Chapter 379 – Intimate on a Spiritual Level

Chapter 379 - Intimate on a Spiritual Level

Jiang Chongyuan gritted her teeth and lowered her head.

"Hao Jinli, are you refusing to admit it? Do you want me to issue an imperial edict to execute everyone in your Jiang family?" he asked.

Jiang Chongyuan trembled again but still replied, "This concubine truly has no idea. I beg Your Majesty for mercy."

She bowed her head so low that no one could see her expression.

"Putting aside everything else, I lack the ruthlessness. Even though I've resented the Qi family for forcing me into the palace all these years, I would still lend a helping hand if something happened to them. Back then, even when Qi Qingluan caused someone's death, I had to protect her from being killed. Compared to you, Jiang Chongyuan, I'm practically a bodhisattva with divine radiance," Yun Li picked up her tea, smiled, and took a sip after speaking.

Hao Jinli glanced at her sideways and said, "You're talking nonsense."

But his eyes were filled with amusement.

Her description was truly comical.

Jiang Chongyuan was also startled. Empress Xiaosheng actually mentioned being forced into the palace back then? Yet His Majesty didn't seem to mind at all?

But at this moment, she couldn't afford to dwell on these matters.

"The Empress Consort has every right to hate me. After all, it was my father... who committed those deeds, leading to misunderstandings between Your Majesty and the Ninth Prince, and even implicating your younger brother. It's all my fault, and I beg for your forgiveness," she said, shifting her body and bowing her head towards Yun Li.

Yun Li accepted her apology without any qualms, remaining still like a mountain and not responding.

Jiang Chongyuan's one-sided performance could no longer continue. She turned to He Jinli again, "Your Majesty feels injustice for the Empress Consort, and I can understand that. I beg for your mercy, spare my father's life."

Yun Li chuckled, looking at He Jinli, "I was underestimating her. Not only is she ruthless and heartless, but she's also skilled in manipulating others. She wiped out an entire family, yet now, in her words, it's merely Your Majesty standing up for me. What do you call that? An emperor punishing a loyal minister's family due to his favorite concubine? Haha, truly remarkable."

He Jinli wasn't overly angered, just shooting a glance at Yun Li.

Then, he focused on Jiang Chongyuan below.

Jiang Chongyuan hurriedly clarified, "This concubine never had such intentions."

"Stop pleading. How much affection do you have for your father, who's so promiscuous? When you were young, he was already indulging in his desires. He squandered your mother's dowry and took in two of her maidservants. Your half-siblings from his other relationships haven't treated you kindly either."

Though your Jiang family holds the esteemed title of Marquis, it is plagued with corruption and disgrace. Your sole ambition is to see your son ascend as Crown Prince, yet such aspirations need not be tied to a tainted maternal home. Wouldn't it be prudent to use this incident as an opportunity to cleanse the household? It would be advantageous for your father to face consequences; after all, you still have full-blooded brothers to rely on. Isn't safeguarding their positions and honor the priority here?

Yun Li's face was beaming with a radiant smile.

"Empress Concubine Xian, where did you hear this? I absolutely had no such intention," Consort Jiang said.

Yun Li smiled. "Of course, I had my younger brother look into it. Is that unreasonable?"

"Your younger brother naturally bears a grudge against our Jiang family, and rightfully so. But..."

"Enough with the chatter. If your father refuses to acknowledge your involvement, it's of no concern. When a concubine is found guilty, her family suffers the consequences. It's only natural that a concubine would be implicated if her family is found at fault, isn't it?" Yun Li withdrew her smile, adopting a calm demeanor.

"Your Majesty!"

"Meng Chang, convey the imperial edict." He Jianli glanced at Jiang Chongyuan and said, "The Jiang family's title is revoked, and their mansion shall be seized. The descendants of the Jiang family for three generations are forbidden from entering the court or taking the imperial examinations. Considering the past merits of the Jiang ancestors, we shall spare Jiang Baoyi from punishment. Jiang Rong and his son will face execution, while their grandchildren will be exiled. A thorough investigation shall be conducted on Jiang Qu and his siblings and nephews. Those found uninvolved will receive twenty strokes of the cane and be relocated, while those involved will be exiled. Jiang Chongyuan's mother shall be granted death by imperial decree. We will not pursue the matter with her married sisters, nor will we punish those unmarried and uninvolved."

"Your Majesty!" Consort Jiang was utterly astonished.

"Concubine Jiang has been demoted to a commoner and sent to the An Yi Hall. She shall never leave this place nor see Prince Ten again," He Jincheng declared.

"Your Majesty, He Shi is still around. It wouldn't be appropriate for them to live together, would it? He Shi... Although she committed that act, her entire family is now gone. She is, after all, the niece of Empress Dowager He. Perhaps it's best to release her," Yun Li said.

Hao Jinli glared at Yun Li before responding, "Forget it. It's rare for you to plead on someone's behalf. He Shi will remain as a concubine. She can reside in the Qiu Lan Pavilion."

The Qiu Lan Pavilion was also...

Where Flower Concubine had lived for many years.

"Your Majesty, this concubine did not do these things! Your Majesty!" Jiang Shi cried.

"Hold her back. I don't wish to see her," Hao Jinli waved his hand.

Hao Jinli was actually quite fair to all his children. The mischievous Tenth Prince had indeed won his favor.

But to be honest, Jiang Concubine's pregnancy years ago wasn't due to frequent visits from Hao Jinli.

She was simply fertile.

Hao Jinli had favored many women, but Jiang Shi was definitely not one of them.

Even someone as foolish as the He family had once put on a show for Jingenli because of other considerations.

But Concubine Jiang had risen to her position thanks to her ability to bear children.

Thus, when such a person ran into trouble, Jingenli wouldn't spare her any mercy. The only reason he didn't kill her was that the Tenth Prince was already grown.

It would ultimately be inappropriate to kill his birth mother.

As Jiang left, tears streamed down her face. "Why? Why can Empress Xiaoyan do anything she wants? It's just four years later, why am I inferior to her in every way?"

Yun Li frowned. "Take her away."

A few rough eunuchs quickly dragged her away.

Yun Li was quite disgusted. "She's truly disgusting."

Jingenli chuckled. "Alright, still not satisfied?"

"No, Your Majesty can't see it?" Yun Li widened her eyes. Was this man really that blind?

"What?" Helinli Ming seemed genuinely clueless.

Yun Li gazed at him speechlessly for a while. Seeing that he was truly puzzled, she took a deep breath and sipped her tea again.

"Does Your Majesty think she has feelings for you?" Yun Li asked.

Helinli Ming was perplexed. "Why do you ask?"

Yun Li found it amusing. "My affection for you has become a trend for others to mimic. They claim it's too late if they don't express their feelings now, not referring to the duration of service, but that you won't notice them since they also like you."

"Tsk, I would have believed it if not for her usual demeanor."

Upon this clarification, Helinli Ming also furrowed his brow.

Indeed... It was somewhat nauseating.

Yun Li chuckled. "Ahem, ahem, alright then. The snow seems to be getting heavier. I'm hungry too. How about something warm to eat?"

Helinli Ming nodded. "It's up to you. Don't go back today."

"You still have a pile of documents there. What's the point of me not going back?" Yun Li rolled her eyes.

"Help me sort them out," He Jinli said matter-of-factly.

Yun Li huffed. "Not in your dreams. I'll head back after lunch. If you're done with your work tonight, you can come over."

"I can't take a day off for myself? I'm too exhausted to move," He Jinli complained.

"I'm exhausted too. Let's just communicate spiritually," Yun Li retorted frankly.

He Jinli laughed through his anger, standing up to pinch her cheeks. "It seems you don't like me but enjoy provoking me, right?"

"At my age, no need for physical contact. Aren't you annoying?" Yun Li waved his hand away, pushing his grip off.

"If you dare leave today, I'll break your legs," He Jinli threatened fiercely.

Yun Li took a deep breath. "Fine, I won't leave. Are you being childish or what?"

He Jinli sneered. "Feel free to try it out."