The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 1223

Chapter 1223: 598 Secrets of Xinyang (second update)_2

After dismounting the carriage, Xuanping Hou said to Princess Xinyang, "Chang Jing hasn’t returned from capturing people; could you trouble yourself to push a little?"

Princess Xinyang had no intention of pushing, so she found an eunuch to push him in.

Firstly, Xuanping Hou reported on the battle conditions of South Island. All the sea bandits had been wiped out, and not only that, Xuanping Hou also battled his way along the sea, expanding Zhan Country’s maritime territory by hundreds of miles.

The furthest island in the south, Jade Isle, now waved Zhan Country’s flags in the breeze.

This was an unexpected pleasure.

Honestly, the Emperor had previously muttered to Eunuch Wei, questioning why the battle in the south started first but had yet to conclude. Who would have thought that Xuanping Hou would take it upon himself to bring all the islands under Zhan Country’s control?

The Emperor could just imagine Xuanping Hou, brandishing a great saber, with one foot on the mast, imperiously looking down at the people on the island: "Surrender and be spared!"

"Your injury is not serious, is it?" the Emperor asked.

"A minor wound," Xuanping Hou replied.

The Emperor’s gaze swept over Xuanping Hou and Princess Xinyang: "Speaking of which, how did you two come to enter the palace together?"

Xuanping Hou answered with an air of nonchalance, "Oh, last night I rested at the Princess’s place—"

Everyone was shocked.

You rested at the Princess’s place, are you two—

Princess Xinyang hurriedly changed the subject: "Your Majesty! Zhuang Grand Tutor colluded with people from Yan Country!"

"Is that so?" The Emperor’s attention was successfully diverted.

Zhuang Grand Tutor had committed so many crimes they were too numerous to document; it was impossible to explain them all in a few words. Fortunately, Xiao Hen had already written a memorial to the throne detailing his offenses overnight, which Princess Xinyang immediately presented to the Emperor.

The Emperor had already learned from Empress Xiao that Xiao Liulang was Xiao Hen and that his birth mother was a slave from Yan Country. However, going by how people from Yan Country repeatedly tried to assassinate Xiao Hen, it’s likely there was more to the story of the Yan Country slave woman.

The Emperor inquired, "Is that general from Nangong named Nangong Li? Where is he?"

Xuanping Hou replied, "Chang Jing has gone after him. His men have captured a few alive though. Does Your Majesty wish to interrogate them personally, or should I handle it?"

"You handle it," the Emperor said.

Xuanping Hou nodded and, thinking of something, added, "Ah Hen mentioned to leave Zhuang Grand Tutor a dog’s life, the rest are at your disposal."

With the multitude of crimes Zhuang Grand Tutor had committed, death a hundred times would be insufficient, but since Xuanping Hou personally made this request, the Emperor would not refuse him this courtesy.