It was only then that he discovered the strangeness of this bride. Seen being held, she was neither flustered nor panicked, remaining calm and composed. Could an ordinary young lady from a prominent family possess such mettle?
"Hahahaha," the King of Beijin erupted into manic laughter. So, he had laid his trap long ago, and he himself was caught in it. If not for the bride's sudden action just moments ago, he would not have been able to strike so easily. It turned out she was also one of his people.
"Imperial Brother's scheme is truly brilliant. It seems this younger brother is still too naive."
As the King of Beijin's words fell, the Emperor, standing at the center of the hall, his expression cold and his pupils deep, issued a chilling command: "Guards, escort the King of Beijin to prison. Confiscate the King of Beijin's estate. All members of the King of Beijin's household, large and small, are to be thrown into prison to await trial."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the Imperial Guards and the five thousand garrison troops responded in unison. They moved swiftly, splitting up to carry out their duties. Others stepped forward to personally escort the King of Beijin and the bride away.
Soon, the King of Beijin's estate was filled with the cries of people wailing for their parents and calling out their names, their laments echoing throughout the entire mansion.
Then, the vast estate was littered with corpses, severed limbs, and broken arms. The crimson wedding drapes hung askew, swaying miserably in the wind. In an instant, a world-altering change had occurred, catching everyone off guard.
Those officials who had fled upon witnessing the slaughter now rushed back in, kneeling on the ground in a state of panic.
"We deserve death, Your Majesty, please punish us."
Emperor Xian swept his gaze over them, his eyes cold and stern. Most of these were civil officials, timid by nature. When faced with bloodshed, they had scrambled to escape, which was understandable. As long as they didn't cause him trouble, it was fine. Emperor Xian's lips curved into a chilling smile.
"Rise, all of you. Today, the King of Beijin committed treason. All you ministers have witnessed it firsthand."
"Yes, we have witnessed it firsthand. We never expected the King of Beijin, whom everyone believed to be sickly, to possess such extraordinary martial prowess. Furthermore, he conspired with the new Princess to assassinate Your Majesty and usurp the throne," came a chorus of indignant voices from below. Emperor Xian nodded with satisfaction and waved his hand, "Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Everyone rose and moved to the sides. The Imperial Guards, both inside and outside the King of Beijin's estate, along with the capital's garrison troops, apprehended all the servants within the mansion without exception. The wails and cries of those being taken away continued unabated.
Who would have thought that the King of Beijin's estate harbored such profound secrets?
"Return to the palace," the Emperor's grim voice sounded. All the ministers bowed deeply to escort the Emperor and Empress. "We escort His Majesty, the Emperor, and Her Majesty, the Empress."
The King of Nan'an led a contingent to protect the Emperor and Empress as they departed. Behind them followed a large group of high-ranking court officials, all clustering around to escort the Emperor and Empress to the entrance of the King of Beijin's estate.
Outside the gates, cavalry waited beside their imposing steeds. The honor guard remained in their original positions, but a cloud of anxious fear hung over everyone's faces.
Who could have imagined that the King of Beijin would attempt to assassinate the Emperor? What was meant to be a joyous wedding had turned into such a desolate scene, truly making one feel the chill of despair.
Moreover, no one had expected the King of Beijin to possess hidden martial arts skills and to have nurtured a large number of loyal retainers.
It now seemed that the incident at Moon Awakening Temple was also related to the King of Beijin. After this event, the King of Beijin would have no chance of recovery.
In the grand and opulent imperial carriage, Emperor Xian, clad in dragon robes, ascended, amidst the cheers of the crowd.
Mu Qingyao observed everything with a cold gaze from beginning to end. The shock in her heart was immense. No one had anticipated that the Emperor had been planning this for so long. She had seen everything unfold during the wedding today, and the fact that the bride was the Emperor's person was something she had never dreamed of.
The Emperor, perhaps fearing the King of Beijin would remain inactive, had found a catalyst: the bride, Ye Qianqian. It was possible she was not the daughter of the Scholar's Mansion at all, but an imperial secret guard, disguised as a bride to marry the King of Beijin.
During the wedding ceremony, she was to assassinate the Emperor. Now, with her identity as the King of Beijin's Princess, she had attempted to assassinate the reigning Emperor, clearly indicating the King of Beijin's intention to usurp the throne.
Even if the King of Beijin had not acted at that moment, as long as the bride insisted that the King of Beijin had ordered her, he would still be thrown into prison. The King of Beijin must have understood this as well, which was why he was forced to act, thereby falling directly into the Emperor's carefully laid trap.
Not only could this eliminate the King of Beijin, a thorn in his side, but most importantly, with so many ministers as witnesses, the King of Beijin would have no defense and could not pretend otherwise. It seemed he was surely doomed.
The imperial carriage slowly departed from the King of Beijin's estate, accompanied by the respectful farewells of the ministers.
Ahead, the cavalry still rode, as did the honor guard. Unlike the joyous arrival, there was now a chilling aura of death that swept through the air. The members of the honor guard dared not make any sound. The grand procession moved forward slowly, heading towards the imperial palace.
Inside the carriage, Emperor Xian, with his handsome features, his entire face relaxed, his eyes and brows tinged with a smile, gentle like the warm sun.
He had finally eliminated a major threat. How could he not be pleased? He turned to look at Mu Qingyao, the Empress who had remained silent the entire time. "Yao'er, what is wrong?"
"Your Majesty's schemes are too deep. If you already had such a thorough plan, why did you kill those innocent people from the Su family on that day?"
Mu Qingyao raised her eyebrows, her eyes filled with coldness. Such an unfathomable emperor made her heart tremble like a deep abyss. She wondered what he would think of next, and what he would do.
Murong Liuzun looked at Mu Qingyao's distant expression, and his earlier happiness significantly diminished. He extended his long, slender hand, took Mu Qingyao's delicate hand, and said with seriousness in his eyes:
"Yao'er, my upbringing was different from yours. Therefore, I always plan ahead for everything. In the palace, only by thinking more and further than others can one ensure their own survival."
His voice was magnetic, carrying a hint of pain, as if some things were not entirely his choice.
"Since childhood, I have been hurt many times by others, but I have always managed to escape. If I hadn't thought so much and so far ahead, I fear I would have already been persecuted."
Mu Qingyao slightly furrowed her brows. Listening to his sorrowful words, a pang of pain shot through her heart.
But amidst that pain, there was also a deep sense of horror. How old was the Emperor then? A mere teenager, yet he thought so deeply. Such cunning was beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.
Could his affectionate treatment of her not be a scheme? Unlike others, she was devoted to love and pursued perfection, which was why she had transmigrated to this era.
If she were to fall into a man-made trap again this time, she would never forgive herself.
"Your Majesty," yet listening to his heart-wrenching past, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for him.
"Yao'er, it's alright now. I can finally see the dawn after the clouds have cleared. I know who killed my mother, and I have eliminated Murong Liumo, who had been hidden all along. Moreover, I have you by my side," Murong Liuzun said, his face radiant towards the end, his long, narrow phoenix eyes filled with fervent light, his large hand tightly gripping Mu Qingyao's.