Han Yizhi’s hands trembled as he took out an exquisite sachet from his robe. Intricate patterns were embroidered upon it.
His voice quivered as he said, “Your Majesty, this is the token of affection that Noble Lady Lu gave me. This humble servant never wished to betray my mistress, but I was truly left with no choice!”
Seeing this, the Virtuous Consort’s lips curved into a victor’s smile. She hurried to add, “Your Majesty, Noble Lady Lu has defiled the harem. The evidence is undeniable. She should be executed to preserve the purity of the palace!”
With that, she swept her sleeve lightly, her gaze filled with pride and cruelty.
“Noble Lady Lu is your own younger sister, yet the Virtuous Consort speaks of righteousness above kinship—how admirable indeed,” Consort Liang said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
The Virtuous Consort replied with righteous composure, “Your Ladyship jests. Though Noble Lady Lu is my sister, I cannot show favoritism.”
Xiao Jingheng felt that something was off. His trust in Lu Jingning still lingered. “Noble Lady Lu, what do you have to say?”
Lu Jingning took the sachet from Han Yizhi, smelling it lightly. “I dislike wisteria the most. The sachets I embroider are always pear blossoms or lilies. But this one contains wisteria. Your Majesty may have it examined.”
Before Xiao Jingheng could speak, the Virtuous Consort immediately refuted, “Your Majesty, see—she has revealed her flaw! The sachet clearly contains lilies, yet she claims it’s wisteria.”
Lu Jingning had never encountered someone this foolish. “Your Majesty, if this sachet were truly given by me, how would the Virtuous Consort know what flowers it contains? It is obvious she gave it to Guard Han to slander me. And before I entered the palace, she and I were sisters. Obtaining one of my sachets would not be difficult.”
Realizing Lu Jingning had tricked her into admitting too much, the Virtuous Consort panicked. “Your Majesty, I did no such thing! Lu Jingning is lying!”
“Your Majesty, Xia’er is my personal maid. Why would she side with the Virtuous Consort? Clearly she has been bribed.”
Xiao Jingheng’s gaze shifted between Lu Jingning and the Virtuous Consort. At last, it seemed he was leaning toward believing Lu Jingning’s innocence.
The Empress spoke at the perfect moment, her cool voice carrying authority. “Xia’er, as Noble Lady Lu’s maid, you should know the rules of the palace. To slander your mistress is a crime punishable by death. Do you understand what that means?”
She lifted a hand slightly, pointing toward the trembling Xia’er.
Xia’er knelt, her face pale as paper, her body shaking with terror, her eyes full of despair and struggle.
Then she quickly kowtowed. “Your Majesty, this servant did not intend to slander my mistress. The Virtuous Consort imprisoned my younger brother—I had no choice but to falsely accuse her!”
“The jade pendant was also given to this servant by the Virtuous Consort, and she ordered me to place it in my mistress’s quarters. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!”
Seeing this, Han Yizhi also changed his testimony at once. “Your Majesty, I too was coerced by the Virtuous Consort. To save my mother’s life, I took her money and agreed to slander Noble Lady Lu out of gratitude.”
Xiao Jingheng’s face darkened, fury erupting from him. He strode forward and kicked the Virtuous Consort hard in the shoulder, sending her sprawling to the ground.
The Virtuous Consort screamed, collapsing in disarray, her hair a mess, all her former pride vanishing instantly.
Xiao Jingheng’s cold gaze softened as he helped Lu Jingning up gently. “You’ve suffered.”
Lu Jingning’s eyes reddened, tears shimmering but refusing to fall. She shook her head, her voice choked. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
At that moment, the Virtuous Consort crawled to the emperor’s feet, clutching the hem of his robe and crying, “Your Majesty, I’ve been wronged! It’s all a misunderstanding!”
She could not understand why the two had turned against her so suddenly. Could it be…
“Your Majesty, it was Lu Jingning. It had to be her! She must have coerced Xia’er and that adulterer to frame me. Please believe me!”
Xiao Jingheng yanked his robe away in disgust, his gaze sharp as a blade, as though he wished to cut her to pieces.
“Your Majesty, since the Virtuous Consort claims she is innocent, why not ask Xia’er where her younger brother is being kept? If he is indeed in the Virtuous Consort’s hands, then her guilt will be proven.” Lu Jingning spoke steadily, her gaze unwavering.
Xiao Jingheng nodded, finding the suggestion reasonable. He immediately summoned Commander Zhou Shuo. “Take a squad out of the palace at once. Find the boy Xia’er spoke of. Ensure his safety.”
Zhou Shuo accepted the order and departed swiftly with his men.
The Virtuous Consort refused to give up. “Your Majesty, my maid saw with her own eyes Lu Jingning meeting that guard in secret at night. I did not lie!”
Tears glistened at the corners of Lu Jingning’s eyes as she spoke to Xiao Jingheng, trembling yet resolute. “Your Majesty, here is what happened: that day I accidentally fell into the lake. Guard Han saved my life. I only wished to repay him with a small reward, so I asked Chun’er to fetch him. It is true he came to Chengqian Palace that night, but only because I wished to thank someone who saved me.”
When she finished, she bowed until her forehead touched the cold stone floor. Her tears fell softly, the sound faint yet piercing.
Xiao Jingheng’s heart ached for her. A mere guard saved her once, and she was so sincere in her gratitude—how could such a woman be wicked?
Meanwhile, the Virtuous Consort, fueled by jealousy, had harmed her again and again. It was intolerable.
He looked toward the Virtuous Consort, his voice icy. “What else do you have to say?”
The Virtuous Consort’s face was deathly pale, her lips trembling, but no words came out. She stared wide-eyed, filled with terror and unwillingness.
Sitting limp on the floor, she finally realized Xia’er had long defected to Lu Jingning. Everything had been arranged by Lu Jingning, and she had walked right into the trap.
An hour later, Zhou Shuo returned with a frail young boy. “Your Majesty, there was indeed a child hidden on the estate.”
Xia’er saw her starving little brother and immediately embraced him, sobbing. “Your Majesty, it was my fault. Please spare my brother! This servant is willing to die to atone!”
The boy trembled in Xia’er’s arms.
Seeing this, Lu Jingning pleaded at once. “Your Majesty, Xia’er was forced. If my own younger brother were held captive, I too might act against my conscience. She committed a wrong, but who among us is perfect? Please forgive her this once.”
Xiao Jingheng gently helped Lu Jingning to her feet, his eyes filled with tenderness. Then he turned to Xia’er, his gaze cold. After a long moment, he sighed. “You will live. But you are fined a year’s salary. If you err again, I will not spare you.”
Xia’er kowtowed repeatedly. “Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, my Lady!” Then she held her brother tightly.
Xiao Jingheng turned to Lu Jingning once more. “As for that guard… how do you wish to deal with him?”
Lu Jingning frowned slightly, looking into the distance in thought.
After a soft sigh, she whispered, “He was coerced, but had Your Majesty mistrusted me today, I might not have survived. Still, he did save my life. Strip him of his post and send him to the army.”
Xiao Jingheng nodded. “We will do as Noble Lady Lu says.”
Han Yizhi kowtowed heavily. “Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Noble Lady Lu.” To serve in the army, defend the nation on the battlefield—this was exactly what he desired.
Moreover, she had no one in court to rely on. If he earned military merit, he could help her. He wished for nothing more.
(End of chapter)