Hearing the hostility in Zhao Gou's tone, everyone present exchanged glances. The sky was clear and cloudless; there was not the slightest sign of rain. Zhao Gou clearly had no intention of clearing Yue Fei's name.
Yet everyone understood perfectly well. After all, the emperor had approved Yue Fei's execution back then. If Yue Fei were exonerated, would that not mean His Majesty was slapping his own face?
Everyone fell silent. Jiying Hall was so quiet that a pin dropping could be heard. Then, a clear voice rang out from the crowd. "Does Your Majesty truly mean that?"
Only upon seeing the upright, handsome young man in the center did everyone remember the wager from earlier.
"A ruler's word is no joke." Zhao Gou remained expressionless as he narrowed his eyes at Song Qingshu. "This is the perfect opportunity to continue our wager. If you can truly summon wind and rain, I will not only pardon the assassin's crimes and thoroughly investigate Yue Fei's case from that year, but I can also marry the two Imperial Princesses to you. But if you cannot..." A chilling note suddenly entered his voice.
Song Qingshu replied calmly, "If I cannot do it, I am willing to share her punishment."
"Is it worth risking so much for one woman?" The Yellow-robed Woman's voice reached him through secret transmission. She sounded both angry and regretful.
"If you were the one who had attempted the assassination today, I would do the same." Song Qingshu smiled at her.
The Yellow-robed Woman's heart instantly began racing. Flustered, she averted her gaze. Only after a long while did she realize that she had always been loyal to the sovereign and devoted to her country—how could she possibly enter the palace to assassinate someone?
Unable to help herself, she spat