176: How to deal with Xu Xuanwu?

"Oh? Xu Xuanwu has been escorted back?"

Zheng Yi pulled his hand out and said coldly, "Where is he locked up?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, he is currently still locked up in the Jinyi Guard Imperial Prison."

"Do the ministers in the court have any proposed solutions?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, the ministers in the court have split into several factions; some advocate capital punishment, some advocate lenient handling, and most ministers still advocate... killing him."

Liu Chengen quickly lowered his head and said, "However, how to handle this still depends primarily on Your Majesty."

Zheng Yi tapped with one hand, feeling the warm, smooth, and soft texture in his hand, and asked, "What about Great General Xu? Has he returned?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, the Great General has already returned from the Nanzhao Kingdom, and at the same time brought back Princess Lingyin of the Nanzhao Kingdom."

Liu Chengen said, "After reporting to the Empress, this servant arranged for her to stay in the Lingyin Palace of the inner court under the Empress's arrangement."

"Step down, We have Our own plans."

"Understood!"

After sending Liu Chengen away, Zheng Yi rubbed his head.

Dealing with Xu Xuanwu is indeed a bit tricky.

Xu Mujun has only a son and a daughter; the daughter is a Noble Consort, but the son rebelled.

No matter who it is for, this is an extremely difficult matter to handle.

Simply killing him has both advantages and disadvantages.

There are many benefits, such as setting an example, the Son of Heaven committing crimes the same as commoners, boosting morale, and so on.

But the disadvantages are also numerous.

On the surface, Xu Mujun and Xu Qingluan certainly won't say anything, but he doesn't know what they will say behind his back.

Xu Mujun is dedicated to the country, but who can guarantee that after a long time, he will not have other thoughts.

As for Xu Qingluan, from then on she would also become alienated and lose heart.

After all, killing her own biological brother, and seeing each other every day, this...

At this moment, a pair of small hands pressed against his temples and gently massaged them.

"Your Majesty, are you having a headache? This concubine will massage it for you."

Looking up, it turned out to be Consort Lan, wearing light gauze that was already tightly clinging to her tender, white, delicate body.

"Consort Lan~"

Among the many nobles who frequently come to the White Jade Capital, Consort Lan holds the highest rank.

Because other concubines are unwilling to serve Your Majesty together with other women.

On the contrary, Consort Lan never tires of this, and often develops some new ways of playing for Zheng Yi.

Therefore, Zheng Yi likes Consort Lan very much.

He specially conferred her the title of Consort Lan and let her manage the Pool of Wine and Forest of Meat.

Zheng Yi closed his eyes as Consort Lan gently massaged him, her breath fragrant like orchids as she said, "Does Your Majesty have anything troubling your mind? Why not tell this concubine and let me hear it?"

"My mother once said that when you have something troubling your mind and speak it out, you will feel much better~"

Zheng Yi's eyes remained closed as he said, "This matter is no secret; both I and the ministers in the court have a headache over how to deal with Xu Xuanwu."

"Your Majesty, this concubine has something to say, but I do not know if it should be said or not?"

"Speak."

"This matter... actually Great General Xu did wrong."

"Oh? What is your reasoning?"

"Regarding rebels, it would suffice to kill them directly on the battlefield. Who would have thought that Great General Xu actually brought Xu Xuanwu back instead."

Consort Lan said softly, "On the surface, it is said to let Your Majesty handle him personally and execute him according to law, but isn't his purpose to let Your Majesty spare Xu Xuanwu's life?"

"This is putting Your Majesty to roast on the fire~"

Zheng Yi's heart stirred; what Consort Lan said indeed made some sense.

Did this approach by Xu Xuanwu really mean to spare Xu Xuanwu's life?

Zheng Yi turned his hand over and pulled Consort Lan into his arms, staring at her earnestly as he said, "I didn't expect you to give me a different train of thought. Tell me, what solution do you have for this matter?"

Consort Lan glanced around, quietly leaned close to Zheng Yi's ear, and said, "Your Majesty, this concubine heard that Great General Xu only has one son and one daughter, and has never remarried since his lawful wife passed away over twenty years ago?"

"Mhm, correct."

"Of the three unfilial acts, having no descendants is the greatest. Xu Mujun only has this one son, Xu Xuanwu, and Xu Xuanwu has never been rumored to have married or fathered children for all these years. If Great General Xu had another son, that would be great."

"Another son?"

Zheng Yi shook his head and said, "How could it be that easy? Minister Xu is devoted to martial arts and once swore never to marry again."

"If the Great General doesn't remarry, aren't there other people?"

"Other people... Mhm?"

Zheng Yi's eyes suddenly lit up, and he laughed heartily, "Hahaha, as expected of my Beloved Consort! This plan... is feasible!"

He picked Consort Lan up in one sweep and laid her horizontally on the soft couch.

"My Beloved Consort has a good idea, and My heart is greatly pleased. I wonder what reward my Beloved Consort wants?"

Consort Lan said shyly, "This concubine does not want a reward, I only want..."

"Only want what?"

"I only want... to have a son or a half, to spread branches and leave leaves for Your Majesty~"

"This matter is simple!"

Zheng Yi laughed heartily and immediately pounced on her.

An hour later, a wisp of Innate Pure Yang Qi was channeled into Consort Lan's body to help her conceive!

The next day, Zheng Yi received Chen Zhong and Chen Yi, inquiring in detail about Xu Xuanwu's performance along the way.

Xu Xuanwu was locked up in the imperial prison, while Xu Mujun had kept his mansion gates tightly locked ever since returning to the capital, ignoring worldly affairs and refusing to see anyone who requested an audience.

Afterwards, accompanied by Chen Zhong and Chen Yi, he personally went to the Jinyi Guard prison to inspect.

The current Xu Xuanwu had long lost his spirited and vigorous look from his early years, and had instead turned into a useless cripple.

With stubble on his face, hair stuck to his scalp as if it hadn't been washed for days, his entire person collapsed directly on the ground, and his body was dark and stinky.

He lay flat on the ground snoring deeply, showing no reaction to the coming and going of others.

The present Xu Xuanwu had his tendons in hands and feet severed, his Dantian crippled, entirely a useless person.

"He has always been like this?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, ever since his Dantian was crippled by the Great General, Xu Xuanwu has remained like this."

Chen Zhong said, "The two of us escorted him back to the capital, and for nearly three months, every day he did nothing but sleep and drink..."

"Has he given up on himself?"

Zheng Yi said indifferently, "In that case, it is even easier to resolve. Return to the palace."

"Understood!"

After returning to the palace, under Zheng Yi's secret instigation, a female Shadow Guard came before him.

"this servant kowtows to Your Majesty!"

Zheng Yi asked, "What is your name?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, this servant is Zhong Chun."

"Raise your head."

"Understood!"

The woman raised her head, and Zheng Yi's brows furrowed slightly.

Not to mention that this woman was somewhat plump in build, her face was also covered with freckles, her lips were thin, and she looked somewhat mean.

Although her overall appearance was somewhat ordinary, she was the kind of person who couldn't be found once thrown into a crowd.

As a Shadow Guard, her loyalty was unquestionable.

Zheng Yi said directly, "Zhong Chun, I have a task here to assign to you. Are you willing to accept it?"

"this servant will not refuse even if it means death!"

"You don't need to die."

Zheng Yi said indifferently, "I need you to bear a child for a person. If you can give birth to a boy, your task in the future will be to take good care of this child."

"Furthermore, you will also have a lifetime of glory, wealth, and endless enjoyment!"

Zhong Chun said respectfully, "Your Majesty's command, this servant will not refuse even if it means death."

"Good, then you shall follow Chen Zhong's arrangements."

"Understood!"

Zhong Chun slowly retreated, while Zheng Yi turned around and came to Xianfu Palace.

Consort Duan Xu Qingluan had been pregnant for about nine months and was about to give birth.

"This concubine greets Your Majesty."

"Beloved Consort, please rise."

Zheng Yi hurriedly helped Xu Qingluan up: "Beloved Consort is about to give birth; these empty courtesies can be waived."

"Thank Your Majesty for your grace and pity."

After some tender moments, Zheng Yi asked, "Beloved Consort, your older brother Xu Xuanwu has already been escorted back to the capital. I want to hear your opinion on how to deal with him."

Xu Qingluan said with internal conflict, "Your Majesty, as a daughter of the Xu Family, this concubine naturally wants Your Majesty to pardon my brother."

"However... this concubine is Your Majesty's woman. My brother has committed a capital crime and naturally deserves to be punished."

As she spoke, Xu Qingluan was about to kneel down again, but was stopped by Zheng Yi.

"Beloved Consort, I have said that you are about to give birth, you do not need to bow."

"Your Majesty..."

As she spoke, Xu Qingluan's tears streamed down,

"Please, for the sake of this concubine and the unborn child in my belly, spare my older brother's life and exile him to the northern lands..."

Zheng Yi said, "I know."

Several days later, late at night.

Jinyi Guard prison.

Chen Zhong brought Zhong Chun quietly into the imperial prison and saw Xu Xuanwu, who had been specially scrubbed clean.

However, at this time Xu Xuanwu was still thoroughly drunk, but the odd thing was that he was completely naked, his body was fiery red, and he was constantly struggling.

Especially his lower body stood erect, and he kept talking nonsense in his mouth.

Chen Zhong said in a low voice, "It seems the medicine has taken effect. As expected of the miraculous medicine given by Taiyuan Hospital, it can take effect in such a short time."

"Father-in-law."

Zhong Chun looked and said in surprise, "Xu Xuanwu? Your Majesty asked this servant to..."

"Shh...!"

Chen Zhong said, "Everything only needs to be done according to Your Majesty's plan; do not delay Your Majesty's major event."

"this servant knows."

Zhong Chun took a deep breath. Although for this assignment, the Shadow Guard specially found a few matrons to instruct her on this matter,

However...

As an unmarried maiden experiencing it for the first time, it was inevitably somewhat awkward.

Chen Zhong seemed to notice something and quietly retreated.

Zhong Chun took a deep breath, opened the cell door, and slowly walked in.

Then standing before Xu Xuanwu, she gritted her teeth fiercely, removed her own clothes, and lowered her body.

In the darkness, Chen Zhong's figure appeared once more, looking afar at the figures of the two people inside the cell.

I do not know when, breathing began to accelerate, and in the end he let out a long sigh.

In the following half month, Zhong Chun came here almost every day, changing from initial shyness to numbness.

As for Xu Xuanwu, he also sensed something; when he was sober during the day, he would shout loudly, wanting to know who was by his side at night.

But the guarding Jinyi Guards completely ignored him.

Every late night, someone would always come in to pin him down and pour in a large amount of aphrodisiac, just waiting for Zhong Chun's arrival.

After more than half a month like this, Zhong Chun finally felt a trace of something amiss.

Under the pulse-taking of the Taiyi physician, she was pregnant!

For this reason, Zhong Chun specially entered the palace to seek an audience with Your Majesty.

"Your Majesty, this servant is pregnant."

Zhong Chun knelt before Zheng Yi, her expression neither sad nor happy, revealing no unusual emotion whatsoever.

Beside her, Chen Zhong stood silently.

"Rise."

"Thank Your Majesty."

Zhong Chun stood up, and Zheng Yi looked up and down at Zhong Chun's belly.

After using the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror to have children for so long, Zheng Yi already had some corresponding perception of the Yin and Yang Qi.

He could faintly perceive that a trace of illusory Yang Qi was contained within Zhong Chun's belly.

That is to say...

Inside Zhong Chun's belly, what she carried was a boy!

Zheng Yi said, "Chen Zhong, from now on you shall protect Zhong Chun, protecting her until the child in her womb is born."

"Understood!"

Chen Zhong suddenly asked, "Your Majesty, what if it is a girl?"

Zheng Yi glanced at him and said, "Regardless of whether it is male or female, this is My final bit of kindness towards the Xu Family, do you understand?"

"this servant obeys the decree!"