The sisters-in-law exchanged uneasy glances, their hearts filled with anxiety.
Xiao Jinghe usually wore a lazy, carefree smile and rarely looked this serious. Had something terrible happened to the Duke’s residence?
Just as everyone was about to head to the main hall, a maid in a light blue dress came running over in a panic.
“My Lord! Eunuch Rui’an has arrived with an imperial decree! His Majesty summons you to the palace immediately!”
Out of breath from running, the maid’s hurried voice rang clearly through the quiet night.
Xiao Jinghe and Xin Long exchanged a glance, and both their expressions changed slightly.
He had been home for less than fifteen minutes, yet the Emperor already knew.
It was obvious that every one of his movements was being watched.
“Xin Long.”
Turning toward her, Xiao Jinghe looked into her eyes, his own filled with complicated emotions.
After a brief pause, he asked carefully, “Can I trust you?”
Meeting his gaze, Xin Long replied calmly, “Don’t worry. Right now, we’re tied to the same fate.”
After a moment, she added, “At least for the time being, I won’t betray you.”
She had said for the time being.
In other words, she made no promises about the future.
Yet strangely, that reassured Xiao Jinghe.
For now, their interests aligned.
That was enough.
He nodded before turning to his sisters-in-law.
“I’m going to the palace to see His Majesty first. After I leave, Long’er has something important to tell all of you.”
The women looked at one another, even more confused.
Xiao Jinghe had only just returned. How had the Emperor learned about it so quickly?
And why summon him into the palace so urgently in the middle of the night?
His figure gradually disappeared into the darkness, leaving only a faint silhouette.
Xin Long took a deep breath and swept her gaze across the six beautiful young widows before her. Though each possessed remarkable beauty, worry clouded every face.
“Sisters-in-law, before Jinghe left, he told me something extremely important.”
Her expression grew solemn.
“Please come with me to the main hall.”
The candles flickered inside the main hall, casting wavering light across the anxious faces of the women.
Intricate lattice windows projected mottled shadows that danced over the dark-red pearwood furniture.
The faint fragrance of sandalwood lingered in the air, but it failed to mask the oppressive tension.
Since Xiao Jinghe had instructed them before leaving, the sisters-in-law followed Xin Long into the hall without much resistance.
“Long’er, did Jinghe get into trouble at the military camp?”
The eldest sister-in-law, Chu Xiangyue, who managed all the household affairs, asked anxiously the moment she entered. Her elegant, dignified face was filled with concern.
Judging from Xiao Jinghe’s and Xin Long’s reactions, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something disastrous was about to happen.
In his previous life, Xiao Jinghe had never managed to return to the capital.
So this imperial summons had never happened before.
But the Emperor’s swift reaction now only confirmed that Xiao Jinghe was under constant surveillance.
This visit to the palace…
Even if it didn’t cost him his life, he certainly wouldn’t escape unscathed.
Xin Long slowly swept her eyes across the six women.
“Eldest Sister-in-law, Jinghe told me that at dawn, the Emperor will issue an imperial decree ordering the confiscation of the Duke Zhenguo’s estate and the exile of our entire family.”
Her voice wasn’t loud.
Yet her words exploded through the hall like a thunderclap.
Everyone’s faces instantly turned pale with shock.
The Fourth Sister-in-law, Xun Ruoqiu, shot to her feet, her almond-shaped eyes wide with disbelief.
“How is that possible? Our Duke Zhenguo’s family has served the dynasty with unwavering loyalty for generations and earned countless military achievements for Yonghui! Besides, His Majesty is Long’er’s own elder brother. Long’er even went to visit him today!”
She stared at Xin Long.
“Long’er, did Jinghe really say that? Don’t scare us like this.”
The other sisters-in-law immediately chimed in.
“Long’er, you’re joking, aren’t you? Did Jinghe really tell you that?”
“Long’er, maybe you misheard him. Why would His Majesty confiscate our estate? There’s no reason for it!”
These kind, loyal women simply couldn’t imagine just how cold-blooded and ruthless royalty could be.
No reason?
Then they would simply invent one.
Xin Long answered calmly, “Jinghe rushed all the way back from the military camp. He must have discovered something important to warn me like this.”
She paused before continuing.
“He also asked me to tell all of you to gather your jewelry, valuables, and anything worth money from your rooms and move everything into his quarters.”
“He’ll find a way to hide them and take them with us, so the officials carrying out the confiscation won’t seize them.”
Silence immediately filled the hall.
The women stared at one another without saying a word.
They exchanged uncertain looks, almost as though trying to confirm whether they had heard correctly.
Yet reason kept reminding them of Xiao Jinghe’s hurried return, the Emperor’s midnight summons…
Everything felt deeply unnatural.
Could it be…
Was the Emperor truly preparing to move against the Duke Zhenguo’s residence?
“The Dowager Madam has arrived!”
A maid’s clear voice shattered the suffocating silence.
An elderly lady dressed in a dark purple brocade robe embroidered with longevity patterns slowly entered the hall, supported by Xiao Xiang and Xiao Rui.
Her silver hair was meticulously arranged into a high bun adorned with several exquisite jade hairpins.
Though age had left its mark upon her face, she remained vigorous and sharp. Her bright, piercing eyes carried the commanding authority of someone accustomed to power.
The sisters-in-law hurriedly stood and bowed respectfully.
“Mother.”
“Grandmother.”
The Dowager Madam gave a slight nod before being helped into the grand armchair.
Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she frowned in annoyance.
“What is all this commotion in the middle of the night? Have you all forgotten proper decorum?”
Her cloudy yet piercing gaze swept across the room before settling on Chu Xiangyue.
“Where’s Jinghe? Xiang’er and Rui’er came to wake me. Since he’s finally back, why hasn’t he come to pay his respects to me? Where has he gone?”
Chu Xiangyue quickly stepped forward and explained gently,
“Mother, Jinghe was summoned to the palace by His Majesty as soon as he returned.”
“Summoned to the palace?”
The Dowager Madam’s brows knitted together, and all traces of drowsiness vanished.
“So late at night? Why would the Emperor summon him now?”
“Before he left, did Jinghe say anything?”
Chu Xiangyue exchanged glances with the other sisters-in-law before nodding hesitantly.
“He left in such a hurry that he didn’t have time to explain everything to us. It’s just…”
She glanced toward Xin Long, who stood quietly nearby.
“…Long’er relayed a message from him. But it’s such an important matter that we don’t dare believe it completely.”
The Dowager Madam turned her sharp gaze toward Xin Long.
Her voice was calm, steady, and commanding.
“Long’er, what did Jinghe say?”
“Tell me everything.”
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