Her Power and Favor Span the World

Chapter 89

Since this was the case, Yuan Qingling did not stand on ceremony and sat down, going straight to the point, "I'd like to ask Your Highness about two people."

Yuan Qingling felt that when asking for favors, one should start small and work up to bigger requests, rather than make difficult demands right away.

"Who are they?" Yuwen Hao did not show any distaste.

"Duke Xiaoyao."

Yuwen Hao's expression changed slightly. "Why are you asking about him?"

"I heard His Majesty mention him before and got a little curious, that's all."

"I know nothing about him, no need to ask." Yuwen Hao's face was dark as he spoke.

Yuan Qingling was puzzled. Wasn't Duke Xiaoyao the previous Prime Minister? How could he know nothing?

From the corner of her eye she saw Tang Yang making faces at her, so she knew Duke Xiaoyao must have some resentment towards Yuwen Hao. She then said, "Nevermind then, let me ask about the second person, Marquis of Huiding, Chu Dayou."

Yuwen Hao visibly struggled to knit his swollen eyebrows, making them appear slick and shiny. "Him?"

"What is this man's character like?" From his expression, Yuan Qingling knew there would be no good answer.

"One word: Vile!" Yuwen Hao said coldly.

Yuan Qingling suppressed the urge to correct him that vile was two words. In her heart she was shocked, knowing that Yuwen Hao would not casually slander someone. His mouth was only vicious to her.

However, to describe Marquis of Huiding with just the word vile showed what a scumbag he truly was.

"I'd like to hear the details," Yuan Qingling quickly said.

"Why are you asking about him?" Yuwen Hao questioned.

Yuan Qingling hesitated for a moment before replying, "My father wants to marry my younger sister to him."

Yuwen Hao was stunned, then coldly said, "Then be prepared to collect your sister's corpse."

Yuan Qingling was badly frightened. "Is it that serious?"

Tang Yang chimed in, "Your Highness, he has married three wives, and they all died."

"How did they die?"

"The official story is they died suddenly of illness, though the Imperial Astronomers say it's because he was too abusive and his wives did not last. But his abuse was all for the sake of the court and the country, so of course His Majesty cherishes him even more."

"Maybe they really did die of illness?" Yuan Qingling asked hopefully, still trying to be optimistic.

Yuwen Hao calmly replied, "If you believe that, then by all means let your sister marry over. See if she also conveniently dies of illness in the end."

Yuan Qingling was badly shaken. After all, it was a human life. Even if not her own sister, she could not disregard it.

"Do you know the inside story?" Yuan Qingling asked.

Tang Yang looked at Yuwen Hao, who nodded. "Tell her."

Tang Yang continued, "This Marquis of Huiding has a penchant for abusing women. The women who have died by his hands are not limited to those three wives. The palace maids, village girls from the outskirts of the capital, at least over ten, not counting the military prostitutes during campaigns, and girls from nearby villages brought in.

Yuan Qingling was livid upon hearing this, slamming the table as she stood up. "And no one has done anything about this?"

"Who would? Without a plaintiff, who can do anything? These matters cannot be reported to the yamen. He handled them privately. Those who could be placated with money were given money. Those unwilling to take money who tried to report him were intimidated by his power into moving away or forced to commit suicide by poisoning."

"Didn't Your Highness know about this? Why didn't you do something?" Yuan Qingling looked at Yuwen Hao and asked. Her whole body shook with anger. How could such an evil person exist without punishment?

"This King has clashed with him on numerous occasions," Tang Yang said. "Later, I even reported the matter to His Majesty, but the investigation ordered by His Majesty found nothing. This King was instead berated by His Majesty for slandering the Field Marshal."

Yuan Qingling was shocked. "So you're saying he has killed so many women, yet has managed to smooth it all over?"

"Except for one person. She was the father of his third wife, the Prefect of Lu Prefecture. He happened to be in the capital when his daughter died. Seeing his daughter's corpse covered in horrific wounds, and her belly carrying a miscarried child from his abuse, the Prefect naturally would not let the matter rest and demanded an investigation..."

"What happened in the end?" Seeing him suddenly stop speaking, Yuan Qingling urgently asked.

Tang Yang sighed. "The investigation was unsuccessful. The Prefect went mad."

Yuan Qingling's whole body trembled violently. Fury coursed through every pore. She felt like her hair was standing on end. "Is there no one who can deal with him?"

Yuwen Hao lightly said, "Though someone did give him a severe beating once."

"Who was it? Good for them," Yuan Qingling gritted her teeth. "Why didn't they just beat him to death?"

"Duke Xiaoyao!" Yuwen Hao looked at her as he spoke.

"Duke Xiaoyao?" Yuan Qingling was surprised. At his advanced age, he could still beat someone? Impressive! She must pay Duke Xiaoyao a visit.

Tang Yang said, "After Marquis of Huiding's third wife died, he wanted to marry Duke Xiaoyao's grandniece. He even asked Premier Chu to act as matchmaker. The marriage was going to happen, but when Duke Xiaoyao found out, he took his dragon-headed cane and gave him a fierce beating, leaving him bedridden for three days. Clearly he was ruthless."

"A dragon-headed cane? Sounds very formidable." Yuan Qingling was eager to meet this hero Duke Xiaoyao right away. She held him in utmost esteem.

"Of course. His Majesty bestowed this dragon-headed cane to him. It can knock out rulers..."

Yuan Qingling couldn't help chiming in, "And punish corrupt officials."

Tang Yang was stunned. "Does the Consort know about this?"

Modern people all know about it, what's the big deal?

Yuan Qingling's blood boiled with excitement. "If Duke Xiaoyao can keep Marquis of Huiding in check, I may ask him for help."

Yuwen Hao's swollen face immediately turned pitch black. "Seeking him out? I forbid it!"

"Why do you dislike him so?" Yuan Qingling asked. How could he arbitrarily dislike such a great hero?

"I forbid it, that's final!" Yuwen Hao stood up and coldly stated, "If you dare go, this King will break your legs."

"We have an agreement that you cannot harm me," Yuan Qingling rationally argued.

Yuwen Hao snorted. "This King does not need to do it himself."

Yuan Qingling was stunned for a moment, having forgotten he had many subordinates. But whether he did it himself or not, the meaning was the same. He could not use force against her.

"If I don't go to Duke Xiaoyao, do you have another solution?" Yuan Qingling asked.

"Why should this King help your sister?"

"She's your aunt-in-law."

"Didn't you say you'll divorce me sooner or later? Don't forget your firm words." Yuwen Hao felt he had finally let out his frustration. This woman was terribly slick, always going on about divorcing him, as if he didn't dare do it.

Yuan Qingling solemnly said, "Your Highness, a woman's words cannot be trusted."

"So," Yuwen Hao tried to narrow his eyes but found that narrowing them meant closing them. He was even more irritated. "When you said you cannot be harmed, that is also untrustworthy?"

Yuan Qingling was amazed to discover that verbal sparring was a skill that could be honed. Yuwen Hao's reactions were quicker than before.

She may have wasted a duck, and wasted time and effort in turning him into a duck.