Chapter 356 – Despicable Means

Chapter 356 - Despicable Means

"Halt the investigation thoroughly, and find out who else is involved," He Jinli said with a stern expression. "They're all grown up now, yet their minds have become more profound."

Upon hearing this, Meng Chang knew that the emperor was also suspecting the princes.

The first to be investigated were naturally those in Prince Third's service.

Prince Third was also frustrated. This time, he truly hadn't done anything.

Liu Ji had been detained by him early on, just in case he could die and leave no evidence behind.

Now, with the intensified investigation, he personally handed Liu Ji over to Song Dechang.

This would surely lead to torture.

In the meantime, Meng Chang was already looking into who had escorted Prince Ninth away.

No one had noticed outside the grand hall, but once they had traveled far enough, it wouldn't remain a secret.

Someone would inevitably witness it, and the truth would surface quickly. It turned out to be one of the original attendants in the palace, a man named Chen Delu, in his early thirties.

Let's apply the torture together.

As for Princess Mingzhu, she couldn't directly inquire about the matter due to her status. Her maid had been taken away.

She immediately panicked and requested an audience with the emperor.

He Jinli refused to see her.

Her actions essentially disgusted He Jinli. To put it bluntly, the Ninth Prince was like a child He Jinli had raised himself. Was there a father who wouldn't favor their own child?

Forget being schemed against, even if it were a mere encounter, as long as the Ninth Prince expressed his unwillingness, would He Jinli sacrifice his cherished child for this makeshift niece?

Not even the Empress Dowager could change that.

Princess Mingzhu simply failed to see through the situation.

She was still inexperienced. If this had happened in the palace with the Empress Dowager present, such an incident wouldn't have occurred.

She sensed the Ninth Prince's distant attitude towards her, and after their encounter, she realized even more how much the Emperor favored him. Thus, she was easily swayed by others' persuasion.

She had been used as a pawn, but with the Empress Dowager backing her, other princes and consorts, considering the Empress Dowager's influence, would likely consent to this marriage alliance.

The Second Prince's plan was that even if Concubine Xian was in favor, it wouldn't benefit him to openly offend the Empress Dowager.

Moreover, disregarding the Empress Dowager, the Zhang family's status was not to be underestimated.

Besides, could she really resist the allure of Mingzhu Princess's so-called fortunate destiny?

Unbeknownst to him, that supposed fortunate destiny for Mingzhu Princess had actually originated from Yun Li's hands.

In a way, Yun Li had bestowed a favorable fate upon Mingzhu Princess, only to inadvertently harm her own son in the process.

Ironically, this was the very nature of cause and effect.

The Ninth Prince promptly documented everything he knew and arranged for it to be sent back to the capital.

And the following day, both palace attendants who had inflicted the torture confessed.

This scheme was by no means brilliant.

To be honest, the Second Prince inherited his mother's nature. Empress Xuan wasn't astute when she was alive; otherwise, she wouldn't have been manipulated from start to finish.

The Second Prince was competent in his studies and knew how to forge connections with officials, but he lacked the skill to scheme against others.

He hadn't consulted Concubine Zhang before executing this plan; it was all his own doing. It was inadequately thought out.

He was betting on the Ninth Prince potentially taking advantage of his intoxication or, if he didn't, being too afraid to speak up after the fact.

Once the Emperor arrived, the deed would be sealed.

He never expected that, in an attempt to sober up, the Ninth Prince would jump into the lake.

That leap changed everything.

If he were truly willing, why would he need to resort to jumping into the lake?

In the eyes of His Majesty, it was they who had driven Prince Ji to leap into the lake.

At this point, what could surpass a parent's love for their child?

All the schemes and plots had ultimately come to naught.

Nonetheless, the matter did not directly implicate the Second Prince, stopping at his personal eunuch, Zhu Ming.

Zhu Ming dared not deny it and, leaving behind a suicide note, took his own life.

He had no choice but to die; his entire family was under the Second Prince's control.

He also dared not fall into His Majesty's hands, as he would not be able to endure the punishments that awaited him.

However, the plan was too crude.

There was no concrete evidence linking it to the Second Prince; in Zhu Ming's suicide note, he claimed it was his own doing, fueled by his disdain for Prince Ji.

But what did that amount to?

Prince Jinli was utterly disappointed in the Second Prince. Calculations were part of the game; as a prince, one always aimed higher.

But the Second Prince's methods were despicable and vile. The way he handled the aftermath was equally disdainful.

Now that the truth had been uncovered, since Zhu Ming was dead, his family would also be imprisoned and exiled.

As for the Second Prince, for his failure to discipline his subordinates, he would face twenty strokes of the cane.

Hesitating no further, Jinli expressed no more words. His initial favor towards this once-promising son had now turned cold.

The Second Prince was momentarily relieved that he had only been beaten, not yet fully grasping the profound implications of the situation.

As for Princess Mingzhu, Helian Jinli personally arranged for her safe return to the capital.

He was promptly sent back to the Marquis's residence, confined to reflect on his misdeeds behind closed doors.

The official announcement reached the harem on the eleventh of May. By then, He Jinli had already set off northward with his entourage.

At Yun Li's end, upon finishing the second letter from the Ninth Prince, she gave a cold laugh. "He truly thinks he's grown strong enough to fly on his own."

She was undoubtedly referring to Prince Second.

"Fear not, but I suspect Empress Zhang would be driven to fury upon learning this." This manner of conduct did not align with Empress Zhang's character.

"The one most aggrieved must be the Empress, right? The much-cherished Princess Mingzhu's prospects of marrying into the royal family are now utterly dashed." In such situations, it was typically the woman who suffered the greater loss.

Even if Princess Mingzhu had orchestrated this herself, it would make no difference; her dream of marrying Prince Ninth would be unfulfilled, and she would have to bear the consequences of her actions.

"Your Highness, rest assured. No matter what, our Prince will emerge unscathed from this," Zhi Fu reassured.

"Rest assured," Yun Li sneered. "Is mere reassurance enough? Let the mother pay for her child's debts. I don't usually bother with such trivial matters, but if they dare to scheme against my son, they should be aware of the consequences."

"Yes, this servant shall heed Your Ladyship's words."

Furthermore, the Empress Dowager might also resent Prince Second for courting death and Prince Ninth for his immaturity." Yun Li sneered. "It's high time for this palace to gauge the Empress Dowager's stance. If she were to cause trouble because of this, this palace wouldn't hold back either."

"Yes," Zhirou and the others felt their hearts surging with emotion.

"Go, investigate for this palace. Reveal the people around Xiaoyi Fei before and after her passing. Spare no expense in coaxing information from them. This palace refuses to believe that one's existence leaves no trace, that a swan's song is unheard as it flies by. Her story will not remain untold."

Once the truth behind Xuan Fei's death is uncovered, Concubine Zhang and the Second Prince will both be utterly ruined.

To acknowledge a traitor as a mother is nothing but a farce.

Yun Li's vulnerability lies in her children; she might overlook an offense directed at herself. But anyone who schemes against her son will not escape her wrath. The Ninth Prince merely fell into the water, yet they will lose much more than their skin.

"Let me clarify. Some readers mentioned that several incidents of scheming against the protagonist have gone unresolved. I concede that point, but how can every incident in the harem be thoroughly investigated? The emperor doesn't need to know every detail. It's enough to ensure he doesn't suffer any loss, isn't it? After all, even if the truth remains unclear, those who plotted against the protagonist still face her retaliation. If every event had a clear beginning and end, that would be unrealistic. This is my humble perspective, as I believe this reflects society in general. Rarely do things have neat resolutions. If we were to delve deeply, the protagonist herself has schemed, hasn't she? And those deeds have also come to light. Yes, please engage in discussions and offer feedback. Thank you to those who read attentively. The book is nearing its conclusion, with roughly a hundred more chapters left."

"This is not a romance or a story of instant gratification. Remember, it's a palace drama. All the concubines, princes, and princesses act within their rights. There's no fault in the emperor's affection for whoever he chooses."