A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 426 Ending (95)

It was common knowledge among the women of the imperial harem that Song Zi never conceived.

From the time she entered the palace, she served the emperor for over twenty years without losing favor. In fact, the late emperor, pitying her lack of children, despite immense pressure, personally bestowed upon her the title of empress. Furthermore, to ensure her glorious later years, he adopted Song Yan's suggestion to establish Shen Zhu, a prince whose birth mother had died young and who was not favored, as the crown prince. Before his death, he also left a will to protect Song Zi and An Yu.

But now, Song Yan actually said that Song Zi did not want to bear the late emperor's offspring, but in order to protect herself, she secretly became pregnant with a prince.
The emperor was filled with a thousand doubts and surprises. If Song Zi gave birth to a legitimate son, he would surely be the crown prince. The late emperor would never have given him the opportunity to enter the Eastern Palace!

So, what happened?
Before the emperor could fully grasp the intricacies of the matter, Song Yan explained, "Upon learning of Song Zi's scheme, I immediately sought an audience with the late emperor and reported the truth. The late emperor was furious, but considering the imperial heir, his own feelings for Song Zi, the disappearance of the six masters, and the lack of evidence to accuse Song Zi, he feared that if Song Zi, in desperation, dragged me into the mess, tarnishing the Song family's reputation and causing factional strife among civil officials and unrest among military generals, enemy states would inevitably seize the opportunity to wreak havoc on the borders, jeopardizing the nation. Therefore, for all these reasons, the late emperor suppressed the 'Shuiyunjian' case. However, later, the late emperor gave me a secret decree: once evidence is obtained in the future, Song Zi can be convicted and punished according to the law to uphold justice!"

After speaking, Song Yan took out a bright yellow imperial edict that had been sealed for many years from his wide sleeves, raised it above his head with both hands, and said loudly, "I respectfully request Your Majesty to read this!"

The emperor never expected things to develop this way. He quickly gave Zhou Chun a look, and Zhou Chun hurriedly came down, took the imperial edict, and presented it to the emperor.

"It turns out that my demotion to Jiangnan was intentionally sent by the late emperor and the Duke of Song to the scene of the crime to find evidence. The late emperor favored Song Zi and the Duke of Song protected the Song family in order to stabilize the court and wait for an opportunity."

The disappointment and resentment that had accumulated over a decade vanished completely at this moment.

Mu Yan felt a great weight lifted off his shoulders.

The late emperor he respected was not a sensual and incompetent ruler; the powerful military general, Duke of Song, was not someone who disregarded the people and the laws of the court for the sake of his family's interests. His stern demeanor showed he had not misplaced his trust!
After reading the imperial edict, the emperor, beneath his imposing aura, subtly showed excitement. "Minister Song, release the Empress Dowager!"

With a wave of his hand, Song Shuyu ordered the bailiffs to immediately remove the cloth from Song Zi's mouth and release her from her restraints.

The Emperor said, "The late Emperor's will stipulated that I must be respectful and filial to the Empress Dowager during her lifetime and must not neglect her duties. However, the late Emperor also decreed that since the Empress Dowager has violated the law and the evidence is conclusive, she should be punished the same as commoners! I wonder if the Empress Dowager has any objections?"

Once free, Song Zi didn't bother to respond to the emperor. She rushed towards Song Yan and retorted, "No, it's impossible! The late emperor wouldn't do this to me! The secret edict is fake, it must be fake!"

Song Yan dodged to the side, watching Song Zi miss her target and fall awkwardly to the ground. His eyes showed no warmth whatsoever. "Do you know when the late emperor granted me the secret decree? Mu Yan left the capital, the case files were sealed, and no one pursued the matter anymore. You thought the child in your womb was no longer of any use, so you used a bowl of abortion medicine to turn the imperial heir into a pool of blood! You thought you had done it flawlessly, but little did you know that the late emperor was watching you in secret? The late emperor saw through your cold-blooded ruthlessness and immediately wrote a secret decree to arrange your escape route!"

"Brother, don't you know why I didn't give birth to a prince? You clearly know my difficulties and my intentions, so why did you betray me? Why did you want to kill me!"

Song Zi broke down in tears, completely hysterical!
She was deeply devoted to Song Yan, sacrificing half her life and giving him everything!
She had committed evil deeds for many years, but she was never afraid of being exposed, because the late emperor had given her the greatest protection!
In the end, Song Yan betrayed her, and the late emperor's favor vanished!
She had nothing left!

However, Song Yan pursed his lips and did not answer. His gaze upon Song Zi was no longer one of indifference, like that of a stranger, but rather one filled with hatred!

It was a hatred that wanted to skin Song Zi alive, tear him apart, and shred him into a million pieces!