“Oh? Xu Xuanwu has been brought back?”

Zheng Yi withdrew his hand and said coldly, “Where is he being held?”

“To Your Majesty, he is currently still imprisoned in the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s Imperial Prison.”

“What solution do the ministers in court suggest?”

“To Your Majesty, the ministers in court are divided into several factions. Some advocate for the death penalty, some propose a lenient approach, but most ministers still advocate… execution.”

Liu Cheng’en quickly lowered his head and said, “However, the final decision rests with you, Your Majesty.”

Zheng Yi tapped his hand, feeling the smooth, soft texture, and asked, “What about Grand General Xu? Has he returned?”

“To Your Majesty, the Grand General has already returned from Nanzhao Country and has also brought back Princess Lingyin of Nanzhao Country.”

Liu Cheng’en said, “After reporting to the Empress, the Empress arranged for Princess Lingyin to reside in the harem’s Lingyin Palace.”

“You may leave, I have my plans.”

“Understood!”

After sending Liu Cheng’en away, Zheng Yi rubbed his head.

The matter of dealing with Xu Xuanwu is indeed difficult.

Xu Mujun has only one son and one daughter; the daughter is a Noble Consort, but the son has rebelled.

It is an extremely difficult matter for anyone to handle.

Simply executing him has both good and bad sides.

The benefits are numerous — setting an example, upholding the principle that the Emperor is subject to the same laws as the common people, raising morale, and so on.

But the drawbacks are also numerous.

Xu Mujun and Xu Qingluan might not say anything openly, but who knows what they might say in private.

Xu Mujun serves the country wholeheartedly, but who can guarantee he won’t have other thoughts over time.

And what about Xu Qingluan, who from this point might also become disloyal and disenchanted?

After all, killing one’s own brother, and seeing him every day… this…

At this moment, a pair of small hands pressed gently on his temples, starting to massage them.

“Your Majesty, is your head aching? Let me massage it for you.”

Looking up, he saw Consort Lan, dressed in light gauze that clung closely to her tender white skin.

“Consort Lan~”

Among the many Noble Ladies who often visited Baiyu City, Consort Lan had the highest rank.

Because the other consorts were unwilling to serve the Emperor alongside other women.

Instead, Consort Lan enjoyed it, and often introduced new entertainments for Zheng Yi.

Therefore, Zheng Yi was very fond of Consort Lan.

He specially conferred her as Consort Lan, allowing her to manage the Wine Pool and Meat Forest.

Zheng Yi closed his eyes, Consort Lan gently massaged him, her breath fragrant as she said, “Your Majesty, do you have any troubling matters? Why not share them with me?”

“My mother used to say that expressing your worries makes you feel much better~”

With his eyes still closed, Zheng Yi replied, “This matter is no secret; I and the ministers in court are troubled over how to deal with Xu Xuanwu.”

“Your Majesty, I have something to say, but I’m unsure if it’s appropriate.”

“Speak.”

“This matter… truly was Grand General Xu’s mistake.”

“Oh? How so?”

“For rebels, it would have been simplest to kill them outright on the battlefield; who would have expected Grand General Xu to bring Xu Xuanwu back.”

Consort Lan said softly, “On the surface, it appears that it’s for Your Majesty to personally deal with him in a dignified manner, but isn’t the underlying purpose to save Xu Xuanwu’s life?”

“This is putting you in a difficult position~”

Zheng Yi’s heart was stirred; what Consort Lan said indeed had some truth to it.

Was Grand General Xu’s action a genuine attempt to save Xu Xuanwu’s life?

Zheng Yi suddenly pulled Consort Lan into his arms, seriously staring at her and said, “I didn’t expect you to provide such a different perspective. Tell me, what solution do you have for this matter?”

Consort Lan glanced around, then leaned in close to Zheng Yi’s ear and whispered, “Your Majesty, I heard that Grand General Xu only has one son and one daughter, and after his first wife passed away over twenty years ago, he has never remarried?”

“Hmm, correct.”

“There are three forms of unfilial behavior; having no descendants is the worst. Grand General Xu only has Xu Xuanwu as his son, and Xu Xuanwu has never been rumored to have married or had children over the years. If only Grand General Xu had another son.”

“Another son?”

Zheng Yi shook his head, “That’s not so easy; Xu Qing is solely focused on martial pursuits and vowed not to remarry.”

“Even if Grand General Xu doesn’t take a wife, isn’t there someone else?”

“Someone else… hmm?”

Zheng Yi’s eyes suddenly lit up, and he laughed heartily, “Hahaha, no wonder you’re my beloved consort; this plan… is viable!”

He lifted Consort Lan and placed her horizontally on the soft couch.

“My beloved consort has offered a good idea; I’m very pleased. What reward would you like?”

Consort Lan shyly said, “I don’t desire a reward; I simply wish…”

“Wish for what?”

“Simply wish… to have a son or daughter, to expand Your Majesty’s lineage~”

“That is a simple matter!”

Zheng Yi laughed heartily and immediately pounced.

An hour later, a current of Innate Pure Yang Qi was channeled into Consort Lan to help her conceive!

The next day, Zheng Yi met with Chen Zhong and Chen Yi and asked in detail about Xu Xuanwu’s behavior on the journey.

Xu Xuanwu was confined in the Imperial Prison, while Xu Mujun, since his return to the capital, kept his manor gates tightly shut, refusing all visitors and inquiries.

Later, accompanied by Chen Zhong and Chen Yi, he personally went to inspect the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s Imperial Prison.

Xu Xuanwu now had none of the charm he had in his youth; he had become a cripple.

Unkempt beard, hair matted on his scalp as if unwashed for days, the whole person lay limp on the ground, filthy and reeking.

He lay on the ground snoring, oblivious to others coming and going.

Xu Xuanwu now had severed tendons in both his hands and feet, his Dantian destroyed, utterly worthless.

“Has he been like this all along?”

“To Your Majesty, ever since Grand General Xu destroyed his Dantian, Xu Xuanwu has remained this way.”

Chen Zhong said, “We transported him back to the capital over the course of nearly three months; besides sleeping, he only drank every day…”

“Has he given up?”

Zheng Yi said lightly, “In this manner, the resolution is more straightforward. Return to the palace.”

“Understood!”

Back in the palace, under Zheng Yi’s secret orders, a female Shadow Guard approached him.

“This servant greets Your Majesty!”

Zheng Yi asked, “What is your name?”

“Replying to Your Majesty, this servant is Zhong Chun.”

“Raise your head.”

“Yes!”

The woman raised her head, and Zheng Yi’s brows slightly furrowed.

This woman not only had a somewhat plump figure, but her face was also covered with freckles, her lips were thin, giving her a somewhat mean appearance.

Overall, her appearance was rather ordinary, the kind that would be lost in a crowd.

As a Shadow Guard, her loyalty was beyond question.

Zheng Yi directly said, “Zhong Chun, I have a mission to entrust to you. Are you willing to accept it?”

“This servant would not hesitate even if it meant a thousand deaths!”

“I don’t need you to die.”

Zheng Yi said calmly, “I need you to give birth to a child for someone. If it is a boy, your task henceforth will be to care for that child.”

“You could even enjoy a lifetime of luxury and wealth, inexhaustible!”

Zhong Chun respectfully said, “By Your Majesty’s command, this concubine would not hesitate even in a thousand deaths.”

“Good, follow Chen Zhong’s arrangements.”

“Yes!”

Zhong Chun slowly retreated, while Zheng Yi turned and went to Xianfu Palace.

Consort Duann, Xu Qingluan, had been pregnant for about nine months and was about to give birth.

“This concubine has seen Your Majesty.”

“Rise, beloved consort.”

Zheng Yi quickly helped Xu Qingluan up, “Beloved consort is about to give birth; we can dispense with these formalities.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness.”

After a moment of tenderness, Zheng Yi asked, “Beloved consort, your brother Xu Xuanwu has been escorted back to the capital. How do you think he should be dealt with?”

Xu Qingluan hesitated, “Your Majesty, as the daughter of the Xu Family, I naturally wish for Your Majesty to pardon my brother.”

“However… I am Your Majesty’s woman; my brother has committed a capital crime, and he ought to be punished.”

As she spoke, Xu Qingluan was about to kneel, but Zheng Yi stopped her again.

“Beloved consort, I mentioned before, you are about to give birth, no need for formalities.”

“Your Majesty…”

As she spoke, Xu Qingluan’s tears flowed,

“I ask Your Majesty to spare my elder brother’s life for the sake of me and the child in my belly yet to be born, and exile him to the Northern Lands…”

Zheng Yi said, “I understand.”

A few days later, deep into the night.

In the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s Imperial Prison.

Chen Zhong quietly led Zhong Chun into the prison, seeing Xu Xuanwu, who had been specially cleaned up.

However, Xu Xuanwu was still in a drunken state, but strangely, he was completely naked, his body flushed red, struggling continuously.

Especially his lower body stood erect, muttering nonsense.

Chen Zhong whispered, “It seems the drug has taken effect, worthy of the miracle drug from the Imperial Hospital, effective in such a short time.”

“Eunuch,”

Zhong Chun exclaimed in surprise, “Xu Xuanwu? Does Your Majesty want me to…”

“Shh…!”

Chen Zhong said, “Just follow His Majesty’s plan, do not ruin His Majesty’s important affairs.”

“This servant understands.”

Zhong Chun took a deep breath, although for this mission, the Shadow Guard had specially arranged a few elder women to teach her the matter.

However…

The first time for a maiden, there’s always a bit of awkwardness.

Chen Zhong seemed to understand something and quietly withdrew.

While Zhong Chun took a deep breath, opened the cell door, and slowly walked in.

Then she stood in front of Xu Xuanwu, gritted her teeth, and still took off her clothes, bowing down.

In the darkness, Chen Zhong’s silhouette appeared again, gazing into the cell at the figures of the two inside.

At some point, his breath quickened, finally sighing softly.

In the following half a month, Zhong Chun almost came daily, transforming from initial shyness to numbness.

In her heart, it was merely a task.

And as for Xu Xuanwu, he also sensed something, loudly shouting during the day, wanting to know who was beside him at night.

Yet, none of the guards from the Embroidered Uniform Guard paid him any heed.

Every midnight, someone would come to suppress him and feed him copious spring drugs, all in anticipation of Zhong Chun’s arrival.

After this half a month, Zhong Chun finally felt something amiss.

Under Taiyi’s pulse diagnosis, she was pregnant!

For this, Zhong Chun specially entered the palace to request an audience with the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, this servant is pregnant.”

Zhong Chun knelt in front of Zheng Yi, her expression neither joyful nor sorrowful, revealing no unusual emotion.

Beside her, Chen Zhong stood silently.

“Rise.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Zhong Chun stood, and Zheng Yi scrutinized Zhong Chun’s belly back and forth.

After utilizing the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror for so long to have children, Zheng Yi had gained a slight perception of Yin and Yang Qi.

He vaguely sensed a faint Yang Qi within Zhong Chun’s belly.

That is to say…

Zhong Chun was carrying a boy!

Zheng Yi said, “Chen Zhong, you will protect Zhong Chun from now on, protect her until the child is born from her belly.”

“Yes!”

Chen Zhong suddenly asked, “Your Majesty, what if it’s a girl?”

Zheng Yi gave him a glance and said, “No matter boy or girl, this is the last bit of grace for the Xu Family, understand?”

“This servant understands!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep