180 Yue Mi

"Your Majesty!! This Wang[1] begs His Majesty to give justice to my son ah…. My son…. Your Majesty, this Wang's heir had been murdered and was tossed in front of Rui residence like a tattered rag, trampling this Wang's heart!! Your Majesty, please seek justice…. Those scums from the society had dared to move their hands towards the royalties…. Ah…. My poor heir…. Without an heir to continue the lineage, what will happen to the Rui Family? Ahhh… This Wang… How can this Wang face the Rui Family ancestors? My… poor son… my poor family…."

An old man was kneeling weakly inside the throne room. He was none other than Rui JunWang[2] who was Rui Fang Li's father.

Xu Ji Mo closed his eyes, trying to hold back himself. During the court session, Rui JunWang requested to meet with him in front of the court's officials. As the Emperor, he had the right to decline and refuse to meet with Rui JunWang, but if he would that, rumors would definitely hover around the capital, saying that he, the Emperor did not care for his own subject's matter. The Rui family's heir died in a brutal way, making the Rui residence mourn with deed grievance. It was normal that Rui JunWang would want to see the Emperor and ask justice. Even if the Rui family was only an appointed royalty and did not share the sacred blood of imperial family, it would not change the fact that their family was considered a royal family ever since their ancestor was given the title of a JunWang.

Thus, even if Xu Ji Mo wanted to refuse Rui JunWang, in order not to tarnish his own name, he could only agree Rui JunWang's request. He had no choice but to act like he cared for their situation.

Rui JunWang cried pitifully in front of the throne room, not caring that all the ministers were looking at him. He could feel their mocking gazes. Who among them were oblivious of schemes and hidden motifs? Those ministers were able to reach their standing in the court because they, themselves, were also full of tricks and schemes.

But who cared?

Rui JunWang definitely did not.

As long as he would be able get some benefits, he would not care if others would see him as a shameless person. His son had died, leaving the Rui family heirless. Their family had fallen to the lowest and if he would not use his son's death as an opportunity to get some benefits, then, their family would continue sinking to the bottom.

"Your Majesty…. My poor son.. My poor heir… he did not die in an honorable way but he was tortured to death… my poor son… according to the coroner, he was tortured brutally… those people who killed him are all animals!! Not only his sex organ was cut off… Ohhh…. The shame!! A royalty was tortured to death! Your Majesty…. This Wang---I, as a father, humbly ask for justice! Your Majesty ah…."

Xu Ji Mo sighed as he waved his hand, signaling one of his eunuchs to pull Rui JunWang up.

"Rui JunWang, Zhen is deeply sorry for your loss. Zhen is also a father and knows what you feel. Do not worry, Zhen promise you to send someone and investigate the matter! Once Zhen finds the culprits, Zhen would immediately order for their deaths! This is an imperial decree, anyone involved with Rui Zhuangzi[3]'s death will be killed using a thousand cuts!"

Hearing Xu Ji Mo's words, Rui JunWang kowtowed once again.

"This Wang give thanks to His Majesty… This Wang is deeply grateful towards His Majesty… Even if this Wang wholeheartedly offers the Rui family's gratitude and loyalty… alas! We could no longer do so…. My family had fallen out from grace and had no more heir to succeed the title…. Such pity…"

Xu Ji Mo's eyes twitched… he knew that he had to 'offer' something in order to make Rui JunWang end his acting.

"*cough*….. Zhen knows that material things could not substitute your son, but Zhen hopes that it would lessen your heartbreak. Someone, come! Bring last year's tributes! Half of it will be given to the Rui family in order to compensate them from their loss."

Mu Qing gave a list and ordered the eunuch to fetch the items on the least.

Rui JunWang's eyes were sparkling with delight but he managed to suppress the desire to smile. Still wearing a sad expression, Rui JunWang thanked Xu Ji Mo.

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XuanRong was at the gazebo, feeding the different-colored koi[4] swimming around with some fish food.

YuShen was standing behind her.

"YuShen."

YuShen walked forward and spoke.

"This servant is here."

"How's the situation in the Chen family?"

"Reporting to WangFei, old master is currently trying to find ways to shorten Eldest Master's expedition. Young Masters will not return from the academy until next spring but old master had already sent someone to protect them. Fourth Chen Furen will be due soon. Her pregnancy had been stable ever since the foreign poison was successfully eliminated out of her body, WangFei must not worry. Only Second Master and Third Master's situation was still unfavorable."

Hearing YuShen's words, XuanRong's hand froze.

"Continue."

"Second Master and Third Master is still at the border. As long as the Emperor refuses to call them back, even Old Master is powerless to make them return."

"Mmm… continue monitoring… How is Li Jung Li's condition?"

"Li Jung Li's condition had worsened as we expected. Ever since he had been feed with the charm powder WangFei created, his attitude had turned brutal and his cravings for Baili Chen had increased. Few nights ago, He sneakily entered Baili residence when Baili Chen refused to go out of the residence and forcefully raped him. One of Baili Chen's concubine saw them and was killed on the spot but Baili Chen made it as if the concubine committed suicide after losing his favor."

XuanRong released a small laugh.

In her previous life, Li Jung Li and her only met twice or trice. They did not have a great enmity towards each other. The only reason he participated in that horrible night was because of Baili Chen. Still, her hatred for him was not less than what she felt towards the other four. Since Li Jung Li valued his friendship with Baili Chen, XuanRong would want to see to what extend would their friendship reach.

"Stop feeding him with Charm powder. We need to wash off the traces in his body to prevent any mishap. Go and tell our men to spread rumors inside Baili residence. Fabricate some evidences and make someone claim that they had seen two men having sex with each other. Do not reveal their identity, make it as if it was a baseless rumor but at the same time, let the servants talk about it."

Hearing XuanRong's plan, YuShen only nodded her head.

XuanRong picked a few fish food and threw it in the pond.

"Another one… Rui Fang Li's death, make it known to the common people. Exaggerate the story. Tomorrow, everyone in the capitol must hear how horrible Rui Fang Li's death was. Spread rumors that he had been raped and his butt hole had been damaged after being humiliated by a perverted man. A man who raped men… Hahaha… this kind of rumor, I dunno how would Baili Chen and Li Jung Li react?"

XuanRong sat on the chair, grabbed a tea cup and took a sip.

"WangFei… This servant would like to speak with WangFei."

XuanRong turned her head and saw YuMi standing at the entrance.

"YuMi—no. You are called something else… am I right?"

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[1]. Prince with a rank

[2]. Prince of the Second Rank

[3]. Heir of a JunWang

[4]. Chinese Carp

[Unedited Chapter]