latelenovela Chapter 300 Frightened
Chapter 300 Frightened
In the winter, the north wind howled through the Forbidden City, scraping across the palace walls like knives and swirling the snow from the glazed tiles into the air. Outside the Imperial Study, wisps of smoke rose from a bronze incense burner, attempting to dispel the biting cold, but they quickly dissipated in the wind.
Jiang Youan, dressed in a black robe with dragon patterns, was bent over his desk reviewing memorials. His vermilion brush swept across the Xuan paper, leaving behind a series of striking annotations. The palace lantern on the desk swayed gently in the breeze, its light and shadow flickering on the walls. Just then, a commotion outside the door broke the tranquility of the imperial study.
"Your Majesty, I have been wronged! I beg Your Majesty to do justice for me!" Ma Ruoli's voice, choked with sobs, echoed in the empty corridor.
Jiang Youan put down his vermilion brush, his brows furrowed slightly, and said unhappily, "What happened? Let Miss Ma in."
As soon as she finished speaking, Ma Ruoli rushed into the imperial study, her clothes disheveled. She knelt down with a thud, tears streaming down her face like a burst dam. Her hair was messy, and a few strands clung to her pale face, making her look even more pitiful.
"Your Majesty, I almost didn't get to see you again!" Ma Ruoli sobbed uncontrollably. "I was poisoned and nearly lost my life. After many days of investigation, I discovered that the poisoner is very likely Her Majesty the Empress!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Youan's expression changed drastically, and he gripped the armrest of the dragon throne so tightly that the veins bulged: "Miss Ma, this is a serious accusation, you can't just make things up. Do you have any evidence?"
Ma Ruoli took out a brocade handkerchief from her sleeve and presented it with both hands: "Your Majesty, this is the clothing I wore on the night I was poisoned. There are still traces of poison on it. I had someone examine it, and the poison has a similar scent to the incense used in Her Majesty the Empress's palace. Moreover, after I was poisoned, Her Majesty the Empress came to visit me, and her words seemed to be testing whether I knew who poisoned me."
Jiang Youan took the handkerchief and examined it carefully, his expression growing increasingly solemn. He knew all too well the cruelty of the power struggles in the harem, but he had never imagined that Su Liyue would be involved.
“Your Majesty, I would never dare to deceive you. My life was given to me by Your Majesty. If I hadn’t been truly desperate, I would never have dared to disturb Your Majesty.” Ma Ruoli cried, her face streaked with tears. “I beg Your Majesty to do justice for me, to thoroughly investigate this matter, and to give me justice.”
Jiang Youan pondered for a long time before slowly saying, "Miss Ma, please get up. This matter is of great importance, and I will definitely investigate it thoroughly. If anyone dares to frame the Empress, I will not let them off lightly; but if you deliberately made a false accusation, you will also be severely punished."
Ma Ruoli stood up and bowed slightly: "This humble woman understands. This humble woman only hopes that Your Majesty can find out the truth and restore peace to the harem."
After Ma Ruoli left, Jiang Youan was caught in a dilemma. He and Su Liyue were deeply in love, and in his heart, Su Liyue was the kind of person who would do such a thing. But Ma Ruoli's accusations were not entirely unfounded.
"Bring the Empress to the palace." Jiang Youan finally decided to ask her directly.
Before long, Su Liyue, dressed in a phoenix robe, entered the imperial study with graceful bearing. She noticed the unusual atmosphere inside and Jiang Youan's extremely unpleasant expression.
"Your Majesty, what has happened?" Su Liyue asked with concern.
Jiang Youan remained silent for a moment, then told Su Liyue about Ma Ruoli's accusations and the handkerchief. Upon hearing this, Su Liyue's face turned pale, her eyes filled with grievance: "Your Majesty, I have absolutely no intention of harming anyone, much less would I commit poisoning. There must be some misunderstanding."
Jiang Youan looked at Su Liyue, his heart wavering slightly: "Liyue, I believe you wouldn't do such a thing. But we can't ignore Miss Ma's accusations. I've already sent people to investigate this matter, and I believe the truth will come out soon. In the meantime, you must avoid suspicion and refrain from contacting Miss Ma."
With tears in her eyes, Su Liyue nodded slightly: "Your Majesty's decree will be obeyed."
However, just as the investigation began, news arrived from the inner palace that a palace maid had died mysteriously outside Ma Ruoli's palace. This maid was the one responsible for preparing Ma Ruoli's meals. This news plunged the entire inner palace into panic and gave Jiang You'an an even greater headache. Who was manipulating all of this behind the scenes? Was it Ma Ruoli's own doing, or was there a hidden force attempting to overthrow the inner palace and disrupt the court? Jiang You'an knew that this palace intrigue had only just begun…
In the days that followed, the Imperial Study became the center of a storm. Jiang You'an had to handle both heavy state affairs and the infighting within the harem. He dispatched his most capable secret guards to investigate the series of events, leaving no detail overlooked. Meanwhile, panic gripped the harem; the young ladies-in-waiting lived in constant fear, and the tranquility of the past was shattered.
The night in the Forbidden City was thick and inky, but the Imperial Study was brightly lit by candlelight. Jiang You'an frowned deeply; his desk was piled high with secret reports from his guards, but the truth remained shrouded in layers of fog, elusive from view. Just as he was lost in thought, his personal eunuch rushed in to report that Su Liyue requested an audience.
"Summon her in." Jiang Youan rubbed his temples; the exertion of the past few days had made his voice sound slightly tired.
Su Liyue stepped gracefully into the imperial study. Although she looked somewhat haggard, her eyes shone with determination. "Your Majesty, I have ascertained the truth," she said bluntly, taking an exquisite wooden box from her sleeve and placing it on the table.
Jiang Youan's gaze sharpened. He opened the wooden box, inside which were some scattered letters and a meticulously drawn relationship diagram. Su Liyue pointed to the diagram and explained, "Your Majesty, all of this is a conspiracy orchestrated by Ma Ruoli in collusion with treacherous people outside the palace. Unwilling to accept defeat in the imperial concubine selection, she attempted to frame me, disrupt the harem, and thus influence the court's situation."
It turns out that the forces behind Ma Ruoli had long coveted the Western Jing Kingdom, attempting to control the court by manipulating the harem. Ma Ruoli actively colluded with these people, orchestrating this "poisoning" farce according to their plan. The so-called handkerchief stained with poison was merely a trap she set to mislead everyone. The mysteriously deceased palace maid was murdered by Ma Ruoli to cover her tracks, fearing exposure.
To obtain conclusive evidence, Su Liyue secretly contacted her friends in the martial arts world. These chivalrous individuals were agile and secretive; they followed the clues and finally found the letters between Ma Ruoli and forces outside the palace, uncovering the truth behind this conspiracy.
Jiang Youan grew angrier as he listened, slamming his hand heavily on the table: "What a Ma Ruoli! How dare she be so audacious, turning my harem into such chaos!"
Just then, the secret guards in charge of the investigation rushed over, presenting a new confidential report that confirmed Su Liyue's words. Jiang Youan immediately ordered: "Issue my decree to immediately arrest Ma Ruoli and her accomplices, investigate them thoroughly, and let no one escape!"
The guards acted swiftly and took Ma Ruoli from her residence. Ma Ruoli continued to resist, screaming, "You can't arrest me! I'm innocent!" However, faced with overwhelming evidence, her sophistry seemed weak and powerless.
During the interrogation, Ma Ruoli finally confessed to her crimes. She tearfully recounted her resentment, the humiliation of failing the talent show, and her desire for power, which led her step by step into the abyss.
After the truth came out, Jiang Youan looked at Su Liyue with deep remorse: "Liyue, I was wrong to blame you and made you suffer."
Su Liyue smiled gently: "Your Majesty, I understand that you are also trying to find out the truth and have no intention of blaming me. It's just that the harem has been severely weakened by this incident and needs to be properly reorganized."
Jiang Youan nodded in agreement: "I have decided to take this opportunity to strengthen the management of the inner palace, formulate stricter palace rules, and prevent such incidents from happening again. At the same time, I will also severely punish those treacherous people who attempt to disrupt the court and restore peace to Xijing Kingdom."
Subsequently, Jiang Youan issued an edict ordering Ma Ruoli and her accomplices to be severely punished according to the law. This thrilling palace intrigue finally came to an end. After this incident, the palace returned to its former peace, and the relationship between Jiang Youan and Su Liyue deepened even more through the trials of life.
On a sunny day, Jiang Youan and Su Liyue strolled through the Imperial Garden. The warm spring sun shone on them, the peach blossoms were in full bloom, and the apricot blossoms were like snow, making the entire Imperial Garden look like a magnificent painting.
"Liyue, it is my blessing to have you by my side," Jiang Youan said with emotion, holding Su Liyue's hand.
Su Liyue nodded slightly, her eyes full of love: "Your Majesty, I am also willing to join hands with you to create a prosperous era for Xijing Kingdom and protect this hard-won peace."
The following morning, while the Forbidden City slept in the embrace of dawn, wisps of smoke struggled to rise from the bronze crane-shaped incense burner outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, attempting to dispel the winter chill. In the distance, the surging sunrise on the horizon seemed stained with blood, casting an ominous shadow over the solemn palace.
At the third quarter of the hour of Mao (5:45 AM), the resounding bell echoed through the palace walls, startling the roosting birds. Civil and military officials, dressed in their court robes and holding their official tablets, entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony in order of rank, their expressions varied. For a moment, the palace was filled with the fluttering of robes and the clear, melodious clinking of jade pendants, yet this could not conceal the trepidation in everyone's hearts.
Minister of Revenue Ma Wenyuan appeared unusually strange today. He was dressed in a brand-new scarlet official robe, with a jade belt inlaid with precious jade at his waist. He should have been full of vigor, but at this moment his face was as pale as paper, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, soaking the front of his robe. His hands trembled involuntarily, gripping the tablet tightly, his knuckles white, as if he had grasped at the last straw.
As the high-pitched announcement of "The Emperor has arrived" rang out, Jiang Youan, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony, surrounded by eunuchs and palace maids. Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, bathing him in a golden glow, making him appear even more majestic and solemn.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" The officials knelt and bowed, their voices echoing throughout the hall.
"Rise, my beloved ministers." Jiang Youan's voice was steady and powerful, his gaze sharp as he slowly swept over the assembled officials, finally settling on Ma Wenyuan. Ma Wenyuan felt that piercing gaze, shuddered, and almost collapsed to the ground.
"I have important matters to announce at the morning court session today," Jiang Youan's voice echoed in the hall. "Recently, a poisoning incident occurred in the harem. After a thorough investigation by my men, the truth has come to light. This was a farce orchestrated by Ma Ruoli in collusion with treacherous individuals outside the palace, attempting to disrupt the harem and thus affect the court."
These words caused an uproar in the court. Officials whispered among themselves, their eyes all turning to Ma Wenyuan. Ma Wenyuan felt dizzy, his legs went weak, and he knelt on the ground with a thud, cold sweat pouring down his face and soaking the ground.
"Ma Wenyuan, do you know your crime?" Jiang Youan's voice suddenly rose, booming like a bell and making everyone's eardrums hurt.
Ma Wenyuan trembled all over, kowtowing repeatedly, his voice trembling with sobs: "Your Majesty, I...I knew nothing about it. My daughter committed such a treasonous act, it is my fault for failing to discipline her properly, I deserve to die! I beg Your Majesty to consider my many years of service to the court and show leniency."
Jiang Youan snorted coldly: "Serving the court for many years? Hmph! As a high-ranking official, you not only failed to restrain your family, but also allowed them to collude with treacherous people, attempting to overthrow the court. Your actions are unforgivable!"
At this moment, the Left Chancellor Zhao Zhong stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, “Your Majesty, Lord Ma has served in the court for many years and has made many contributions to the court. Although he failed to discipline his subordinates properly this time, his crime does not warrant death. I hope Your Majesty will show leniency and give him a chance to atone for his crimes.”
Right Chancellor Li Mingde retorted, "Chancellor Zhao, Ma Ruoli has committed such a serious crime, and it's possible that Ma Wenyuan is condoning it behind the scenes. If we don't punish her severely, how can we explain this to the people? And how can we deter those with ulterior motives?"
The court was divided into two factions: those supporting Ma Wenyuan and those advocating severe punishment, each holding their own ground and arguing endlessly. Jiang You listened quietly, his face growing increasingly grim. When the argument subsided, he slammed his hand heavily on the armrest of the dragon throne, and the hall instantly fell silent.
“As an official appointed by the court, Ma Wenyuan failed to set a good example, causing his family to commit serious crimes that deserve death. However, considering his past merits, I will spare his life for now,” Jiang Youan said coldly. “Issue my decree to remove Ma Wenyuan from his position as Minister of Revenue, confiscate all his property, demote him to a commoner, and expel him from the capital immediately.”
Ma Wenyuan collapsed to the ground, his eyes vacant, muttering to himself like a walking corpse: "It's over, it's all over..."
Following this, Jiang Youan ordered strengthened oversight of the inner palace and the imperial court to prevent such incidents from recurring. After the morning court session, the officials gradually dispersed. Ma Wenyuan, escorted by guards, slunk away from the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Watching his departing figure, everyone couldn't help but sigh, lamenting that the once-glorious Minister of Revenue had fallen to such a state.