Chapter 0118: True or False

Chapter 0118: True or False

"As it turned out, that's exactly what happened. And then there was you."

The Empress Dowager, with tears streaming down her face: "But Consort He was unfortunate; after giving birth to you, her health declined. Despite using countless remedies, she couldn't be saved."

"At that time, although I was the Empress, I wasn't favored. I could only strive for her promotion, but due to her humble origins, she couldn't be elevated abruptly. It had to be gradual."

"Your seventh sister is considered her child. I know this wronged both your seventh sister and your birth mother. Originally, if you were still listed under her name, she could have been posthumously honored as Empress."

He Jinli then said, "If that were the case... I would have had no chance of becoming Emperor."

"Ah, even if you weren't born to me, I would have still supported you. But that would have made our lives even more difficult."

Indeed, even after He Jinli was later designated as Crown Prince, he suffered a lot in his childhood due to the Empress's lack of favor.

Even he, being born to the successor Empress, was not well-received.

"I was selfish, I raised you myself. I believe that even though I didn't give birth to you, I could still be a good mother. So, I never told you the truth, I couldn't bear to. I was afraid that after telling you, you wouldn't recognize me as your mother anymore. I couldn't bear it... my son..."

The Empress Dowager burst into uncontrollable tears.

He Jinli knelt down, "Mother, please don't do this. Even if... even if you didn't give birth to me, your care for me has been complete."

Both mother and son knew that they were both putting on an act.

But to say there were no real feelings involved would be a lie.

In the past, didn't the Empress Dowager know that the Emperor had long been aware of his own origins?

But with the He family gone, he had nothing much to say.

Without addressing this issue, it would just continue to grow.

But someone has broken the silence, even claiming the Empress Dowager was responsible for Consort He's death. That cannot go unaddressed...

"Mother has wronged you and your mother..."

"Mother, without you, there would be no 'today' for your son," He Jinli's words were both an act and the truth.

Without the identity of being born to the successor Empress, he would not have become the Crown Prince.

Even though the subsequent struggles were his own, without this starting point, there would have been no hope.

The Tyrant King, the Rebel King, none were inferior to him.

What made the difference was identity.

"My son, even if I had a thousand reasons to apologize to you, I did not kill your birth mother. She passed away from postpartum hemorrhage, weakening her body, and she died a few years later. I swear to heaven," the Empress Dowager said.

"Mother, your son believes you." Had He Jinli not investigated?

No, he had looked into it when he was still the Crown Prince.

The death of Consort He seemed to have no foul play involved.

Perhaps...

The Empress Dowager certainly wished for her death, but how?

There was no poisoning, no physical harm.

But the palace harbors too many secrets. Sometimes, to kill someone, all it takes is time.

There's so much that could be done.

He Jinli knows he cannot forget the Empress Dowager's kindness, having genuinely felt her affection during his childhood.

As he grew up, the Empress Dowager wholeheartedly supported him.

Even after he became Emperor, the Empress Dowager never attempted to bring women from the Lin family into the palace.

Consort Lin, after all, was his choice.

So, what can he do?

He can only believe. Yet, he detests the Rebel King and the Tyrant King to extremes; even in death, they give him no peace.

Though it's unspoken in the palace, He Jinli feels as though the deceased Tyrant King has slapped him across the face.

Because of this, he's exceptionally ruthless this time; those who should die, will not escape.

Thus, even into the twelfth lunar month of this year, the killings continue.

The six assassins implicated hundreds in the palace.

None were spared from the harshest punishments.

The lightest punishment was a beating before expulsion.

The entire harem fell silent, as if frozen.

Even in Le'an Palace, the eunuchs and palace maids entering and exiting all looked terrified.

Yunli, tired of it all, simply gathered everyone together.

"You all know why people are being arrested and killed in the palace. What's the purpose of acting like this now? Could it be that there are traitors in this Le'an Palace?"

Terrified, everyone hurriedly knelt down to plead their innocence.

"If you're wronged, then lift your spirits. In the harem, framing each other is not uncommon. With the way you're behaving now, it's easy to attract unwanted attention. If you haven't done anything wrong, stand tall. The Emperor is indeed furious, but is he one to kill the innocent indiscriminately?" Yun Li frowned.

"The beauty speaks the truth. The Emperor is wise and will only punish the wicked," Cui Ke said.

"Good that you understand. I may not hold a principal position in the palace, nor can I manage you all, but having spent nearly two years together day and night, as a fifth-rank beauty, I still have the right to speak. If you take my advice, from today onwards, cheer up and do your duties well. The harem is under strict scrutiny. If they find minor theft or laziness, at most you'll get a beating. But appearing guilty and offending those above could get you expelled from the palace. Think it over."

Everyone hurriedly claimed they wouldn't dare, and indeed, there was sense in these words.

"Alright, from today onwards, do your duties well. Though you're eunuchs and maids managing this palace, I am not the chief consort. But if you fall into trouble, as long as it's not a crime of treason, I will plead for you."

Cui Ke, quick-witted, led the way in kowtowing: "This servant thanks the beauty for her care."

Hearing this, everyone indeed felt much better.

Those in charge of menial tasks, especially housekeeping, truly fear such times the most.

Not only do they fear offending the nobles, but they also dread being scapegoated.

Although Consort Qiong isn't the head of a palace, her imperial favor is flourishing. Her willingness to protect them is the best they could hope for.

Standing by the door, Ye Baolin just listened.

After Yun Li left, she left as well.

"Consort Qiong has seen through it. These people have indeed made mistakes repeatedly in the past few days," said the Attendant Shu.

Ye Baolin glanced at the Attendant Shu: "Is that how you see it?"

The Attendant Shu was startled: "This servant is dull-witted; surely I must have seen it wrong."

Attendant Mo hurriedly said: "Although it's intolerable, it doesn't mean there's no intention of winning people's hearts. Consort Qiong knows how to handle affairs."

Ye Baolin didn't agree nor disagree, and simply went back to reading.

The Attendant Shu and Attendant Mo exchanged glances, both thinking the same: their master was inscrutable, truly unfathomable.

When one is favored by fortune, indeed, everything they do seems right.

Just like how, not long after Yun Li gave a reassuring pill to Le'an Palace, the Emperor came.

During these times, apart from visiting the Empress, the Emperor also visited Consort Lan, Consort Mei, and others.

Watching the eunuchs and maids, each terrified as if he were a tyrant ready to kill and taste blood at any moment.

Today's visit to Le'an Palace, I thought it would be the same.

But unexpectedly, it was different. Although the eunuchs and maids were still fearful, it wasn't much different from before.

They were fully compliant with the rules, yet not trembling with fear.

Especially those serving Qi Yunli, they were particularly appropriate.

This comforted He Jinli's heart.