He felt his words had been made clear enough.
Not pursuing Jiang Luoxi was a decision he had already made.
He did not wish to change it.
Yun Shu pursed her lips slightly, finding this point somewhat unexpected. Zhan Tianhong was actually defending Jiang Luoxi.
Given Zhan Tianhong's intense dislike for the Empress Dowager, he should have harbored deep animosity towards anyone close to her. Yet, he did not seek to eliminate Jiang Luoxi and spoke in her defense.
"Summon someone to escort Elder Master Geng out of the palace first," Zhan Tianhong commanded.
Then, he turned to those outside the imperial study and continued, "The matter of the Geng family has been resolved. All officials may now leave the palace."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The ministers bowed to Zhan Tianhong and respectfully departed.
Those who had harbored doubts about Zhan Tianhong earlier now understood clearly.
From this day forward, they must act with utmost caution before the Emperor and never be careless.
The ministers left with their thoughts in disarray.
Guards and palace attendants stood at attention with their heads bowed.
Inside the imperial study, Yun Changfeng's expression was somber. However, he kept his head down, concealing his true feelings.
Zhan Tianhong sighed softly, looking at them with apparent helplessness. "Fifth Brother, can this matter end here?"
Yun Shu tugged subtly at Chun Jiao's sleeve.
Zhan Tianye gazed at Zhan Tianhong with deep, dark eyes, his expression devoid of any discernible emotion.
A voice surfaced deep within Zhan Tianhong's heart, whispering that perhaps after today, the relationship between him and his fifth brother could never be the same.
A sliver of uncertainty gnawed at him.
But more than that, he knew this step had to be taken now, or it would have to be taken later. Escape was impossible.
For a moment, the imperial study fell into an eerie silence.
Zhan Tianye offered no response.
Yun Changfeng clenched his fists, feeling the Emperor had gone too far. Without the overt and covert protection of Prince Ye over the years, how could His Majesty have persevered safely until today? Jiang Luoxi, as a confidante of the Empress Dowager and the Regent, harbored many assassins and her intentions in the capital were unknown.
And yet, His Majesty intended to let such a dangerous individual go?
He couldn't comprehend it.
The Emperor, whom he had practically watched grow up, was now as enigmatic as a mystery.
At that moment, someone broke the silence.
It was the person they had been discussing.
Jiang Luoxi had arrived.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty, Prince Ye, and General."
The single word "subject" struck like thunder.
Yun Shu snapped her head towards Jiang Luoxi.
The light in Zhan Tianye's dark eyes immediately turned icy, his brotherly affection replaced by a chilling distance.
In an instant, those who still harbored doubts understood completely.
So, the reason for not pursuing the matter was that Jiang Luoxi had somehow become Zhan Tianhong's consort!
Who could have imagined that Zhan Tianhong would take Jiang Luoxi as a consort!
Jiang Luoxi bowed her head, her body bent in a curtsy, appearing demure and virtuous, like an unassuming white flower that inspired pity rather than harm.
Who would have guessed she commanded a group of assassins? And that she was secretly plotting within the capital?
Did Zhan Tianhong know all of this?
Yun Shu narrowed her eyes, fixing a cold gaze upon Jiang Luoxi. This move had indeed caught her by surprise!
Completely unprepared!
To protect herself, Jiang Luoxi was willing to marry Zhan Tianhong, who was several years her junior!
She gently grasped Zhan Tianye's hand.
At this moment, he was undoubtedly the most furious and heartbroken.
"My consort need not be so formal. Come in. It is opportune for you to apologize to my Fifth Brother and Miss Yun. From today onwards, let bygones be bygones, and forget all that has happened." Zhan Tianhong's voice was gentle.
He gestured for Jiang Luoxi to enter.
These words were for Jiang Luoxi to hear, and also for Zhan Tianye and Yun Shu.
When the ruler of a nation offered peace, no matter how great the animosity or how unwilling one might be, past events should fade like smoke.
Jiang Luoxi murmured an assent and stepped inside.
She approached Zhan Tianhong, curtsied gracefully again, and then turned to bow to Zhan Tianye.
"Please forgive this consort, Your Highness Prince Ye. This consort, upon returning to the capital with the Empress Dowager, entered the palace at her request. The Empress Dowager arranged for this consort to go to Prince Ye's manor. This consort did not agree, but could not defy the Empress Dowager's orders, so I ask for Your Highness's understanding. As for other matters, as I was alone at the time and unable to persuade the Empress Dowager and the Regent, certain mistakes were made. In retrospect, this consort is indeed at fault."
Jiang Luoxi slowly offered her defense.
From her words, it sounded as if she bore little blame.
The faults lay entirely with the Empress Dowager and Zhan Ming.
Zhan Tianye's gaze, sharp as a sword, swept over Jiang Luoxi, then turned to Zhan Tianhong. "Congratulations to Your Majesty on gaining a favored consort."
Jiang Luoxi's face turned pale. She bit her lip and looked back at Zhan Tianhong, her expression showing a hint of difficulty and hesitation.
But inwardly, she wondered what Prince Ye meant by his words.
"Congratulations to Your Majesty. Miss Jiang is gentle and understanding, and comes from a prime minister's family. She will surely take good care of Your Majesty in the future. As for past matters, they are indeed trivial and need not be dwelled upon." Yun Shu smiled faintly, her lips curving.
Trivial matters need not be dwelled upon, but matters of life must be repaid with life!
Whether she was a favored consort or a mere insect, she thought she could simply let it all go.
Impossible.
Her killing intent burned fiercely, yet Yun Shu's smile became even more radiant and bright.
Jiang Luoxi found Yun Shu's smile unbearably piercing, almost causing her to lose her composure. Nevertheless, she replied gently, "Your Highness Prince Ye is magnanimous, and this consort is deeply grateful. Thank you also, Miss Yun. In the future, we will surely be like sisters, as His Majesty said, burying the hatchet."
Zhan Tianhong frowned and opened his mouth, intending to explain something to Yun Shu, but felt there was nothing he could say. "They are indeed trivial matters, let them pass like the wind. Much has happened in the palace today. When I later host a banquet, Fifth Brother, Miss Yun, and the General shall all be invited."
The two spoke one after the other.
Then, Zhan Tianye spoke indifferently, "This prince has urgent matters at his manor and will take his leave."
"This humble woman takes her leave."
"This general takes his leave."
The three departed together.
In the vast imperial study, only Zhan Tianhong and Jiang Luoxi remained.
They both stared blankly at the door for a moment.
Then, Jiang Luoxi collected herself, averted her gaze, and said softly to Zhan Tianhong, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for speaking on behalf of this consort. I believe Prince Ye will no longer trouble me."
She knew that Prince Ye and Yun Shu would not give up easily.
They would certainly seek revenge for Elder Master Qin!
But what of it? She was now Zhan Tianhong's favored consort, mistress of a palace.
Everything was their speculation; they had no proof yet.
Moreover, the Emperor had already begun to guard against them and would not easily heed their words.
"Jiang Luoxi, do not make me regret helping you. When no one else is present, do not refer to yourself as 'this consort' in front of me," Zhan Tianhong warned sternly.