Chapter 5: Audience with the Emperor

Under the scorching sun, the crowd waited anxiously, while the man on the platform stood tall, sword in hand, unwavering.

After what felt like an eternity, the sound of hooves echoed down the main street once again.

When the riders arrived, the Chief Guard announced, “By the Emperor’s decree, there are irregularities in the case of former Minister of Revenue, Xie Yun. He and Miss Xie Ziyan are to be escorted to the palace for an audience with the Emperor without delay.”

One of the officials dismounted, approached Xie Yun, and said respectfully, “Minister Xie, Miss Xie, the Emperor has reviewed the evidence presented by Young Master Xie Qi and is now aware of your innocence. Please, both of you, follow us to the palace.”

Xie Yun replied, “Thank you, Chief Guard.”

He then turned to Lord Zhang and expressed his gratitude, “I am deeply indebted to you, Lord Zhang. Without your help today, I fear the outcome would have been dire. I will visit you personally to thank you properly in the future.”

Lord Zhang waved it off, “No need for thanks. We serve the same court, and you have always been dedicated to the people. How could I stand by and watch you suffer injustice? Go now, clear your name before the Emperor.”

After thanking Lord Zhang, Xie Yun and Ziyan followed the Chief Guard.

“Minister Xie, can you ride?” the Chief Guard asked.

“Thank you for your concern. I can manage,” Xie Yun replied, despite his injuries.

“Bring the horse,” the Chief Guard ordered.

Xie Yun, suppressing his pain, mounted the horse. Turning to his wife and children, he said, “Go home and wait for me. I will return.”

With tearful eyes, his family nodded. The youngest boy wiped away his tears and declared, “I will protect Mother and Sister.”

“Good boy,” Xie Yun said with a smile.

Ziyan added, “You’re such a good boy, Gu’er. When I return, I’ll buy you some sweets.”

The boy rolled his eyes. “I don’t even like sweets.”

Ziyan introduced their escort, “Second Sister-in-law, Yu’er, this is Brother Mu. He will escort you home. Prepare a meal for us; we’ll be back soon.”

“Of course, we’ll get everything ready,” they replied.

“Brother Mu, I leave them in your care,” Ziyan said.

“Don’t worry, I’ll see them home safely,” Mu assured her.

With that, the group rode toward the palace, following the Chief Guard.

Though they encountered two more waves of assassins along the way, they managed to reach the palace gates without serious harm. The Chief Guard dismounted first, quickly moving to help Xie Yun off his horse. But as Xie Yun dismounted, he suddenly grabbed the Chief Guard’s left hand, gripping it tightly. Through gritted teeth, he said, “You underestimate the Xie family.”

Only then did the others notice the glint of a sharp blade in the Chief Guard’s hand.

As Xie Yun restrained the Chief Guard, Ziyan moved swiftly to his side. The Chief Guard, realizing he was caught, attempted to bite down on a poison capsule hidden in his mouth. But Ziyan was faster, dislocating his jaw with a precise strike.

The guards at the palace gates quickly surrounded them, sending word to the Emperor.

After some commotion, they were finally granted an audience with the Emperor.

By the time they entered the throne room, the Emperor had already been informed of the assassination attempt.

Behind the imperial desk sat a man in his forties or fifties, his face stern and his body slightly corpulent. He read the memorials before him with a calm expression, exuding authority without anger. Standing before him was a handsome man in blue robes—Xie Qi, Xie Yun’s seventh son—who appeared completely at ease, showing no signs of nervousness in the Emperor’s presence.

After everyone paid their respects, the Emperor spoke, “Minister Xie, you knew you were innocent, so why did you not defend yourself?”

With a heavy heart, Xie Yun responded, “Your Majesty, I believed that the truth would speak for itself. I thought that since I had done nothing wrong, my innocence would be clear.

I grew up under your watch, Your Majesty, and I have always aspired to serve the country and its people, inspired by your teachings. I believed Your Majesty would see the truth. But…” His voice faltered, and tears welled up in his eyes.

The Emperor, now known as Emperor Qiyuan, had once been a young prince under the tutelage of Xie Yun’s father, Xie Dao, who served as his mentor. Back then, Emperor Qiyuan was a young man full of ambition, and Xie Yun, only a small child, looked up to him. The Emperor’s lofty ideals had left a deep impression on Xie Yun, shaping his own aspirations.

But now, the once idealistic prince had become a ruler, distant and burdened by the weight of the throne.