Chapter 508: Life or Death Rests on a Single Thought

Chapter 508: Life or Death Rests on a Single Thought

He didn’t immediately ask about why they had come to the Imperial City. Instead, he showed concern, saying, "Haven't you two had your evening meal yet? I'll have Uncle Feng prepare something right away."

Hearing her father’s words, He Zhiran felt a warm glow in her heart.

Normally, coming all the way from the Northwest to the Imperial City would mean something urgent was happening. Her father should have asked about the reason for their visit first.

Yet he didn’t. Instead, he asked if they had eaten.

This showed that, to Minister He, his daughter’s well-being was more important than anything else.

"Father, we have already eaten on the way here. How have you been holding up lately?"

Minister He gave a bitter chuckle, "These old bones of mine are still fine, but the situation in the Imperial City is very dire right now. Why did you choose to come at such a time?"

Especially since the Mo family had been exiled by imperial decree, Mo Jiuya’s return must mean something big was going down.

At this point, Mo Jiuya figured there was no point in hiding anything, especially since his wife intended to persuade her father to resign from his official post. Telling Minister He about the Mo family’s plight might help him see the Empress’s true face more clearly.

Just as he was about to speak, they heard faint sounds from outside.

Uncle Feng was moving fast, but his voice could already be heard from a distance.

"Master, the palace has sent someone."

Upon hearing that someone from the palace had come, Minister He's expression darkened, and he began to look around.

Without needing to discuss it, Mo Jiuya and He Zhiran quickly hid behind a folding screen.

There was no back door in the study, and the screen was the only place to hide, so they had no choice but to stay there temporarily.

At the same time, they both had the same thought: if the visitors dared to do anything harmful to Minister He, they would risk exposure to stop them.

As soon as they hid, the door to the study was pushed open from the outside.

Uncle Feng tried to stop them but was pushed aside by one of the palace eunuchs, nearly causing him to fall.

Even so, Uncle Feng still tried to prevent these people from barging into the study.

"You’ve got some nerve barging into Minister He’s study like this!"

Seeing Uncle Feng’s stubbornness, one of the eunuchs moved to strike him.

Minister He coldly shouted, "Stop! Who gave you the authority to act so boldly in front of this official?"

The visitors were three palace eunuchs. Minister He was not unfamiliar with them.

"What brings you to my home so late at night, Chief Liu?"

Seeing Minister He's unfriendly tone, Chief Liu responded sarcastically, "Oh… Minister He, you are quite forgetful. Didn't the Empress remind you a few days ago that she would send someone to discuss matters with you?

I have been entrusted by the Empress to have a chat with you."

As he spoke, Chief Liu’s beady eyes scanned the room.

With Mo Jiuya and He Zhiran hidden behind the screen, Minister He couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

Just as he was thinking of stopping Liu Gonggong from continuing his assessment, Liu Gonggong spoke again.

"Since I'm here, wouldn't Minister He invite me to sit for a while?"

In fact, Minister He had already prepared himself for death. If not for Mo Jiuya and He Zhiran, he wouldn’t waste time on such formalities with Liu Gonggong.

Helpless, for the safety of his daughter and son-in-law, he had no choice but to steel himself and deal with the situation.

Not only that, but Minister He was so worried about Mo Jiuya and He Zhiran that he was already sweating nervously.

Seeing this scene, Liu Gonggong felt even more smug.

In his heart, he cursed Minister He: "You usually act so tough, but when the Empress is serious, aren't you afraid and breaking out in cold sweat like everyone else?"

With this thought, Liu Gonggong looked at Minister He with even more disdain.

He strode into the study, flanked by two palace eunuchs, his demeanor arrogant and confident. He sat directly at the head of the table, while the two eunuchs stood respectfully by his sides.

In the past, mere eunuchs would never have dared to act so boldly in front of Minister He, which showed just how precarious his situation had become.

Minister He steadied his thoughts and stood straight.

"Liu Gonggong, the entire court knows that I only follow the Emperor's orders and have never participated in any disputes over the heir. If you're here to try and persuade me today, you can save your breath!"

He had already prepared for the worst. Even if forced to choose sides, he would never ally with the treacherous Empress.

The Fourth Prince was nothing more than a tool for the Empress to seize power.

Even if the Fourth Prince was truly of royal blood, so what?

How could a child possibly handle the affairs of state?

In the end, imperial power would still fall into the hands of the Xue family. Wasn't that the same as seizing control of the empire?

He Yuanming had lived an upright life, and even in death, he would never stoop to colluding with such people.

Liu Gonggong didn't care about Minister He's attitude. After all, even the Empress and Minister Xue knew that this was how he always behaved.

As long as he completed his task today, it was all that mattered.

Liu Gonggong took out a small porcelain bottle from his robe and slowly placed it on the desk.

"Minister He, the Empress said that today you have two choices. First, if you follow the instructions of the Empress and Minister Xue from now on, you will enjoy high rank and great wealth, with endless prosperity in the future.

Once the Fourth Prince secures his position, you will be a founding hero of great merit.

On the other hand, if you continue to defy the Empress..."

He pointed to the small porcelain bottle on the desk.

"This is also a kindness from the Empress, giving you a final means of dignity."

Mo Jiuya and He Zhiran, hiding behind the screen, couldn't see the small porcelain bottle, but from the sound of it touching the desk and Liu Gonggong's words, they could infer that the Empress had given Minister He an ultimatum.

Today, unless he agreed to join the Empress's camp, he would have to take the poison from the bottle.

In short, whether he lived or died was now in Minister He's hands.

Minister He had clearly anticipated this moment, showing no fear at the sight of the porcelain bottle.

"I have already made my stance clear. Whether my life is to be taken or spared can only be decided by the Emperor. Since when has the Empress been allowed to interfere in state affairs? By what authority does the Empress presume to take my life?"

Liu Gonggong’s lips curled into a sinister smile as he slammed his hand on the table.

"He Yuanming, don’t refuse the offer and invite punishment. Since you refuse to join the Empress's camp, I advise you to take the poison from the bottle, and at least your family and household will be spared."