frightfiction If it wasn't Consort Zhuang who did it, then it could only have been Nian Nian.
If it wasn't Consort Zhuang who did it, then it could only have been Nian Nian.
Consort Kang sighed softly: "If Consort Mei insists on denying it, I have nothing more to say."
"Every word I have said is true!"
"On that day, the Imperial Concubine also mentioned that the Third Prince's foster mother, Consort Tong, was weak and useless, and everyone in Jingyang Palace was a pushover. If something were to happen to the Third Prince, Consort Tong would only cry and would not dare to investigate further."
Upon hearing this, Consort Tong suddenly raised her head, and a look of astonishment appeared on her face, which was always filled with cowardice.
So that's how the Imperial Concubine saw her...
Cowardly and useless.
He's a good-for-nothing who wouldn't even have the courage to investigate the murder of his son.
Consort Tong's lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she lowered her head again...
Consort Xian glanced at Consort Tong, a rare hint of pity appearing in her usually cold eyes.
Consort Xuan was much more direct. She sneered and looked at Consort Zhuang, saying, "Your Highness, Consort Zhuang, is truly cunning!"
"While sending people to harm the Third Prince, they also prepared a backup plan to frame the Imperial Noble Consort. Killing two birds with one stone, truly brilliant!"
Consort Zhuang ignored Consort Xuan and did not continue to pester Consort Kang.
She looked at the emperor above her and said sadly, "Whether there is concrete evidence or not, I have no way to defend myself against the accusations made today."
"Your Majesty, I have only one question—"
"If I were truly a treacherous and vicious person who plots against the imperial heir and frames the concubines, why not use those methods on someone more useful?"
As she spoke, Consort Zhuang's gaze fell on Shen Zhinian's prominent belly: "Isn't the child in the Imperial Noble Consort's womb more worthy of my concern?"
The hall fell silent instantly.
That was a very risky statement!
Han Dan and Fu Qu's expressions changed simultaneously.
The emperor's gaze suddenly sharpened!
Consort Zhuang said compassionately, "Your Majesty, I did not harm this child because I could not bear to, and did not want to."
"I have served you for over ten years, from a concubine in the Prince's mansion to the Imperial Concubine today, and I have never harmed anyone's life."
"Your Majesty, I am just an ordinary person. I may have selfish motives, I may crave power, and I may feel resentment when I am disappointed. But my hands have never been stained with blood."
"Believe it or not, it's up to Your Majesty."
After speaking, Consort Zhuang bowed respectfully to the Emperor and said nothing more.
The emperor scrutinized Consort Zhuang, a feeling he couldn't quite define well stirring within him...
Nangong Xuanyu recalled that many years ago, when he was still the sixth prince, he first met Zhuang Yumin at the Zhuang residence.
She stood under the crabapple tree, dressed in a simple dress, and gave him a slight curtsy, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze.
At that time, he thought that his mentor's daughter was indeed as gentle and beautiful as the rumors said.
Now, she kneels before him, saying that her hands have never been stained with blood.
Should he believe it?
The imperial court and the inner palace are filled with layers of scheming and fabricated testimonies.
Some are driven by power, some by hatred, and some by self-preservation.
He had sat on the throne for years and had seen too many of these kinds of scenes; he was no longer moved by anyone's tears.
As for whether or not to believe Consort Zhuang's words?
For emperors, whether they believed or not was never the most important thing.
Today's events are clearly a power struggle between the Noble Consort and the Imperial Noble Consort.
If it wasn't Consort Zhuang who made it, then it could only have been Nian Nian.
It's easy to imagine whose heart Nangong Xuanyu would lean towards...
Without the evidence of the Xia family's money, he could have directly dealt with Consort Zhuang and cleanly exonerated Niannian.
But the Xia family's affairs dragged Niannian into it...
The emperor needed a legitimate reason to protect Nian Nian, while leaving everyone speechless.
Fortunately, Consort Kang spoke up.
The emperor didn't care how much truth and how much falsehood Consort Kang spoke.
Her accusations against Consort Zhuang were enough to allow him to protect Niannian.
Nangong Xuanyu looked at Consort Zhuang with a blank expression.
When she met the emperor's gaze, Consort Zhuang's heart suddenly skipped a beat!
Many years ago, when she first entered the Prince's Palace, His Majesty looked at her with great kindness.
Later, she gradually fell out of favor, and his gaze became distant.
And now...
Consort Zhuang felt a chill in her heart: "Your Majesty..."
Nangong Xuanyu said coldly, "Noble Consort, as far as I know, you and Consort Kang have no enmity or conflict of interest."
"If that's the case, why would Consort Kang risk punishment by fabricating such a detailed confession before me to frame you?"
Consort Zhuang's breath hitched: "Your Majesty, I don't know why Consort Kang would do this!"
"Perhaps...perhaps someone instructed her to frame me..."
Although she didn't say it explicitly, it was obvious who she was implying...
Little did she know that the more she acted this way, the colder the emperor's gaze became.
From under the crabapple tree in the Zhuang family mansion, to the Prince's mansion, and then to the deep palace.
He once thought she was gentle and kind. Even without romantic feelings, he was willing to give her respect and dignity.
But now, seeing his mentor's daughter kneeling here, tears in her eyes, crying out for justice, he felt no emotion whatsoever.
Nangong Xuanyu said, "I will order the Imperial Prison to investigate Consort Kang's words thoroughly."
"If it is confirmed that you conspired with Consort Mei to murder the Third Prince first and then framed the Imperial Noble Consort... I will punish you severely without leniency!"
Consort Zhuang exclaimed in shock, "Your Majesty?!"
"How...how could you..."
"I didn't! I didn't do it!"
Consort Mei was so frightened that she collapsed to the ground: "Your Majesty, I'm innocent... I'm truly innocent..."
"Your Majesty and I did not do those things! It's Consort Kang who's lying! She's making it all up!"
Consort Zhuang was filled with sorrow.
Your Majesty is not investigating a case; you are clearly judging her.
By saying these words, Your Majesty already has the answer in your heart, doesn't he?
Consort Mei said with tears in her eyes, "No! Your Majesty, you cannot wrong us like this!"
"What Consort Kang says is completely unreliable!"
"The Xia family's money is something that can't be explained away with the Imperial Noble Consort. Why are only we concubines confined while she isn't investigated?!"
As Consort Mei spoke, she crawled forward on her knees, crying, trying to grab the hem of the Emperor's robe.
Li Changde reacted swiftly, stepping in front of her to block her way: "Consort Mei, such disrespect before the Emperor is a grave offense!"
Consort Mei had no time to worry about any of that: "Your Majesty, since I entered the palace, I have always served you with utmost care and dared not overstep the bounds in the slightest. Today, today I have to suffer such an unjust injustice..."
"I refuse to accept this! I refuse to accept this!"
Nangong Xuanyu finally lowered his eyes and looked at her: "Whether you are innocent or not, the Shenxing Division will investigate."
"From this moment forward, Consort Mei and Imperial Concubine Gui are both confined to their quarters. Without my decree, they are not to step out of the palace gates even a single step!"
"The palace staff of both palaces shall be strictly guarded, and no one shall be allowed to enter or leave without authorization or pass on messages."
"Those who disobey will be beaten to death!"
Many people exchanged subtle glances.