Tobanya, too lazy to listen to Gong Juechen’s words outside the door, opened another window and climbed through it, planning to return to the General’s mansion early the next morning to accompany Meng Lanqing to the Palace.
Tobanya thought she hadn’t disturbed Gong Juechen, but Gong Juechen did hear the sound of the window opening. However, Gong Juechen pretended not to hear and continued to prattle on to the empty guest room for a while before returning to his own room.
The next day, Tobanya was brought into the Palace by Meng Lanqing.
Even though they entered the Palace early, by the time they met An Jing and Xiao Changyi, it was already the hour of si.
"The Emperor has not yet left the morning court, when he does, we will take you to meet him," An Jing said to Tobanya.
After a pause, An Jing added, "It was the Emperor himself who said he wanted to see you."
Tobanya immediately became apprehensive.
Seeing Tobanya’s unease, An Jing said, "The Emperor is furious about the false accusations against your father. You don’t need to worry too much. The Emperor has yet to leave the morning court; he’s probably discussing the matter with the civil and military officials in the Grand Hall."
"Yes, Princess," Tobanya replied respectfully.
An Jing sighed softly before turning to ask Meng Lanqing, "How is your brother? Has he awakened?"
Meng Lanqing replied, "Not yet."
Regarding Meng Zhuqing’s condition, Meng Lanqing had sent word through a guard to An Jing and Xiao Changyi the day before, so An Jing and Xiao Changyi were not entirely unaware of Meng Zhuqing’s injuries and coma.
"Those people are indeed malicious, actually wanting to hack your brother to death with random slashes," An Jing felt truly indignant in her heart.
She had heard that Meng Zhuqing had been hacked many times, with several deep cuts on his face as well. Even if he were to wake up, survive, and recover, his face would be ruined, and his body covered in scar tissue.
Just as An Jing finished speaking, a eunuch reported, "Prince, Princess, the Emperor has left court. He asks for your presence."
An Jing replied, "Understood."
Then, An Jing and Xiao Changyi led Tobanya to the Jun Palace to see the Emperor of Xiyun.
"This commoner Tobanya, pays her respects to the Emperor. Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!" Tobanya had met the Emperor of Xiyun once before with her father, so she was not completely unfamiliar with him.
"Good child, you have suffered. Rise, rise," the Emperor of Xiyun went to help Tobanya up personally.
Being lifted by the Monarch, Tobanya was quite frightened.
As soon as the Emperor of Xiyun helped Tobanya up, he looked her over and then sighed, "Good child, your father is no longer with us, and you have no relatives left in Beisheng. From now on, you will stay in the Imperial Capital. I will treat you as if you were my own daughter."
"Emperor..." Tobanya was even more startled.
"It’s likely that Tao Shangran didn’t just commit this one evil deed. For now, we won’t execute Tao Shangran. When all of his misdeeds are uncovered, I will make sure to tear him to pieces, to give you closure, to give your father closure, to give the Tuoba Five Clans closure."
"Thank you, Emperor!" Tobanya immediately knelt down, her eyes reddening. "My father has longed for the day when his grievances would be cleared. Now, finally, this commoner has waited until this moment. My father’s spirit in heaven can rest in peace. Thank you, Emperor! Thank you, Emperor!"
For nearly four years, she had lived in deep hatred, leading a life darker than that of a mouse.
Now, at last, that life was about to come to an end.
Father, can you see from heaven?
You have been vindicated...