Chapter 124: Evidence of Guilt

Chapter 124: Proof of Guilt

Retribution

"Concubine Lian?"

Shen Huai frowned and repeated the name, never expecting her to implicate Xu Qingwu as the mastermind.

In his eyes, Xu Qingwu had always been the same since he first met her—spoiled and haughty, but not evil at heart. She had even shown him kindness when he was down and out, ignored by everyone.

Moreover, he believed he had treated her well enough, granting her privileges far exceeding her station in every aspect of life. She was already a unique presence in the palace—why would she harbor such malice toward Su Jiaojiao?

Shen Huai grew suspicious and said coldly, "If there is even a hint of falsehood in your words, I will show no leniency."

The Emperor's words clearly indicated severe punishment. The thought of the endless tortures in the palace made the flower-bearing maid tremble in fear. She hurriedly said, "This lowly one wouldn’t dare lie! This servant was originally a gardening maid at the summer retreat. Because I was speaking ill of my betters by Concubine Lian, she pressured and blackmailed me into serving her, or else she would send me to hard labor. Out of fear, I agreed to Concubine Lian's demands. After the imperial procession returned to the palace, I was brought into the inner court and assigned to the floral department."

"A few days ago, a palace servant from Concubine Lian's side came to find me, saying Her Ladyship had set the date—it was to be within these few days—and warned me not to forget my duty. I was forced to carry out this reckless deed. I beg Your Majesty, in consideration of my lowly status and how my fate was not in my own hands, to spare my life!"

Cai Shan, standing beside the Emperor, lowered his voice and said, "Your Majesty, she keeps mentioning a palace servant from Concubine Lian's side. Why not have that servant brought in for interrogation as well, to ensure fairness and avoid relying on one-sided testimony?"

Shen Huai gave a faint hum, his inscrutable dark gaze piercing, his voice deep and cold. "Bring Concubine Lian here as well."

Behind a thin gauze curtain, Su Jiaojiao lay in the inner chamber, listening to the commotion outside with a slight frown.

At the moment, the poison’s effects still lingered, and her complexion still marred, preventing her from stepping out to participate directly. This left her feeling somewhat unsettled.

From what the flower-bearing maid had revealed, the scheme seemed rash—using an untrustworthy maid to carry out the poisoning might have superficially distanced the mastermind from the crime, but once the maid was caught and desperate to save herself, she would inevitably embroil them in scandal with no way to wash themselves clean.

This did seem like something Concubine Lian would do—it didn’t appear fabricated.

Besides, Concubine Lian’s hatred for her was no secret.

In the past, when Concubine Lian had enjoyed considerable favor—though never surpassing Su Jiaojiao—she hadn’t been this enraged. But now, with Su Jiaojiao commanding the Emperor’s exclusive favor for so long, given Concubine Lian’s infatuation with His Majesty and her prideful nature, she must have grown restless and acted in haste.

When Su Jiaojiao visited the Phoenix Palace at noon, Concubine Lian had been openly hostile, subjecting her to icy contempt. While the others had remained composed, Concubine Lian alone had seemed ready to tear her apart.

Su Jiaojiao’s Guanju Palace and Concubine Lian’s Yong’an Palace were both located in the southern quarters, not far from each other. The imperial guards promptly fetched the accused, and within a quarter of an hour, they returned with Concubine Lian and her suspected attendant.

The flower-bearing maid immediately pointed at the woman and cried, "Yes, it’s her! She’s the one who delivered the commands to me and told me to act today!"

Rou Xin glanced at her in panic, then at Concubine Lian, before hastily kneeling and greeting, "This humble servant greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be at peace!"

Cai Shan, who had accompanied the group, stepped forward and said quietly, "Your Majesty, this slave has verified the palace servant transfer records. This maid from the floral department was indeed transferred by Concubine Lian. There were also witnesses who spotted her conspiring with Concubine Lian’s attendants from afar."

Having said this, he bowed and retreated without another word. Shen Huai’s cold gaze swept over Concubine Lian, who was still bowing before him, and he said, "Do you have anything to say in your defense?"

When Concubine Lian first entered, she had been somewhat uneasy, uncertain how deeply the conspiracy was exposed. But seeing the Emperor’s demeanor and hearing Cai Shan’s words, she began to panic in earnest.

How had her entire plan been exposed? Rou Xin had assured her that this method was nearly foolproof—even if discovered, the accused palace servant would never betray her as the mastermind. So why had things turned out this way?

Faced with the Emperor’s expression, Concubine Lian found herself at a loss, unsure how to respond.

In front of the Emperor, she had always maintained an image of fragile docility. Even when she acted spoiled, her cousin had always indulged her, speaking to her gently. This was the first time in all these years he had looked down on her with such cold indifference.

Hadn’t this plan been meticulously arranged? How did it come to this?!

Concubine Lian opened her mouth, but with the evidence stacked against her, she didn’t even know where to begin defending herself.

This palace servant hadn’t kept her mouth shut as Rou Xin had promised—instead, she had immediately named her as the mastermind. Rou Xin’s movements had also left traces everywhere, making it easy to track back to her. Incompetent! How did it come to this?

Concubine Lian glared at Rou Xin, who was guiltily lowering her head, and pointed at her in a burst of anger, exclaiming, "Cousin! Xu Qingwu was misled—this wasn’t Xu Qingwu’s intention at all! It was her, all her idea!"

Rou Xin’s eyes widened in shock. She immediately turned to the Emperor, tears streaming down her face as she shook her head. "Your Majesty! How could you push all the blame onto me? I’m just a mere palace servant—without your orders and approval, how would I dare do such a thing?"

"Your Majesty! I haven’t served Concubine Lian for long, and I bear no grudge against Noble Consort Zhen. Why would I do this? But Concubine Lian has repeatedly cursed Noble Consort Zhen, wishing to eliminate her! I had no choice but to obey given my position. Now that the truth is exposed, she refuses to admit it and wants to make me the scapegoat! Your Majesty is wise—please spare me!"

The whole plot was Concubine Lian’s doing—Rou Xin was just following orders. Lvwan was unaware of the specifics, only knowing that her mistress had instructed Rou Xin to relay orders to the guilty palace servant. Now, watching Concubine Lian and Rou Xin turn on each other, it was clear they were tearing each other apart—and Lvwan’s face paled.

But Rou Xin was her own recommendation—hadn’t she vouched for her? If Rou Xin acted like this, wouldn’t it implicate her as well?

Lvwan didn’t dare say much, only squeezing out a single word through gritted teeth: "Rou Xin!"

The moment she spoke, Rou Xin snapped her head toward her. Rou Xin quickly added, "Lvwan has always been by Concubine Lian’s side—she knows about these things too! I had no choice!"

Seeing herself cornered, Concubine Lian’s confidence crumbled. Her knees weakened, and she dropped to the floor, biting her lower lip as her voice trembled. "Your Majesty… Qingwu… Qingwu…"

Watching her struggle to defend herself, Shen Huai was utterly disappointed.

With both witnesses and evidence present, Concubine Lian had committed an unforgivable crime. Had it been anyone else, Shen Huai might have shown leniency—a light punishment as a warning. But she had harmed Su Jiaojiao, and Shen Huai was furious.

He stared coldly at Concubine Lian and declared, "Concubine Lian plotted against a palace consort and failed to discipline her subordinates. She is hereby stripped of her rank to Consort Yu and shall reflect on her mistakes in seclusion, forbidden from leaving without Our decree. No visitors without Our explicit approval."

"Consort Yu, you are the Empress Dowager’s niece—Our cousin—yet you acted so foolishly. You’ve let Us down gravely. Considering this is your first offense, We grant you a chance to reform. Return to your palace and reflect. If there is a next time, We will show no mercy."

Consort Yu went white as a sheet. The poison was strong but not deadly—and Su Jiaojiao was still unharmed. And now she was being demoted and confined?!

She scrambled up, crying, "Cousin—"

But Shen Huai had lost all patience. He jerked his sleeve aside as he rose, his voice icy. "Guards, remove Consort Yu. As for the palace servants—beat them to death."