Chapter 0117: Meritorious Rescue

Chapter 0117: Meritorious Rescue

The emperor, in a great rage, naturally led to the beheading of many.

This implicated all the officials in the southern examinations. The Wei family got involved at that time.

Wei Niang's father was imprisoned and died in jail. Her mother was strangled with white silk.

Her brothers were also imprisoned and eventually executed.

Only Wei Niang and her younger sister were sent to Yue Mansion, but her sister didn't survive long, dying from cold soon after entering the palace.

The southern examination scandal was the biggest case in the late years of the previous emperor, nearly involving the entire Jiangnan region.

"She probably harbored hatred, and it involved Prince Li..." Zhu Yu said.

"It can only be said that Prince Li also took great pains. The people he won over..." Yun Li sighed.

It had been over a year since Prince Li's death, and yet there were still those willing to avenge him. Wei Niang, constantly referring to him as 'Twelfth Brother', must have loved him dearly.

But Prince Li, watching her continue in Yue Mansion, must have only been using her.

Otherwise, for a prince, it would have been easy to have a dancer like her. Even if he couldn't make her his wife, having her as a concubine would have been better than leaving her alone in Yue Mansion.

Yet, she was still willing to die for Prince Li.

Just then, Zhu Ding returned, having gone out to gather information and incidentally bring back food.

During a meal, Zhuding said, "I've heard that the Fourth Prince's health might not be very good."

Yunli nodded, having thought it through.

Even if barely alive, the child arrived too early. It was fortunate he was born alive.

Three days later, the Empress and the Fourth Prince moved back.

Due to the child's frailty, the traditional third-day bathing ceremony was omitted.

Likely, the full-month celebration would be skipped as well.

Given the Empress's condition, the morning greetings were naturally exempted.

For palace affairs, aside from the stewards, the Noble Consort and Consort Jin assisted.

This was also when Concubine Zhang was moved back, now only hindered by her inability to move for fear of reopening her wound.

He Jinli, busy these past few days, hadn't visited her, but he had Meng Chang check on her morning and evening.

Clearly, her treatment had improved.

The entire palace was busy with this matter.

Knowing the mastermind was the Tyrant King, the investigation focused on his remnants. Anyone in the harem related was either executed or expelled.

The Tao family initially escaped disaster, because although they lost their official positions due to Empress Dowager Tao's death, they remained unharmed.

But with Wei Niang's madness, the entire Tao family was imprisoned.

Men and women alike were to be executed, leaving no one to seek revenge later.

It was the Emperor's wrath once more.

A bloodbath was inevitable.

Prince Qin was very sensible, actively assisting He Jinglei in his duties, indifferent to others calling him ruthless.

Victors are kings, and losers are villains; it has always been so.

From north to south, countless heads rolled.

The bodies of Wei Niang and five others were discarded at the common burial ground, forbidden burial, exposed for nine days.

It was a tragic end for six young and beautiful women, who even in death were denied the peace of burial, subject to such torment.

To the ancients, being denied burial after death was a fate worse than suffering in life.

Due to slow action, several members of the Imperial Guard were dismissed.

In the Imperial Garden, after a strict investigation, almost all eunuchs and maids were flogged and many expelled.

The eunuchs and maids now expelled from the palace could only await death.

There was no place left that would take them in.

No one dared to.

Normally, those who aged and could no longer serve were provided a place for their retirement.

Thus, not a single eunuch or maid was unafraid of being expelled.

Once out, the only path left was to beg.

But as royal penal slaves, even begging was forbidden to them.

Yun Li, sitting in the courtyard, always felt a sense of blood in the air.

In reality, it wasn't possible; the palace did not kill indiscriminately. It was just psychological.

By the time Consort Zhang finally received her decree of promotion, it was already the 20th of September.

Consort Zhang was elevated to the rank of Xiu Yi, one of the Third-Rank Noble Consorts.

She was the fastest to be promoted among her peers.

But no one could envy her, for what is the merit of saving the emperor?

Not only was Consort Zhang promoted, but her father also received a title, albeit only a baronetcy.

Yet, having a title or not makes all the difference.

This was a reward from the emperor.

Consequently, the status of the Third Prince soared, turning Tingzhu Xuan into a bustling hub overnight.

And it's bound to get even busier.

Yun Li simply watched with detachment, feeling indifferent.

All this was inevitable.

Had another consort rushed forward at that time, she would be receiving the same treatment now.

It's just unfortunate that those who were closer did not act.

The Empress, understandably, with her advanced pregnancy, had the will but not the capacity.

But Noble Consort, Virtuous Consort, and Orchid Consort, all closer than Consort Zhang, were too frightened to move.

Yun Li wondered what the emperor might be thinking.

Regardless of the emperor's thoughts, things had already unfolded as they had.

The Fourth Prince was extremely frail, barely able to take a few sips of milk, lacking strength, quiet and calm, seldom crying.

The imperial physicians, after several visits, simply said that he should improve after the first month.

The Empress, having given birth prematurely, was also bedridden, her health compromised.

She was anxious to the extreme, yet there was nothing she could do.

She could only instruct the wet nurses to care for him day and night, hoping to coax the Fourth Prince to eat a little more.

By the 9th of October, when the Fourth Prince reached his one-month milestone, he had finally shown some improvement.

Although still frighteningly weak, at least it wasn't the kind of fragility where one feared he might stop breathing if not constantly watched.

Because of the child's condition, even as the legitimate son, the full-month celebration was cancelled.

Fearing that any disturbance might prove fatal.

Meanwhile, Consort Zhang Xiu Yi gradually recovered; her complexion, though still pale, was much better than before.

Some rejoice while others worry; such is the way of the world.

And the emperor and the Empress Dowager, finally having a moment to spare, sat down to talk.

Not much was found on the Empress Dowager's side; the maid ultimately pointed to Empress Dowager Tao.

It wasn’t just about infiltrating the Empress Dowager’s side; there were others placed elsewhere. This time, it was a thorough eradication.

Furthermore, those who remained hid their identities, daring not to act rashly.

In Cian Palace, the Empress Dowager dismissed her attendants after they served tea, signaling for them to leave.

Only two people were left in the room.

The Empress Dowager was the first to speak, "Throughout these years, I believe I have devoted myself wholeheartedly to you, my son, the Emperor."

He Jinli stood up, "What are you saying, Mother? Is there something I've done wrong?"

"You have been very good to me; how could I not know? It's just that I'm not fortunate enough to have truly given birth to such a wonderful child," tears fell from the Empress Dowager's eyes.

He Jinli was startled, stepping back, "Mother..."

"Ah, you're a smart child. You've probably guessed it over the years. Yes, what Wei Niang said is true. You are not my biological child," the Empress Dowager gestured for him to sit.

He Jinli sat down, completely stunned.

"Back then, my position was unstable. I was ostracized on all sides. So... after Consort He became pregnant, we made an agreement. If I had a daughter and she had a son, we would switch them. I promised her that if it came to that, I would ensure she would have a worry-free life and the chance to have another child."