tallest building

Chapter 320 No Give Way

In the imperial court, the censors and remonstrators put all their efforts into impeaching Dong Gang, and even bluntly pointed their fingers at Dong Sicheng and the entire Dong family.

The Empress had been sending people to listen to the commotion in the court. Yu Lu came in tremblingly and reported: "Your Majesty, Zhu Hui and the others are almost insane. They are spitting everywhere, almost spraying His Majesty's face."

They said that if the Dong family wasn't severely punished, the country would cease to exist. They also said that because the Dong family held absolute power, the imperial authority had long been weakened, making them akin to Dou Liang of the Han dynasty and Wei Yang of the Tang dynasty.

“This…this is going too far.” Consort Hui, who was sitting to the side, couldn’t help but retort after hearing this. “These officials always exaggerate, and they call it an awakening.”

“They have no choice but to say it,” this was something the Queen had expected. “How should I put it?”

“Since this matter occurred in the palace, it should be Chief Eunuch Zhao who is investigating,” Consort Hui said. “I hope he can get a clear answer.”

Chief Eunuch Zhao, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, arrived with his men after breakfast to interrogate Dong Gang.

In just one night, Dong Gang was unshaven and looked exhausted.

Upon seeing Steward Zhao, he cried out in protest: "Steward Zhao, I am truly innocent. You know me, even if I were confused, I couldn't possibly be that confused."

"Prince Consort, don't be in a hurry. Sit down and talk slowly. Have you had breakfast yet?" Steward Zhao was as polite to Dong Gang as ever.

One of the people accompanying Dong Gang served him a cup of tea. Dong Gang took a couple of sips and continued, "I drank too much at the banquet last night and thought I'd go for a walk. I was planning to just walk around the back and come back, but when I got near Songfeng Pavilion, I suddenly felt a sharp pain in the back of my head and lost consciousness."

"Oh, is that so?" Steward Zhao looked surprised upon hearing this.

“It’s absolutely true. If you don’t believe me, come and feel it. The big one still hasn’t gone down.” Dong Gang felt extremely wronged. “When I woke up again, I saw the Emperor, the Empress and the Empress were there, while I was lying naked in bed. This is clearly a setup!”

After questioning Dong Gang, Steward Zhao went to Mingcui Palace to ask another person involved, Alan.

At this moment, the people in Mingcui Palace all looked somewhat flustered. Chief Steward Zhao walked in and greeted Princess Duanmin: "Your Highness, this old servant is here on the Emperor's orders to inquire about last night's events. I wonder where Consort Lan is now?"

"Alan was rescued just in time to save himself. It's all thanks to the early discovery." Princess Duanmin's expression was very unpleasant. She was currently pregnant, and after encountering such a distressing situation, how could she possibly have a good expression?

“But since the eunuch has come to ask, let her come over and speak! Otherwise it will seem like she is deliberately disobeying the imperial decree,” Princess Duanmin said again.

Alan was helped in; a deep, purplish-red ligature mark was visible on her neck, a shocking sight.

“Lady Lan, please explain the situation last night in more detail. This matter is of utmost importance and cannot be taken lightly.” Steward Zhao carefully observed the expression on Lan’s face.

Alan hung his head, ashamed, his eyelids red and swollen from crying. As soon as he opened his mouth, tears fell: "I really have no face to live anymore..."

"I told you before, if you're going to die, it's not now. You need to make things clear and resolve this matter thoroughly." Princess Duanmin's tone was firm. "You were brought from my domain, and you serve the Emperor. This is of great importance!"

“The princess is absolutely right, Consort Lan. I know some things are hard to say, but this matter is so important that I ask you to speak.” Steward Zhao urged again.

Alan, choking back tears, recounted his ordeal from the previous night. "Could you perhaps have the maid who accompanied you come forward and report?"

"Xiao Qiu." Alan called softly, and a palace maid of about thirteen or fourteen years old stepped forward.

"Reporting to Steward Zhao, last night I accompanied Consort Lan on a walk. When we were almost at Yunshui Pavilion, Consort Lan's handkerchief went missing, so she asked me to take a lantern and look for it along the way we came."

I went all the way to the back wall of Guanghua Gate before I found her. When I came back, I couldn't find Consort Lan anymore. I thought she had gone back to the banquet. So I went to the front hall, but I didn't see Consort Lan there either. I thought she might have gone back to her residence, but she wasn't there either. Then...then..." Xiao Qiu stopped there, and there was no need to say more.

“I really didn’t expect to encounter something like this in the palace, otherwise I wouldn’t have been all alone…” Alan said, crying.

"Steward Zhao, what did Dong Gang say?" Princess Duanmin asked Steward Zhao with a forced smile.

“Uh… Prince Consort Dong said he was framed. Last night he drank too much and wanted to go out to clear his head, but he was knocked unconscious from behind,” said Steward Zhao.

"Ha!" Princess Duanmin sneered upon hearing this. "Who would dare to plot against him? He's a member of the Dong family!"

“The prince consort does indeed have a lump the size of an egg on the back of his head; that’s not a lie,” said Steward Zhao.

“What’s so difficult about that? A whole night has passed; he’s had plenty of chances to bump his head and get a bump,” Princess Duanmin said mercilessly. “Alan’s maid isn’t with him; she went back to look for a handkerchief. Why didn’t he bring any attendants? Since he’s drunk and going to such a dark place, isn’t he afraid of tripping and falling?”

"Well... I only started handling this matter today, and I need to ask several times before I can understand everything," said Steward Zhao.

"Chief Steward Zhao, you must judge this matter impartially, otherwise I will not allow it," Princess Duanmin warned directly. "Alan is only with me. Anyone who wants to ask questions can come and ask, I will not stop them. But you cannot take her away from Mingcui Palace. What if someone dies? Who will compensate us?"

Consort Hui waited in the Empress's palace until the Emperor finished his morning court session.

The Emperor also looked weary. Seeing this, Consort Hui dared not say anything other than offering her greetings.

"Your Majesty, you've worked hard. Please sit down and have some tea to rest." The Empress offered a teacup with great hospitality.

"As you can probably imagine, the court was in complete chaos, a truly unbearable mess," the Emperor sighed deeply.

"I heard that Consort Lan was distraught and attempted suicide. I wanted to go and comfort her, but I was afraid she would take offense," the Empress said with a troubled expression. "I wanted to share Your Majesty's burdens, but I felt ashamed because it was my own family that had caused this trouble."

"No one expected this to happen," the Emperor said, not quite angry with the Empress, "but you must all understand that this matter must have a result that satisfies the public, and we cannot lose sight of the bigger picture for the sake of a small matter."

The Emperor's words were a warning to the Empress and Consort Hui not to let their concern cloud their judgment, and not to think only of protecting Dong Gang, but to consider the overall situation.

The Empress and Consort Hui could only agree: "Your Majesty's orders will be obeyed."

Their unease grew stronger, but they couldn't think of any good solutions.