Chapter 354: Using You as a Pawn

However, this critical case, a matter of life and death, was personally ordered by the Emperor to be escorted to the capital.

The Dali Temple provided ironclad evidence, and the Ministry of Justice had already endorsed and closed the case.

In such a situation, overturning the verdict would be extremely difficult.

But the Fan Family wasn’t afraid.

After all, they had the Empress; an Empress had emerged from their family.

Therefore, on the twenty-sixth of August, the Empress received the news.

It was a message that the Fan Family had managed to send into the palace by hook or by crook.

It simply said, "Your second brother is to be executed after the autumn harvest. Plead with the Emperor for mercy immediately!"

The Empress, faced with the person who delivered the message, was completely dumbfounded.

"Executed after the autumn harvest?"

The person nodded.

When the Empress wanted to ask more, the person knelt down and paid respects.

"Empress, I know nothing more about the situation. If there’s nothing else, I shall take my leave!"

Having said that, the Little Eunuch hurried away.

The Empress didn’t call anyone to stop him.

After all, this is the Harem, where eyes are everywhere; lingering too long wouldn’t be good.

After sending off the Little Eunuch, the Empress’s heart pounded chaotically.

"Executed after the autumn harvest, executed after the autumn harvest!"

After a while, she became annoyed and smashed a teacup.

"My second brother was spoiled by Mother to be so lawless that he caused a death, and even the Emperor is alarmed, yet I am the one expected to plead for mercy!"

"What can I do!"

The Emperor had declared upon his ascension that if The King broke the law, he would be punished just like the common people. Moreover, her second brother was merely a relative by marriage.

Was there any hope of salvation?

Sister Ji hurriedly stepped forward to console her.

"Your Majesty, don’t panic. Perhaps there is a way!"

After thinking it over, the Empress couldn’t find any solution and said impatiently, "What other way could there be? It looks like my second brother is doomed!"

After a moment, Sister Ji smiled and said, "Not necessarily!"

"Think about it, who does the Emperor favor the most in this Harem?"

The Empress pondered for a moment.

"Xia Jieyu?"

Sister Ji said, "She’s pregnant, and during pregnancy, one cannot take a life! So, if Xia Jieyu is willing to plead for mercy, considering her favor and the Little Master in her womb, the Emperor might just change his mind!"

After thinking for a while, the Empress finally saw the light and became visibly relieved.

"Right, how could I... not have thought of that!"

Having said so, she immediately ordered Yu Lan, "Go, invite Xia Jieyu over!"

Yu Lan acknowledged the order, but the Empress suddenly felt it would be better to go personally.

So she got dressed up and went out.

「Upon reaching Qingya Residence.」

Xia Ruqing had already received the news and was kneeling on the ground to welcome her.

"Greetings to the Empress!"

The Empress, keeping up appearances, walked forward with a smile.

"Little Sister Xia, please rise!"

Having said that, she personally helped her up.

Xia Ruqing’s heart raced; she sensed something was amiss.

Why is there a chilling wind blowing up from beneath my feet?

Regardless, Xia Ruqing got up and instinctively protected her belly with both hands.

Xiao Xizi and Zi Yue watched the Empress’s every move without blinking.

Especially Xiao Xizi, who dared not even blink.

I wish I could immediately push the Empress away and shield my mistress myself!

The expressions of these people were almost too much for Xia Ruqing, and she coughed dryly.

Zi Yue composed herself a bit, but Xiao Xizi didn’t seem to hear at all.

Xia Ruqing stopped paying them any mind, put on a smile as radiant as a flower, and asked with feigned ’enthusiasm,’ "Empress, your presence graces my humble dwelling with splendor!"

I don’t even know if it’s appropriate to say that, but flattery is flattery, no matter how you phrase it.

The Empress laughed, warmly holding Xia Ruqing’s hand as they walked inside, saying with a smile, "During the Mid-Autumn Festival a few days ago, I was too busy and neglected Little Sister Xia!"

"These past few days, I finally had some free time, so I thought I would come and visit Little Sister Xia!"

Xia Ruqing listened to the words, each more insincere than the last, and showed an even more feigned ’tearfully grateful’ smile. Then she said, "To be so favored by the Empress must be due to the good fortune I accumulated in my past life!"

Xia Ruqing rolled her eyes inwardly.

Good fortune in my past life? All I remember is misfortune.

Hmph, whatever.

The Empress definitely has ulterior motives. I need to handle this carefully.

Xiao Zhu Zi wanted to sneak away to notify the Emperor but was stopped by Xia Ruqing with a look.

Xiao Xizi pulled Xiao Zhu Zi aside and instructed him, "You go and wait at the back door. If things go wrong, I will give you a signal. Then you can rush to Zhaochen Palace to find Eunuch Li. You must be quick!"

Xiao Zhu Zi acknowledged the order and ran off like a shot.

The Servants at Qingya Residence, as if preparing for battle, were standing by at the ready.

Yu Lan saw this and rolled her eyes inwardly.

Hmph! Our Empress visiting your master is your master’s good fortune, yet you act as if you’re guarding against a thief! This is simply outrageous!

But Yu Lan didn’t say much; she knew why the Empress was here.

「In the inner chamber.」

The Empress, holding Xia Ruqing’s hand, laid the groundwork for a long time, speaking to her as if they were dear sisters.

It bewildered Xia Ruqing so much that she found herself looking at Da Bai, who was napping in the sunlight.

She herself felt sleepy too.

Just as she involuntarily yawned several times, the Empress finally got to the point. Then... she began to cry!

Xia Ruqing was startled.

"Your Majesty, what’s wrong? If you have something to say, please speak plainly."

The Empress looked at her and suddenly grasped her hand.

"Little Sister Xia, you also have a brother who serves in the palace and is highly regarded by the Emperor. Surely this must please you greatly!"

Xia Ruqing nodded.

"I must thank the Emperor for his promotion!"

Xia Ruqing did not want to continue this topic, so she said no more.

The Empress started to speak again.

"But as for my brother, he is... he is going to die!"

Xia Ruqing’s eyes widened.

"Ah?"

The Empress recounted that her brother had accidentally caused someone’s death and had been arrested by the Emperor. He was to be brought to the capital, awaiting execution after autumn. She particularly emphasized, "It was an accident that led to someone’s death, not done on purpose!"

After listening, Xia Ruqing frowned.

So, she wants me to plead with the Emperor for her brother! I’m favored by the Emperor, and I’m seven months pregnant. If I cry and make a scene, arguing that taking a life is wrong, the Emperor might soften. Then, wouldn’t the Empress’s brother be spared?

Xia Ruqing sneered inwardly.

But even if it was an accident, a life must be paid with a life. Otherwise, how could someone kill another and get away unscathed? There’s no such easy thing in this world! Besides, who’s to say it was truly an accident that caused the death? And given that I am merely one of the Concubines in the Harem, I shouldn’t meddle in affairs of the court.

Xia Ruqing thought for a moment, then knelt down.

"Empress, I am aware of your concerns, but... I am just a woman from deep within the palace and cannot be of any help to your brother!"

The Empress looked at her, her expression changing several times in the shadows.

In the end, she forced an awkward smile and personally helped her up.