Chapter 8: 008 Playing Dumb

008 Playing Mad and Foolish

"This concubine greets the Emperor. Long live the Emperor, long live, long live, long live!" Consort De pulled Murong Yue down to kneel, and everyone else followed suit, kneeling on the ground to pay respects to this founding emperor of the Beichen Dynasty.

"Rise, my beloved consort!" The Emperor took a few quick steps to help Consort De up, waving his hand for everyone to stand before asking, "My beloved, I just heard you say you wanted to seek justice for Yue'er. Has something happened?"

"Your Majesty, as you know, my sister left behind only Yue'er, such a pitiable child. Yet yesterday, she actually fell into the lake. Those two were present at the time; they must be involved somehow. If this matter is not investigated thoroughly today, Yue'er will surely be harmed again. If something truly happens to her, how can Ying'er face her sister! Your Majesty, I beg you, you must protect Yue'er's safety. This child has already suffered enough!"

By the end of her speech, Consort De could not help but burst into tears. Looking at Murong Yue with eyes full of pity, she reached out passionately to pull Murong Yue into her arms, showing not the slightest bit of disgust or fear toward the sores covering Murong Yue's face.

"Auntie..." Murong Yue called out foolishly, seemingly not understanding what had happened to her. After dazing for a long time, she finally uttered a single word, "It hurts..."

"Yue'er..." A voice filled with concern rang out, followed by a figure rushing into the room. He pulled Murong Yue into his arms and, after examining her meticulously, asked, "Yue'er, is there anywhere that feels uncomfortable? Tell Daddy!"

Murong Yue looked at the anxious Chancellor Murong before her. Seeing his face covered in stubble and his eyes bloodshot as he stared at her, she almost blurted out "I'm fine" to comfort this poor father.

Fortunately, the Emperor's words interrupted Murong Yue: "Dear Minister, it is good that you have returned. This is your family matter, and it is most appropriate for you to handle it. You must not let Yue'er suffer any grievances. As for the matters in Wei County, leave them to others to handle."

"I thank Your Majesty. I have delayed the tasks assigned by Your Majesty due to family matters; I beg Your Majesty to punish me!" Chancellor Murong knelt and spoke to the Emperor.

Upon learning that something had happened to Murong Yue, he had dropped everything and rushed back overnight. Now that Murong Yue was safe, he was relieved, but he felt he had failed the Emperor's trust.

"Your Majesty, Chancellor Murong is simply acting out of love for his daughter. I recall when our Lan'er was sick last time, Your Majesty also stayed awake all night by her side. The hearts of parents in this world are all the same; we only wish for the children of the world to be safe and sound, so that we parents do not have to worry!" Consort De timely withdrew her hand that had been reaching for Murong Yue, instead clinging to the Emperor's arm like a delicate bird.

"My beloved is right. There is no fault in your love for your daughter. Besides, I have already arranged for others to handle it. Minister Murong, please rise!" The Emperor, moved by Consort De's words to his own parental sentiments, spoke softly to comfort him. He then looked at Consort De with eyes full of affection; she truly lived up to her title of "De" (Virtue). Ying'er was always so kind, always thinking of others, and could even think of the people of the world through such an incident.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Consort De!" After Chancellor Murong rose, his tiger-like eyes turned toward his other two daughters. He asked with a calm gaze, "Tell me in detail everything that happened yesterday, without omitting a single word. If this matter truly has something to do with the two of you, I will never show mercy. If it is unrelated, I will not wrong you because of it!"