Chapter 200: Beili Emperor Enraged
The Great General’s residence seemed calm that day, but everyone was panicking on the inside. The servants and attendants, especially those who had witnessed the old madam’s attack, cursed her endlessly behind her back.
’She nearly stabbed her own son to death. How could someone be so heartless?’
The steward and attendants present at the time had been too stunned. The moment when Ye Qianning had tossed the old madam aside with one hand happened so fast that, in their shock, they had mistaken it for a simple push.
That afternoon, news of Xiang Minghou’s grave injury had spread to all the major manors in the Capital City.
The sun had already set by the time the Beili Emperor found out. He was so furious he wanted to chop off the heads of the Xiang family’s old madam and second branch. The war on the northern border was going terribly.
The court ministers had agreed that Xiang Minghou should lead the expedition. The Beili Emperor had already drafted the imperial edict, intending for Xiang Minghou to assume command and set out for the northern border the very next day. Who would have thought that before he could even depart, the Great General himself would be stabbed by his own mother, leaving him on the brink of death.
’How despicable! For an old woman to dare harm a general of the nation—it’s unforgivable, even if she is his mother!’
The Beili Emperor sat in the Imperial Study, growing more furious the more he dwelled on it. "Attendants!"
"Your Majesty." Mr. Li hurried into the room.
"Banish that vicious old hag from the Xiang family and the entire second branch to a country estate. They are never to be allowed back into the Capital City."
Mr. Li hesitated.
"If you have something to say, then say it," the Beili Emperor said, shooting him a sidelong glance.
"Your Majesty, she is General Xiang’s biological mother, after all. Banishing her to an estate... I’m afraid it might not be wise."
"What’s not wise about it? It is an act of grace that I haven’t had them beheaded for harming the General." The Beili Emperor knew a fair bit about the Xiang family’s affairs; aside from Xiang Minghou, not a single one of them was worth anything.
’Xiang Minghou’s father had been a formidable man in his own right, but he’d married a venomous woman and was quite literally angered to death. I will not let Xiang Minghou follow in his father’s footsteps.’
"That may be so, but the common people won’t know the full story. It will look as though General Xiang is living in glory and riches while his own mother and brother are made to suffer a fate worse than death. If someone were to use this to stir up trouble and ruin the General’s reputation, and word spread to other nations, it would harm Beili’s prestige as well." Mr. Li had been the Emperor’s study companion since they were children and had grown up with him, which was why he dared to speak so frankly.
The Beili Emperor considered this. ’He has a point,’ he thought. Xiang Minghou was a valiant and skilled warrior. If this situation were twisted by others, it would indeed be a stain on the nation’s honor.
"Do you have a better solution, Mr. Li?"
"This servant believes we should first have General Xiang sever his ties with the Xiang family. That way, we will have a clear justification should any trouble arise in the future."
"Have Xiang Minghou disowned? I fear he would be unwilling."
"It is not the General who would be disowned, Your Majesty. It is the old madam and the second branch who would be cast out from the clan."
Upon hearing this, an idea sparked in the Beili Emperor’s eyes. He looked at Mr. Li with great pleasure. "When it comes to handling such matters, you truly know best."
"Your Majesty is too kind," Mr. Li said with a bow.
"You cunning old fox," the Beili Emperor said with a laugh. "If you weren’t a eunuch, you could easily hold your own among the officials in my court."
"This servant is unworthy. My only wish is to serve Your Majesty well and ease your burdens. That is all the contentment I need."
"Enough. You may withdraw. Go and handle the matter at the Great General’s residence swiftly."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Mr. Li withdrew.
「The Great General’s Residence, Yuehua Small Building.」
It was late in the night when Xiang Minghou regained consciousness. He turned his head, his gaze sweeping over the room, and only then did he realize he was in Yuehua Small Building. The day’s events flashed through his mind, and the light in his eyes dimmed.
"General, you’re awake!" Luo Wen exclaimed, overjoyed.
"Mm."
"This is wonderful! I’ll go inform the Eldest Miss right away."
"Wait... COUGH, COUGH..."
"General, don’t move! You’ll pull at your wound," Luo Wen said, rushing forward to hold him still.
Xiang Minghou shook his head slightly. "Don’t... go."
"General, you don’t want me to tell the Eldest Miss?"
Xiang Minghou nodded.
"Alright. Just lie still, General. Don’t move. I’ll be right here."