Chapter 31: The General’s Pampered Little Wife 31

Chapter 31: Chapter 31: The General’s Pampered Little Wife 31

The poison was concocted by the Song Family. Finding evidence and presenting it to the Emperor was an inevitability.

The current Emperor was neither blind nor foolish. Even if Xiao Shen hadn’t presented the evidence, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review was no ordinary man.

Besides, when Xiao Shen had made his move, all the evidence already pointed to the Song Family.

Therefore, the only thing Xiao Shen needed to consider was whether to let the matter erupt sooner or later.

Three days had passed since the Emperor had tasked Xiao Shen with investigating the poisoning. The Second Prince and Consort Song were still searching everywhere for the missing medicinal ingredient, while Song Yuxi’s body had begun to show some problems.

He discovered he could no longer touch any of the hundred concubines in his manor.

He was impotent, and even medicine didn’t help.

This blow was no less devastating than being afflicted with the sterility medicine!

The sterility medicine only prevented him from having heirs, but his equipment still worked.

But now, what was the difference between him and a eunuch?

Song Yuxi was about to go mad.

He had every reason to suspect the Second Prince was behind this. The prince’s faction believed the Song Family had administered the sterility medicine, so they wanted to destroy the hopes of the Song Family’s sole heir in retaliation!

Seeing that emotions on both sides had simmered to a sufficient point, Xiao Shen found a pretext to present the evidence of the Song Family’s poison-making to the Emperor, together with the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

The two of them entered the Imperial Palace together, their expressions solemn.

Xiao Shen held a brocade box containing the evidence with both hands, while the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review carried a memorial detailing the Song Family’s poison-making process, along with witness testimonies and material evidence.

Arriving before the Emperor’s Imperial Study Room, they were announced by a eunuch. The two men entered respectfully, knelt, and paid their obeisances.

Xiao Shen spoke first. "Your Majesty, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review and I have gathered all the evidence of the Song Family’s poison-making and have come to present it to you."

With that, he raised the brocade box high above his head.

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review added, "Your Majesty, this memorial contains a detailed account of the Song Family’s poison-making from start to finish, as well as the testimonies of those involved. Please review it, Your Majesty."

The Emperor narrowed his eyes slightly and gestured for a eunuch to bring the evidence forward.

As the Emperor carefully read through the memorial, his expression grew increasingly grim. The physical evidence in the brocade box enraged him further.

After a moment, however, the Emperor took a deep breath and said slowly, "I am now aware of this matter. Let’s set it aside for now. Do not publicize it."

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review was startled and couldn’t help but ask, "Your Majesty, the Song Family’s crime is an offense against heaven and reason. Why not deal with them immediately?"

The Emperor shot him a cold glance. "This matter has far-reaching implications and must be considered carefully. Say no more. You are dismissed, Minister. Xiao Aiqing, you will stay."

Though filled with doubt, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review dared not defy the imperial will. He could only bow and take his leave.

Only the Emperor and Xiao Shen remained in the Imperial Study Room.

After a moment of silence, the Emperor spoke slowly, "Xiao Aiqing, do you know why I chose to suppress this matter?"

Xiao Shen lowered his head. "This subject is slow-witted. I ask for Your Majesty’s enlightenment."

The Emperor stood up, paced over to the window, and gazed outside. "Since this poison was created by the deceased member of the Song Family, you are to secretly eliminate the formula and all existing stock of this poison. Of course, the Second Prince and the Song Family have already had a falling out over this, so they won’t pose much of a threat to the Crown Prince."

"But the Song Family will not let this go. If the family learns the Second Prince has no chance at the throne, they will likely send another daughter into the palace. I do not want the Crown Prince to be blackmailed by a powerful family as I was, forced to marry a woman whose heart belongs only to her maternal family."

"We now have leverage over the Song Family and can use this to negotiate with them. If they are sensible, we can let this matter drop. If they are not, then what must be abolished, will be abolished."

"I was the one who hid the Centennial Snow Lotus. Even if the Second Prince survives the night, and even if he finds that ingredient, he will not be able to cure the poison."

Xiao Shen said, "Your Majesty’s strategy is profound. This subject is deeply impressed."

The Emperor turned, his gaze fixed on Xiao Shen. "Xiao Aiqing, I’ve thought it over, and you are the most suitable person to handle this. You will negotiate with the Song Family. Make sure they understand the stakes. As for eliminating the poison’s formula and stock, you must also arrange it properly, without the slightest oversight."

Xiao Shen knelt and replied, "Rest assured, Your Majesty. This subject will not fail his mission and will do everything in his power to handle this matter well."

In this affair, the only losers were the Song Family and the Second Prince’s faction. It had no impact on anyone else.

Since the Emperor had given his command, Xiao Shen now had his own plan of action.

The next day, Xiao Shen, dressed in plain clothes and accompanied by only a few trusted aides, quietly arrived at the Song Family residence under the cover of night.

The main gates of the Song residence were shut tight. Xiao Shen had one of his men knock.

When the gatekeeper saw that the visitor was Xiao Shen, he was startled. Not daring to delay, he hurried inside to announce him.

Before long, Father Song came out to greet them personally, but Song Yuxi did not appear.

After leading Xiao Shen into the main hall, Father Song asked with a grim expression, "General Xiao, what brings you here so late at night?"

Xiao Shen smiled faintly and got straight to the point. "Marquis Song, let’s not beat around the bush. I’ve come today regarding your family’s matter of making poison."

"General Xiao, do not make such baseless accusations. How could my Song Family do something so wicked and unjust?"

"The evidence is conclusive, Marquis Song, so there is no need to argue. Although His Majesty has currently suppressed this matter, I’m sure you are well aware of the Song Family’s predicament."

"General Xiao, just say what you have to say."

"Very well, I will be direct. As long as the Song Family hands over the poison’s formula and remaining stock, and guarantees there will be no more trouble, there may be room for leniency. Otherwise, if His Majesty becomes enraged, I fear your entire family will not escape punishment."

Before Father Song could respond, Song Yuxi, having been informed by a nearby servant, rushed over.

The moment he arrived, he heard Xiao Shen’s words and was instantly consumed by rage. He roared, "Xiao Shen, don’t you dare act so high and mighty here! The Song Family has not fallen so low as to be at your mercy!"

"High and mighty?"

Xiao Shen let out a scornful laugh.

"Hah! When you compare the Song Family to the Xiao family, what is there for me to flaunt? The Xiao family is superior in every single way. How could your family ever hope to measure up?"

To Song Yuxi, these words were incredibly grating.

No matter what this man’s status was, he despised him.

’Why?’

’Why did his childhood sweetheart and fiancée end up with this man?’

’Ever since Ji Xiaosong left him, nothing has gone right for him!’

Xiao Shen might be saying that if the Song Family handed over these items, the matter would be dropped, but if they actually did, it would be an admission that the Song Family was behind everything.

Forget whether the Emperor would let the Song Family off; the Second Prince and the rest of his faction certainly would not!

’Ever since Xiao Shen married Ji Xiaosong, he not only survived assassination attempts on the battlefield, but he also managed to have an heir? Why?’

’Why?’

Song Yuxi’s eyes widened as he looked at his father in disbelief, pleading urgently, "Father, you can’t! If we hand it over, the Song Family will be utterly finished!"

Father Song’s expression was grim. "Yuxi, do not be rash!" he snapped. "The very lives of our entire family are at stake. This is not the time to act on emotion."

Xiao Shen raised an eyebrow slightly, as if he had anticipated this. "Marquis Song is indeed a man who understands the times. In that case, let’s be quick about it."

Father Song let out a long sigh and ordered a servant to fetch the poison’s formula and stock.

Song Yuxi was filled with unwillingness, but there was nothing he could do. He could only glare fiercely at Xiao Shen.

Before long, the items were brought. Father Song handed them to Xiao Shen and said, "General Xiao, I hope you will keep your promise."

Xiao Shen took them, inspected them carefully, and after confirming everything was in order, said, "Rest assured, Marquis Song. As long as the Song Family causes no more trouble, I will do my best to mediate on your behalf with His Majesty."

With that, Xiao Shen took the items and turned to leave.

Watching Xiao Shen’s departing figure, Song Yuxi ground his teeth. "Father, are we really going to just swallow this humiliation?"

Father Song’s gaze was profound. He said slowly, "First, we must survive this crisis. We can make new plans in the future."