"The Princess Consort is right." Nangong Lie came in from outside, "It's hard for us to not suspect what ulterior motives Elder Wu has. This concerns performing exorcism in the imperial palace, yet Elder Wu did not notify us, the Worship Hall, but had invited other eminent monks. Elder Wu, it is against the rules for you to do this."
There were no changes in Baili Jia Jue's expression. His side profile was cool and his eyes were emitting extreme coldness.
He too gave Nangong Lie a look, yet that look was far more malevolent than Nangong Lie's, and if one were to convert it to words.
It would be in eight words.
Toy with him to death in my name!
Nangong Lie looked at Baili Jia Jue in the eyes and could not help but gulp as he wondered to himself as to how had this Elder Wu offended Ah Jue.
To the point that he would give out such command...
Elder Wu had yet to realize his circ.u.mstances but he knew that inviting eminent monks into the palace had offended the Worship Hall. However, the mean would not matter if Helian Wei Wei showed her true form under the pressure of the mantra.
Yet, he never thought that Helian Wei Wei would actually be unaffected!
"Your Majesty." Nangong Lie still acted like a fearless young master of a noble family, "If Your Majesty thinks that my Worship Hall is unable to protect the peace of the imperial palace, Your Majesty could easily cast us, the Nangong family, out of the capital. If Your Majesty were the one to ask, Ah Lie would naturally abide. Therefore, there is no need to ask for other eminent monks to embarrass the Worship Hall."
When the Emperor heard what Nangong Lie said, he was no longer silent, his tone was persuading the latter to stay, "Ah Lie, you're thinking too much. I agreed to Old Wu's suggestion because I didn't want to trouble anyone from the Worship Hall any further since all of you are relentlessly investigating the case. Besides, Old Wu had no other intentions. He was just worried about the disturbances in the palace and wanted to help me solve the problem."
"Since that's the case, did Elder Wu find anything?" Nangong Lie stood aside and an air of wickedness surrounded him.
Elder Wu did not speak.
Helian Wei Wei stood up and brushed away the dust on her, "Elder Wu did not investigate into anything. He was busy opposing me by claiming that I was possessed and even asked the eminent monks to chant the Evocation Incantation again and again."
"Evocation Incantation?" Nangong Lie furrowed his brows and turned to Elder Wu with a devilish smile, "Elder Wu, I might not be that wise but don't lie to me. I have been involved in sacrificial offerings for such a long time but this is the first time I have heard that one would use the Evocation Incantation to pray and be rid of bad luck. Are you trying to calm the resentment or complicate things in the palace? Elder Wu is truly bold for recklessly lying to His Majesty, aren't you worried for your head?"
Nevertheless, Elder Wu had been through many tidings so he was composed and did not lose his footing nor was he spooked by Nangong Lie's interrogation.
He turned to face the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, the matter of inviting the eminent monks to the palace in order to chant the Evocation Incantation was something I have long reported to Your Majesty, so how is that lying to the Emperor? Your Majesty, please support what I've said!"
"Old Wu had told me about this." The Emperor was absent-minded as always when he said perfunctorily, "Ah Lie, you are all my subordinates and I know that you have always done things with the peace of the palace in mind. Since Old Wu had investigated and found nothing, naturally that's for the best, so let's not dwell on it."
Nangong Lie narrowed his long fox-like eyes and the corner of his lips twitched downwards mockingly, but he did not reply.
However, Baili Jia Jue gradually parted his lips, "Evidence is crucial even if it is for the peace of the palace. Yet, shouldn't Elder Wu apologize properly for framing me and my Princess Consort?"
When he spoke, his posture was no different than before with him standing tall and surrounded by an aura of nobility and refinement.
In spite of that, Elder Wu felt like he was being looked down upon.
This was what he loathed the most!
The Emperor looked at Elder Wu before glancing at Baili Jia Jue who was increasingly cold as well as Nangong Lie's disgruntled face.
He knew that if he did nothing now, it would be impossible for them to make peace in the future.
After weighing things out, the Emperor changed his mind and pushed the responsibility to Elder Wu, "Since it has come to this, Old Wu should apologize to the young ones, it's not that big of a matter."
"Your Majesty!" In a blink of an eye, Elder Wu's face had changed drastically from delight to a pale white.
He had been an elder for three generations and everyone in the hall knew his image and dignity in the War Dragon Empire.
Yet now, His Majesty had asked him to publicly admit defeat and apologize to Helian Wei Wei, someone who was younger than him!
"What?" Casually sitting in her seat, Helian Wei Wei slightly crossed her legs as she lay back, "Is Elder Wu trying to defy His Majesty's order?"
"Old Wu," the Emperor urged again, his voice clearly lower than before.
Elder Wu snatched a cup of tea from the eunuch and took a deep breath. While he was walking up to Helian Wei Wei, he was so angry that the muscles on his face were almost trembling. At this moment, he wanted nothing more than to dig a hole for himself and make his way into it...
Chapter 557 - His Highness’s Means
"It was my fault for misunderstanding the Princess Consort," Elder Wu clenched his fingers so hard that his knuckles turned white as he said this. This was the first time in his life that he felt so humiliated!
Helian Wei Wei gave him a glance casually, "It's not a misunderstanding, it's framing. It's better for Elder Wu to not accuse anyone next time before you have solid evidence."
Elder Wu gritted his teeth and the word "yes" slipped out between his thin lips.
Helian Wei Wei smiled nonchalantly as she took the cup of tea from his hands. However, she did not drink it but instead handed it over to the eunuch beside her as her lips curled into a smile, "I'll hand this to you. A cup of tea that was offered by Elder Wu is hard to come by."
No matter how seasoned Elder Wu was, his face still went pale when he saw Helian Wei Wei's action. How dare she pass the tea that he offered to a eunuch!
She was clearly humiliating him!
Elder Wu took a few deep breaths; he had clenched his hands so tightly that nerves were popping on the back of his hands!
He will let her have her way for now.
When the army charges in later, Baili Jia Jue will be caught in a dilemma, and when he is charged with the crime of treason, he would like to see how Helian Wei Wei and the Third Prince will be able to smile then!
Malice was written all over Elder Wu's perceptive old eyes as he thought of this. He then straightened his back and was about to retreat.
"Hold it." Baili Jia Jue raised his narrow eyes before pacing toward Helian Wei Wei. His tone was temperate, "Elder Wu, I shouldn't have to teach you what you should do when you apologize to the Princess Consort, right?"
Elder Wu's face transformed yet again but this time round, it was far more genuine and gloomier than before!
"Third Prince!" The Emperor who realized what Baili Jia Jue was about to say exclaimed crossly in a low voice.
Yet, Baili Jia Jue did not even bother to spare the Emperor a look as he lowered his gaze at Elder Wu. His tone was chilly when a word escaped his lips, "Kneel."
"Third Prince!" The Emperor stood up with a thud!
It was then that Baili Jia Jue turned his attention to the Emperor. Nevertheless, the imperceptible smile and abstinence air around him was no different from before, "The royal families were honored since ancient times. Yet, if Your Majesty lets Elder Wu have his way for being rude, then where should we position the dignity and honor of our royal family? Or does Your Majesty t
hink that the position of the Elder Compound is higher than that of the royal family?"
The Emperor narrowed his eyes and turned to Elder Wu, "Elder Wu, the Third Prince is right. You, just kneel."
"Your Majesty!" Elder Wu wanted to retort.
However, the Emperor paid no heed to him and with a simple wave of his hand, he had conveyed his decision.
It would unmistakably be Baili Jia Jue.
The Emperor was extremely cautious about the influences the Elder Compound had over the royal family and had always wanted to achieve a balance of give and take.
The extent of his care for the Elder Compound was equal to the restriction that he imposed on them.
Especially in front of the masses.
Naturally, Elder Wu knew the circ.u.mstances and he understood without a doubt that he could not turn it down.
If he refused, it would evoke suspicion and offend the Emperor.
Then, he would not be able to execute the subsequent plan!
Elder Wu bite hard into the gum on the back of his teeth and stared at Baili Jia Jue's face before he slowly, very slowly knelt down...
Nangong Lie smiled bewitchingly next to Elder Wu before extending his arms to pat Elder Wu on the shoulder and said in a low voice, "Elder Wu, I wouldn't offend the Third Prince if I were you. Those from the Elder Compound really are bold but after getting a smack in the face, this spectacle is truly… pfft, very unsightly."
Elder Wu's eyes darkened and his fingers under his long sleeves were still crooked from him clenching his fists too tightly.
Helian Wei Wei too was impressed with the methods that a certain prince had used and no doubt, the latter was toying with people without mercy. Looking at Elder Wu's face which had turned green from anger, he had probably never knelt to anyone before. It was indeed true that there would always be "meat to savor" every time she follows a certain prince!
Spotting Helian Wei Wei's contentment, Baili Jia Jue then spoke in a cool tone, "Elder Wu, remember, another blunder and it won't be just kneeling."
"Yes," Elder Wu was awfully reluctant to answer and with a swish of his sleeve, he stood up and strode back to his place but his c.h.e.s.t was still heaving.
Elder Zhan who was beside him said lowly, "Old Wu, I think we should hold our plan for the time being. I'm worried that it might not go as planned with the Third Prince being such a handful."
"No matter how much of a handful he is, it will be impossible for him to escape today." Elder Wu calmed his breathing and his eyes were glinting with an icy glow, "When they hear the commotion made by the army, the first to be questioned by the Emperor would be the Third Prince. Just wait, this will definitely be a spectacular farce."
Elder Zhan wanted to see Baili Jia Jue fall miserably too. After thinking it through, their plot was flawless and it was impossible to have any loopholes in it.
Yet, he had witnessed the expected outcome gone wrong. Helian Wei Wei continued to hide her true form with the cost of Elder Wu losing his image.
This made him rethink his decisions.
However, just like what Elder Wu said, with the uproar of the army, no matter whether the Third Prince decides to send out troops or not, it would be disadvantageous for him. He would be a prince that is acussessed of treason and lose his right to the throne!
"Alright, settle down," the Emperor coughed heavily after finishing.
Seeing this, Eunuch Gao immediately presented a blood red capsule.
The Emperor appeared anxious and seemed desperately in need of the capsule as he took and swallowed it without consuming any liquid in front from the crowd.
It looked like the Emperor was relieved when he heaved a deep breath, "Ah Lie, you and Elder Wu are both outstanding ministers in my War Dragon Empire and should have empathy for each other in the future." As he said this, he turned to face Elder Wu, "Old Wu, what is next?"
Elder Wu stood forward and his attitude was respectful, "Your Majesty, we just have to wait for the eminent monks to come back after chanting around the palace."
"Then everyone, let's wait in this palace." The Emperor finished his sentence and gave Eunuch Gao a glance.
Eunuch Gao then shouted in a high pitched voice, "Serve the refreshments!"
In a blink of an eye, the palace maids walked in, bringing trays of food. With their long ankle length dress, they made a series of soft footsteps, trying to avoid any form of mistake.
The chanting gradually drifted off and the Emperor held up the teacup in his hands while the people below followed suit with some drinking tea and others consuming snacks.
"Why aren't you eating?" Helian Wei Wei found it strange, this was not how this little one usually acts...
Chapter 558 - Framing His Highness
Little Seven reached out his hand and scratched his little ear, "It's too noisy outside. If I eat now, I still have to stand up and fight later, I'll eat later after the fight is finished." As he spoke, he tilted his head and thought about it for a moment, his petite face was very serious when he said, "Why not you help me to pack them up, Third Aunt? Otherwise when the fight happens later, the pastries will fall off."
When the little one's voice subsided, a noisy commotion came from outside!
The Emperor was already upset by Baili Jia Jue's attitude earlier, his thick brows were furrowed tighter than before, "Go and have a look at what happened outside. Why is it so noisy!"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Eunuch Gao retreated with the order.
The two elders who sat in the hall moved the teacups away and exchanged a glance before nodding at each other.
Helian Wei Wei chuckled when she saw their little action. She stood up, found an excuse and brought Little Seven out of the palace.
Consorts were allowed to leave even earlier before this and the Emperor did not stop them.
So when Helian Wei Wei walked out, it did not attract too much attention.
Elder Wu saw it too but after the failure of the Soul Drawing Incantation, it did not matter if Helian Wei Wei was around or not.
It was good that she left as she will not be able to say anything to exculpate Baili Jia Jue then.
As long as the Third Prince was still in the Great Hall, everything else could work!
Elder Wu took a big gulp of tea. Just you wait and see! He ought to skin Baili Jia Jue ferociously!
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Something bad has happened! Something bad has happened!" Eunuch Gao who left earlier ran back and when he came in, he was panting heavily
The Emperor glared at him angrily, "What is it? Why are you so anxious?"
"Y-Your Majesty, t-there is a group of rebel troops outside and they are engaged in a fight with the imperial army!" Eunuch Gao's forehead was covered in sweat when he said that, "They will be here at Chaoyang Hall in a while!"
The moment Eunuch Gao's words subsided, it felt like the pause button was pressed.
The hall's atmosphere plunged into dead silence.
The munching noise were all silent; consorts and concubines were all petrified.
Even the Emperor suffered quite a shock, he was so surprised that he thought he heard it wrongly, "What did you say?!"
"There is a group of rebel troops rushing in from outside the palace…"
"Hush!" The Emperor stopped him before Eunuch Gao could finish. The Emperor's voice was cold, his tone sounded fierce, "Impossible! How can the palace of my War Dragon Empire be invaded this easily?!"
"But…" That was what Eunuch Gao heard!
Elder Wu realized that everything was proceeding as planned, he took a step forward and said, "Your Majesty, since Eunuch Gao said as such, it must have happened. The noise outside are indeed the clunks of weapons."
"Mm, mm, mm!" Eunuch Gao nodded repeatedly as he did not know how to react.
The Emperor dangerously squinted his eyes, he swung his hand and swept all the teacups to the ground!
"Who?! Who would be so daring!"
Elder Wu looked down, "I don't know who mig
ht it be but like what Your Majesty said, the palace's security is tight, there are countless halls and courts all over. Moreover, the strongest imperial army of the War Dragon Empire are standing guard in front of Chaoyang Hall, those mere rebel troops will not be able to fight their way in under normal circ.u.mstances. They would be eliminated before they even step through the gate, but since they had, it only proves one thing, which is that there is someone in this Chaoyang Hall working with the rebellion!"
"Elder Wu, you are saying…" The Emperor stood up, his lips were pale and his face looked gloomy. His gaze glanced over everyone in the hall and ultimately landed on Baili Jia Jue. He squinted his eyes a little, "Someone is trying to conspire against me?"
Elderly Wu replied respectfully, "I am just speculating since it is a heavy crime for saying this out loud. I don't dare to simply accuse others but I really want to make sure of something."
Up until here, Elder Wu paused, he did not continue but instead glanced over at Baili Jia Jue's direction.
Baili Jia Jue's long legs were half crossed, his elegant and cold look still remaining in his face. The handsome side view of his face was as beautiful as a painting, as though he was not affected by what was happening outside.
The Emperor was also looking at him. He retracted his gaze and looked at Elder Wu, "Elder Wu, just be frank with is on your mind."
"I've heard rumours saying that someone saw the Third Prince rushing to make a robe. The material used is golden silk and it had dragon claws sewn on it." As Elder Wu spoke, he looked up at the Emperor, "Your Majesty, according to the ancestor's rules, only Your Majesty can wear real golden silk. I am just curious as to why would the Third Prince rush his men to sew a robe of that particular color?"
Golden silk with dragon claws sewn on it, it was an obvious sign of a rebellion! The Emperor's expression turned colder as he listened. His eyes were looking at Baili Jia Jue, and the black goo that oozed out from the bottom of his eyes made one feel extremely uncomfortable, "Ah Jue, how do you explain yourself?"
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