Chapter 99 (1/2)
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Chapter Ninety-Nine: Who is Scheming?
Yan Bo Yi was overwhelmed as he read the reports his subordinates had pa.s.sed on. His reputation among the common people was extremely low, and he had offended some prestigious families, not to mention the families that were on good terms with Hou s.h.i.+.
He had originally suspected that it was Hou s.h.i.+ who had been pa.s.sing information out of the fu, so he decided to temporarily keep her under house arrest. He hadn't expected for Hou s.h.i.+ to be so decisive and make the matter known over the entire city. With just Hou s.h.i.+'s own power in the w.a.n.g fu, she would not be able to do this. Who had been helping her in secret?
Was it the old emperor or… Yan Bo Yi thought of Yan Jin Qiu, and his brow creased. From a young age, he had looked down on Yan Jin Qiu who was refined in appearance but conniving inside. But right now, he had to admire the other for acting at such a level.
Hou s.h.i.+!
He looked with a dark face at the information on his hands. He suppressed his anger as he said, ”Send someone to deliver generous gifts to Hou Fu. I will go personally to the palace to collect Junw.a.n.g Fei.:
The servants saw that Junw.a.n.g Ye had an ugly expression and did not dare to speak. They hurriedly prepared the carriage to send Junw.a.n.g Ye into the palace.
As a member of the Imperial House who was of age, it was not appropriate for Yan Bo Yi to go directly to Shu Fei's palace, so he could only go see the Emperor. However, coincidentally, after he entered the hall, he found that other than the Emperor, Xu w.a.n.g, Ning w.a.n.g and Yan Jin Qiu were all present.
The w.a.n.g ye saw Yan Bo Yi come in. While they did not have agreeable expressions, they did not speak before Yan Bo Yi sat down out of consideration for their relations.h.i.+p.
”Since you are all present today, zhen will ask you what you think.” Qilong Emperor looked with a displeased expression at Yan Bo Yi. ”Are you discontent with Hou s.h.i.+, or with zhen?”
He had been the one to decree this marriage. Sheng Junw.a.n.g treating Hou s.h.i.+ so—wasn't that challenging him?
”Your Majesty, this subject-nephew does not have such intentions. I think there must be some misunderstanding here.” Yan Bo Yi who had just sat down had to stand up again. He walked to the middle of the hall and knelt down. He said in an earnest tone, ”Please give subject-nephew a chance. Subject-nephew will definitely treat her well.” Yan Bo Yi did not plan on explaining much. No one cared about the truth of the matter now that it had developed to such a level. For the common people, what they liked to hear about was the story of a ruthless man abandoning his wife. The members of the Imperial House would only consider the effects of this matter, and it was not important who was in the wrong or right.
Yan Jin Qiu raised an eyebrow. Looking at Yan Bo Yi in the center of the hall a.s.suming a righteous aura, his eyebrows moved slightly. Something like, a person with such a just and righteous face abusing his wife was even more interesting.
”What is the meaning in saying this to zhen now?” Qilong Emperor stood expressionlessly in the hall. He said in a disappointed and angry tone, ”Yesterday, Sheng Junw.a.n.g Fei came into the palace and begged Shu Fei for a divorce. When she said this, many of the consorts in the palace heard her. How do you want zhen to help you?”
Yan Bo Yi's expression changed slightly. Hou s.h.i.+ had said such a thing, but why had no one told him what had happened yesterday? When he thought of this, his mood changed drastically. Someone had deliberately stopped this information.
He reflexively raised his head and turned it to look at Yan Jin Qiu in the corner. He only saw the other's calm appearance.
”Zhen is speaking of your matter—what are you looking at Zi Ling for?” Qilong Emperor said with a cold face. ”Now that the matter is like this, everyone in Jing is waiting for a result. Do you want zhen to have people escort Sheng Junw.a.n.g Fei forcibly back?”
Yan Bo Yi knew that someone had schemed against him, and this time, it was his woman. However, right now, he could only swallow the teeth and blood. He suppressed the anger he felt and knelt down in front of Qilong Emperor. ”Please, Your Majesty, help subject-nephew.”
Qilong Emperor looked at Yan Bo Yi who was kneeling docilely in front of him and revealed a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. A moment later, he said, ”It is not good for zhen to interfere. Go talk to Hou s.h.i.+. This matter will be concluded according to her wishes.” When he spoke this, his expression suddenly changed. ”But regardless of the result, you cannot blame the Hou Clan.”
He had been the one to decree this marriage. He did not want the prestigious families to be angry with him after this.
Yan Bo Yi's index finger pressed into his palm before he slowly said, ”This subject-nephew will remember.”
The slightly plump Ning w.a.n.g who had been sitting at the side spoke ambiguously. ”If you regret this, Virtuous Nephew, then why did you do it? Our Imperial House has been dishonored.”
Yan Bo Yi was silent.
Xu w.a.n.g looked at Ning w.a.n.g who was. .h.i.tting when the other was down and then at the silent Xian w.a.n.g. After thinking for a moment, he said, ”Your Majesty, this is a matter between husband and wife. It is not good for us to interfere; we will bid farewell now.”
Ning w.a.n.g glared at Xu w.a.n.g. This old b.a.s.t.a.r.d. Even at this time, the other was still digging holes to trip him up—he was lacking in virtue!
Yan Jin Qiu finally spoke slowly. ”Your Majesty, Subject-nephew thinks that your intention in decreeing marriage was good. But no one can accurately predict a marriage. Maybe it is because the two people do not have the fate together, which has created this result.”
”You are right—aren't you and your w.a.n.g fei well?” Qilong Emperor seemed to have found an excuse for himself. He waved his hand. ”You may all leave. Zhen will not interfere in this matter. You young people can decide your own marriages.”
The group moved out of the main hall. Yan Jin Qiu smiled as he looked at the dark-faced Yan Bo Yi. ”Cousin, how about this younger brother accompanying you to Shu Fei's palace?”
It was not appropriate for Yan Bo Yi to go alone to Shu Fei's palace. However, if the two of them went together, it would be better.
”I do not dare to trouble Cousin. Many thanks.” Yan Bo Yi indifferently glanced at Yan Jin Qiu. ”It is better not to have outsiders meddle in some matters.”
Yan Jin Qiu smiled upon hearing this and was noncommittal.
Ning w.a.n.g and Xu w.a.n.g walked towards the gates of the palace together. Ning w.a.n.g glanced at Xu w.a.n.g. ”I hadn't thought that you are close to Xian w.a.n.g.”
Xu w.a.n.g's expression was as normal. ”It is expected of us elders to give care to our juniors. Ning w.a.n.g, is there something puzzling you?”
”Ha.” Ning w.a.n.g snorted coldly. When the two walked some more, he said, ”Then why don't you give more concern to Sheng Junw.a.n.g?”