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墨書 Inktalez
“Regent, I apologize!”
This was the first time he had addressed his nephew with such formality, and he knew that after today, the relationship between their families would never return to what it once was. Yet, he had no choice but to do so.
Shen Muhan accepted the title of Regent without a hint of guilt, clasping his fists and replying, “Please!”
Ming Yi and the others remained outside the door, seemingly guarding Xia Muxin. The room was shrouded in darkness, and Xia Muxin appeared completely undisturbed by the commotion until the door was opened. She sat up warily from her bed and coldly asked, “Who is it?”
Her small hand reached out beside her, feeling no warmth at all; she couldn't even catch a whiff of his lingering scent. Xia Muxin was momentarily stunned by the situation. Just then, someone lit a lamp, and she realized this was not Shen Muhan's room but rather one prepared for her in Shen Manor.
After taking a moment to steady her breath, she quickly accepted this change. She knew that Shen Muhan wouldn’t have returned her to her room without reason, and there was no way anyone could have brought her back here from his room. With this thought settled in her mind, she felt a sense of calm wash over her.
“Search!”
Seeing Xia Muxin still half-asleep with a flicker of panic in her eyes—though it vanished almost instantly—Suo Ao caught it immediately. He waved his hand sharply and coldly commanded the soldiers to start rummaging through everything.
Shen Muhan walked over and removed his outer coat, draping it over Xia Muxin's shoulders before picking her up and heading toward Suo Ao at the door, waiting for news.
“Sir, we found it.”
At that moment, the sound of the morning watch echoed outside, and everyone realized that dawn had arrived. A soldier pulled a wooden box from beneath Xia Muxin's bed. This box had been prepared by Shen Muhan for her because back in Daimiao Village, she liked to store things in wooden boxes of various sizes. Upon arriving here, he had given her one just like it. Inside were some scattered odds and ends, but most notably, there was a conspicuous white cloth pouch.
Everyone quickly confirmed that this white pouch undoubtedly contained the poison intended for Su Xiuning.
“Muxin, you...”
Upon seeing the cloth bag, Shen Muhan's expression changed dramatically. He looked at Xia Muxin with deep sorrow, but for a long time, he couldn't utter a complete sentence.
“Uncle, this isn't what it looks like, this... this...”
“Enough, Regent, let’s discuss this in the court.”
Xia Muxin's face turned pale instantly. She stammered and hesitated, unsure of how to explain. Before she could finish her words, Suo Ao interrupted her sharply and ordered someone to take the cloth bag away.
“Old Shen Yezi, Marquis, Regent, we will meet in the court.”
Having found evidence, Suo Ao felt more confident. Although he didn't want to see such a situation unfold, he still couldn't control it.
“Wait, I’ll go with you. Change your clothes quickly.”
Seeing this, Shen Muhan called out to Suo Ao. He then pushed Xia Muxin into a room with a firmer tone. Moments later, a shadow swiftly left from a corner.
Xia Muxin felt wronged as she changed her clothes and came out with red eyes, looking as if she wanted to cry but couldn't. Her appearance tugged at the heartstrings of anyone who saw her. Shen Muhan, looking at her, clenched his fists tightly but turned away without looking back.
By the time they arrived at the palace, it was already bright outside. Su Rong had been waiting at the palace gate with Su Xiuning. Upon seeing them arrive, his beard seemed to lift in anger as he shot a cold glare at Shen Yu and said in a deep voice:
“The Emperor is waiting inside.”
With that, he pulled the still-crying Su Xiuning into the palace.
Xia Muxin was dragged inside by Shen Muhan. His grip was somewhat strong, making her wrist turn red from the pressure. The pain made it hard for her to distinguish between reality and illusion at that moment.
In the Golden Throne Hall, civil and military officials were already seated in an orderly manner. However, early in the morning, the Shen Family and Su Family had caused quite a stir in the palace. As Retired Emperor’s mentor, Su Rong held significant influence in the court. Moreover, having long since retired from official duties, he now brought his granddaughter Su Xiuning to court, indicating that this matter was serious indeed.
Shen Muhan's face was dark as he pulled the girl from that day along with him. The two had been a perfect match then, but today, why was he being so rough?
"Your Majesty, please help Xiuxiu."
As soon as Su Rong entered the Golden Throne Hall, he knelt before Tian Ming Rui, speaking with deep sorrow.
In his heart, he believed that only through the marriage between the Su Family and the Shen Family could they stabilize their positions. Otherwise, the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of History, and the Grand Tutor would unite to suppress both families. They were already eager to sow discord between them; there was no time to hesitate. Today, he must secure this marriage.
"What does Su Qing have to say? Bring a seat for him."
Tian Ming Rui was equally perplexed by the scene. Not only had the old man from the Su Family come, but Old Master Shen also arrived with a face full of anger. He felt overwhelmed, while Muxin looked wronged, tilting her head to one side with red eyes as if she had been crying.
How could Shen Muhan be so unkind? Just one day had passed, and he had already brought her into the palace without allowing her any rest.
Their statuses were not ordinary. As soon as he spoke, someone quickly brought over two chairs for Su Rong and Old Master Shen.
"Tell me what is going on. It's early in the morning, and I haven't even read my memorials before being disturbed by you all."
Once they were seated, Tian Ming Rui finally asked.
"Woohoo... Please help my daughter, Your Majesty. She has a prior engagement with Brother Muhan, but that girl from the countryside secretly drugged her. Now we have both witnesses and evidence; I ask for your wise judgment."
Seeing the emperor inquire, Su Xiuning immediately knelt down, crying bitterly with snot and tears as she spoke. When she mentioned witnesses and evidence, Suo Ao held up a cloth bundle in his hands and leaned forward.
What???
At this moment, Tian Ming Rui nearly dropped his jaw in disbelief. A woman as straightforward as Xia Muxin would resort to such underhanded tactics? Not to mention Shen Muhan; even he found it hard to believe.
"Minister Shen, this concerns your family. What do you think?"
No matter what, he had to first gauge Shen Muhan's intentions.
"Everything will be handled according to the law."
Shen Muhan cast a painful glance at the equally heartbroken Xia Muxin and leaned in to speak softly.
"Very well, let's present the evidence."
After a moment of hesitation, Tian Ming Rui could only proceed with official business. At this moment, inexplicably, he felt a bit worried about Xia Muxin.
To be honest, he admired her straightforwardness and cleverness. If that were the case, he would have no choice but to handle it impartially.
"Bring in the Imperial Physician."
Seeing his father-in-law bring over the items, he called out to the hall.
Soon, the sound of announcing the Imperial Physician entering the palace echoed. In no time, several older Imperial Physicians arrived.
"Enough, enough. The important matter is at hand. You all take a look and see what kind of poison this is."
As they prepared to bow in greeting, Tian Ming Rui waved his hand in extreme impatience and then instructed his father-in-law to take the items down. The group of Imperial Physicians wrapped the cloth package with their tools and began examining it in front of everyone.
"Your Majesty, this... this is not poison..."
After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, one of the older Imperial Physicians finally spoke up after repeated confirmations from his colleagues.
At this moment, they were all extremely anxious. After all, they were in the Golden Throne Hall, and the Emperor had personally ordered them to investigate this poison. They dared not show any negligence or make any mistakes.
"What? This is not poison?"
At this moment, Tian Ming Rui excitedly stood up from the dragon throne, stuttering as he spoke, but inwardly he breathed a sigh of relief. Shen Muhan, that damned one, even he dared to deceive him. After the court session, he would definitely urge Xia Muxin to give him a taste of his own medicine.
"It’s impossible; she must have poisoned me."
Upon hearing this, Su Xiuning immediately sat down on the ground, unable to believe what the Imperial Physician had just said. Yet, she felt an extreme unwillingness and exclaimed sharply.
Shen Muhan now looked at Xia Muxin, a different kind of smile flickering in his eyes. However, Xia Muxin angrily turned her head away, refusing to look at him.
At this point, Shen Muhan's heart raced. He knew it was wrong to put her in such a sudden situation without any warning, but for the sake of realism, he had no choice but to do so.
"Uh... Xia Muxin, can you explain what this is?"
This item was found in Xia Muxin's room; if it wasn’t poison, then it must be something belonging to her. Shen Ming Rui was curious about how she would respond.
"Your Majesty, I have heard from the Regent several times that my grandfather suffers from athlete's foot and has consulted many doctors. Various internal and external skin treatments have been ineffective. Coincidentally, I have seen similar symptoms before; this condition is known as athlete's foot. Eager to cure him, I hastily prepared this packet of medicinal powder overnight. I didn’t expect it would lead to such a misunderstanding. Several Imperial Physicians can surely recognize the ingredients in this medicine."
Xia Muxin earnestly bent down and spoke calmly. However, the mention of the Regent softened Shen Muhan's demeanor.
- End of Chapter -
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