Chapter 417: Pleading

Chapter 417 Pleading for Mercy

Unlike the isolation of Fangning Palace, the Virtuous Consort managing the inner palace was far more well-informed and quickly learned about the pursuit of Xin You.

Upon hearing the news, the Virtuous Consort’s first reaction was also bewilderment.

It was often said that the imperial family was heartless, yet even the former Second Prince, King Qing, who had committed such grave offenses, was merely stripped of his royal status. How could His Majesty suddenly order the execution of a young woman like Miss Xin?

Had His Majesty lost his mind during his southern tour?

"Is it confirmed that Li Wei is leading the operation?"

Receiving an affirmative answer, the Virtuous Consort absently traced her long nails.

Her nails were not painted with rouge but neatly trimmed into smooth, clean ovals.

After a long silence, she spoke slowly, "Go quietly and contact our allies in the outer court. Spread the news that His Majesty intends to execute Miss Xin. Be extremely careful—do not let anyone trace it back to Ganquan Palace."

The eunuch acknowledged the order but couldn’t help glancing at the Virtuous Consort.

Your Highness was trying to secure a sliver of hope for Miss Xin.

"Go quickly."

The eunuch bowed and left. The Virtuous Consort picked up her teacup, took a sip, and sighed softly.

She felt a twinge of regret. If His Majesty had gone this far in his madness, what if Ganquan Palace were implicated and her son harmed?

But doing nothing would also bring regret, wouldn’t it?

Gripping the teacup tightly, the Virtuous Consort thought to herself: Xin You, Ganquan Palace can only do this much. Whether you live or die now depends on your luck.

The inner palace was like a bottomless pool—calm on the surface, but with undercurrents swirling beneath. Everyone’s attention was fixed on this matter.

Li Wei had searched the palace gardens to no avail and now met with Jinlin Guard Commander Feng Nian.

"No sign of her?"

Li Wei nodded heavily. "We’ve searched every inch of the palace gardens. She isn’t there."

"She must still be in the inner palace. If she’s not in the gardens, she must be hiding in one of the consorts’ palaces."

Li Wei hesitated. "Commander Feng means—we should search the consorts’ palaces?"

Feng Nian gave a wry smile. "Eunuch Li, those aren’t my orders. The decree to execute Xin You comes from His Majesty. This is His Majesty’s will."

"But searching the consorts’ palaces is not something to be taken lightly..."

"If we delay any longer, the news will leak outside the palace walls, and who knows what complications might follow. Eunuch Li, our priority now is to act swiftly and fulfill His Majesty’s decree."

Once Xin You was dead, any reaction from outside the palace would be meaningless—after all, the dead could not be brought back to life.

"It’s not that Xin You is too cunning—she didn’t flee earlier but instead vanished into the inner palace. This burden now falls on you, Eunuch Li. His Majesty is waiting. Do not disappoint him."

Li Wei gritted his teeth. "Fine! I’ll muster more men and personally search every palace!"

Meanwhile, the news of Xin You’s impending execution spread like wildfire through the ministries closest to the palace.

The Imperial Academy was not adjacent to the imperial precincts, but by the time Meng Jizuo heard the news and hurried there, a crowd had already gathered outside the Donghua Gate, demanding an audience with Emperor Xingyuan.

Meng Jizuo spotted Xie Chengan and hurried over: "Huaiping, is the rumor true?"

Xie Chengan looked grave. "It seems so. I heard Li Wei is leading a group of eunuchs in a thorough search of the inner palace."

Meng Jizuo glanced at the palace gate guards and lowered his voice. "His Majesty isn’t receiving anyone?"

Xie Chengan shook his head grimly. "They say His Majesty is unwell."

"Ever since His Majesty returned to the capital, he has skipped court due to illness, yet today he summoned Lady Xin only to issue a death sentence." Meng Jizuo's expression darkened further. "This is extremely fishy."

The Minister of Revenue cut in: "His Majesty's sudden decree to abolish the new policies is just as baffling. Lady Xin went to see him over this very issue. Regardless, we must see His Majesty today!"

Not all of them had come just to save Lady Xin, but their growing unease over being unable to meet Emperor Xingyuan had now converged with the crisis surrounding her.

A heated argument broke out nearby: "Feng Nian, what gives you the right to deny us an audience with His Majesty?"

Feng Nian stood at the palace gate and smiled faintly. "Duke Anguo, that’s quite an accusation. As Jinlin Guard Commander, I act solely on His Majesty's orders. His Majesty is too exhausted to see you. I am merely following instructions."

Duke Anguo, who had once fought alongside Emperor Xingyuan through life and death, was hot-tempered. "Bullshit! You claim it's His Majesty's order, but I suspect you're exploiting his illness to control him! I must see His Majesty today—who he wants dead is none of my business, but I must confirm His Majesty is safe and sound!"

Feng Nian couldn’t just brush that off.

Duke Anguo was no minor noble but the Left Commander of the Rear Military Governor's Office, a high-ranking official.

Feng Nian had no choice but to say, "Gentlemen, please remain calm. I’ll check with His Majesty again."

After a tense wait, the guards at Donghua Gate stepped aside. Feng Nian announced coolly, "His Majesty summons you for an audience."

The officials exchanged glances, tension easing slightly.

Led by Feng Nian, they entered the imperial bedchamber and saw Emperor Xingyuan.

Seated on the throne, the Emperor slumped back weakly, his face gaunt and sickly.

Though improper, Duke Anguo scrutinized Emperor Xingyuan closely, confirming this was indeed his old comrade. He boomed, "Your Majesty, how are you holding up?"

The Emperor coughed violently before speaking, alarming the assembled civil and military officials, their faces etched with concern.

His Majesty truly did not look well.

"I’ll be fine. A little more rest will suffice."

"That puts my mind at ease. Whatever Your Majesty commands, I’d lay down my life a thousand times to fulfill!"

The ministers echoed in unison, "We’d lay down our lives a thousand times!"

This was as good as saying: If you are under the control of treacherous ministers, Your Majesty, just give the signal.

*Cough, cough.* Emperor Xingyuan glanced at them. "Just let me rest."

The ministers shifted uncomfortably.

Duke Anguo promptly requested to withdraw, but the Minister of Revenue hesitated before stepping forward. "Your Majesty, this subject heard you decreed Lady Xin's execution. May I ask what crime Lady Xin committed?"

"Xin You has shown contempt for ruler and family, committing the unpardonable crime of great disrespect."

The Minister of Revenue knelt. "Lady Xin is not yet twenty—young people speak impulsively. I beg Your Majesty to consider her contributions to governance and the people and go easy on her."

Xie Chengan, Meng Jizuo, and others also knelt down, pleading on Xin You's behalf.

His pale face flushed with anger: "Are you suggesting that her merits exempt her from punishment? Where does that leave Great Xia's laws?"

"Your Majesty—"

"Enough! My decision is final. All of you, withdraw!"

At that moment, a eunuch announced: "Your Majesty, His Highness the Prince seeks an audience."

"Show him in."

Shortly after, Prince Xiu entered and knelt, sweeping his robe aside.

"What brings you here?" Emperor Xingyuan asked.

"I beg you, Father, to commute Xin You's death sentence."

Emperor Xingyuan glanced at Prince Xiu, wearily rubbed his brow, and uttered two words: "Request denied."