Chapter 421 - Treating Her As A Monk? 2 (2/2)

In the midst of this desperation, someone even submitted a report to plead for Marquis Moyu by saying that perhaps it had been an accidental injury, so he shouldn't be punished with a death sentence.

After that episode pa.s.sed, Marquis Jingwen brought his daughter and grandson to the capital. They knelt down outside of Zichen Hall and enumerated all of the Nie Qingyun's outstanding military service. Errong was even holding her son, who wasn't even two years old yet, when she came to plead with the emperor to spare her husband.

Under this heavy pressure, Zhao Zhe unwillingly paid another visit to the imperial prison.

Looking at Nie Qingyun, Zhao Zhe sighed and said, ”Madam Nie has already come and brought along her child. General, since you have a wife and son, you should be more considerate of them. How could you just let yourself die here?”

Nie Qingyun was slightly moved by these words. He looked at Ji Man.

Ji Man looked at Zhao Zhe as she said, “General Nie and the marquis are both people that have accomplished meritorious service for this country. They're indispensable. Sangyu was the one that killed the deposed emperor and is willing to a.s.sume all responsibility. Your Majesty, please let off General Nie and the marquis.”

Ning Yuxuan pursed his lips. ”The deposed emperor was truly killed by this guilty subject. Sangyu is only a weak woman. How could she have been the one that killed him? Your Majesty, please investigate the matter thoroughly.”

Nie Qingyun added, “The deposed emperor died of blood loss, and this one is responsible for those injuries.”

The three of them didn't know what was happening outside and thought that Zhao Zhe had to make them abide by the consequences. Zhao Zhe didn't reveal the truth. Instead, he looked at Ji Man and said, ”This emperor has an idea that will allow all three of you to keep your lives. Are you willing to listen?”

”What's your idea?” Ji Man raised her eyebrows.

Ning Yuxuan slightly furrowed his brow. He had a foreboding feeling.

“Marquis Moyu and General Nie's offense can be pushed onto you,” Zhao Zhe said. He slightly smiled and continued, ”As for your offense, this emperor can help you work it off.”

Ji Man froze in surprise for a moment. Soon after, she frowned and asked, ”Since it's like that, Your Majesty, why have you confined us here for so long?”

”Ai, this emperor just recently thought of this idea. But, if you bear the entire responsibility by yourself, it won't be easy to save your life.” Zhao Zhe chuckled. ”This emperor is someone that remembers past kindness. This emperor can say that you saved this emperor's life in the past. Although you can be spared the death penalty, you have to stay in the palace for a year to perform religious rituals to help the deposed emperor's soul find peace. This can be considered a way of providing a satisfactory justification to everyone. Are you willing?”

Stay in the palace for a year to perform religious rituals? She wasn't a monk. Why would she go perform religious rituals? While Ji Man was feeling puzzled, Ning Yuxuan's expression had changed.

He asked, ”Your Majesty, you can easily find someone to directly replace Sangyu. Why bother putting on an act?”

”She's already been hiding her ident.i.ty for such a long time. Can you really bear to see her continue living such an ign.o.ble life instead of an honorable one?” Zhao Zhe raised his eyebrows as he looked Ning Yuxuan.

Ning Yuxuan clenched his fist. Zhao Zhe was a person with an evil heart. He should have already guessed his true intentions from the beginning!