Chapter 115: Their Return

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Xiao Xi’er’s words caught Miao Jian by surprise—so she had known all along that he was Miao Jian?

“Everyone heard that clearly. This man is the mastermind recently impersonating His Majesty in the palace. Our late prince must have met with some misfortune, allowing this rebellious traitor to seize the opportunity!” The Empress Dowager pointed at Miao Jian with a face full of grief and indignation, as if the real Ji Wuqing had indeed suffered some calamity.

Upon hearing this, the crowd’s expressions shifted, growing more convinced of the Empress Dowager’s words.

“Such a traitor deserves death by all! We must avenge His Majesty,” someone seized the moment to stir up the crowd and boost morale.

“Please, Your Majesty, do not grieve too much. After all, the future depends on your wise governance and the establishment of a new ruler,” another echoed.

“Guards, seize this rebellious traitor...” The Empress Dowager moved to have Miao Jian captured.

“I do not understand, Your Majesty, what you mean by this,” Miao Jian took action, removing his handsome mask to reveal a stern, meticulous face, as changeable as the shifting weather.

“Yes, Grandmother, what do you mean?” Xiao Xi’er asked with a puzzled look. “Uncle Miao Jian was just playing with me for a while. How did he become the villain?”

“Please, little princess, stand behind me.” Calm and collected, Miao Jian shielded Xiao Xi’er, showing no sign of panic after being exposed.

“Ha! Do you intend to take the princess of the Ji Kingdom hostage? Regardless of your intentions, you won’t escape today.” The Empress Dowager’s eyes flashed with murderous intent, as if she were avenging her son’s death.

“It seems Your Majesty has misunderstood. I have always fulfilled my duties faithfully. I only just returned to the palace today; how could I be impersonating His Majesty? And His Majesty is still in the palace—how could he have met with misfortune? I wonder where such rumors come from, cursing His Majesty so,” Miao Jian said calmly.

“Don’t try to deny this...”

“What is the meaning of this disturbance, mother? Leading so many people to cause a scene in the Hall of Documents?” Suddenly, a gentle but authoritative voice rang out. The young emperor, clad in a dark robe, quietly appeared.

His eyes swept over everyone present, a faint chill concealed behind a slight smile. Even the ministers standing with the Empress Dowager were startled and frightened.

“What is going on here?”

“The Empress Dowager said the one in the palace was a fake His Majesty, and that our true emperor had met with misfortune...” The ministers were filled with shock and doubt. Whether suspicious or guilty, they all lowered their heads, trembling uncontrollably, sensing disaster was imminent.

“Wu... Wuqing?” The Empress Dowager turned around, disbelief evident on her face, now twisted and fierce rather than kind. How could it be? How could he have returned so soon?

“Mother, you seem not to recognize your son. Why such a surprised look?” Ji Wuqing smiled warmly at her, his handsome face innocent.

“How did you...” The Empress Dowager stammered, her earlier sternness gone.

“And why are Minister Yao and Minister Jin here? I don’t recall summoning you to the palace,” he said, standing there with imperial majesty. His mere presence frightened both ministers into kneeling and begging for mercy.

“Your Majesty, I entered the palace under the Empress Dowager’s orders. Please forgive me,” one admitted, inadvertently implicating the Empress Dowager.

They had hoped to benefit from following the Empress Dowager but ended up caught spreading rumors in the palace, outside the Hall of Documents no less. Now, even a hundred lives wouldn’t suffice as punishment.

“Don’t you know the Empress Dowager is in seclusion and cannot bear to see outsiders, let alone court officials? To slander her so, how do you wish to die?” His insinuating tone sent chills through the two ministers.

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His Majesty intends to protect the Empress Dowager by making them scapegoats!

“Wuqing, this matter indeed stems from Mother’s oversight, but someone in the palace impersonated you—that’s true. Consider how to handle it,” the Empress Dowager quickly said, not out of a desire to protect Ministers Yao and Jin, but because no one would dare act for her if she remained indifferent.

She could not afford to lose support now.

Yet Ji Wuqing had other plans. “Issue an order: from today onward, anyone entering the palace without my permission will be dismissed and investigated; corrupt officials will be executed; anyone violating court rules will be beheaded—no exceptions.”

“Your Majesty, please show mercy. This was the Empress Dowager’s idea. I dared not conceal it,” they pleaded, shocked at how severe this had become. If their faults were uncovered...

But the guards had already taken them away. No repentance would save them.

“Mother, do you think my handling is appropriate?” Ji Wuqing looked at the Empress Dowager, who bore a face of restrained anger, as if seeking her opinion, posing as a filial son. Yet his deep eyes held no trace of humor—only a chill.

“This is how a prince should act,” the Empress Dowager forced a smile, her brows showing signs of weariness.

“Then please return to the palace and rest early, to avoid strain.” Ji Wuqing nodded without pressing blame, but then shifted tone. “However, those in the palace seem negligent. If they cannot advise their master, that is their fault.”

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager felt a bad premonition.

As expected, Ji Wuqing curled his lips. “Everyone in the Hui Study has been replaced, even the head eunuch beside you should be changed. From now on, Miao Jian will attend to your daily needs. If anything is amiss, speak to him.”

“You... what about Yun, my trusted aide?” Her question was clear—he planned to remove her confidant.

“Rest assured, Mother, since he served you, I will treat him well.”

Thus, the Empress Dowager was effectively confined, surrounded by no loyal aides, truly left to practice abstinence and meditation.

“Your Highness, when did you learn about me?” Miao Jian looked at the little one beside him, who unabashedly yawned, her brows briefly furrowed before relaxing.

“No, it’s Uncle Miao Jian, not servant.” After yawning, her eyes glistened like mist, her black pupils bright yet mischievous. “Besides, Uncle Miao Jian is the worst; he wouldn’t be so gentle with me.”

She pouted, then grabbed Miao Jian’s hand. “Uncle Miao Jian’s hands are so nice, with rough calluses.”

Her small hand touched his palm, which felt prickly and hard, but she didn’t mind; she found it quite fun.

“Didn’t Your Highness want to see the Queen Consort?” Miao Jian seemed to recall something and reminded her.

“Oh, right! I want to find the old man; I want to see Mother.” She dashed into the Hall of Documents. Lately, she had become a frequent visitor, with no one stopping her free comings and goings.

Watching that little rosy back, Miao Jian couldn’t help but smile. His cold, stern face softened with indulgence and warmth.

Anxue Palace.

Having obtained the old man’s approval, Xiao Xi’er sped toward Anxue Palace. Though short-legged, her boundless energy left the palace maids trailing behind.

Soon, she entered Anxue Palace and, familiar with the place, quickly found the chamber where Xue Xue stayed.

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At that moment, Xue Xue lay on a small couch, a red fox curled on her lap. The two rose and fell in harmony, a peaceful and warm scene. Seeing this, Xiao Xi’er softened her steps.

She reached Xue Xue’s side, climbed quietly onto the soft couch, nestling beside her, her face full of affection.

“Mother, you’ve finally come back.” She gently rubbed against Xue Xue’s arm, her voice soft and coaxing.

“Xiao Xi’er, my dear child.” Having sensed her approach long ago, Xue Xue’s heart was deeply touched. This child clung to her, and she felt just as dependent on her.

She recalled arriving in this world; if not for the soft, sweet Xiao Xi’er always by her side, calling her mother and needing protection, she might not have come this far.

“Mother... do you know how much I missed you? I thought you didn’t want me anymore.” She snuggled closer, rubbing her little face against Xue Xue’s.

Because she had run all the way, her cheeks were flushed but still cool. Mischievously, she pressed her face against her mother’s, feeling warm and smooth skin...

Xue Xue reached out and hugged her. “Still so lively. Have you been attending school properly these days?”

“Of course! I love studying,” Xiao Xi’er proudly lifted her head.

“Is that so?”

“And Uncle Miao Jian is very strict. I like him, so I behave well.” She revealed everything without hesitation.

“My Xiao Xi’er is very smart.” Xue Xue nodded. She had found a strong ally. Though she wasn’t closely acquainted with Miao Jian, she sensed he was no ordinary eunuch.

Border of the Wu Kingdom.

Armies had already stationed at the border, tents set up, exuding formidable momentum. Outside, the thunder of hooves and clanking armor echoed. Soldiers wore heavy armor, their steps solemn and imposing.

Inside a lavish tent, a table stood aside. Deeper in lay a soft couch, thick curtains drawn to block the outside light.

A man in a moon-colored robe stepped in softly, like morning mist, silent and graceful.

“Your Majesty, the Ji Kingdom reports that the Empress Dowager is no longer effective,” he said softly toward the tent’s interior, careful not to disturb the resting figure or prevent him from hearing.

Inside, a faint sound of turning over was heard.

“Seems I overestimated the Empress Dowager’s ability,” the voice said.

Zuo Qiu Liye sat up and emerged from the tent, his dark hair cascading, staining his white undergarments black.

“The Ji King is cautious; it won’t be easy to succeed,” the Elder of the Moon replied.

“Then let the battlefield decide the victor.”

End of text.