The princess regretted it.

Chapter 351 Begging for mercy

After Jin'an finished speaking, a brief silence fell in the hall. The emperor didn't respond immediately. He narrowed his eyes slightly, lost in thought. Mingyue's detention had indeed been due to Jiaoyu, but Jin'an's proposal now concerned the larger issue of how to deal with the Zhang family's rebellion. He weighed the pros and cons in his mind, a whirlwind of thoughts. After a moment's deliberation, he had already made a decision.

"Father understands. Get up!" the emperor said softly. Then, he called out to the outside of the hall, "Someone come."

As soon as he finished speaking, the familiar figure of Eunuch Fuquan appeared. He walked into the hall very quickly, his body bent and taking small steps.

"Fuquan, pass on my order and ask the Imperial Guard Zuo Quan to bring Mingyue here." The emperor looked indifferent, his tone calm but revealing the majesty of a superior, and he gave the orders slowly and unhurriedly.

"Yes!" Fuquan bowed and accepted the order, then turned and left.

"Come to my side." The emperor turned around and said to Jin An who was standing beside him, with a little more gentleness in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, Jin An hurriedly walked to the emperor's side, his steps light and urgent.

The emperor looked at his daughter in front of him, a hint of doting in his eyes. He reached out and gently tapped Jin An's forehead, half scolding and half jokingly saying, "Just tell me what you're thinking directly. You've learned to keep me in suspense!"

Jin An playfully shrank his neck like a child who had done something wrong, then stuck out his tongue. A well-behaved smile immediately appeared on his face, a smile as bright as the warm spring sun. "I'm just afraid that your Majesty will disapprove."

Soon, they heard light footsteps outside the palace. Eunuch Fuquan was in front, followed by the Left Commander of the Imperial Guards. The two of them walked into the palace with Mingyue.

Commander Zuo stepped forward and bowed to the emperor. "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. I have brought Mingyue with me."

Mingyue's spirits had recovered considerably, and her appearance and clothing appeared clean and tidy, presumably having tidied herself up before arriving. Arriving in the hall, Mingyue knelt with a thud, her body trembling slightly, her frail frame appearing even more fragile beneath the loose palace attire.

She lowered her head, her hair scattered messily on both sides of her cheeks, and her eyes showed a bit of panic and anxiety, like a frightened deer.

Hearing Commander Zuo's voice, she woke up as if from a dream, and hurriedly kowtowed to the ground, her forehead touching the cold ground, her voice trembling slightly: "Your Majesty, I, the guilty maid Mingyue, kowtow to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live long and long." Her hands were tightly gripping the ground, and her knuckles turned white due to the force.

The Emperor nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on Mingyue, who was kneeling on the ground. His expression was calm yet a bit scrutinizing. He spoke slowly, his voice low and authoritative, "Commander Zuo, have you investigated Mingyue's case?"

Hearing the emperor's question, Mingyue trembled slightly, her forehead still pressed against the ground, not daring to move.

"Your Majesty, we have investigated thoroughly and it is clear that she has no connection with the arson case." Zuo Quan answered neither humbly nor arrogantly, his words concise but skillful.

When the emperor asked him to detain Mingyue, he originally guessed that the emperor's intention was most likely to use her to cover up Princess Jiaoyu's mistakes.

Today, Eunuch Fuquan arrives with a decree, saying the Emperor wishes to see Mingyue and to bring her with him. Zuo Quan, a perceptive man, discerns a hidden meaning in Eunuch Fuquan's seemingly ordinary words—Mingyue's life, it seems, can be saved.

Therefore, he had instructed his men in advance to allow Mingyue some rest, so that at least she wouldn't look so disheveled. In his reply, he only emphasized the key point that Mingyue had nothing to do with the arson case, thus making it clear while avoiding any other details that might cause trouble, and awaiting the emperor's next instructions.

The Emperor naturally knew Mingyue had no connection to the arson case. If she were, given Zuo Quan's style, he would have reported it immediately. However, in order to release Mingyue, this investigation and reporting process was necessary.

The emperor nodded slightly, his gaze shifting from Zuo Quan to Mingyue, who was kneeling on the ground. After a moment's silence, he slowly spoke, "Since we have determined that she has nothing to do with it, then restore her freedom."

Mingyue's body trembled violently upon hearing this, and a look of surprise and disbelief instantly filled her eyes. She kowtowed repeatedly, her voice choking with emotion, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace..."

The emperor's expression did not change when he heard this. He just glanced at Jin An and said slowly, "You are in poor health now. It is not appropriate for you to work hard in the palace. It is better for you to make some arrangements and leave the palace!"

Upon hearing this, Mingyue was struck by lightning. She subconsciously raised her head slightly, her movements slow and cautious. A trace of doubt and fear flashed in her eyes. Her voice was almost inaudible as she stammered, "Your Majesty... I am a stupid servant and really don't understand what Your Majesty means..."

The moment the emperor looked at her, a hint of understanding flashed in Jin An's intelligent eyes. She instantly understood her father's deep meaning and realized that her father was paving the way for her to make a request.

So, she stepped forward at the opportune moment and spoke behind the Emperor, "Your Majesty, Mingyue, as Concubine Cen's aunt, has been loyal and devoted to her for many years. Concubine Cen is currently focusing on organizing the annual banquet, a crucial event within the palace, with numerous complex and intricate details that require capable assistance. Since it has been established that Mingyue has no involvement in this matter, I, your humble servant, implore Your Majesty to allow her to return to serve Concubine Cen. This way, Concubine Cen will have less worries, and the annual banquet will be more successful and comprehensive."

The emperor turned his gaze slightly towards Jin An, who was standing before him, and spoke with a gentle tone, "Well—since you have spoken up for her, I will grant you this favor. Mingyue, Princess Jin An has spoken for you today, so you can go back with her."

Upon hearing this, Mingyue turned to look at Jin'an, her eyes filled with gratitude. She quickly bowed and kowtowed, her voice trembling, "Princess, your kindness is so great, I will never forget it! I... I have no way of repaying you..."

Jin An smiled slightly, took a step forward, and spoke gently, "Mingyue, you don't have to be like this. I just remember that you served Concubine Cen for many years, and I couldn't bear to see you suffer. Today, my father has shown me mercy, so you will come with me back to Concubine Cen and do your job well."

Upon hearing this, tears welled up in Mingyue's eyes and her voice choked with sobs: "Yes... yes... I will remember the princess's teachings."

The emperor waved his hand gently, his tone calm: "Alright, since Jin'an has pleaded for you, I will not pursue the matter any further. You can return with Jin'an, serve Concubine Cen well, and do not cause any more trouble."

Mingyue kowtowed quickly: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great grace! Thank you, Princess, for your great kindness!"

Jin An nodded slightly, turned around and saluted the emperor: "Father, I will take Mingyue back there."

The emperor nodded, his eyes showing some approval: "Go, comfort Concubine Cen and don't let her worry too much."

Jin'an understood and responded, then bid farewell to the emperor and left the hall with Mingyue.

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