"Yes, Your Majesty!" Prime Minister kowtowed fiercely for another time. His forehead was already scr.a.p.ed and he looked like a mess. Gone was his usual image of arrogance over others. "I am at fault," he said.
Su Yan Mo caught a glimpse of her father who had never suffered a day of his life. Just then, tears welled up in her eyes as she clenched her fists in restrained emotions.
The Retired Emperor's eyes darkened as he continued, "Since it's Wei Wei who has been misunderstood and wronged, this matter will be handed over to Ah Jue to handle. Ah Jue, remember to not make it too difficult for Prime Minister Su."
With that, he turned to go back into the Palace but left Eunuch Sun with Baili Jia Jue.
Su Yan Mo released a breath of relief and smiled in joy.
Since the Retired Emperor had already given the order to let them off easy, there would probably be not much of a problem for them.
It was as she had predicted, no matter what happened, nothing would bother her.
Even if that little b*tch, Helian Wei Wei was smart, she would only end up empty-handed.
However, Su Yan Mo had underestimated one thing - Baili Jia Jue's ability to kill without spilling blood.
Was it really because of his ability to punish whoever he felt like punishing?
Wrong answer.
It was his ability to play around with people until they were dead but they were still unable to identify Baili Jia Jue's fault.
Normally with just a single order, someone could be skinned.
Although Su Yan Mo did not know this, it did not mean that Prime Minister Su was oblivious of this. He had not forgotten how his granddaughter had been married off into the Huai family due to the suggestion of the Third Prince.
It was said to be a gift bestowed upon by the imperial family, but in reality, his granddaughter had been sent off to live as a widow.
Now that he thought about it in detail, it seemed as though it was from then that the Su family had begun to go through hardship…
At this point, Prime Minister was gripped in sudden cold, as if he had suddenly thought of something. As he glanced at Baili Jia Jue who was walking toward him, his face contorted in immediate terror.
He finally knew where everything went wrong.
Yet, he did not do so. Instead, he had put on an act of trying to destroy evidence while tearing apart the Su family forces, wanting them to mistakenly believe that that batch of weapons had come from an illegal source!
He had done it on purpose, to intentionally lead them on, caused them to think that they had had the upper hand.
From the start, this had been a trap and the endgame was to drag him down!
If not for his suspicion of that batch of weapons, he would not have come to the Palace with his daughter regardless of what she had mentioned. Then, he would not end up in such a situation.
As Prime Minister Su came to this sudden realization, he could only feel endless fear that made his fingers quiver, causing him to have the urge to leave. It was as though the person who was walking toward him was not human, but was a demon who had risen from hell instead.
In comparison to Prime Minister Su's obvious fear, Baili Jia Jue was clear show of gentleness with curved lips that almost looked like a smile. "Imperial Grandfather won't let me make it difficult for you, so I won't punish you, Prime Minister Su. But seeing as you seem to like kneeling, then I'll let you continue kneeling. You can leave when the sun has risen."
What?!
Before Prime Minister Su had even said a word, Su Yan Mo had almost burst out beside him.
The sky had only just darkened. If he were to do so until the next morning, he would have to kneel for an entire night!
Moreover, the wind had started blowing by now, meaning that it would rain soon.
How could her father possibly endure this?
The Third Prince was not going to not punish him, because he obviously wanted her father to die outside the Palace doors!
Yet, it was such a shady method that it left her with no room to retaliate!
Prime Minister Su had apparently accepted his fate and so, with clenched fists and gritted teeth, he said, "Yes."
"Eunuch Sun." Baili Jia Jue carried on saying with a plain voice, "Put up Li Meng's written confession on the city walls as a warning to officials to not make the same mistake."
"Yes, Your Highness." Eunuch Sun took his leave.
However, Su Yan Mo's face had once again paled. Putting it up on the city walls meant that everyone in the city could read it. How could she ever show her face in public again?
"As for you, Madam Su," Baili Jia Jue uttered as he twisted the ring on his pinky, looking as though he was smiling but his cold eyes said otherwise, "You're the precious daughter of Prime Minister Su after all, so it wouldn't be good to deal you a heavy punishment. Therefore, you can just reflect on your actions as you parade through the streets."
As soon as Madam Su heard him say that, she wished she could just faint on the spot as her eyes were filled with humiliation, and anger coursed through her entire body, but she dared not say anything.
She could only watch as both of her hands were cuffed up and she was taken out of the Palace.
When everyone left, Helian Wei Wei finally had the chance to go up to Baili Jia Jue…
Chapter 373 - Interaction Between Baili Jia Jue And Wei Wei
"Parade through the streets? Doing self-criticism?" How did His Highness come up with such an idea, it was downright treacherous!
Baili Jia Jue gazed into her eyes which seemed to exude much more clarity than usual. His thin lips formed a crooked smile. "What is it? Bad idea?"
"No." She merely wondered how twisted His Highness's train of thought was, being able to come up with such a wicked method.
Moreover, regarding this incident, the other party was already listless before she made any moves.
Even Prime Minister Su could not escape the fate of being publicly humiliated.
She felt her anger cool-off as she watched from the sidelines.
It was all thanks to the man who stood before her eyes.
Helian Wei Wei shot another glance at Baili Jia Jue before continuing in a clear tone, "It's extremely satisfying."
"It's fine as long as you are satisfied." Baili Jia Jue did not sound like he was doing anything bad with his well-paced words. Although the things he said were quite alarming to others. "Your moves are too meek. It only hurts them for a second, like making her slap her own cheeks and whatnot. She needed to be made to remember this humiliation for life, that's how revenge should be carried out."
Helian Wei Wei kept nodding her head as she listened. It was rare to meet someone as two-faced as the Third Prince, but was it alright for him to have taught her all those devious thinking?
Moreover, he was saying how he only adore girls who were pure and innocent. What had happened to his distaste for girls who enjoyed playing mind games?
Somehow, she felt that he would always divert from how things should normally play out.
Baili Jia Jue swept his eyes over his little possession who was behaving for once. The corners of his lips lifted into a gentle smile as he reached out and pulled her to his side.
Naturally, Helian Wei Wei did not notice his features as she was still pondering about what he had just said, thus missing out on the faint smile Baili Jia Jue had on his lips...
It was rather crowded on the old streets of the Capital, be it people from noble families or the common folks. It was a time where people would enjoy strolling through these streets.
"Look, who's that?!"
"Looks like the madam from the General's residence!" Someone from the crowd had identified Madam Su before yelling, "Come on, let's go have a closer look!"
With her left hand being cuffed to the prison wagon, Su Yan Mo conducted rehabilitation through self-criticism before a crowd of several hundred audiences. Every word she chanted could be heard loud and clear throughout the wide Chang'an Street. It wa
s practically casting an echo.
Su Yan Mo did not have to feel her face to know that her cheeks were burning crimson. In all of the years that she lived, she had never endured such humiliation in the eyes of the public. It was literally exposing herself as a disgraceful person.
"Tsk tsk, who would've thought that the dignified madam of the Helian family was such an evil-minded stepmother. I actually thought that she was a good person seeing how she always practiced abstinence from meat and prayed devoutly."
She was leaving blisters in her mouth hearing the whisperings of the audiences. Her voice was cracking as she finished reading the contents on the Xuan paper, however, she was made to recite a total of 10 times before the shadow guards who were on duty would let her off.
One moment, Su Yan Mo's face was burning, the next it was drained of color. Her drooping eyes hid the anger in them because no matter how unwilling she felt, she could only clench her teeth as she continued reciting.
There were also other members of the Helian family within the audience which also felt thoroughly embarrassed upon picturing the condition of Su Yan Mo.
That was why no one came to escort her even after Su Yan Mo had finished reciting the self-criticism 10 times.
Now, everyone from the Helian family was hiding from Su Yan Mo, afraid to have their relation to her exposed.
In the past, Su Yan Mo always had someone to escort her wherever she went, this time, she had no choice but to endure all the talking while she made her way back to the General's residence with her head hung low.
She felt the experience was far worse than simply having her killed!
It was obvious to her that there was something strange about everyone around her and how they looked at her. There was mockery along with hints of amus.e.m.e.nt as if they were watching a clown putting on a show.
Seeing this scene, in addition to how things have not been smooth sailing for her lately, Helian Jiao Er could no longer take it. She went home in tears without saying a word.
She did not realize that it was the same atmosphere at home.
Even the maids and servants who usually dared not look her in the eyes were gathering together after she walked past, oblivious about the things that they were saying.
Helian Jiao Er used to have her own maidservant, but now that she was on her own without a single helper, her sense of humiliation increased further. Upon entering her room, she began smashing things into pieces.
It was what Su Yan Mo saw upon returning. Normally, she would still be mindful of cheering Helian Jiao Er up.
But today, she was exhausted, more than exhausted as a matter of fact.
She was in shambles like never before.
Her nicely combed up hair for entering the Palace was completely dishevelled by now.
She had always thought highly about a person's demeanor, especially when it came to caring for and maintaining one's body. She would choose not to exert any stress on her feet whenever she could.
Back then, when she came across the wondrous properties of ambergris used for foot steaming, she had deliberately banned the lowly Helian servants from using it.
Now, her feet which had been meticulously taken care of by her were rasped to the point that they stung with every single move she made.
It was all because of that little b*stard!
Like a madwoman that had lost all sanity, Su Yan Mo hit her tightly clenched fists against the wall.
Helian Jiao Er had never seen Su Yan Mo like this before. In all of her memories, Su Yan Mo was a person who would never allow herself to be stained by the tiniest of dirt.
Looking back at her, she was covered in dust and dirt from head to toe. Even her cloth shoes were soiled and ruined, what more could be said about her behavior?
"Mother, what happened to you?" Subconsciously, Helian Jiao Er was rejecting her.
"Self-criticism, I've spent an entire day doing self-criticism on the streets," Su Yan Mo's arms fell slack to her sides.
Helian Jiao Er could not believe her ears, "What are you talking about? What self-criticism?" Didn't mother enter the Palace with grandfather to teach that b*tch, Helian Wei Wei a lesson? Shouldn't that little b*tch be doing the self-criticism instead? She had committed treason! What does any of it have to do with mother?
Helian Jiao Er finally realized why others were giving her strange looks.
Paraded through the streets...
She actually had a mother who paraded through the streets.
This was bound to blot her with disgrace!
From now on, when they talked about her, people would definitely say things like, "Look at her, she has a mother who paraded through the streets."
"How can this be!" Helian Jiao Er shrieked. "Didn't you always calculated that everything you do will never fail? How did things turn out? You were literally dragged away and forced to parade through the streets, mother, have you ever considered how your actions will tarnish my future?"
If this happened in the past, Su Yan Mo would have slapped Helian Jiao Er for speaking to her in that manner. But now, her daughter was all she had left. Panicking, she grabbed Helian Jiao Er's hand and responded, "Jiao Er, just be a little more patient until the Third Prince chooses his secondary consort. With your beautiful looks, you will certainly have your day!"
Chapter 374 - His Highness' Influence
"Will the Third Prince still have a secondary consort?" Helian Jiao Er was crying her eyes out. " Even if he does pick one, will I still have any part in it?"
Su Yan Mo had finally calmed her emotions after taking in a deep breath. "Of course, of course, have you forgotten, our War Dragon Empire dictates that the chosen crown prince would have to pick a well-rounded lady with good qualifications to assist him as a future ruler before the age of 20. Helian Wei Wei that scourge may not be as incompetent as before, having recovered her martial Qi, but that face of hers would never meet exceptional standards. Moreover, the Third Prince was chosen as crown prince by the Retired Emperor. If he doesn't select a perfect lady as his consort, he would have to give up the throne! He's not that st*pid!"
As Helian Jiao Er listened, her eyes began to shine with hope. "But my current reputation…"
"Jiao Er, remember that you are the Phoenix girl that was identified by the four influential families, a bad reputation would only last long. When it is time for the Selection Ceremony, we will repay that scourge for all the humiliation we had to endure." Madam Su's face was turning darker with every word she spoke, her fingers were clenched into a tight fist as her nails dug into the centers of her palm.
Helian Jiao Er was still sobbing. "How about for the time being? Others would slander about me whenever I step outside."
"Those blabbermouths!" Madam Su scolded, although it was bothering her as much as it did to Helian Jiao Er, after some thoughts, she lowered her eyes and added, "We will go and stay in Chengde for a couple of days, your grandfather has another house there. The Third Prince is about to reach the age of 20, it's just a few more days. We will return when the folks in the Capital have calmed down."
Helian Jiao Er thought that it was a great idea as she nodded her head a little.
While Madam Su stroke her beloved daughter's long hair, the hatred in her eyes had never once dissipated.
After she appeased Helian Jiao Er, she decided to try and bribe others from the Palace with some silver coins, hoping that someone would help to plead mercy for Prime Minister Su.
However, no one was willing to meet her, let alone accept her request.
Su Yan Mo was starting to feel anxious, hence summoning her butler to find Helian Guang Yao.
Seeing how Helian Guang Yao was living lavishly, the butler who detested him began to speak in a surprised manner, "It couldn't be that Brother Guang Yao has not heard about it."
Helian Guang Yao laughed coldly, "What is it that I should have heard about?" He questioned in a proud manner.
"Your legitimate wife, Su Yan Mo has just finished parading t
hrough the streets." As he spoke, he began laughing, "There were so many bystanders watching your wife reciting the words of self-criticism…"
Upon hearing the words 'parading through the streets', the officers who were present immediately perked up their ears and listened intently to the man who was relaying about the entire incident. Afterward, they turned toward Helian Guang Yao, their stares were inflicting hints of discomfort in him.
Helian Guang Yao's mind went blank momentarily. Following immediately, his hand that was resting on his l.a.p slowly clenched into a tight fist.
He finally understood what happened.
That woman was asserting her opinions again!
Even though he had repeatedly reminded her to get a hold of herself!
Yet, she refused to heed his words and chose to raise a ruckus to this extent!
Helian Guang Yao could not take it anymore, he was on the brink of wanting to smash his cup, mainly because of the mocking tone of the atmosphere, be it intentionally or unintentionally.
Previously, these officers would do anything to get on his good side, none of them had the nerves to disrespect him.
Now, they were staring at him as though he was a circus monkey!
He knew that right now, he must not lose his temper or else he would appear to be a bigger fool in front of the officers.
With a solemn face, he stood up and informed the others that he was leaving.
Suddenly, the girl that was known as Lan Lian held on to him. "My Lord, don't take it too hard," she spoke in a demure manner.
Helian Guang Yao thought about how he would not have to lose so much face in the public if that old hag been half as considerate as Lian Er. Unable to resist himself, he wrapped the girl before him in an embrace once again.
The night grew a shade darker.
Su Yan Mo could not sleep a wink knowing that Prime Minister Su was still kneeling outside the palace. She could only keep waiting and hoping for Helian Guang Yao's quick return to help her out.
The Anarchic Consort c1-1376 Page 166
