Appointing a General as a Concubine: Where Can General Xiao Escape?

Chapter 156 Imperial Edict

It was already dark when Qi Suyuan returned to the palace.

"Where's Yunzhi? Is he still waiting for me? The weather is getting colder, and he needs to have enough charcoal in the yard..."

After getting off the carriage, he untied his black cloak as he walked and asked the person he loved most.

After entering the gate and crossing the front yard, he turned the corner and saw the old eunuch beside the emperor waiting in the hall holding the imperial edict.

The imperial guard standing behind the eunuch was holding a tray with a wine jug and a cup on it.

Qi Suyuan threw the cloak to his attendant and walked forward puzzledly: "What's this, eunuch?"

The eunuch took out the imperial edict, and although he was confused, he still knelt down to receive it.

"It is destined to be blessed by heaven, the emperor decreed..."

After the imperial edict was read, Qi Suyuan only heard three words, which were "grant poisoned wine."

He stood up in disbelief, his eyes filled with rage and cruelty: "I don't believe it, I want to go to the palace to see my father!"

He pretended to leave, but as soon as he turned around, he was surrounded by guards with swords.

At the same time, Yuan Mu also drew his sword, and the guards accompanying him were ready to fight.

Qi Suyuan seized the opportunity and slipped away from the gap between the fights.

In the palace, the emperor was having a meal in the palace of a concubine. When he heard the guard say that Qi Suyuan wanted to see him, the smile on his lips disappeared instantly.

No one would feel good about killing their own child with their own hands.

It was because of his discomfort that the emperor came to have dinner with his concubine, whose name and position he didn't even know.

Seeing his livid face, the concubine approached him cautiously.

"Your Majesty, Prince Su still wants to see you at this late hour. He must have something important to discuss with you."

She didn't know about Qi Suyuan's situation, so her advice was very polite.

But the emperor just looked at her coldly, then turned away and left.

After returning to the front hall, Qi Suyuan knelt down as soon as he entered the room.

He just opened his mouth, but before he could utter a word, the guard's voice was heard outside the door.

"Your Majesty, Prince Chen has arrived and requests to see you."

The emperor narrowed his eyes dangerously and said, "Let him in."

After Qi Minxiu came in, he glanced at Qi Suyuan and knelt beside him with a slightly anxious look.

"Father, the people you sent to invite my brother were all killed in Prince Su's mansion."

Upon hearing this, the emperor's originally somewhat compassionate heart was instantly overwhelmed by anger.

Just at this moment, the eunuch who went to Prince Su's Mansion to announce the decree ran back as if running for his life.

As soon as he entered the palace, he knelt down in front of the emperor in panic and said, "Your Majesty, Prince Su refused to obey your order and ordered the guards in the palace to kill all ten guards with swords sent by the emperor.

If I hadn't run fast, I would never have seen the emperor in this lifetime."

The emperor's already gloomy expression became even uglier after hearing the words of his personal eunuch.

The look he gave Qi Suyuan was filled with anger and disgust.

"I originally thought you were just a bit of a playboy. It's okay if you don't work properly. Just be a leisurely prince and live a carefree life.

I never thought you would do such a treasonous thing, and I am not dead yet!"

Faced with the emperor's words and the emotions he released, Qi Suyuan was obviously panicked.

"Father, the Emperor suspects that I have committed a heinous crime, but has he listened to the slander of others?"

The emperor glared at him with dismay: "Do you dare to say you didn't do it?"

"I have never done it." His answer was so firm and powerful that if the emperor had not seen it with his own eyes, he would have been led astray by his attitude.

"Hmph." The emperor sneered and looked at him straight in the eye. "Then tell me, what's going on with those soldiers from Changhe Town, Yueya Bay, and County Magistrate Tong?"

When he heard these three place names, Qi Suyuan's eyes flashed.

But he quickly adjusted himself: "I don't understand what the emperor is talking about."

The next moment, he turned to look at Qi Minxiu and said, "If anyone uses unrealistic words to slander me, I beg Your Majesty to stand up for me."

Seeing his unreasonable argument, the emperor felt angry and powerless.

"You don't have to be so stubborn. If I only hear a few words about this kind of thing, I naturally won't believe it."

He sighed silently, and there seemed to be fluorescent light flashing in his eyes.

"I consider that you are the only legitimate son and the son of the late queen, so I gave you the poisoned wine to let you die with dignity.

But you didn't appreciate it, and you killed the guards and came to the palace to make trouble.

What, now that you have soldiers, you think you can fight me and even disobey my orders? "

Qi Suyuan shook his head in shock and quickly explained: "It is impossible for someone in the palace to be so indiscriminate. Your son, your son did not..."

He couldn't explain it, because from what the emperor said, he either heard it from others or saw it with his own eyes. No matter how much he tried to defend himself, it was useless.

"Come here! Prepare the poisoned wine."

After a while, the eunuch who had been frightened just now brought up another cup of poisoned wine.

The emperor looked down at the person kneeling on the ground with a cold and ruthless tone.

"Since you don't want to die in your own palace, then end it here."

Qi Suyuan looked at him in disbelief: "Father, do you really want to sentence me to death?"

"According to the laws of our Great Nan Yao, you should have been beheaded in public, but considering your noble status, this is a courtesy to you."

The emperor turned away with a look of reluctance, not daring to watch him drink the poisoned wine.

Qi Minxiu noticed this and was afraid that the emperor would be soft-hearted, so he stood up and pretended to plead for him.

"Father, in fact, my brother is not as bad as you think. We grew up together, and I know him as a son.

This time, it is possible that someone with ulterior motives in the palace gave the idea to my brother.

For example, someone close to you, my brother, is easily influenced by others. If someone whispers in your ear all the time, anyone would become confused after listening to them for a long time."

His remarks stirred emotions in both men.

The emperor raised his eyebrows and turned around, the gloom on his face completely gone: "Yes, it was all instigated by others, come here!"

With this reason, he would not have to kill Qi Suyuan. He could lower his status and imprison him in the mansion, and he could still live a comfortable life.

When Qi Suyuan heard Qi Minxiu mention the person next to him, he panicked instantly and hurried to explain.

"No, this matter has nothing to do with Yunzhi. It was my own idea."

The emperor's face, which had just begun to brighten, was darkened again by his words.

He closed his eyes and said, "Now that everything is said, I will tell you, today either you die or he dies."

Qi Suyuan gritted his teeth and raised his lowered head: "Father, do you know why I did this?"

His voice was cold, and the emperor's heart trembled when he heard it.

"Since ancient times, the crown prince has always been appointed by the eldest son of the legitimate wife, but Father gave the crown prince position to the third prince, who ranked after his sons and ministers. Was it just because he led troops in a few battles?"

The emperor was surprised for a moment, and his calm eyes seemed to hide a turbulent sea.

"Then do you know what responsibilities the Eastern Palace has had since ancient times?

Your current behavior really disappoints me. At this moment, I am just glad that I gave birth to him."

"In your father's eyes, am I just a clueless fool?"

Qi Suyuan clenched his fists, his beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, and the pain in his eyes made people feel pity.