Chapter 059 A Special Morning Court

Chapter 059 A Special Morning Court

He Lanting wore a bright red first-class lady's robe, adorned with vivid cloud and crane patterns. She did not wear a hairpin, yet her hair did not appear disheveled.

The fiery red color made her skin look extremely pale, and her long, loose hair made her already delicate features appear even smaller.

Lin Baozhen watched He Lanting from afar; her red attire was the most eye-catching sight in the snow.

Even though she had passed thirty, she still caught the Emperor's attention. There must be a reason for it.

Lin Baozhen couldn't help but feel envious. If she had such beauty, she might have married Xie Jingzhi directly, without any of the current troubles.

He Lanting entered the imperial city like a flame.

She held the iron voucher and red book of the Yongning Marquisate, carrying the lifeless body of Yan Ji on her back. Due to the presence of the iron voucher, no one dared to stop her. The old lady of the marquisate watched as her daughter-in-law rushed into the palace.

Lin Baozhen noticed that Old Lady Zeng was still far away and approached her.

Her small deer-skin boots crunched in the snow.

"Old Lady Zeng, aren't you entering the palace?"

Zeng Xiu, who had been staring at the palace, turned around upon hearing someone speak and saw Lin Baozhen.

Zeng Xiu, pleased with Lin Baozhen's conduct, smiled and shook her head. "This old woman can't walk anymore. I'll wait here until His Majesty gives an explanation."

Thinking about the situation, Zeng Xiu realized that this might indeed lead to her. Despite her thorough preparations, she faced the possibility of being implicated with calmness. If discovered, she would face death calmly.

However...

Old Lady Zeng asked Lin Baozhen, "Why are you here?"

Lin Baozhen's presence seemed to suggest she wanted to witness He Lanting's entry into the palace.

Lin Baozhen replied, "I came to wait for Lord Marquis."

Zeng Xiu did not ask further, only nodding slightly. "Then, Madam, please wait patiently. This old woman will return home."

Lin Baozhen was taken aback, her tone incredulous. "Old Lady, aren't you waiting for news from Lady He?"

"Ting'er told me earlier to bring her here."

From He Lanting's actions, Zeng Xiu knew that once she entered the palace today, she did not plan to return to the Yongning Marquisate. With Yan Ji gone and He Lanting's age advancing, she needed to succeed while she still had her beauty.

Zeng Xiu followed He Lanting's words and now, having successfully seen her into the palace, she could retire gracefully.

Lin Baozhen suddenly realized that He Lanting would not leave the palace again after this. If Old Lady Zeng waited here, it would be in vain.

Thinking this, Lin Baozhen said, "Old Lady, please go back and wait peacefully."

Zeng Xiu acknowledged and returned to the Yongning Marquisate's carriage.

Lin Baozhen watched as the carriage drove away, leaving deep tracks in the snow.

She then turned to look at the palace, where the events were different from her dream. The Lady of the Yongning Marquisate entered the imperial city with a corpse, whereas in her dream, she carried the iron voucher.

But the difference should not be too significant, Lin Baozhen thought.

Today's morning court was destined to be turbulent, with the presence of a woman other than the Empress—Lady He of the Yongning Marquisate—and the special presence of Yan Ji's corpse.

/

The Emperor descended from his throne to examine Yan Ji's body, touching the poor child's face and shedding a tear. He sighed, "Xue Kuan, you are known for your investigative skills. Take this case seriously and solve it for Me and Lady He."

Emperor Chengde felt sorrow, especially when He Lanting mentioned that the child died without knowing his father and was buried as a legitimate son of the Yongning Marquisate, unknown to the world that he carried royal blood.

He Lanting arranged for the best embalmer to prepare Yan Ji, making him look as if he were merely sleeping. The Emperor felt even more moved upon seeing this.

Xue Kuan had been investigating for days, unable to determine the cause of Yan Ji's death. But when the Emperor shed a tear, a subtle thought emerged in his mind.

Could it be that Lady He had an affair, and the Emperor was the secret lover, making Yan Ji their child?

Without evidence, this suspicion was based on his years of experience in solving cases.

If true, Zeng Xiu, previously excluded, became a suspect in Yan Ji's murder.

Xue Kuan broke out in a cold sweat, finding the matter extremely difficult. He said, "Your subject will do his utmost."

Upon hearing Xue Kuan's assurance, He Lanting fainted, unable to bear the strain.

Given her faint, the "benevolent" Emperor naturally provided temporary accommodation for her.

Even the Censorate could not object, as Lady He was exhausted from grief over her son. The Emperor sympathized with her love for her child and kept her in the palace.

When Xue Kuan left the palace, he felt even more troubled. If the Emperor merely kept Lady He in the palace, he wouldn't think much of it, but the Emperor's tears over the corpse made him ponder.

While lost in thought, he heard a soft voice, "Lord Marquis."

Xue Kuan looked up to see Lin Baozhen, like a butterfly, rushing into Wei Wuhou's arms.

Her cloak fluttered as she tilted her head and said, "I came to fetch you."

Xie Yuan coughed awkwardly and embraced Lin Baozhen. "Let's get into the carriage."

Once inside, Xue Kuan released Lin Baozhen. The charm of his clingy wife was sometimes a bit overwhelming.

After a brief conversation, Lin Baozhen said, "I just saw Lady He."

Thinking of her cousin, Xie Yuan sighed, "She is also a pitiful person."

Xie Yuan, desperate for a child, could only imagine how he would feel if his own child were to be taken away in such a manner; he would surely be just as devastated as the other party.