Marrying a concubine and swallowing her dowry? The mistress turns around and marries a high-ranking

Chapter 482

Xie Qingmo helped him conquer the country and pacify the world, supporting him all the way to the throne. His achievements were unparalleled, and he was deeply loved by the people and widely respected by his subjects.

If he had wronged Xie Qingmo in the slightest, the whole world would condemn him and nail him to the pillar of shame for his ingratitude.

Not to mention, he didn't have the ability to take direct action. If they openly broke off relations, given the Xie family's strength, he would likely be the one to lose if they retaliated.

They can only resort to underhanded tactics.

When Xie Qingmo swept across the land and led her army back in triumph, Huo Tingsheng held a grand welcome banquet for her at the Western Qi Imperial Palace.

He poisoned the very first drink he served her as a welcome gift.

Xie Qingmo returned in triumph, full of pride and joy. Little did she know that her husband had already harbored murderous intent towards her, and instead served her a cup of poisoned wine.

She took it and drank it all in one gulp.

There was nothing unusual at the time, because it was a slow-acting poison that took many days to gradually take effect.

Xie Qingmo's physical health was not affected, but his mental state became increasingly unstable.

At the same time, Huo Tingsheng also began preparations to wipe out the Xie family.

As the poison took effect, Xie Qingmo's temper became increasingly volatile, his personality changed drastically, and he became increasingly unable to control his behavior.

The once brilliant and radiant female marshal gradually transformed into a confused, irrational, and tyrannical woman.

He would punish his servants at the drop of a hat, berate his officials in court, and even beat foreign envoys in public at state banquets.

In just six months, Xie Qingmo's image gradually collapsed as she repeatedly embarrassed herself, becoming the mad queen in everyone's eyes. Relying on her merit in supporting the emperor, she began to act recklessly and wantonly, and was no longer loved by anyone.

Huo Tingsheng's repeated tolerance of her established his image as a kind and righteous person, and the public even generally said that he was too sentimental and biased towards Xie Qingmo without any bottom line.

When the people's resentment towards Xie Qingmo reached its peak, Xie Qingmo once got into a fight with someone during the most important national sacrificial ceremony, smashing the scene and directly ruining the ceremony.

This crime was far too serious. The court officials, having reached their limit of tolerance, united to plead for Huo Tingsheng to punish Xie Qingmo.

Under pressure from his ministers, Huo Tingsheng "had no choice" but to banish her to the Cold Palace.

At that time, Xie Qingmo and Huo Tingsheng's only son, Huo Xiu, who was only nine years old at the time, tried his best to protect his mother, which angered Huo Tingsheng. He was also deposed as crown prince and sent to the cold palace.

She was also stripped of her military power, and the Azure Phoenix Army was handed over to her deputy general.

The Azure Phoenix Army refused to submit, resulting in a bloody massacre and the loss of nearly a third of their forces before the unrest was finally suppressed.

Huo Tingsheng abolished the name of the Azure Phoenix Army, and the army was dismantled and reorganized. Xie Qingmo's deputy general was promoted to the position of Grand Marshal of the Army.

From then on, the legendary and invincible Qingluan Army ceased to exist in the world.

Xie Qingmo suffered greatly in the cold palace and died of illness within a few months.

Huo Xiu, in league with the Xie family, secretly transported Xie Qingmo's body out for a detailed examination, only to discover that she had been poisoned and that her drastic change in personality was due to the effects of the poison.

It was only at this point that they discovered it was Huo Tingsheng who had harmed Xie Qingmo; it was all his scheme.