Chapter 1921: Chapter 1918: Offering Counsel

It seems that this palace lady was truly loyal, but for some reason, she turned against us at a critical moment. She even committed suicide out of guilt after giving her testimony.

However, during this period, the palace lady seemed less opposed to people like Deng Jieyu and others in the palace.

Xiao Tianhao looked at the contents of the letter in his hand, which was filled with detailed testimony.

Based on this alone, it seems to align with the recent changes in the Emperor.

Xiao Tianhao dared not speculate if the Emperor had also been tricked, but he had to investigate, and even the Sacred Girl of Southern Border needed to be interrogated for testimony.

In such a situation, Xiao Tianhao received a secret letter sent by Chu Heng.

After reading the contents of the letter, Xiao Tianhao frowned, extremely worried.

He discovered that Chu Heng shared the same thoughts: King of Huainan was not yet ruled out as a suspect. A high-ranking general of the imperial court, who kept the former Sacred Girl of Southern Border by his side—the claim of his innocence had no evidence; who would dare say such a thing?

That the Emperor did not get angry because of this was already fortunate.

He only summoned the King of Huainan back to the capital to demonstrate his loyalty.

If the King of Huainan was also tricked, and the Emperor was affected too, then when King of Huainan and the Beirong Prince enter the capital...

Xiao Tianhao felt a sudden pang of dread in his heart and dared not imagine it.

He asked anxiously, "Where is the King of Huainan now, and how many men are with him?"

"My Lord, Long Shi and the others have not yet returned; it is estimated they will take another three days to come back." This is already the fastest speed.

Upon hearing this answer, Xiao Tianhao was somewhat dissatisfied.

But he knew that impatience would lead nowhere.

He paced back and forth twice before instructing his subordinates to verify the state of the capital region’s defenses outside the capital.

Even though Xiao Tianhao was anxious inside, he dared not show it outwardly.

He spent two days compiling the results of the investigation and sending reports to the palace every day.

Xiao Tianhao felt somewhat reassured that every time the Emperor saw him personally, he was still as wise and valiant as ever, with no change in his usual decisive manner.

The only change was that during his two visits to the palace over five days, he would always encounter Deng Jieyu bringing food to the Emperor.

The Emperor did not even directly drive her out.

He allowed her to stay in the side hall.

Although there was no instance of having a Palace Concubine stay and serve in the Imperial Study—a thing only a muddle-headed ruler would do—Xiao Tianhao was still shocked in his heart.

He couldn’t believe that the Emperor truly favored a concubine so genuinely!

He even noticed that every time Deng Jieyu came, the affection in their eyes was visibly real—an affection he had only seen between Lord Chu and Madam.

Because of this, Xiao Tianhao was even more alarmed.

The Emperor falling in love with a concubine was simply...

Such a thing could happen to other emperors, but Emperor Xuanming, who had ruled for over a decade and was still in his prime, could, barring any accidents, hold power for another ten years.

An Emperor who had been diligent for more than ten years suddenly began to indulge in beauty and with emotional involvement.

After observing for several days, when the King of Huainan was one day away from entering the capital, Xiao Tianhao, having reported the news, knelt before Emperor Xuanming and directly admonished, opposing the idea of the Emperor allowing a harem concubine into the Imperial Study.

"Insolence!" Emperor Xuanming flew into a rage, throwing an inkstone, and Xiao Tianhao’s head was hit, bleeding profusely.

Xiao Tianhao, unwilling to give up, advised, "Your Majesty, please prioritize the nation’s stability; the Imperial Study is for the Emperor..."

Bang.

Xiao Tianhao was knocked unconscious by another incense burner.

Emperor Xuanming, his chest heaving with anger, shouted in fury, "Attend me!"

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