Chapter 379
“My beloved Prime Minister Su, are you happy with this answer?” The Retired Emperor raised his eyes to gaze at Prime Minister Su.
It was that single look that made Prime Minister Su lose all of his strength.
Yet, how could the fun stop here?
The Third Prince had not even spoken his piece.
“Now that the issue of rebellion has been settled, let’s talk about the matter of this confession.” Baili Jia Jue’s voice was very soft, but was loud enough to make one’s hair stand on end, “Su Yan Mo, who gave you the courage to investigate my men? Hmm?”
Su Yan Mo’s body trembled. She had been cooped up in a boudoir for too long that although she had heard of Baili Jia Jue’s numerous involvements, she had never really encountered Baili Jia Jue face to face. Now, she could only feel the cold that was rolling off him in waves as if it was piercing her bones.
His look of contempt had distinctly made her feel as though she was beneath him; it was of an unreadable disgust.
Su Yan Mo did not even dare to answer this question as she looked to Prime Minister Su, thinking that her father would be able to save her.
Prime Minister Su gritted his teeth and with another thud, he kowtowed, knocking his head on the ground, “It is my fault, I thought it was a matter of rebellion that required an urgent audience with His Majesty. I was not aware that it was all a misunderstanding. This daughter of mine has always been quite confused and upon hearing even the slightest news, she took it upon her to order an investigation, thinking that it was a serious matter. I promise, she had no other intentions and I plead that Your Majesty could handle this matter justly and fairly!”
As Eunuch Sun heard this, he instinctively turned to glance at the Retired Emperor.
The Su family were in the wrong, but it had not warranted their deaths.
With only that small smudge of guilt on Su Yan Mo, it was indeed insufficient to do any harm to her.
Furthermore, the situation in the court now was unbalanced and unstable. Taking into account of the forces of the four influential families, His Majesty would have to look at the bigger picture when making a decision.
Prime Minister Su had also raised his voice because he had counted on this consideration.
The Retired Emperor sneered internally as his eyes darkened and said, “Now that the matter has come to this point, my beloved Prime Minister Su, you cannot possibly think that an apology can resolve this issue.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Prime Minister kowtowed fiercely for another time. His forehead was already scraped and he looked like a mess. Gone was his usual image of arrogance over others. “I am at fault,” he said.
Su Yan Mo caught a glimpse of her father who had never suffered a day of his life. Just then, tears welled up in her eyes as she clenched her fists in restrained emotions.
The Retired Emperor’s eyes darkened as he continued, “Since it’s Wei Wei who has been misunderstood and wronged, this matter will be handed over to Ah Jue to handle. Ah Jue, remember to not make it too difficult for Prime Minister Su.”
With that, he turned to go back into the Palace but left Eunuch Sun with Baili Jia Jue.
Su Yan Mo released a breath of relief and smiled in joy.
Since the Retired Emperor had already given the order to let them off easy, there would probably be not much of a problem for them.
It was as she had predicted, no matter what happened, nothing would bother her.
Even if that little b*tch, Helian Wei Wei was smart, she would only end up empty-handed.
However, Su Yan Mo had underestimated one thing – Baili Jia Jue’s ability to kill without spilling blood.
What was it that had aided the Third Prince to achieve what he had now?
Was it really because of his ability to punish whoever he felt like punishing?
Wrong answer.
It was his ability to play around with people until they were dead but they were still unable to identify Baili Jia Jue’s fault.
Normally with just a single order, someone could be skinned.
Although Su Yan Mo did not know this, it did not mean that Prime Minister Su was oblivious of this. He had not forgotten how his granddaughter had been married off into the Huai family due to the suggestion of the Third Prince.
It was said to be a gift bestowed upon by the imperial family, but in reality, his granddaughter had been sent off to live as a widow.
Now that he thought about it in detail, it seemed as though it was from then that the Su family had begun to go through hardship…
At this point, Prime Minister was gripped in sudden cold, as if he had suddenly thought of something. As he glanced at Baili Jia Jue who was walking toward him, his face contorted in immediate terror.
He finally knew where everything went wrong.
As someone as smart as Third Prince, if he really wanted to avenge the Seventh Prince, he could have brought Li Meng to the Su family directly and made them give the Seventh Prince an explanation.
Yet, he did not do so. Instead, he had put on an act of trying to destroy evidence while tearing apart the Su family forces, wanting them to mistakenly believe that that batch of weapons had come from an illegal source!
He had done it on purpose, to intentionally lead them on, caused them to think that they had had the upper hand.
From the start, this had been a trap and the endgame was to drag him down!
If not for his suspicion of that batch of weapons, he would not have come to the Palace with his daughter regardless of what she had mentioned. Then, he would not end up in such a situation.
As Prime Minister Su came to this sudden realization, he could only feel endless fear that made his fingers quiver, causing him to have the urge to leave. It was as though the person who was walking toward him was not human, but was a demon who had risen from hell instead.
In comparison to Prime Minister Su’s obvious fear, Baili Jia Jue was clear show of gentleness with curved lips that almost looked like a smile. “Imperial Grandfather won’t let me make it difficult for you, so I won’t punish you, Prime Minister Su. But seeing as you seem to like kneeling, then I’ll let you continue kneeling. You can leave when the sun has risen.”
What?!
Before Prime Minister Su had even said a word, Su Yan Mo had almost burst out beside him.
The sky had only just darkened. If he were to do so until the next morning, he would have to kneel for an entire night!
Her father was already at such an old age, thus, even with the protection of his martial Qi, kneeling an entire night could cost him his life!
Moreover, the wind had started blowing by now, meaning that it would rain soon.
How could her father possibly endure this?
The Third Prince was not going to not punish him, because he obviously wanted her father to die outside the Palace doors!
Yet, it was such a shady method that it left her with no room to retaliate!
Prime Minister Su had apparently accepted his fate and so, with clenched fists and gritted teeth, he said, “Yes.”
“Eunuch Sun.” Baili Jia Jue carried on saying with a plain voice, “Put up Li Meng’s written confession on the city walls as a warning to officials to not make the same mistake.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Eunuch Sun took his leave.
However, Su Yan Mo’s face had once again paled. Putting it up on the city walls meant that everyone in the city could read it. How could she ever show her face in public again?
“As for you, Madam Su,” Baili Jia Jue uttered as he twisted the ring on his pinky, looking as though he was smiling but his cold eyes said otherwise, “You’re the precious daughter of Prime Minister Su after all, so it wouldn’t be good to deal you a heavy punishment. Therefore, you can just reflect on your actions as you parade through the streets.”
Parade through the streets?!
As soon as Madam Su heard him say that, she wished she could just faint on the spot as her eyes were filled with humiliation, and anger coursed through her entire body, but she dared not say anything.
She could only watch as both of her hands were cuffed up and she was taken out of the Palace.
When everyone left, Helian Wei Wei finally had the chance to go up to Baili Jia Jue…