~ THE FIRE GOT OUT OF CONTROL ~
Xu Li placed the blood-stained letter on the Emperor’s desk and bowed before stepping aside.
After Xu Li stepped aside, the Emperor opened the letter and swiftly scanned its contents, his expression turning utterly grim.
A Palace maid stepped forward and declared in a clear voice: “Your Majesty, this blood-stained letter is Imperial Concubine Yue’s final testament, left behind before she took her own life. It details everything she knew—how Imperial Concubine De secretly plotted against her life, how Imperial Concubine Li covertly incited other consorts against her, and most crucially, the true identity of Yue Wang. The Empress and the head of the Luo family had a secret affair. Imperial Concubine Yue learned this directly from the old matriarch of the Su family, who also left a handwritten letter as evidence, hidden within the Su family’s residence. “This servant has received kindness from Imperial Concubine Yue,” the maid began. “Yet seeing her in distress, I can offer no recompense except to reveal the truth. The reason Your Royal Highness held Princess Yu hostage with a knife was that she was driven to desperation—Imperial Concubine Qi had administered a false pregnancy herb! I implore His Majesty to uncover the truth and clear my mistress’s name. Imperial Concubine Qi, you who harm the Imperial Concubine —you shall meet no good end!”
Finishing her declaration, the Palace maid abruptly threw herself headfirst onto the nearby steps, ending her life.
The dull thud sent shivers and a wave of dread through many hearts. Some officials flinched, eyes wide and anxious. After a moment’s stunned silence, a censor could no longer contain himself: “Your Majesty, this matter is of grave importance. We implore you to handle it with utmost care.”
“Indeed, Your Majesty. This concerns the purity of the imperial bloodline and the dignity of the royal house. The truth must be uncovered.”
“Please order an immediate investigation...”
As the voices rose, veins pulsed fiercely on the Emperor’s forehead. “Enough! I trust the Empress. I trust my Imperial Sister. Junyue is my son, the bloodline of the Imperial Palace. This is beyond question!”
Yue Wang’s heart pounded wildly. He forced himself to meet the Emperor’s gaze, breath unsteady, and unclenched his fists with slow, deliberate effort, struggling to hide his fear.
Ling Wang’s jaw tightened, eyes flashing with frustration and disbelief. Beneath his calm exterior, he churned with resentment: How could the Emperor still trust Grand Princess Yi De and Yue Wang when matters had reached this point?
Suddenly, the Emperor gave a cold order: “Guards! These two assassins first attempted to kill me, then slandered the Empress and Grand Princess Yi De! Drag them away and execute them by beating!”
Before the guards could act, Imperial Concubine Zhen stepped forward slowly, holding a slightly worn ledger. Kneeling in the center of the hall, she said, “Your Majesty, this servant has found a ledger recording Your Majesty’s visits to the Empress. There is also the pulse diagnosis record from when the Empress was pregnant. The time of her conception differs by half a month from when Your Majesty visited her. Would you like to see it?”
The Emperor regarded Imperial Concubine Zhen coldly, his gaze devoid of its usual benevolence, replaced entirely by scrutiny. “Imperial Concubine Zhen, are you aware that privately investigating such matters is a capital offense?”
“Your Majesty, this humble servant was born into poverty and once served in the Empress’s presence. Even then, I sensed something amiss about the Empress’s conception date. Yet Your Majesty remained unaware, and with Grand Princess Yi De deliberately concealing the truth, I could only bury my doubts deep within. Later, upon learning of Yue Wang’s origins from Su Yuyi, I recalled those unresolved questions and realized there truly was something amiss.”
Imperial Concubine Zhen knelt upright: “Your Majesty, I know investigating this is a capital offense, but I cannot bear to see you deceived. All these years, though unspoken, your heart has yearned for the Empress. Your devotion runs as deep as the ocean. I cannot let you be betrayed...”
The Emperor’s breath came short; he clutched his chest, face contorting in pain as two harsh coughs escaped, his usual stoic mask cracking under the weight of fear and uncertainty.
Grand Princess Yi De turned to Mu Yunyao, gesturing for her to hand over the pills she held.
“Your Majesty, your health is weak. These are Nourishing Spirit Pills—they protect the heart meridians and stabilize emotions...”
“Mu Yunyao! What medicine are you trying to give His Majesty?” Imperial Concubine Zhen suddenly snapped coldly. “Ever since you entered the Palace to tend to His Majesty’s health, his condition has only worsened. Have you tampered with his medicine?”
“Imperial Concubine Zhen, you must not speak recklessly,” Mu Yunyao replied, her expression icy.
Imperial Concubine Zhen ignored her, instead addressing the Emperor with feigned sincerity: “Your Majesty, with your wisdom and discernment, reflect upon all events that have transpired. You will surely see through the traitors and recognize the loyal. First, Grand Princess Yi De concealed Yue Wang’s true lineage. Then she secretly supported him in building his power. After Yue Wang returned to the Capital, she settled here permanently, constantly lingering near Your Majesty. Coincidentally, she also found her long-lost daughter and brought in a granddaughter skilled in medicine and poison. Don’t you find all this too coincidental?”
“Imperial Concubine Zhen, are you accusing my imperial sister?” The Emperor clenched the medicinal pill presented by Mu Yunyao in his hand, his gaze cold as he fixed it upon Imperial Concubine Zhen.
“Your Majesty, consider the Su family. Su Wenyan served you with unwavering loyalty. Yet later, because of Mu Yunyao, the entire Su family fell into ruin. This was clearly no coincidence. It was Grand Princess Yi De using Mu Yunyao as a tool to eliminate rivals.
Consider what Mu Yunyao has accomplished. She is merely a girl of barely a dozen years, raised in the countryside. Yet she masters embroidery, tea ceremony, and medicine. First, she gained fame by spreading embroidery techniques. Then, she cultivated connections through tea arts. Later, when the river banks breached, she won the people’s hearts with her medical skills. Such accomplishments are far beyond the reach of a mere child. There must be a master guiding her behind the scenes!”
Imperial Concubine Zhen emphasized the words “master” with deliberate intonation, her gaze fixed intently on Grand Princess Yi De.
Grand Princess Yi De remained immovable, ignoring Imperial Concubine’s gaze as she lifted her teacup and sipped lightly.
The Imperial Concubine Zhen inwardly, before continuing, “Your Majesty, throughout the Capital, everyone now praises Grand Princess Yi De and Mu Yunyao, while not a word of praise is heard for you, the sovereign. Ni Yun Pavilion and Bu Xian Luo are everywhere, their influence unmatched. Grand Princess Yi De constantly whispers in your ear, subtly swaying your judgment. Mu Yunyao tends to your health, while Yue Wang handles your affairs. Beyond Grand Princess Yi De, is there anyone else truly trustworthy by your side?”
These words sparked hushed murmurs among the officials. Previously unnoticed, the situation, upon closer reflection, seemed precisely as Imperial Concubine Zhen described.
“Your Majesty, Jin Wang’s already crippled, and I, your humble servant, have no desire to fight. I only feel gratitude for your years of favor and cannot bear to see you continue to be deceived by treacherous people. I beg you to see clearly.”
Imperial Concubine Li stepped forward: “Your Majesty, this matter involves far too much. I implore you to uncover the truth.”
The officials knelt in unison, pleading: “Your Majesty, uncover the truth!”
Silence hung heavy in the grand hall. The Emperor’s cold gaze swept over each face before he raised the pill offered by Mu Yunyao to his lips. Without hesitation, he swallowed it, then declared, enunciating each word deliberately: “I believe my Imperial Elder Sister.”
Imperial Concubine Zhen raised her eyes in disbelief. She had laid out all the evidence so clearly. Why did the Emperor not show a shred of suspicion?
Ling Wang could no longer contain himself. Kneeling forward, he spoke: “Imperial Father, I too believe Imperial Aunt is innocent. Yet with so much evidence presented, leaving it uninvestigated would cast a shadow over our hearts. Would it not be better to conduct a thorough inquiry? Would that not precisely clear Imperial Aunt of suspicion?”
To support us, kindly donate through our website. Thank you. 💕
0 comments:
Post a Comment