A middle-aged emperor, childless, was blessed with a beautiful and pregnant concubine who entered th

She glanced at Liu Zhaoyi and thought to herself, "That fool, she's really driven herself to ruin."

She quickly said, "Your Majesty, the facts are clear; this Liu is harboring malicious intentions."

"Chaoyang sent the pearl beauty and calming pills out of kindness!"

"Both Physician Tao and Supervisor Lü just said that a small amount of cinnabar is calming and will not cause any serious harm. As long as it is not taken with safflower or other cold foods, it is safe."

"In other words, this Liu family member exploited a loophole, harmed Consort Zhen, and even implicated the princess..."

Consort Chen's acting skills at that moment were astonishing.

She wiped away non-existent tears, pressed a handkerchief to her lips, and said, "Poor Chaoyang, he always tells me that once his two younger brothers are born, he'll take them horseback riding..."

"What a pity about the ponies that the princess specially ordered to be found..."

Consort Lan couldn't help but laugh upon hearing these words.

"Princess Chaoyang is such a good older sister. How can a newborn prince ride a horse?"

"The princess probably wants to kill the two princes."

Consort Chen glared at her angrily, "You!"

She quickly burst into tears, "Your Majesty! I know that Consort Lan dislikes me and the princess, but I don't mind suffering a little grievance. If the princess knew that Consort Lan said this, she would be heartbroken..."

Consort Lan: ...

Consort Chen finally understood.

These days, Consort Zhen is the sole favorite of His Majesty, and she is pregnant with twins. His Majesty has not entered Chang Le Palace for quite some time.

Even if they came, it was because the princess had entered the palace and they were here to dine together.

But he never spent the night at Chang Le Palace.

Consort Chen also felt wronged at first.

But slowly, she suddenly realized that things couldn't continue like this.

If no one cares about her grievances, then what's the point of them?

Instead of taking advantage of this grievance, you might as well use it to your advantage.

Sure enough, the Empress Dowager said to Consort Lan, "Alright, Lan'er, say less."

Consort Lan walked behind the Empress Dowager and massaged her shoulders. "Mother, I was just telling the truth."

"Although that tiny amount of cinnabar powder is not dangerous, the Imperial Concubine is pregnant, and no amount of caution is excessive. How could the Princess be so careless?"

Consort Chen's heart suddenly clenched.

It's a pity that Princess Chaoyang didn't enter the palace today.

If her daughter were here, she wouldn't be in such a passive position.

If Chaoyang softens his stance and acts coquettishly, what can the Empress Dowager and His Majesty say?

Consort Chen could only back down now, "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, I know it's all Chaoyang's fault, but Chaoyang only wanted Consort Zhen to give birth to two intelligent and lively princes!"

"Her original intention was good."

"We can't mistake someone's kindness for malicious intent just because we were taken advantage of. If Chaoyang knew, he would be heartbroken!"

Consort Lan: ...

Just as the Empress Dowager was about to say something, Emperor Qianwu slowly spoke.

His voice was deep and carried an undeniable authority.

"The Liu family," he finally spoke, his voice devoid of emotion, "possessing forbidden drugs and acting suspiciously, which is of great importance."

"Effective immediately, he is stripped of his title, demoted to a commoner, and banished to the cold palace."

"All palace staff shall be handed over to the Palace Administration Office for rigorous interrogation."

"The case involving Liu's plot to harm the imperial heir is no ordinary offense committed by a member of the harem. The three judicial departments, together with the Embroidered Uniform Guard, are hereby ordered to conduct a thorough investigation immediately."

"Before this matter is definitively concluded, no one may make any further comments or implicate innocent people."

His gaze was icy as he swept over Consort Chen, Consort Lan, and the others: "I am utterly disgusted by the turmoil in the harem. Each of you shall return to your palace and reflect on your mistakes."

Consort Liu, no, Consort Liu, knelt down.

She knelt very slowly.

My forehead touched the cool gold brick.

The Three Judicial Offices and the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

That's not the yamen for judging imperial concubines; that's the place for judging criminals.

The emperor did not believe her.

He never believed her from the very beginning.

She was led away with her back still straight.

Consort Chen watched her retreating figure, a complex emotion flickering in her eyes for a moment.

But it wasn't guilt, pity, or even pride.

It is admiration.

In this world, there are actually people foolish enough to risk their lives to fulfill the phrase "I have nothing to say".

There are really people who are so stupid as to take all the blame for the murderer, without even knowing who the murderer is.

What a perfect scapegoat.

The Empress Dowager rose with the help of a female official, glanced at the Emperor before leaving, and said nothing more.

Consort Lan bowed and took her leave. She walked very quickly as she went out, her skirt billowing in the wind.

She was so angry with Consort Liu that she almost died.

She thought she had integrity, but she died without any value, and even became a scapegoat for Consort Chen and Princess Chaoyang.

Consort Chen and her daughter would not thank her for this; on the contrary, they would laugh at her.

Her slow, deliberate movements.

Consort Lan walked very fast, as if only in this way could she relieve the vexation in her heart.

……

Chang Le Palace.

Princess Chaoyang entered the palace early the next morning.

After entering the palace, she went directly to her mother's Chang Le Palace.

Dressed in a bright red palace gown, she was travel-worn but unrestrained and flamboyant, and immediately asked, "Mother, does Father really want the Three Judicial Offices to conduct a thorough investigation?"

Consort Chen curled her lips and couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"You know your father's temperament, don't you?"

"He values ​​the two children in Zhou's belly more now than he did back then..."

She glanced at her daughter but said nothing more, though Princess Chaoyang understood.

The mother and daughter have a great understanding of each other.

"Now that this matter has ultimately fallen to Consort Liu, how could your father possibly let it go so easily?"

"The more thoroughly you investigate, the more you'll discover how many inexplicable and strange things the Liu family has accumulated over the years, and how many boxes of incomprehensible scribbles they've written."

"The clearer the investigation, the more certain it becomes that she acted alone, without any help or support, and committed this heinous crime by herself and her own two hands."

"In the end, everyone will be satisfied."

"Since the murderer has been brought to justice, no one needs to remain uneasy."

"His Majesty is satisfied, the Empress Dowager is satisfied, the court officials are satisfied, and the people of the world are satisfied."

"As for the truth..."

She paused, then looked at her daughter.

"That's not important."

"You don't need to do anything."

She touched her daughter's fair and rosy face, "Anyway, none of this concerns you."

Princess Chaoyang's usually arrogant face slowly revealed a hint of joy.

"Your subject is unaware..."

Consort Chen covered her daughter's mouth, "Remember what your mother said, you only meant well and gave her the Pearl Nourishing and Tranquilizing Pills."

"It's Consort Zhen's own health that's failing her, and it's Consort Liu's deliberate framing. What does it have to do with you?"

Princess Chaoyang hurriedly replied, "Mother is right."

Consort Chen glanced at her daughter, then suddenly remembered something else, "The situation with Consort Zhen is unclear, but Consort Liu used such ruthless methods, those two children are probably..."

She didn't continue speaking, afraid that the corners of her lips would involuntarily turn up in a smile.

At this crucial juncture, we can't afford to give anyone a handle to use against us.

"Go and do your best for your grandmother and father later."

Princess Chaoyang wasn't stupid either, and immediately replied, "Mother, rest assured, I understand."

Princess Chaoyang went to see the Empress Dowager and Emperor Qianwu, but neither of them was in the mood to see her.

She wasn't unhappy at all.

This shows that Zhou's wretched belly is indeed not well.

She should be happy.

Princess Chaoyang lowered her eyes. "Aunt Zhulan, I know that the Empress Dowager is worried about the younger brother in Consort Zhen's womb, and I am also very sad."

She pressed a handkerchief to the corner of her eye. "Your subject was originally thinking..."

Her voice suddenly rose, "Who would have thought that Liu would be so vicious!"

Aunt Zhulan looked at Princess Chaoyang and waited for her to finish speaking before saying, "Princess, please go back. After a while, when the Empress Dowager is in a better mood, we will invite Your Highness to come and have a chat."

Chaoyang, obedient as ever, replied, "Yes."

Before leaving, she glanced at the location of Consort Zhen's bedroom, and couldn't help but smile.

Even if we can't get rid of that bastard's child this time, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future!

……

The candles in the imperial study were lit one by one.

Emperor Qianwu sat alone on his throne, with Liu Zhaoyi's "shorthand notes" spread out in front of him.

He stared at it for a long time.

So long that the eunuchs dared not come forward to add more tea.

He frowned deeply as he turned the pages of the papers one by one.

Officials from the Three Judicial Offices were already waiting for the emperor in the side hall, while the head of the Northern Garrison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard entered the palace overnight.

The joint trial by the three judicial departments lasted seven days.

On the evening of the seventh day, the Minister of Justice personally presented the memorial concluding the case and knelt in the East Warm Pavilion of the Qianqing Palace.

Emperor Qianwu leaned against the armrest and did not accept it.

The Empress Dowager sat at the head of the table, slowly and deliberately twirling a string of eighteen sandalwood beads in her hand.

"read."

The Minister of Justice unfolded the memorial, his voice steady, as if reciting a book:

"By imperial decree, a thorough investigation was conducted into the case of Liu's alleged plot to murder Consort Zhen, and the trial has now concluded."

"Firstly, extracts of leeches and horseflies were found in Consort Liu's palace. After comparison by the Imperial Hospital, they matched the symptoms of poisoning suffered by Consort Zhen."

"The Imperial Concubine's blood was hot and erratic, and she bled from all seven orifices, which was caused by a strong blood-breaking medicine."

"These two items are unique to Consort Liu's palace."

"Secondly, Liu Zhaoyi's personal maid, Han Shuxueying, testified that in November and December of last year, Zhaoyi had ordered her to go to the Imperial Pharmacy several times to ask for saffron and peach kernels, saying that she wanted to make perfume balm."

"However, there is no corresponding record of receipt in the Imperial Pharmacy's archives, and Han Shu and Xue Ying cannot provide any physical evidence."

"Under torture, Han Shu and Xue Ying recanted their confessions in court and then committed suicide by hitting their heads against a pillar."

The eighteen coins in the Empress Dowager's hand paused for a moment.

The Minister of Justice continued reading:

"Thirdly, since being deposed, Consort Liu has been sitting with her eyes closed all day long, and has not spoken to anyone."

When asked about the case, he only replied with the four words, "I have nothing to say."

"We dared not use torture, therefore we did not obtain a confession from him."

"In conclusion, Liu was found to have been secretly possessing forbidden drugs and acting suspiciously. His palace maids committed suicide out of fear of punishment, and he himself had no way to defend himself."

"Although there is no conclusive evidence that he personally poisoned the body, many suspicions surround him, making it difficult to clear his name. According to the Great Zhou Law, in cases of doubt, the punishment should be more severe."

That's enough.

The emperor interrupted him.

His brows were pressed tightly down, and his eyes seemed to hold a cold glint.

"When in doubt, the punishment should be more severe." His voice was low. "How so?"

The Minister of Justice kowtows:

"We, your humble servants, propose that Liu be demoted to a commoner and confined to the Cold Palace indefinitely, never to leave without an imperial edict."

"All titles, honors, and official ranks under his name shall be confiscated. This case... is now closed."

That concludes the matter.

The emperor remained silent.

The Empress Dowager slowly placed the string of eighteen sandalwood beads beside her.

"What did the Imperial Hospital say about Consort Zhen's pregnancy?"

The Minister of Justice bowed his head: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine is blessed; the imperial fetus... is currently safe and sound."

"However, the imperial physician said that Her Majesty has lost too much blood this time, severely depleting her vital energy, and the fetus is extremely weak. Will she be able to reach full term...?"

He didn't continue.

The Empress Dowager nodded.

"Understood. You may leave."

The Minister of Justice kowtowed and crawled out of the warm pavilion.

Only the mother and son remained in the pavilion.

Silent for a long time.

The Empress Dowager spoke first: "Are you satisfied with this result?"

The emperor did not answer.

The Empress Dowager looked at him.

This was her only son. She was not favored in the late emperor's harem and only had this one son. Later, because of this son, she had a daughter.

Unfortunately, he was short-lived and passed away early.

For many years, the mother and son depended on each other for survival.

He sat on the throne for more than ten years, dealing with rebellious princes, corrupt cabinet ministers, and domineering eunuchs.

Almost never hesitates.

He remained silent at that moment.

"You're not satisfied," the Empress Dowager said on his behalf, "I'm not satisfied either."

"But you have no other choice." Her voice was calm, as if she were talking about a long-forgotten matter. "That child, Chaoyang, submitted his name yesterday and will be entering the palace to pay his respects to me tomorrow."