“Thank you for the reminder, Eunuch Wang. This old servant understands.”
Old Madam Zhang from the Office of Judicial Punishments wore a face so deeply lined with wrinkles that cruelty itself seemed etched into every fold.
Wang An merely gave a detached hum before turning and heading into the hall.
Chu Yi had just finished reviewing the memorials in his hands. Seeing Wang An enter, he coldly ordered,
“Report.”
“Your Majesty, Old Madam Zhang from the Office of Judicial Punishments has arrived. The investigation into Consort Jiang’s case has been concluded.”
Ordinarily, matters like this fell under the Empress’s authority.
However, because Chu Yi was personally concerned about Jiang Yunshu, he had instructed that any developments be reported directly to him the moment they arose.
That was why Old Madam Zhang had been granted the rare privilege of an audience with the Emperor.
Chu Yi lifted a hand.
Wang An immediately ushered her inside.
The moment Old Madam Zhang entered, she dropped to her knees, pressing her forehead flat against the floor.
The sight unexpectedly reminded Chu Yi of Jiang Yunshu.
The first time she had met him, she had been just as frightened—so terrified that her forehead had touched the ground—yet she had still thought of protecting him.
His heart softened unconsciously.
“Rise and speak.”
Flattered beyond belief, Old Madam Zhang dared not look upon the imperial countenance. Trembling, she stood with her head bowed low.
“That wretched maid refused to confess at first, insisting she was innocent. This old servant employed… a few methods, and she finally admitted everything. I also traced the origin of the old bracelet through the Imperial Household Department.
“She confessed that it was Lady Jieyu who ordered her to seduce Your Majesty.
“The bracelet’s materials came from an artisan shop outside the capital rather than the palace. It was an uncommon piece with intricate craftsmanship, so the shop assistant remembered it well.
“We continued investigating and discovered that a young eunuch from Qinghe Palace personally left the city to arrange its purchase.
“However…” She hesitated. “The maid also implicated another mistress.”
She fell silent, not daring to continue.
Chu Yi raised his hand slightly, signaling her to go on.
Only then did she continue.
“She named Lady Lin, another concubine residing in Anning Palace. According to her, Lady Lin’s family held her own family hostage and threatened their lives, forcing her to poison Consort Jiang.”
A chilling light flashed through Chu Yi’s eyes.
The golden teacup in his hand shattered beneath the pressure of his grip.
Old Madam Zhang respectfully presented all the evidence with both hands and fell silent.
Wang An quickly escorted her out before bringing every piece of evidence and every confession before the Emperor.
Lady An.
Lady Lin.
One had instructed a maid to seduce the Emperor and steal Jiang Yunshu’s favor.
The other had tried to take Jiang Yunshu’s life.
A mere Noble Lady—and neither of them could tolerate her.
Every one of them was as venomous as a snake.
Just like those vile women in the enemy kingdom who had once dared to humiliate him when he had been a hostage prince.
Wang An quietly wiped the sweat from his forehead.
When he first saw Lady An’s name, he had feared the Emperor would fly into a rage.
But then he reminded himself that His Majesty was a wise ruler.
And that favored lady was certainly no femme fatale.
Surely justice would prevail.
Chu Yi remained silent for a long while.
Wang An and every eunuch in the hall waited nervously.
Only after what felt like an eternity did Chu Yi finally speak.
“Hand Lady Lin over to the Empress for punishment.”
“Then prepare my carriage. We are going to Qinghe Palace.”
Wang An immediately accepted the order.
“His Majesty is proceeding to Qinghe Palace!”
At Qinghe Palace…
Lady An reclined on a long bench in the garden, lazily fanning herself with a round silk fan while stroking an exceptionally well-groomed white Pekingese curled obediently beside her.
The little dog’s snowy fur gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight.
Her maid, Xiangye, whispered,
“Your Ladyship, the Office of Judicial Punishments has concluded its investigation. But instead of reporting directly to Her Majesty the Empress, they reported first to Qiankun Palace.
“Your Ladyship… could that bitch Dingxiang have…”
Lady An snapped her eyes open and glared at her.
“You fool! What does that wretched maid have to do with me? I don’t even know her.”
Xiangye nodded repeatedly before peeling an orange and carefully feeding its segments into Lady An’s mouth.
Just as she was enjoying herself—
A shrill announcement rang out.
“His Majesty has arrived!”
Lady An immediately opened her eyes, rose gracefully from the bench, and hurried toward the palace entrance to welcome him.
She discreetly adjusted her elaborate hairstyle before asking Xiangye,
“Do I look beautiful today?”
Xiangye nodded nervously.
“Very beautiful.”
Lady An’s expression darkened.
“Pull yourself together. If you disgrace yourself before His Majesty, I’ll have you executed.”
“Y-Yes, Your Ladyship.”
Filled with excitement, Lady An stood beneath the blazing summer sun, waiting at the palace gates.
From afar, she finally spotted the imperial sedan approaching.
A delighted smile spread across her face.
Wang An observed her acting as though nothing had happened but said nothing. He merely helped Chu Yi descend from the sedan.
When they reached the palace entrance, Chu Yi cast Wang An a glance.
Understanding immediately, Wang An stopped every palace servant from following.
Lady An blushed shyly.
“Your Majesty… it’s still broad daylight…”
She knew Chu Yi occasionally enjoyed trying something… different.
After all, hadn’t he openly indulged himself with that Jiang woman in Qiankun Palace in the middle of the day?
Naturally, she misunderstood his intentions.
After entering the palace hall, the doors were shut tightly behind them.
Only then did Lady An belatedly realize something was wrong.
Despite the sweltering heat of June, Chu Yi’s face was colder than icicles in the dead of winter.
Her heart trembled.
She asked cautiously,
“Your Majesty… has something upset you today?”
Chu Yi slowly turned around.
Lady An instinctively tried to charm him with her beauty.
But—
Without warning, Chu Yi seized her by the throat.
His grip was so fierce it felt as though he intended to snap her neck.
Lady An’s eyes widened in terror.
Her hands weakly clawed at his wrist as she gasped desperately for air.
Barely forcing out a few words, she asked,
“Your… Majesty… why… are you… angry?”
Chu Yi leaned closer to her face.
His emotions settled slightly as he slowly released his grip.
Then he threw a thick stack of papers directly into her face.
“Read them yourself.”
Pale with fear, Lady An hurriedly picked up the scattered papers from the floor, reading them one by one.
Chu Yi stared at her with icy hostility.
“Your father is such an intelligent man. How did he end up raising someone as foolish as you?
“I’m warning you.
“Behave yourself in the imperial harem.
“Otherwise, you won’t get off so lightly next time.”
Lady An shuddered violently.
Her legs gave way, leaving her collapsed helplessly on the floor.
Looking up at him miserably, she pleaded,
“Your Majesty, do you think it made me happy to send another woman to serve you?
“I was only afraid you would favor Jiang alone and upset the balance of the harem.
“My father and I both wish for peace within Your Majesty’s palace. I only wanted to remind Your Majesty to bestow your grace equally upon all.”
Chu Yi abruptly stepped close again, his face inches from hers.
“Those lies may fool others.”
“But don’t try them on me.”
Lady An shook her head weakly and could only beg for mercy.
“Your Majesty… I love you.
“It was because I love you that I lost my composure.
“Please… don’t hate me.”
“Love me?”
A mocking smile curled across Chu Yi’s lips.
“For your father’s sake, I have preserved your dignity… and the honor of the Lin family.
“But…”
He stopped there.
Then he turned and walked toward the door.
Lady An thought…
that this was the end of it.