jdhmnovel Chapter 157 does indeed have a personal agenda.
Chapter 157 does indeed have a personal agenda.
Upon seeing Xie Jinghan's appearance, Li Dehai inwardly knew something was wrong.
Meanwhile, Consort Zhang was still talking inside the hall.
"He is clearly abusing his power for personal gain," Consort Zhang said indignantly. "Family matters are family matters, and public matters are public matters. Whatever conflict my sister has with Princess Jing, it should be resolved privately. Why make such a fuss?"
"She's a noblewoman of the court, and she still holds an official title. To send her to prison is to trample on her dignity. How will she face people after she gets out?" Consort Zhang became more and more agitated as she spoke. "Just for a woman, they've even disregarded the dignity of their noble families!"
The emperor frowned, and Consort Zhang was secretly delighted at the sight.
She knew that the emperor would never tolerate Xie Jinghan losing his composure for a woman.
However, to her surprise, the emperor's expression turned slightly cold afterward, and he admonished her: "Prince Jing acts with discretion. He must have his reasons for doing this. It seems that the Consort has forgotten..."
The emperor's voice grew increasingly cold: "The empress dowager is forbidden from interfering in politics. Where did you get this information? Did the Duke of Wen's mansion send you this message?"
Upon hearing this, Consort Zhang gripped her hands tightly, never expecting the Emperor to say such a thing.
"Your Majesty..." She was about to speak when she heard firm and powerful footsteps outside the door.
Upon hearing this voice, Consort Zhang's expression turned solemn.
She knew it was Xie Jinghan who had arrived.
She said those words just now intentionally for Xie Jinghan to hear, not knowing what Xie Jinghan would do.
However, despite having anticipated many scenarios, she still hadn't expected Xie Jinghan's first words upon entering the room.
“What Consort Zhang said is true.” Xie Jinghan bowed to the emperor, his peach blossom eyes raised, and he coldly glanced at Consort Zhang. “Your subject did indeed have selfish motives in doing this.”
At that moment, Consort Zhang's face turned extremely ugly.
She clenched her hands, her nails digging deep into her flesh, and a sharp pain shot through her. But the physical pain was nothing compared to the psychological pain.
Her heart felt like it was being squeezed, and the pain made it hard to breathe.
How could this be?
Xie Jinghan actually admitted to it? Does that mean Wen Shuyao is that important to him?
Consort Zhang's expression changed several times, but fortunately she kept her head down and did not let the emperor see her expression.
The emperor above was also startled by Xie Jinghan's words: "Jinghan, do you know what you're saying?"
"For many years, Zhang has been exploiting and scheming against Yaoyao. I was just venting my anger for her," Xie Jinghan said calmly. "Besides, Zhang has committed a serious crime and should be punished at the Dali Temple. I only imprisoned her and did not torture her, which is already enough to give face to the so-called aristocratic families."
Xie Jinghan remained extremely calm and accepted all of Consort Zhang's accusations. In addition, he added, "If those lives hadn't been taken without her direct involvement, I would have sent her to the executioner's block long ago."
Consort Zhang pointed at Xie Jinghan, her heart filled with a mixture of jealousy and anger. She gritted her teeth and said, "Do you have any respect for the law? How could you..."
“So what if she’s a noblewoman?” Xie Jinghan frowned. “Even if she has an imperial title, the law applies to all citizens, and she should be punished for breaking the law. Your Majesty, I have always acted in accordance with the law.”
Even if he had selfish motives, he never abused his power for personal gain; he was simply enforcing the law impartially.
The emperor rubbed his furrowed brow, looking rather helpless.
He is not a saint, and naturally he has his own selfish desires.
As long as Xie Jinghan's actions did not disrupt the court, he could turn a blind eye.
As for Consort Zhang's accusations of abusing his power for personal gain, he never took them to heart.
He raised his younger brother himself, and he was closer to him than to his own sons. So what if he abused his power for personal gain?
Over the years, Xie Jinghan has lived like an ascetic. It's not easy for him to find a woman who can capture his heart, and the emperor is overjoyed.
Now the emperor is hoping that Xie Jinghan can cure his hidden illness and have a few more children.
He just didn't expect that Xie Jinghan would admit to this in front of Consort Zhang.
Consort Zhang, as if she had seized on Xie Jinghan's weakness, said excitedly, "There are so many prominent families in the capital, almost every one of them is involved in this case, why don't you arrest anyone else?"
"Naturally, it's because I have my own selfish motives," Xie Jinghan repeated. "Consort Zhang, the inner palace must not interfere in politics. You've said too much. Even if I'm wrong, it's not your place to criticize me."
"Brother, you should also have your sister-in-law properly discipline her subordinates," Xie Jinghan said coldly. "Such a lack of discipline would have led to them being dragged out and beheaded by the Imperial Guards when Father was still alive."
He met Consort Zhang's tearful, pitiful face, but felt no emotion; instead, he even showed a hint of disgust on his face.
Consort Zhang clutched her chest, staring at him in disbelief.
Which woman who made a living in the imperial harem hadn't developed the skill of reading people's expressions and moods?
She naturally wouldn't miss Xie Jinghan's look of disgust.
Consort Zhang was the most favored concubine in the harem and had always been the envy of the other concubines. She was always proud of her beauty, but this pride was met with a setback by Xie Jinghan.
Consort Zhang's face was extremely pale; only her years of self-cultivation skills allowed her to barely maintain her composure.
She turned to the emperor for help, hoping he could make a decision for her.
However, she discovered that she had overestimated her importance in the emperor's heart.
The emperor met her gaze and did not hesitate at all: "Li Dehai, escort the Imperial Concubine back to the palace."
Consort Zhang wanted to say something, but the emperor's warning gaze silenced her.
What else could she say? The emperor's attitude was enough for her to understand the outcome of today's events.
However, before leaving, she pleaded, "But my sister's crime doesn't warrant death. She's already been to the Dali Temple's prison; we can't just torture her..."
"I will discuss these matters with Prince Jing." The emperor waved his hand, and Li Dehai immediately left with the resentful Consort Zhang.
Before Consort Zhang left, her eyes were filled with resentment.
Her feelings for Xie Jinghan were hidden in her heart and could not be expressed, so all her anger was directed at the other person.
—Wen Shuyao!
Consort Zhang's eyes were bloodshot as she silently repeated the name in her heart.
She absolutely could not allow Wen Shuyao to live.
As Li Dehai escorted Consort Zhang away, watching her retreating figure, he felt a chill run down his spine.
It's not even winter yet, so why has the weather suddenly turned cold?
Inside the Taiji Hall, the emperor gave a wry smile: "In all these years, this is the first time I've seen you act like this."