Lin Yanxi knelt on the ground, her eyes unwavering. "Yes," she replied faintly.
Emperor Nan Min said, "Do you know that if anything were to happen to me and Consort Yu on this journey, you and the Grand Tutor's mansion would have no burial place?"
Lin Yanxi remained calm. "I do."
She certainly knew; in her previous life, because she had done nothing, her family had already been annihilated once.
"That's why I chose Nan Feng Temple. Nan Feng Temple is only a thousand meters from the imperial palace. Under the emperor's gaze, villains would not dare to cause trouble. Moreover, the people from the Dark Night Division are hidden in the shadows to protect His Majesty and Consort Yu, and I am by your side."
"If there are truly rebellious subjects and traitors, I will block them with my own flesh and blood."
Emperor Nan Min snorted disdainfully, "Your flesh and blood is insignificant compared to the Son of Heaven. You have committed a great taboo and deserve death."
Lin Yanxi knelt on the ground, cold sweat instantly breaking out. She had angered the emperor; her actions were indeed too audacious. This move was both risky and hurried, but she had no choice. The longer she hesitated, the more suffering Shen Muzhou would endure in prison.
"Your Majesty, Shen Muzhou is in mortal danger. This humble subject had no choice but to resort to this drastic measure, only to be able to see Your Majesty and present the injustice."
Hearing about Shen Muzhou, Emperor Nan Min's expression indeed softened somewhat. Apart from that unpromising Fifth Prince who clamored for Shen Muzhou's clemency, no one in the court was pleading for him anymore.
But the Fifth Prince was simply thoughtless, only clamoring for release. Without evidence, how could he be released so easily?
After Shen Muzhou was convicted and imprisoned, his heart was heavy, so he often visited Consort Yu. He also eagerly awaited the birth of a little prince from her womb. Consort Yu, seeing Emperor Nan Min's deep desire for a son, thought of what Lin Yanxi had said about Nan Feng Temple.
"That rebellious son betrayed the country, colluded with the enemy, and stole the Jade Talisman. What else is there to say?"
Lin Yanxi carefully observed Emperor Nan Min's expression. As he spoke these words, his eyes were chilling, and his tone was stiff. It seemed that even before the investigation results from the宗正寺 (Zongzheng Si - Department of the Imperial Clan) came out, he had already judged Shen Muzhou guilty in his heart.
However, she still keenly caught a flicker of melancholy in his eyes after he finished speaking.
She boldly guessed, "Your Majesty actually knew long ago that the thief would not be Shen Muzhou."
"But all the evidence pointed to him. To stabilize the Nan Min government, Your Majesty had to comply with public opinion and regard Shen Muzhou as a pawn."
When she first met the emperor at the palace banquet, he was clad in a golden dragon-embroidered yellow robe, his dark hair tied up with a white jade hairpin. On his hand, he wore a dark green jade thumb ring. He stood tall and dignified, his appearance imposing.
Although Emperor Nan Min was nearly forty, he showed no signs of middle-aged men's weight gain or stooped posture.
But seeing him again today, streaks of silver had appeared in his temples, his eye sockets were sunken, and there were dark circles beneath his eyes, full of weariness.
"Doesn't Your Majesty want to give Shen Muzhou a chance? A chance to live."
Emperor Nan Min closed his eyes in resignation. When he opened them again, a fierce glint flashed within his pupils. "How do you know I don't want Little Jiu to live?"
He naturally knew that Shen Muzhou would not steal the Jade Talisman. Before appointing Shen Qingyun as crown prince, his most favored candidate was Shen Muzhou. However, Shen Muzhou harbored resentment towards him due to his mother's death.
Shen Muzhou was too sentimental; such a person was unfit for great responsibilities.
A person who did not even want the easily obtainable position of crown prince, why would he steal the Jade Talisman to seize power?
It was just that the Crown Prince's faction had presented evidence one by one. If he were to continue protecting Shen Muzhou, Nan Min might be plunged into chaos.
This incident also reminded Emperor Nan Min that the Crown Prince's power needed to be curbed, albeit gradually. In this situation, Shen Muzhou became a sacrifice.
"But... you are a little girl, you wouldn't understand. I have to admit you are very clever, but the heart of an emperor cannot be fathomed by anyone. Do you understand, little girl who is not afraid of death?"
"You think you have the right to plead for Shen Muzhou here? Is it by relying on your Grand Tutor's mansion, whose merits overshadow the ruler, to threaten His Majesty?"
His gaze turned completely cold, his pupils emitting a sharp light, and his voice was filled with murderous intent.
Lin Yanxi knelt on the ground and kowtowed. She was most afraid of implicating the Grand Tutor's mansion, which was why she had to act as the Ninth Prince's consort.
"Your Majesty, this matter has nothing to do with the Grand Tutor's mansion. It is only because the Prince and I were already betrothed. That day, after he left the Eastern Palace, he secretly met me at the Grand Tutor's mansion. He did not reveal the truth because he did not want my reputation to be damaged."
She took out a white silk handkerchief from her bosom. When the handkerchief was unfolded, it revealed the shattered jade that Shen Muzhou had given her in prison.
Emperor Nan Min's expression paused. This was something he had given to Shen Muzhou's mother. On the day he gifted her the jade, he had promised her a lifetime of exclusivity.
He had initially thought it was just a love declaration. After all, he was the emperor; how could he dismiss his harem for her, or even favor only one person?
Emperor Nan Min's gaze deepened. When he looked at Lin Yanxi again, there was a hint of investigation and amusement in his eyes. "Hmph, well, my Little Jiu can also secretly meet girls now, and a girl from the Grand Tutor's mansion, hahaha."
His originally icy face instantly broke into a joyful smile.
These years, Shen Muzhou had remained aloof from women. Although Luo Jingxin was always by his side, he had never mentioned marriage, and there were all sorts of unpleasant rumors outside.
Some even speculated privately that Shen Muzhou was a homosexual. Emperor Nan Min had been furious upon hearing these rumors, but as more people spoke, even he began to doubt his Little Jiu.
Now, it seemed he had been overthinking.
He re-examined Lin Yanxi. Her skin was as clear as jade, her nose was exquisite, her lips were crimson, and especially her round, lively eyes, she was intelligent and clever, with a bold and passionate personality. She was completely different from Shen Muzhou's mother.
Previously, the Empress and the Crown Prince had repeatedly requested an imperial decree for a marriage alliance between the Crown Prince and the Grand Tutor's family. He had delayed it because if the Crown Prince were to become the son-in-law of the Grand Tutor's mansion, the balance of power in the court would be upset.
Now, the Grand Tutor's daughter was willing to marry Shen Muzhou, which would perfectly serve to curb the Crown Prince's power.
"Good. Since that is the case, I will grant your wish. I will immediately bestow a marriage decree and announce it to the world. At the same time, you and Shen Muzhou will retrieve the Jade Talisman and clear your names. If you fail to retrieve the Jade Talisman within two months, you and Shen Muzhou will both be executed."
Announced to the world?
Lin Yanxi raised an eyebrow. This was hardly necessary.
She did not know where the Jade Talisman was retrieved in her previous life, but she vaguely remembered it was at the border town.
Or was it Xizhou?
If she couldn't find the Jade Talisman...
No, she had to find the Jade Talisman and identify the Sorcerer to avenge her mother.
Without hesitation, she bowed. "This humble subject thanks Your Majesty for your grace."
---
Lin Yanxi returned to her mansion, and within half a day, the imperial decree bestowing marriage reached the Grand Tutor's mansion.
Eunuch Li held the imperial decree and said to Lin Ze with a smile, "Grand Tutor, good fortune arrives. Congratulations first."
Lin Ze, along with everyone else, knelt on the ground, waiting for Eunuch Li to read the decree. He looked at Lin Yanxi, puzzled.
He guessed that the Emperor intended to bestow a marriage between the Crown Prince and Lin Yanxi. He felt a hint of worry, as Zhaozhao did not like the Crown Prince.
Eunuch Li, with a nasal voice, read, "By the grace of heaven, the Emperor decrees that the Grand Tutor's legitimate daughter, Lin Yanxi, and Prince Mu, Shen Muzhou, are a match made in heaven..."
Lin Ze was terrified and knelt on the ground. What?
The Emperor intended to bestow marriage upon Lin Yanxi to Shen Muzhou, who was already imprisoned?
Wasn't this clearly sending Lin Yanxi to her death along with Shen Muzhou?
After Eunuch Li finished reading, he saw Lin Ze hesitate to accept the decree and reminded him, "Grand Tutor, please accept the decree."
"Do not disappoint His Majesty's kind intentions."
Lin Ze knelt on the ground, refusing to accept the decree, his displeasure unconcealed.
He would rather die than sell his daughter. He would not accept such a marriage decree.
"My daughter is unruly and unworthy of the Ninth..."
Before he could finish, Lin Yanxi raised her hands, palms facing upwards, and said, "This humble subject accepts the decree, thanking His Majesty for the bestowed marriage."
Lin Ze stood up and exclaimed, "Zhaozhao! Are you crazy?"
"Shen Muzhou is already imprisoned. If you accept this marriage, you are going to your death."
Eunuch Li coughed twice and angrily said, "Grand Tutor, mind your words."
"His Majesty has already decided to release the Ninth Prince. Moreover, both you and I are subjects. If His Majesty ordered you to die, would you dare disobey?"
Lin Ze grumbled with dissatisfaction, "I'm not going to die, nor will I let my daughter die."
"Grand Tutor, are you not afraid of these words reaching His Majesty's ears? He could charge you with insubordination! At that time, not only your daughter, but your entire family would lose their heads!"
Lin Ze's face turned red with anger. "Then charge me! I can die, but my daughter cannot!"
The entire family was so terrified by the situation that they dared not speak. Concubine Xu knelt on the ground, her eyes darting. Madam Jiang Wan was already dead, and Lin Ruoyan was weak and naive. If Lin Yanxi also left the mansion, no one would be able to stand in her way within the mansion.
Once she became the legitimate wife, Lin Yuan and Lin Shibai would be the legitimate daughter and son of the Grand Tutor.
She knelt on the ground and cried, "Oh, Master, if you die from defying the imperial decree, how will we, the widowed and orphaned, survive? Second daughter, have pity on your father! Auntie begs you."
"As long as you can prevent Father from defying the imperial decree, you can ask Auntie to do anything."
Lin Ze was so angry that his face turned pale. He had only said he would die out of anger. Now, with Concubine Xu's crying, it seemed to be coming true.
Lin Yanxi knelt on the ground and asked Concubine Xu, "Concubine Xu, is that what you said? You can do anything?"
Concubine Xu's wailing stopped. Before she could even think about what she meant by her words.
Lin Yanxi stood up from the ground and walked to the eunuch, extending her hand, palm up.
Eunuch Li smiled with satisfaction and handed the imperial decree to Lin Yanxi. "The Grand Tutor's legitimate daughter is still sensible. Good, better than her father."
Lin Ze was furious. "You!"
An eunuch dared to criticize the Grand Tutor. This was only because he had the Emperor's backing.
After Lin Yanxi received the imperial decree, she knelt on the ground and kowtowed. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace. This humble subject accepts the decree."
Eunuch Li nodded with a smile. "Get up. I should also go back and report."
After Eunuch Li left with two young eunuchs, Concubine Xu immediately changed her demeanor.
"Second daughter, you were so eager to break off the engagement before. It turns out you already had someone in mind, and you even used Yuan'er as a shield."
"So be it. The Ninth Prince is quite good. You should be content."
Lin Ze raised his hand as if to slap her.
Concubine Xu's face stiffened. She tilted her head defiantly. "Come, come, hit me. Hit me to death."
"Besides, Madam is gone. Why don't you let me follow Madam to the afterlife!"
She was confident that at this juncture, Lin Ze, having just lost his wife, would not bear to lose her and would tolerate her endlessly.
As expected, Lin Ze's hand paused in mid-air and then reluctantly lowered.
A hint of triumph appeared in Concubine Xu's eyes.
"Slap—"
A slap landed fiercely on her right cheek.