5013

Chapter 5013: 5.0765 Consequences at Your Own Risk

"I, Qiao Mu, have no father to rely on. My father is just an ordinary cultivator. He would never teach me to stir up trouble without reason, or to scheme against anyone I dislike."

"My father is also not as resourceful as you, Marquis."

"To be able to turn the tables in a place like the Cang Palace inner court, meticulously planning and orchestrating such a grand show."

"When I am inexplicably bullied, I shouldn't cry out for injustice. I should just endure it, I shouldn't fight back, I deserve to be unlucky, is that it?"

"Once I fight back, all of you say I overreacted, handled it improperly, that I am vicious, deep-minded, and full of malice. Yes, I am indeed such a petty person who repays every grievance!"

"Nonsense." Duan Yue was furious. He couldn't help but reach out and pull her, shaking his head in disapproval.

"No need to waste words with this person. He stands on his own ground, protecting those he wants to protect, naturally finding you wrong and an eyesore everywhere."

"Marquis of Anxing." Duan Yue looked coldly at the gaunt man on the steps. "When we were training in Fengmu Forest that day, our cultivation and spiritual senses were temporarily blocked, requiring elixirs to recover. Do you know what Xiang Chang's first action was once she recovered her strength? To kill Qiao Qiao, to kill her companions."

"There was no deep-seated hatred to begin with, yet for a few trivial matters, Xiang Chang wanted to kill her fellow students, completely disregarding their academy bond. Is there any problem with the academy expelling her? This matter was entirely initiated by herself; shouldn't she bear the consequences?"

The Marquis of Anxing's face twitched slightly. He opened his mouth, still wanting to argue, when he heard Little Kezi's loud announcement from outside, "Empress Dowager has arrived."

Duan Yue's brows furrowed involuntarily.

This impostor Empress Dowager, Consort Wang, had been quite well-behaved since ascending to the Empress Dowager's throne, never causing any trouble. Her Wang family had long since died out, leaving her with no power whatsoever. She was also well aware that if she wanted to continue her prosperous and peaceful life, she absolutely had to maintain a good relationship with the Emperor. Living by the Emperor's grace was her best option now.

Consort Wang had someone escort a disheveled, blood-covered middle-aged eunuch in. Upon seeing the Emperor, she quickly said, "Your Majesty, this old woman's people found this shifty-eyed eunuch trying to escape in the back garden. Upon questioning, we learned that something major had happened here. So, we quickly had him brought over."

At the same time, the three young palace maids kneeling on the steps below, upon seeing the eunuch beaten beyond recognition, huddled together in fear, not daring to look closely.

"Still not kneeling?" A strong old nanny stepped forward and kicked the eunuch's knees, making him fall to the ground with a thud.

Duan Yue gave the fake Empress Dowager a meaningful look. Although the fake Empress Dowager hadn't been in the palace for long, she was truly a clever person. She had received news so quickly and immediately found this Eunuch Yang, escorting him all the way here. This allowed her to quickly distance herself from the matter and present herself as righteous. A good calculation.

"Speak, did you accept bribes from the Marquis of Anxing and instigate the three palace maids to lead the Crown Princess to the imperial garden?" With a glance from Duan Yue, Little Kezi immediately spoke, reprimanding Eunuch Yang.

Eunuch Yang trembled all over, looking for help at an old man kneeling behind the Marquis of Anxing.

"I asked Eunuch Yang for help," the old man said calmly, his expression indifferent.