Ch.435 Audience with the Emperor (2)
Not only was the Emperor there in the glorious palace, but also the Empress Dowager and more than a dozen ministers who had come over early in the morning to report on Gong Yimo’s situation. In the end, they were left in the palace, and now, they all stared unblinking at the entrance!
She—had come!
Two equally dazzling people entered step after step, one man and one woman, clearly a step apart of each other, yet they gave off a feeling of intimacy.
They got closer...
Gong Cheng squinted. Due to the light coming from behind, he couldn’t see Gong Yimo’s expression clearly when he entered. It just felt like her entire body was glowing. Only when she was close enough could he finally see her face.
This...What a resemblance!
When Gong Cheng saw her, it was as if he saw Concubine Xue from back then! Only, Xue Lian’s eyes were never as calm and carefree as hers. One was soft was water, and the other agile as the wind. Is she really Xue Lian’s daughter?
“This civilian woman and this son pay respects to His Majesty!”
Seeing the two bow to him, Gong Cheng finally came back to his senses. Just as he was about to speak, the Empress Dowager slammed the table!
“Guards! Hold that vile woman!”
“Who dares!” Gong Cheng almost roared out those words subconsciously. The Empress Dowager was shocked and looked at him in disbelief. Gong Yimo murdered a member of the royal family, so what wrong was it for her to dispose of this vile bastard? Her son who had been obedient to her for so many years dared go against her because of this?!
Naturally, nobody dared move when they saw the Emperor grow furious. He shot a glance to the Empress Dowager with an aching head and said in a deep voice, “Women have no place for politics in the palace!”
The Empress Dowager sneered. “So, are we doing politics now?”
Gong Cheng said directly, “Yes, we are!”
He looked at Gong Yimo, who was now standing straight after her salute and looking at him with a smile completely devoid of fear.
“Gong Yimo’s matters are political matters!”
Since he said so, it wouldn’t be good of the Empress Dowager to say anything else. Compared to before in the study, she had to give the Emperor some face in front of all these ministers.
But Gong Yimo spoke. She bowed respectfully and faced the Empress Dowager.
“Before we discuss business, I do wish to ask Her Majesty the Empress Dowager...” She looked at the Empress Dowager’s angry face and smiled. Blinking her eyes, she said, “Did you just call me a vile woman? I may not be a princess, but I am still His Majesty’s child. Are you...insulting His Majesty?”
The Empress Dowager was already angry and sad to begin with, so hearing Gong Yimo said that nearly made her explode!
But in the end, they were still in front of a crowd. How could she dare to bring up what happened back then? Seeing the Emperor’s face suddenly grow dim, she could only grit her teeth and say.
“You must have misheard! There was no such thing!”
After she said that, she shut her mouth and did not say a single word again!
She didn’t believe it. So what if Gong Yimo was good with words? A death penalty awaited her for killing a princess. And, with Gong Jue’s unauthorized deployment of the royal guard, she wouldn’t believe that the Emperor was so biased that he could still show favoritism to her!
So, at her signal, someone immediately jumped out and shouted!
“Your Majesty! This minister wishes to speak!”
Gong Cheng glanced at Gong Yimo and said, “Speak!”
That man was from the Ministry of Execution. Hearing this, he raised his head and looked coldly at Gong Yimo.
“This minister has three complaints!”
Gong Cheng signaled for him to continue.
“Firstly, this minister wishes to report the criminal Gong Yimo for using firearms without permission and disturbing the order of the capital!”
This referred to the incident that morning when she rallied the people.
“Second, reporting Gong Yimo for killing the Royal Princess of Zhaoqing County!”
“Third! Reporting the King of Qi for abusing his power and deploying the imperial guards without authorization!”
After speaking clearly, he bowed to the Emperor. “Please punish them severely, Your Majesty!”