Chapter 374 – Massacre of a Family

Chapter 374 - Massacre of a Family

These were all highly significant positions and individuals.

Consort Shu was indeed quietly amassing wealth. Marrying her niece's daughter into the family would undoubtedly be a good thing.

In this era, marital ties were incredibly strong.

"Honorable Lady, should we interfere in this matter?" asked the crested ibis.

Yun Li shook her head. "There's no rush. Let them proceed with the marriage."

What good was it if it didn't come to fruition?

The real trouble began once it did.

Fu Jingyang was no match for Zhuang Shen. Despite having similar backgrounds, he hadn't traveled as far on his path as Zhuang Shen had.

The emperor had yet to decide which prince to appoint as crown prince, but Fu Jingyang was already eagerly aligning himself with one.

Though officials were expected to align themselves early, his status was distinct. Sitting in this position, one must, at the very least, appear impartial.

Of course, the emperor wouldn't lose trust in Jingyang just because of this marriage. But it was hard to guarantee that he wouldn't develop some reservations over time.

Yun Li had a clear understanding now.

"Don't panic," she said. "Whether it's people outside or matters outside, whether it's Minister Qi or any other official, they are merely adding embellishments. For Ninth Prince to walk steadily, he will ultimately still need the emperor's support." She needed to hold firm to this belief, and ensure that He Jining did as well.

That's how humans were.

Once you believed that someone relied on you for a good life, you couldn't help but think of them when making decisions.

----

On the tenth day of the tenth month, Yun Li went to pay her respects in the morning.

As usual, she engaged in conversation until Yu Haiseng entered. "Empress."

"What is it?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, the entire He family of nineteen met bandits on their journey back home and... they all lost their lives." Yu Haiseng bowed his head.

The Empress was startled and instinctively looked at Yun Li.

Yun Li also knitted her brows.

Everyone's gazes fell on her, seemingly indifferent yet keenly aware. She had nothing to say in response.

She had expected someone to call for He Shi's death, but she never imagined that the entire He family would be silenced.

What a bold move.

If they called for He Shi's death, there would still need to be evidence for framing someone. Thus, she wasn't afraid.

But the He family had been wiped out. They were the Empress's maternal kin.

While alive, they were a source of troubles; now dead, their bloodline was severed.

The person behind this truly had a ruthless heart.

"The... Has His Majesty been informed of this?" The Empress was deeply shaken as well.

In any other household, such a massacre would have been horrifying.

But this was the He family we were talking about.

"Your Highness, the news came from the Zhengyang Palace. His Majesty must have just learned of it after the court session," Yu Hailiang reported.

Yun Li stood up. "Empress, we should send someone to check on Lady He. At least ensure she's safe."

The Empress nodded. "Consort Xian is right. Yu Hailiang, go and make sure everything is settled properly. See to it that no one harms her."

"Yes, Your Servant will go immediately," Yu Hailiang replied hastily.

Wu Zhaoongong was eager to speak but held back when she saw Yun Li's grim expression.

Instead, Pei Xiuyuan spoke up. "This is too strange. Why does it seem like every incident is somehow connected to you, Consort Xian? Even I, without thinking, associate this tragedy with you, not to mention the public's reaction if they learn the entire He family perished."

Pei Xiuyuan's words were straightforward, leaving Yun Li with little reason to be angry.

She smiled. "The truth can only be uncovered by His Majesty's investigation. Regardless, the He family has met a tragic end. It truly is a sorrowful affair."

Nineteen individuals were involved: He Changsheng and his wife, their two sons and daughters-in-law, four grandchildren, their second daughter, a concubine, and several servants.

Even if this wasn't directly related to the He family, it was still a major case.

On He Jingen's side, he was both shocked and furious.

As Yun Li had anticipated, while the He family was alive, they were a disappointment, but their death stirred unease in him.

This anger wasn't solely about the incident; it was because someone dared to target his maternal clan.

Deep down, he didn't believe Yun Li would do such a thing. For one, there was no need, and secondly, she was clever enough not to engage in such actions.

If she were to take action, she might have personally sentenced the He family to death.

But within just half a day, some evidence had already been laid out on the desk in the Zhengyang Palace, pointing directly at Yun Li's younger brother, Qi Xiaoming.

Despite He Jingen's disbelief that Yun Li would commit such a deed, with the evidence before him, he couldn't guarantee that the Qi family wouldn't retaliate.

Of course, logically, he inclined to believe it was a slanderous act.

However, even as an emperor, he needed to investigate before making any statements.

In Yuxugong, Yun Li's expression was grave.

If previously, He Shi's attempt to frame her was merely a petty and crude tactic, then the ruthless move of the person behind this recent incident was indeed a major issue.

Killing someone outside the palace made the scheme much easier to execute.

Regardless of whether the accusations were proven true in the end, the rumors that would circulate would not be pleasant to hear.

This was a plot to ruin the Ninth Prince.

Yun Li gripped the back of her chair, her mind racing to devise a countermeasure.

If the mastermind behind this could not be exposed, even if the emperor chose to overlook the matter, the lingering uncertainty would still damage the Ninth Prince's reputation.

Who would dare to follow someone capable of easily annihilating an entire family?

Indeed, what a cunning plan!

Yun Li gritted her teeth. "I had no idea there was someone so ruthless."

"Your Highness, could it be Empress Shu? Currently, the voices advocating for the establishment of a crown prince are highest for Prince Sixth and our Prince Ninth," Zhi Fu said.

"I don't think it's her. Although she would undoubtedly wish ill on my child's reputation, the Emperor would suspect her first in such a situation," Yun Li said, suddenly realizing something.

"Send Bai Lu out to find Minister Qi. Tell him that I have doubts about Empress Shu. Since the situation is unclear, people will suspect me. The Emperor will inevitably also suspect Empress Shu. Ask Minister Qi to fan the flames and let the one behind this scheme have their way," Yun Li instructed.

"As you wish, Your Highness. This servant will go immediately," Zhi Fu hurriedly replied.

Normally, it was the Mandarin Duck who left the palace, but given the current situation, it was better to send Bai Lu, attracting less attention.

"Who does Your Highness suspect? Another prince?" Jujube asked.

Yun Li nodded. "If not Empress Shu, it must be someone else. Has the Second Prince given up? What about the Fifth Prince? And both the Tenth and Eleventh Princes are grown now."

It was unrealistic to think that someone within the palace would want to harm over a dozen people.

Out in the world, things are much simpler.

Consorts have their own families, and as princes grow older, they gain more resources to draw upon.

As they spoke, the Ninth Prince arrived.

He immediately asked, "Mother, are you alright?"

"Stay calm, what could happen to me?" Yun Li furrowed her brow. "One must not be hasty in such situations. The more urgent the matter, the more composed one needs to remain. If those beneath you see you flustered, they will only become more chaotic. No matter how great the calamity, you must bear it within your heart. Even if it's a matter of life and death, you must hold your ground."

"I understand, Mother. I was indeed rash, and your lesson is well taken." The Ninth Prince took a deep breath, appearing significantly calmer than before.

His mother truly knew how to maintain composure; he had been momentarily panicked when he first heard the news. This was no small matter.

"Mother, was this act done by Consort Shu?" the Ninth Prince inquired, his face contorted with anger. His expression mirrored that of He Jinli's when he was enraged.

"Sorry, I'm late again."