103. Execution of the Insurgents

Facing her questioning, Yu Zhiyang maintained his gentle, composed demeanor. This only infuriated Le Qianxue all the more.

She pointed her long sword directly at him. "I am asking you, what have you done to my father?!"

"Given your temper, how could I dare to do anything to General Le? Not to mention His Majesty, who has always doted on you," Yu Zhiyang replied calmly. "Qianxue, sit down first. In a little while, you will naturally understand what is happening. Since you cannot leave now, you might as well stay put."

Le Qianxue was filled with extreme rage; her sharp gaze was as piercing as if she wanted to peel the skin right off Yu Zhiyang. She looked back and saw the Wind Shadow guards standing motionless, and there were many of them. She might not be able to defeat even one, let alone such a large number of them.

She turned back to him. "What exactly are you trying to do?"

Keeping her here—what was the scheme behind this? She had a sinking feeling. But with no way to leave, she felt a heavy, suffocating frustration.

Yu Zhiyang said softly, "This is to help you. You don't need to be so resistant. Here, have an apple."

Le Qianxue figured that Yu Zhiyang wouldn't go too far, and even if he didn't care about her, he couldn't possibly ignore Le Yongcheng. The old Emperor and Yu Zhiyang were quite shrewd; knowing her weakness, they had lured Le Yongcheng into the palace early on.

Le Qianxue sat down, gripping her sword hilt, refusing to even look at Yu Zhiyang.

Yu Zhiyang spoke to her, "Give me the sword. There is no need for such murderous intent; I promise your father is perfectly safe."

Le Qianxue ignored him. She no longer trusted him. Those in the imperial palace were truly masters of manipulation, always playing some kind of sinister game. Seeing her like this, Yu Zhiyang did not press her further; he continued peeling the fruit, indifferent to whether she would eat it or not.

By noon, her legs were sore from sitting. She had tried to break out several times, only to be blocked by the Wind Shadow guards. After a few attempts, Yu Zhiyang began to watch as if he were observing a stage play. Seeing her fighting style, he offered a few pointers. Le Qianxue refused to listen and stuck to her own methods. Seeing her stubbornness, Yu Zhiyang sighed. Just as he lowered his head, he saw a Wind Shadow guard sent flying toward him!

Yu Zhiyang was startled. Looking up, he saw Le Qianxue’s sword techniques were strange and her strikes fierce—a style he had never seen before, which left him surprised. However, she still lacked the experience to break through; it was not going to be that easy.

Just then, Le Yongcheng’s voice rang out from nearby: "Xue'er! Stop!"

Le Qianxue looked over and saw Le Yongcheng walking toward them, followed by the Emperor. Seeing that her father was safe, she let out a sigh of relief and lowered her sword. Le Yongcheng walked up to her, looking slightly reproachful: "Why are you starting a fight here in the palace?"

Le Qianxue couldn't easily explain, so she only said, "I was placed under house arrest and feared something had happened to you, Father."

Le Yongcheng found this strange. The Emperor had been stalling him all this time, but clearly, nothing major was happening—he had just been prevented from leaving. Now that Le Qianxue claimed she had been held under house arrest, what game was the Emperor playing?

Though full of doubts, Le Yongcheng whispered to her, "Let's talk later. Do not give the Emperor any pretext to use against you while we are here."

Le Qianxue nodded, forcing her anger down, and bowed to the Emperor.

The Emperor seemed quite pleased. "Rise. Oh, the girl looks much better today. I hear you were sparring with the Wind Shadow guards; that is good."

Le Qianxue kept a cold face. Though she wanted to demand answers, she said nothing. Seeing her demeanor, Le Yongcheng gave her a nudge. Only then did she say, "Yes, Your Majesty, I am feeling much better."

The Emperor smiled. "Good. We are holding a banquet in the palace today; you and your father shall accompany me to the Phoenix Hall."

"Your Majesty, what joyous occasion warrants a banquet?" Le Qianxue asked.

"I have captured a rebel party. Although the person is dead, it is a cause for celebration. Before long, I shall finish off the leader of these rebels," the Emperor said.

Le Qianxue froze, instinctively looking toward the palace walls. The Emperor had captured a rebel, but why keep her under house arrest? Why use Le Yongcheng to control her? Could this rebel have something to do with her?

She pondered much on the way, and even upon arriving at the Phoenix Hall, her mind remained unsettled.

The banquet was attended by Empress Yang, several consorts, and Yu Guhan, whom she hadn't seen in a long time. Having been imprisoned for so long, he had lost his former spirit and was trembling in the Emperor's presence, terrified of making a mistake. Also present were the Second Prince, Yu Hanxiang, and the Fourth Prince, Yu Nanfeng, along with Yu Zhiyang—all four adult princes were gathered. Several adult princesses were also present, but Le Qianxue found it strange; it seemed to be a family banquet for the royals, so why were she and Le Yongcheng dragged into it?

The Third Princess, known for her arrogant temper, couldn't help but speak up upon seeing Le Qianxue: "Father, didn't you say this was a family banquet? Why are people from the General's manor here?" She was a bitter rival of Le Qianxue’s because of her close friendship with Yang Ninger.

The Emperor, sitting at the head of the table, said, "The General's manor rendered a great service today, so it is only fitting to reward Minister Le and the girl."

Le Yongcheng stood up hurriedly, bowing. "I am unaware of any great service I have rendered; I cannot accept a reward without merit."

"It is not you, but the girl," the Emperor waved his hand. "Enough, let us not speak of this. I am in high spirits today. Bring the music."

Singing girls began to play their instruments, filling the Phoenix Hall with the sound of strings and bamboo. Le Qianxue and Le Yongcheng exchanged glances, unsure of what this meant. Le Qianxue was equally confused—when had she ever rendered a great service? What game was the Emperor playing?

She thought of leaving midway, but Empress Yang said with a benevolent expression, "Qianxue, you haven't eaten anything. Stay a while longer. By the way, the Third Princess learned a new song the other day; it would be perfect for everyone to appreciate it. You can listen too and give your thoughts."

Le Qianxue was blunt: "Empress, I have always been a troublemaker; how would I know anything about music? I had better take my leave."

Seeing her so disrespectful, the Third Princess said sourly, "Le Qianxue, the Empress is doing you a favor. Do you truly think you are qualified to listen to me play?"

At this, the Emperor’s face turned icy. "How dare you speak like that?!"

The Third Princess was stunned; she hadn't expected the Emperor to scold her for Le Qianxue's sake. Her eyes stung with tears. "Father, I was only speaking the truth."

The Emperor remained cold. "Insolent! Guards, take the Third Princess back! She is not to step out of her room for a month!"

Suddenly hit with such a punishment, the Third Princess was naturally indignant. "Father! Why punish me? I said nothing wrong! What qualifications does Le Qianxue have?!"

The Emperor snorted. "Whether she has qualifications or not is for me to decide. You are truly spoiled. The girl is far more capable than you. She rendered a great service today; look at what you have done!"

Empress Yang quickly had the Third Princess dragged away before the Emperor’s anger could grow.

Le Qianxue frowned. "Your Majesty, I do not know what great service I have rendered..."

The Emperor beamed at her. "Capturing the rebel today was all thanks to you. Are you tired and wishing to leave the palace? Very well. Someone, bring the reward!"

Le Qianxue was relieved that the Emperor was letting her go. She curtsied, took the rewarded item, and intended to leave immediately. However, the Emperor said, "The item I have bestowed upon you is extremely precious. Put it on and let me see."

Eunuch Chen helped open the brocade box. She saw it was a necklace, exquisitely crafted. The pendant was particularly beautiful—a phoenix holding a tiny night-shining pearl in its beak. Upon seeing the necklace, Empress Yang froze, and the others stared at it in silence.

Le Yongcheng, seeing this, inwardly cried out in alarm and said quickly, "Your Majesty, how can my daughter accept such a valuable reward?"

The Emperor waved his hand. "Once I have bestowed a gift, I do not take it back. Girl, if you wear it, you may leave the palace. If not, you shall stay here and keep me company."

Le Qianxue was anxious to leave the palace and investigate what was happening, as she was completely in the dark. Naturally, she chose to put it on, not caring how valuable it was; she wouldn't be wearing it again once she got home.

Seeing her comply, the Emperor looked slightly saddened. "Very well, you may leave the palace. I will not make things difficult for you."

Le Qianxue hurried out of the palace. The eunuchs had prepared a carriage for her. It was already evening, and she had wasted the better part of the day in the palace, still unsure of what scheme the Emperor was running. She felt that this matter was far from simple.

On the way back, the streets were somewhat congested, but because it was a carriage from the palace, the commoners hurriedly made way. Le Qianxue lifted the curtain of the small window and looked out. They were passing the Yihong Pavilion, where a large crowd of people had gathered, whispering and pointing. It seemed there was something to see at the pavilion.

The carriage moved past, but at that moment, Le Qianxue’s heart skipped a beat. For no reason, she shouted, "Stop the carriage!"

The carriage stopped, and she immediately stepped out. Although there were many people, most were looking once and then quickly walking away, as if there were something terrifying inside. Thus, it was easy for Le Qianxue to push her way through.

When she saw what was inside, she froze, completely unable to process her own expression.

It was a woman, nailed to a wooden board. She was covered in scars, as if she had been subjected to torture, and blood was still slowly dripping from her body.

"Qingqing..." Le Qianxue could only whisper the name.

She suddenly realized—Qingqing... Qingqing was the rebel!