Chapter 125 - The Ruthless Emperor

Chapter 125: Chapter 120: The Ruthless EmperorWatching the fate of the midwife and the little palace maid, the rest of the attendants became even more diligent, merely hoping that the Empress could give birth quickly without any mishaps.

Perhaps due to Ye Qiu’s furious deterrence, the ensuing childbirth went rather smoothly, and until the child was born, nobody dared to make a move.

"Wa...wa..."

Upon hearing the cries of the newborn from the delivery room, Ye Qiu and the Crown Prince abruptly stood upright.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, the Empress has given birth to a little princess." After a short while, a slightly plump midwife with a round face, holding a swaddled baby jubilantly, came out and joyously reported to Ye Qiu.

Ye Qiu looked at the crimson-faced infant in the swaddle, feeling a strong surge of emotion within, but his primary concern at this moment was the Empress’s condition, and he anxiously asked: "What about the Empress? How is she?"

The midwife, seeing his words, beamed even more broadly. They say the Imperial Family has no true affection, but from what this old lady has seen, the Emperor’s concern for the Empress is certainly genuine, hence she said smilingly: "Your Majesty may rest assured, the Empress is not seriously harmed, she’s just a bit tired after the childbirth and fell asleep after seeing the little princess."

Only then did Ye Qiu relax, taking his little princess into his arms, and laughed heartily: "A reward, today everyone in Weiyang Palace shall be rewarded with a year’s monthly salary."

The palace attendants looked at each other smiling and all knelt to express their gratitude: "We thank Your Majesty for the grace, long live Your Majesty, long live, long live; long live the princess, long live, long live!"

"Father Emperor, let me hold my little sister." Ye Huaijin watched the baby with a stirring heart, feeling an inexplicable softness inside; this after all was his blood sister! Although she did not look very pretty, his affection for her was involuntary.

Ye Qiu, observing the Crown Prince’s curious and delighted eyes, could not but sigh; after all, the Crown Prince was already fourteen this year, and if married early, he might have had children by this time.

However, he felt that marrying too early was not a good thing, hence the Crown Prince’s nuptial matters have been perpetually delayed, which gave some people the wrong perception, thinking that he did not value the Crown Prince.

Speaking of which, he had long understood Consort Rong’s scheme and knew she posed no threat to him; the most unsettling factor on the court now was none other than Prime Minister Xiao.

But Prime Minister Xiao was not only the Empress Dowager’s father, his own uncle by marriage, he was also an old official serving two reigns, had established notable merits, and still held substantial influence in the court. Though he posed no threat to him, equally, he could not easily act against him; yet he could no longer allow the Xiao Family opportunities to scheme against the Heir.

The throne in the future could only belong to the Crown Prince; this was his dying wish in his previous life, and his trust in the Crown Prince in this life!

"Grandfather, I always thought you ambitious yet simultaneously compassionate." After the morning court, Ye Qiu left Prime Minister Xiao Bairen alone; the palace maids and eunuchs in the Imperial Study Room had long been dismissed, and now only the two of them were left in the vast hall, Ye Qiu descended from the Dragon Throne, his eyes showing a hint of coldness as he looked at Xiao Bairen.

Hearing Ye Qiu’s words, Xiao Bairen hastily knelt down, shaken to his core: "Your Majesty, your servant does not understand your meaning."

Ye Qiu tossed down several pieces of paper, his tone devoid of any emotion: "These are confessions from those who plotted against the Empress a few days ago. You might want to take a look."

Xiao Bairen picked them up with trembling hands, his face flushed red, unsure whether from anger or fear: "Your Majesty, these are all lies meant to frame me. I have never done such things, I am being wrongfully accused."

"Fine, I know you won’t admit it." Ye Qiu scoffed coldly, "What about these then, did you also not do these?" After that, he threw down another stack of papers, "Accepting bribes, buying and selling official positions, falsely reporting grievances, strangling refugees... Are these also false accusations against you?"

Xiao Bairen’s body trembled, this time out of true fear, looking at those names on the list and those transaction details, all crystal clear, yet he dared not confess. These were crimes that could exterminate his entire clan, and once admitted, the Xiao Family would be doomed.

"Your Majesty, this servant was unaware of these matters, it must be servants taking advantage of my reputation to commit numerous evils. I beg Your Majesty to give me time, I will surely uncover the sinister hearts behind this."

Seeing that Xiao Bairen still refused to confess even at this point, Ye Qiu no longer wished to speak further: "Grandfather, this is the last time I will address you this way. If you still care for the Empress Mother and the Xiao Family, please tender your resignation at the next grand court session along with my eldest uncle!"

"Your Majesty..." Xiao Bairen suddenly looked up with a mournful tone.

Ye Qiu looked straight at him, his gaze icy cold: "Today I can present these items as proof I can provide evidence. Grandfather, do not try to test my patience and limits. I may be your grandson, but I am first and foremost the Emperor of Dahong. If it weren’t for my mother’s sake, do you think you would still be able to stand here today?"

Xiao Bairen clenched his fists, knowing the game was up, his body went limp, seeming to age a decade in an instant. Already nearly seventy, at this moment, he appeared to have lost all vitality, like a dying old man, a stark contrast to his former dominant presence in the court.

After ten days, the news that Prime Minister Xiao, who once held sway over half the court, had requested to retire shocked the entirety of Shangjing, completely unforeseen, and what was more shocking was that the Emperor did not retain him even slightly, approving his request immediately. With these two events as a precursor, the fact that Prime Minister Xiao’s eldest son also resigned simultaneously no longer surprised anyone.

People speculated whether the Xiao Family had done something to infuriate the Emperor to the extent of not leaving the slightest face for the Xiao Family, but since Prime Minister Xiao was still an Imperial Relative, they only dared to discuss it cautiously in secluded places.

After the morning court session, Ye Qiu finally let out a sigh of relief; the heavy burden that was pressing on his head was now gone.

The evidence he had thrown in front of Xiao Bairen that day was half true and half false, unexpectedly his bluff was right. He is an extremely intelligent person with real capabilities, otherwise, he wouldn’t have come this far from being a commoner. Certainly, the Empress Dowager played a part, but his own abilities are the key.

If it weren’t for him, the land reform matters back then wouldn’t have proceeded so smoothly, and this is precisely why he left a way out for the Xiao Family.

Xiao Bairen’s greatest flaw in this life was putting too much weight on power. After all, the destruction of the previous dynasty had much to do with Xiao Bairen’s machinations, but the primary reason was still himself. He is the Emperor, the one who issues the commands.

Although Xiao Bairen’s sins are grave, his merits since taking office are also not insignificant. So let it be, now in the court, only Xiao Qi from the Xiao Family remains, unable to make significant mistakes or achieve great merits.

When the Empress Dowager returns with the Third Prince from the travel palace, everything will finally come to a close.