Chapter 349: Chapter 15: Princess

The arrival of the Emperor was indeed orchestrated by someone with intention, allowing the Emperor to witness firsthand the miscarriage, and potentially the demise, of Princess Consort Yun. Only then could the Emperor harbor more resentment towards the Sixth Princess; after all, when emotions are heightened, one is capable of doing anything.

However, unexpectedly, everything turned out differently.

The Sixth Princess was carried into Yongyi Palace, and the Imperial Concubine ordered a soft couch to be brought over.

The Emperor, however, commanded that no one was allowed to leave today and everyone was to remain in the palace.

Princess Consort Lan felt somewhat anxious but managed to remain composed.

After all, the people she employed were extremely discreet, and they knew how to conduct themselves. Moreover, they were sufficiently incentivized so as not to implicate her.

The Fifth Princess, on the other hand, was visibly uneasy due to her youth.

Princess Consort Yun was also present, having been pregnant for four months. When the Imperial Physician arrived, she wanted him to examine her first, unaware that her behavior only elicited more disdain from the Emperor.

Naturally, the Imperial Physician obeyed the Emperor’s cue and attended to Li Shuning’s injuries first.

Li Shuning wore sufficient layers of clothing today, and the palace maid had already examined her body. Aside from the injury at her ankle, which was severely swollen and discolored, there were no other visible wounds, making it all the more alarming.

As the Imperial Physician examined her, beads of sweat began to drip from his forehead.

“Your Majesty, the Princess has sustained injuries to her tendons and bones. The severity of her injuries will require a prolonged recovery period.”

Seeing Li Shuning continuously cry out in pain, the Emperor was exceedingly worried: “Quickly, relieve the Princess’s pain and apply the medicine!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Imperial Physician, skilled as he was, immediately prepared an ointment to be applied externally.

Li Shuning then drank a soothing potion and gradually quieted down.

Upon seeing Li Shuning slip into a peaceful slumber, the Emperor finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Glancing at Princess Consort Yun sitting comfortably, the Emperor said coldly, “Imperial Physician, attend to Princess Consort Yun as well, see if she truly has any discomfort sitting there.”

Sweat emerged again on the Imperial Physician’s forehead. After a thorough pulse examination, he finally whispered to the Emperor, “Your Majesty, the Princess Consort is in good health, and the Little Prince is also well.”

The Emperor sneered, causing Princess Consort Yun to become inexplicably fearful.

The Imperial Concubine’s expression turned somber; since she had invited everyone to Yongyi Palace, such incidents occurring was a blatant embarrassment.

Her son and daughter-in-law were still present.

The Emperor, however, paid no mind to these details. Now that Li Shuning was safe, his focus naturally shifted to the two treacherous servants.

“Li Fu, bring Li Hao and Du Juan here.”

Li Fu had initially assumed the interrogation would be private, but unexpectedly, the Emperor intended to conduct it personally.

In no time, Du Juan and Li Hao were brought before him.

Du Juan and Li Hao knelt on the ground; Li Hao was somewhat composed, while Du Juan trembled all over.

Moreover, Du Juan was previously injured without receiving treatment, leaving her both in pain and fear.

The Emperor remained silent, his cold gaze fixed on the two before him.

For a long time, the Emperor said nothing, exerting psychological pressure that even made Li Hao somewhat apprehensive, let alone Du Juan.

After a tea’s time passed, the Emperor leisurely inquired, “Li Hao, how many years have you served by my side?”

Li Hao knelt, daring not to lift his head: “This servant has attended Your Majesty for five years.”

The Emperor chuckled: “Indeed, five years. Next to Li Fu, among the young eunuchs around me, you are the most senior, aren’t you? Yet, I did not expect you to be bribed. Don’t plead innocence; to serve close to me, I naturally have insight into your background. Consider carefully.”

“Du Juan, what was the situation today? Who instructed you to collide with Princess Consort Yun?”

Du Juan’s mind raced; at this point, further defamation of the Princess was clearly impossible.

Du Juan desperately kowtowed: “Your Majesty, this servant has always waited on the Princess. Princess Consort Yun often sneers at her using her pregnancy as an excuse; this servant was indignant and hence collided with her, without any directive.”

Princess Consort Yun immediately shouted, “Your Majesty, this vile maid is merely a palace maid. How could she dare to collide with me without instruction?”

With cold eyes, the Emperor retorted, “Oh, then tell me, who instructed her?”

Princess Consort Yun glancing at the Emperor, quietly suggested, “Surely, it was the Sixth Princess who orchestrated it; Du Juan is her attendant.”

The Emperor burst into laughter: “Princess Consort Yun, are you aware that Du Juan was handpicked by me? Are you suggesting that I am scheming against you?”

Princess Consort Yun was startled, hastily kneeling: “Your Majesty, I dare not. I am also a victim, just frightened, thus guessing rashly.”

“Princess Consort Yun, Xiao Six himself tried rescuing you, resulting in his fall; he could have stood by, but for you, and for the child in your belly, he suffered a fall. Do you not feel grateful from the heart? I truly misjudged you.”

Princess Consort Yun was shocked, attempting to explain, but the Emperor had already lost interest.

Only then did she realize she seemed to have made a mistake.

Calming herself, she pondered her previous acts; too hasty, damnable.

“Du Juan, I assigned you to Xiao Six, not thinking you’d become someone else’s pawn. Li Fu, arrest Du Juan’s family; you know the fate for conspiring against the imperial offspring, don’t you?”

Du Juan panicked instantly; her family was impoverished, prompting her palace service. She initially agreed that, after committing the acts, she’d insist the Princess was behind it. By then, Your Majesty would punish only her, and the other party would provide Silver to her family. But now, their lives are also in jeopardy…

“Your Majesty, this servant deserves death; it is entirely my wrongdoing and unrelated to my family. I will disclose everything I know.”

The Emperor remained silent, and Du Juan dared not set any conditions: “Your Majesty, a granny approached me, offering me a thousand taels of silver to push Princess Consort Yun, promising the Silver to my family. In my folly, I agreed.”

“Who was that granny?”

“This servant diligently served in the palace and swiftly became a senior maid. That granny would frequently assign small tasks, each time offering some Silver. This time, faced with my younger brother’s severe illness, in desperation, I conceded. That granny is from Qingling Palace, with a mole on the back of her hand; please pardon this servant.”

Du Juan incessantly kowtowed, her head already bleeding.

Li Fu had already sent people to Qingling Palace to find the granny.

Qingling Palace was the Cold Palace; finding the person with the mole should be easy.

“Li Hao, have you contemplated thoroughly?”

“Your Majesty, this servant is truly innocent.”

“Bring them, Du Juan and Li Hao, execute by beating.”

The Emperor’s patience had run dry.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep