Doted By The Regent King

Chapter 1851: Chapter 1789: Glory and Ruin Are Always One

Meeting the mother-in-law for the first time, Wufu managed to pass smoothly and returned with quite a few meeting gifts, accompanied by Ah Jiu to take her out of the palace. As for the gifts, besides those from the Empress Dowager, Empress Song and the Emperor also bestowed some. Wufu believed that the nobles in the palace would follow suit; after all, when the most important masters in the palace give generously, not showing a bit of appreciation might indicate dissatisfaction, not to mention the fear of retribution.

"How did it go with the Royal Mother?" Ah Jiu asked Wufu once they got on the carriage.

Wufu replied proudly, "I’m someone everyone loves. Of course, it went well. Don’t worry; we got along extremely well, didn’t you hear the Royal Mother say she’d call me in again for a chat?"

Ah Jiu laughed, "I knew you two would get along well."

Wufu eyed him sideways, "Honestly, deep down, you were just as nervous."

Ah Jiu grinned awkwardly, "Aren’t both of you dear to me? Your getting along well is more important than anything else."

Wufu gave a light snort and rolled her eyes.

"So, has Li Heming indeed been captured?"

Ah Jiu’s smiling face turned slightly serious, and he nodded.

"Not a disguised fake?"

"There’s no place for so many fakes; it’s definitely the genuine Marquis Xuanwu. I personally checked, no disguise." Ah Jiu leaned against the large welcoming pillow inside the carriage and said, "He has been brought back, though he’s barely clinging to life. But his youngest son is nowhere to be found."

"Probably hidden away. Since he thought to carry away a bit of his bloodline, he must have arranged it well," Wufu said. If it were her, she would arrange it this way, rather than escape with the child, as keeping all the eggs in one basket would likely lead to total ruin.

Ah Jiu also understood this clearly and said, "That’s precisely why the Imperial Brother is furious and has ordered to find that child."

Wufu said, "Can’t blame him. If you don’t eradicate the weeds, they will grow back in spring. As an emperor, his decision is justifiable. If that child is wise, he’ll hide his identity and forget the revenge of his family’s downfall, living as an ordinary person. In this way, they could survive this ordeal. But if he chooses to self-destruct, then..."

"That’s also what I think. It’s unclear what choice they’ll make."

"Since Li Heming has been captured, the case should end, right?" Wufu handed him half of a peeled sweet mandarin, tearing her half into pieces.

Ah Jiu took it and said, "Yes, the execution has been set for ten days from now. The decree will be issued tomorrow."

Wufu paused, "All beheaded?"

"All males over ten beheaded, those under ten exiled to Yazhou, and the womenfolk will be made into official slaves or military courtesans."

Wufu’s pupils contracted slightly; if so, the women will suffer.

Seeing her expression, Ah Jiu said, "With glory comes shared ruin, they must bear the corresponding cost of the prosperity their family once enjoyed; glory and loss have always been intertwined."

"I know." Wufu swallowed a piece of fruit, saying, "Just a moment of sighing, that’s all."

She lifted the carriage curtain to look outside, realizing they weren’t on the way back to the mansion, and asked, "Where are we heading?"

Ah Jiu also looked out and said, "Since the weather’s nice today, we’re not returning to the mansion for a meal. Instead, we’ll dine outside and let you see our Capital."

Wufu’s eyes brightened, but she looked at her own attire and said, "I’m in mourning clothes, roaming around like this. Won’t it be inappropriate?"

"Oh, our Princess Consort is actually concerned about rumors?" Ah Jiu raised an eyebrow, smiled, and said, "Relax, your period of intense mourning is over, it’s almost been a year; going out and about isn’t inappropriate, it’s not like we’re attending a feast."

Only then did Wufu feel at ease.