Chapter 2250: Chapter 1940: I Don’t Want Yun’an’s Princess’s Husband to Be a Useless Person

At this moment, He Dongqi only felt an immense pressure weighing on him.

If he cannot simultaneously handle the matter of the Wolf Demon and the village massacre by evil spirits, his role as Commander of the Deceit Suppression Bureau would come to an end.

If it is just the loss of his official hat, that would be fortunate; the real fear is the Empress Dowager holding him accountable.

As He Dongqi frowned in distress, a Hundred Households from the Deceit Suppressing Guards entered the council hall, first bowing to everyone present and saying, "Greetings, Commander, greetings, lords."

After finishing the formalities, the guard looked at He Dongqi and said: "Master, someone from the palace has come."

Upon hearing this, He Dongqi was stunned, believing that the Empress Dowager had heard of the village massacre by evil spirits and sent someone to confront him.

Once he regained his senses, He Dongqi quickly said, "Please invite them in."

After He Dongqi spoke, the guard turned and left the council hall, and shortly afterward, a woman dressed in Qingyi entered the hall.

He Dongqi had already stood up, smiling as he approached the Qingyi woman, "What instructions does Her Majesty have?"

The woman said expressionlessly, "Her Majesty asks Master He to come to the palace."

He Dongqi’s heart sank, feeling an ominous premonition, and he tentatively asked, "Miss, could you tell me what Her Majesty requires of me?"

The maid calmly said, "Master He will understand once you reach the palace; Her Majesty awaits in the Imperial Study Room."

After saying this, the maid turned and left directly.

This...

Watching the maid’s departing figure, He Dongqi’s heart sank to the bottom.

Even with a bad premonition in his mind, He Dongqi immediately headed to the Imperial Palace; now that the Empress Dowager holds power, her words are a Holy Decree, not to be defied.

Shortly after, He Dongqi arrived at the Imperial Study Room.

At this moment, Pei Shuhua sat at the Jade Table, her indifferent eyes sweeping over He Dongqi.

Feeling the Spirit Evil Qi emanating from Pei Shuhua, He Dongqi felt tremendous pressure and promptly bowed, saying, "Your servant greets the Empress Dowager!"

Pei Shuhua replied coldly, "Rise."

He Dongqi tentatively asked, "What does Her Majesty require of your servant?"

Pei Shuhua, expressionless, asked, "Did I hear correctly that you ordered the Heir of Prince Zhen Nan to sort through documents at the Prince’s Mansion?"

Upon hearing this, He Dongqi’s mind went blank, thinking the Empress Dowager was there because of the village massacre or the Wolf Demon, but realizing it was about Lu Chen. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

However, He Dongqi quickly came to his senses, having heard today that Lu Chen plans to marry Ji Yunmeng, so Empress Dowager mentioning Lu Chen probably means she intends to eliminate Lu Chen quickly, thus thwarting the marriage.

With this possibility in mind, He Dongqi broke out in cold sweat, fearing more to offend the Zhen Nan Prince Manor than the Empress Dowager’s pursuit of accountability for failing to stop the village massacre.

If he assists the Empress Dowager in dealing with Lu Chen, he is certain Lu Chen would die today, and he himself the next day, perhaps even without a trace of his body left.

He could never afford to make enemies with the Zhen Nan Prince Manor before, not to mention now that Emperor Zhou has allied with the Prince, with many in the Imperial Faction supporting the Prince’s side; no matter his status as an Earth Realm Strong Person, he couldn’t withstand their retaliation.

Returning to his senses, He Dongqi struggled to calm his emotions and then replied, "Your Majesty, Lu Chen’s strength is weak; sending him on a mission could endanger his life."

"Furthermore, the Deceit Suppression Bureau boasts of numerous talents, and doesn’t lack a Mortal Realm Spiritual Martial Artist."

Pei Shuhua’s eyebrows flashed with anger at He Dongqi’s words, coldly saying, "Lu Chen, after all, is the Heir of Prince Zhen Nan and is meant to inherit the title eventually; without undergoing rigorous training and strengthening himself, what qualifies him to succeed his father’s princely title?"

"Besides, Yun’an is set to marry him; I do not wish Yun’an’s husband to be a useless one."

This...

He Dongqi momentarily didn’t know what to say, sharing Fan Yaodong’s thoughts of passing the buck and quitting.

If it were only concerning the Earth Realm Wolf Demon, he could still manage; now evil spirits have invaded the capital’s villages, combined with the Deceit Suppression Bureau caught up in the court struggle, He Dongqi feels utterly powerless.

With He Dongqi silent, Pei Shuhua asked, "Commander He, surely you understand my well-meaning intentions?"

Regaining his composure, He Dongqi quickly said, "Your Majesty, Lu Chen is the sole offspring of the Zhen Nan Prince Manor..."

Here, He Dongqi hesitated, trying to convey that if Lu Chen were harmed, the Zhen Nan Prince Manor would stop at nothing to retaliate against the Deceit Suppression Bureau, but such words need not be spoken; the Empress Dowager surely knows what he intends to say.

In any event, the Deceit Suppression Bureau cannot shoulder this blame, nor can He Dongqi; as an Earth Realm Strong Person, no matter where he joins, he’ll receive good treatment.

Should he assist the Empress Dowager in eliminating Lu Chen, he’d be on a path to death; he’d rather offend the Empress Dowager than Prince Zhen Nan, for typically, the royal family wouldn’t target an Earth Realm Strong Person, especially not the Commander of the Deceit Suppression Bureau, as attacking him without cause could easily provoke dissatisfaction within the bureau, which isn’t favorable for the Empress Dowager who aims to control its power.

But aiding the Empress Dowager in eliminating Lu Chen would mean blood feud with the Zhen Nan Prince Manor, which wouldn’t care if he’s an Earth Realm Strong Person or the Commander of the Deceit Suppression Bureau.

So, He Dongqi knows well what choice he must make.

Seeing He Dongqi unwilling to side with her, Pei Shuhua, too, couldn’t be bothered to waste words and said: "I’m exhausted, you may leave."

He Dongqi promptly bowed and said: "Your servant takes leave."

Upon speaking, He Dongqi fled from the Imperial Study Room.

Watching He Dongqi’s departing figure, Spirit Evil Qi surged uncontrollably from Pei Shuhua, instantly sweeping through the entire Imperial Study Room.

Her Spirit Evil Qi is a deep color, akin to Prince Zhen Nan’s Black Evil, yet she hasn’t suffered any backlash from the Qi, its color has always been as such.

After a while, Pei Shuhua calmed her inner anger; despite her dissatisfaction, she couldn’t move against He Dongqi directly.

Pei Shuhua contemplated that if He Dongqi wouldn’t shoulder this blame, she’d seek another who would; she couldn’t believe everyone in the Deceit Suppression Bureau would be so fearful.

...

After returning to the Deceit Suppression Bureau, He Dongqi’s first task was to write a memorial, resigning as Commander of the Deceit Suppression Bureau.

At the Bureau, in the office room.

He Dongqi held his brush, gazing at the memorial on the desk, furrowing his brows, appearing somewhat displeased.

If he merely submits the resignation like this, the Empress Dowager may not approve it.

The Empress Dowager and the Pei Family surely won’t directly confront the Zhen Nan Prince Manor; to eliminate Lu Chen, they undoubtedly need a scapegoat, with the Deceit Suppression Bureau evidently targeted to bear this blame.