Chapter 0075: A Disgrace

Chapter 0075: A Disgrace

The imperial concubine was greatly alarmed, only then realizing her involvement in the matter.

And she herself was confined once again.

This time, the results weren't promptly disclosed.

It was only a few days. During this time, the Empress remained silent about it, merely stating that the imperial concubine was unwell.

On the sixth, it was Princess Jingning's wedding day. Both Prince Qi and his wife entered the palace, with Jingning departing from the Empress Dowager’s Cian Palace for her wedding. The Empress, accompanied by the consorts, went to offer congratulations.

Members of the royal family and high-ranking officials’ families were also present, fitting for a marriage alliance.

The Qi family attended too, but heard that the imperial concubine was indisposed with a cold and couldn’t get up.

The Qi family sensed that something was amiss, but given the circumstances, they had no opportunity to inquire with Yun Li.

The Crown Prince of Yuanzheng waited outside the palace gates, escorting the bride back to the posthouse. After three days, they commenced their journey home.

These three days were agonizing for both the Noble Consort and the Qi family.

The Qi family couldn't believe that the Noble Consort was simply ill. How severe must an illness be to prevent her from appearing at such an important event?

As Yun Li held a lower rank, she was not at liberty to meet with her family freely, leaving the Qi family unable to contact her.

The Noble Consort, confined and restless, knew it would be difficult to clear her name. She hadn’t done anything, yet indeed Luo Fu was one of her people.

Coincidentally, Luo Fu had followed her since her time in the Eastern Palace and was assigned to Yi Ning Pavilion after entering the palace.

Later, when Madam Zhang moved in, he inadvertently ended up keeping an eye on her.

She never expected such an unfortunate coincidence.

Additionally, a palace maid and a eunuch from her side were taken away – the eunuch did menial tasks and the maid was of the third rank.

She was completely unaware that so many around her had been bribed.

She had already lost one, Dong Xue, previously...

Now, with this new incident, she was so furious she felt like tearing the room apart. But she couldn’t leave.

Sending someone to plead with the Emperor was futile; he was utterly indifferent.

Finally, by the tenth day, with the Yuanzheng delegation already on their way back and the Emperor free to address these matters.

The Noble Consort had become visibly thinner due to the stress, losing her vitality and spirit.

Yun Li was astonished to see this; with such a weak psychological endurance, how could she dare to be a manipulator?

Tsk, how disgraceful.

In Fengyi Palace, the Emperor and the Empress were seated at the head.

As soon as the Noble Consort entered, she knelt down: "Your Majesty, I am wronged. I did not harm Zhang Xiaoyi. I implore Your Majesty to see the truth."

Emperor He Jingli remained silent.

The Empress glanced at the Emperor before speaking, "The evidence is conclusive. You claim innocence, but do you have any proof to support it?"

The Noble Consort felt a bitter despair; she had no evidence!

"I have none, Your Majesty. This accusation came out of nowhere, and I have been framed. I beg Your Majesty and the Empress to see the truth and clear my name," the Noble Consort said firmly.

"It's strange. Everyone else has solid evidence, yet the Noble Consort claims innocence without any proof. How can you then demand a clean slate?" Wu Zhao Rong scoffed.

"Indeed, forcing a premature birth could have harmed the Third Prince. What then?" Ye Zhao Yi added.

"Sister Ye, the harm has already been done. The Third Prince was born prematurely; how can there be no harm?" Li Cairen, who was often silent, spoke up.

She too had been bullied by the Noble Consort in the past. Having no favor, she rarely spoke up, but today's events were too much to keep silent.

"You know the methods of the internal justice department. Your own people have confessed, admitting their connection to you. And Luo Fu, indeed, is known to be your person. What more do you have to say?" the Empress said, her tone not harsh but firm.

She knew that this time the Noble Consort couldn't extricate herself, so she patiently questioned.

Gritting her teeth, the Noble Consort said, "What the Empress said is true, Luo Fu was my person. He was grateful for my kindness in the Eastern Palace. But once in the palace, where he was assigned was at the Empress’s discretion. Zhang Xiaoyi was just a minor consort; though pregnant, she wasn't favored. I never laid a hand on her."

The Noble Consort, looking desperately at the Emperor, continued, "As for the labor-inducing drugs, I never administered any. I am aware of the internal justice department’s methods, but what if the people being interrogated were also misled? The two from my quarters couldn’t serve me properly. I never ordered them to do such things."

The Empress glanced at Emperor He Jingli. Indeed, after being captured, the two from the Noble Consort’s side denied giving the drug to Zhang Xiaoyi.

They only admitted to minor matters, nothing too serious.

It seemed they really didn't know the full story, but regardless, Zhang Xiaoyi’s people firmly accused the Noble Consort.

"Noble Consort, you didn’t do this?" Emperor He Jingli finally spoke, his tone indifferent.

"Your Majesty, I am innocent, wronged! I have served Your Majesty for many years, never have I done such a thing... Please see the truth, Your Majesty," the Noble Consort cried, tears falling.

"Lord Qi, the old Marquis, was a heroic figure. I greatly admired him as a child. The Qi family has dedicated itself to the Jin Dynasty," Emperor He Jingli suddenly mentioned this.

The Noble Consort was taken aback, unsure how to respond.

"Your Majesty, the Marquis of Dongchang has always been loyal to the court. The Noble Consort, over the years, hasn’t committed any evil acts. Even if sometimes disrespectful to the Empress, it was due to her noble birth. Today’s incident must be a momentary lapse in judgment. I plead for Your Majesty’s forgiveness," Consort Lan suddenly stood up and said.

This was practically throwing stones at the Noble Consort.

The Noble Consort glared angrily.

"Your Majesty, I have something to say," Yun Li stood up.

Emperor He Jingli looked over, as did everyone else.

"Oh? What does my consort wish to say? Are you also pleading for the Noble Consort?" Emperor He Jingli asked with a smile.

The Noble Consort fixed her gaze on Yun Li, biting her lower lip like a cornered beast.

Yun Li gracefully approached and knelt down: "Your Majesty, I am not pleading for mercy. That would be kicking someone when they're down. The Noble Consort has not been kind to me, and I do not like her. But whether as a woman from the Qi family or a consort of Your Majesty, I must speak up. Thank you for not despising my lowly status and allowing me to speak."

Emperor He Jingli raised an eyebrow: "You may speak."

"Yes," Yun Li smiled slightly. "I have listened to the entire matter. My understanding is limited, but if the Noble Consort harmed Zhang Xiaoyi, her only motive would be to take Zhang Xiaoyi’s child. Isn’t this what everyone thinks?"

Yun Li looked around; no one responded, but their expressions confirmed she was right.

She continued: "In my opinion, the Noble Consort's chances of success were slim. Even if something unfortunate happened to Zhang Xiaoyi, the Emperor, in finding a mother for the Third Prince, would unlikely choose the Noble Consort."

"Oh? And how do you know I wouldn’t choose her?" Emperor He Jingli leaned back, intrigued.

"Your Majesty, although the Noble Consort has served you since your time in the Eastern Palace, she has made mistakes. The previous incident with Lady Sun was overlooked out of respect for the Qi family’s ancestral contributions and her years of service. Thus, she was not severely punished. In my view, at this time, the Noble Consort is unfit to be the mother of a prince."