After being persuaded by Eunuch Li, Lord Chen became even more uncertain.
In order to prevent corruption, the Emperor and Empress had ordered that all donations must have a clear account. No matter how small or big the donation was, the amount must be clearly recorded, how it came from, and how it was used.
For this, the Emperor had specially selected a person from the six ministries to form a supervisory committee. They were responsible for supervising the accounts of donations and publishing the accounts regularly.
If Lord Chen went to find the Empress about the empty red envelopes, how should he ask? If he made the Empress unhappy, he might lose his official position.
If Lord Chen didn't ask the Empress for her opinion, how would the empty red envelopes be recorded?
Once it was clearly recorded that the red envelopes were empty, the accounts would be published together with the other donations from the birthday banquet. This would cause trouble for the Empress!
If the Empress's red envelopes were all empty, then it would be easy to find an excuse to explain it. However, out of the nearly thirty red envelopes that were donated, only eight of them were empty. The status of those eight madams wasn't low. If it was a large red envelope, no one would care. However, if it was an empty red envelope, then it would be an insult. When the time came, how much gossip would there be?
Lord Chen fell into a dilemma. Eunuch Li reminded him, "Lord Li, no matter how bold those madams are, they wouldn't forge empty red envelopes. In this old servant's opinion, the Empress's empty red envelopes must be …"
"Could it be a show of strength to those madams?" Lord Chen hurriedly asked.
Eunuch Li laughed disdainfully, "Lord Chen, with your understanding, how can you help the Emperor and Empress do well?"
Lord Chen really didn't understand. He took out a bag of silver and stuffed it into Eunuch Li's hand, "Eunuch Li, please give me some pointers, give me some pointers."
Eunuch Li accepted the silver and smiled until his eyes narrowed into a straight line. He was no longer stingy with his guidance. He said, "Lord Chen, the Empress's empty red envelopes are a test! Do you see what kind of people are among the eight madams? The Empress wants to deal with them, so she threw an empty red envelope to test their courage? "
"So it's like that!" Lord Chen suddenly understood.
If Han Yunxi knew that these two had made her thoughts so complicated, how would she feel?
"Lord Chen, this matter is a contest between the Empress and the madams. Tell me, which side are you on?" Eunuch Li asked again.
"This humble official is completely loyal to the Emperor and Empress. The Sun and the moon can bear witness to this!" Lord Chen firmly replied.
Eunuch Li came closer and lowered his voice, "Lord Chen, this old servant is loyal to the Emperor. Since that's the case, let's go all out and pay for it ourselves … "
Lord Chen agreed without hesitation. "I understand!"
Eunuch Li said, "Lord Chen, you have to consider it carefully. If anything goes wrong, you'll have to bear the responsibility! "
"I understand. Rest assured, Eunuch Li!" Lord Chen, who was in a dilemma, could only take a gamble.
Eunuch Li was very pleased. "Lord Chen, don't worry. If this old servant has the chance to see the Empress and His Majesty, I will definitely put in a good word for you!"
Lord Chen hurriedly bowed and expressed his gratitude.
"That's right, there are still two red envelopes missing." Eunuch Li casually asked.
"There are two at the Baili residence. Baili Daren passed away last night, so the residence must be in chaos!" Lord Chen sighed helplessly.
In the afternoon, the Ministry of Revenue sorted out the details of the auction at the Crown Prince's birthday banquet, as well as the red envelopes donated by the madams. They made a clear account and posted it.
Lord Chen paid for the eight empty red envelopes out of his own pocket. The amount was the same as the other red envelopes.
Han Yunxi received the news as soon as the account was posted.
At this time, she was still waiting for Long Fei Ye in the palace.
Not long after Long Fei Ye returned to the imperial study, he sent someone to the Baili residence to offer his condolences. At the same time, he instructed the Supreme Court to be impartial and not be biased.
Of course, this was for some people to see. Long Fei Ye was still busy in the imperial study. In fact, he couldn't go to the Baili residence immediately even if he wasn't busy.
He couldn't go there publicly, so he could only wait until night. There were no outsiders at the Baili residence, so he could go there.
Today, Long Fei Ye could only wait for the whole day, but it was a great test for the Baili family.
Han Yunxi looked over the account that the servant had copied and handed it to Mu Ling 'er and Zhao mama.
"Sister, this Lord Li is interesting. He paid for the red envelopes with his own money!" Mu Ling 'er said with a smile.
"Empress, if that's the case, then the person we prepared …" Zhao mama wasn't happy at all. Instead, she was a little depressed.
Why did Lord Li decide on his own?
One had to know that the Empress had already prepared for the red envelopes. How boring would it be for Lord Li to pay out of his own pocket to settle this matter!
Han Yunxi's heart was heavy because of the Baili family. She now cared about Long Fei Ye. She only cared about whether the Baili family could survive this day and not let Long Fei Ye continue to be disappointed.
She was no longer in the mood to deal with those senseless madams. She waved her hand and said indifferently, "Forget it. It shouldn't have happened in the first place. Zhao mama, go ask Xu Donglin what His Majesty is busy with! "
Granny Zhao came back after a while.
"Empress, the Xiao family just arrived at the imperial study. Duke Ding and Great General Xiao arrived together. Xu Donglin said that His Majesty might not be free so soon. "
Han Yunxi could only continue to wait.
Before long, Gu Beiyue returned from the Baili residence. Han Yunxi hurriedly asked, "What's the situation? Baili Qiyu didn't attend court this morning! His Majesty sent someone to offer his condolences. What's Baili Qiyu's attitude? "
Gu Beiyue smiled helplessly at the empress's anxious appearance. What could make her so anxious wasn't the Baili family's matter, but His Majesty's.
"Empress, Lord Baili's body has always been weak. He vomited blood because of the shock last night. Last night, he heard that Xiao An had been conferred the title of Royal Prince. His blood rushed to his head and he passed away. "Gu Beiyue sighed, his heart full of regret and heaviness.
Han Yunxi fell back in her seat and didn't say anything.
Gu Beiyue continued, "Baili Yuanlong has four sons. Although Baili Qiyu isn't the eldest, he's the son of the first wife and the one with the highest military rank. Now, he's the one who calls the shots in the Baili family. His Majesty sent someone to offer his condolences. He was quite respectful, but … "
"But what?" Han Yunxi hurriedly asked.
After all, Baili Qiyu's attitude didn't just affect Long Fei Ye's mood, but also the future of the Baili family!
"This subordinate has tried to sound him out, but Baili Qiyu's attitude is still unclear. He wants to see Baili Lixiang," Gu Beiyue said seriously.
"Baili Lixiang! Baili Lixiang! "Han Yunxi was enraged." Are there no men in the Baili family? "
"Mistress, calm your anger. Lord Baili's sons are all boorish men. It's better for Baili Qiyu to ask Baili Lixiang for help than those boorish generals! "Gu Beiyue sighed with emotion.
Han Yunxi thought for a moment, then said hastily, "Come with me to the prisons, the sooner the better!"
Gu Beiyue didn't say it clearly, but Han Yunxi could tell that although Baili Lixiang was in prison, she still played a significant role in the Baili family's future.
If they could figure out Baili Qiyu's intentions, they could at least sound out Baili Lixiang. If necessary, Han Yunxi didn't mind laying everything out in the open and talking to Baili Lixiang directly.
Gu Beiyue took the lead and made arrangements to make sure there was no one else in the prison. Han Yunxi followed.
When Han Yunxi arrived at the prison door, Baili Lixiang was kneeling on the ground, crying with her head buried in her hands.
Without a doubt, she had received news of her father's death. The prison cell was quiet, and only her cries could be heard. It was sad and miserable.
Han Yunxi took a closer look and saw that there was a deep cut on Baili Lixiang's forehead that was bleeding profusely.
She and Gu Beiyue stood there for a long time, but Baili Lixiang didn't notice.
In the end, Han Yunxi spoke up. "What, you killed your father, so you want to kill yourself to atone for your sins?"
Baili Lixiang's head whipped up in surprise, but she quickly recovered to glare at Han Yunxi. "Han Yunxi, it's you! You're the one who killed my father! You're the true culprit!"
Han Yunxi didn't speak, but squatted down and stared at her Cold eyes.
Baili Lixiang threw herself at Han Yunxi and leaned against the bars, baring her fangs and brandishing her claws. Unfortunately, Han Yunxi was still some distance away from the bars. Baili Lixiang couldn't reach her.
Han Yunxi looked at her Cold eyes without a word. Gradually, Baili Lixiang wilted and began to bawl.
Suddenly, Han Yunxi said angrily, "Baili Lixiang, are you done crying? If you want the Baili Clan to be executed, then keep crying! No one will be able to save you! "
Han Yunxi wasn't here to explain. After reaching this point, she especially believed in the saying that the things that needed to be explained were often the things that didn't need to be explained.
She wasn't here to offer amnesty. She was here to threaten and scold them!
If Baili Lixiang was done crying, she'd start cursing!
Seeing Baili Lixiang's frightened expression, Han Yunxi said Cold, "It looks like you've cried enough. Then let me tell you, based on your actions at the birthday banquet, there's no way you can shoulder all the blame alone. Don't think the justice courts are fools, and don't think that the Xiao Clan will sympathize with the Baili Clan just because they've cooperated with you before! Also, your father's death won't affect the justice courts' conviction. "
Baili Lixiang was stunned at first, then she seemed to go crazy as she desperately tugged at the bars. "My father didn't know anything about this, nor did my younger brother. I did it all by myself! It was my idea! It was me! It was me … "
"Fine! Even if it's your fault, this seat will tell you right now. If it's a light punishment, it'll be the execution of three clans, if it's a heavy punishment, it'll be the execution of nine clans! "Han Yunxi raged.
Baili Lixiang fell heavily to the ground, as if … as if she'd never be able to stand up again. It was only then that Baili Lixiang came to her senses.
She looked up at Han Yunxi and asked, "Then what are you doing here?"
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