The Emperor and his lover

Chapter 108| Punishment for the Criminals

Everyone was looking at Jia Qing with wide eyes filled with shock as there was complete silence in the royal court. Wang Lei looked at them when he spoke up.

'The previous Empress is alive and was in hiding due to personal circumstances.' Wang Lei announced to everyone and they looked at him surprised while Jia Qing looked down guilty because she knew she had betrayed the people of the Wang Dynasty and that was counted as a crime for which she would get a punishment.

'We are happy to see the previous Empress alive but what she did was a crime, your majesty.' One of the governors stood up and asked as everyone looked at him patiently to listen to his answer.

'Yes, I know it was a crime and she will get her punishment along with people who helped her.' Wang Lei announced and everyone confused looked at each other to see who helped her.

'Your majesty who are the people who helped the previous Empress to commit that crime.' One of another rich governors stood up raising a question and Wang Lei heavily sighed and looked at everyone seriously.

'My wife's father Li Qiang.' Wang Lei announced shocking everyone as the Royal court burst into shocked whispers and discussions. Xin Jing was equally shaken by this news but then it was believable. She can believe her father made this kind of deal with Jia Qing. He was ambitious and greedy man.

'How is that possible, Your majesty? It is indeed shocking.' One of the governors said as they all nodded their heads and looked at Li Qiang with surprised and disappointed expressions. Li Qinag looked away ashamed because finally after years of hiding, his truth was also out.

'I am ready to get any punishment you will give me. I accept my crime and am shameful of it. As the Empress of the Wang Dynasty, I was unable to fulfil my duties and responsibilities towards the nation of the Wang Dynasty. I ask your forgiveness.' Jia Qing said as she first spoke to the people of the Wang Dynasty asking their forgiveness while they all nodded their heads and somehow felt sympathy for her.

'I will announce the punishment for criminals now.' Wang Lei said with a cold stone face and they all looked at their Emperor and waited for his decision patiently. By looks, they all could tell that he felt no pity or sympathy for Jia Qing and Li Qiang. They all waited to hold their breath.

'As a punishment, the statue had been snatched away from the previous Empress. She shall not be known, call or written as a Previous Empress of the Wang Dynasty. She shall live like an ordinary person now and no one has to treat or give respect her as an Empress but still shall be given respect as a woman. She shall live in a cold palace resident for now and for the rest of her life with no luxury given to her or any servants for her. She shall live a normal life like a Wang Dynasty woman.' Wang Lei announced and everyone gasped at his words and such a harsh punishment. They all expected just a small stay for months in a cold palace and that's it but for the rest of life live in the cold palace and also snatched away the statue of a previous Empress. That was indeed a harsh and serve punishment for anyone.

Cold palace president was a prison-type place but it was a huge palace where Royal family members go and stay as a punishment after committing a crime. It was an embarrassing place for Royal people to be at.

'Wang Lei...' Jia Qing called out to him surprised while Huang Dewei surprised himself with such a harsh punishment. Wang Lei was being ruthless and it does not seem like he would listen to anyone at this moment. His heart was filled with hate, anger and hurt towards his mother and Huang Dewei hopes that with time, he heals and forgive his mother and maybe then he will remove this punishment from her too.

'Your majesty, is not that too harsh?' One of a man stood up asking because they all knew it was indeed a ruthless punishment.

'Do you think the betrayal she did to Wang Dynasty for a decade was small?' Wang Lei asked as they all stayed quiet and the man sat back down.