Remarrying Chun Yuan

Emperor Qi Xiao still couldn't give an answer because he realized he couldn't make the decision himself.

The Golden Feather Guards were under Yuan Cuo's command, including the secret guards, who were also under his sole command...

The two major institutions in the capital both obeyed his orders.

But by his side, there was only Cheng Hai?

"Go find him and ask him how to handle this matter." Emperor Qi Xiao recalled Yuan Cuo's earlier comment that he was a "mediocre ruler." "Doesn't he consider himself more enlightened than me? Then let him be the executioner. I just want to rest in peace."

"I'm really getting old, and I've suddenly become soft-hearted."

He truly couldn't bring himself to harm his son or the people around him.

Perhaps the Qi court needs a new round of reshuffling in order to attract better new forces.

Upon thinking of the words "new vitality," Emperor Qi Xiao closed his eyes. These three words were not coined by him, but by Yuan Cuo.

Cheng Hai: "..."

He knew that His Majesty would back down again this time.

When Cheng Hai went to see Yuan Cuo, Yuan Cuo was punishing the arsonists.

This person is a carving master participating in the carving competition.

He claimed it was the anniversary of his parents' death, so he was burning paper money as an offering. Unexpectedly, the wind blew a spark, igniting the wood and causing a raging fire. He insisted it was unintentional; he truly meant no harm.

Yuan Cuo immediately ordered his guards to hang him up and beat him to death.

An official stepped forward to protest, "It was an unintentional mistake, why be so cruel? Besides, Madam Liu is not dead, she's just missing, and perhaps she can be found, but he's truly dead!"

"So what? Are you going to die with him?" Yuan Cuo had lost his usual humility and was unusually cold.

"I am merely stating a possibility. Even if you are the Duke of Baoguo, you cannot indiscriminately kill innocent people. This is a violation of etiquette!" The official spoke toughly, but took two steps back, fearing that he would actually be captured and beaten to death by the secret guards.

"Innocent? You think he's innocent for offering sacrifices to his parents in the royal garden?" Yuan Cuo sneered and waved his finger.

The guards immediately stepped forward and pinned the official down!

The man was terrified and cried out repeatedly, "Yuan Cuo is using his official position to oppress people!"

"I used to think you were a hero of the Great Qi, but now it seems that you have become arrogant and domineering after gaining immense power, indiscriminately killing innocent people!"

"How can you do this to the people of Daqi, to your conscience... Waaah!" The man was tied up like a dumpling and his mouth was gagged.

Yuan Cuo didn't even bother to pay attention to him, and only said indifferently, "If you had eaten the grain donated by Yue Niang during the snow disaster, you shouldn't have said such things. If you had also worn the cotton-padded coat donated by Yue Niang to keep warm and get through the winter, saying such things would be ungrateful."

"What's wrong with the Duke of Baoguo? Should the Duke of Baoguo open his doors to be morally blackmailed and manipulated by people like you who only know how to talk big?"

"I sit in this position today for the sake of my wife and children. Now, my wife has perished in a fire and disappeared because of his sacrifice. Not only will I not kill him, but once I find out his background, his ancestors in the grave will not have peace either!"

As soon as Yuan Cuo finished speaking, cries of pain, groans, and muffled moans rose and fell.

But none of the onlookers dared to utter another word.

Cheng Hai heard the heart-wrenching screams from a great distance.

He went over to take a look and found that he had only killed two.

I breathed a slight sigh of relief.

The protesting sixth-rank official was already on his deathbed. When he saw Cheng Hai appear, he desperately reached out his hand, trying to beg for his life. But Cheng Hai stepped on his mouth instead, saying, "How many good deeds has Madam Liu done for the Great Qi? How dare you pretend to be a compassionate person here!"

With a forceful stomp of his toe, he crushed the man's head.

The gruesome sight of the mangled flesh terrified everyone, who covered their faces and screamed. They thought that Yuan Cuo had already been cruel enough by beating someone to death, but they never expected that Cheng Hai would be even more ruthless.

No wonder he is His Majesty's close confidant and the commander of the secret guards.

Yuan Cuo glanced at Cheng Hai, clearly understanding Cheng Hai's purpose.

Cheng Hai had his guards bring him a new pair of shoes. After changing, he walked up to Yuan Cuo and asked, "Lord Duke, may I have a word with you?"

Yuan Cuo, however, remained seated, waving his hand to dismiss everyone around him.

Everyone was already eager to leave, and upon hearing the guards' command, they immediately turned and ran.

Only Hou Lai, Yuan Cuo, and Cheng Hai remained here... not counting the two whose bodies had not yet been recovered.

"The Duke has heard about the declaration of war from the State of Chu, hasn't he?" Cheng Hai asked cautiously.

Yuan Cuo nodded slightly, "But this is not my place to interfere; only he can handle it personally." He had already guessed Cheng Hai's purpose in coming.

Cheng Hai was taken aback; he hadn't said anything yet.

"His Majesty is also at a loss for what to do. As you know, this matter has greatly affected His Majesty, both for Lady Liu and for Emperor Chu." He could only back down; he couldn't very well say that Emperor Chu didn't want to bear the infamy.

Yuan Cuo sneered, "I've known Eunuch Cheng since I can remember. You know me, and I know you." So this might fool others, but saying it to him?

Only a dog would believe that.

Cheng Hai: "..." He didn't want to do this either, but was there no other way?

"Actually, we are also very puzzled. The fire started in a very subtle way. Besides, these two ancestors couldn't have disappeared without a trace. There must have been some clues, right?" Cheng Hai really couldn't figure it out.

“The person who burned paper money during the sacrifice was an orphan.” Yuan Cuo had already investigated the three generations of relatives of everyone who participated in the carving competition.

Cheng Hai's heart skipped a beat. So, this was someone else's doing?

"Now that the Yan and Meng kingdoms have severed ties with us and are no longer negotiating or cooperating, Your Majesty thinks it would be better to have the Duke come forward to negotiate."

"As for the whereabouts of Emperor Chu and Lady Liu, His Majesty still entrusts you with the authority to search with all your might. No matter how long it takes or where you search, we will never give up."

“This is absolutely not empty talk. My family can vouch for it with our lives.” As soon as Cheng Hai saw Yuan Cuo’s furrowed brows, he knew that Yuan Cuo was mocking Emperor Qi Xiao for making empty promises.

It's urgent, there's no other way but to let him step in? Who knows if Emperor Qi Xiao will change his mind after this matter is resolved?

Upon hearing this, Yuan Cuo remained expressionless, as if he had anticipated Qi Xiaodi's words and showed no emotion whatsoever, having long since grown tired of hearing them.

“Your Majesty can only issue an edict of self-reproach, acknowledging the mistake in this matter; otherwise, there is no solution.” He stated bluntly.

Cheng Hai: "???"

This could cost Emperor Qi Xiao his life.

"But His Majesty certainly didn't..."

“Are you sure he’s not wrong?” Yuan Cuo laughed. “Actually, it’s no use even if you’re convinced he’s innocent, including if I stand up and say he’s innocent.”

"Within three days, even more court officials will be pressuring His Majesty to abdicate and admit his mistakes!"

"Although the Crown Prince has gone mad, there's still one who hasn't!"