Translator: Misty Cloud Editor: Misty Cloud
When he saw this girl previously, he was left with an extremely displeasing impression.
In general, women were like this, only concerned with romance in their hearts. At that time, this girlâs heart was hung up on her engagement with Murong Chang Feng. Everything she did was a huge joke.
Meeting her today, Retired Emperor felt that he seemed to have just gotten to know this girl only now.
Each of her steps were prudent and measured, neither panicky nor impatient. Despite her young age, she actually understood the weight of a matter and controlled it. Most important of all, she valued relationships and righteousness. If Ole Third married her in the future, heâd be able to find happiness.
Retired Emperor also thought, his grandsonâs temperament was as apathetic as ice, who could possibly suit him for a lifetime.
Considering all options, there were plenty of girls with good family backgrounds.
As for one who could enclose and warm up his heart, there truly wasnât any.
For so many years, Retired Emperor had always worried that Baili Jia Jue would go astray and become a tyrant.
After all, that kind of deep and immeasurable personality was indeed suitable for a monarch. Yet itâs too cold, so cold that all of the people in the world seemed to be of no importance to him at all.
Everyone said that itâs not important to have feelings to be a monarch.
True, feelings could handicap a monarch.
However, that didnât necessarily mean that itâs necessary to be completely cold-blooded in order to dominate the world.
If this was so, the ones to suffer would be the common people.
This icy youngster needed a person who could make him soften once in awhile.
Itâs not enough for that person to rely solely on innocence and naivety.
In the imperial palace as well as in the court, there were just too many lures. The slightest lack of caution could cause one to fall into a trap.
This girl must be strong, yet not unbending, powerful, yet not brutal. She must have something to help her persevere, so she wouldnât easily be engulfed.
Until now, heâd only discovered the signs of some of these qualities first within this girl.
Thinking to this point, when Retired Emperor looked at Wei Wei, many expressions also unfolded.
This caused Wei Wei to be at a loss and immediately subtly stroked the bridge of her nose in confusion. Whatâs the meaning behind Retired Emperorâs satisfaction within that unfathomable gaze?
One couldnât help but say that this person, Wei Wei, was born with a pair of eyes that made people like her. Even though that face was a little black, however, that pair of eyes was quite dazzling when she became astute, and when sheâs dazed or blanked out, she then looked awfully adorable.
The more Retired Emperor looked, the more he was pleased. In his heart, he already categorized Wei Wei as someone whoâs straightforward and smart. He retracted his gaze and casted it on Chen Wen Wan. âIâm asking you one final question, have you only told the truth?â
âYes!â Chen Wen Wan bit her thin lips, only aware that all strength already left her as she bowed and kneeled on the ground, without even looking up. âAll of these things were done solely by me, with no relation to anyone else.â
Retired Emperorâs expression was indifferent. âSomeone come, drag her away for me and detain her in prison until we return to the capital, before meting out her punishment.â
âYes.â The shadow guards accepted the order.
Retired Emperor continued to say. âWrite a letter to the emperor to remove Chen Hui from office. Send his entire family back to their hometown, barred from entering the capitol within seven years.â
Chen Wen Wanâs eyes were originally looking down dully. When she heard these words, she suddenly turned her head around. âRetired Emperor, this matter is unrelated to Father, yet you want to punish him!â
âHow your father obtained this position of his.â When Retired Emperor made this statement, his gaze flit across Madam Suâs back. âI know in my heart. Your fatherâs loyalty should also be questioned.â
Chen Wen Wan stiffened. The light in her eyes swayed as she looked towards Su Yan Mo and clearly wanted to have her plea for leniency on behalf of the Chen family.
Su Yan Mo didnât speak at all. She didnât even spare Chen Wen Wan a glance as her eyes unblinkingly maintained their original position.
In that split second, Chen Wen Wan struggled to yell out something, yet discovered that her throat unexpectedly made no sounds.
How could this be? !
Chen Wen Wan did everything she could to bend forward while realizing that the only thing sheâd done was touch Madam Su just now. That little face became utterly distorted and seemed as if she wished she could chew Madam Su to bits then swallow her!
She actually believed that as long as she didnât confess, she could save the Chen family!
She didnât expect that from the start, all this cruel, poisonous, woman wanted to do was kill and silence her!
Chen Wen Wan could feel her blood vessels hurting throughout her whole body, so she couldnât even cry out a grievance while she was dragged out by the shadow guards.
Su Yan Mo saw that the only person whoâs capable of threatening her had turned into dead evidence. The rattle thatâs been in her heart also calmed down. When she looked at Retired Emperor again, she also relaxed quite a bit. âRetired Emperor is brilliant!â
She didnât expect that Retired Emperor actually only glanced at her indifferently, his presence undiminished. âAs for Helian Jiao Er, as a student at the Superior Compound, yet lacking in moral conduct, not distinguishing right from wrong, and recently slandered another person, tomorrow, letâs have her remain at Hidden Spirit Templeâs firewood room to reflect on how sheâs been wrong. After sheâs thought things through, she can then return to the capitol.â
Having heard whatâs been said, Helian Jiao Er shook all over and suddenly turned towards Madam Su to look at her!
She couldnât remain here!
This was a temple. How could a refined girl like her live here. What would she become if news of this spread!
Would anyone still marry her in the future?
Whatâs more when would be considered the time when sheâd âthought things throughâ?
The martial qi competition was about to start soon, the champion could become the Third Prince Consort. This was a promise Retired Emperor made before thousands of witnesses at the time. His mouth of gold and words of jade* simply couldnât be changed!
(*a Chinese expression which meant that an emperorâs promise is immutable)
Sheâs someone who wanted to be champion, yet was stranded here, how could she still participate!
Helian Jiao Erâs entire being panicked, her pair of limpid autumn water filled eyes was restless as she faced Wei Weiâs gaze, emitting an unprecedented malevolence.
Itâs all because of that lowlife!
If it werenât for her, Retired Emperor also wouldnât have made this decision!
Retired Emperor had always praised her, so much so that he even revealed before that he had her in mind as Third Prince Consort.
Now, all of this, all of it had been ruined by this lowlife!
Helian Jiao Er bit that bit of tender flesh inside her mouth, her fingertips also imprinted against the hollow of her palms.
Madam Su was afraid her beloved daughter could no longer endure it and extended her hand to steady her arm, with great difficulty, she gloomily said. âRetired Emperor is right, this time, sheâs been too insensible, warm hearted, and unintentionally fell into another personâs scheme. Again, I ask that Retired Emperor give consideration to my brother and the Defense Division and lighten her punishment. Not long from now, the grand martial qi convention will start. The elders already chose Jiao Er to represent our Dragon War Empire. Again I request that Retired Emperor give it careful consideration.â
Listening to these words, Wei Wei also couldnât help but admire Madam Suâs intelligence.
If she used anything else to pressure Retired Emperor, Retired Emperor mightâve only penalized Helian Jiao Er even more severely.
However, in bringing up the empireâs glory, even Retired Empire also have to reflect on the bigger picture and reduce Helian Jiao Erâs punishment. Otherwise, itâd be difficult to justify himself before the populace.
As expected, Retired Emperorâs eyebrows furrowed together. Itâs not difficult to see heâs enduring silently.
Madam Su knew that her gamble had paid off, the corners of her mouth and was just about to curve up.
When she heard a statement echoing flatly. âSince thatâs the case, then letâs just have the madam take her beloved daughterâs place and suffer the punishment in her stead.â