Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1182 Nian Nian is Different (184 million votes plus additional content)

"It's shock!"

"It is to let the world see clearly what the consequences are for those who commit treason and poison the imperial concubines!"

"If even a murderer like Shen Nanqiao can be honorably buried, then where is the dignity of Your Majesty? Where is the dignity of the court's laws?"

"Who will really take the serious crime of murdering a concubine seriously in the future? Wouldn't that tell those hidden vipers that as long as they behave respectably, they can preserve their reputation as the empress?"

The carriage was completely silent, with only the sound of the wheels rolling and the wind whistling outside the window.

Shen Zhinian's voice deepened, but every word carried weight: "Father wants to protect the Shen family's 'respect'. But I want to protect the dignity of Your Majesty and the unbreakable palace rules and regulations!"

"I will also use Shen Nanqiao to completely nail the bastard son of Duke Dingguo's mansion who has fled abroad to the pillar of shame!"

"Let everyone in the world see clearly what the consequences will be for being an enemy of me and His Majesty!"

After he finished speaking, Shen Zhinian casually threw the folded letter into the small gilded hand warmer that was burning brightly in the car.

The flames instantly licked the golden paper, and a small wisp of green smoke rose up, and then turned into ashes in an instant.

Shen Zhinian watched the ashes disappear completely, his eyes as cold as ice: "Shen Nanqiao must return to the capital alive."

"Her crimes and her confession must be presented before the Three Courts!"

"I want her to personally confess her sins before the entire world and expose the person behind her. I want to make sure that there is no chance of covering up any of these things!"

"As for the Shen family's reputation..."

Shen Zhinian raised her chin slightly, and her beautiful profile, under the light coming through the gap in the car curtain, showed an awe-inspiring and inviolable determination.

"If even such a major issue as this one has to be covered up with the word 'respectable', then it's better to lose face!"

"I will use another method to clear the name of the Shen family."

Handan and Fuqiu knelt down together, their eyes full of admiration: "Your Majesty is wise!"

Because of the large number of people and the fact that they were escorting prisoners, the convoy returning to Beijing did not move very fast.

At lunchtime, the warm stove in the largest bright yellow carriage made people drowsy.

Shen Zhinian lifted the curtain and came in, bringing in a gust of crisp cold air, which was immediately enveloped by the warm warmth inside the tent.

Nangong Xuanyu was leaning on a soft pillow with his eyes closed. He opened his eyes when he heard the sound. There was a hint of tiredness from the long journey in his eyes, but warmth spread when he saw her.

"His Majesty."

Shen Zhinian bowed, took off his cloak and handed it to Fuqiu, revealing the light red palace dress underneath. He walked lightly to the side of the emperor and sat down.

Several exquisite side dishes and a bowl of steaming ginseng chicken soup have been placed on the small table.

Nangong Xuanyu smiled and said, "Niannian, come and have lunch with me."

After washing his hands, Shen Zhinian walked over, picked up the silver chopsticks, and served the dishes to Nangong Xuanyu with skillful gestures.

Her voice carried the languid air of someone who had traveled a long distance, yet also sounded like she was chatting casually. "...Father just sent a letter over here on horseback."

Nangong Xuanyu picked up the jade bowl, paused slightly when he heard the words, and looked up at Shen Zhinian: "Oh? What did Minister Shen say?"

Shen Zhinian picked up a piece of tender bamboo shoots and placed it on the plate in front of the emperor. The corners of his lips curved into a smile, and his tone was as casual as if he was telling a not-so-funny anecdote: "What else can I say?"

"I just want to denounce my elder sister for her cruelty and ruthlessness. She deserves death."

"In the end, I was really worried about the 'reputation' of our Shen family. I was afraid that once the doors of the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice were opened, the Shen family's reputation would be trampled into the mud, and I, along with them, would become the topic of gossip among others."

Having said that, she paused, and her eyes moved with a hint of cunning and unquestionable seriousness as she looked at Nangong Xuanyu.

"Father's intention was for me to consider the greater good and find a reason to quietly end my eldest sister's life. We can just say she died of a cold in the paddock, and that would make everyone look good."

Nangong Xuanyu listened quietly, his deep gaze falling on Shen Zhinian's face, watching her talk about how to deal with her elder sister who was related to her by blood in such an almost joking tone.

Behind those casual words was the decision made by Minister Shen after weighing the pros and cons.

They are a prominent family in the capital, and they are almost paranoid about protecting the word "respectability".

Somehow, a distant and vague figure appeared in Nangong Xuanyu's mind at an inopportune time -

The empress chosen for him by the late emperor was Jiang.

The woman who, before her true identity was revealed, was always dignified and proper, and always put the glory and interests of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion first.

Once upon a time, she was always the perfect queen in front of him, but she was not his wife.

Her heart was forever bound by the invisible chains of her family. The place left for him always took a backseat to the so-called greater good.

An indescribable feeling of melancholy was actually stirred up by Shen Zhinian's words at this moment...

However, this thought only flashed through my mind.

Nangong Xuanyu's gaze refocused on the face in front of him with a sly smile.

Every thought is different.

She seemed to be talking about decency and the overall situation, but her choice must be different from those of the noble ladies.

Shen Zhinian leaned forward slightly, approaching Nangong Xuanyu, with an unquestionable determination between her eyebrows: "But unfortunately, I don't intend to do this."

"Shen Nanqiao's crime is not only to murder me, but also to be the culprit for the Duke of Dingguo's mansion's treacherous outreach to the imperial palace."

"Her confession is ironclad evidence to nail Liu Shixiu to death and completely eliminate the remaining criminals! This case must be brought to justice in the Three Courts!"

"Your Majesty is using thunder and lightning to destroy the rebels in order to shock the world! If even the main culprit like Shen Nanqiao can disappear quietly, where is Your Majesty's authority? Where is the dignity of the court's laws?"

"I will never allow anyone to disrespect your majesty's authority in the slightest!"

As soon as the words fell, silence fell in the carriage.

Nangong Xuanyu looked at Shen Zhinian steadily.

Listening to her words, every word was based on his dignity and his kingdom.

The cold haze in his heart caused by memories was like the remaining snow in spring, which was instantly melted away by this hot sincerity.

Instead, there is a surging warm current that stirs the chest!

What matters most to Nian Nian is never the Shen family's reputation or the illusory dignity.

But it is the stability of his kingdom and his inviolable authority!

The emperor suddenly put down the jade bowl in his hand, reached out and held Shen Zhinian's hand in front of her slightly surprised gaze.

The emperor's hands were large, his palms warm and dry, with calluses from years of gripping swords. But now, he exerted a little force, tightly wrapping around Shen Zhinian's cool fingertips.

"Niannian..."

His voice deepened, with an unprecedented emotion.

In those bottomless black pupils, intense and complex emotions surged, including admiration, satisfaction, and a kind of cherishment that could not be described in words: "The way you treat me..."