I am invincible, that's why I lie down. You're using your entire clan to rebel?

Chapter 125 The Prime Minister once again brought a coffin to remonstrate!

"boom--!!!"

Jiang Qingxue's mind went completely blank for a moment!

She bit her lip hard, her nails digging deep into her palms until they bled, but she was completely unaware.

fear.

Extreme fear, like an icy tide, instantly overwhelmed her.

"Your Majesty..." Her voice trembled violently, "What...what did you say? General Xu...how could he rebel? He's a loyal subject..."

"A loyal subject?" Qin Mu chuckled lightly, his tone laced with deep sarcasm.

"A loyal minister who amasses military power, secretly amasses strength, colludes with Li Yang, and plots treason... I dare not have such a loyal minister."

Jiang Qingxue's heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of her throat.

She opened her mouth, wanting to explain, but found that all the words were stuck in her throat, and she couldn't utter a single word.

Qin Mu's hand slowly caressed her neck.

That hand was warm, with long, slender fingers and distinct knuckles.

But the touch on her neck at that moment was as cold as a viper's tongue.

"My beloved concubine has such a slender neck," Qin Mu's voice was as gentle as if he were speaking sweet nothings, "I could hold it in one hand."

His fingers gently caressed the skin of her neck, the movement tender yet carrying a suffocating threat.

"Tell me, what would happen if I used just a little more force?"

Jiang Qingxue was stiff all over and dared not move.

She could feel the warmth of Qin Mu's fingertips, and the pressure that came with his hand slowly tightening.

fear.

An unprecedented fear made her almost scream.

But she held back her anger.

"Your Majesty..." Jiang Qingxue's voice was hoarse, and tears welled up uncontrollably.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I do not know what you are talking about. Whether General Xu is loyal or treacherous, how would Your Majesty, a mere woman in the deep palace, know?"

She tilted her head back, tears streaming down her pale cheeks and dripping onto Qin Mu's hand.

Warm and moist.

"All I know is that I am now Your Majesty's concubine. Your Majesty's enemies are my enemies. If... if General Xu truly harbors rebellious intentions, then I... I will not plead for him."

She spoke with heartfelt emotion, tears streaming down her face, perfectly portraying the image of a concubine terrified by the emperor's oppressive power yet trying to maintain her composure.

Qin Mu stared at her quietly for a long time.

So long that Jiang Qingxue almost thought she hadn't acted well enough and that he had seen through her act.

Then, Qin Mu suddenly smiled.

He released her hand and gently wiped away the tears on her face.

"My beloved concubine, don't be afraid, I was just joking."

His voice returned to its usual gentle tone:

"Whether Xu Longxiang is a loyal minister or not, I know in my heart. As for my beloved concubine..."

He paused, his eyes deep and unfathomable:

"I believe that my beloved consort is a wise woman. She knows what she should and should not do."

"Your Majesty... I understand," she said softly, her voice full of obedience.

"Good that you understand." Qin Mu picked her up and carried her to the large sandalwood bed.

The curtains fell, obscuring the view inside the bed.

The candlelight flickered outside the tent, casting swaying shadows.

For Jiang Qingxue, this night felt like an eternity.

She lay on the bed, but her soul seemed to have been detached, floating in mid-air, coldly watching everything.

humiliation.

The deep-seated humiliation, like red-hot irons, branded her heart with one wound after another.

But she couldn't resist.

Unable to struggle.

They couldn't even show any resistance.

She had to cater to him.

You have to pretend to enjoy it.

We must... play this role well.

Only in this way could she survive.

Only then can we wait until... the day Xu Longxiang succeeds.

But... can Xu Longxiang really succeed?

Or perhaps, she still hopes that Xu Longxiang can succeed?

Jiang Qingxue didn't know, and didn't want to know.

All she wanted to do now was indulge in the pleasures of the night.

Don't think about anything, don't do anything...

Moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating the curtains and casting the intertwined shadows of the two figures.

The night was deep and all was quiet.

Only suppressed gasps and faint sobs echoed in the bedchamber, only to be swallowed up by the thick palace walls, leaving no trace.

.......

Outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the morning light was just beginning to break.

Yunluan, dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit, stood in front of the palace gate and heard a lazy voice from inside: "Come in."

She pushed open the door and saw Qin Mu leaning against a carved rosewood couch, casually draped in a black robe, playing with a white jade thumb ring in his hand.

Jiang Qingxue stood to the side, pouring tea for him with her delicate hands. Her moon-white dress shone softly in the morning light, but her face showed an undisguised weariness and a hint of the flush from the previous night.

"Your Majesty," Yunluan knelt on one knee, "Prime Minister Li Si, along with all civil and military officials, is waiting in the Golden Palace, humbly requesting Your Majesty to attend court."

Qin Mu didn't even lift his eyelids, taking a sip of warm tea: "What is it?"

Yunluan paused, her voice still cold: "The ministers must be here... to discuss His Majesty's decision to appoint Consort Hua."

"Oh?" Qin Mu's lips curled into a playful smile. "When did I ever need their permission to take concubines?"

Yunluan lowered her head and remained silent.

Qin Mu put down his teacup and gently rubbed his fingertips on his thumb ring: "Tell them that I am dealing with important state affairs and have no time to concern myself with these trivial matters."

"Yes." Yunluan accepted the order, but did not rush to leave.

Qin Mu looked up: "Is there anything else?"

Yunluan hesitated for a moment: "Your Majesty, the Prime Minister has brought a memorial signed by fifteen senior officials. The words are quite strong. I'm afraid..."

"A joint letter?" Qin Mu laughed, a hint of mockery in his smile. "Let him keep it. Perhaps I'll take it out and look at it sometime when I'm in a better mood."

He paused, his gaze falling on Jiang Qingxue. Seeing her pale face, he gently took her wrist and his tone softened: "My dear consort, you don't look well. Didn't you sleep well last night?"

Jiang Qingxue trembled slightly, lowered her eyes and said, "Your Majesty... I'm fine."

Qin Mu squeezed her hand and waved to Yun Luan: "Go. Just say that I am dealing with the aftermath of the floods in Jiangnan, which concerns the livelihood of millions of people, and I have no time to spare."

"As you command."

Yunluan bowed and withdrew, her footsteps fading into the distance.

Jiang Qingxue watched her figure disappear outside the door, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside her.

Last night, Qin Mu stayed overnight at Yuxiu Palace. She barely slept a wink, her mind replaying the image of Mo Shen's tragic death and the news of Xu Fenghua's entry into the palace.

She forced herself to calm down and continued to pour tea for Qin Mu.

Qin Mu suddenly reached out and pulled her into his arms, whispering in her ear, "It looks like things are going to get lively in the Golden Palace today."

Jiang Qingxue froze, but dared not struggle.

"My beloved concubine, would you like to know what those old ministers will say?" Qin Mu's voice was tinged with laughter, and his warm breath brushed against her ear.

"Your Majesty... I dare not presume to discuss state affairs," Jiang Qingxue said softly.

"It's alright, just treat it as watching a play." Qin Mu's fingers gently stroked her long hair. "Some plays are much more interesting than the songs and dances in the palace."

.......

The Golden Palace, at the hour of Chen (7-9 AM).

Nine golden pillars with coiled dragons support the dome, and the black jade brick floor is so shiny it reflects light like a mirror.

The atmosphere inside the hall was heavy and oppressive.

Civil and military officials stood on both sides according to their rank, their purple, scarlet, and blue robes clearly distinguishable.

Today's court assembly should not have been so crowded, but after learning that Prime Minister Li Si was going to take the lead in remonstrating with the emperor, many officials came spontaneously, and even some old ministers who had been sick at home struggled to get out of bed.

There were no fewer than three hundred people standing in the entire Golden Palace, a dark mass that almost filled the magnificent hall.

Everyone is waiting.

They were waiting for the young emperor, who had not attended court for nearly ten days.

The palace doors were wide open, and the autumn sunlight slanted in, casting long shadows on the ground, with dust swirling in the beams of light.

Time passes little by little.

Chen Shi Yi Chuang, Chen Shi Er Chuang...

The emperor's carriage never arrived.

The atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly oppressive.

Many officials had beads of sweat on their foreheads, but dared not wipe them away.