All Heavens: From Joy of Life to The Great Feng Night Watchman

Page 556

"No more rest! In any case, I have finally exposed the Empress's conspiracy! I'm going to tell my mother the good news!"

Afterwards, Lin'an went to Jingxiu Palace, and the old eunuch hurriedly returned to Emperor Yuanjing's side.

Jingxiu Palace.

Consort Chen's face darkened, and she was so angry that her teeth itched.

According to the palace maid's description, it was a casual remark from Lin'an that aroused Huaiqing's suspicion, which led to Lang'er's detention.

If it weren't for Lin'an's self-destruction, and Lang'er had successfully passed Huaiqing's interrogation, her plan would have been flawless.

Although Huaiqing did not get any information from Lang'er, and Lang'er eventually committed suicide, this result was enough to arouse Emperor Yuanjing's suspicion.

Sometimes, in matters within the palace, concrete evidence isn't needed; what the emperor believes is the truth.

"Mother! I'm here! I've solved the case of Consort Fu!"

Lin'an, holding up her skirt, ran in happily.

Consort Chen looked up at her daughter and instantly regained her kind and loving expression.

"Lin'an, tell Mother Consort in detail how the case was solved."

Lin'an chattered excitedly, recounting the entire process with great enthusiasm.

"...In the end, Huaiqing even forced Lang'er to her death, but what good did that do!"

"The Empress's brother-in-law's crimes are unforgivable. Huang Xiaorou has received great favors from the Empress, so this matter must have been instigated by the Empress!"

Lin'an was full of confidence, but Consort Chen shook her head helplessly, "Lin'an, but there is no evidence in this case. Now everything is beyond our ability to verify."

"I'm afraid that the Empress and Huaiqing will use sweet words to persuade your father, and he will let this matter slide... Alas..."

Consort Chen became increasingly distressed as she spoke, and finally managed to squeeze out a single tear.

"It's bad enough that Mother is being bullied by the Empress, but I'm afraid that you and your siblings will be implicated and bullied by Huaiqing and the Fourth Prince as well..."

Lin'an stared wide-eyed, looking at him with a puzzled expression. "Isn't Father Emperor able to see something so obvious?"

Hearing Consort Chen's words, Lin'an thought of Huaiqing's proud and knowledgeable expression, and her little face immediately puffed up.

"Huaiqing thinks he can bully me? Not so easy! This case isn't closed, and I will investigate it thoroughly!"

The emperor's palace.

Emperor Yuanjing was listening to the old eunuch recount the process of solving the two princesses' cases when he heard that the emperor's brother-in-law had impersonated the emperor and slept with a palace maid. He couldn't help but snort coldly.

Afterwards, the old eunuch asked the young eunuch to tell him about Huaiqing's trial of Lang'er. When he got to the part about Lang'er's eventual suicide, Emperor Yuanjing fell silent.

Throughout the entire process, apart from expressing a little anger towards the emperor's brother-in-law, Emperor Yuanjing remained completely devoid of joy or sorrow.

For Emperor Yuanjing, or rather Emperor Zhende, Consort Chen's petty squabbles were nothing to hide.

If he were Emperor Yuanjing, he would be blinded by his feelings for his concubines and swayed by lust.

However, he was not Emperor Yuanjing, so he could observe the power struggles among the concubines with a clearer perspective, and he knew the Empress and Consort Chen's personalities very well.

In his view, Consort Chen's actions were almost no different from children playing around.

Because they don't care, they are indifferent, and only then can they see things clearly.

"Tell the two princesses that this case no longer needs to be investigated; I already know about it."

The following day, Emperor Yuanjing summoned the two princesses and several officials in charge of criminal matters to his study.

The Minister of Justice spoke first, “Your Majesty, Empress Shangguan is unworthy of her position. She has plotted against the concubines, framed the Crown Prince, and allowed her younger brother to commit debauchery in the palace. I beg Your Majesty to punish her severely!”

This was all arranged by Consort Chen, to pave the way before Biao Biao could speak.

"Father, I have investigated thoroughly. This case was orchestrated by the Empress! She instructed Huang Xiaorou to frame my brother, the Crown Prince!" Lin'an said confidently.

Huaiqing retorted sharply, "The Imperial Uncle's act of seducing a palace maid is a heinous crime, deserving of death, but this matter is completely different from the case of Consort Fu."

"The case of Consort Fu was orchestrated by Consort Chen. She took advantage of Huang Xiaorou's hatred for the Empress, controlled Huang Xiaorou, and then instructed Huang Xiaorou to plan this case!"

Upon hearing Huaiqing's words, Lin'an laughed in anger, "Huaiqing, you're really making things up. Would my mother frame her own son? What good would that do!"

“My brother, the Crown Prince, is already the heir apparent. Why would Mother sacrifice her own son’s secure position as Crown Prince to frame the Empress? Is it really necessary?”

The facts of the case are now clear: Huang Xiaorou summoned the Crown Prince to Qingfeng Palace and then carried out the subsequent framing. The Crown Prince's innocence is beyond doubt.

Therefore, the key to the case is to find out who instructed Huang Xiaorou.

Lin'an assumed it was the Empress, who had used coercion and enticement, and had also saved Huang Xiaorou's life, so it must be the Empress.

Huaiqing believes it was Consort Chen who knew the truth and could coerce or manipulate Huang Xiaorou.

Regardless, the Crown Prince is innocent, and the Imperial Uncle deserves to die.

As for Consort Chen's motives, Huaiqing could guess them. Although the Crown Prince's position was secure, the Fourth Prince and the Empress had the support of the powerful minister Wei Yuan.

If Emperor Yuanjing were to pass away, the Crown Prince's throne might not be very secure.

In addition, the factions in the court other than Wei Yuan have been severely hit recently, which makes Consort Chen very uneasy.

Therefore, it is not surprising that such a thing was done at this time.

This kind of thing cannot be discussed openly, since the culprit behind all of this is none other than Emperor Yuanjing.

Therefore, Huaiqing could not answer Lin'an based on his true guess.

"Because Consort Chen was jealous of her mother and wanted to become empress herself!"

Lin'an raised her eyebrows and angrily argued, "My mother is so beautiful, and my father loves her so much, how could she be jealous of the empress!"

"Alright, that's enough," Emperor Yuanjing said, interrupting his two daughters' pointless argument.

Huaiqing and Lin'an bowed simultaneously, then glared at each other, awaiting Emperor Yuanjing's instructions.

"Although you can investigate the case thoroughly, you are not good at solving cases. Wei Yuan, what do you think?"

Wei Yuan had already investigated the case of the emperor's brother-in-law, and over the years he had become very familiar with the brother-in-law's situation, and he also had a basic understanding of the case of Consort Fu.

"Your Majesty, Your Highnesses, this case is not complicated; it was Huang Xiaorou who did it."

“Yes, Huang Xiaorou is not at fault, but it was the Empress who ordered it!” Lin’an insisted.

“That’s right, but it was Consort Chen who instructed Huang Xiaorou!” Huaiqing refused to back down.

Wei Yuan, with a solemn expression, said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Your Highnesses, it was Huang Xiaorou who did it herself; it has nothing to do with the Empress or Consort Chen!"

Upon hearing this, the Minister of Justice immediately objected, "Nonsense! How could a mere palace maid have such audacity!"

Besides, she's just a palace maid; why would she need to frame the Crown Prince?

"Wei Yuan, with your judgment, where do you place His Majesty? Do you think the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review are fools?!"

Wei Yuan stared at the Minister of Justice, his gaze clear and gentle, then smiled slightly, as if to say, "Yes, you fool."

"Huang Xiaorou was pregnant before, and the reason she got pregnant was the emperor's brother-in-law, who often came and went in the palace under the pretext of visiting relatives."

Wei Yuan's words stunned the high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, the Censorate, and the Cabinet.

It's outrageous that someone other than the emperor would dare to have an affair with a palace maid.

Then, Wei Yuan told his story, which left both Huaiqing and Lin'an stunned.

"Huang Xiaorou was humiliated by the emperor's brother-in-law and became pregnant. Afterwards, she was forced by the empress to have a secret abortion. She harbored resentment towards both the emperor's brother-in-law and the empress."

"After becoming a maid of Consort Fu, he learned about Consort Fu's habits and then plotted the Consort Fu case, framed the Crown Prince, and then made the Empress take the blame to achieve her revenge."

"Of course, Huang Xiaorou also had accomplices. In the end, she did not hesitate to die to expose the fact that she had been raped and became pregnant, thus completely exposing the crimes of the emperor's brother-in-law."

"In the end, the Empress was deposed for framing the Crown Prince, and the crimes of the Imperial Uncle were exposed, deserving of death. This way, she killed two birds with one stone and took revenge on those who had harmed her."

Wei Yuan's story is passable at first glance, but upon closer examination, it has too many flaws.

If they can't find the Emperor's brother-in-law, then Huang Xiaorou's death was in vain...

While the ministers began to argue fiercely, Emperor Yuanjing remained calm. Wei Yuan had already submitted his memorial beforehand, so he knew the story and showed no emotional fluctuation.

"Alright, stop arguing."

Emperor Yuanjing stopped the argument and began to make the final judgment on the case.

"Shangguan Ming has defiled the harem; he shall be executed immediately!"

"The Empress protected the Emperor's brother-in-law, knowing the truth but failing to report it. However, considering that he was protecting his own brother, she has ordered him to remain in seclusion for three months!"

Everyone found it strange. Did His Majesty really believe Wei Yuan's words and let the Imperial Uncle go?

However, just when everyone thought the matter was over, Emperor Yuanjing spoke again.

"The Crown Prince, drunk, stormed into Qingfeng Palace, showing no restraint. He shall reflect on his actions for six months!"

"Consort Chen indulged the Crown Prince in drinking in the inner palace and failed to properly educate him, which almost shook the foundation of the country. She was ordered to reflect on her mistakes and was demoted to Consort Chen."

The Imperial Study was completely silent.

The Empress, who was the prime suspect, was punished for three months, and the Crown Prince for half a year. However, Consort Chen, who seemed to have little presence in the case, received the most severe punishment.

The ministers looked around in bewilderment, but many of their eyes began to gleam. The emperor probably already knew who Wei Yuan's accomplice was.

“Father…” Biao Biao’s eyes were brimming with tears, and she looked like she had suffered a great injustice.

Lin'an knew that causing a scene at this time would offend Emperor Yuanjing's authority.

Because the emperor's word is law, Emperor Yuanjing had already determined the nature of the case, and there was little chance of significant change.