Chapter 210 Shadow Puppet Show
The next day.
When Song Shiwei woke up, Xiao Jingheng had already gone to court.
Today is the day when the envoys from Beiming officially meet with the emperor, so as the regent, he naturally cannot be lazy.
But the man's energy is a little too good.
She was tormented so badly last night that her body felt like it was falling apart. It was true that this man was not to be trifled with.
Song Shiwei lay lazily on the bed, not wanting to move. Suddenly, she heard Qin Yueyao's voice coming from outside: "It's already so late and she hasn't gotten up yet. Is she sick? I'll go in and take a look."
Zhu Qing wanted to stop her but failed. When the prince left, he specifically reminded that no one was allowed to disturb the young lady, but Qin Yueyao was too concerned for him.
The door opened, Qin Yueyao walked in and looked at Song Shiwei lying on the bed. She sat down in front of the couch and reached out to touch her forehead.
She didn't have a fever, but her face was strangely red, and upon closer inspection, there were some red marks on her neck.
Qin Yueyao reacted immediately, covering her mouth and said, "You..."
Song Shiwei pulled the quilt and said as if it was a matter of course: "If I say that when Shen Linchuan and I got married, I was consummating the marriage with Xiao Jingheng, would you believe it?"
Qin Yueyao widened her eyes, feeling incredible: "You hid it very well, I thought you and Shen Linchuan were just in name only."
Song Shiwei said: "But it was only that night. After that, Jamel Xiao always respected me. I took the initiative to seduce him last night."
She sat up and dressed slowly.
Qin Yueyao looked at the ambiguous traces on her body and blushed with shame, but she still asked curiously: "Is there any reason?"
Song Shiwei's eyes dimmed, and she said: "The sky in the capital is about to change. Xiao Jingheng may be in danger, and he plans to send me away from Beijing."
Qin Yueyao was startled and asked hurriedly, "What's going on?"
Song Shiwei said: "You will know soon. In short, you should be careful during this period of time."
She did not tell Qin Yueyao what had happened. Even if she told her, they would be powerless and would only add to her troubles.
The only thing they can do is to protect themselves and not cause them trouble.
That night.
Emperor Hui held a banquet in the palace to entertain the envoys from Beiming. In addition to court officials, some noble ladies from aristocratic families were also invited, and Song Shiwei was no exception.
Although the two countries have not held formal peace talks, His Majesty's meaning is clear.
Emperor Hui was not happy about sending the princess to marry, so he summoned all the unmarried noble ladies in the capital to a banquet, hoping that one of them could win the favor of Prince Beiming.
Just before the banquet was about to begin, Princess Chengyang and her husband arrived late.
Huo Zheng was still wearing a mask today, and he attracted countless people's attention as soon as he appeared.
Perhaps it’s because of the mask on his face that gives people a sense of mystery.
Princess Chengyang and her husband first paid their respects to Emperor Hui, then expressed their apologies, saying, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. My husband is not in good health, so I am late."
Emperor Hui's eyes fell on Huo Zheng, and he said in a calm voice, "It's okay, Princess and Prince Consort, please take your seats."
Princess Chengyang thanked him and then sat down with Huo Zheng.
Everyone has arrived and the banquet has officially begun.
After a round of singing and dancing, Princess Chengyang stood up and said, "Nanli's singing and dancing are so beautiful and pleasing to the eyes.
For today's feast, we at Beiming have also prepared some entertainment for Your Majesty, please accept it."
"Oh?"
Emperor Hui was full of expectation: "Then I'd like to take a good look at it."
Princess Chengyang smiled and said, "Then I will show you my ugliness."
As she spoke, she clapped her hands, and several candles in the hall went out. Then a light came on in the center of the hall, illuminating a picture in a wooden frame.
It's shadow play.
Nanli rarely sees shadow puppet shows, and the ladies at the banquet were all very excited and watched them attentively.
But when Song Shiwei saw the story performed by the shadow play, she felt something was wrong.
Huo Zheng compiled his story into a shadow play and performed it in front of His Majesty's civil and military officials.
Sure enough, Emperor Hui discovered that the story of the shadow puppets was the truth he had always wanted to hide.
He was a little flustered for a moment, staring at the people in the audience with vigilance.
Due to the dim vision, Emperor Hui couldn't see the faces of the people clearly. He could only see that they were watching the shadow play intently.
Suddenly, Emperor Hui's eyes fell on the masked man in the audience.
This play was presented by the Bei Ming people. Why did they know everything he did?
Who is it?
Emperor Hui secretly clenched his hands. At this moment, the shadow play light went out and the play ended. Everyone was immersed in the tragic and unjust death of the general in the play.
Suddenly, a man's deep voice sounded: "Your Majesty, do you think this play is familiar?"
Emperor Hui was shocked and stared at the man who was speaking with a cold and sharp gaze. He was the consort of Princess Chengyang.
He suppressed his shock and asked, "What does this mean, Prince Consort?"
Huo Zheng pulled the corner of his lip and asked him: "Your Majesty, don't you think that the general who was wrongly killed in the play is very similar to the general of the Huo family?"
When the general of the Huo family was mentioned, everyone at the banquet took a deep breath. No one dared to mention the Huo family in front of His Majesty for so many years.
This Prince Consort of Bei Ming is either ignorant of his own limitations or he is deliberately provoking me.
Emperor Hui said with a cold face: "Your Highness is overstepping your authority. Who are you to dare to discuss the state affairs of Nanli?
I think the prince consort is drunk, so I won't bother with you."
"Ah."
Huo Zheng sneered: "You dare to do it but not take the responsibility. Your Majesty, do you really think that you have all the means to hide it from everyone in the world?"
"You are presumptuous!"
Emperor Hui was furious and gave an order: "Come here, kick this man out for me."
However, there was complete silence in the hall. Emperor Hui looked at Cui Xingjian and asked, "Didn't you hear what I said?"
"Father."
Xiao Jingheng stood up and said, "Master Cui is following my orders."
Emperor Hui was shocked. He looked at Xiao Jingheng and asked, "Do you want to rebel?"
Xiao Jingheng bowed to him and said, "I have never had the intention of being disloyal.
But today I would like to ask my father to redress the injustice done to the Huo family army and make the truth known to the world."
"Hahaha."
Emperor Hui laughed and said, "Heng'er, you have been waiting for this day for a long time, right?
If you want to know something, you can just come and ask me. Why did you make such a big scene to upset me?"
"I asked you, didn't I?"
Xiao Jingheng looked at him and said, "I asked you this more than once when I was a child, have you forgotten?
Today, in front of all the court officials, I will ask you again, how did my mother die, and how did the Huo family fall? Please answer truthfully, father."
Emperor Hui looked extremely unhappy: "What do you want me to answer?
Your mother hanged herself to death, and the Huo family was annihilated because they colluded with Bei Ming. This is my answer."
Xiao Jingheng felt disappointed when he heard his answer.
He should have known long ago that his father had already lost his humanity due to being trapped in this position.
And he shouldn't have any more hope in him.