As soon as the decree was written, a messenger was sent to rush over to the Xia Residence to deliver it as the Emperor’s order. The people of Xia family was just preparing to settle for the night when they were all suddenly summoned to their main hall.
“What’s wrong? Why were we summoned this late at night?”
“Before I entered my quarter, I saw a servant was running towards the Patriarch’s courtyard with a panicked expression.”
“Also, there’s a guard from the palace currently talking to the Patriarch at the study room… we’re not in trouble for accommodating ‘that’ person who is trying to rebel, are we?”
“Hush! Don’t talk about that! What if the palace guard hears and reports to the Emperor?!”
Murmurs and whispered discussion filled the main hall, all curious for the purpose of this summons. Not long after, Xia Yuanfeng entered the room with a grim expression, followed by the palace guard that was sent as a messenger.
“Is everyone here?” Xia Yuanfeng asked as he glanced around the room. He saw that almost all of the adults are present, including Xia Yutian who looks worse for wear. But the main character for this summons was still missing.
Feeling headache incoming, Xia Yuanfeng raised a hand and began massaging his temple. “Where is Xiulan?” he asked.
“The madam had already fallen asleep and did not wish to be disturbed,” one of Huang Xiulan’s maidservant answered. According to Huang Xiulan’s line of thought, since her uncle had already made his move in capturing Lin Xiao, then the purpose of this summons must be because of that.
As it was her uncle’s matter, she felt that even if she wasn’t present, it would be fine. Who would’ve thought that she would be rudely awakened by her maidservant again, telling her that Xia Yuanfeng is calling her to the main hall?
“Yuanfeng is really not giving me any face!” she grumbled as she put on her clothes with the help of her servants. “Isn’t it just being informed that the brat his so-called martial sibling had brought under his wing is going to be sentenced to death? Is there a need to summon everyone?!”
Huang Xiulan’s servants only lowered their head, unable to give her answer that would appease her foul mood.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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“Husband, what is it?” Huang Xiulan frowned at Xia Yuanfeng. To actually stop her right in front of every member of the family present, she wondered if Xia Yuanfeng wanted to embarrass her.
“From now on, the seat of the official wife is no longer yours,” Xia Yuanfeng said out loud. His voice was clear and was heard by everyone in the main hall, making few of them gasp in surprise.
“Xia Yuanfeng, what do you mean?!” Huang Xiulan asked, feeling anger bubbling up inside her.
“I mean what I said. From now on, you are demoted to a secondary wife. The household affair that you are currently managing will be reduced. The Xia family’s account book will no longer be yours to be managed,” Xia Yuanfeng replied.
“Is this because I told my uncle about your ‘martial nephew’? You cannot blame me for that! I am merely doing my duty as a citizen of this kingdom! Xia Yuanfeng, are you really going to move against my Huang family for that bastard and his Shizun?”
“This has nothing to do with Ah’Yin.”
“Is it?! Ever since that scourge appeared, you’ve forgotten your duty. Forgotten about your children, about Wenyao. Do you even remember when his wedding should take place?!”
“Of course I still remember! Isn’t it still three months away?” Xia Yuanfeng was getting more and more irritated. “His gift has also all been prepared, so don’t you dare say that I’ve shirked my responsibility!”
After saying this, Xia Yuanfeng then picked up a scroll that the messenger had handed to him earlier and stood up. “As I have said, this matter is not related to Ah’Yin. In fact, you only have yourself to blame,” Xia Yuanfeng told Huang Xiulan. Unfurling the scroll, he began to read out the Emperor’s decree for everyone and Huang Xiulan’s face turned pale.
“Lies! It must be a lie!” Huang Xiulan cried out. “Xia Yuanfeng, you’re really risking everything for that scourge! You even dared to fake an Imperial Edict?!”
“You can see for yourself if this is fake,” Xia Yuanfeng turned the scroll over, showing everyone the Emperor’s Seal stamped on top of it. “Also, if you still doubt its authenticity, I’ll let this person inform you what had transpired at the Huang Household recently.”
Xia Yuanfeng then gestured at the palace guard who was sent over as messenger. The palace guard then came forward and saluted Xia Yuanfeng as a form of respect before he addressed everyone in the hall.
“This humble one is surnamed Bing, and I am here by the order of His Majesty to deliver the edict. As for the matter of what had transpired in the Huang Family household, I believe everyone will know soon enough,” he said out loud. “Since my task here is done. This humble one will now take his leave.”
Once the messenger had disappeared from sight, the Xia family was left with an awkward atmosphere. Huang Xiulan looked around and saw that everyone, including He Qihua, was staring at her. The pity in their eyes was evident and it made Huang Xiulan feels humiliated.
“I don’t believe in this play! I am going to my Huang Residence!” Huang Xiulan said out loud only to be stopped by Xia Yuanfeng.
“This late at night, what if something were to happen on your way there?! Just settle for the night and it still won’t be too late when we go there tomorrow,” Xia Yuanfeng said to her. “All of you are now dismissed.”
Huang Xiulan was not reconciled but at the same time, she knew that going out at night is very dangerous. Although there are city guards doing patrols, they still wouldn’t be able to keep the whole city safe. At most, they could only reduce the crime rate.
She could only wait for tomorrow to go to the Huang Family residence but unfortunately, a summon from the Emperor arrived the very next day. All the important members of the Xia family is to be present and Huang Xiulan herself was named within the summons, making her feel even more uneasy.
When the Xia family arrived at the Palace Court, Taihe Hall. They could see that every high ranking officials and generals were present. Most of the officials appear restless, while the generals stood tall and proud, not letting the tense atmosphere get to them.
Huang Xiulan glanced around and saw that her uncle, Huang Zhexian was not where he is supposed to be and instead, Bai Chenyi who was ‘captured’ the night before was standing beside the rest of his peers. Even the messenger surnamed Bing from last night stood beside one of the eight generals, Bing Dai. This completely shattered Huang Xiulan’s conjecture about what happened last night was merely Xia Yuanfeng’s ploy in getting back at her.
At the moment, her only comfort is the fact that Lin Xiao and Long Yinlian is also missing in the hall. Which had planted a seed of hope in her heart that this summon might not be related at all to the matter of the night before.
The Xia Family were led to their designated spot by the eunuch and was told to wait until the meeting starts. As soon as the eunuch left them, Xia Family became the centre of attention. They were wondering why they were summoned along with them. Although Xia Family’s Thunderhawk Mercenary Group is one of the best mercenary group in the kingdom and even did a lot of meritorious deed during the struggle for the throne over two decades ago, they didn’t even get to hold a single seat in the court.
The reason for this was because there were rumours that the one who truly supported Qin Wuzhen back then was not the Xia Family but another person who co-founded the Thunderhawk Mercenary Group. Unfortunately, that person disappeared before the power struggle ends, presumably dead. After that, Thunderhawk Mercenary Group’s involvement with the War of the Throne was reduced significantly.
“The Emperor has arrived!”
As the people within the hall was deep in thought, the Eunuch’s steward’s voice sounded through the whole room and soon, the Emperor walked in. He was wearing his full, ceremonial robes and each step he took were full of grace. His serious expression, paired with the overwhelming oppressive aura surrounding him made people want to cower.
“The loyal servants have seen the Emperor! Wansui! Wansui! Wan Wansui!”
The moment Qin Yijun took his seat, everyone else within the room kowtowed as they greeted him. His eyes scanned around the room, before landing on Huang Xiulan who was kneeling on the ground, forehead pressed against the cold floor. His gaze chilled instantly at her figure.
Huang Xiulan, despite not seeing the Emperor’s gaze, could feel as if she had been poured with cold water. She didn’t understand why she was suddenly feeling fearful, as if soon, she would lose everything she holds dear.
“The Beloved Subjects may rise,” Qin Yijun said after a while, removing his eyes from Huang Xiulan. Remembering what happened the night before, he felt that he might not be able to hold himself back from cutting her down if he were to continue to look at her.
Once everyone has risen up from their position, Qin Yijun finally speaks again. “Zhen summoned everyone here because Zhen received a grave report last night.”
Hearing the word ‘grave’ from the Emperor’s lips made the officials heart uneasy. But they didn’t say anything, since they didn’t know what it is about with the exception of the Xia family. Everyone within the family stared at Huang Xiulan who is now sweating through her palms.
“Is Huang Xiulan here?” Qin Yijun asked.
Huang Xiulan was hesitant but this was the Emperor so she could only walk forward and kneel down on the floor again. “This lady is here, Your Majesty.”
“Zhen heard that you told your paternal uncle, the Right Minister Huang, that there was someone who is plotting against the throne. Is this true?”
Ah ah damn another cliffhanger why oh why author why r ya torturing meeeee
Such a cliffhanger clicking tongue
Thanks for the chapter