Chapter 312

Chapter 0312: Predicament

"I cannot accept this reasoning. If we're talking about close relationships, haven't you and Yun Li been close these years? Yet, at the first sign of trouble, you seem to disregard all past affections, rushing to judgment without inquiry. Is it because you are impartial, or is it due to a personal vendetta?" The Noble Consort sneered.

"Noble Consort, are these words meant for me?" the Empress angrily said.

"What? As the Noble Consort, am I not even allowed a question?" the Noble Consort retorted.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger, and you too, Sister Noble Consort. This matter is indeed peculiar. The Third Prince did what he did yesterday, and today to immediately trust those around him seems rash. And Yun Xiao Yi, with your constant flip-flopping, which time were you telling the truth?" Consort Shu inquired.

"I truly do not know. I just felt that the case with Consort Xu was rushed and suspicious, not daring to claim that Consort Qiong is definitely at fault," Yun Xiao Yi hurriedly said.

"Playing both sides, it seems we cannot trust your words," Lady Yu snorted.

"Why can't we trust her? Yun Xiao Yi is but a minor concubine, what could she dare to say?" Lady Hui argued.

"Really? What is there to fear in speaking the truth?" Yun Li scoffed. "With the Empress in charge, I'm merely a second-rank consort. What do you fear?"

Yun Xiaoyi secretly resented Hui Meiren's indiscretion: "No, I truly just find it peculiar. As for the specifics, I must leave it to Her Majesty the Empress to decide."

Yun Li inquired, "May I ask Your Majesty, has my guilt been determined already?"

The Empress glanced at her: "I acted hastily. His Majesty sent these matters for my attention, and I cannot ignore them. For now, return home and try not to go out. These issues will be thoroughly investigated. If you are wronged, I will apologize to you in due time."

"Then I thank Your Majesty. I shall take my leave," said Yun Li.

As soon as Yun Li left, the Noble Consort scoffed, "Such haste from the Empress, yet only Yun Li has been willing to follow your lead so willingly within the entire harem. All these years, she has listened and yielded to you. Now, with a minor issue, you rush to judge without inquiry, eager for swift punishment. Such conduct has truly been enlightening. From today onwards, even if the sisters of the harem comply with Your Majesty, none will do so sincerely. Indeed, the Imperial couple of Great Jin are meant to stand alone, aloof. Who could genuinely match them?"

"Noble Consort! You are too presumptuous!" the Empress angrily retorted.

The Noble Consort laughed scornfully and stormed off.

She doubted the Empress would dare to do anything.

Indeed, the Empress dared not take any action.

This was the Noble Consort of Great Jin, also the eldest princess of Yuan Zheng.

Even the Emperor must show her respect, and the Empress Dowager could not disregard her. What could the Empress do?

The departure from the greeting was not pleasant. Min Fei walked with Wu Zhao Rong and commented, "You were unusually silent today."

Wu Zhao Rong frowned, "I feel... there’s something sinister about Consort Qiong. Normally, it’s fine to talk, but at times like this, I truly dare not speak. If she could fall from grace over such a minor matter, it doesn't seem like her."

"You really are..." Min Fei laughed.

"You laugh at me, but didn’t you also keep silent?" Wu Zhao Rong said.

"What could I say? I lack both favor and family background. It's enough just to live. I go with the flow and say a few words when necessary, but at times like this, does my opinion as a consort really matter? Whichever side I take, I'd be doomed, so it’s better to stay out of it," Min Fei shook her head.

"I used to ignore you, thinking you were a fool. Now, it seems... you’re not like that at all." At least she knew to keep silent at such times.

"Yesterday, His Majesty left from Yuqu Palace still in anger. I don't believe he would just let this go," Wu Zhao Rong said.

"Let's just wait and see," Min Fei replied.

No sooner had Yun Li returned than the Noble Consort's people came.

The Noble Consort said her coming over might be a bit much, especially after just having a confrontation with the Empress, so she sent someone close to her to comfort Yun Li.

Yun Li sent a message back saying she might be confined for a while at most.

In Zhengyang Palace, Meng Chang reported the morning's events. He Jinli coldly sneered, "She's always been headstrong. Who is she afraid of? Isn't it just like her to fall out with me at the drop of a hat? Now that someone is plotting against her, she still stiffens her neck, refusing to ask for my help. Let her suffer."

Meng Chang bowed and said yes.

Internally, he sighed deeply.

"His Majesty has already set the tone for this matter, suggesting someone has schemed against Qiongfei..."

"So what's there to endure?"

"Since it's a scheme, shouldn't His Majesty resolve it? Is there still any temper left?"

"Sigh..."

At Yunli's end, there was none of the anger or unrest Emperor Hejin had imagined.

"My lady, what should we do?" Zhifu knelt halfway, looking at Yunli.

"Isn't the Internal Punishment Department still investigating? Under severe torture, results will emerge. And if not, it's no bother," Yunli tapped the table lightly: "Actually, this matter is quite straightforward."

"We are dull-witted, please enlighten us, my lady," Zhifu and Zhuyu said.

"Well, it's simple. If back then I was the one who orchestrated Xu's actions against the Empress, then I would have been the first to spread the news that the Crown Prince is impotent, rather than keeping it tightly hidden. A flaw in an Empress-born direct son is a significant issue. If everyone outside knew, there would be petitions urging His Majesty to depose the Empress."

An Empress can be childless.

She can be incompetent, and have many issues.

But in this era, women are severely scrutinized. If your child is born disabled, it's a big problem.

There have been instances where the Crown Prince's frailty was blamed on the Empress.

"If the outside world knew the Crown Prince was a eunuch by nature, his deposition would be inevitable, and the Empress would not be able to maintain her position either."

"If I were harming her, whether it's about the Crown Prince's position or the Empress's seat, either way, spreading that news rather than hiding it would benefit me, wouldn't it? That's the biggest contradiction. Moreover, their accusations lack evidence."

"But those testimonies..." Zhuyu worried.

"Testimonies exist, but they're just one-sided statements. What use are they? If there were any substantive evidence, would you still be here with me?" By that logic, Yunli's people would have already been sent to the Internal Punishment Department.

"You're right," both maids sighed in relief.

"This is His Majesty being angry with me," Yunli chuckled: "It's okay, I have indeed been acting up these years. It's time for His Majesty to vent."

"My lady, you're not upset, are you?" Zhifu asked.

"Not really, it's a good opportunity to see if my eleven years were in vain." Yunli twirled a strand of her hair: "As for the Emperor, it's no big deal. I'll just be grounded for a few days. The person behind this has been plotting for a long time, and they won't be easy to find. But actions leave traces. How many people could orchestrate such a scheme?"

"There is one thing, however, that needs to be taken care of sooner rather than later," Yunli said with a cold laugh.

"What is it, my lady?" Zhuyu asked.