Chapter 0338: Consort Zhang

Chapter 0338: Consort Zhang

However, everyone noticed that although he confessed to everything, the evidence was insufficient to convict Consort Jinde.

That is, he admitted to his actions but couldn't prove they were at Consort Jinde's behest.

He claimed it was Consort Jinde’s mother who instructed him, yet Consort Jinde’s mother had been dead for six to seven years.

Consort Jinde's father had been dead for four years.

There were absolutely no living witnesses.

As a consort of the first rank, Consort Jinde's family naturally held a title, which her brother inherited.

Her brother, who currently lives in the capital, seldom goes out due to chronic illness.

He is known as the Sick Marquis.

Since Consort Jinde's parents were mentioned, and they had passed away, her brother was summoned.

Marquis Zhang Zicheng did come, but he knew nothing about these matters.

He genuinely didn't know; due to his frail health, he only has one daughter, who just got married at the beginning of the year.

Even his title is intended to be passed on to his brother's children.

Now hearing about his brother's actions, he was utterly shocked.

Was there even a need to question him? He fainted right in the capital judiciary.

Frightened, Lord Xu hurriedly had people carry him to the main hall, considering he was a marquis; what if something happened?

This news reached He Jinli, who merely scoffed: "So, all of this was Zhang Youcheng's doing? For what purpose?"

"Well, according to him, he doesn't know; it was all arranged by his mother before her death," Zhuang Shen said.

"Haha, what a filial son," He Jinli commented dryly.

"So, Your Majesty, do we continue with the punishment? In my view, he genuinely doesn't know more. He's not tough," Zhuang Shen said.

He Jinli sneered: "Since he doesn't know, I can't press him further. It wouldn't be fitting for me, the Emperor, to appear merciless. Give him fifty lashes, exile him to the southwest, and he shall never hold an official position again. His descendants are also barred from inheriting his brother's title."

"Yes," Zhuang Shen went to carry out the orders.

After Zhuang Shen left, He Jinli looked at Meng Chang: "I had no idea Consort Jinde was capable of thinking ten steps ahead. Quite impressive indeed."

Meng Chang merely bowed his head, thinking there was more the Emperor wanted to express.

The primary concern was how heartbreaking the death of the eldest prince was? The Emperor even knelt all night at the ancestral temple because of it.

But what about Consort Jinde? To think she could plan so much amidst the grief of losing her son.

And to shift the blame to her mother. The more foolish Zhang Youcheng appears, the more cautious and terrifying Consort Jinde seems.

Of course, plotting isn't unusual; which consort in the harem doesn't scheme?

Yet, it can't help but feel both shocking and chilling.

He Jinli tapped the table lightly: "Tell me, how should I punish her?"

Meng Chang knelt down: "Ah, this servant is just a palace eunuch..."

He Jinli chuckled: "Go, issue a decree. Demote Consort Jinde to..."

He paused, sighing: "Demote her to Consort, strip her of her title. Say she failed to control her natal family, allowing her brother to slander the Empress."

"Yes," Meng Chang stood up to leave.

Stripping of her title... that's quite a slap in the face.

The Emperor seems to think she's unworthy of both virtue and the title Jinde.

When the decree was issued, Consort Jinde herself took it relatively well, understanding it meant losing a layer of her status.

The rest of the harem was quite pleased.

Since entering the palace, Consort Jinde had held a high position, and now she was being demoted.

She became Consort Zhang.

It was quite awkward; though still of the second rank, she lost her honorary title, which was quite a blow to her prestige.

Her status has significantly diminished after this incident.

People wondered if she retained her title as a consort because of the Second Prince.

After all, the Second Prince was not implicated.

Regardless, her former glory was temporarily gone.

The next morning, Consort Zhang still attended the greeting ceremony. Her confinement was lifted after her demotion.

She demonstrated her resilience by kneeling immediately: "Your Highness the Empress, please forgive me. It was all my brother's doing without my knowledge. Thinking of the eldest prince pains my heart, leading to my reckless actions. Please forgive me for my maternal affection. If Your Highness will not, I am ready to accept any punishment."

The Empress looked at her coldly for a moment before finally saying, "Rise. I don't wish to blame you further. Just don't use the eldest prince as an excuse anymore."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Consort Zhang stood up.

"Your Highness is right; the departed child is the most pitiable. His Majesty naturally misses his eldest son. But this should not be used to repeatedly test His Majesty's leniency. This time you remain Consort Zhang, but next time, well..." Yunli smiled lightly.

"Consort Yun speaks the truth," Consort Zhang sat down.

Not to mention anything else, but her ability to adapt is indeed not common.

After the greeting ceremony, Yunli was kept back by the Empress.

Whether the Empress truly let go is hard to say, but she held Yunli's hand in gratitude: "I owe you much."

"It's what I should do. As long as Your Highness is well, that's all that matters," Yunli replied.

"Ah, it's only after some events that one knows who truly cares. I was wrong in the past; let's not dwell on it. Let's get along well from now on. Over time, you'll see," the Empress smiled.

"That would be wonderful; I've noted it all. Your Highness seems a bit pale, didn't sleep well? Rest more. Nothing is urgent, taking care of your health comes first," Yunli advised.

"You're right; I'll have the imperial physician look at me," the Empress laughed.

When Yunli left Fengyi Palace, she maintained a warm smile.

Those who saw her wondered, "What happy matter did Consort Yun and the Empress discuss?"

People might not know, but they can certainly speculate.

Putting together the incident with Consort Zhang, everyone suddenly understood.

Goodness, it was Consort Yun and the Empress together who brought Consort Zhang down, wasn’t it?

Remarkable.

This must primarily be Consort Yun's doing, right? After all, the Empress couldn’t even secure the Crown Prince's position before.

So, it was Consort Yun supporting the Empress?

Truly remarkable.

Adding to that, Consort Yun is so favored.

With this development, the eight newcomers immediately ranked Consort Yun as the foremost among them.

She must not be offended at any cost.

Yunli was completely unaware that her smile had sparked so much speculation.

But even if she knew, it wouldn’t matter. Making people think twice before crossing you is not a bad thing.

Feeling good, Yunli was in no rush to return and instead visited the Imperial Garden.

She even sent Zhu Ding to invite the Emperor.

"Tell His Majesty, if he's not too busy, to come to the Imperial Garden for some relaxation. It's cold, but we can gather around a brazier. Tell him I've brought my zither," Yunli said.

Zhu Ding agreed with a smile.

For He Jinli, of course, there were matters to attend to, but they didn’t all need to be done immediately.

Yunli had invited him, and it had been a long while since he visited the Imperial Garden.

So, although he complained about the trouble, he honestly ordered a change of clothes.

He donned a robe of dark crimson, cloaked in a white fox fur cape.

Even this choice of cape was influenced by Yunli, as the Emperor usually wore only dark capes in winter.

White was somewhat flamboyant, but she liked it. Thus, he also had a few made.

"It's evident that I don't work with outlines; otherwise, a character like Zhang Fei wouldn't have come to be."