Chapter 162: Mercy

“She?”

Shen Lang had just turned over a green-headed token and was contemplating the temper of the gentle Consort Wen. 

Today, he considered calling upon the favored concubine, finding some new, tender amusement in her company. But when Zheng Bao came up to him and whispered in his ear, Shen Lang’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

His eyes first showed astonishment, then amusement.

Zheng Bao hesitated, “This matter does not conform to etiquette. Should we dismiss her?”

Shen Lang raised his hand, “No, I would like to hear what she has to say.”

Zheng Bao, slightly surprised, thought to himself: The political tides are turbulent, and at this moment, the eldest daughter of the Duke’s family daring to seek an audience with the Emperor—what could her intentions be?

But he kept his thoughts to himself and went to summon Xiao Shu.

Xiao Shu had been waiting outside for quite some time.

She had expected to feel fear and unease about her choice, but as she gazed at the light spilling from the windows of the Qianqing Palace, her mind was clearer than ever: her aunt was wrong—terribly wrong!

The most revered person in the world is the Emperor. 

Even though Empress Dowager was his biological mother and held great prestige, how could she stand against the Emperor?

Not to mention supporting Prince Linzi!

While Shen Jie was indeed refined and cultured, it was not enough to compel Xiao Shu to marry him. Her interest was not solely in becoming the princess of Linzi but in the possibility of ascending to the position of Empress in the future!

Now that Wen Zhaoyi is pregnant and Xiao Shu has angered Jiang Boyou by smearing Jiang Xuening, she has already clearly tested the Emperor’s attitude towards the Xiao family. What else could be unclear?

Aunt’s words were not wrong.

In the imperial family, there is no such thing as father and son, no true relationship.

In fact, not only in the imperial family but in any household with power and wealth, familial bonds are particularly thin. Common folk value filial piety because they have nothing but family to cling to; those with power, however, can have everything in the world, making familial ties seem insignificant in comparison.

So, what does the rise and fall of the Xiao family mean to her?

Moreover, she is already struggling to save herself!

Zheng Bao came out to deliver the message. She thanked him and entered, first performing a deep bow.

Shen Lang looked down at her from above.

The palm print on Xiao Shu’s face was especially conspicuous under the dim light, adding a touch of pitiable vulnerability. 

The sinister emperor toyed with the green headplate in his hand and said with interest, “My cousin has never been close to me as a cousin. Now that the palace gates are about to close, why has she come to me?”

Xiao Shu said, “The subject comes today to pledge loyalty to the Emperor.”

Shen Lang’s eyes flashed slightly. “Oh?”

Xiao Shu knew that life and death, honor and disgrace, all hinged on today. 

She clenched her fingers tightly and steeled herself, finally saying, “Minister Jiang has made contributions to the Dragon Throne and has always acted according to the Emperor’s will. If you do not approve, even if he had ten times the courage, he would not dare to make a petition. But Shen Lang is not one to do good deeds without provocation. If no one angered him, he would not have waded into muddy waters. Whether it’s the matter of marriage alliances or disaster relief cases, it all depends on your decision. I have been with the Xiao family for a long time and am well aware of all matters. Angering Shen Lang to petition against the Xiao family is the first thing I do to pledge loyalty to the Emperor. If the Emperor wishes to raise a knife against the Xiao family, I am willing to offer my modest assistance.”

Shen Lang looked at her, his gaze growing deeper, then sneered coldly, “You? You speak so grandly, but perhaps you just don’t want to go to the barbaric lands and make a marriage alliance with the Tatars?”

Xiao Shu broke out in a cold sweat on her forehead.

She closed her eyes and said, “I beg the Emperor for mercy.”

Shen Lang finally stood up, spinning the green headplate with the name Zhang Guiren in his fingers, and lifted Xiao Shu’s delicate chin. 

With narrowed eyes, he said, “Cousin, you wanted to be selected as the Princess of Linzi, what kind of mercy do you want from me?”

Although the Emperor’s fingers did not touch her skin, his actions felt as dismissive as if he were dealing with a courtesan!

The sense of humiliation immediately surged.

But Xiao Shu blinked and managed to suppress it. Her fingers trembled slightly as she undid the buttons of her collar, taking off her clothes slowly under Shen Lang’s burning gaze.

On this early spring night, the chill was still strong.

As soon as her snow-white skin was exposed, it began to shiver. Her body, majestic like rolling hills, had soft, elegant curves, full in some places and delicate in others…

Kneeling at Shen Lang’s feet, all her former pride was broken and instantly turned into boundless hatred.

A tear blurred into the soft carpet, and she calmly heard her deliberately softened voice: “I beg the Emperor for mercy.”

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