Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 270 Wang Zuo's Choice

The Emperor Yuan was pregnant with the Emperor's child.

If someone had told him this an hour ago, Wang Zuo would have slapped him across the face.

What a joke!
But at this moment, upon hearing the message, his face suddenly darkened, and he replied in a barely audible voice, "Stop talking nonsense. Do you have any evidence?"

"Qingheng".

Haiyue provided a name.

Qingheng, the steward of Consort Yan's Zhongcui Palace, was a member of the Liyuan Society and passed on the Empress Dowager's messages to the "female bat" outside the palace.

This incident filled Zhu Houcong with shock and anger, and he prepared to launch a purge in the inner palace. However, Empress Dowager Jiang's attitude was that peace and tranquility in the household were the only way to show the ruler's benevolence, and that he should show leniency to his subjects.

Otherwise, excessive oppression would breed rebellion, and it would be unrealistic to expect the tens of thousands of servants in the inner court to conduct constant searches.

With Empress Dowager Jiang in charge, the inner palace was indeed harmonious, and a new prince was born, ensuring the emperor had an heir. This also greatly reduced the pressure from the previous dynasty.

However, at the time everyone believed that forces from outside the palace had infiltrated the palace and bribed the palace maids in order to plot against them.

But what if the truth is exactly the opposite?

The highest-ranking members of the Liyuan Society, the leaders of the Ziwei Enclosure, were hidden in the palace.

That's why she bribed palace maids and secretly cultivated her own henchmen.

Wang Zuo's heart sank to the bottom as he thought about this. Too many clues pointed to the same truth, but there was still an unsolved problem: "How could Hu Sandao have died during the 'imperial death' of 'Yuan Tianzi'?"

By asking this question, Wang Zuo no longer concealed his position and directly stated it.

"I see!"

Haiyue paused for a moment, then followed suit and said, "If the Commander is being hypocritical, then I will not hide it. Hu Sandao's death was a case of infighting."

"Cannibalism?"

As the saying goes, "the onlooker sees more of the game than the player." Sometimes, a complex murder case can be solved with just one sentence. Wang Zuo's body trembled as he realized the truth: "Hu Sandao... Hu Sandao is actually a member of the Liyuan Society? So that's how it is!"

Having answered this question, Wang Zuo's back was quickly soaked with cold sweat.

He figured out all the key points—

'If I were truly controlled by the Li Yuan Society, and with Consort Du's cooperation, His Majesty would indeed have been harmed by the two of us while I was boating on the lake just now…'

'Even if something unexpected happens along the way, and I discover something amiss, because she carries the emperor's child, we, her subjects, can do nothing to her!'

"No wonder the Junior Assistant dared to directly inform me of 'Emperor Yuan's' whereabouts. This is also a form of intimidation. At this point, Li Yuanshe is emboldened and determined that I must submit!"

The Liyuan Society was a secret society that opposed the imperial court and the emperor, and even dared to assassinate the emperor.

If the leader of such an organization were to have the protection of a royal heir, the resulting calamity would be unprecedented!

But what can be done now that the die is cast?
How to confront a pregnant concubine?

If the other party becomes agitated and injures the dragon heir, wouldn't that be a grave crime?
Do not!
Don't hesitate or look back!

The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard suddenly became as firm as iron.

Using poison as bait and enduring humiliation, while driven by a selfish desire to prevent the Embroidered Uniform Guard from falling behind, a deeper motivation lay in an unwavering loyalty to the Ming Dynasty and the Zhu family emperor.

At this moment, this loyalty is burning fiercely in his heart.

The thief's methods were insidious and ruthless!
First, assassinate the wise and virtuous ruler!
To further usurp the imperial power of the Ming Dynasty!

But with him there...

These schemes and plots will not succeed!
Wang Zuo had made up his mind, so he silently stepped aside and waited to the side.

The laughter and chatter inside the room continued for a long time. When it was time to start the banquet, everyone moved into the hall.

During the banquet, Prince Zhu Yuwen of Tang frequently offered toasts, and his flattering words pleased the emperor greatly. The uncle and nephew clinked glasses and celebrated the addition of a new member to the Zhu family.

Wang Zuo's attention was not on these two, nor did he pay much attention to Consort Du Kang. Instead, he observed her two close palace maids.

The maids and nannies who served Consort Du Kang were the same two who had helped her back to shore from the painted boat.

A young maidservant.

An elderly nanny.

Based on past experience, older people are more experienced and therefore more difficult to deal with, while younger people are more impetuous and easier to overcome.

But many details surfaced in Wang Zuo's mind.

The maidservant followed behind Consort Du with her head bowed. She was plain-looking and easily forgotten, but upon closer inspection, every step she took seemed to be measured with an ink line. She was methodical and disciplined. Such restraint at her age was something that no ordinary palace maid could do.

In contrast, the old woman supporting Consort Du Kang was elegant and dignified. When others were not paying attention, she often looked around, and the arch of her neck showed the arrogance of someone who had been in a superior position for a long time. She was obviously subservient to her master, but she was used to lording it over others behind the scenes.

Ever since.

Wang Zuo kept a close eye on the old woman's movements. As soon as she left the banquet and walked out, he immediately got up, quickly caught up with her, and whispered, "Go back and ask your master if the opportunity to go boating on the lake has been missed?"

The old woman was startled at first, her body tensing up noticeably. She clearly hadn't expected this person to specifically seek her out, and instinctively became nervous.

Of course, this tension is not surprising. Even a normal person would find it difficult to remain calm if they were being questioned by the leader of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. It all depends on what happens next.

She first looked bewildered: "I don't understand what the Commander-in-Chief is saying..." "We're all in the same boat now, why bother?"

Wang Zuo was displeased, and his tone was urgent: "You must know that this opportunity is not to be missed. This time when you return to the palace in the south, you will be facing Empress Jiang again!"

As expected, the moment Lady Jiang was mentioned, the old woman's expression changed immediately, and she even seemed a little frightened.

Clearly, most of the servants in the palace genuinely respected the Empress Dowager, but those with ulterior motives were wary and fearful of her.

Since Qingheng, the steward of Zhongcui Palace, was exposed, the remaining members of Liyuan Society, especially the servants in Consort Dukang's palace, will inevitably be very careful and dare not reveal the slightest flaw.

These days, walking on thin ice, must be difficult.

So Wang Zuo's next sentence was full of temptation: "Now is the best opportunity for Your Majesty. Once you miss it, how long will you have to wait before you can become the Empress Dowager?"

The old woman trembled: "Empress Dowager! Empress Dowager!"

Isn't that the Empress Dowager?

The only entity that transcends imperial power.

Of course, this is on the premise that the current emperor has passed away and that the unborn child in her womb will succeed to the throne!

For this reason, the emperor's southern tour provided the Li Yuan Society with the best opportunity to strike.

Otherwise, what if other concubines in the harem are pregnant and have given birth to princes when we return to the Forbidden City?
Could it be that she could kill all the other princes and only keep her own child?

Those are all uncontrollable variables.

"I hope my mother-in-law will put in a good word for me before the Empress and offer some guidance!"

Seeing that the other party was moved, Wang Zuo took out a piece of beautiful jade from his waist and stuffed it into the old woman's hand.

The movements were not yet practiced.

After all, given his status, people wouldn't even have the chance to slip him money, let alone curry favor with him.

As a mere concubine, she was naturally not qualified to be called "Empress," and as a mere old woman in the palace, she had never experienced the humility and deference shown to the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"Oh no! No, you mustn't!"

The old woman gave it a slight push, and it was accepted without hesitation. Compared to the preciousness of the jade pendant, the sense of accomplishment made her feel even more elated.

Thinking that Guo Xun was still in their hands, and that the actions of this leader of the Embroidered Uniform Guard had no turning back, she finally couldn't hold back and replied, "Of course Your Majesty also hopes for a great success, but that Hai Yue is really annoying. With him around, Your Majesty is unwilling to act rashly! If the Commander can get rid of him, Your Majesty will never forget your great contribution in the future!"

'It's you! It really is you!'

Wang Zuo's heart trembled violently. His knuckles slowly clenched, and his tone revealed difficulty: "This person is a newly appointed Hanlin scholar. I wonder if Your Majesty can..."

"No!"

The old woman shook her head resolutely and lowered her voice: "Her Majesty is of noble birth, how could she risk her life for this? If you want to make a good future in the new dynasty, Commander, you'd better show your abilities!"

Wang Zuo remained silent for a moment, and just as the old woman was about to leave, he suddenly said, "I've thought of a way to kill him today!"

"Oh?"

The old woman's face lit up with joy: "What method?"

Wang Zuo said, "This matter requires going to the pleasure boat, but I am not enough on my own. Could you come and lend me a hand, Granny?"

Seeing the other party hesitate, Wang Zuo added, "If you can help me get rid of Haiyue, this great threat, your position in front of the Empress will be secure, and you won't be outshone by the younger generation!"

'Young man...'

The old woman turned her head to look inside the hall, her gaze seemingly landing on the maid, and gritted her teeth, saying, "Fine!"

The two walked quickly into the backyard, one after the other, and went straight to the shore.

Upon arriving at the pleasure boat and seeing the empty cabin, and then witnessing Wang Zuo suddenly stop, a sense of unease welled up within the old woman: "I cannot remain away for too long. Let Commander Wang make the arrangements alone. I shall return..."

"go back?"

Wang Zuo slowly turned around, his face, which had just shown some ingratiating expression, was now as cold and hard as iron.

The old woman's wrinkles suddenly tightened: "What...what are you going to do?!"

Wang Zuo slowly straightened his back, as if he had unloaded a huge burden and unveiled all the pretense. He twisted his neck, and every word seemed to be tempered with ice: "It was not in vain that I endured three hundred and seventy-four days of hardship. Today, I have finally captured the true form of 'Yuan Tianzi'. What do you think I should do?"

"Wang Zuo, you!"

The old woman's face changed drastically, and she screamed sharply, "You'd better think this through! Guo Xun is still alive, and His Majesty will not forgive your crime of deceiving the emperor! Besides! Besides, the imperial child in Her Majesty's womb is a protective charm! How can you possibly harm us? You might as well submit obediently, and when Her Majesty becomes Empress Dowager, the court will naturally... um!"

But Wang Zuo could no longer listen. He suddenly lunged forward and gripped her neck with his five fingers like iron clamps.

Without the slightest hesitation, a crisp cracking sound rang out, and the old woman's pupils suddenly dilated.

Wang Zuo suddenly twisted his hand, and a jet of blood shot out from the old woman's mouth, splattering onto the screen like a hideous vermilion painting.

"Dragon seed?"

"The palace has its own princes, and His Majesty has his own heirs. How dare you lay a finger on the land of my Great Ming!"

"Take it easy on your journey to the underworld... Your master will be there soon!"

(End of this chapter)