Chapter 213 (2/2)

Of all the times, this sort of a.s.sa.s.sination had to then take place! While the Ling Family was definitely the victims this time, he could not immediately deal with Yang Xue as she was his only link to the Yang Family! If the Yang Family were to be unhappy and turn rogue, then in such sensitive times, how could the Sky Bearing Imperial Palace be able to withstand the external pressure?

But if he didn't deal with this matter, then how could he give the Ling Family an answer? With their current power and influence, how would they be willing to suffer in silence? All of a sudden, Long Xiang could feel a headache brewing.

At the side, Empress Yang Xue's expression changed, commenting in an icy voice, ”Does Old Madam Ling believe that this Empress is the perpetrator behind all this?”

Old Madam Ling merely sn.i.g.g.e.red, ”How would this old woman dare to accuse the Empress? If your majesty doesn't have anything to do with this, then why would you be in such a hurry to defend yourself?”

Empress Yang Xue's retort was stuck in her throat. Old Madam Ling's words hinted that she had a guilty conscience, which sent her mental state into a panic. She however stubbornly tried to twist the logic, saying, ”But by all means, your words are not what a subject of the imperial court should say. How the matter is to be dealt with would be completely up to the Emperor himself, but Old Madam Ling's words are actually coercing the Emperor. As a subject, to despise the Emperor, that is an unforgivable crime!”

Ling Tian interjected in at this point with a grim smile, ”My grandmother's words a moment ago were akin to a suggestion made by the commoners. There is a need to uphold righteousness in the world, and whether or not is is reasonable, the suggestion would still be heard by the country. Now the Emperor hasn't opened his mouth, but as Empress of the country, you have actually retorted first, meddling in the country's affairs. Then where do you place the Emperor? Doesn't that mean you don't respect his authority?! As for the unforgivable crime Your Majesty mentioned, who then is guilty of it?”

As a person who had seen two lifetimes, how quickwitted was he? In a flash, he had escalated an internal court matter to the affairs of the country, and added in the tag of 'Empress overriding her husband's authority' to Yang Xue! How could Yang Xue be as quickwitted as Ling Tian? She was left gaping like a fish, unable to utter a single word!

Seeing the two families verbally attacking each other, and actually quarreling in front of him, Long Xiang felt a huge sense of powerlessness. When he suddenly saw how Ling Tian effectively shut Yang Xue up with a single sentence, an idea sprouted up in his heart, giving him a plan to temporarily maintain the balance of the two families, as well as dissipate the Ling Family's hate.

He coughed once to interrupt them, before saying, ”This matter has not been fully unveiled yet and who is the actual culprit remains to be seen. The accusations can wait until we actually get ahold of our suspects. However, to actually get a concubine without letting your royal uncle know, you make me very sad, Tian'er. I couldn't even get a cup of wine to drink from your wedding, and for that you need to be punished!”

Everyone started in shock. The Emperor actually forcefully diverted the conversation to the topic of marriage, why did he do that? This change was too abrupt, but he was the Emperor, so what could they do?

The Old Madam was a wily old fox and could tell that the Emperor didn't want to get tangled up in this matter just yet. Luckily, both mother and child were safe so they currently had an advantage. She didn't continue to speak because the timing was also unsuitable for them to rise up against the Empress. However, she knew that she would not let it rest just like that. The Ling Family never allowed anyone to take advantage of them!

Seeing that his grandmother had calmed down, Ling Tian naturally understood that his grandmother had her schemes, and thus laughed while replying, ”Royal Uncle is always preoccupied with so many national affairs, how would Ling Tian dare to invite you over every small matter?”

Long Xiang laughed heartily as he responded, ”But to take a concubine before you even have an actual wife is rather eccentric. How about this, Old Madam?” He turned to Old Madam Ling with a warm smile on his face, ”Using my authority, I'll betroth Jiao Yue over to Ling Tian, allowing her to be his official wife. I wonder if Old Madam would agree to this arrangement?”

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