaking beauty cannot compare to this!"

Looking at the woman before you, you realize what perfection truly means! Her eyebrows, her figure, her skin—they seem to be sculpted from the finest white jade, so perfectly proportioned that you want to worship the divine power of creation!

The emperor was slightly lost in thought, gazing at the woman before him. No wonder, with such beauty, such grace… no wonder he was so infatuated. If it weren't for him… this young woman would surely be his.

The Empress coughed lightly, breaking the silence, and said, "Yuchi Rufeng, is she a woman? Have you checked?"

The two palace maids beside Ru Feng bowed respectfully, their voices clear and crisp: "Yes, Your Majesty!"

Only then did people realize that the two women had been standing next to Ru Feng, but Ru Feng's presence was so strong that the two beautiful palace maids were completely overlooked.

Ru Feng lifted her skirt and awkwardly gave a curtsy, trying not to look at her grandfather kneeling on the ground. She spoke calmly, "I, Yu Chi Ru Feng, am a woman disguised as a man, fighting on the battlefield and deceiving everyone. However, my family doesn't know this. Therefore, I beg Your Majesty to consider my grandfather's advanced age and allow him to live out his remaining years in peace. I also implore Your Majesty to spare my family. I will bear the blame for deceiving the Emperor alone!" Ru Feng spoke clearly. If all else failed, she could escape from prison. She believed her master, junior brothers and sisters, and Wen Chen wouldn't watch her die in vain. And she wouldn't foolishly wait to die.

With a "bang," Yu Chi Huaiyang, who was kneeling on the ground, suddenly collapsed to the ground without a sound, his face pale.

Ru Feng cried out in alarm, her composure shattered. She rushed to Yu Chi Huaiyang's side, shouting, "Grandpa! Grandpa!" Her expression was one of utter panic and regret. How could she have forgotten that her grandfather couldn't handle any shocks? What an idiot!

Yu Jue also realized what was happening and shouted, "Father, the imperial physician!"

The emperor was also slightly shaken. After all, Yuchi Huaiyang had a high reputation among the people and was loyal to him. If it weren't for Rufeng's matter, he wouldn't have made him kneel for so long. So he tacitly approved Yuxuan's action of going out to call the imperial physician.

Soon, the imperial physician was brought in by Yu Xuan. After examining him, he administered a few pills and then stroked his beard, saying, "Your Majesty, the general only fainted due to excessive fright. He will wake up soon. However, it is best not to agitate him in the future, lest something unfortunate happen."

Everyone was stunned. Wasn't the general, who was so majestic on the battlefield and had spent half his life on the battlefield, famous for remaining calm even if Mount Tai collapsed in front of him? How come he couldn't handle the shock just because he saw his granddaughter's outfit?

The imperial physician was also puzzled. He had known the old general for a long time, so he turned to look at the young woman who kept her head down. Upon seeing her, he was slightly taken aback by her advanced age, but then he came to his senses, stroked his white beard, and said, "So that's how it is, so that's how it is. At such an old age, you still can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman. How shameful."

Ru Feng stammered, "Old Imperial Physician, I am Yu Chi Ru Feng!"

The old imperial physician's hand, which was stroking his beard, slipped and pulled out several hairs. He stared blankly at Ru Feng, and finally sighed, "No wonder, no wonder!"

The trial was interrupted by Yuchi Huaiyang's sudden fainting. Now that everything was alright, the emperor coughed lightly. Soon, Yuchi Huaiyang was moved elsewhere, and the solemn atmosphere in the main hall returned to normal.

"Yuchi Rufeng, since you have confessed without hesitation, you will be imprisoned in the Imperial Prison for now, and the Ministry of Justice will decide your sentence later." The Emperor looked at Rufeng, glanced around, his face ashen, his eyes so deep that one could not see through them.

At this moment, a loud voice announced, "Prince Chen has arrived!" Because His Majesty had said that as long as Prince Chen came to see him, he would be allowed to pass at any time, so the eunuch obeyed.

Upon hearing this, a flicker of panic crossed the emperor's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. He gazed at the figure approaching—tall and imposing, ethereal and otherworldly, like a fairy untouched by worldly concerns, someone others could only look up to in awe. But why had he fallen for someone else?

Prince Chen? The ministers present were shocked. This Prince Chen, who was rarely seen? It was said that he was the emperor's most favored younger brother. Whatever he wanted, the emperor would do for him. However, this prince rarely appeared in front of others, so there was nowhere to curry favor with him.

So why is he here now? Could it be related to Yuchi Rufeng? Today has been incredibly exciting.

"Wen Chen, you're not at Wuchen Residence, what brings you here to see me?" the Emperor said kindly, referring to himself as "I," while the Empress suddenly lowered her eyelids.

Mu Wenchen knelt down on both knees and said in a clear voice, "Your Majesty, I already knew that Rufeng was a woman when I was in the academy. I was the one who persuaded her to join the army, so Rufeng is innocent, and I am the one who is guilty!"

Chapter 149 Punishment

Mu Wenchen knelt down on both knees and said in a clear voice, "Your Majesty, I already knew that Rufeng was a woman when I was in the academy. I was the one who persuaded her to join the army, so Rufeng is innocent, and I am the one who is guilty!"

Everyone was shocked and looked at Mu Wenchen. He was dressed in a very ordinary white robe, and his hair was casually tied up with a hairband, yet he looked very refreshing and handsome.

Ru Feng glared at him and spoke first: "What are you doing here? This is my business. I wanted to join the army myself."

The emperor was also displeased. Although he didn't want Mu Wenchen to plead for Rufeng, seeing Rufeng yelling at Mu Wenchen and Mu Wenchen even smiling at her made him even angrier.

"Yuchi Rufeng, don't forget, the one standing in front of you is the only prince of my Zilu Kingdom, my brother. How dare you speak like that?" He looked at Rufeng with a gloomy expression, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

Startled, Ru Feng glanced at Mu Wenchen, then quickly lowered his head and remained silent.

At this moment, the Empress suddenly spoke up: "Brother, what is your relationship with Yuchi Rufeng? After all, it was your idea for her to join the army."

"Empress, what does this have to do with Guan Wenchen?" the Emperor quickly asked.

The Empress, however, said coldly, "Your Majesty, this is not what I said; it was my younger brother who said it himself."

Ru Feng lowered her head. It seemed the emperor still quite liked Wen Chen, protecting him in every way. So she raised her head and glanced at them, looking at the empress's expression, then at Wen Chen. A thought suddenly flashed through her mind. She remembered the way the emperor looked at her and Mu Wen Chen, and she also remembered the feeling she had once had that the empress seemed familiar.

A strange smile appeared on Ru Feng's lips. So that's how it is!

"I love Ru Feng! I want to marry her!" Mu Wenchen suddenly shouted, his eyes fixed on Ru Feng, his face cold but his eyes gentle.

Everyone gasped! Wow, that was explosive!

Ru Feng was slightly taken aback, but then felt a surge of joy. For someone to admit to liking him in front of everyone must mean he was truly willing to go all out. Ru Feng thought that in this feudal society, with Mu Wenchen treating him this way, he hadn't forgotten that he had transmigrated.