Chapter 643 - 643 640 Innocence_1

Chapter 643: Chapter 640: Innocence_1 Chapter 643: Chapter 640: Innocence_1 He thought that if he could be a stepping stone for Bai Qingyan to realize her ambitions, it would be worth it, honoring the kindness Bai Qingyan had shown him by protecting him and the Fu family from Anping Camp onwards, both openly and secretly.

“Bai Qingyan greets His Majesty and the Crown Prince. I apologize for the delay in rescuing you, causing fright to Your Majesty and Your Highness. Please forgive our tardiness!” Bai Qingyan knelt on one knee, unable to lift her arm, resting it on her knee, her head bowed in salute.

Fu Ruoxi gazed at the polished black stone floor, her eyes falling on the blood mixed with rainwater left by Bai Qingyan’s footprints. She knelt on one knee beside Bai Qingyan and said hoarsely, “This guilty minister, Fu Ruoxi, was late in rescuing you. Please forgive me, Your Majesty and Your Highness.”

Upon the summoning of Bai Qingyan and Fu Ruoxi, the palace doors were opened. Outside, Fan Yuhuai’s voice clearly called out in the rain, ordering the Patrol Camp to immediately detain the Nandu army and the rebel imperial guards.

Anping Camp commanders spoke with Fan Yuhuai, saying they had fought their way in through the east and west gates, while Princess of Zhen and Fu Ruoxi had entered through the south Wude Gate. Following Princess of Zhen’s instructions, they disarmed and detained them, executing any resistance. There should be no more rebel soldiers at the east and west gates.

But Fan Yuhuai felt uneasy and dispatched troops to search again, ensuring the Emperor’s safety.

“Your Majesty, Lord Fan was severely injured while protecting you. Please summon him inside to have the Imperial Physicians treat his wounds and check if his eye was harmed,” Bai Qingyan told the Emperor.

Seeing the Emperor rise, the Crown Prince quickly approached to support him, placing a cushion behind his back and whispering, “Father, move slowly…”

The Emperor nodded, slowly leaning back into the cushion. Having heard Bai Qingyan announce the delayed rescue outside the hall earlier brought relief to his face. His pallor softened, and he regained his imperial bearing. “Princess of Zhen, you have worked hard. Doctor Huang, find a physician to tend to Fan Yuhuai.”

Doctor Huang nodded, instructing a young but highly skilled physician from the Imperial Medical Bureau to tend to Fan Yuhuai’s injuries.

The Emperor then turned his gaze to Fu Ruoxi, saying, “Master Tan has informed me of the Empress’s coercion. You were forced to wield a knife against the Crown Prince, and I have spared your life. You have now rendered meritorious service by rescuing us. You will be stripped of your official position but allowed to remain in Dadu City to mourn for Madam Fu. Are you satisfied?”

Fu Ruoxi quickly kowtowed deeply. “It is a great grace that Your Majesty allows this guilty minister to live and mourn for my mother. I pledge my life to serve Your Majesty and the Crown Prince!”

“I thought you were killed last night by the Empress’s people, General Fu. It is a great relief to see you alive and here to rescue us!” The Crown Prince’s expression was of genuine relief. If Fu Ruoxi had died, the Empress could have argued that the Crown Prince was falsely accusing her, leaving him without evidence.

Fu Ruoxi’s heart raced, fearing the Crown Prince suspected how he escaped the city.

Fu Ruoxi couldn’t implicate Bai Qingyan and explained, “This guilty minister was taken from the Court of Judicial Review prison by the Empress’s people and had expected to meet an unmarked grave. They took me out of the city, claiming that my crime of wielding a knife against the Crown Prince was unforgivable. They proposed that if I could lead twenty thousand Anping Camp soldiers to aid King Xin, the Fu family and I would be spared…”

Fu Ruoxi spoke while formulating his words. Recalling the three firework signals Bai Qingyan had fired, he continued, “Intending to comply, I reached the Anping Camp’s location. Just then, Princess of Zhen’s guards rescued me, saying she had gone to the Crown Prince’s residence. They requested I quickly lead the Anping Camp soldiers to rescue you, but without the Commander’s Seal or imperial edict, I could only swear an oath by the Fu family’s honor and my mother’s spirit. The soldiers reluctantly followed me to Dadu City, where they saw Princess of Zhen, verifying my true intent to rescue, not rebel.”

Fu Ruoxi’s explanation not only reasonable but also defended his status as the Anping Camp commander. Even without an official position, he demonstrated trustworthiness, thus reducing the Emperor and the Crown Prince’s doubts and suspicions.

The sounds of rain and King Liang’s tearful pleas to see the Emperor outside the hall were loud. The Emperor’s gaze involuntarily turned towards the outside, his expression unclear if it was anger or hatred.

Minister Fang clenched his fists subtly. He had been preparing to accuse the Empress and Fu Ruoxi of an affair, even suggesting King Xin was not the Emperor’s son.

But as Minister Fang glanced towards the Crown Prince, he saw gratitude in the Crown Prince’s eyes towards Fu Ruoxi. It seemed with King Xin’s death, the Empress wouldn’t survive either, and the Crown Prince likely wouldn’t pursue Fu Ruoxi further.

The Emperor nodded, his gaze returning to Bai Qingyan, whose arm hung at her side. “How did you know the Empress’s people would rescue Fu Ruoxi?”

“Your Majesty, I didn’t predict the Empress’s rescue but guessed they’d silence him. I instructed Minister Lu to keep close watch. Even after returning to Princess of Zhen’s residence, I felt uneasy and sent someone to keep an eye on the Court of Judicial Review, fearing harm before Your Majesty’s trial. Given the Empress’s status, a decision should be made only after Your Majesty’s trial to uphold the Imperial Family’s dignity,” Bai Qingyan responded.

The Emperor’s doubts eased, and he exhaled lightly. “Doctor Huang, tend to Princess of Zhen’s arm injury.”

“Your Majesty, it’s a minor injury, nothing serious,” Bai Qingyan lowered her gaze, showing no emotion. “There are more pressing matters. My grandmother has confined the Empress to her bedchamber under the pretense of protecting her and the imperial fetus. To prevent any irreversible decisions by the Empress upon learning of King Xin’s death, I request Your Majesty send the Crown Prince to escort her here, with General Fu present for confrontation to clear his name.”

Given the Imperial Family’s dignity, Bai Qingyan knew the Emperor likely wouldn’t summon the Empress for confrontation. With King Xin’s real rebellion, regardless of any grievances the Empress may have, the Emperor wouldn’t believe a word. He might even send a white silk ribbon with Gao Demao to end her life.

The Crown Prince wouldn’t want the Empress to see the Emperor again, fearing her persuasive words might reignite the Emperor’s affections and spare her.