“That Madam Jin actually claimed that Consort Zhen is not only unchaste but entangled with multiple men?”
“Although the words of a madwoman should not be taken seriously, I am truly curious…”
“After all, even fabrications must follow some logic…”
Consort Chen insinuated meaningfully.
Consort Rong suddenly let out a light laugh, “Sister Guifei worries too much. Since she is a madwoman, naturally she suffers from delusions. Who knows what logic a delusional person’s words might follow?”
“It’s nothing more than baseless fabrication.”
Consort Chen was left speechless with anger, never expecting Consort Rong to stand up for Consort Zhen.
But the more this happened, the more Consort Chen wanted to bring Zhou Mingyi down.
To prevent these two bitches from joining forces.
After all, one was the emperor’s new favorite, while the other was the daughter of a powerful minister.
Consort Chen truly hadn’t expected Madam Zhou’s fate to be so fortunate.
Chaoyang had specifically ordered the emperor’s Imperial Shadow Guards to handle the matter—she had almost been delivered to Qingzhou territory, yet she returned completely unscathed?
Fortunately, during the journey, Chaoyang had already made arrangements. This “Consort Zhen” carried considerable controversy.
With proper manipulation, it might still be possible to make her fall from favor.
In this palace, women came in all shapes and sizes—beauties as stunning as celestial beings were nothing unusual.
For His Majesty, what mattered most was offspring.
If her womb proved unproductive, no amount of beauty would be of use.
Although she had not borne the emperor a prince, she did have a princess.
Just this alone—what could they possibly compare to her?
At this thought, the anger in Consort Chen’s belly eased slightly.
She glanced at Zhou Mingyi, taking in her radiant and luxurious appearance. Her heart tightened, and she then said:
“How did I hear that Consort Zhen was once sent to the Qingzhou military camp?”
“And that she coincidentally met Consort Rong’s adoptive brother, General Shen Kuo? The two of you, a man and a woman alone, spent several hours together at the bottom of a cliff…”
“Now that you are honored as an imperial concubine, such rumors naturally cannot be left unchecked.”
“It would be better to clarify things while everyone is present.”
“Don’t you agree, sister?”
Consort Chen tossed the question back to Zhou Mingyi.
Zhou Mingyi’s expression turned solemn, yet tears fell like pearls.
She immediately knelt and performed a deep bow. “I was fortunate to encounter His Majesty at Hanshan Temple, and even more fortunate to receive the Empress Dowager’s favor, allowing me to enter the palace and remain by His Majesty’s side. This is a blessing accumulated over several lifetimes.”
“Yet I do not know whose eyes I have offended!”
“Why do these baseless rumors come at me one after another, like knives, as if trying to flay me alive?”
“I am merely a daughter from the inner chambers—how could I have so many thrilling experiences?”
“This makes me wonder why Consort Chen’s words echo those of that Jin Baolin?”
“Now that my reputation is tarnished, I cannot bear to live in shame. Death is my only recourse!”
With that, Zhou Mingyi immediately moved with “lightning speed” and rushed toward the nearest pillar.
Emperor Qianwu had just entered the hall, intending to keep a low profile without having the eunuchs announce him. Yet, as soon as he stepped inside, he witnessed a scene that made his eyes nearly burst with fury.
Zhou Mingyi crashed directly into Emperor Qianwu’s embrace.
The man had broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and a firm chest.
It hurt.
Her forehead must have turned red.
Emperor Qianwu frowned deeply.
Before he could speak, Zhou Mingyi tried to push him away.
“Move aside! I do not know where these baseless rumors come from. I can only prove my innocence through death!”
Yet Emperor Qianwu’s arms were like an unyielding fortress; Zhou Mingyi simply could not push him away.
Emperor Qianwu frowned, his voice low and stern.
“Today is your auspicious day. What is all this commotion?”
Zhou Mingyi’s eyes were red, as if she had just realized she had stumbled into Emperor Qianwu’s embrace.
She raised her gaze, her watery eyes brimming like autumn pools.
“Your Majesty!”
Earlier, she had asked the System to keep an eye on Emperor Qianwu for her.
The conferment of a consort was a state ceremony.
While her acceptance of congratulations from the court ladies in the hall was a matter of the imperial family.
Emperor Qianwu was currently captivated by her, and as soon as he had a moment, he would surely come.
Indeed, as soon as he finished handling matters elsewhere, he hurried over.
Zhou Mingyi had precisely timed this performance.
Even if something went slightly awry, she would not actually dash herself against the pillar—she would faint before making contact.
Once someone had fainted from anger, how could they possibly have the strength to strike the pillar?
Emperor Qianwu’s brows knitted tightly as he turned to ask the others in the hall, “Did someone offend Consort Zhen?”
This statement was a clear declaration of his support for Zhou Mingyi.
Zhou Mingyi lowered her gaze, a hint of triumph flickering in her eyes.
Consort Chen instantly paled.
“Your Majesty, we were merely jesting with Sister Consort Zhen.”
Emperor Qianwu paid no heed to Consort Chen. Instead, he wrapped his arm around Zhou Mingyi and led her toward the Empress Dowager.
“Today is Consort Zhen’s auspicious day. We have troubled Mother Empress.”
The Empress Dowager cast a complex glance at Zhou Mingyi. “The Emperor toils for the state and the people, exhausting heart and mind. This old one is aged and can only offer modest assistance in the rear palace.”
“However, though Consort Zhen is commendable, there are matters the Emperor should clarify.”
Emperor Qianwu’s gaze deepened.
“Mother Empress speaks wisely.”
He turned, cutting straight to the heart of the matter. “On my way here, I already heard from the palace attendants.”
“To think someone would dare publicly slander an imperial consort and curse Us during the conferment ceremony.”
He turned to Zhou Mingyi, his tone softening slightly. “Consort Zhen has been frightened.”
“This matter, We will provide you—and the world—with a clear and just resolution.”
He had intended to release Zhou Mingyi, but seeing her grief-stricken, resolute, and chaste demeanor, he feared she might dash against the pillar to prove her innocence.
After all, she was the peerless beauty most attuned to him; Emperor Qianwu was reluctant to let her die.
Thus, he tightly grasped her slender waist, shielding her by his side before everyone with an intimate and commanding posture.
“This case shall be jointly investigated by the Directorate of Ceremonial and the Imperial Guards, reporting directly to Us. What does Mother Empress think?”
With a clatter, Consort Chen’s fan fell to the floor, her face ashen.
The Empress Dowager instinctively glanced at Consort Chen, thinking to herself what a fool she was, corrupting even her precious granddaughter.
Yet at this moment, Consort Zhen’s innocence was indeed paramount.
She had only just received Master Jingming’s clear guidance at Hanshan Temple, and this woman had the fortune to consummate with the Emperor within the temple’s chambers. To the Empress Dowager, this was nothing short of divine will.
No matter what, she must not be missed.
However, the purity of the imperial bloodline could not be compromised; it truly required thorough investigation.
Yet it was also the Emperor’s fault. For a mere woman who had not yet borne an heir, casually conferring the title of Baolin or Meiren would have sufficed.
How could she be made a Fei right from the start?
If she later bore imperial offspring, she could even be made Empress.
Now, entering the palace directly as a Fei was indeed premature, no wonder Consort Chen felt threatened and incited Chaoyang to act against her.
It was on the way to Qingzhou… Madam Zhou’s innocence must be thoroughly investigated.
If Consort Zhen were truly defiled, or if she had engaged in any improper conduct with that General Shen, and a secretly conceived pearl fetus were to emerge later, causing her and the emperor to be utterly humiliated, it would truly become the greatest joke in the world.
However, both she and the emperor knew full well that this matter was inextricably linked to Chaoyang.
Chaoyang was her and the emperor’s treasure, so naturally, the emperor would show leniency.
But this Consort Chen, after all, had given birth to Chaoyang.
Truly, she could neither be treated lightly nor harshly… No wonder she had been so brazen all these years!
The Empress Dowager intended to reprimand Consort Chen.
She immediately declared, “Let it be done as the emperor says.”