Gu Shengyin sent people to verify what Chuan Fu had said, when news also reached the Phoenix Emperor in the Heavenly Phoenix Palace.
"Your Majesty, should your subordinate bring that person over?" the Leader of the Shadow Guards asked.
The Phoenix Emperor’s expression turned cold, "This matter, Changge is fully capable of handling it well. There’s no need for you to make decisions on your own."
The heart of the Leader of the Shadow Guards tightened, and he answered, "Yes." So the Emperor’s trust in the Crown Prince had reached such extent?
With the evidence provided by Chuan Fu, it wouldn’t be difficult for the people of Qinghuang Palace to uncover the truth.
Gu Shengyin held the findings from her subordinates in her hand, silent for a long time.
She had gone to the Heavenly Phoenix Palace that afternoon.
"Is this all there is?" The Phoenix Emperor looked at the evidence presented by his eldest daughter.
Within the report, Shi Qingyi was the mastermind behind everything.
Yet how could a mere son of a minister pull off something to this extent without the support of others?
Gu Shengyin lowered her eyes, "This is all your daughter has found."
"Slap!" The Phoenix Emperor slammed the items in his hand onto the table.
"Changge, how did I teach you when you were young?" The Phoenix Emperor looked sternly at his dearly hoped-for eldest daughter.
"As a ruler, what one should most avoid is the mercy of a woman!"
"This time, I won’t hold it against you, whether you truly couldn’t find more or you chose not to continue searching. I’ll let this go according to your wish, let it end here! But Changge, this is definitely the last time!"
Gu Shengyin opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing, retreating submissively.
The room returned to tranquility, and the Phoenix Emperor closed his eyes wearily.
Huan Xin, who knew to read the situation, came over and gently massaged her shoulders, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has the pure heart of a child, Your Majesty. This is all thanks to your guidance."
The Phoenix sighed helplessly, "You don’t have to speak well of her for me. I do not believe she wouldn’t have seen that there is a mastermind behind this. She clearly doesn’t want to continue probing further."
The one Changge was willing to suffer and protect, in the entire Heavenly Phoenix dynasty, there were only three people.
So be it, this time, I’ll let this matter slide according to your wish. If you still hold hope for familial affection and want to protect it, then I won’t be the villain. I only hope that the person you treasure in your heart truly understands your painstaking efforts.
The Phoenix Emperor opened her eyes, and a flash of cold severity passed through them: I’ll just have to eliminate these obstacles for you.
Gu Shengyin returned to her own Qinghuang Palace.
"System, am I especially bad?" Gu Shengyin asked.
She clearly knew who the true instigator was but deliberately pretended to be reluctant to investigate further. With the Phoenix Emperor’s intelligence, a little deduction would certainly reveal whom she wished to save.
It seemed that Huang Mingge had escaped this crisis, but in fact, in the heart of the Phoenix Emperor, she was truly done for, and there was no chance for her to rise again.
The system answered, "In the imperial court, kindness and benevolence are the deadliest weaknesses."
The best one could hope for was to live by the rule of not offending others if they don’t offend you.
Those who could be magnanimous and forgive without seeking revenge after being hurt are akin to a saint, not Gu Shengyin.
Gu Shengyin laughed too, "You’re right, I’m not here to reform the world."
Some people, when treated kindly, treasure and appreciate it; but others, when shown kindness, take it for granted and even wish to climb up on your back.
Gu Shengyin didn’t call for the immediate execution of Huang Mingge, simply because this time there wasn’t a way to ensure she’d never be able to turn things around again.
Only by continuously disappointing the Phoenix Emperor would there be no chance for sympathy or forgiveness the next time something happens.