Bai Han hurried back to the imperial palace and relayed Xiao Jingyun's intentions to Xiao An.
After hearing this, Xiao An let out a long sigh, "Alas, we still have to take this path. It truly unsettles my heart."
"But it is the Emperor's last resort. If not for this, I fear..."
Xiao An knew what Bai Han meant. If things were not handled this way, greater trouble might arise.
With this thought, he sighed, "Very well. Immediately convey my imperial decree. At dawn tomorrow, it will be posted throughout the city for the common people to know of this eunuch Xiao De's crimes."
After speaking, Xiao An sat in silence.
Bai Han understood that Xiao An was feeling unwell at this moment. Xiao De had been loyal to the Emperor, yet he ended up in such a predicament.
If the Emperor felt bad, one could imagine how much worse Xiao De's family would feel.
Bai Han also felt uneasy. He never expected the Emperor to become so estranged, so unfamiliar.
No one could guarantee what absurd things the Emperor might do in the future. What was the point of staying in such a palace? Bai Han fell into deep doubt.
The next day, as dawn broke, Princess Zhaoning and the Lotus Cult Leader busied themselves. After tidying up, they ate a hurried breakfast.
Princess Zhaoning, accompanied by over a dozen guards, left the imperial harem and headed straight for the East Gate. As they walked, they saw a crowd of people gathered in front of a wall, pointing and discussing. This was a place where imperial decrees were frequently posted.
He could hear the common people next to him discussing, "I never thought it was someone close to the Emperor who killed the immortal maiden."
"Hidden by the Emperor's side for so many years, truly, one can know a person's face but not their heart."
Some people even spat fiercely on the ground, "This Xiao De deserves to be cut into a thousand pieces. Oh, and his entire nine generations should be exterminated. Not one should be spared."
Upon hearing this, the Lotus Cult Leader frowned and involuntarily glanced at the notice on the wall.
Soon, she saw the words "Xiao De." Su Dan Novel Network.
The Lotus Cult Leader's nerves were currently highly sensitive. Seeing these three words, she urgently reined in her warhorse.
She dismounted and pushed through the crowd, reading the notice from beginning to end. A chill ran through the Lotus Cult Leader's heart.
She never expected Xiao An to pull off such a move, shifting all the blame onto Xiao De. He, Xiao An, was merely an innocent victim, completely unaware of any wrongdoing.
Frankly, Xiao An's excuse was truly ingenious.
Someone close to the Emperor committing evil deeds and abusing power would naturally incur the people's hatred.
Xiao An had skillfully exploited this point, and by announcing the extermination of Xiao De's nine generations on the notice, he provided an outlet for the people's emotions.
At this moment, Princess Zhaoning also squeezed through. After reading the notice, she was somewhat at a loss and looked at her master.
The Lotus Cult Leader gestured outwards and turned to leave. The two of them pushed their way out of the crowd again, mounted their horses, and rode until they reached a deserted spot before stopping.
Seeing that they were alone, Princess Zhaoning could not help but speak first, "Master, what exactly is going on?"
The Lotus Cult Leader gestured behind them and spat fiercely on the ground, "Your father is truly detestable! He orchestrated everything himself, and in the end, he's making Xiao De take the fall."
Speaking of this, the Lotus Cult Leader shook her head, "I don't think you need to go to Niutou Ridge anymore. It's likely impossible to turn things around now."
Princess Zhaoning, however, shook her head firmly, "No, Master, I must go to Niutou Ridge. At least I want to know the truth."
Upon hearing Princess Zhaoning's words, the Lotus Cult Leader nodded slightly. Her provocation had worked.
Princess Zhaoning was right, and this was also the Lotus Cult Leader's thought. Only by letting the princess know the truth could there be a chance to resolve this matter in the future. To give up now would mean the truth would never be known to the world.
The two spoke as they exited the East Gate, their horses flying. In less than half an hour, they arrived at Niutou Ridge.
Seeing their master's arrival, Jasmine and the others were very excited and hurried forward, taking hold of the reins of the Lotus Cult Leader's warhorse.
"Master, you've returned."
At this time, the other disciples had also greeted Princess Zhaoning.
Jasmine pointed towards Niutou Ridge, "Master, everyone is here!"
The Lotus Cult Leader nodded and then looked at Princess Zhaoning beside her.
Princess Zhaoning quickly bowed, "Everything will be as Master commands."
The Lotus Cult Leader pointed towards the mountain, "There's a cave up there. Everyone is inside. Go and ask for yourself. Once you've found out, bring them away directly."
The Lotus Cult Leader understood, of course, that keeping these people here now was meaningless.
Princess Zhaoning blinked and understood her master's intentions. She took a step back and bowed respectfully to the Lotus Cult Leader, "Jing Feng thanks Master for your fulfillment."
Princess Zhaoning led her guards up the steps towards the cave halfway up the mountain. As she walked, she mused that her master had given her this opportunity. She could gain favor with her father and elder brother, and at the same time, it served as a reminder to both of them that she was aware of these two matters, and her master was also aware.
Everyone maintained a tacit understanding, with unspoken knowledge between them.
This would also serve as a warning to her father and elder brother, prompting them to be more cautious in their actions in the future and not always resort to such self-deceiving methods to cover things up.
Meanwhile, the Lotus Cult Leader had already gathered her disciples, preparing to head to Hetou Village. Upon hearing this, Jasmine and the others were very surprised, "Master, what about our martial aunt's matter? Are we just going to let it go?"
The Lotus Cult Leader sighed, "Xiao Jingyun and Xiao An preempted us and shifted all the responsibility to Xiao De, even posting notices throughout the city saying Xiao De was acting recklessly without the Emperor's knowledge."
Hearing her words, Jasmine and the others fell silent.
Finally, Jasmine tentatively asked, "Master, then we can only return to Hetou Village?"
The Lotus Cult Leader nodded.
"Return to Hetou Village and explain things to Chen Xiaobei and your martial aunt Ziyan. We should also head back. We've wasted too much time on this matter."
After speaking, she waved her hand, "Alright, let's hurry. Give the princess some space."
With that, she herself mounted her horse and rode off.
At this time, Princess Zhaoning had already led her people down.
When she reached the foot of the mountain and found no one there, Princess Zhaoning was a little stunned. She thought for a moment and suddenly understood.
Her master, the Lotus Cult Leader, did not want these people to see her true face.
All right, then she would take them back to collect favors.
Princess Zhaoning led her group back to Wannian City, and their first stop was to see her father.
Xiao An was in the imperial study, reviewing the memorials submitted by Xiao Jingyun one by one. When he heard that his daughter sought an audience, a hint of a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.