Chapter 256: Chapter 199: Baffling Conduct

The Emperor was full of confusion. On the one hand, he seemed to care about the Zou Family, yet clearly still wanted to hold them accountable for pushing him off a cliff.

On the other hand, if he didn’t care about the Zou Family, his expression showed a bit of tension upon hearing that her injuries were severe, and that she might even become crippled.

The Emperor was truly baffled by Chunyu Che.

Still, he tentatively said, “Her injuries are extremely severe, this leg, it really might be crippled.”

Hearing this, Chunyu Che appeared a bit calmer but firmly said, “Even if she’s crippled, she must not be let off. Emperor Dayi, how about turning her over to me for punishment?”

The Emperor frowned, thinking to himself why is he so relentless in pursuing this!

If she were just an ordinary woman, it would be fine, but she is part of the Shen Family and even Shen Ruoxi’s fifth sister-in-law. Such accountability truly leaves him in a dilemma.

“Monarch of Beichang, I am willing to offer gold and silver as compensation. Isn’t silver exactly what your country lacks the most right now? It would just be used to build the nation,” the Emperor gritted his teeth and laid out this extremely generous condition.

However, Chunyu Che was unmoved, merely smiling faintly, “Emperor Dayi, do you mean that I should just endure this calamity for nothing, having been torn by wolves for nothing? If that is truly the case, then I have nothing more to say.”

“Aren’t you unharmed? Moreover, it was her sister-in-law who saved your life—doesn’t that offset this? Can you let this slide?” The Emperor attempted to continue persuading.

“No,” Chunyu Che refused without hesitation.

The Emperor’s face immediately turned extremely gloomy.

Chunyu Che stared straight at the Emperor, “There is no room for negotiation unless you indeed want to leave my life forever in Dayi. Otherwise, I will certainly pursue this to the end.”

The Emperor’s eyes instantly turned cold, “Are you threatening me? Don’t forget, it was you who started this war, and you are also the defeated nation.”

Chunyu Che retorted, “Those who started the war have already been brought to justice. Now that both countries have signed a peace treaty, it means our two countries are still equals.

Someone tried to murder me, I barely escaped with my life, isn’t it reasonable for me to ask you to hand over the culprit?”

The Emperor thought to himself, this request is not excessive, but the culprit’s identity is special!

He could agree without hesitation if it were any ordinary person, to let Chunyu Che do as he wished with them. But this person was from the Zou Family, and he could not hand her over no matter what.

“Emperor, I might not necessarily kill her, but I must reason with her, right? I only want this person.”

The Emperor’s eyes were cold as he said in a deep voice, “Let me consider this matter and discuss it.”

Chunyu Che did not oppose this but merely nodded and said, “Emperor Dayi, I give you three days. After three days, I will return to my country, and hope by then you give me a reply.”

Though the Emperor’s heart was filled with anger, he could only nod and agree, “Alright.”

Watching the Emperor’s figure gradually recede, Chunyu Che’s lips pursed slightly, silently praying that his actions this time would not cause her to suspect and add unnecessary troubles.

The Emperor naturally first summoned Jun Moling and Shen Ruoxi into the palace. Both were full of confusion, not knowing why the Emperor called for them.

Upon entering the Imperial Study Room and greeting him respectfully, they finally sat down. Only then did the Emperor slowly begin to speak, “It is about Chunyu Che.”

Shen Ruoxi was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, then said, “Isn’t he already recovered?”

The Emperor nodded, his expression grave, “He said he will return in three days and insists we hand over the culprit.”

Shen Ruoxi was suddenly taken aback, her face full of astonishment, “The culprit?”

The Emperor sighed lightly, “It’s your fifth sister-in-law from the Zou Family.”

If it were in the past, Shen Ruoxi would have been furious, yelling at Chunyu Che to stop messing around.

But now, she fell into deep contemplation, full of doubt about this accusation of Chunyu Che towards her fifth sister-in-law as the culprit.

“Your Majesty, are you sure he said my fifth sister-in-law is the culprit?”

The Emperor thought to himself that only Shen Ruoxi would dare to question him in such a manner.

But he still nodded, affirming seriously, “Of course, an emperor doesn’t speak idle words.”

Shen Ruoxi felt even more puzzled by the strangeness, her brow frowning and filled with doubt.

How could it be? The person who once saw her as his courage to live, how could he identify her as the culprit?

Her lips were tightly pursed, and after a long time, she spoke softly, “Your Majesty, leave this matter to me! I’ll go ask Chunyu Che what he really means.”

The Emperor was startled for a moment, “Could it be he wasn’t telling the truth, and he doesn’t really want to retaliate against your fifth sister-in-law?”

Shen Ruoxi shook her head, not daring to speak hastily at this critical moment, especially as it concerned her fifth sister-in-law’s reputation.

Therefore, she must personally inquire to understand Chunyu Che’s true thoughts.

“Your Majesty, I am also unclear of Chunyu Che’s intentions. Would you let me handle this? After all, I saved Chunyu Che’s life and Sword Shadow Residual Wind still owes me a favor—I’ll go ask, surely I can find out the truth.”

Since Shen Ruoxi was so determined, the Emperor also felt relieved, “Alright, I leave this matter to you.”

Shen Ruoxi nodded in agreement.

After leaving the Imperial Palace, Jun Moling noticed Shen Ruoxi’s gloomy face filled with worry and asked softly, “Wife, what on earth is Chunyu Che intending?”

Shen Ruoxi was just as baffled about this.

It was now that she began to seriously scrutinize Chunyu Che as a person.

Before, she thought Chunyu Che was quite responsible; at least he abhorred war, was able to face many issues, and had even saved her twice.

However, this time his actions in Dayi left her with many questions.

First, he urged his sister to marry her husband, then tried to place a woman on her.

Afterwards, he saved her fifth sister-in-law yet claimed to hold her accountable for trying to kill him, this series of actions made Shen Ruoxi unable to understand him anymore.

“I don’t know either, I’ll go ask.”

“Do you think he will speak the truth?”

Shen Ruoxi was uncertain, but after contemplating, she said, “After all, I saved his life, and Sword Shadow Residual Wind still owes me a favor, if it doesn’t work, I’ll ask him to help inquire.”

Jun Moling nodded in agreement, “Wife, I’ll accompany you.”

Shen Ruoxi nodded in assent. After stating their intention, an attendant respectfully escorted them in.

Chunyu Che’s injuries had improved, but having narrowly escaped death, he was still recuperating in bed.

“Greetings to the Monarch of Beichang.”

Shen Ruoxi and Jun Moling followed proper etiquette and greeted him with cupped fists.

Chunyu Che was very courteous, “Prince Zhan and Princess Consort Zhan, I apologize as my body is still unwell and I couldn’t welcome you from afar.”

Shen Ruoxi got straight to the point, “Monarch of Beichang, you’re too polite, I won’t beat around the bush. I heard you want to hold my fifth sister-in-law accountable?”

Chunyu Che smiled faintly and replied, “Is the Princess Consort Zhan here to seek justice?”

Shen Ruoxi slightly frowned, earnestly saying, “I am here as your lifesaver, just hoping you can be frank.”

Upon hearing this, Chunyu Che’s lips slightly curled, his expression coldly replied, “She tried to kill me, shouldn’t I hold her accountable?”

So, he truly wants to hold her accountable?

Although Shen Ruoxi sensed something was amiss, she logically continued to inquire, “Monarch of Beichang, do you have any solid evidence proving my fifth sister-in-law wanted to kill you?”

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